Nursing Student Community Constitution Short forms and Abbreviations 1. University of Ontario Institute of Technology: UOIT 2. Durham College: DC 3. Georgian College: GC 4. Registered Nurses Association of Ontario: RNAO The Nursing Student Community is a campus club of the Student Association at Durham College and UOIT, hereafter referred to as the SA. This club represents the interests of nursing students from the UOIT/DC/GC Collaborative Program, while upholding the campus clubs policies and procedures of the SA. This constitution outlines the structure, roles, and responsibilities of the Nursing Student Community. Article I Other Policies Prevail No part of this constitution shall contradict or replace any provision or policy established by the Campus Clubs Policy, Campus Clubs Procedure, Campus Clubs Financial Procedure, or any other policy, procedure, or financial control of the Student Association at Durham College and UOIT. Article II Name of Organisation The name of this club shall be the Nursing Student Community, hereafter referred to as NSC. No other name will be used in the advertisement or representation of the club. Article III Statement of Purpose The purpose of this club shall be: 1. To foster a sense of community within the nursing programs of UOIT/DC/GC, uniting the body of nursing students through a shared tradition. 2. To plan events and initiatives for the nursing students of UOIT/DC/GC that would support their social and professional development needs. 3. To provide the necessary support and mentorship to the nursing students of UOIT/DC/GC, including the provision of health and wellness initiatives. 4. To organize and support community outreach initiatives, within the Durham region. 5. To foster relationships between the nursing students of UOIT/DC/GC and nursing organizations (such as, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, the Nursing Students of Ontario, and the Canadian Nursing Students Association). Article IV Membership Requirements
1. The club s membership is open to all undergraduate nursing students of UOIT/DC/GC collaborative and bridging programs. The club s membership cannot be exclusive and must be open to all undergraduate and bridging nursing students of UOIT/DC/GC collaborative and bridging programs. This club does not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, sex, marital status, national origin, age, height/weight ratio, or disability. 2. A student must provide his or her name, student number, and contact information to the NSC Executive Committee to be considered a member. Article V - Active NSC Members (a) Active NSC members shall include any undergraduate nursing students of the UOIT/DC/GC collaborative and bridging programs participating within the NSC, but not currently holding an executive member position (b) Active NSC Members are responsible to participate in events and initiatives, and to attend meetings (c) If an Active NSC Member fails to uphold their commitments to the NSC, or fails to communicate with the NSC Executive Committee for three (3) months, the member may be deemed inactive by the NSC Executive Committee and removed from the club. Article VI Executive Committee 1. The NSC Executive Committee, hereafter referred to as The Executive, shall be composed as follows: (a) President (b) Immediate Past President (c) Secretary Two (2) positions (d) Year Representatives Four (4) per each year of UOIT/DC/GC Collaborative study (e) Helping Hands Co-Directors Two (2) positions (f) Wellness Coordinator (g) RNAO Coordinator (h) Georgian College Representative(s) (i) UOIT BScN Bridging Collaborative Representative(s) (j) CNSA Representative Two (2) positions (k) NSO Representative 2. The requirements for maintain an executive role appointment are as follows: (a) Meeting the responsibilities of the executive role, as outlined in the Nursing Student Community By-Laws, and commitments made to the NSC, including commitments of participation in the planning and execution of NSC events and initiatives
(b) Attendance of General Executive Meetings. A maximum of three (3) consecutive meetings may be missed before the removal process commences. i. If a meeting cannot be attended, the executive member must: - Inform The Executive of upcoming absence in writing, making all efforts to give forty-eight (48) hours notice prior to the meeting date - Remain apprised of NSC activity by reading the completed meeting minutes following the General Executive Meeting, and confirm this action in writing to the President and/or a Secretary for record on attendance form (c) To be familiar with, and adhere to, SA policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: i. SA Policy [ Campus Clubs Policy, http://www.yoursa.ca/files/2011/08/campus_clubs_policy_131021.pdf ] ii. SA Procedure [ Campus Clubs Procedure, http://www.yoursa.ca/files/2011/08/campus_clubs_procedure_131022.pdf] (d) To uphold the integrity of the NSC Article VII Meetings 1. All meetings, including General Executive Meetings and the Annual General Meeting, are open to all UOIT/DC/GC nursing students. 2. At least eight (8) General Executive Meetings shall be held during the year, including the Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in April. 3. General Executive Meeting dates for the fall semester, including the Constitution Meeting, will be decided by The Executive in September. General Executive Meeting dates for the winter semester, and the date for the Annual General Meeting, will be decided by The Executive in January. General Executive Meeting dates for the spring/summer semester will be decided by The Executive in May. 4. At least one (1) Constitution Meeting will be held in October, for which the sole purpose shall be the review the NSC s constitution and by-laws. 5. The May General Executive Meeting will involve setting new executive appointments, as well as discussing the long term goals and objectives for the club. 6. Notice of the meeting will be advertised to UOIT/DC/GC nursing students via social media and the NSC website (www.nursingstudentcommunity.com) Article VIII Quorum A quorum of five (5) executive members, including the presence of the president and one secretary, is required to conduct a vote. A majority vote shall be required to determine the outcome of a motion. Article IX Procedure to Amend Constitution The NSC constitution may be amended:
1. During a Constitution Meeting to be held annually in October. Proposed amendments can be presented by any NSC member during this meeting. 2. By a three-quarters majority of members present during the Constitution Meeting. Article X Dissolution of Club The NSC may be dissolved if deemed necessary by the members in a majority vote at a special meeting. The clubs will then forego ratification in the following year. Any assets or remaining funds, after debts have been paid, shall be returned to their providers or transferred to local charities or similar groups at the discretion of the Executive. Article XI Ratification of Constitution This constitution shall be established by a vote of a three-fourths majority of the membership of the organisation.
This constitution was adopted at a Constitution Meeting held at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology on October 20, 2014 by: