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BYLAWS OF THE BALL STATE STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I: NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be the Ball State Student Nurses Association (BSNA).
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND FUNCTION
Section 1: Purpose
A.
To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the
highest quality of health care.
B.
To provide programs representative of fundamental interests and concerns to nursing
students.
C.
To aid in the development of the whole person, including his/her professional role,
his/her responsibility for health care of people in all walks of life.
Section 2: Function
A.
To have direct input into 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
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 a person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle,
national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or economic status.
G.
To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with nursing and health related
organizations.
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ARTICLE III: MEMBERS
Section 1: School Constituent
A.
School constituent membership is composed of active or associate members who are of
the NSNA and the state association when one exists.
B.
The BSNA shall be composed of at least 10 members from Ball State University or the
total school enrollment if less than 10. There shall be only one chapter on this school
campus.
C.
For yearly recognition as a constituent, an officer of the BSNA shall submit annually the
Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status which shall include the following
areas of conformity: purpose and functions, membership, dues and representation.
D.
A constituent association that 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.
E.
BSNA is an entity separate and apart from NSNA and Indiana Student Nurses
Association exercising no supervision or control over these immediate daily and regular
activities. NSNA and Indiana Student Nurses Association have no liability for any loss,
damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of the negligence or acts of
BSNA or the members thereof. In the event any legal proceedings are brought against
NSNA and Indiana Student Nurses Association, BSNA will indemnify and hold harmless
the NSNA and Indiana Student Nurses Association from any liability.
F.
BSNA membership is limited to current Ball State University students only.
Section 2: Categories of Constituent Membership
Members of the constituent associations 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 the privileges of membership.
B.
Associate members:
1.
Prenursing students, including registered nurses, enrolled in college or university
programs designed as preparation for entrance into a program leading to an
associate degree, diploma or baccalaureate degree in nursing.
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2.
Associate members shall have all of the privileges of membership except the right
to hold office as president or vice president at state and national levels.
C.
Individual members:
Individual membership shall be open at the 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 NSNA bylaws.
D.
Active and associate membership shall be renewable annually.
Section 3: Graduates
Active and associate NSNA 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.
ARTICLE IV: DUES
Section 1
The Annual NSNA dues for active and associate members shall be set per current NSNA
requirements, per member, plus current state and school dues, payable for the appropriate dues
year. The dues year for membership shall be a period of twelve consecutive months.
Section 2
The annual NSNA dues for the active and associate members joining for two years shall be
current dues requirements, per member, plus current state and school dues, payable for the
appropriate dues years. The dues years for these members shall be a period of twenty-four
consecutive months.
Section 3
The BSNA board of directors shall have the authority to change membership dues, providing
such dues do not exceed the amounts set forth in these bylaws.
Section 4
National and state dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NSNA shall remit to each state
constituent the dues received on behalf of the constituent. NSNA shall not collect nor remit
BSNA dues.
Section 5
Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership.
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ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Composition
A.
The Board of Directors will consist of: President, Vice President, secretary, Treasurer,
Parliamentarian, and Newsletter Correspondent.
Section 2: Responsibilities
A.
The Board of Directors shall be responsible for:
1.
Transacting business of the association between membership meetings and shall
report such transactions at the next regularly scheduled membership meeting.
2.
Filling vacancies in any office by two-thirds majority vote of Board of Directors.
3.
Reviewing monetary disbursements, acquisitions and fund raising activities shall
be responsible for procuring persons for audit of all accounts on an annual basis.
Section 3: Quorum
A quorum for the Board meetings shall be two-thirds of the Board’s members.
Section 4: Duties of the Board of Directors:
A.
President
1.
Shall preside at all meetings of this association, appoint special committees as
needed, perform all other duties pertaining to the office and represent this
association in all matters to the local state nurses association, state nursing student
association, National Student Nurses’ Association, and other professional and
student organizations.
2.
Shall serve as chairperson of the Board of Directors.
3.
Shall serve as chairperson of the Agenda Committee.
B.
Vice President
1.
Shall assume responsibility of the office of President in the event of the vacancy
occurring in the office until the next regular election.
2.
Shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
3.
Shall assist the President as delegated and act as advisor to the President.
4.
Shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
5.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Agenda Committee.
C.
Secretary
1.
Shall record and distribute the minutes of all meetings of this association as
directed by the President.
2.
Shall keep on file as a permanent record all reports, papers and documents
submitted to the Secretary.
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3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Refer to dully appointed committees the necessary records for the completion of
business.
Forward minutes to the state nursing student association board as well as the
names and addresses of all officers and committee chairpersons after their
election or appointment.
