Southern Utah University Student Nurses' Association
By-Laws
Article I
NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Southern Utah University Student Nurses’ Association, a constituent of Southern Utah University, the Utah Student Nurses’ Association, Inc., and National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc., hereafter referred to as SUUSNA, SUU, USNA and NSNA, respectively. SUUSNA is a chartered organization of Southern Utah University and is recognized as a separate entity from any department/club/organization affiliated with the University on the SUU campus.
Article II
PURPOSE AND FUNCTION
Section 1.
The purpose of the Southern Utah University Student Nurses' Association is:
1. To provide a professional organization on a campus level, to encourage participation in meetings and activities of the association.
2. To assist the student nurses in providing service-based activities dependent on the needs identified by the membership.
3. To participate as an active constituent of the Utah Student Nurses’ Association, Inc., and National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc. through duly elected representation.
4. To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence the educational process.
5. To influence patient care, nursing education, and nursing practice through legislative activities as appropriate.
6. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.
7. To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and to other organizations.
8. To promote and encourage student’s participation in interdisciplinary activities.
9. To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participating in student activities and education opportunities regardless of a person’s race, color, creed, sex, life style, national origin, age, or economic status.
10. To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with other nursing and related health organizations.
11. To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care.
12. To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interests and concerns.
Article III
MEMBERS
Section 1. Constituent Associations
1. Campus Association: The campus association shall be composed of all nursing students enrolled in the nursing program of Southern Utah University, pre-nursing students on the Southern Utah University campus, local high school students that wish to pursue nursing as a career, and any members of the community that wish to be involved. There shall only be one campus association at Southern Utah University, which shall be composed of SUUSNA, USNA and NSNA.
2. Any school chapter whose membership is composed of active or associate NSNA members and who have submitted the Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status containing the areas of conformity, and upon meeting such other policies as the Board of Directors may determine, shall be recognized as a constituent. This application shall be received by NSNA on a date eight weeks prior to the NSNA annual meeting.
3. A school chapter shall be composed of at least 15 members, or a total enrollment if less than 15. There shall be only one chapter on the SUU campus.
4. This school chapter shall belong to the state and national association when one exists.
5. School chapters, USNA and NSNA are separate entities and apart in their administration of activities, with SUUSNA, USNA, or NSNA exercising no supervision or control over the immediate daily and regular activities. SUUSNA, USNA, or NSNA has no liability for any loss, damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of negligence or acts of the SUUSNA, USNA, or NSNA respectively, or the members thereof. In the event any legal proceeding is brought against SUUSNA, USNA, or NSNA as a result of such acts of omission or commission by the SUUSNA chapter, the third party will indemnify and hold harmless the SUUSNA, USNA, and or NSNA from any liability.
Section 2. Categories of Constituent Membership
1. Active members
a. Students enrolled in the Southern Utah University nursing program leading to licensure as a registered nurse.
b. Registered nurses enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing.
c. Active members shall have all the privileges of membership
2. Associate members
a. Pre-nursing students including registered nurses enrolled in college or university programs designed as preparation for entrance into a program leading to a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
b. Associate members shall have all of the privileges of membership except the right to hold an office as President or Vice President at Campus, State, and National levels.
3. Individual Members
a. Individual membership shall be open at the Campus, State, and National level to any eligible student when membership in a constituent chapter is not available.
b. Individual members shall be granted associate membership and have all the privileges of membership in SUUSNA, as described in Section 1.
Section 3. Categories of Non-Constituent membership
1. Sustaining Members
a. Sustaining membership shall be open at the campus level to any individual or organization interested in furthering the development and growth of SUUSNA, upon the approval of the members of SUUSNA. The membership category is not open to those eligible for active and associate membership.
b. Sustaining members shall receive literature and other information from the campus office.
2. Honorary Members
a. Honorary membership may be conferred by 2/3 votes of the members of SUUSNA upon persons who have rendered distinguished service or valuable assistance to SUUSNA. Honorary members have none of the obligations or privileges of membership.
