Bylaws
Tennessee Association of Student Nurses
Bylaws
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Tennessee Association of Student Nurses (herein referred to as TASN), a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association, Incorporated (herein referred to as NSNA).
Article II – Purposes and Functions
Section I: The purposes of the TASN shall be:
A.To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education through leadership development and political activism in an attempt to provide for the highest quality of health care;
B.To provide programs representative of the fundamental and current professional interest and concerns;
C.To aid in the holistic development of the individual in his/her professional role, including his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.
Section II: The functions of the TASN shall be:
A.To have input into the standards of nursing education and to have an influence in the educational process;
B.To influence health care, nursing education, and nursing practice through appropriate legislative activities;
C.To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities towards improving health care and resolving related social issues;
D.To represent nursing students to the health care consumer, institutions, and other professional organizations;
E.To promote and encourage student nurse 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, or economic status;
G.To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Tennessee Nurses’ Association (herein referred to as TNA) and other nursing /health related organizations.
Article III – Members
Section I: Constituent Associations
A.Any school chapter whose membership is composed of active or associate members of NSNA and who has reviewed the required areas of conformity, submitted the Official Applications for NSNA Constituency Status on an annual basis, and met and abided by all the requirements set forth by the NSNA and the TASN Board of Directors (BOD) shall be recognized as a State of Tennessee TASN constituent.
B.Any school chapter composed of at least ten members from a school, or the total nursing program enrollment if the applying chapter is composed of less than ten students.
C.A constituent association which fails to comply with the bylaws and the policies of the NSNA and the TASN shall have its status revoked by a two-thirds vote of the TASN Board of Directors, providing 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.
D.There shall be only one Association representing the state, which shall be composed of at least two (2) school chapters that meet the NSNA Requirements for Constituency, or one school chapter meeting the same requirements if there is only one school of nursing to be heard.
Section II: Categories of TASN Membership
A.Members of the constituent association shall be:
1.Active Members:
a.currents NSNA memberships and enrolled in a state approved program leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse;
b.Shall be Registered Nurses holding current NSNA membership and enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing;
c.Shall have all the privileges of memberships including eligibility for nominations to local, state and national office, and delegate voting rights as represented by local NSNA membership.
2. Associate members:
a. Shall be pre-nursing students, including Registered Nurses, enrolled in a college or university program designed as preparation for entrance into an undergraduate program leading to an associate degree, diploma or baccalaureate degree in nursing;
b. Shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to hold office as President and Vice-President at State and National Levels.
3.Sustaining members:
a. Sustaining membership shall be open to an individual or organization interested in furthering the development and growth of TASN. This membership is not open to those eligible for active or associate membership.
4.Special Individual members:
a. Special individual membership shall be open at the State and National level to any eligible student nurse when membership in a TASN constituent association is not available. Special Individual members may:
i. Serve on committees at the State level;
ii. Hold the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Regional Director, or Communications Director at the State level.
b. Annual NSNA membership dues, as defined by the State of Tennessee Board of Directors, must be paid.
5.Non-Constituent Honorary Membership:
a. May be conferred by a two-thirds vote of the House of Delegates upon recommendation by the TASN Board of Directors for a person or persons who has/have rendered distinguished service/assistance to TASN;
b. Shall have none of the obligations or privileges of membership;
c. Shall be for a term of five (5) years.
Section III: Membership Extension
Active associate and special individual membership may be extended by the six (6) months beyond graduation from the student’s nursing program.
Section IV: Dues
A.The State of Tennessee TASN Board of Directors shall determine the annual dues by submission of the appropriate paperwork to NSNA.
B.NSNA and TASN dues shall be payable, under one designated cost, directly to the NSNA.
C.Payment of the Annual dues to the NSNA, which included the cost of the annual TASN dues, is a pre-requisite for membership, nomination to an office or committee chair at the State or National level, and delegate representation.
D.Any member who fails to pay currents dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership in the NSNA and the TASN.
Article IV – Board of Directors
Section I: Directors/Officers
The Board of Directors for the TASN shall consist of the following offices: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Breakthrough to Nursing/Legislative Director, and three Regional Directors.
Section II: Eligibility of Office
A.All positions on the TASN Board of Directors require that the nominee remain a student throughout at least half of the term of office.
B.Only active members who currently hold or have held a leadership position, or who currently serve on or have served on Local, State, or National committee will be eligible for the office of the President and the Vice-President.
