Last updated: August 29, 2013
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL
FLORIDA
STUDENT NURSES’
ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
2013 – 2014
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Student Nurses’
Association (SNA) at the College of Nursing Orlando Campus,
University of Central Florida (UCF), a constituent of the Florida
Nursing Students’ Association (FSNA) and the National Student
Nurses’ Association, Inc. (NSNA), here-in-after to be referred to as
the SNA at UCF Orlando.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS
Section 1 – The purpose of the SNA at UCF Orlando:
A.To
assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in
order to provide for the highest quality health care.
B. To provide programs representative of fundamental and current
professional interest and concerns.
C. To aid in the development of the whole person and his/her
professional responsibility for the health care of people in all
walks of life.
Section 2 – The functions of the SNA at UCF Orlando 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 improves 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, ago,
or economic status.
G.
To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with
nursing and related health organizations.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERS
Section 1 – Constituent Associations:
A. Any student enrolled in the University of Central Florida
College of Nursing shall be qualified for membership with
SNA at UCF Orlando.
B. To
be recognized as a member of the SNA at UCF Orlando, the
student must submit the official application annual and meet
the areas for conformity for active and associate members:
purpose and function, membership dues, and representation.
C. A member who fails to comply with the bylaws and policies of
SNA at UCF Orlando shall have its status as a member
revoked by a two-thirds vote of the Board, provided that
written notice of the proposed revocation has been given at
least two months prior to the vote and the member is given an
opportunity to be heard.
D.
A member who has had its status as a member revoked may
be reinstated by a two-thirds vote of the Board after
complying with the requirements of these bylaws and
policies.
Section 2 – Categories of Constituent Membership:
A.Active
Members
1.
Students enrolled in the University of Central Florida
College of Nursing in a program 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 National members shall have all of the privileges of
National membership. Individuals not becoming a
National member but becoming a local member will
receive privileges of local membership but not all
privileges of National membership.
B. Associate Members
1.
Pre-nursing students enrolled at the University of Central
Florida College of Nursing who plan to transfer into the
nursing program leading to a baccalaureate degree in
nursing.
2.
Associate members shall have all the privileges of
membership and individuals not becoming a National
member but becoming a local member will receive
privileges of local membership but not all privileges of
National membership. Associate members cannot hold
any State or National office, but may participate as
committee members in the local constituent chapter.
C. Extended Membership
1.
Active, associate and individual membership may be
extended six months beyond graduation from a
student’s program of nursing, providing membership
was renewed while the student was enrolled in a
nursing program.
Section 3 – Dues
A. Each new member in good standing must pay, within the
time of the conditions set by NSNA, dues in the amount of
$35 for one (1) year or $70 for two (2) years. The member
will pay $40 to renew their membership if they choose to
pay their dues annually.
B. Each member of SNA at UCF Orlando must pay annual
dues in the amount of $10, which will include the SNA at
UCF Orlando membership pin.
C. The dues and fees shall be equal for all members in each
category of membership. Payment of NSNA and SNA at
UCF Orlando dues is a membership enrollment procedure.
D. Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all
privileges of membership.
Section 4 – Points and Rewards
A. Members of SNA at UCF Orlando will earn points
according to their level of participation. Points are to be
recorded and reported to the Vice President (APPENDIX
B).
B. SNA at UCF Orlando will reward the top three point
earners from each graduating class by purchasing their
SNA chord.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS QUALIFICATIONS AND
DUTIES
Section 1 –
A.Officers
of this association shall consist of the following Board
members: President, President Elect, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Director,
Breakthrough to Nursing Director, Community Health
Director, Legislative Director, Historian and Lifeline
Newsletter/Website Editor.
B. Two elected students from the Accelerated Program will be
liaisons for their class. They will be invited to attend Board
meetings, but will not have voting privileges.
Section 2 –
A.Only
active members who shall be nursing students throughout
the full term of office applicable to his/her nursing program,
and have the privilege of active membership and maintain
good academic standing with a GPA or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale of
the nursing curriculum, shall be eligible for the offices listed
in Article IV, Section 1.
Section 3 –
A.Offices
of the Board, as listed in Article IV, Section 1(A), shall
be held by eligible incoming nursing students and be elected
on or before:
1.
Executive Board and Board of Directors (senior class
members): the final meeting in March of the spring
semester.
2.
President-Elect (junior class member): the final meeting in
October of the fall semester.
3.
Accelerated Class Liaisons: during class in the month of
May.
Section 4 –
A.Officers
shall deliver to their successors all records, papers,
and/or property belonging to the association at the end of
their term.
