GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION BYLAWS: AMENDED SEPTEMBER 15 TH, 2013 ARTICLE I NAME The name of this organization shall be the GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION (hereinafter referred to as GMU SNA), a constituent of the National Student Nurses Association (hereinafter referred to as NSNA). Section 1. The purpose of GMU SNA is: ARTICLE II PURPOSE AND FUNCTION a) To assume collaborative responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality of care. b) To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns. c) To aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and his/her responsibility to the health care of people, with equal respect for the diverse, multicultural population in which we serve. d) To encourage lifelong learning, through classroom, community, volunteering, and professional experiences. Section 2. The function of the GMU SNA shall include the following: a) To have direct input into the standards of nursing education and influence the education process. b) To influence health care, nursing education, and practice through legislative activities, on local, state, and national levels, as appropriate. c) To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities towards improved health care and the resolution of related social issues. d) To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions and other organizations, locally, statewide, and nationally. e) To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities.
f) To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and educational opportunities regardless of a person s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age, or economic status. g) To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Virginia Nurses Association and the Virginia League of Nursing (hereinafter referred to as VNA and VLN respectively), other local colleges of nursing and their respective student nursing organizations as well as other nursing related and health related organizations. h) To promote and encourage participation and/or membership in the GMU SNA, VNSA and NSNA. i) To encourage and promote membership into the Alumni Association for the GMU College of Health and Human Services (hereinafter referred to as the CHHS) post graduation, in order to increase collaboration within the nursing field and aid in the development of paraprofessionals attending GMU CHHS. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP AND DUES Section 1. Categories of Membership for GMU SNA: a) Active members: 1. Active members of the GMU SNA shall be all students enrolled in the undergraduate programs in the GMU CHHS, to include RN to BSN, accelerated and traditional pathway BSN students. b) Associate members: 1. Associate members of the GMU SNA include pre-nursing students enrolled in programs designed as preparation for entrance into the baccalaureate program as well as graduate students to include MSN and DNP programs. 2. Associate members of the GMU SNA shall have all privileges of membership, except to hold office as President or Vice President. c) Members of the GMU SNA have the opportunity and individual choice to additionally become members of the VNSA and NSNA. Section 2. Dues a) Dues for GMU SNA membership shall be determined yearly, by the current Board of Directors, with decisions requiring a two-third (2/3) vote. b) Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership. Section 1. Positions ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND CHAIRPERSONS
a) The elected positions of this association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Fundraising, Director of Community Outreach, Vital Signs Editor, and Director of Student Relations (Class Representative). The President shall appoint any and all chairpersons and their respective committees with input from the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as BOD), as deemed appropriate. b) If the BOD deems necessary that a position other than President, Vice President. Secretary, or Treasurer requires more than one (1) person (but no more than two (2)) in order to fully perform that role, another person may be selected to also hold that position with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of BOD. Section 2. Eligibility a) Any member of this association who has become nominated by self or by another member of the GMU SNA shall be eligible to be a candidate for office. b) Candidates for office shall be chosen from among those members who shall be nursing students throughout three-fourths (3/4) of term of office. c) No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms on the BOD as a voting member. Section 3. Terms of Office a) Officers shall be elected during the spring semester. Newly elected officers shall serve for a term of one (1) year. b) Newly elected officers shall serve for at least one (1) meeting of BOD as officer-elect, and shall assume office on the date as decided by the current BOD, but no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. c) Any elected or appointed member of the BOD who has two (2) consecutive absences from any scheduled meeting without prior approval of the President will become subject to review of the BOD and may be asked to resign their position. d) Any board member who is excused from a board meeting as approved by the President shall have another board member represent their elected position in giving report during the meeting absent from. e) An elected or appointed member may also be removed from office by a plurality vote of the members of the BOD present at a meeting called for exactly that purpose if that member is deemed negligent in the functions of that office, as stated in these bylaws. The member in question shall receive two weeks advance notice and shall be given time to speak in defense of the charge of negligence. Section 4. Duties of Office
The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by parliamentary authority and more specifically shall include: 1. The President shall: a) Serve as the principal officer of the GMU SNA and preside at all meetings of the association, the BOD, and the executive committee. b) Appoint chairperson and/or respective committees, subject to approval of the BOD, and make other appointments as deemed necessary. c) Attend, or appoint Vice President to attend, monthly faculty meetings and/or other important meetings as deemed necessary and as time permit. d) Arrange speakers for meetings of the association and related events. e) Collaborate extensively with the Director of Fundraising to ensure the order, pick up, distribution, and advertisement of SNA apparel. f) Supervise the maintenance of the SNA bulletin board every two weeks, or as needed. g) Deliver to the newly elected President all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. 2. The Vice President shall: a) Preside at meetings in the President s absence. b) Assume the position and responsibilities as President in the event of office vacancy. c) Submit the official application for NSNA Constituency Status, annually. d) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. e) Deliver to the newly elected Vice President all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. 3. The Secretary shall: a) Keep contact information with all SNA general and board members e-mails and phone numbers. b) Take minutes during board and general meetings. These are sent out to all board members including the SNA faculty advisor(s) within three (3) days of the meeting.
