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CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE

Salisbury University

STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION

 

Article I- NAME

 

            The name of this organization shall be the Salisbury University Student Nurses Association.

 

Article II- PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

 

A.    The purpose of the SU Student Nurses Association shall include the following:

1.      To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care;

2.     To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns; and

3.     To aid in the development of the whole person and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.

B.     The function of the SU Student Nurses Association shall include the following:

1.      To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence to education process;

2.     To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate;

3.     To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities towards improved health care and the resolution of related social issues;

4.     To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and to other organization;

5.     To promote and encourage students’ participation in interdisciplinary activities;

6.     To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and educational opportunities regardless of person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age, or economic status;

7.     To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with MANS and NSNA.

 

Article III- MEMBERS

 

A.    MEMBERSHIP TO THE SU SNA IS OPEN TO ANY FULL TIME SALISBURY UNIVERSITY STUDENT.

B.     All members shall have voting rights and privileges of membership after attending two (2) consecutive meetings of the Student Nurses Association.

C.     Size of membership- The SU SNA shall be composed of at least 10 members. 

 

Article IV- OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

 

A.    The executive officers of the SU SNA shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, public relations,  activities coordinator, and breakthrough to nursing (BTN).

1.      Eligibility- Only persons who have been members in attendance of the SU SNA throughout a full semester are eligible for the offices of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, public relations, and activities coordinator.

B.     The committee chairpersons of the SU SNA and any other head of committee shall be deemed appropriate by the constituency during the academic year.

1.      For election to a committee chair position, any vacant position at the start of the academic year will be filled through an election held at the first meeting.

C.     Term of Office- the term of office shall be one year from the adjournment of the annual meeting at which officers are elected to the adjournment of the annual meeting. Officers shall be elected one month before the end of the semester in order to allow time to prepare for their upcoming duties as officers of SNA.

D.    Duties of Officers- The officers shall perform the following duties:

1.        The president shall:

a)     Preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee;

b)    Serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee;

c)     Represent SU SNA in matters relating to the Association and perform all other duties pertaining to the office

2.       The vice president shall:

a)     Assume the duties of the president in the absence, disability, resignation, or vacancy in the office of the president;

b)    Be responsible for review and recommendations for change in bylaws;

c)     Be responsible for program meetings and serve as chairperson of the Social Committee;

d)     Perform all other duties assigned by the president.

3.       The secretary shall:

a)     Prepare the minutes of all business meetings of the SNA;

b)    Review the policies and be responsible for recommendations of policy change;

c)     Be responsible for maintaining and updating all files;

d)     Be responsible for updating the student directory;

e)     Perform all other duties assigned by the president or as usual to this office.

4.       The treasurer shall:

a)     Act as custodian of organization funds;

b)    Sign checks for monetary disbursements as the bylaws provide;

c)      Be a member of the fund raising committee;

d)     Provide monthly financial reports to the Executive Committee;

e)     Put together an annual budget for the SU Student Government Association;

f)     Perform all other duties assigned by the president or as usual to this office.

5.       The public relations officer shall:

a)    Work closely with the Executive Board and monitor school activities occurring at Salisbury University as well as throughout the community and state;

b)    Make contacts with the medical and news media to promote all workshops, conventions, health projects, and the annual MANS convention to assure good attendance;

c)     Promote activities of the SNA, including regular meetings, to the students and faculty of SU by the use of e-mail, flyers, and announcements in the college newspaper and on campus television to enhance the image of nursing;

d)     Perform all other duties assigned by the president or as usual to this office.

6.       The activities coordinator shall:

a)    Initiate contacts for community activities;

b)    Plan activities with assistance;

c)    Chair the fund raising committee;

d)    Plan and implement fund raising activities with assistance from the treasurer;

e)    Perform all other duties assigned by the president or as usual to this office.

7.       The Breakthrough to nurses officer shall:

a)    Develop programs to enhance minority enrollment to SNA;

b)    Initiate contact with local schools in hopes of participating in a college fair;

c)    Work with the president to update the officer responsibility sheet if necessary;

d)    Work with the public relations chair to organize nurses day/week activities;

e)    Perform all other duties assigned by the president or as usual to this office.