B. Officers of the Board will receive NSNA cords upon completion
of their term at the time of graduation.
Section 5 –
A.Any
elected officer who fails to comply with the qualifications
and duties within these bylaws, listed in Appendix A, shall
have his/her status as an officer of the Board revoked by a
two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, provided written
notice of the proposed revocation has been given two weeks
prior to the vote and the officer is given an opportunity to be
heard.
ARTICLE V - EXPENDITURES
Section 1 –
A.Expenditures
in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be approved
by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors.
B. The SNA at UCF Orlando checking account shall have two
signatures for check writing and withdrawals.
C. A record of all expenditures related to SNA at UCF Orlando shall
be maintained by the Treasurer of the Executive Board, with
written authorization by the President. If the President is
being reimbursed for expenditures related to SNA at UCF
Orlando business, the Vice President of the Executive Board
shall provide written authorization.
D.
A reserve/savings account shall be available of no less than
$1000 at the beginning of each fiscal year, effective February
25th, 2013.
E. The SNA at UCF Orlando fiscal year shall be from the 1st day of
May until the 30th day of April the following year.
F. At each Board meeting, the previous month’s bank statements
will be circulated for review and initialed by each Board
member.
ARTICLE VI - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1 –
A. The officers and consultants shall be elected at tri-annual
meetings of its members:
1. One (1) meeting in March every year will serve as
the election of the Basic BSN Seniors to the SNA
Board, with the exception of the Treasurer who will
be elected during the February meeting in order to
complete ASF financial training.
2. Every year during the month of May, an in class
election will be held to elect two (2) members to
serve as the Accelerated Program Liaisons to the
Executive Board.
3. One (1) meeting in October every year will serve as
the election of the Basic BSN Junior President-Elect
to the Executive Board.
B. Candidates must submit a bio two (2) weeks before the
election in order to be pre-slated on the election ballot.
C. Open nominations from the floor will close with the third
(3) nomination for each position.
D. After open nominations from the floor take place, the
election shall be held by secret ballot.
E. The election date shall be determined by members of the
Board who are present and voting.
F. A plurality vote shall elect.
G. In the event that no plurality vote should exist, the votes
shall be decided first by a revote until a plurality is reached
without the President voting.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 1 –
A.The
general meetings of the association shall be held at such time
and place as shall be determined by the Board.
B. The general meetings shall be for the purpose of holding
elections, receiving reports, and conduction of other business
as may properly come before the House of Delegates.
C. Notice of the meeting shall be given to members of the voting
body at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.
D.
Open meetings will take place during the months of January,
May and September.
E. Each general meeting will include a speaker of interest.
Section 2 –
A.The
voting body at meetings of the SNA at UCF Orlando shall
consist of the elected officers, and those members present
and voting.
B. Representation in the annual meeting of the FNSA shall be in
accordance with the FNSA bylaws.
C. Delegate representation to the NSNA meeting include:
1.
Each school chapter that is a recognized school
constituency, as determined by these bylaws, shall be
entitled to one voting delegate and alternate, and in
addition, shall be entitled to one voting delegate and
alternate for every fifty members.
2.
The school chapter delegate and alternate shall be members
in good standing in the chapter and shall be elected by
members of the school chapter at a proper meeting.
3.
Each school constituent shall be entitled to delegates
4.
5.
according to the number of members in good standing
in NSNA. Delegates shall be computed on the basis of
the number in each constituent as evidenced by the
annual dues received by NSNA on a date eight (8)
weeks prior to the meeting.
In order to be eligible to send a delegate to the NSNA
Annual Convention, each constituent association (state
of school) must sign and return the Official Application
for NSNA Constituency Status by the annual deadline.
The school chapter delegate(s) shall be members in good
standing with NSNA and shall be elected by members
of the school chapter in accordance with chapter
bylaws. The school chapter may designate an alternate
delegate for each delegate for each by one of the
following two mechanisms:
a) Election by members of the school chapter
in accordance with chapter bylaws; or
b) Written request to FNSA Executive Board
asking that a member of said Executive
Board be appointed as an alternate for the
school chapter. School chapters shall
approve the appointment. The FNSA
Executive Board shall verify that a stateappointed alternate is a member in good
standing of NSNA and FNSA. A school
chapter may have an elected delegate
credentialed at the NSNA Annual
Convention in order to have a stateappointed alternate seated in the House of
Delegates. All alternates, whether stateappointed or school elected, shall have the
same privileges as an elected delegate when
seated in the House of Delegates.
Section 3 –
A.The
privilege of making a motion and voting shall be limited to
the voting body. A voting member shall have but one vote in
any election or on any question.
ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTIVE BOARD AND BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Section 1 –
A.The
Executive Board shall consist of the: President, PresidentElect, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
B. The Board of Directors shall consist of the: Legislative Director,
Community Health Director, Breakthrough to Nursing
Director, Public Relations Director, Historian, and Lifeline
Newsletter/Website Editor.
C. The consultants shall serve as ex-officio members without a vote.
D.
The Accelerated Liaisons will be invited to the Board
meetings, but have no voting authority.
Section 2 –
A.All
the powers of the association are vested in and shall be
exercised by the Board during the interim between meetings
of the association, except that the Board shall not nullify nor
modify any action taken by the House of Delegates in
convention, and subject to the provisions of these bylaws.
Section 3 –
A.The
Board 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 the constituent unless the same
is/was duly authorized in writing by the Executive Board.
Section 4 – Management by the Board shall include the following
duties:
A.Review
and approve the terms of official relationships
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 SNA
at UCF Orlando relationships with other organizations.
C. Approve the budget and provide the annual audit at the close of
the fiscal year.
D.
Have the power to fill vacancies for the expired term or
unfilled position unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.
E. Have the power by three-fourths majority vote to declare an
office vacant.
F. In case of emergency, the Board may take votes by referendum,
provided material is sent in the same words to each member.
G.
The Board and organization may conduct business
electronically.
1.
Decisions made via email may be subject to ratification.
Section 5 – Meetings
A.Regular
meetings of the Board shall be held in January,
February, March, April, May, June, August, September,
October and November. The President shall determine the
date and place of the meetings.
B. The quorum shall be a two-thirds majority voting members of the
Board including the President or Vice President, and one
consultant.
ARTICLE IX - ADVISORS/CONSULTANTS
Section 1 –
A.There
shall be two (2) faculty consultants as approved by the
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Affairs and the Board.
Section 2 – The consultant shall:
A.Be
responsible for providing the interchange of information
between the Board of the SNA at UCF Orlando and the
faculty.
B. Serve as a resource person consulting with the Board and its
members (APPENDIX C).
C. One Advisor/Consultant shall attend Board and general meetings
of the SNA at UCF Orlando.
D.
One Advisor/Consultant shall attend FNSA Convention and
NSNA Convention.
Section 3 – Leadership University
A. The Leadership University is open to all nursing programs
preparing students for RN licensure that are official NSNA
constituents and to those schools working toward
constituency status.
B. Leadership University is available to all Board and
committee members or any member of SNA that plans to
develop a two semester long project.
C. Participation in Leadership University counts as a nursing
elective of three (3) total credits.
D. Those interested must do the following:
1. Have a 3.0 or better GPA.
2. Make an appointment with the SNA at UCF
Orlando advisor over Leadership University.
3. Sign a contract for the work to be done.
4. Formulate objectives for the project.
5. Fill out the independent study forms prior to the
semester to take Leadership University.
6. Register for one (1) credit Fall semester and two (2)
credits Spring semester.
7. Maintain membership in SNA the entire time of the
enrollment in Leadership University.
8. Complete strategic plan to identify the
project/office and the attributes and competencies
the student wishes to develop.
9. Complete portfolio.
10. Complete evaluation of project success.
ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES
Section 1 –
A. The Board, at its discretion, shall establish committees
deemed necessary to carry on the work of the association
and determine functions, terms, and membership of the
committees. A quorum for committee meetings shall be a
majority of the members. The election of SNA members to
the committees shall be determined by majority of the
members of SNA at UCF Orlando.
Section 2 –
A. There shall be four standing committees:
1.
Breakthrough to Nursing
2. Community Health
3. Fundraising
4. Public Relations
ARTICLE XI - PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
All meetings of the association shall be conducted according to
parliamentary law as set forth in Roberts Rules of Order Newly
Revised where the rules apply and do not conflict with these
bylaws.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1 –
A.These
bylaws may be amended at a general meeting where a
quorum exists by a two-thirds vote of those present and
voting provided that notice of the proposed amendment(s)
has been sent to the members at least ten (10) days prior to
the meeting.
Section 2 –
A.Proper
amendments shall be submitted in writing, carrying
proponents’ signature, to the Board for review at least six (6)
weeks prior to a biannual meeting. Only the Board, SNA at
UCF Orlando committee, or a member may submit proposed
amendments.