c) Keep files and record minutes of all associated transactions. d) Reserve rooms for general and board meetings. e) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. f) Deliver to the newly elected Secretary all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. 4. The Treasurer shall: a) Act as a custodian of association funds. b) Keep accurate and current financial files; make monthly reports of these to the association. c) Prepare an annual budget each spring for submission to the GMU funding board. d) Maintain a permanent record of all membership dues and all other income and expenditures. e) Remit payment for approved debits including disbursement of funds which shall be made in writing to the BOD. Upon approval the Treasurer will issue checks for those requests approved; no funds will be disbursed without prior approval from the President and Faculty Advisor(s). f) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. g) Deliver to the newly elected Treasurer all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. 5. The Director of Fundraising shall: a) Develop and coordinate fundraising activities, approved by the BOD, and in compliance with fundraising guidelines as stated in GMU policy. b) Collaborate extensively with the Treasurer to ensure the feasibility of coordinated events. c) Collaborate extensively with the President to ensure the distribution and advertisement of SNA apparel. d) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. e) Deliver to the newly elected Director of Fundraising all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD.
6. The Vital Signs Editor shall: a) Create and distribute the Vital Signs Newsletter quarterly with the goal of informing the students of the events that are occurring within the organization. b) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. c) Deliver to the newly elected Vital Sign Editor all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. 7. The Director of Community Outreach shall: a) Organize monthly events including walks/awareness events related to health issues. 1. Collaborate with the Dulles Area Chapter of AARP on the Annual Dulles Herndon Classic Car Show. 2. Collaborate with on-campus organizations to volunteer at events such as the Breastival. b) Advertise events to the student body. c) Reach out to the student body to see how the SNA can better serve them. d) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. e) Deliver to the newly elected Community Outreach Director all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. 8. The Senior Class Representatives shall: a) Make announcements to each senior class about important dates to remember for upcoming events. b) Ensure that all Junior and Accelerated-Program representatives attend meetings and make announcements to their classmates about important dates for upcoming events. c) Keep in touch with all SNA Junior and Accelerated-Program representatives on a weekly basis via email to discuss any questions or inquires they may have. d) Update the SNA GMU website after each board meeting and additionally, as needed. e) Perform all other duties assigned by the President f) Deliver to the newly elected Senior Class Representatives all association papers related to that position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD.
9. The Junior and Accelerated-Program Representatives Shall: a) Attend all meetings as time permits. b) Read all meeting minutes should attendance to the meeting be unfeasible. c) Report back to their representative students with updates on SNA events. d) Advocate for colleagues by serving as their gateway to change within the SNA. e) Assist with advertising and organizing events. f) Coordinate the end-of-year Nursing Banquet, in collaboration with the BOD. g) Perform all other duties assigned by the President. ARTICLE V NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS a) Annual elections will take place in February of each academic year. 1. Nominees will present their qualifications through a written submission, by any BOD member. 2. The election shall be by secret ballot. The plurality vote of the members present and entitled to vote and voting shall constitute an official election. All nominations shall be made from the floor. 3. In the event of a tie, a re-vote shall be held. b) The transition between the current BOD and the newly elected BOD shall begin the following BOD meeting after elections have been announced. The current BOD will give all association papers related to each position by no later than graduation commencement of outgoing BOD. ARTICLE VI MEETINGS AND VOTING a) General SNA meetings will be held monthly. b) Robert s Rule of Order will be used as a general guideline for all official meetings. c) Each semester s meetings will be scheduled during a time when all officers and as many students as possible can attend. d) A quorum of any official GMU SNA meeting shall consist of a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the BOD holding elected positions. e) Only persons holding elected positions may vote during official GMU SNA board meetings or alternative measures of communications as deemed necessary.
