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SNA

MCON SNA Bylaws

Preamble:

We, students of nursing, believe there is a common need to organize, to represent ourselves to the consumer and other health disciplines, and to assume our rightful place in the profession of nursing.

We believe every citizen has a right to the highest quality of health care.

We believe in the development of the whole person toward his/her professional role with its rights, responsibilities and ideals.

We believe every right bears inherent responsibility.

We believe responsibilities are participatory, not purely philosophical or ideological, and

We believe the quality and quantity of participation are not exclusive, but bear the responsibility of participation.

Rights/Responsibilities:

Students have a right to a sound education:

  • a right to and a responsibility for having creative educational opportunity
  • a right to and a responsibility for having the highest quality practitioner-teacher
  • a right to and a responsibility for achieving input into curriculum planning
  • a right to and a responsibility for achieving self-directed learning
  • a right to and a responsibility for achieving equal participation in all areas of clinical practice
  • a right to and a responsibility for participating in inter-disciplinary activities
  • a right to due process
  • a right to and a responsibility for insuring peer review and self-evaluation.
  • all the rights and privileges of internal governance
  • a right to and responsibility to organize and participate in an organization directed toward achieving professional goals
  • a right to and a responsibility for facilitating change in health care delivery through various channels
  • a right to and a responsibility for assembling and exploring fundamental and current professional issues and concerns
  • a right to and a responsibility for organizing in a flexible structure to encompass and represent diversities within nursing and be representative of the fundamental and current professional issues and concerns
  • a right to and a responsibility for fostering a better correlation between nursing education and practice.

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Student Nurses’ Association of The Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, hereinafter referred to as SNA. SNA is a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA).

ARTICLE II.

PRINCIPAL OFFICE

Section 1. Principal Office

The principal office of the Student Nurses’ Association of The Methodist College of Nursing of Peoria, IL, is located at 415 St. Mark Court of Methodist Medical Center, on the main floor.

ARTICLE III.

PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS

The purpose of the SNA is:

  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 interests and concerns, and
  3. 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.

The function of the SNA shall include the following:

  1. To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate.
  2. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities towards improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.
  3. To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and other organizations.
  4. To promote and encourage students’ participation in interdisciplinary activities.
  5. To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and education opportunities regardless of person’s race, color, creed, sex, age, life style, national origin, or economic status.
  6. To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Illinois Nurses’ Association, as well as the other nursing and related health organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

MEMBERS

Section 1. Membership

Membership in SNA is open to all students enrolled in The Methodist College of Nursing.

Section 2. Constituent Associations

  1. Any school chapter or state association whose membership is composed of active or associate NSNA members and who has submitted the Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status containing the area of conformity, and upon meeting such other policies as the Board of Directors may determine, shall be recognized as a constituent.
  2. A school chapter shall be composed of at least 10 members from a school, or the total school enrollment if less than 10. There shall be only one chapter in each school campus.
  3. A state association shall be composed of at least two school chapters in a state. There shall be only one state association in any state. School chapters shall belong to their state association when one exists. The term "state" in these bylaws shall be understood to apply equally to any state in the United States of America, to the District of Columbia, or to any territory, possession, or dependency of the United States of America.
  4. For yearly recognition as a NSNA constituent, constituent associations shall be required to submit annually the Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status which shall include the following areas of conformity for active and associate members: purpose and function, membership, dues and representation.
  5. A constituent association which fails to comply with the bylaws and policies of NSNA shall have its status as a constituent revoked by a 2/3 vote of the 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 association is given an opportunity to be heard.
  6. School chapters and state associations are entities separate and apart from NSNA in their administration of activities, with NSNA exercising no supervision or control over their immediate daily and regular activities. NSNA has no liability for any loss, damage, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of the negligence or acts of school chapters or state associations, or the members thereof. In the event any legal proceeding is brought against NSNA as a result of such acts of omission or commission by a school chapter or state association, said school chapter or state association will indemnify and hold harmless the NSNA from any liability.

