Saint Anthony College of Nursing Student Organization Bylaws

REASONS FOR BEING

PREAMBLE:
We, students of nursing, believe there is a common need to organize, to represent ourselves to the consumer and other health disciplines, and to assume our rightful place in the profession of nursing.
We believe every citizen has the right to the highest quality of health care.
We believe in the development of the whole person toward his/her professional role with its rights, responsibilities, and ideals.
We believe every right bears inherent responsibility.
We believe responsibilities are participatory, not purely philosophical or ideological, and
We believe the quality and quantity of participation are not exclusive, but bear the responsibility of participation.
We believe that everyone has a right to an education.

RIGHTS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students have a right to a sound education:
a right to and a responsibility for having a creative educational opportunity;
a right to and a responsibility for having the highest quality practitioner-teacher;
a right to and a responsibility for achieving input into curriculum planning;
a right to and a responsibility for achieving self-directed learning;
a right to and a responsibility for achieving equal participation in all clinical settings;
a right to and a responsibility for participating in interdisciplinary activities;
Students have the right to due process;
a right to and a responsibility for insuring peer review and self-evaluation.
Students have a right and privilege of internal governance.
Students have a right to and a responsibility to organize and participate in an organization directed towards achieving professional goals;
a right to and a responsibility for facilitating change in health care delivery through various channels;
a right to and a responsibility for assembling the exploring fundamental and current professional issues and concerns;
a right to and a responsibility for organizing in a flexible structure to encompass and represent the diversities within nursing and be representative of the fundamental and current professional issues and concerns;
a right to and a responsibility for fostering a better correlation between nursing education and practice.

ARTICLE I.
The name of this organization shall be the Student Organization of Saint Anthony College of Nursing, hereinafter referred to as SO.

Purpose and Functions
The purpose of SO is:
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 and current professional interest and concerns, and;
c) To aid in the development of the whole person, and his/her professional role, and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.
d) To enhance a positive image of nursing in the media, community, and among all health care professionals.

The function of the SO is:

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 improved health care and the resolution of social issues.
d)	To represent nursing students to the consumer; to institutions, to the media, 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 the person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age, or economic status.
g)	To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with nursing and related health organizations.

ARTICLE III.

Members
Section 1. Membership in SO is open to all students enrolled in Saint Anthony College of Nursing.

Section 2. Dues.

a)	Dues shall be collected at the beginning of each school year or the semester when the student begins his/her enrollment at the college.
b)	Dues shall be for NSNA/SNAI, currently $30.00 per year, plus an additional $10.00 fee for the SO.
c)	There shall be a ‘slush’ fund established through the organization where those who can not afford dues may get assistance. Director of student services will determine need on an individual basis.

Section 3. School Constituent.

a)	School constituent membership is composed of active and associate members who are current members of the NSNA and SNAI.
b)	School constituent membership shall be composed of at least 5 members from Saint Anthony College of Nursing, or the total enrollment of the school if less than five.
c)	For yearly recognition as a constituent, the president of the SO shall submit the Official Application for NSNA Constituency annually which shall include the following areas of conformity for active and associate members: purpose and function, membership, dues and representation.
d)	A constituent association which 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 organization is given the opportunity to be heard.
e)	School chapters and state organizations are entities 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 losses, damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of negligence or acts of school chapters or state organizations, 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 organization will indemnify and hold harmless the NSNA from any liability.

Section 4. Active membership in NSNA/SNAI may be extended six months beyond graduation from a student program in nursing, providing membership was renewed while the student was enrolled in a nursing program.

ARTICLE IV.

Officers
Section 1. Offices
President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian, director of community relations, these positions comprising the Executive Board.

Section 2. Term of Office.
The term of office shall be academic calendar year, with the exception of the president who shall serve a full year term.