C.No members shall hold or be nominated for more than one State office at any time.
D.No officer shall serve more than three (3) terms on the TASN Board of Directors, with a maximum of two terms of service in the same office.
E.All members of the TASN Board of Directors must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average in their individual nursing curriculum. Officers who fail to maintain this standard may be asked to resign by a two-thirds vote of the TASN Board of Directors.
F.Each member of the TASN Board of Directors must be a current NSNA member.
Section III: Term of Office
The TASN House of Delegates elects the officers of the TASN Board of Directors at the Annual State Convention. The term begins with the adjournment of the Annual State Convention at which officers and directors are elected and ends with the adjournment of the Annual State Convention at which their successors are elected. Immediate past officers shall serve two additional months as ex-officio board members for the purpose of precepting successors.
Section IV: Duties of the Officers and Directors
A.The President shall:
1.Preside at all meetings of the TASN Board of Directors;
2.Be responsible for seeing that the lines of direction given at the House of Delegates and actions by the TASN Board of Directors are carried to effect;
3.Notify the TNA Executive Director and the NSNA Executive Director by formal letter of the appointment of the TNA/TASN Liaison Consultant within two (2) months of the appointment;
4.Report to the TASN membership and TASN and NSNA Board of Directors about the business affairs of the association;
5.Appoint special committees with the approval of the TASN Board of Directors;
6.May serve as a member on any committee and attend any committee meetings except the Nominating Committee and the Ballot Committee;
7.Approve emergency expenditures as submitted by the treasurer;
8.Represent the TASN in matters relating to the Association;
9.Perform other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
B.The Vice-President shall:
1. Assume the duties of the President in the absence, vacancy, or disability of the President;
2.Serve as the Chair of the State Convention Planning Committee;
3.Serve as the Chair of the Standing Bylaws/Policies Committee;
4.Perform other duties as designated by the President;
5.Perform other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
C.The Secretary shall:
1.Prepare the minutes of all the meetings of the Association and the TASN Board of Directors;
2.Keep a current, accurate list of names and addresses of all Board of Director members, Consultants, TNA Executives, NSNA Executives and Board of Directors, and Local chapter Board of Directors members and advisors;
3.Send the names and addresses of all TASN Board of Directors and TASN Consultants to the NSNA Board of Directors, the NSNA Executive Director and the TNA Executive Director within ten (10) days after the annual State Convention;
4.Send the minutes and the agendas to the TASN Board of Directors ten days prior to each board meeting, or as designated by the Board of Directors;
5.Send the designated number of copies of the minutes with the attachments to the NSNA headquarters, after the approval by the TASN Board of Directors;
6.Serve as Historian, maintaining old and current records detailing how TASN has evolved. This includes the Association’s reasons for being, rights and responsibilities, and other important issues involving TASN;
7.Have adequate computer skills to understand and communicate with the webmaster of the official TASN website;
8.Send updated information to the webmaster and verify that the official TASN website is maintained and current;
9.Serve as chair of the Standing Communications Committee;
10.Perform other duties as designated by the President;
11.Perform other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
D.The Treasurer shall:
1.Act as custodian of the Association’s funds;
2.Prepare and present an annual financial report to the House of Delegates;
3.Sign checks for monetary disbursements;
4.Serve as Chair of the Standing Committee, labeled as the Finance and Fundraising Committee;
5.With the assistance of an accountant, prepare a compilation of the financial records and tax return every year;
6.Serve as Chair of the State Convention Registration Committee;
7.Become bonded within two months of office;
8.Prepare an annual budget to be presented to the board of directors for approval prior to the new fiscal year
9.Perform other duties as designated by the President;
10.Perform other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
E.The Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN)/Legislative Director shall:
1. Serve as Chair of the Breakthrough to Nursing Committee;
2. Appoint three (3) BTN Committee members, one from each state region of local TASN constituents;
3. Utilize the NSNA-BTN guidelines to aid in duties of office;
4. Submit an annual report detailing the State BTN activities to the NSNA-BTN Director;
5.Promote career opportunities in nursing for traditional, non-traditional and minority students;
6. Serve as Chair of the Resolutions Committee;
7. Plan programs of the purpose of educating students on becoming involved in the legislative process;
6.Coordinate legislative activities on the State level for the Association;
7.Communicate political activities to the Board of Directors;
8.Develop the Associations legislative positions and present them to the Board of Directors for approval and implementation;
9.Be a liaison to TNA’s lobbyist;
10.Be a liaison to the State legislators;
11.Be a liaison with other organizations and government agencies concerned with legislation;