 

 

 

Section 3. Categories of Constituent Membership

Members of the constituent association shall be:

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. Active members shall have all of the privileges of membership.

b.  Associate members

  1. Unclassified students enrolled at The Methodist College of Nursing may be enrolled as associate members. Unclassified students are defined as nursing students who have completed at least one semester in the College of Nursing and are unable to qualify for promotion but wish to enroll in 6 or more hours of general education courses.
  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 or elected office in the local chapter.

c.  Active and associate membership shall be renewable annually.

Section 4. Active and associate membership may be extended six months beyond graduation from a student’s program in nursing, providing membership was renewed while the student was enrolled in a nursing program.

Section 5. Dues

  1. The annual NSNA dues for active and associate members shall determined by the national and state organizations. The dues year for members shall be a period of twelve consecutive months. The student joins all three levels of the Association by paying National and State dues.
  2. The annual NSNA due for active and associate members joining for two years shall be determined by the national and state organizations, payable for the appropriate dues years. The dues years for those members shall be a period of 24 consecutive months.
  3. The NSNA board of directors shall have the authority to change membership dues, providing such dues do not exceed the amounts set in these bylaws.
  4. National and state dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NSNA shall remit to each state constituent the dues received in behalf of the constituent.
  5. Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of memberships.

 

 

ARTICLE V.

OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

Officers of SNA shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer.

Section 2. Eligibility

  1. Only students enrolled in clinical nursing courses shall be eligible to run for an elected office.
  2. Any candidate for office in the SNA must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  3. Any candidate for president must be a Level II or Level III student during the term of office.
  4. No student shall hold more than one elected chapter position at any time.
  5. Any officer must not be arrested or be pending court action during tenure of a student or they will be dismissed.
  6. Any officer must be a member of the National Student Nurses Association.

Section 3. Term of Office

The term of office shall be one year. Any officer may be re-elected no more than one time. The term of office shall begin after installation of new officers is completed in the spring.

Section 4. Duties of Officers and Executive Council

The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the parliamentary authority, and more specifically shall include:

a. The president shall:

  1. Preside at all meetings of the SNA and of the Executive Council.
  2. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
  3. Represent SNA in matters relating to the association and perform all other duties pertaining to the office.
  4. Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Council.
  5. Verify eligibility of all officers at the beginning of each semester.
  6. Call special meetings of Executive Council as needed.
  7. Appoint tellers for the annual election.
  8. Submit an annual report of the activities of the office at the April meeting. This report shall be placed in the permanent files of the association.
  9. Assume responsibility for installation of SNA officers at the final meeting of the year.
  10. Orient the succeeding officer to the office of president prior to leaving the position.
  11. Submit an agenda for each chapter meeting to the officers and appropriate faculty and administration personnel one week prior to the meeting.
  12. Represent SNA at the Student Council meetings.

b.  The vice president shall:

  1. Assume the duties of the president in the absence or disability of the president.
  2. Accede to the office of president in case of vacancy in the office.
  3. Serve as chairman of the Bylaws Committee.
  4. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.
  5. Serve as the representative of SNA to the Student Affairs Committee of the Methodist College of Nursing.
  6. Work with Student Government to arrange for a professional speaker one time per year.
  7. Orient the succeeding officer to the duties of the office prior to leaving the position.
  8. Prepare an annual report of all activities to be presented at the April annual meeting.

c.  The secretary shall:

  1. Record and file the minutes of all chapter and executive council meetings. Minutes will be typed by the Methodist College of Nursing Administrative Secretary.
  2. Provide a copy of the minutes for each regular and special meeting of the SNA and the Executive Council to the administrative staff of the college and school, the faculty advisor of the association, and the administrative secretary. The administrative secretary of the school shall maintain a permanent file of minutes for the association. In addition, copies of all minutes shall be provided to the president and vice president prior to the next scheduled meeting, and one copy shall be posted on the SNA board in the basement commons area.
  3. Assume responsibility for all correspondence of the association and assure that notification of the next meeting is in the student mailboxes one week prior to the meeting.
  4. Perform other duties as assigned by the President.
  5. Send names and addresses of all school chapter officers and committee chairpersons to the SNAI Secretary immediately after the spring election.
  6. Orient the succeeding secretary to the responsibilities of the position prior to leaving the position.
  7. Prepare an annual report of activities to be presented at the annual meeting in April.