Section 3. Duties of Officers.
The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the parliamentary authority, and more specifically shall include:

a)	President 1) Serve as the principal office of the SO and preside at all meetings of the SO and the executive council. 2) Appoint committees and their chairpersons as needed. 3) Represent SO in matters relating to the organization and perform all duties pertaining to the office. 4) Attend the faculty organization meetings of the college in order to represent the student body and give report to the student about the happenings of the meeting. 5) Submit an annual Official Application for NSNA Constituency status to NSNA. 6) Submit an annual report of the activities of the office at the April Faculty Organization meeting. This report shall be placed in permanent files of the organization. 7) The President shall act as Executive Consultant to the new board of directors the year following their term. 8) Call special meetings of the Executive Board as needed with a minimum of 24 hour notice. 9) Shall develop an agenda for the meeting and assure this agenda is posted a minimum of 48 hours prior to all general meetings. 10) Shall make a presentation of behalf of the SO at the annual Alumni Banquet. 11) Shall submit a written report of office to the Secretary of Faculty Organization prior to each Faculty Organization meeting.
b)	Vice President 1) Shall assume responsibility of the office of President in the event of an absence or disability and if vacancy occurring in the office until the next regular election. 2) Shall perform all duties assigned by the president. 3) Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
c)	Secretary 1) Shall record and distribute the minutes of the following meetings of the organization: meetings of the membership and meetings of the Executive Board. Distribution shall be to the Executive Board, all advisors, the Dean, and one copy of the amended minutes to the student bulletin board. 2) Shall prepare a copy of the agenda as advised by the President to be distributed at meetings of membership and the Executive Board. 3) Shall keep permanent records on file of all reports, papers, and documents submitted to the Secretary. 4) Forward minutes to the SNAI Board as well as the names and addresses of all officers and committee chairpersons after their election or appointment. 5) Maintain a current list of NSNA membership. 6) Deliver the newly elected Secretary all records. 7) Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board. 8) Perform all duties assigned by the President.
d)	Treasurer 1) Submit financial reports in writing to the organization membership as directed by the President, including an annual financial report submitted at the installation of officers. 2) Prepare financial reports submitted at the regular monthly membership meeting. 3) Keep an accurate record of all financial transactions of the organization. 4) Assist and attend any meetings held by the Fundraising Committee. 5) Shall obtain an annual audit from an outside source. 6) Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board. 7) Performs other duties as assigned by the President. 8) Responsible for all monetary reimbursements to the Executive Board members as approved by the Executive Board.
e)	Director of Community Relations 1) Develop and implement local community projects, and when possible, in alignment with SNAI and/or NSNA. 2) Inform membership of pertinent community health issues. 3) Shall be a member of the Executive Board. 4) Perform all duties assigned by the President.
f)	Parliamentarian 1) Shall maintain order at all meetings, and use parliamentary procedure as written in the Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised edition. 2) Shall be the chair of the Bylaws Committee. 3) Shall be responsible for educating the Executive Board with a general working knowledge of Parliamentary procedure. 4) Shall be a member of the Executive Board. 5) Shall perform all duties as assigned by the president.
g)	Class Representatives 1) Act as a resource person and communication link between their class level and the organization. 2) Perform all duties assigned by the president.

Section 4. Duties of Officers.

a)	All officers must familiarize themselves with Robert’s Rules of Order in order to perform duties.
b)	All officers are expected to attend meetings of the organization. Absence from two consecutive board meetings without prior notice and approval of the President shall constitute resignation from the office and the Board of Directors shall be required to declare the office vacant and actively seek a qualified replacement.
c)	Officers function as communication liaison between the students and the faculty through the Communication Form Procedure as described in the Student Handbook. Reference: See “Procedure for Students to communicate Concerns to Faculty and/or Administration” attached.
d)	The Executive Board is responsible for properly appropriating funds to finance the business of the organization.
e)	All officers shall submit a written yearly summary to the President a minimum of two weeks prior to the end of the year report.
f)	If a member of the Executive Board fails to fulfill his or her responsibilities as defined in the Bylaws and in the policies of NSNA, the Executive Board shall have the option of removing that board member from office. This action will require 3/4 vote of the Executive Board. An appeal to this decision must be submitted in writing to the President within two weeks. The appeals case will be considered by the Executive Board within two weeks of the receipt of appeal. The appealing officer shall be reinstated by a 3/4 vote of the Board of Directors.

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