Deliver to the newly elected Secretary all association papers.
Shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Agenda Committee.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Community Service Committee.
D.
Treasurer
1.
Submit financial reports to the membership as directed by the President.
2.
Prepare financial reports submitted to the Board of Directors.
3.
Keep a permanent record of all dues received from members and any other
income and disbursements.
4.
Remit payment for approved debits according to the following:
a)
Disbursements of Funds
1.
Requests for disbursement of funds shall be made in writing to the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may approve the
disbursements of funds up to $1000 per request.
2.
Present to the current membership at its regular meetings all
requests over $1000 for approval.
3.
Upon approval the treasurer will issue payments for those requests
approved.
5.
Shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
6.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Agenda Committee.
7.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Social Committee.
E.
Parliamentarian
1.
Shall assist the President as delegated and act as advisor to the President on all
parliamentary matters.
2.
Shall serve as the chief advisor to the BSNA on all parliamentary matters.
3.
Shall attend all meetings of the full BSNA membership.
4.
Shall be responsible for training the BSNA membership and assisting the
Executive Board in the in proper parliamentary procedure.
5.
Shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
6.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Agenda Committee.
7.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Rules Committee.
F.
Newsletter Correspondent
1.
Shall submit articles to state newsletter.
2.
Shall submit articles to NSNA News according to publication deadline.
3.
Shall submit BSNA activities to school yearbook.
4.
Shall keep bulletin boards up-to-date.
5.
Shall prepare a school newsletter as directed by the Board of Directors.
6.
Shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
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7.
Shall serve as an ex officio member of the Agenda Committee.
Section 4: Absences
A.
Members of the Board of Directors who have missed more than two regularly scheduled
meetings of any current term year without prior notification to the Board of Directors and
who offer no valid reason for such absences my be removed from office by a plurality
vote of the current membership present at the next scheduled meeting. The officer in
question will be notified in advance of the meeting.
B.
An officer may also be removed from office by a plurality vote of the members of the
Board of Directors present at a meeting called for that purpose if that officer is deemed
negligent in the functions of that office as stated in these bylaws.
1.
Prior notification of two weeks shall be given to the individual in question and a
special Board of Directors meeting shall be held to review the circumstances.
ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1:
Elections shall be held each April at the regular monthly business meeting of the full BSNA
membership.
Section 2:
All elections shall be by secret ballot.
Section 3:
A plurality vote of the members present and entitled to vote and voting shall constitute an official
election.
Section 4:
A.
In the event of a tie, a second vote shall be called. Only candidates that tied shall be
included in the second vote.
B.
In the event of a deadlock, the election shall be decided by majority vote of the
Nominations Committee.
Section 5:
In the event that the BSNA President seeks re-election, the election of the new BSNA President
shall be presided over by the BSNA faculty advisor.
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Section 6:
Nominations for officers must be submitted to the BSNA Nominations Committee according to
the timetable established by that Committee.
Section 7:
In the event that Nominations Committee slates one or fewer candidates for a given officer
position, nominations shall be solicited from the floor during the meeting of the full BSNA
membership wherein elections are an agenda item.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 1: Membership Meetings
A.
Meeting dates and locations shall be set by the BSNA Agenda Committee, with the
approval of the full BSNA membership.
B.
The President shall have the authority to convene a special meeting as such time is
deemed necessary and shall notify the general membership of such meeting, location and
time.
ARTICLE VIII: STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1: Appointments
A.
Committee chair appointments shall be made by the Board of Directors unless otherwise
stated in these Bylaws.
B.
Committee members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors from a list of
volunteers.
Section 2: Responsibility
All committees shall be responsible to the Board of Directors for reporting committee activities
on a regular basis and shall, upon direction of the Board of Directors, report same to the general
membership.
Section 3: Social Committee
A.
The Social Committee shall be responsible for proposing social activities for the BSNA
membership to the Board of Directors and, at the Board’s Direction, to the full BSNA
membership.
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B.
The Social Committee shall be charged with the execution of all planned and approved
BSNA social activities.
Section 4: Agenda Committee
A.
The Agenda Committee shall be charged with setting the meeting dates and locations for
meetings of the full BSNA membership. Proposed meeting dates and location shall be
approved by the full BSNA membership at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the
academic year.
B.
The Agenda Committee shall be charged with soliciting agenda items from BSNA
members and committees, and with setting the agenda for meetings of the full BSNA
membership.
C.
The Agenda Committee shall be charged with providing food and/or activities to coincide
with meetings of the full BSNA membership.
D.
The Agenda Committee shall be chaired by the BSNA President.
