ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Massachusetts
Student Nurses Association, a constituent of the National Student Nurses
Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as MASNA.
Section 1 –
The Purpose of the MASNA:
a)
to assume responsibility for contributing to nursing
education in order to provide the highest quality health care;
b)
to provide programs representative of fundamental and
current professional interest and concerns, and
c)
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.
Section 2 – The function of the
MASNA 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 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;
e)
to promote and encourage students’ participation in
interdisciplinary activities;
f)
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;
g)
to promote and encourage collaborative relationships with
the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA); Massachusetts Association of
Registered Nurses (MARN), the State Constituent of American Nurses Association
(ANA) and the Massachusetts/ Rhode Island League for Nursing (MARLN) or
Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN), as well as other
nursing and related health organizations.
Section 1.
Constituent Associations
a)
Any school chapter or state association whose membership is
composed of active or associate NSNA members and who have submitted the
Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status containing the areas of
conformity and upon meeting such other policies as the Board of Directors may
determine shall be recognized as a constituent.
b) A school
chapter shall be composed of at least 10 members from a school campus.
c) A state
association shall be composed of at least two school chapters in nay
state. There shall be only state
associations 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 in any state in the United States of American, to
the District of Columbia or go any territory, possession or dependency of the
United States of America
d) For yearly
recognition as a constituent, constituent associations shall be required to
submit annually the Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status which
shall include the following areas of conformity: purpose and functions,
membership, dues and representation.
e) A
constituent association which fails to comply with the bylaws and policies NSNA
shall have its status as a constituent revoked by a 2/3 vote of the Board of
Directors, provided that a written notice of the written revocation has been
given at least two months prior to the vote and the constituent association is
given an opportunity to be heard.
f)
School chapters and state association are entitled separate
and apart from NSNA in their administration of activities, with NSNA exercising
no supervision or control over these immediate daily and regular
activities. NSNA has no liability for
any loss, damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of the
negligence or acts of school chapters or states 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 2.
Categories of Constituent Membership
1. Active
members: Active members shall have all the privileges of membership.
a) Students
enrolled in state approved programs leading to licensure as a registered nurse.
b) Registered
nurses enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in
nursing.
2. Associate
Members:
a) Pre-nursing
students, including registered nurses enrolled in college or university
programs designed as a preparation entrance into program leading to an associate
degree, diploma, or baccalaureate degree in nursing.
b) Associate
members shall have all the privileges of membership except for the right to
hold office as president and vice president at state and national levels.
3. Individual
Members:
a) Individual
members shall be open at state and national level to any eligible student when
membership in a constituent association is not available. Individual members
shall have the privileges of membership as prescribed in Article III, Section
2, Items 1 and 2.
Section 3.
Categories of Non-Constituent Membership (optional)
1. Sustaining Members:
Upon
approval of the Board of Directors sustaining membership shall be open at the
MASNA level to any individual or organization, interested in furthering the
development and growth of MASNA.
Sustaining members shall receive literature and other information from
the MASNA secretary.
2.
Honorary Members:
Honorary
members may be conferred by a 2/3 vote of the House of Delegates with
recommendation of the Board of Directors upon persons who have rendered
distinguished service or valuable assistance to MASNA. Honorary members shall have none of the
obligations or privileges of membership.
Section 4. Active and associate membership may be
extended six months and beyond completion of a students program in
nursing. Sustaining membership shall be
renewable annually.
Section 5. Dues
1. The
annual dues shall be $5.00 per member payable for the appropriate dues
year. The dues for members shall be a
period of 12 consecutive months.
2. Payment
of the NSNA and MASNA dues is a prerequisite for membership. NSNA dues shall be
$30.00 per member ($25.00 first year rate).
State dues shall be $5.00 per member.
3. NSNA
and MASNA dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NSNA shall remit to each state constituent the dues received on
behalf the constituent.
a) The annual
dues for sustaining members shall be established by the MASNA Board Of
Directors and shall be paid to MASNA directly.
b) Any member
who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership.
Section 1.
The officers of MASNA shall be the president, the first vice president,
second vice president, secretary, treasurer and 5 regional directors.
Section 2. Eligibility
a) Only
members who shall be nursing students throughout the full term of office or
have the privileges of active membership shall be eligible for the offices of
the president or first vice president.
b) Only members who shall be nursing students
throughout the at least ¾ of a term of office and have privileges of active or
associate membership shall be eligible for all other offices.
Section 3. Term of
Office
The term of office shall be one
year from the adjournment of the spring meeting at which officers and directors are elected to the adjournment of
the spring meeting at which their successor are elected.
Section 4. Duties of officers and Directors
The officers shall perform the
duties prescribed by the parliamentary authority, and or specifically shall
include:
A. The President shall:
1) Preside
at all meeting of the association, Board of Directors and the executive
committee.