12.Write at least one (1) article per quarter term of office for presentation on the website about a health care bill or law currently being processed;
13.Perform other duties as designated by the President;
14.Perform other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
B.Regional Directors shall:
1. Keep a file of current, accurate names and addresses of all the Schools of Nursing, Local Chapter Board of Directors members, and the faculty advisors in their respective regions;
2. Work with the Schools of Nursing in their regions which do not have a TASN/NSNA chapter to start one;
3. Maintain contact by phone, letter, or visits throughout their term of office and offer assistance to TASN/NSNA chapters within their regions;
4. Be a member of the Convention Planning Committee if serving as the Director for the region in which the annual State Convention will be held;
5. Serve as members of the Standing Communications Committee;
6. Receive official application of proposed BOD candidates submitted by TASN members;
7. Evaluate the qualifications of the proposed BOD candidates but shall not be limited or controlled by these nominations;
8. Choose and submit a slate of BOD candidates for officers;
9. Obtain written consent forms of all proposed BOD candidates before placing their names on the ballot;
10. Verify NSNA status prior to placing the BOD candidate’s names on the ballot;
11. Present the official slate of BOD candidates to the first business meeting of the Annual Convention;
12. Perform other duties as designated by the President;
13. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
Section V: Vacancies
A.The Board of Directors as specified in these bylaws shall fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors. All candidates for vacant positions must comply with the eligibility requirements.
B. Any resignation from the Board of Directors shall be received in writing and will be effective immediately upon receipt of the resignation by the President. In the case that the President is resigning, resignation should be sent to the Vice-President. Verbal resignations shall not be accepted.
C.If a member of the Board of Directors fails to fulfill his/her responsibilities as defined in the bylaws and policies of TASN and NSNA, the Board of Directors shall have the option of removing the Board member from office. The action will require a one-half vote of the Board of Directors at an official Board meeting. An appeal to this decision must be submitted in writing to the TASN President within two weeks following the Board of Directors action or removal. The Board of Directors will reconsider the appeals case at an official Board meeting within two weeks of receipt of appeal. The appealing officer may be reinstated by a one-half vote of the Board of Directors.
Section VI: Board Meetings and Attendance
A.Board members are expected to attend all Board meetings. After one unexcused absence, as defined by the TASN Board of Directors, the Board member may be asked to resign by a one-half vote of the TASN Board of Directors.
B.Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately before and after the annual Convention and at such times deemed necessary by the majority of the Board.
C.The President shall determine the date and place of meetings following consultation with the TASN Board of Directors and Consultants.
D.The quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the Board including the President or Vice-President and one Consultant.
E.Cancellation of scheduled meetings may only be done if quorum cannot be present at the scheduled meeting. Meetings can be rescheduled no more than three weeks after the cancelled meeting if approved by a one-half vote of the Board of Directors.
F.The Board of Directors meetings are closed to all members unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors. TASN/NSNA members shall be allowed to attend Board of Director meetings by sending written notice to the Board of Directors one month prior to the meeting of interest. The Board of Directors shall review the request and the President shall notify the interested party if the visit is approved. Only the Board of Directors members hold voting privileges at the Board of Directors meetings.
Section VII: Special Called Meetings
A.A special meeting of the TASN Board of Directors may be called by the President upon written request by either one-third or more of the local constituent associations, two-thirds or more of the State Board members, or by the Consultant(s) with the concurrence of the President. Notice of time, place and agenda for the meeting shall be sent to all persons involved by the President not less than ten days prior to the meeting.
B.The voting body shall be persons involved in the special called meeting with the exception of the Consultants and faculty advisors. Other members may attend and shall only have the privilege to speak once to the issue.
C.The quorum shall be two-thirds of those persons who requested the special meeting, including the President or Vice-President.
D.Minutes must be maintained by the Secretary and voted on at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting.
E.The Board of Directors shall not be responsible for any contract, claim or obligation of any kind by any local constituency or its individual member(s) unless the Board of Directors authorized the same in writing.
Section VIII: Management Duties of the TASN Board of Directors
A.Constitute the membership of the TASN Board of Directors and hold meetings to conduct the business of the Board of Directors.
B.Review and approve the terms of official relationships and/or contracts established singly or in coalition with other organizations.
C.Fill vacancies for TASN Board positions and Consultants unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.