d.  The treasurer shall:

  1. Act as custodian of organization funds by keeping an accurate record of all financial transactions of the association.
  2. Serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee when such a committee is established by the president.
  3. Submit monthly and annual financial reports to the association.
  4. Perform other duties as assigned by the President.
  5. Sign authorizations for money disbursements and deposit all monies in the designated Methodist Medical Center account. Verify account balance with the College of Nursing Bursar at the end of April.
  6. Prepare and present the annual budget with the assistance of the other officers.
  7. Copy and submit all financial transaction receipts. (One is given to the secretary, and one is kept for the treasury records.)
  8. Orient the succeeding treasurer to the responsibilities of the position prior to leaving the position.

Section 5. Vacancies

  1. A vacancy on the Executive Council, other than president, shall be filled by nomination and voting at the next chapter meeting.
  2. The candidates for a vacant office must meet all eligibility requirements.

ARTICLE VI.

NOMINATIONS

Section 1. Elections

  1. The officers shall be elected at the April meeting. The advisor(s) are appointed by the Chancellor/Dean.
  2. The election shall be by secret ballot. A plurality vote shall elect. A tie vote shall be decided first by a revote, and, if necessary, then by casting a lot.
  3. Installation of new officers shall be held at the April meeting.

ARTICLE VII.

MEETINGS

Section 1. Frequency of meetings

The meetings of this association shall be held as determined necessary. The association shall hold at least six meetings throughout the calendar school year.

Section 2. Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called when deemed necessary by the president, or upon request of 20% of the membership including one member of the Executive Council. Twenty-four hour notice shall be given in advance of the meeting.

Section 3. Annual Meeting

The annual meeting shall be held in April at which time all officers and committee chairpersons shall present annual reports.

Section 4. Quorum

For all meetings of the organization 5 members including 2 officers must be present to conduct business.

Section 5. Delegate Representation

a.  NSNA

  1. Each school constituent shall be entitled to delegates according to the number of members in good standing in NSNA. Delegates shall be computed on the basis of the number of members in each constituent as evidencedby the annual dues received by NSNA on a date 8 weeks prior to the annual meeting.
  2. Each school chapter that has recognized constituency, shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate for the first ten members, and shall be entitled to another of each for every fifty members thereafter.
  3. The school chapter delegate and alternate shall be members in good standing in the chapter and shall be selected by the members of the constituency at the February membership meeting.

b.  SNAI

  1. Each school constituent shall be entitled to delegates according to the number of members in good standing in NSNA. Delegates shall be computed on the basis of the number of members in each constituent as evidenced by the annual dues received by NSNA prior to the annual meeting.
  2. Each school chapter that is a recognized constituency shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate for the first five members and thereafter every 15 members.
  3. The school chapter delegate and alternate shall be members in good standing in the chapter and shall be selected by members of the school chapter.

ARTICLE VIII.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1. The Executive Council shall consist of the elected officers, which are the President, Vice President, the Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. All the powers of the association are vested in and shall be exercised by the Executive Council during the interim between meetings of the association.

Section 3. The Executive Council shall have the power to transact business, only of an emergency nature, which cannot be delayed until the next scheduled meeting of the SNA.

Section 4. Quorum

All officers must be present to conduct business.

Section 5. The Executive Council will approve appointments of all committee chairpersons.

ARTICLE IX.

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 X.

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by posting the proposed amendments at least one week in advance of the regular meeting and with the majority vote by the members present at the regular meeting.

Section 2. Amendment to the bylaws of the NSNA shall automatically and immediately effect the necessary amendments to the bylaws of the constituent associations and shall promptly be incorporated in these bylaws.

Note: These bylaws are written to incorporate the areas of conformity required by the National Student Nurses’ Association and the Student Nurses’ Association of Illinois for official constituency status.

Revised 8-25-05 & Approved