2) Appoint
special committees with the approval of the Board of Directors.
3) Serve
as ex-officio member of all committees except nominating committee.
4)
Represent MASNA in the Matters relating to the association and perform all
other duties pertaining to the office.
B. The Vice president(s) shall:
1)
Assume the duties of the president in the absence or disability of the
president.
2)
Perform all other duties as assigned by the president.
3) The
first vice president shall be responsible for the program at the meetings of
the association.
4) The
second vice president shall be responsible for review and recommendations for
change in the bylaws.
C. The secretary shall:
1) Prepare
the minutes of all business meetings of the association and Board of Directors.
2) Inform
NSNA of all current programs and activities and provide up-to-date names and
addresses of the state and local officers.
3) Review
the policies and be responsible for recommendation of policy changes.
4) Perform
all other duties as assigned by the president or as usual to this office.
D. The treasurer shall:
1) Act as
a custodian of organization funds and see that an annual financial report is
prepared.
2)
Sign checks for monetary disbursements as the bylaws provide.
3) Serve
as the chairperson of the finance committee, when such committee is established
by the Board of Directors.
4)
Perform all other duties as assigned by the president.
E. The directors shall:
1) Have
their duties defined by the MASNA Board according to priorities and needs.
2)
Perform other duties as assigned by the president.
Section 5. Vacancies
1) A vacancy on the Board of
Directors, other than president or vice president shall be filled by the Board
of Directors or as specified in these bylaws.
2) In the
event of a vacancy occurring in the office of president, the first vice
president shall assume the duties of the president. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of the first
vice president, the second vice president shall assume the duties of the first
vice president.
3) In the
event that any member of the Board of Directors is absent from two consecutive
board meetings, his/her position will automatically be declared vacant. The Board of Directors have the authority
and will appoint another member to fill the position.
Section 1. Nomination
Committee
a) A
nominating committee shall be composed of 3 members. They shall be elected at the annual meeting to serve for a term
of one year. All the members shall be
nursing student throughout their term of office. The chairperson shall be elected by the committee from among the
committee members.
b) Members of the nominating committee are not
eligible are not eligible as candidates for officer or director during their
elected/appointed term.
c) A vacancy
of the nominating committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors with a
nominee recommended by the nominating committee. In case of member not
performing his/her duties, the Board of Directors shall declare the position
vacant and shall fill the vacancy with a nominee recommended by the nominating
committee.
Section 2. Duties of the Nominating committee
a) The
nominating committee shall prepare a ballot with the candidates for the
officers, directors and the members of the nominating committee. The consent of
the of all proposed candidates shall be obtained in writing before placing
their names on the ballot. Candidates
shall obtain and submit written support of their director or an explanation of why the support was
withheld.
b) A copy of
the ballot shall be made available on site at the convention. Nominations from the floor will be accepted
at the annual meeting provided that required paperwork is presented.
Section 3. Elections
a)
The officers, directors and the members of the nominating
committee shall be elected by secret ballot at the annual meeting.
b)
A majority vote shall elect.
c)
A tie vote shall be decided first by re-vote, and, if
necessary, then by casting a lot.
d)
Results of the secret ballot will be announced at the spring
meeting.
ARTICLE VI- MEETINGS
Section 1. The annual meeting of the association
shall be held at such a time and place as shall be determined by the Board of
Directors. The annual meeting shall be for the purpose of holding elections,
receiving reports and conducting such other business as ma properly come before
the membership. Notice of the meeting
shall be sent to the president of each constituent association, faculty
advisors and other members of the voting body.
Section 2.
The House of Delegates shall be the governing and voting body of the
composed of members present from the constituents, the Board fo Directors, and
members of the nominations and elections committee. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given at least 30 days
prior to the meeting.
Section 3.
Delegate Representation
A. The voting body at the annual meetings of this association shall
consist of the elected state officers, elected directors, members from
constituent associations, and individual members.
B. Representation at the NSA
annual meeting shall be:
1. School
constituents:
a) Each
school chapter that is recognized constituency as determined by these bylaws,
shall be entitled one voting delegate and alternate for the first 10 members,
and in addition, shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate for
every 50 members.
b) The school
chapter delegate and alternate shall be members in good standing in the chapter
and shall be selected and/or elected by members of the school chapter at a
proper meeting.
2. State
Constituents:
a) Each state
constituents shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate. This delegate shall be the state
president. If the state president
cannot serve, a designated representative
and alternate shall be elected
at a state meting or by the state Board of Directors.
3. Each
school constituent shall be entitles 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 on a date 8
weeks prior to the annual meeting.
Section 4.
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.