E.    The officers shall submit to the treasurer a report of their expenses with receipts.

F.    Officers shall submit to their successors all records, papers, and other property belonging to the SNA by the end of the transition period.

 

Article V- NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

 

A.    Individuals interested in running for office shall submit a letter of intent for the desired position, including 25 signatures.

1.      Letters of intent are to be delivered to the organization’s campus mailbox located in the Commons building.

B.     A slate of nominations will be posted on the SNA bulletin board.

C.     Faculty interested in the advisor position shall submit a statement of intent to have their name on the ballot.

D.    Nominations can also come from the floor at the beginning of the annual meeting prior to voting.

E.     A plurality vote shall elect; tie votes shall be decided by a revote.

 

Article VI- MEETINGS

 

A.    Regular meetings of the SU SNA will occur bimonthly on a day and time agreed upon by the majority of the members of the SNA.

B.  The final meeting of the semester will be held before the beginning of final examinations. 

C.  Delegation Representation:

1.      The voting body at meetings of this Association shall consist of the elected officers, and those voting members present and voting;

2.     The privilege of making motions and voting shall be limited to the voting body.  A voting member shall have but one vote in any election or on any question;

3.     All meetings of the SU SNA shall be open.

D.  Quorum-A quorum at meetings shall consist of the president or vice president and one other officer and all those present and voting.

E.  Special Meetings:

1.      A special meeting may be called by the Executive Committee and shall be called by the president upon written request of five (5) or more members.  Notice of time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be sent to all members not less than three (3) days prior to the meeting;

2.     The voting body shall be the same, insofar as possible, as that in a regular meeting.

 

Article VII- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

A.    The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and the faculty advisor(s), all of whom have full voting rights.

B.     All the powers of the Association are vested in and shall be exercised by the Executive Committee during the interim between meetings of the Association, except that the Executive Committee shall not nullify nor modify any action taken by the general body.

C.     The Executive Committee shall not be responsible for any contract, claim, or obligation of any kind incurred or for any position taken by any officer or member of constituent unless the Executive Committee duly authorized the same in writing.

D.    Management of the Executive Committee shall include the following duties:

1.      Review and approve the terms of official relationships established with other organizations singly or in coalition;

2.     Approve any commitment in the form or action, statement of policy or position, or financial obligations involved in SU SNA relationship with other organizations;

3.     Approve the SU SNA budget;

4.     Have the power to fill vacancies for the unexpired term, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws;

5.     Have the power by ¾ vote to declare an office vacant;

6.     In case of an emergency, the Executive Committee, provided the material is sent in the same words to each member may take votes by referendum.

E.       Meetings:

1.      Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held one week prior to regular Association meetings and at such times as deemed necessary by a majority of the Executive Committee.  The president shall determine the date and place of meetings;

2.     The quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee including the president or vice president and one Faculty advisor.

 

Article VIII- FACULTY ADVISORS

 

A.    There shall be at least one but no more than two Faculty advisors.  Both Faculty advisors shall be members of the SU Nursing Faculty.

B.     The Faculty advisor(s) shall:

1.      Be responsible for providing for the interchange of information between the student body and the faculty;

2.     Serve as resource person consulting with the Executive Committee, members, and staff;

3.     Attend meetings of the SU SNA.

C.     Faculty advisors shall be elected at the annual business meeting.  In the event that both Faculty advisors wish to continue in this position the Faculty advisor with the highest number of votes shall be elected as an advisor.  The second advisor shall be elected on the basis of the most votes.

 

Article IX- COMMITTEES

 

            The Executive Committee, as its discretion, shall establish committees deemed necessary to carry on the work of the Association and determine the functions, terms and membership of the committees.  A quorum for committee meetings shall be a majority of the members.

 

Article X- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

            All meetings of this Association shall be conducted according to parliamentary law as set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised where the rules apply and are not in conflict with these bylaws.

 

Article XI- AMENDMENTS

 

A.    A 2/3 vote of those present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment(s) has been circulated to all members at the last meeting may amend these bylaws at the annual meeting.

B.     Proper amendments shall be submitted, in writing, carrying proponent’s signature, to the Executive Committee for review at least six (6) weeks prior to the annual meeting.  Only the Executive Committee, a committee or a member of the SU Student Nurses Association may submit proposed amendments.

 

 

 

 

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