f) The President upon writing request of one-third (1/3) or more of GMU SNA members shall call a special meeting of the GMU SNA. Notice of the meeting, purpose, time, and place shall, at all attempts, be made available at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. Voting rules of the special meeting shall be the same as the monthly meeting. Section 1 ARTICLE VII BOARD OF DIRECTORS The BOD shall consist of the elected officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Fundraising, Director of Community Outreach, Vital Signs Editor, and Senior Class Representatives. The appointed chairpersons, representatives, and consultants shall serve as exofficio members without a vote. Section 2 An executive committee shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. This committee shall have the power to transact business only of an emergency nature, which cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting of the BOD. All transactions of this committee shall be reported in full, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the BOD. The executive committee may conduct such emergency business by telephone or email. Section 3. The Board of Directors shall: a) Transact all business and manage affairs during the interim between meetings of the association. b) Have the power to fill any vacancy occurring in any office, on the Board, as specified in these bylaws, except that of the President. c) Approve the President s appointment of committee chairpersons, should these positions be vacated prior to the annual election. d) Approve the budget, authorize all monetary disbursement and provide for the annual review of accounts at the close of the fiscal year. e) Perform all duties as may be specified in these bylaws. Section 4. The BOD shall meet prior to the monthly meeting, and as often as deemed necessary by the President or majority of the Board. a) The BOD shall meet at least ten (10) times during the term of office. 1. All BOD members must attend all general and board meetings. More than two (2) unexcused absences will result in termination of their position.
b) BOD meetings shall be open only to officers, appointed chairpersons, and respective committee members, and the Faculty Advisor(s). The BOD, at their discretion may grant permission for others to attend. Section 5 A quorum at meetings of the BOD shall consists of two-thirds (2/3) members of the elected positions on the BOD, one of which shall be the President or the Vice President. Section 6 The Board shall have the power by two-thirds (2/3) vote to declare an office vacant upon refusal or neglect of any member of the Board to perform the duties of the office. Written notification will be sent to the negligent officer, requesting that he/she appear at the next Board meeting and provide cause for not being removed. If not responded to within two (2) weeks, the position will be declared vacant. Section 7. Vacancies a) The President shall make a recommendation to the Board to fill any vacancy that may occur. This includes recommendations for positions left vacancy due to absence of candidates in the election process. b) Vacancies will be filled by appointed by appointed of the BOD upon a two (2/3) vote of the Board. Section 1 ARTICLE VIII COMITTEES The BOD at its discretion, shall establish special committees deemed necessary to carry on the work of the association and determine the function, terms, and membership of these committees. A quorum of the committee meetings shall consist of the committee members. Section 1 ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS AND MOTIONS Bylaws should be reviewed annually and amended, as deemed necessary and appropriate at a specified SNA annual meeting by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present entitled to vote. Section 2 All proposed amendments shall be prepare by the Vice President and submitted to the BOD for approval and filed by the Secretary for record.
Section 3 An amendment of these bylaws shall become effective immediately upon its approval, unless the amendment specifies a time for its going into effect. Section 4 All motions proposed, discussed and voted upon by the BOD, will be recorded on a motion form and filed by the Secretary for record. ARTICLE X OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS a) Vital Signs, the official GMU SNA publication, shall have the purpose and function of being the means of communication of pertinent GMU SNA BOD decisions, actions, and an informational source of current nursing issues and trends, as well as meetings at the state and national levels. b) Vital Signs will be distributed quarterly or as often as time and budget constraints allow. ARTICLE XI AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES FOR BOARD MEMBERS ON FUNDS MANAGEMENT Section 1. Purpose and Function The purpose of this article is to define guidelines for the BOD regarding proper authorization; reporting and management of any and all monies collected or paid out by GMU SNA. Section 2. Authorization Procedures Fund Withdrawals: a) Only the President, Vice President, and Treasurer have authorization to make any direct withdrawals from any GMU SNA account. All Funds withdrawn will be cleared first through the Treasurer to ensure adequate funding available then sent to the President for final approval. b) In the necessity of an emergency situation, the President may authorize a withdrawal without receiving a treasury report, as long as it does not exceed $100. In the event that the amount is over $100, and the President is not able to maintain a status report from the Treasurer then a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the BOD must be called for approval.