D.Vote on and approve any commitment in the form of action, statement of policy or position, or financial obligation that involve TASN relationships with other organizations.
E.Assist in the development and approval of the line item budget each year.
F.Provide for a financial audit of all TASN accounts at least every two years within at least two months prior to the expiration of the Board of Directors’ term of office, the results of which shall be submitted to the House of Delegates at the annual State Convention.
G.Vote by referendum or conference call, in the case of an emergency, provided the same information/material is sent to each Board member prior to the vote, and provided the actions are ratified at the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors.
H.Maintain directors and officers liability and entity liability insurance.
Section IX: Executive Committee
A.There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors composed of the President, the Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, a TASN Consultant, and any other eligible student nurse as designated by the TASN President.
B.This Committee shall have the power to transact business only in case of an emergency, concerning only those matters that require immediate action. All transactions made by 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, e-mail, or by U.S. mail. If, and only if, the majority of members of this committee are unavailable, emergency transactions may be conducted by the Standing TASN Steering Committee, as long as either the President or Vice-President, and a TASN Consultant are present at the steering committee.
Article V – Nominations and Elections
Section I: Elections
A.The Graduate Consultant will oversee the candidates’ presentations and Presidential Debate;
B.The House of Delegates shall elect the officers of the TASN Board of Directors and members of the Nominations Committee at each annual meeting;
C.The elections shall be by secret ballot, in which a majority vote shall elect. A tie vote will be decided first by a re-vote via secret ballot and then if necessary, by casting a lot;
D.The TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant will monitor and investigate complaints of campaign violations.
Section II: The Ballot Committee
A.The TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant shall chair the Ballot Committee.
B.The Ballot Committee shall be composed of three members consisting of the Chairperson and two eligible nursing students randomly selected by the TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant.
C.Each student member of the Ballot Committee shall:
1.Serve for a term beginning with the Vice-President’s announcement of the selected student members to the Ballot Committee and ending with announcement of the voting results to the TASN House of Delegates;
2.Be ineligible to be nominated as a candidate or apply for nomination as a candidate for any elected position;
3.Be nursing students with current active membership in the NSNA and TASN;
D.The TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant shall fill a vacancy on the Ballot Committee.
Section III: Duties of the Ballot Committee
A. The Ballot Committee shall:
1.Oversee the election process at the annual State Convention.
2.Tabulate the votes cast for each office.
3.Report by announcement the official results of the vote (to include the number of votes cast for each candidate) to the House of Delegates.
4.Maintain the security of the ballots and the confidentiality of the candidate’s applications throughout the voting process.
5.Conduct business according the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
6.Properly conduct the selected method of voting as regulated by these bylaws.
7.Submit ballots, voting material and candidates’ applications to the approved Graduate Consultant to be reinstated for one year.
Article VI – Meetings
Section I: Annual State Convention and Other TASN Meetings
A.The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at such time and place as determined by the Board of Directors. The annual meeting shall be for the purpose of holding elections, receiving reports and conducting other business as may properly come before the House of Delegates. This meeting shall be open to all student members however, those not serving as delegates shall not be seated with the delegate body. Notice of the meeting shall be sent to the President of each association and other members of the voting body.
B.All other meetings of the Association shall be open unless voted otherwise by the House of Delegates. Student members, other that the voting delegates, may attend the annual meeting but shall not be seated with the delegate body and may speak only once on each issue before the House of Delegates.
Section II: TASN House of Delegates
The House of Delegates shall be the governing and voting body of the Association and shall be composed of the delegates from the constituent associations and the Board of Directors. The House of Delegates shall conduct the business of the annual meeting. Notification of the date, time and place of the annual meeting must be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
Section III: Delegate Representation
A.The voting body at the annual meeting of this Association shall consist of the elected state officers and credentialed delegates.
B.School Constituents
1.Each school chapter that is a recognized NSNA/TASN constituent, shall be entitled to seat one (1) delegate, if the school chapter has one (1) to nine (9) local NSNA members who are in good standing with NSNA and TASN;
2.Each school chapter that is a recognized NSNA/TASN constituent with ten (10) or more NSNA/TASN members, shall be entitled to seat its President plus one (1) delegate for every ten (10) local NSNA members who are in good standing with NSNA and TASN.
3.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 an official meeting;
4.Delegates shall be computed on the basis of the number of members in each constituency evidenced by the annual dues received by the NSNA and TASN on a date six (6) weeks prior to the annual meeting.
