Summary of Bylaw Changes
Changes per the recommendation of the general membership at the November 15, 2005 meeting. (See below)
Proposed Changes to Include:
Eliminate the Vice-President and Past-President positions, leaving the officers of President, Secretary and Treasurer. All terms would be one year.
· Eliminate the current Board of Directors structure and replace it with seven members at large to serve as chairpersons for the following committees: Bylaws, Program, Membership/PR, Nurses Day, Nominating, Awards and Legislative. Members of the nominating committee would no longer be an elected.
· Decisions would be made by the membership at large.
· The Finance committee would be eliminated and the Treasurer would be responsible for preparing the budget with assistance from the committee chairs, which is the current process.
The Bylaws were revised and brought to the general membership meeting on February 21, 2006. After lengthy review of each section, a few additional changes were made by the membership. The amended bylaws were then approved by the membership. The changes are as follows:
· Secretary and Treasurer shall serve two year terms and shall be elected on alternating years.
· Secretary shall be elected on the odd years and the Treasurer on the even years.
· The President shall remain a one year term.
· Membership for all committees was changed to a “at least two” members.
· The Executive Committee shall not incur any liability in excess of $200.00 without the approval of the membership.
· Expenses exceeding budgeted amounts require prior approval by the Executive Committtee.
· Typographical errors were corrected and numbering changes were also made.
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Bylaws of the Northeastern Wisconsin District Nurses Association
of the Wisconsin Nurses Association
ARTICLE I Name, Purpose and Functions
Section 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Northeastern Wisconsin District Nurses Association, hereinafter referred to as the NEWDNA and shall comprise such territory as the board of directors of the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) shall designate.
Section 2. Purpose
A. The purpose of the NEWDNA shall be:
1. To work for the improvement of health standards and the availability of health care services for all people.
2. To foster high standards of nursing.
3. To stimulate and promote the professional development of nurses and advance their economic and general welfare.
B. These purposes shall be unrestricted by consideration of age, color, creed, disability, gender, health status, lifestyle, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Section 3. Functions
The functions of the NEWDNA shall include the following:
A. To participate in and support the legislative program of the WNA and the American Nurses Association, hereinafter known as ANA, and to promote local legislation as required to further the purpose of the NEWDNA.
B. To promote support and understanding of the ANA and the WNA efforts in workplace advocacy.
C. To represent nurses and serve as their spokesperson with allied professional, community, and governmental groups, and with the public.
D. To encourage compliance with the ANA Code of Ethics.
E. To provide for the continuing education of members.
ARTICLE II Membership
Section 1. Membership
A. The NEWDNA shall consist of members, each of whom holds concurrent membership in the WNA. WNA is a constituent of ANA.
B. Eligibility for membership is limited to an individual:
1. Who holds or is eligible to hold current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in at least 1 state of the United States, its possessions, territories or District of Columbia.
2. Who does not have a license under suspension or revocation in any state.
3. Who is not an impaired nurse in treatment and/or recovery who has surrendered a license to practice.
4. Who has completed a nursing education program qualifying the individual to take the NCLEX for registered nurses as a first time writer.
Section 2. Membership Rights
NEWDNA members shall have membership rights and privileges as follows:
A. Members are entitled to all privileges granted to ANA and WNA members.
B. Members may participate in activities and hold any office within the NEWDNA.
C. Members will receive the regularly published NEWDNA newsletter.
Section 3. Disciplinary Procedure
A. Disciplinary action against a member shall be limited to:
1. Violation of the WNA bylaws and/or the ANA bylaws;
2. Violation of the ANA Code of Ethics; and
3. Other actions which are harmful to the purposes, goals and functions of the ANA, WNA, or NEWDNA.
B. Alleged violations as named above will be referred to the WNA for investigation and
disposition.
ARTICLE III Dues
Section 1. Dues
A. Dues shall be paid in accordance with the WNA policy.
B. Annual dues for the NEWDNA shall be established by the NEWDNA.
ARTICLE IV Officers
Section 1. Officers
The officers of the NEWDNA shall be president, , secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2. Declaration of Election
Officers shall be declared elected at the annual meeting.
Section 3. Term of Service
A. The president shall serve one one-year term.
B. The secretary and treasurer shall serve two year terms (staggered)
Section 4. Duties
Officers of the NEWDNA shall perform the duties usually performed by such officers, and such duties as are specified in these bylaws
Section 5. Duties of the President
The president shall:
A. Preside at all meetings of the NEWDNA and conduct them by a formal order of business.
B. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees, except the committee on nominations.
C. Appoint the chairpersons for ad hoc and standing committees.
D. Be responsible for establishing administrative policies.
E. Fill vacancies on all committees, including the committee on nominations. The members at large shall elect a replacement for President should that position become vacant.
Section 6. Duties of the Secretary
The secretary shall:
A. Keep minutes of the NEWDNA executive committee and general membership meetings
B. Conduct the general correspondence of the NEWDNA.
C. Send to the executive of the WNA the names and addresses of all officers, directors and committee chairpersons of the NEWDNA immediately after their election or appointment.
D. Send a copy of the bylaws and all amendments adopted by the NEWDNA to the executive of the WNA.
E. Preserve all pertinent papers, letters, and transactions of the NEWDNA, and forward them to the archives.
Section 7. Duties of the Treasurer
The treasurer shall:
A. Receive dues and all other transactions of the NEWDNA, deposit such funds and pay the NEWDNA bills.
B. Keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements and report at all regular meetings of NEWDNA.
C. the treasurer shall Submit the budget for approval at the annual meeting, with input from committee chairs and officers,
D. Submit all books of account for review to two members at large selected by the membership at the end of each fiscal year..
