Bylaws

University of North Florida
Student Nurses’ Association
FNSA District #35
Bylaws 2008-2009

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of this organization shall be the “University of North Florida Student Nurses’ Association”, as a constituent of the Florida Nursing Students Association and the National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc., herein and after referred to as the UNF SNA.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

Section 1
The purpose of the UNF SNA is:
(a) To aid in the preparation of nursing students for the assumption of professional responsibilities.
(b) To aid in the development of the whole person and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.
(c) To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interests.

Section 2
The functions of the UNF SNA shall include the following:
(a) To provide a professional organization at the local level to nursing students and to encourage participation in meetings and activities of the association.
(b) To promote collaborative relationships with the American Nurses’ Association, the National League for Nursing, the International Council of Nurses, and their constituents, as well as with other nursing and student nursing-related health organizations.
(c) To stimulate interest on and understanding of the programs of Florida League of Nursing, and Florida Nurses’ Association.
(d) To serve as a channel of communication between the nursing students’ organization and the various state and district units of the graduate professional nurses’ organization.
(e) To participate as an active constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc., (NSNA) and the Florida Student Nurses’ Association (FSNA) through duly elected representatives.
(f) To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.
(g) To speak for nursing students to the public, institutions, and governmental bodies, and to influence health care, nursing education, and practice through appropriate legislative activities.
(h) To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities.
(i) To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence on the educational process.
(j) To promote and encourage recruitment efforts as well as participation in student activities and educational opportunities regardless of person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age and/or economic status.

ARTICLE III
CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP

Section 1
Active members shall be pre-licensure nursing students, accelerated pre-licensure nursing students, and Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) students and shall have all privileges of membership.

Section 2
Associate membership shall consist of previously active members for six (6) months beyond completion of the student’s nursing program and shall have all privileges of membership, excluding the right to hold the office of president or vice-president at the state and/or national level(s).

Section 3
Sustaining membership shall be open to individuals or organizations interested in furthering the development of the UNF SNA. Sustaining members shall receive information from the UNF SNA Corresponding Secretary but shall have none of the obligations or privileges of membership.

Section 4
(a) Payment of national, state, and local dues (if applicable) is a prerequisite for membership in the UNF SNA.
(b) The annual dues shall be $40.00 per member, which includes $30.00 for NSNA membership and $10.00 for FSNA membership.
(c) Such dues are directly payable to NSNA, which shall in turn remit to each state constituent. School dues, if imposed, shall be separately collected by UNF SNA.
(d) Any member who fails to pay annual dues in a timely manner shall forfeit all privileges of membership.

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

Section 1
The officers of the UNF SNA shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2
(a) The term of office shall be one (1) year from the meeting in which officers are elected.
(b) Only members who will be nursing students throughout the full term of office and have the privileges of active membership shall be eligible for said offices.
(c) Associate members may hold any office except that of President, First Vice-President, or Second Vice-President.

Section 3
(a) Officers shall deliver to their successors all records, papers, or property belonging to the UNF SNA, in proper order, no later than the close of the annual meeting.
(b) In the event that an officer fails to satisfactorily perform the duties of his/her office, official notification shall be sent to that officer as well as the academic advisor/consultant.

Section 4
The President shall:
(a) Preside at all meetings of the UNF SNA and of the executive committee.
(b) Appoint special committees with the approval of the executive committee.
(c) Serve as ex-officio member of all committees.
(d) Represent the UNF SNA in all matters relating to the FSNA, the NSNA, as well as all other official relationships.
(e) Hold committee meetings deemed appropriate.
(f) Function as the resource person for the committee chairs.
(g) Perform all other duties pertaining to this office.