Section IV: Motions and Voting
The privilege of making motions and voting shall be limited to the voting body. A voting member shall have one (1) vote in any election or on any question. This vote must be exercised in person by the delegate or alternate and in his/her absence, may not be assigned to or exercised by any other delegate or individual by means of a proxy or other written or oral assignments.
Section V: Quorum
A quorum for meetings of the TASN House of Delegates shall be:
A.At least fifty-one (51) percent of the total number of delegates at the annual meeting;
B.At least one-third of the schools having delegates at the annual meeting;
C.At least four members of the Board of Directors including the President or the Vice-President.
Article VII – Consultants
Section I: Graduate Consultant
The Graduate Consultant shall:
A.Be appointed for a one (1) year term of office by the incoming Board of Directors at the end of the annual convention meeting.
B.Hold a reappointment for no more than two consecutive terms.
C.Have been a member of the TASN Board of Directors within the last three (3) years prior to appointment.
D.Be a Registered Nurse for at least one-half of his/her term of office.
E.Be encouraged to be a member of a professional organization.
Section II: Duties of the Graduate Consultant
Duties of the Graduate Consultant shall include:
A.Serving as a member of the State Convention Planning Committee.
B.Serving as the Chair of the Awards Committee.
C.Receive copies of all Board of Directors agenda and minutes.
D.Suggesting agenda items and assist in orientation of the new Board of Directors at its first meeting.
E.Having no vote in the Board or House of Delegates meetings.
F.Being expected to attend all Board of Directors meetings, conventions and NSNA Convention.
G.Performing other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
H.Serving as Chair of the Nominations Committee.
Section III: TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant
The TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant shall:
A.Be appointed to serve a four-year term by the TASN Board of Directors by the end of the annual State Convention;
B.Be two liaison consultants with one being appointed every two years;
C.Hold a reappointment for no more that two (2) consecutive terms;
D.Maintain membership and be a current member of TNA, the American Nurses’ Association (herein referred to as ANA) and a sustaining member of NSNA;
E.Be a Registered Nurse.
Section IV: Duties of the TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant
Duties of the TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant shall include:
A.Serving as Parliamentarian at Board and House of Delegate meetings.
B.Serving as Chair of the Ballot Committee.
C.Having no vote in the Board of House of Delegates.
D.Providing interchange of information and communication between the TASN Board of Directors, TASN members and TASN faculty advisors and the Tennessee Nurses Association (herein referred to as TNA);
E.Attending meetings of the TASN Board of Directors, TASN Convention and to the extent possible, the NSNA Convention.
F.Receiving Board Minutes, agendas and other communications.
G.Suggesting agenda items and enter into discussion of Board/House of Delegates business.
H.Serving as a member of the State of Tennessee, Convention Planning Committee.
I.Performing other duties as enumerated in the TASN policies.
Article VIII – Committees
Section I. Ad Hoc Committees
At its discretion, the Board of Directors shall establish ad hoc committees deemed necessary to carry on the work of the Association. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine the functions, terms and membership of the ad hoc committees. Unless otherwise designated, each committee shall consist of a Chair and three (3) members. A quorum for the ad hoc committee meetings shall be two-thirds of those members of the committee.
Section II: Standing Committees
A.The Vice-President shall chair the State Convention Planning Committee. It shall consist of the President, the Treasurer, the Regional Director of the region where the TASN Convention will be held, the Graduate Consultant, and the TASN/TNA Liaison Consultant. Subcommittees of this committee, their functions and respective chairs are as follows:
1.The Resolutions committee shall be chaired by the BTN/Legislative Director and contain one additional Board member. If feasible, all other members shall consist of non-Board members. It shall review all proposed resolutions to ensure proper format, submit a summary of all TASN resolutions to all local chapters and the NSNA Headquarters and present proposed resolutions before the House of Delegates for discussion and vote.
2.The State Convention Registration Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary and Treasurer. It shall consist of the Regional Director of the region in which the Convention is held. If feasible, all other members shall consist of non-Board members. It shall receive and keep a record of all registration forms submitted from TASN members to attend the annual Convention and maintain the registration table during the annual Convention.
3.The Awards Committee shall be chaired by the Graduate Consultant(s). It shall consist of one additional Board member and if feasible, all other members shall be non-Board members. It shall be responsible for receiving nominations and choosing recipients for the Student Nurse of the Year Award, Membership Service Award, The Rebecca Culpepper Award, and any other awards established by the Board of Directors at the annual Convention. The committee shall also be responsible for conducting the awards ceremony at a specified time during the annual convention.
