ARTICLE I
Name and
Auspices
The name of this organization shall be the
New Hampshire Student Nurses’ Association, a constituent of the National
Student Nurses' Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as NHSNA and NSNA,
respectively.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and
Function
Section 1.
The function and purpose of this association shall be:
A. To assume
responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for
the highest quality health care;
B. To provide
programs representative of fundamental and current professional interests and
concerns;
C. To aid in
the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and his/her
responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life;
D. To have
direct input into standards of nursing education and influence the education
process;
E. To
influence health care and nursing education and practice through legislative
activities as appropriate;
F. To promote
and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved
health care and the resolution of related social issues;
G. To
represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and other
organizations;
H. To
encourage and promote opportunities for underrepresented students in nursing
and in NHSNA;
I. To promote
and encourage students' participation in interdisciplinary activities;
J. To promote
and encourage collaborative relationships with all nursing and health-related
organizations.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1.
Individuals in good standing shall constitute the voting membership of NHSNA.
Section 2.
A. Active
Members:
1. Students
enrolled in state-approved programs leading to licensure as a registered nurse.
2. Registered
nurses enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in
nursing.
3. Students
enrolled in articulate advanced degree program i.e. generic RN program leading
to Master’s or PhD degree.
4. Active
members shall have all of the privileges of membership.
B. Associate
Members:
1.
Pre-nursing students, including registered nurse, enrolled in college or
university programs designed as preparation for entrance into a program leading
to an associate degree, diploma, or baccalaureate degree in nursing.
2. Associate
members shall have all of the privileges of membership except the right to hold
office as President and Vice President at State and National levels.
C. Individual
Members: Individual membership shall be open at the state and national level to
any eligible student when membership in a constituent chapter is not available.
Individual members shall have all the privileges of membership in NHSNA.
Section 3.
Active and associate membership may be extended six months beyond completion of
a student's program in nursing.
Section 4.
Sustaining memberships shall be open at the state level to any individual
interested in furthering the development and growth of NHSNA, upon approval of
the Board of Directors. Sustaining members shall receive literature and other
information from the association but shall have none of the obligations or
privileges of membership.
Section 5.
Honorary membership may be conferred by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors to
persons who have rendered distinguished service or valuable assistance to
NHSNA, nursing and/or nursing education. Honorary members shall have none of
the obligations or privileges of membership.
Section 6.
FEES, DUES, AND ASSESSMENTS
Each member in
good standing must pay, within the time of the conditions set by the Board of
Directors, annual dues in amounts to be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors and approved by the membership. The dues and fees shall be equal for
all members of each class, but the Board of Directors may set different fees
and dues for each class. Payment of NSNA and NHSNA dues is a pre-requisite for
membership in NHSNA in accordance with NSNA membership enrollment procedure.
Section 7.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
A. Causes of
Termination: The membership of any member shall terminate upon occurrence of
any of the following events:
1. The
resignation of the member.
2. The
failure of a member to renew his or her membership for the following year by
paying annual dues within the times set forth by the Board of Directors.
3. The
occurrence of any event which renders such member ineligible for membership,
provided that termination for such cause shall take effect only upon expiration
of the period (not to exceed one year) for which such member's current
membership runs.
4. The
determination by the board of directors or a committee designated to make such
determination that the member has failed in the rules of conduct of NHSNA or
has engaged in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the interests of
the corporation.
Section 8.
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIPS
No members may transfer a
membership or any right arising from it.
Section 9. All
members in good standing may be eligible for office on the Board
of Directors or as a Chapter
Representative for constituent chapters of
NHSNA.
ARTICLE IV
Constituent
Chapters
Section 1.
CONSTITUENT STATUS
School chapters whose membership
is composed of active or associate members and who have submitted the Official
Applications for NSNA Constituent Status containing the areas of conformity and
upon meeting such other policies as the board directors may determine shall be
recognized as constituents. Constituent chapters are required to submit the
Application for NHSNA Constituency Recognition to the NHSNA Vice President at
the NHSNA office by the date so designated.
Section 2.