Section 5
The First Vice-President shall:
(a) Assume the duties of the President in the event of a vacancy in said office. In the event of a vacancy in the office of First Vice-President, the vacancy shall be filled by presidential appointment for the remainder of the term, by the executive committee and upon advice of consultants.
(b) Assist the chairperson of the Committee on Bylaws who will make revisions to the UNF SNA bylaws, as necessary after the annual meeting.
(c) Submit a set of revised UNF SNA bylaws to FSNA. Set a deadline date for submitting revised UNF SNA bylaws to be the same as the cut-off date for FSNA constituency.
(d) Assist the President.
(e) Perform all other duties pertaining to the office.

Section 6
The Second Vice President shall:
(a) In the event of a vacancy in the office of Second Vice-President, the vacancy would be filled by presidential appointment, for the remainder of the term, by the executive committee and upon advice of consultants.
(b) Assist the chairperson of the Committee on Programs.
(c) Assist the President.
(d) Perform all other duties pertaining to this office.

Section 7
The Recording Secretary shall:
(a) Prepare the minutes of all business meetings of the UNF SNA following chapter format. Minutes shall include attendance, quorum, committee reports, old business, new business, announcements, assignments, and the date of the next board meeting.
(b) Read the previous meeting’s minutes at each meeting.
(c) Refer to duly appointed committees the necessary records for proper performance of their duties.
(d) Keep attendance records.
(e) Assist the chairperson of the Committee on Membership.
(f) Co-sign with the President, when need arises, all documents concerning UNF SNA business.
(g) Perform all other duties pertaining to this office.

Section 8
The Corresponding Secretary shall:
(a) Maintain all official correspondence for UNF SNA, which includes drafting letters for the executive committee and retaining permanent records of all correspondence.
(b) Work to increase the public presentation of nurses as professionals in order to promote a positive image of nurses and of the profession itself.
(c) Inform NSNA and the FNSA of all current programs and activities, and provide up-to-date names and addresses of chapter officers to the FNSA regional director.
(d) Assist the chairperson of the Committee on Membership.
(e) Maintain a current list of UNF SNA members.
(f) Perform all other duties pertaining to this office.

Section 9
The Treasurer shall:
(a) Be responsible and accountable for maintenance of UNF chapter funds.
(b) Be responsible for the assurance of two signatures from the executive committee on all checks.
(c) Have the ability to draw on no more than $20.00 per month for operational costs, with the approval of the executive committee, and without the approval of UNF SNA members.
(d) Prepare an annual line item budget.
(e) Have the authority to spend designated amounts on the line items within the budget.
(f) Make available an annual report to the general members.
(g) Assist the chairperson of the Committee on Fundraising.
(h) Perform all other duties pertaining to this office.

Section 10
All officers shall be required to attend ACSOP meetings on a rotational basis.

ARTICLE V
ELLECTIONS

Section 1
The officers of the UNF SNA shall be elected in March, with turnover held in April.

Section 2
All elections shall be decided by ballot. A plurality vote shall elect, a tie vote shall be decided by a revote, and then, if necessary, by casting a ballot.

Section 3
Graduating seniors are free to nominate, but may cast no ballots, for the election of the incoming officers.

ARTICLE VI
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1
The officers of the UNF SNA and committee chairpersons shall constitute the executive committee.

Section 2
The consultants shall serve on this committee as ex-officio members without a vote.

Section 3
The executive committee shall transact business of the UNF SNA between meetings of the chapter and shall report such transactions at the next scheduled meeting.

Section 4
The executive committee shall have the power to fill vacancies in any office except the office of President.

Section 5
The executive committee may select the member(s) of the UNF SNA who will serve as official delegate(s) to the annual FSNA convention.

Section 6
The executive committee, along with all other members of the UNF SNA, shall approve expenditures and the budget.

Section 7
Any member of the executive committee absent for two (2) meetings, and deemed unexcused by the remainder of the executive committee, shall be replaced by appointment, using the process previously outlined.

Section 8
The executive committee shall perform all other duties as may be specified in the bylaws.

ARTICLE VII
CONSULTANTS

Section 1
The consultants shall consist of two (2) faculty members who are representative of the Florida Nurses’ Association.

