Arkansas School Nurses Association Bylaws
Revised Fall 2010
Article I – Name
The name of the organization shall be the Arkansas School Nurses Association (ASNA) and shall be affiliated with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).
Article II - Goals
The goal of the organization shall be:
Section 1: To promote and advance the quality of school nursing, school health services, and health education throughout the state.
Section 2: To operate exclusively as an educational organization on a non-profit basis.
Article III - Membership and Dues
Section 1: Eligibility
Active membership in the association shall be open to any registered professional nurse who meets the requirements for school nursing in the state of Arkansas, and who is in compliance with such other qualifications or requirements set forth in these by-laws.
Section 2: Instatement
Any person eligible for membership and who meets the requirements set forth in these by-laws for his/her class of membership shall become a member upon payment of dues.
Section 3: Classification
There shall be four classes of membership: Active, Associate, Retired, and Member-at- Large.
A. Active members shall be:
1. A registered professional nurse
2. Have as their primary assignment, school nurse administrators, nursing educators or the provider of primary school health services.
B. Associate members shall be:
Any licensed practical nurse provided she/he is employed by a school in a school nursing position.
C. Retired members shall be:
1. Any school nurse who is a member of the association, upon retirement shall be eligible to become a Retired member.
2. Any retired member who desires to remain in the Active membership classification shall be required to pay full dues, and upon payment of dues shall be granted Active membership privileges.
D. Member-at-Large shall be:
Those persons who hold a special interest in ASNA or who are working with the association and who do not fit in any other membership classification, such as Health Educators, School Health Association members, Community Health Nurse Specialists, or others.
Section 4: Rights and Restrictions
Active members shall be entitled to exercise full membership rights. Associate, Retired, and Members-at-Large have the privileges of membership, except the privilege of voting and holding an elected office.
Section 5: Dues
All annual dues shall be established by the Board of Directors in accordance with current NASN dues.
Article IV - Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the association shall be from September 1 through August 31.
Article V – Officers
Section 1: Composition
The elected officers of the association shall be president, president-elect, secretary and treasurer.
Section 2: Eligibility
Only Active members currently participating in the association shall be entitled to hold an elected office.
Section 3: Term of office
Election of officers shall be staggered so that no full slate of officers will be new to their positions at one time.
A. The president and president-elect shall serve for a two year term or until their successors are elected and installed with the elections being held in even years.
B. The president-elect shall be elected and shall automatically succeed the office of the president at the expiration of the president’s term, and shall act for the president in the absence of the president.
C. The secretary shall serve a two year term or until a successor is elected and installed with the election being held in odd years.
D. The treasurer shall serve a two year term or until a successor is elected and installed with the election being held in odd years.
E. The term of office shall commence upon the adjournment of the fall meeting in which they are elected.
Section 4: Vacancy
A. A vacancy in office of president shall be filled by the president- elect, who shall serve for the unexpired term of the president and the term of office as president to which he/she was elected.
B. A vacancy in the offices of secretary or treasurer shall be filled by a vote of the board of directors for the unexpired term.
C. A vacancy in office of president-elect shall be filled by a vote of the membership at the next scheduled meeting.
Section 5: Duties
A. The president shall:
1. Preside at meetings of the Executive Board, the Board of Directors, and membership meetings.
2. Appoint standing committees subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
3. Appoint such committees as deemed necessary.
4. Be an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the nominating committee.
5. Write a president’s letter for each newsletter.
6. Perform such other duties as may be required or assigned.
B. The president-elect shall:
1. Perform the duties of the president in the absence or disability of the president.
2. Work with the Continuing Education Committee to plan programs for the semi-annual meetings or workshops.
3. Succeed the president in the event of vacancy of the presidency, and upon the adjournment of that term, serve as president.
4. Perform such other duties as may be required or assigned.
C. The Secretary shall:
1. Keep minutes of all the proceedings of all meetings of the association.
2. Serve as chairperson of the by-laws committee.
3. Perform such other duties as may be required or assigned.
D. The Treasurer shall:
1. Serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee.
2. Have general supervision of the financial affairs of association.
3. Perform such other duties as may be required or assigned.
E. The Immediate Past-President shall:
1. Serve as chairperson of the Nominating committee.
2. Serve on the Technology Liaison and Newsletter Editor Committee.
3. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the president.
F. The National Certification School Nurse Liaison
1. Appointed by the President for a term of two years.
2. Serve on the Executive Committee.
3. Promote the National Certification of School Nurses Exam
4. Encourage qualified members to sit for the National Certification Exam
5. Facilitate study groups for members wishing to become Nationally Certified School Nurses
G. The Regional Directors shall:
1. Appointed by the President for a term of two years on a rotational basis as follows: Regions 1, 3, and 5 shall be appointed in odd years, Regions 2, 4, and 6 shall be appointed in even years.
2. Serve on the Executive Committee.
3. Communicate with their region at the direction of the President.
4. Encourage membership in NASN and ASNA.
Article VI – Meetings
Section 1: Semi-annual meetings
The association shall hold semi-annual meetings.
Section 2: Workshops and Special Meetings
Workshops or Special meetings of the general membership concerning state or regional matters may be called by the executive committee as it deems necessary.
Section 3: Quorum
A majority of the active members registered and present shall constitute a quorum.
Article VII - Board of Directors
Section 1: Composition
The Board of directors shall consist of the elected officers, the Immediate Past-President of the association, the chairperson of each standing committee, the State Director to the National Association of School Nurses.