Section 8. Duties of Retiring Officers
All retiring officers shall deliver to their successor all accounts, records, books, papers, or other property pertinent to their position belonging to the NEWDNA within two weeks after leaving office.
Section 9. Incurrence of Liability
A. The Executive Committee shall not incur any liability is excess of $200.00 without the approval of the membership.
B. Expenses exceeding budgeted amounts require prior approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 10. Executive Committee
The executive committee of the board shall be composed of the officers. This committee shall have the power to transact business of an emergency nature between board meetings. All transactions of this committee shall be reported in full at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the membership at large
ARTICLE V Elections
Section 1. Policies
A. All elections shall be by secret mail ballot.
B. The nominating committee shall conduct the annual election and tabulate the results.
C. Election results are declared at the April meeting.
D. Terms of office shall commence at the adjournment of the May meeting.
E. No individuals may hold two offices concomitantly.
F. Nominees who received the highest number of votes, shall be declared elected. In case of a tie, the choice shall be decided by lot.
Section 2. Schedule of Elections
A. The president, secretary and treasurer shall be elected each year.
B. The secretary shall be elected on the odd years.
C. The treasurer shall be elected on the even years.
ARTICLE VI Meetings
Section 1. Regular Meetings
A. Regular meetings of the NEWDNA shall be held not less than four times per year, in addition to the annual meeting, at times and places decided upon by the NEWDNA.
B. Non members may attend with permission of the President.
Section 2. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the NEWDNA shall be held in the month of May at a time and place decided upon by the executive committee. .
Section 3. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the NEWDNA may be called by the president or upon written request from at least five members of the membership at large..
Section 4. Nursing Students Attendance
Student nurses may attend meetings of the NEWDNA.
ARTICLE VII Representation
Section 1. Voting Body
The voting body at any meeting of the NEWDNA shall consist of the members who are in attendance. A simple majority constitutes approval except in the case of Bylaw decisions, as noted in Article IX, Section 1
Section 2. Sponsorship
A. Members may be asked to represent the district at related events. Those representing NEWDNA at related function or events may request reimbursement for expenses directly related to the event.
B. Requests for attendance and/or reimbursement shall be submitted to the executive committee for consideration and approval.
ARTICLE VIII Standing Committees
Section 1. General
A. Standing committees shall assume such duties as are specified in these bylaws and shall report to the President when requested to do so.
B. The absence of a member from three meetings per year may be reviewed by the executive committee.
C. The following standing committees shall be appointed following the annual meeting:
1. Awards
2. Bylaws
3. Legislation
4. Membership/Public Relations
5. Nominating
6. Nurses Day
7. Program
Section 2. Awards Committee
A. The committee shall consist of at least two members.
B. The committee shall:
1. Solicit nominees from the membership for NEWDNA Nurse of the Year Award.
2. Facilitate presentation of the NEWDNA Nurse of the Year Award at the April meeting.
3. Monitor availability of awards by ANA, WNA and other organizations.
Section 3. Bylaws Committee
A. The committee on bylaws shall consist of at least two members.
B. The committee shall:
1. Draft into bylaws language all proposed amendments to the bylaws of the NEWDNA.
2. Prepare such amendments to be submitted for action to the voting body of the NEWDNA in accordance with the provisions for amendments in these bylaws.
Section 4. Committee on Legislation
A. The committee shall consist of at least two members.
B. The committee shall:
1. Monitor proposed federal, state and local legislation for its implications for nurses, nursing, and health.
2. Educate the members on legislative matters.
3. Assist WINPAC with candidate endorsement process as requested.
Section 5. Membership/Public Relations Committee
A. The committee shall consist of at least two members.
B . The committee shall:
1. Facilitate recruitment and retention of NEWDNA members.
2. Promote a positive image of nursing to the community.
Section 6. Nominating Committee
A. The committee shall be a standing committee and shall consist of at least three members.
B. The committee shall:
1. Prepare a slate consisting of nominees for each office to be filled.
2. Prepare and mail ballots to all NEWDNA members not less than 30 days or more than 60 days prior to the annual meeting.
3. No name will be placed in nomination without the consent of the nominee to serve if elected.
4. Provision shall be made on the ballot for write-in candidates.
Section 7. Nurses Day Committee
A. The committee shall consist of at least two members.
B. The committee shall plan an annual event in May to celebrate Nurses Day.
Section 8. Program Committee
A. The committee shall consist of at least two members including the Vice President of the NEWDNA.
B. The committee shall plan educational programs for NEWDNA.
ARTICLE IX Quorum
Section 1. NEWDNA Meetings
One officer, and six members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meetings of the NEWDNA.
Section 2. Standing and Special Committee Meetings
A majority of the members of any standing or special committee shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE X Official Publication
The PRN shall be the official publication of the NEWDNA.
ARTICLE XI Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern meetings of the NEWDNA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE XII Amendments
Section 1. With Notice
These bylaws may be amended at any annual or regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided the proposed amendments have been sent to all members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
Section 2. Without Notice
These bylaws may be amended without prior notice at any annual meeting by a 99% vote of all members present and voting.
Section 3. Technical Amendments
NEWDNA Executive Committee shall have the power to adopt such amendments to the Bylaws as are, in the Executive Committee’s judgment to be technical or legal modifications or clarifications, reorganization or renumbering, or amendments made necessary because of punctuation, spelling or other errors of grammar or expression.
Revised and Amended on 2/21/06