SCHOOL CHAPTERS
A school chapter shall be
composed of at least 10 NHSNA members from a school, or the total school
enrollment if less than 10. There shall be only one chapter at each school
campus.
Section 3.
DUES AND BYLAWS
Subject to Article IV, Section 4
(Yearly Recognition), a school chapter shall be recognized as a constituent in
good standing when dues and appropriate bylaws have been received by NHSNA and
NSNA.
Section 4.
YEARLY RECOGNITION
For yearly recognition as an NSNA
constituent and NHSNA constituent chapter, each chapter shall be required to
submit annually the official applications for NSNA and NHSNA Constituency
Status (2 separate applications) which shall include the following areas of
conformity: purpose and functions, membership, dues, and representation.
Section 5.
REVOCATION OF STATUS
A constituent chapter which fails
to comply with the bylaws and policies of NSNA and NHSNA may have its status as
a NHSNA constituent revoked by a two-thirds vote of the NHSNA Board of
Directors, provided that written notice of the proposed revocation has been
given at least two months prior to the vote and the constituent chapter is
given an opportunity to be heard.
Section 6.
REPRESENTATION
Each constituent chapter shall be
represented on the Council of Chapter Representatives as defined in Article V
and the Board of Directors as defined in Article VI of the bylaws.
Section 7. DELEGATES
At a proper meeting the members
of each constituent chapter of NHSNA shall, by a democratic process, select
and/or elect delegates to represent them at the annual convention for purposes
of voting in the House of Delegates. Each constituent of NHSNA is entitled to
representation at all membership meetings of the association and have NSNA
delegates as set out in the NSNA bylaws.
ARTICLE V
Council of
Chapter Representatives (COCR)
Section 1.
BOUNDARIES
A. COCR shall
be a body of Chapter Representatives selected by constituent chapters. Each
constituent chapter shall select one Chapter Representative to serve on the
council.
B. Chapter
Representatives may be placed or changed within COCR by:
1. Petition to and approved majority vote of the
board of directors of NHSNA, or
2. Majority vote of the Board of Directors of
NHSNA pending approval of each school chapter involved.
C. Chapter Representatives do not hold voting
status on the Executive
Board.
Section 2.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Each
constituent chapter shall select one representative to serve on the Council of
Chapter Representatives (COCR).
B. All Chapter
Representatives shall be members of the NHSNA Board of Directors and the
Chapter Representatives shall be responsible to their constituent chapters. The
Council of Chapter Representatives may make recommendations to the NHSNA Board
of Directors.
C. The Council of
Chapter Representatives shall function within the scope of the NHSNA bylaws.
Chapter Representatives shall be selected by their respective chapters and
shall serve for a 1-year term or until their successors are selected
D. MEETINGS
1. This Council
shall meet at least once at each scheduled Board of Directors meeting.
2. Smaller groups
of Chapter Representatives, based specific task, may meet more often as deemed
necessary by chapters and are encouraged to do so.
ARTICLE VI
Board of
Directors
Section 1.
COMPOSITION OF BOARD
A. The
governing body of NHSNA shall be the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
shall consist of the officers, the Chapter Representatives
B. A member
of this association shall be eligible to be a candidate for office provided
he/she shall be a nursing student for at least 3/4 of the term of office.
C. No
individual shall hold more than one (1) voting position on the Board of
Directors.
D. Members of
the Board of Directors, except Chapter Representatives, shall be elected at the
annual convention and shall serve a one (1) year term or until a successor is
elected. Chapter Representatives shall be selected by chapters as described in
Article V of the bylaws.
Section 2.
REGULAR MEETINGS
The Board of
Directors shall meet as is deemed necessary by the President or by a majority
of the Board of Directors, but no less than twice per year.
Section 3.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Authority to call: Special
meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose may be called at any time by
the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, or any four Chapter
Representatives.
Section 4.
OPEN MEETINGS
No Board of Directors meeting
shall be closed to NHSNA members except for the discussion of matters relating
to personnel when deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.