Section 2: Eligibility
Each member of the board of directors must be a current Active member of ASNA and must have been an Active member for at least one year prior to serving on the board of directors.
Section 3: Resignation
Any Board of Director may resign at any time, giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Authority
The Board of Directors shall:
A. Conduct the affairs of the association in accordance to the by-laws and directives adopted by the membership at the semi-annual meetings.
B. Have full power to put into effect the policies and decisions of the Association.
Section 5: Duties
The Board of Directors shall:
A. Establish goals and objectives to accomplish the mission of the association.
B. Monitor and evaluate the programs designed to implement the established goals and objectives.
C. Ensure that the resources necessary for achievement are available and used efficiently.
D. Establish and maintain current operating guidelines for the association.
Section 6: Meetings
The Board of Directors shall:
A. Meet at least once prior to each semi-annual meeting.
B. Upon due notice, hold other such meetings as the Executive Committee may deem necessary.
Section 7: Term of Office
Elected officers shall serve terms of office according to Article V, Section 3 of these By- laws. Other members of the Board of Directors shall serve a term of office according to the pleasure of the President.
Section 8: Quorum
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors constitutes a quorum.
Section 9: Removal
A member of the board of directors shall be removed if that member fails to meet the requirements for membership. Removal will be conducted in accordance with ASNA policies and procedures.
Article VIII - Executive Committee
Section 1: Composition
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, State Director to NASN, Immediate Past-President, State School Nurse Consultant, National Certification School Nurse Liaison, and Regional Directors.
Section 2: Authority
The Executive Committee may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors when the Board of Directors is not in session.
Section 3: Duties
The executive Committee shall:
A. Report Executive Committee actions to the Board of Directors at the succeeding Board of Directors meeting.
B. Formulate committee guidelines, which will be reviewed periodically.
C. Approve committee membership in accordance with Article IX of these By-laws.
Section 4: Meetings
The Executive committee shall meet:
A. Prior to each of the semi-annual meetings.
B. At any other time deemed necessary by the elected officers and to be called by the president.
Section 5: Term of Office
Elected officers shall serve terms of office according to Article V, Section 3 of these By- laws. Other members of the Board of Directors shall serve according to their term of appointment by the president.
Section 6: Vacancy
Unless otherwise noted, a vacancy in the executive committee shall be filled by the appointing body.
Section 7: Quorum
A majority of the members of the Executive committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 8: Removal
A member of the executive committee shall be removed if he/she fails to meet the requirements for Active membership. Removal will be conducted in accordance with ASNA policies and procedures.
Article IX - Committees
Section 1: Standing and Special Committees
A. Unless otherwise stated, the composition, power, term and duties of all standing and special committees shall be recommended by the president and approved by the Board of Directors.
B. The president or her designee shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Section 2: Titles
The following committees shall be standing committees: Membership, Finance, Government Relations/Legislative, Nominating, and By-Laws. Other committees may be utilized at the pleasure of the president.
Section 3: General Duties
The members of all standing committees shall perform the duties of their committees as set forth by these By-laws. Permanent records shall be transferred to oncoming chairpersons as directed by the president. The chairperson shall appoint a member to record minutes of each meeting and a copy of these should be sent to the president of the association.
Section 4: Terms of Office
All standing committee members will serve 3 years on a rotating basis.
Section 5: Membership
The membership committee shall:
A. Be composed of at least five members.
B. Promote membership in the Arkansas School Nurses Association.
C. The State Director to NASN will chair the committee.
Section 6: Finance
The Finance Committee shall:
A. Be composed of at least three members.
B. The Treasurer of ASNA will chair the committee.
C. Prepare and present a proposed budget annually to the Executive Committee.
Section 7: The Government Relation/Legislative
The Government Relations/Legislative Committee shall:
A. Be composed of at least three members and a chairperson.
B. Investigate state and federal laws that are concerned with school health.
C. Work to establish relationships that will inform the membership of legislation affecting school nursing.
D. Review pending legislation relative to school health services, school nursing and the welfare of children.
E. Assist in planning, drafting, or presenting desired legislation to the state legislature.
Section 8: Nominating
The nominating committee shall:
A. Be composed of three to five members, two of whom shall be the President- Elect and Immediate Past President.
B. Solicit members to be officers and shall present the members a slate of such candidates at the spring meeting.
Section 9: By-laws
The by-laws committee shall:
A. Be composed of at least three members, the chair shall be the Secretary
B. To meet by-annually to review and update current by-laws.
Section 10: Technology and Newsletter
The technology and newsletter committee shall:
A. To be composed President, Past-President and a chair-person
B. Chair-person to be appointed by the President
C. In charge of updates and posting new information to the website
D. Editing Newsletter
E. By-yearly updates to the newsletter
Article X - State Director to NASN
Section 1: State Director to NASN
The State Director to NASN shall:
A. Be appointed by the president of ASNA.
B. Serve for a term of four years.
C. Have been a member of the Board of Directors for at least one year.
D. Have been an actively participating member of NASN for at least one year.
E. Serve as chair for membership committee.
Article XI - Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Arkansas School Nurse Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
Article XII - Amendments to By-laws
These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members of the association present and voting at a semi-annual meeting, provided the specific amendment has the prior approval of the Board of Directors and is given to the membership one month prior to the meeting.