The ONA House of Delegates (HOD) will be held May 6, 2026, during which potential resolutions and proposed amendments to the ONA Bylaws will be presented and voted on by delegates. Before the HOD can vote on a proposed amendment or resolution, they must be submitted to the bylaws committee for review (as per the ONA Bylaws Article VI), see below for the processes.
To learn more about submitting bylaws amendments, click here.
What is a Resolution?
A resolution is a formal proposal made by ONA members to establish, change, or clarify organizational policy, priorities, or positions. Resolutions can focus on healthcare practice, labor rights, patient advocacy, organizational governance, or other areas central to ONA’s mission and work.
What is the House of Delegates (HOD)?
The House of Delegates (or HOD) is ONA's highest decision-making body, composed of delegates elected from across Oregon. HOD convenes every other year to debate, discuss, and adopt resolutions and policies that guide the association’s work, ensuring that the collective voice of nurses shapes our profession and practice.
Why Are Resolutions Important?
Resolutions empower every member to have a direct voice in guiding ONA’s priorities and policies. Through resolutions, members highlight emerging issues, address organizational needs, advocate for patient and member well-being, and ensure ONA remains responsive and accountable to its members. By submitting resolutions, members actively shape the future of nursing practice and healthcare policy in Oregon.
How to Submit a Resolution
Eligibility
Resolutions may be submitted by current members of the Oregon Nurses Association who are in good standing. You do not have to be a delegate to the House of Delegates to submit a Resolution!
Resolution Submission Portal
To submit a resolution, please use our online portal, which will open Jan. 26, 2026
You can find step by step instructions, sample resolutions, links to one-on-one coaching, and additional worksheets to help you draft your resolution in the section labeled “How To Draft A Resolution” below!
Submission Timeline
To ensure transparency, adequate review, and full participation in the House of Delegates (HOD) process, the following timeline outlines the key deadlines for submitting, reviewing, and acting on resolutions for the 2026 session:
- January 26, 2026 – Submission Portal Opens: The official Resolution Submission Portal will open to all ONA members. At this time, members can begin submitting their resolutions, accessing tools and templates, and requesting staff
support. The submission period will be publicly announced at least four weeks in advance to ensure broad awareness.
- March 1, 2026 – Final Deadline for Submissions: All resolutions must be submitted through the portal by this date—no later than eight (8) weeks prior to the House of Delegates. This deadline ensures time for administrative review,
cabinet assignment, and member engagement.
- March 5 - 6 – Board Review and Cabinet Assignment: The ONA Board of Directors will review all submitted resolutions and assign them to the appropriate Cabinet based on topic (e.g., Health Policy, Labor, Professional Practice,
Organizing). Resolutions that affect ONA’s Bylaws will also be routed to the Bylaws Committee for additional review.
- Dates TBD (by April 7, 2026) – Cabinet Open Meetings: Each Cabinet will hold at least one open meeting where any ONA member may attend and provide feedback, ask questions, or speak in support or opposition. Meeting dates and details
will be posted once finalized.
- April 15, 2026 – Delegate Packet Distributed: All resolutions, along with Cabinet recommendations and rationale, will be included in the official Delegate Information Packet. This packet will be distributed to all certified delegates
in advance of the HOD to ensure informed debate and decision-making.
- May 6, 2026 – House of Delegates Convenes: The 2026 House of Delegates will take place on Wednesday, May 6 in Eugene, Oregon. Delegates will consider, debate, amend, and vote on submitted resolutions, including those prioritized by
Cabinets and any brought forward from the floor.
See below for a timeline cheat sheet.
How To Draft A Resolution
The following tools and guides are designed to help ONA members write, refine, and submit strong, mission-aligned resolutions for consideration by the House of Delegates.
Resolution Writing Guidelines
View this guide which includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for writing a resolution
- Formatting standards, including how to use “Whereas” and “Resolved” clauses
- Tips for clarity, precision, and avoiding overly complex language
- Common pitfalls to avoid (e.g., duplicating existing policy, unclear calls to action)
- How to write a strong title and rationale
Examples of Successful Resolutions
Pre-submission Assessment Tools
Review and download the assessment tools below to help you evaluate your draft resolution before submission to ensure alignment with ONA’s mission, organizational capacity, and strategic goals.
- Financial Impact Assessment Template: Download and use this template to estimate any potential costs to ONA (staff time, travel, consultants, external vendors, etc.).
- Staffing and Resources Assessment Form: Download this checklist and determine the internal
resources needed to implement your resolution. Checklist includes:
- Departments potentially impacted
- Staff roles likely to be engaged
- Degree of labor intensity (low/medium/high)
- Mission and Vision Alignment Form: Download and use this form to assess how your proposal
aligns with ONA’s mission and strategic plan. Includes:
- Core values check (equity, safety, advocacy, etc.)
- Alignment with strategic priorities
- Potential conflicts or overlaps with existing resolutions or programs
Training and Support
ONA is committed to ensuring that every member who wishes to submit a resolution has the tools, support, and guidance they need, we know this can be a complicated process. Whether you're a first-time submitter or a returning delegate, we offer multiple
ways to get help throughout the process.
Live Resolution Writing Trainings
ONA will host two live online training sessions in the lead-up to the March 1, 2026 submission deadline. These 60-minute sessions will walk members through the structure, formatting, and best practices for writing strong, mission-aligned resolutions. These
sessions are open to all ONA members at no cost.
Each session will include:
- Step-by-step guidance on drafting “Whereas” and “Resolved” clauses
- Tips for avoiding common mistakes
- How to estimate financial impact and staff resources
- Time for Q&A
Specific dates TBD, but will be while the submission portal is open.
One-on-One Coaching
Need individualized support? We’re here to help. Members can request one-on-one coaching to:
- Get early feedback on a draft resolution
- Clarify submission requirements
- Assess alignment with ONA’s mission
- Estimate staffing or financial impact
To request coaching please email news@oregonrn.org with the subject line "HOD Resolution Drafting Coaching"
If you have questions about the deadlines, process, or writing an amendment or resolution, please contact ONA at news@oregonrn.org and we can help you get started.