Section 3 –
B. These
bylaws may be amended at the general meeting by twothirds 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 –
A. Amendments to the bylaws of NSNA adopted at the
annual meeting, which directly relate to the business of
the constituent association in the areas of conformity of
NSNA shall automatically and immediately effect the
necessary amendments to the bylaws of the constituent
associations and shall promptly be incorporated into their
bylaws.
APPENDIX A
The following job descriptions of the Officers are defined by the
SNA at UCF Orlando as:
All Board Members:
1. To
be eligible for a Board position, the candidate must have a
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must maintain this
minimum GPA throughout their term and be a full-time
student in University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing
Program.
2. Attend all general and Board meetings. Two absences are
allowed with an excuse given to President in advance and
submitted written officer report.
3. Attend State FNSA Convention, which is usually the last
weekend of October.
4. Attend National NSNA Convention, which is usually the first
weekend of April.
5. Attend most fundraising activities.
6. Meet with your designated advisor at least once per semester.
President:
1. Attends
all Chapter, Board, and State officers meetings.
2. Presides over all Chapter and Board meetings.
3. Communicates with State president and chapter officers to ensure
smooth communication.
4. Write a short column at least twice per year for the newsletter
and submits to the newsletter editor.
5. Sets agenda with Board for Board meetings and assists Secretary
in creating general member agenda.
6. Ensures that the work of the chapter is accomplished.
7. Meets with advisors once a week.
8. Give report toward goals at each Board meeting.
9. Recommend revisions to bylaws.
10.
Submits forms and applications for chapter activities
(yearbook, organizations, career day, organization day) etc.
11.
Attends State and National conventions.
Vice President:
1. Must
attend State conventions while holding office for
educational purposes.
2. Must attend chapter meetings and chapter Board meetings each
month as scheduled.
3. May be absent only two (2) meetings in a school year.
4. If President is unable to attend Board meeting or regular meeting,
may be expected to step in.
5. Responsible for getting a speaker for each monthly SNA chapter
meeting.
6. Must bring food and supplies for each monthly SNA chapter
meeting.
7. Act as liaison to MedPACt.
President Elect:
1. Serve
one year as President Elect and one year as President of the
SNA at UCF Orlando.
2. During the president-elect term will be responsible for
fundraising campaigns and projects and will chair the
fundraising committee.
3. Must attend State conventions both years of holding office for
educational purposes.
4. Must attend chapter meetings and chapter Board meetings each
month as scheduled.
5. May be absent only two (2) meetings in a school year.
6. If President is unable to attend Board meeting or regular meeting,
may be expected to step in.
7. Attends meetings with President and advisors monthly.
8. Run Fundraising Committee Meetings via phone, email or faceto-face.
Secretary:
1. Attends
all Board and chapter meetings.
2. May be absent only two (2) meetings in a school year.
3. Submits minutes even if absent from meeting.
4. Arranges for coverage during the meeting.
5. Records minutes at all meetings and submits information to the
Lifeline Newsletter Editor.
6. Provides thank you notes and gifts for each monthly chapter
speakers.
7. Maintains records of agendas and minutes to be passed on the
future Boards via jump drive.
8. Serves as student representative to the Undergraduate Curriculum
Committee.
9. Posts meeting notices one week before each meeting via email
and on bulletin Board.
10.
Conducts the correspondence of the chapter.
11.
Records service hours for members and totals by semester
and yearly.
12.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
Treasurer:
1. Attends
all Board and chapter meetings.
2. May miss only two (2) total meetings per year.
3. Send report if unable to attend Board meeting.
4. Collects Dues.
5. Writes checks and makes bank deposit.
6. Responsible for the annual membership drive.
7. Maintains membership list by graduating year, in alphabetical
order, with NSNA numbers and notifies members for
renewals each semester.
8. Reports on total membership each Board meeting.
9. Presents financial report each Board meeting and a brief report
each chapter business meeting.
10.
Meets with advisor once per month to review bank account
statements.
11.
Submits Project In Touch to NSNA.
12.
Complete Financial Training through UCF.
13.
Earn the NSNA treasurer certificate at National Convention.
14.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
Public Relations Director:
1. Organizes
the SNA at UCF Orlando Clubhouse and recruits staff.
2. Writes an annual article to be published in newsletter and on
website.
3. Contributes to the newsletter.
4. Creates and maintains the SNA at UCF Orlando Facebook.
6. Works with Public Relations Director at the College of
Nursing to distribute news college and university wide.
Breakthrough to Nursing Director:
1. Attends
all Board and chapter meetings.
2. May miss only two (2) total meetings per year.
3. Send report if unable to attend Board meeting.
4. Plans school visits for recruiting into the nursing profession.
5. Submits a report prior to State convention as to BTN activities
during the previous calendar year for the State award.