PLACE OF MEETINGS: MEETING BY TELEPHONE
A. Regular
meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place
within or outside the State of
Section 7.
QUORUM
A majority of the authorized
number of officers at a meeting scheduled with proper of this article shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn.
Section 8.
ADJOURNMENTS
A majority of the directors
present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to
another time and place.
Section 9.
ACTION WITHOUT MEETING
Any action required or permitted
to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all
members of the Board, individually or collectively, consent in writing to that
action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as
a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Such written consent or consents
shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. Such written
consent may be communicated by fax or email.
Section 10.
VACANCIES
A. Events
causing vacancy: A vacancy or vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be
deemed to exist on the occurrence of the following: the death, resignation, or
removal, or disqualification of any officer or director. Except as otherwise
set forth in these bylaws; a vacancy in any office shall be filled only in the
manner prescribed in these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
B.
Resignation of officers and representatives: Except as provided in this
paragraph, any officer or representative may resign, which resignation shall be
effective on giving written notice to the President, the Secretary, or the
Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for the
resignation to become effective.
Section 11. ABSENSES
A. Officers of the Board of Directors who have
missed more than two regularly scheduled meetings of any current term year
without prior notification to the Board of Directors and who offer no valid
reason for such absences may be removed from office by a plurality vote of the
current officers and members present at the next scheduled meeting. The officer in question will be notified 2
weeks prior to the meeting.
B. An officer may also be removed from an office
by a plurality vote of the officers and members of the Board of Directors at a
meeting called for that purpose if that officer is deemed negligent in the
functions of that office as stated in these bylaws. The officer in question will be notified 2
weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Officers, Qualifications
and Duties
Section 1.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The officers of NHSNA Board of
Directors shall consist of the following: President, First Vice President,
Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and any other position deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. ELECTIONS
The Board of
Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting by members present. The election shall be by ballot and a
plurality vote shall elect. A tie vote
shall be decided first by a revote and if necessary then by a casting lot.
Section 3.
REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS
The First Vice
President shall assume the office of President in the event of a vacancy
occurring in that office. The President shall, upon the approval of 2/3 of the
Board of Directors present, appoint a Vice President or any other officer in
the event of a vacancy occurring in that office.
Section 4.
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
A. The
President shall:
1. Presides
at all meetings of this association.
2. Appoint
committees with the approval of the Board of Directors, and serve as an
ex-officio member of the committees.
3. Perform
all other duties pertaining to the office and represent this association in all
matters relating to NHSNA.
5. Be the
NHSNA delegate to NSNA.
6. Serve as a
member and chair of the Executive Board.
B. The First
Vice President shall:
1. Be
responsible for the Annual State Convention and promote those public activities
which reflect positively on NHSNA.
2. Assume
duties of the President in the event of a vacancy occurring in that office.
3. Perform
all other duties as assigned by the President.
4. Be the
alternate NHSNA delegate, if feasible, to NSNA.
C.
The Second Vice President shall:
1. Be responsible
for review and recommendations for changes in the bylaws.
2. Organize and
monitor state-wide projects as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors
3. Assist school
chapters and representatives in organizing health fairs and projects;
4.
Perform all duties assigned by the President.
D. The
Secretary shall:
1. Record and
prepare the minutes of all meetings of this Association and the Executive Board
meetings.
2. Record the
attendance of all officers and Chapter Representatives at each meeting of this
Association and notify the Board of those individuals who exceed the absentee
quota.
3. Serve as
Chairperson for the Council of School Presidents annual workshop.
4. Establish
quorum at all meetings of this Association.
5. Be
responsible for filing and correspondence with NSNA and School Chapters of
NHSNA
6. Keep a
register of the names and addresses of the officers and Chapter Representatives
of this Association.
7. Perform
all duties as assigned by the President.
E.
The Treasurer shall:
1. Review
dues income and membership rosters in accordance with procedure designated by
NSNA.
2. Act as
custodian for organizational funds and see that an Annual Financial report is
prepared.
3. Meet at
least once a month or more regularly as needed with the President to formulate
a monthly Treasurer’s report.