Section 4.
Active, associate and individual membership may be extended six months beyond completion of a student’s program in nursing, provided membership was renewed while the student was enrolled in a nursing program. Sustaining membership shall be renewed annually.
Section 5.
Every active member, as defined in Article IV section 2.1, in good standing of the SUUSNA is to be a member of USNA and NSNA.
Section 6.
Out of area/state affiliating students shall be granted full membership provided they are not members of another campus or state student nursing association at the same time.
Section 7.
1. The dues for active, associate, and individual members joining SUUSNA for two years shall be $15.00, payable for the appropriate dues year. These dues for these members shall be a period of twenty-four consecutive months.
2. National and State dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NSNA shall remit to each state constituent the dues received in behalf of the constituent.
3. The SUUSNA Board of Directors shall have the authority to change membership dues as deemed necessary. Any changes to membership dues must be voted on by current SUUSNA members.
4. The annual dues for sustaining members shall be established by the Board of Directors and shall be paid directly to the SUUSNA board.
5. Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership.
Article IV
MEETINGS
Section 1.
Meetings of SUUSNA shall be held as desired or needed by the members of SUUSNA.
Section 2.
All meetings of the association shall be open to SUUSNA members, guests of the association, and to the advisors of the school chapter, unless discussion of matters relating to the personnel necessitates a closed meeting.
Section 3. Principal Office
SUUSNA does not own or pay rent on any office space. Southern Utah University does, however, provide a mailing address for SUUSNA. Should Southern Utah University change their principal mailing office periodically, then the SUUSNA office shall change as well. When a change occurs, the location shall be noted by the Secretary, and communication will occur to inform appropriate persons.
Article V
DELEGATES
Section 1.
A delegate or an alternate decided on by the Board of Directors shall represent SUUSNA at the USNA and NSNA annual conventions.
Article VI
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of SUUSNA shall consist of the following:
Past President
President
Vice President
Secretary
Fundraising Chair
Treasurer
Historian
Web Master
Public Relations Coordinator
Level Representatives
Class Presidencies
Section 2. Eligibility
1. To be a member of the Board of Directors, the student must be an active or associate member of SUUSNA.
Section 3. Term of Office
The term of office shall be the duration of the semester unless otherwise specified.
Section 4. Elections
The officer shall be elected in the level specific to which they represent, or by the Board of Directors. Elections shall be held as needed, and at the beginning of each semester.
Section 5. Removal from Office
1. Any member of the Board of Directors elected by the membership not present for two regularly scheduled meetings without showing just cause, or acts in a manner unbecoming a representative of SUUSNA, may be removed from office by a majority vote from the Board of Directors.
2. Any member of the Board of Directors elected by the membership who does not fulfill his/her obligation, as described in Article VIII, may be removed from office by a majority vote from the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Vacancies
A vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be filled, if deemed essential by the Board of Directors, in any case an explanation must be provided to all members at the next scheduled SUUSNA meeting as soon as the Board of Directors has reached a decision.
1. The candidates for a vacant office must meet all eligibility requirements
2. Providing a vacancy shall be filled, it shall require a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.
3. Any resignation from a position of the Board of Directors shall be in writing and shall be effective immediately upon receipt of the same by the SUUSNA.
4. Except as otherwise set forth in these bylaws, a vacancy in any other office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause shall be filled only in the manner prescribed in these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
Article VII
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The Past President shall:
1. Be the Level 4 SUUSNA Level Representative.
Section 2. The President shall:
1. Be the Level 3 SUUSNA Level Representative.
2. Preside at all business meetings of the Board of Directors.
3. Can serve as the SUUSNA delegate at the USNA and NSNA annual convention.
4. Perform all other duties pertaining to the office and represent this association in all matters relating to SUUSA, USNA, NSNA, the Utah Nurses Association, and other official relationships.