Section 2
The consultants shall counsel and advise the officers and members of the UNF SNA as the need arises.

ARTICLE VII
STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1
Standing committees shall be composed of members of the UNF SNA and shall assume such duties as are assigned by the President and specified by the bylaws.

Section 2
The standing committees shall report to the President on what is being presented prior to each meeting.

Section 3
There shall be the following standing committees, which shall consist of members, each appointed by the chairperson for the respective committee, and subject to approval of the executive committee (with the exception of the Committee on Nominations):
(a) Committee on Bylaws
(b) Committee on Mentoring
(c) Committee on Membership
(d) Committee on Fundraising
(e) Committee on Programs
(f) Committee on Nominations
(g) Committee on Public Relations
(h) Committee on CONECT Program Students
(i) Committee on Accelerated Program Students

Section 4
The Committee on Bylaws shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Receive suggestions for amendments to these bylaws.
(c) Submit all proposed amendments to the executive committee and the UNF SNA for review and approval.

Section 5
The Committee on Mentoring shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Assist in the planning of a mentoring program. The program shall consist of one junior nursing student and one senior nursing student, with a one-on-one relationship, to provide information and services.
(c) Submit all plans for the program to the executive committee for approval and to be voted on by those holding active membership.

Section 6
The Committee on Membership shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Promote and encourage recruiting efforts, participation in student activities, and educational opportunities.

Section 7
The Committee on Fundraising shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Formulate, organize, initiate, and implement fundraising activities.

Section 8
The Committee on Programs shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Plan and coordinate all programs, which may include speakers, location determinations, agendas, menus, and any further assistance as is deemed appropriate.

Section 9
The Committee on Nominations shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Receive and record official nominations of candidates.
(c) Obtain written or verbal consent of all candidates before placing names on the official ballot.
(d) Duties at the annual meeting shall include:
1. Overseeing the functions of election by ballot as deemed appropriate.
2. Presenting the official ballot of candidates.
3. Monitoring and investigating complaints of violations
4. Presenting new officers.

Section 10
The Committee on Public Relations shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Take photographs of association events.
(c) Utilize the media to inform the public of association activities, which may include writing articles for magazines and newspapers, and calling television and radio stations with information.

Section 11
The Committee on CONECT Program Students shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson enrolled in the CONECT Program who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Provide UNF SNA information to other CONECT students.
(c) Solicit suggestions and ideas from other CONECT students.

Section 12
The Committee on Accelerated Program Students shall:
(a) Consist of a chairperson enrolled in the Accelerated Program who shall be directly responsible to the executive committee and members.
(b) Provide UNF SNA information to other Accelerated Program students.
(c) Solicit suggestions and ideas from other Accelerated Program students.

Section 13
The executive committee, at its discretion, shall establish any other committees deemed necessary to carry on the work of the UNF SNA, and determine the functions, aims, and membership of such committees.

ARTICLE IX
FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the UNF SNA shall be from March to March.

ARTICLE X
QUORUM

Section 1
Three (3) officers and one (1) consultant of the UNF chapter shall constitute a quorum at executive committee meetings

Section 2
The chairperson and a majority of the standing committee members shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the standing and special committees.

Section 3
Three (3) officers, one (1) consultant, and a majority of the active membership shall constitute a quorum at UNF SNA meetings.

ARTICLE XI
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

All meetings of the UNF SNA shall be conducted according to parliamentary law as set forth in Roberts’s Rules of Order (10th ed.), where the rules apply and are not in conflict with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS

Section 1
These bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting of the UNF SNA.

Section 2
All proposed amendments shall be prepared by the Committee on Bylaws and submitted to the executive committee for approval before the annual meeting.

Section 3
Proposed amendments may be submitted to the Committee on Bylaws by any active member.

Section 4
An amendment to the bylaws shall become effective immediately upon its approval at the annual meeting, unless the amendment specifies a distinctly effective time frame.

Section 5
These bylaws may be amended without previous notice at the annual meeting.