Section 5: Rules Committee
A.
The Rules Committee shall be charged with reviewing in a timely fashion all proposed
amendments to these Bylaws and shall be empowered to amend said proposals in order to
maintain the internal consistency of these Bylaws as necessary.
1.
The Rules Committee must distribute proposed amendments to the full BSNA
membership two weeks prior to submission to the BSNA Agenda Committee.
B.
The Rules Committee shall be charged with reviewing in a timely fashion all proposed
resolutions proposed by the membership and shall be empowered to amend said
resolutions prior to forwarding them to the BSNA Agenda Committee.
Section 6: Nominations Committee
A.
The BSNA Faculty Advisory shall serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the
Nominations Committee.
B.
The Nominations Committee shall be charged with soliciting nominations for BSNA
officers and Delegate and forwarding to the Agenda Committee slates of candidates for
the purposes of facilitating the annual BSNA officer and Delegate elections.
C.
The Nominations Committee shall publish to the full membership a timetable for the
acceptance and review of nominations well in advance of the annual BSNA officer and
Delegate elections.
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Section 7: Community Service Committee
A.
The Community Service Committee shall be charged with proposing service activities for
the BSNA membership to the Board of Directors and, at the Board’s Direction, to the full
BSNA membership.
B.
The Community Service Committee shall be charged with the execution of all planned
and approved BSNA service activities.
C.
The Community Service Committee shall be charged with coordinating BSNA outreach
activities including, but not limited to, membership recruitment and assisting with
newsletter publication.
ARTICLE IX: DELEGATES
Section 1: Purpose and Function
A.
To serve as spokesperson for the BSNA at the annual state and national conventions.
B.
Present to the state and national organizations all proposed resolutions or amendments to
bylaws or policies proposed by the BSNA.
C.
Keep informed as to all current and proposed resolutions at the state and national levels
and report information to the BSNA membership at regularly scheduled membership
meetings.
D.
Make available to members updates, explanations, and copies of current and proposed
state and national resolutions.
Section 2: Qualification and Election
A.
Any member maintaining a grade level of C or above, who is active in BSNA projects,
and whose name is forwarded by the current membership to the Nominations Committee
is eligible to hold the position of Delegate, subject to NSNA guidelines.
B.
Delegates shall serve a term of one (1) year.
C.
Elections shall be held each January at the regular monthly business meeting of the full
BSNA membership.
D.
All elections shall be by secret ballot.
E.
A plurality vote of the members present and entitled to vote and voting shall constitute an
official election.
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F.
In the event of a tie, a second vote shall be called. Only candidates that tied shall be
included in the second vote.
1.
In the event of a deadlock, the election shall be decided by majority vote of the
Nominations Committee.
G.
Nominations for Delegate must be submitted to the BSNA Nominations Committee
according to the timetable established by that Committee.
H.
In the event that Nominations Committee receives no nominations, nominations shall be
solicited from the floor during the meeting of the full BSNA membership wherein
Delegate elections are an agenda item.
Section 3: Delegate Representation
A.
School constituents:
1.
BSNA, when recognized as an official NSNA constituent, shall be entitled to one
voting delegate and alternate at the NSNA House of Delegates, and in addition,
shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate for every 50 members.
2.
The BSNA delegate(s) and alternate shall be a member(s) in good standing in the
chapter and shall be selected and/or elected by members of the BSNA at a proper
meeting according to these bylaws. The BSNA may designate an alternate
delegate for each delegate by one of the following two mechanisms:
a)
Selection and/or election by members of the BSNA according to these
bylaws; or
b)
3.
Written authorization to the State Board of Directors requesting them to
appoint a member of the State Board to act as a state-appointed alternate
the BSNA.
1.
The BSNA shall approve the appointment.
2.
The State Board of Directors shall verify that any state appointed
alternate is a member in good standing of the NSNA and the state
association.
3.
The BSNA must have a selected and/or elected delegate present at
the NSNA Convention in order to have a state-appointed al ternate
seated in the House of Delegates.
4.
All alternates, whether school selected or state-appointed, shall
have the same privileges as an elected delegate when seated in the
House.
The BSNA 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 on a date eight weeks prior to the annual meeting.
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ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
A.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the BSNA Rules
Committee for review and possible revision prior to distribution to the full BSNA
membership.
B.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made available to the full BSNA
membership two weeks prior to submission to the BSNA Agenda Committee for possible
inclusion on the agenda for a meeting of the full BSNA membership.
C.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be approved with a 2/3 vote of those present
and voting at a meeting of the full BSNA membership.
ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
All meetings of this association shall be conducted according to the 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.