5. Report monthly to the appointed SUUSA Professional Development delegate on the activities of the association at the regularly scheduled first meeting of the month.
Section 3. The Vice President shall:
1. Be the Level 2 SUUSNA Level Representative.
2. Assume the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence.
3. Assist the President as necessary in any other function of the association.
Section 4. The Secretary shall:
1. Be the Level 1 SUUSNA Level Representative.
2. Record the minutes of all meetings of this association and keep on file as a permanent record, all reports, documents, rules, regulations and policies of the association.
3. Keep on file an accurate list of the names and addresses of all officers, school representatives to SUUSNA.
4. Notify all members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of the meeting of the association.
5. Conduct the general correspondence and keep records of all organization correspondence.
Section 5. The Fundraising Chair shall:
1. Present fundraising options to the Board of Directors and oversee fundraising events for SUUSNA.
2. Present the fundraising options to the SUUSNA membership at the second scheduled meeting.
3. Oversee fundraising activities, donation solicitation, and maintain accurate records of events and costs involved.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall:
1. Organize budgets for presentation to SUUSA
2. Keep records of spending and profit made by SUUSNA.
Section 7. The Historian shall:
1. Keep an accurate history of SUUSNA activities, events, and achievements.
2. Record activities and events through use of photography and journaling for use on the SUUSNA website and other uses of SUUSNA.
Section 8. The Web Master shall:
1. Update and maintain the SUUSNA website as necessary.
2. Be a multiple semester position, re-appointable each semester.
Section 9. The Public Relations Coordinator shall:
1. Be responsible for special honors bestowed upon members.
2. Keep a record of members’ birthdays and recognize at scheduled meetings.
3. Keep and distribute a calendar of upcoming projects, meetings, and events.
Section 8. The Level Representatives shall:
1. Hold positions in the SUUSNA Board of Directors according to their respective level.
2. Discuss and inform concerns or comments of their respective level that pertains to SUUSNA meetings and activities.
Section 9. The Class Presidencies shall:
1. Attend regularly scheduled meetings and assist club officers in events conducted by SUUSNA.
2. Report SUUSNA information to their respective level as necessary and deemed appropriate.
3. Serve within their individual class in all things pertaining to their respective levels.
Section 10.
All SUUSNA Officers, at the end of their term of office shall deliver to the newly elected officer, all records, papers, and other property belonging to this association during the two-month post-election interim.
Article VIII
FUNDING
Section 1.
Due to the rapid change over of officers all funds are handled through the SUU Nursing office by the Nursing program secretary.
Section 2.
There are five accounts, one for each level of nursing and an account that is considered an overall account, which is shared by all four levels.
Section 3.
Expenses are paid for through club dues, fundraising, and merit money.
Article IX
ADVISORS
Section 1.
There shall be one advisor appointed by the Southern Utah University
Nursing Program with the approval of the SUUSNA Board of Directors. The advisor shall be responsible for providing an interchange of information between the SUUSNA and the Southern Utah University Nursing department faculty. The SUUSNA shall not be bound by the recommendations of the SUU Nursing Department faculty, nor shall SUUSNA be bound by the recommendations of the advisor.
Section 2. The Advisor shall:
1. Serve as a resource person by counseling and advising officers and members.
2. Be removed from office by Nursing Department faculty if he/she is not present for two regularly scheduled meetings without showing just cause, or acts in a manner unbecoming a representative of SUUSNA.
Article X
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION
Official communications from the SUUSNA will occur at the regularly scheduled meetings as well as via the web pages: http://www.suu.edu/cose/nursing/. USNA communications can be found at http://www.utahstudentnurses.org/ and the UNA Utah Nurse quarterly publication.
Article XI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Amendments suggestions are brought to the advisor for permission to bring it to the table in a club meeting.
Section 2.
Amendments are brought before the entire club and must be voted on by a majority vote.