B.The Vice-President shall chair the Bylaws and Policies Committee. It shall consist of one additional Board member and if feasible, all other members shall be non-Board members. It shall be responsible for keeping the TASN bylaws up to date and in accordance with the NSNA bylaws for presenting the bylaws to the House of Delegates at the end of the annual Convention, and other duties as designated by the President and Board of Directors and as enumerated within the TASN policies.
C.The Ballot Committee – see Article V – Nominations and Elections, Sections II & III.
D.The Treasurer shall chair the Finance/Fundraising Committee. It shall consist of members of the Board of Directors. It shall be responsible for creating a budget for each fiscal year and overseeing the appropriation of funds for TASN functions. Activities shall be reported to the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates. It shall also be responsible for planning and overseeing all fundraising activities sponsored by TASN, and other duties as designated by the President and Board of Directors and as enumerated within the TASN policies.
E.The Breakthrough to Nursing/Legislative Director shall chair the Breakthrough to Nursing Committee. It shall consist of three regional committee members appointed by the Breakthrough to Nursing/Legislative Director to serve for one (1) year. All members shall be nursing students throughout their terms of office. This committee is responsible for assisting each chapter in implementing a Breakthrough to nursing program through letters, phone calls, and visits, and other duties as designated by the President and Board of Directors and as enumerated within the TASN policies.
F.The Communications Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary and shall consist of the President and three (3) Regional Directors. It shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the website at least on a quarterly basis per board approval, and distributing the TASN Chapter Information Guide, maintaining communication with state nursing schools, developing and reviewing evaluations distributed at Association sponsored functions, and other duties as designated by the President and Board of Directors and as enumerated within the TASN policies.
G.The Secretary shall chair the Membership Committee. It shall consist of one additional Board member and if feasible, all other members shall be non-Board members. It shall be responsible for the recruitment of members into the organization and directing membership projects in conjunction with NSNA, and other duties as designated by the President and Board of Directors and as enumerated within the TASN policies.
H.The three (3) Regional Directors shall Co-Chair for the Community Service Committee. It shall consist of the three (3) Regional Directors and, if feasible, all other members shall be non-Board members. This committee shall be responsible for organizing and implementing community service for TASN, and other duties as designated by the President and Board of Directors and as enumerated within the TASN policies.
I.The Steering Committee shall be presided over by either the President or Vice-President, and shall consist of at least one consultant, and any other available Board of Directors members. The Steering Committee may act on slated items of business, and emergency business on scheduled Board meeting dates only, and only if Executive Committee members are not present. All proceedings in the Steering Committee require a three-fourths vote by all members in attendance, and all decisions are to be ratified at the next scheduled Board meeting.
Article IX – TASN Internet Website
The TASN website (http://www.tasnonline.org/) shall be the official gateway to information for the Association and shall embody the purposes and functions of the association.
Article X – 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.
Article XI – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1st through December 31st.
Article XII – Amendments
A.These bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. All proposed amendments shall be sent to all constituent associations at least four (4) weeks prior to the annual meeting. The proposed amendments shall also be submitted to the presiding officer and parliamentarian before the meeting.
B.Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing with the sponsor’s signature to the Board of Directors for review at least ten (10) weeks prior to the annual meeting. Only the Board of Directors, a TASN committee or a constituent association may submit proposed amendments.
C.Adopted amendments to the bylaws of TASN that directly relate to the business of the constituent association shall automatically and immediately be incorporated into their bylaws.
D.Adopted amendments to the bylaws of NSNA that directly relate to TASN bylaws shall automatically and immediately be incorporated into these bylaws and operations of the association. The TASN President must send notice of such changes to all constituent associations within four (4) weeks of the change.
Article XIII – Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this organization, all assets remaining after payment of its obligations shall be distributed to the Foundation of the NSNA.
Revisions:
October 1989
November 1990
November 1991
January 1993
September 1995
January 1997
November 1997
Adopted by the House of Delegates November 23, 1997
November 1998
Adopted by the House of Delegates November 8, 1998
Adopted by the House of Delegates October 14, 2000
November 2000
October 2001
Adopted by the House of Delegates October 14, 2001
Reestablished January 2006
Adopted by the House of Delegates October 29, 2006
Adopted by the House of Delegates September16, 2007
Adopted by the House of Delegates September 26, 2009