4. Be
responsible for hanging the year end statement reviewed and presented to the
Executive Board.
5. Perform
all other duties as assigned by the President or as necessary to assist the
Board and committees
F.
The Newsletter Editor shall:
1. Be
responsible for planning and setting the focus of the
quarterly
publications.
2.
Approve new articles for publication.
3.
Prepare an editorial for each issue.
4.
Seek advertisers for each publication.
5.
Be responsible for the layout and proof reading of the publication.
6.
Secure a printer with the Executive Board Approval.
7.
Be responsible for distribution of each issue to members.
8.
Perform all duties as assigned by the President.
G.
The Membership/Nominations Chairperson shall:
1.
Prepare a convention nominations slate and have all
biographical
information available to the membership at the annual conventions.
2.
Be responsible for screening the selection of nominees for
office.
3. Send biographical information and officer job descriptions to all
school chapters.
4. Work to full positions on the Board in the event of vacancy
5. Work in conjunction with the Secretary to compile an accurate
mailing list of each school.
6. Assist school chapters as necessary to develop a membership
recruitment period.
7. Prepare membership incentive programs with the approval of
the Executive Board.
8. Contact, in writing, all school chapters with the number of
delegates, as identified by NSNA, with they will be
allowed present at the National Annual Convention.
9. Perform all duties as assigned by the President.
ARTICLE VIII
Consultants
The Board of Directors may appoint and/or
remove consultant(s) as deemed necessary.
ARTICLE IX
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this association shall be
from April 1 through March 31.
ARTICLE X
Parliamentary
Authority
All meetings of this association shall be
conducted according to parliamentary laws as set forth in Robert's Rules of
Order, newly revised, latest edition, where the rules apply and are not in
conflict with these bylaws.
ARTICLE XI
Records and
Reports
Section 1.
MAINTENANCE OF NHSNA RECORDS
The association shall keep:
A. Adequate
and correct books and records of account;
B. Minutes in
written form of the proceedings of its members, Board, and committees of the
Board;
C. A record
or its members, giving their names and addresses and the class of membership
held by each. All such records shall be kept at the corporation's principal
executive.
Section 2.
MEMBERS' INSPECTION RIGHTS
A. Any member
of NHSNA may inspect and copy the records of members' names and addresses and
voting rights during usual business hours on five days' prior written demand of
the association, stating the purpose for which the inspection rights are requested;
or,
B. Obtain
from the Secretary of the organization, on written demand and on the tender of
the secretary's usual charges for such a list, if any, a list of names and
addresses of members who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and
their voting rights, as of the most recent record date for which that list has
been compiled, or as of a date specified by the member after the date of
demand. The demand shall state the purpose for which the list is requested.
This list shall be made available to any such member by the secretary on or
before the later of 10 days after the demand is received or the date specified
in it as the date by which the list is to be compiled; and,
C. Any member
of NHSNA may inspect the accounting books and records and minutes of the
proceedings of the members and the Board and committees of the Board, at any
reasonable time, for a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as
a member.
D. Any
inspection and copying under this section may be made in person or by an agent
or attorney of the member and the right of inspection includes the right to
copy and make extracts.
ARTICLE XII
Amendments
Section 1.
AMENDMENT SUBMISSION
All proposed amendments must be
submitted to the Board of Directors for approval at least two (2) months before
the NHSNA convention and to the NSNA Committee on Bylaws for approval at least
one (1) month before the NHSNA convention.
Section 2.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments may be
submitted to the Board of Directors, by any constituent chapter or individual
members.
Section 3.
AMENDMENT WITHOUT NOTICE
These bylaws may be amended
without previous notice at an annual convention or meeting called for such
purpose by a two-thirds (2/3) percent vote of those members present, entitled
to vote, and voting.
Section 4.
EFFECTIVE DATE
An amendment to these bylaws
shall become effective immediately upon its approval at the annual meeting
unless otherwise stated.
Section 5. EDITORIAL CHANGES
The Vice
President shall make editorial changes in the bylaws as needed,
provided that
these changes have been approved by the Board of Directors.