Section 5. All meetings of the MASNA shall
be open to all members unless voted otherwise by the Membership.
Section 6. Quorum
A quorum at the annual meeting of MASNA shall consist of at
least 2/3 of the members’ present and voting and at least 3 members of the
Board of Directors, including the president or the vice president.
Section 7. Special Meetings
a)
A special meeting may be called by the Board of Directors,
and shall be called by the president upon written request of 1/3 or more of the
constituent associations. Notice of
time, place and purpose of the meeting shall be sent to all constituent
associations not less than 5 days prior to the meeting.
b)
The voting body shall be the same, insofar as possible, as
that in the annual meeting.
c)
The quorum shall be 1/3 of the constituent associations and
at least four members of the Board of Directors including the president or
first vice president.
Section 8. When a member or a Board member
is traveling on official MASNA business, such as NSNA mid-year or national
convention, he/she must attend all required meetings of the position. If a member is absent from such meetings
without acceptable reason, his/her reimbursement (partial or full) will be
forfeited.
ARTICLE VII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall
consist of the elected officers and the directors. The consultants shall serve as ex-officio members without a vote.
Section 2. All the powers of association are
vested in and shall be exercised by the Board of Directors during the interim
between meetings of the association, except that the Board shall not nullify
nor modify any action taken by the Membership in the annual meeting and subject
to the provisions of these bylaws.
Section 3. The Board of Directors 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 same
was authorized in writing by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.
Management by the Board of Directors shall include the following duties:
a)
Review and approve the terms of official relationship
established with other organizations singly or in coalition.
b)
Approve any commitment in the form of action, statement of
policy or position, or financial obligations involved in MASNA relationships
with other organizations.
c)
Approve the budget and provide the annual audit of accounts
at the close of the fiscal year.
d)
Have the power to fill vacancies for the unexpired term,
unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.
e)
Have the power by ¾ vote to declare an office event.
f)
In case of an emergency, votes by referendum may be taken by
the Board of Directors, provided the material is sent in the same words to each
member.
g)
Appoint/hire the MASNA State Advisor/Staff Person.
Section 5.
Meetings
a)
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held
immediately before and after annual meetings and at such other times deemed
necessary by a majority of the Board.
The president shall determine the date and place of meetings.
b)
The quorum shall be a majority of voting members of the
Board including the president or vice president, and one consultant.
Section 6.
Executive Committees
There shall be an executive committee of the Board of
Directors composed of the president, two other members of the Board and a
consultant. This committee shall have
the power to transact business only of an emergency nature which cannot wait
until the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. All transactions of this committee shall be
reported in full at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of
Directors. The executive committee may conduct such emergency business by
telephone or email.
ARTICLE VIII – CONSULTANTS
Section 1. There shall be up to four
consultants. The MASNA Board of
Directors shall appoint one consultant from each of the following organization:
MARN, MNA, and MARILN or MACN.
Appointments will be from a list of candidates recommended by each of
the Board of Directors of these groups.
The consultants shall be appointed to serve for a two year term or until
their respective successors are appointed.
The fourth consultant shall be a graduate nurse or graduating senior who
was a member of MASNA with experience on the MASNA BOD. This person shall be appointed by MASNA to
serve for the year, or until a successor is appointed.
Section 2.
Consultants
The consultants shall:
a)
Be responsible for providing interchange of information
between the Board of Directors of MARN, MNA and MARILN or MACN and MASNA.
b)
Serve as a resource person consulting with the Board of
Directors, members and staff.
c)
Attend meetings of MASNA.
ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors, at 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 the meetings of this association shall be conducted
according to parliamentary laws as set forth in ROBERT’S RULESOF ORDER NEWLY
REVISED where the rules apply and are not in conflict with these bylaws.
ARTICLE XI – ADMENDMENTS
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at
the annual meeting by a 2/3 vote of those present and voting provided that
notice of the proposed amendments has been sent to the presidents of the
constituent associations at least four weeks prior to the meeting.
Section 2. Proposed amendments shall be
submitted in writing, carrying proponent’s signature, to the Board of Directors
for review at least 10 weeks prior to the annual meeting. Proposed amendments
may be submitted only by the Board fo Directors, a MASNA committee, or a
constituent association.
Section 3. These bylaws may be amended at
the annual meeting by 99% vote of those present and voting, provided previous
notice shall have been given at an earlier meeting of the same session, and
provided that the proposed amendment shall have been presented to the presiding
officer and parliamentarian before the meeting where previous notice is given.
Section 4. Amendments to the bylaws of the NSNA,
adopted at the annual meeting which directly relate to the business of the
constituent association in the areas of the conformity shall automatically and
immediately effect the necessary amendments to the bylaws of the constituent
associations and shall promptly be incorporated into their bylaws.