6. Completes BTN report of activities forms and keeps track of
BTN points earned by chapter.
7. Recruits members for a BTN committee and chairs the
committee.
8. Invites Pre-Student Nurse Association and Concurrent UCF
students to join SNA meetings and events.
9. Plans and implements retention programs for chapter.
10.
Develops mentoring links for student nurses in program, this
includes the Junior/Senior Buddy Project.
11.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
Community Health Director:
1. Attends
all Board and chapter meetings.
2. May miss only two (2) total meetings per year.
3. Send report if unable to attend Board meeting.
4. Plans at least one major community event per month in addition
to the Ronald McDonald House work.
5. Submits a report prior to State convention as to community
service activities during the previous calendar year for the
State award.
6. Submits list of participants and total of hours to secretary for
record-keeping.
7. Acts as a liaison with community groups to develop future
community service projects.
8. Recruits members for community services committee and chairs
that committee.
9. Completes Community Activities Form for State and submits for
BTN points.
10.
Creates a Community Health poster Board to submit to the
annual State Convention.
11.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
Legislative Director/NEC:
1. Attends
all Board and chapter meetings.
2. May miss only two (2) total meetings during the school year.
3. If not attending meeting, sends report.
4. Complete Financial Training through UCF.
5. Coordinates Voter's Registration Drive in the fall.
6. Keeps chapter informed about legislative actions in the state.
7. Logs on to statehouse website once a month for updates and to
the SNA at UCF Orlando website.
8. Recruit members to run for Chapter, State and National office.
9. Allow members to pre-slate themselves for office beginning in
December and distribute officer descriptions to all members.
10.
Create the election Ballot in February for the March election
and counts results for the chapter.
11.
Directs bylaw revisions and ensures that bylaws are
continuously updated and published on the website.
12.
Submits a report prior to State convention as to legislative
activities during the previous calendar year for the State
award.
13.
Submits list of participants and total of hours to secretary for
record-keeping.
14.
Collect all letters written to legislators by students in the
Nursing program.
15.
Encourages and instructs members on how to draft
resolutions to send to State convention.
16.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
17.
Acts as SGA liaison.
Historian:
1. Collects
and documents the history of the chapter.
2. Attends all Board and chapter meetings and events.
3. Misses no more than two (2) total meetings a school year.
4. Arranges for coverage during the meeting or events to have
pictures taken.
5. Creates the chapter scrapbook, which is entered in the scrapbook
contest at the State Convention.
6. Coordinates and creates end of the year videos in review for
graduating class.
7. Coordinates and schedules senior pictures.
8. Sends pictures and captions of events to the school, State, and
National newsletter editor for publication and website.
9. Organizes the SNA at UCF Orlando team for annual Relay for
Life in the spring, including theme and walkers schedule.
10.
Attends all captain meetings for UCF Relay for Life.
11.
Organizes fundraising efforts for Relay for Life.
12.
Attend Relay for Life event and ensure that there are
representatives there for the SNA at UCF Orlando team for
the entirety of the event.
13.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
Lifeline Newsletter/Website Editor:
1. Writes
and distributes a monthly newsletter for all student nurses.
2. Maintains the SNA website.
3. Attends all Board and chapter meetings.
4. May
miss no more than two (2) meetings a school year.
5. Arranges for coverage when unable to attend.
6. Submits newsletters for State convention newsletter award.
7. Mails three (3) hard copies of the monthly newsletter to the
National Student Nurses’ Association as well as emailing one
(1) copy.
8. Emails one (1) copy of the monthly newsletter to the Florida
Nursing Students’ Association.
9. Reports to State newsletter editor any important chapter news.
10.
Works cooperatively with Historian and publishes events and
pictures.
11.
Attends State Convention and participates in activities there
to represent the University of Central Florida.
APPENDIX B
Points Breakdown
A.
General Meeting
1 point each meeting
B.
Community Service
1 point per hour (4 max)
C.
Breakthrough to Nursing
1 point per hour (4 max)
D.
Fundraiser
2 points
E.
Clubhouse Shift
1 point
F.
State Convention
5 points
G.
National Convention
10 points
APPENDIX C
Advisor/Consultant Assignments
A. Linda Howe PhD, CNS, CNE
1. President
2. President Elect
3. Treasurer
4. Fundraising
5. Public Relations Director
6. Lifeline Newsletter/Website Editor
B. Kim Dever MSN, RN-BC
1. Vice President
2. Secretary
3. Legislative Director
4. Breakthrough to Nursing Director
5. Community Health Director
6. Historian