Nursing Club Constitution

Article I Name

The name of this organization shall be the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University Minnesota Student Nurses Association Chapter/Nursing Club, hereinafter referred to as the Nursing Club.

Article II Purpose and Function

Section 1 The Purpose of the Nursing Club shall:

A. Assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality of health care.

B. Provide programs representative of fundamental interests and concerns to nursing students.

C. Aid in the development of the whole person, her/his professional role, her/his responsibility for health care of people in all walks of life.

D. Facilitate the progression of students through the undergraduate nursing program by promoting communication between the students, faculty, and administration.

Section 2 The function of the Nursing Club shall:

A. Promote standards of professional nursing on campus.

B. Provide a network for students in relation to the nursing major.

C. Provide service and education on campus through projects and programs.

D. Have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence the educational process.

E. Influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate.

F. Promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities towards health care and the resolution of related social issues.

G. Represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and other organizations.

H. Promote and encourage students’ participation in interdisciplinary activities.

I. 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.

J. Promote and encourage collaborative relationships with nursing and health related organizations.

K. Provide the opportunity for leadership experiences within the school, student government, and other professional organizations.

L. Remain consistent with the college of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University (CSB/SJU) institutional policies and the Joint Club Board (JCB) guidelines which includes attending the club fairs at CSB and SJU.

Article III Nursing Club Members

Section1 The Nursing Club shall be open to all CSB/SJU currently enrolled undergraduate students with an interest in nursing.

Section 2 Members who pay their dues shall have all their privileges of membership in the Nursing Club and shall:

A. Be eligible to serve as an officer (must meet requirements as enumerated in Article).

B. Be able to attend all activities and general meetings.

C. Be eligible to vote at general meetings.

Article IV Dues

Section1 Membership dues shall be recommended by the current Nursing Club Board.

Section 2 State dues for the Minnesota Student Nurses Association* are established by the state association and are in addition to the local Nursing Club dues.

Section 3 The Nursing Club Board shall make recommendations and approve expenditures of Nursing Club dues and other monies.

Article V Nursing Club Officers

Section 1 Qualifications of officers shall:

A. Be currently enrolled CSB/SJU student with interest in the nursing profession and in good standing, who have attained a minimum of a C or better in any nursing or pre-nursing class.

B. Be a currently active member of the Nursing Club.

C. Demonstrate effective communication, leadership, organization, and ethical decision-making skills.

D. Not hold more than one elected position at any time.

Section 2 Executive Board shall:

A. Executive committee shall include a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, senior class representative(s), junior class representative(s), sophomore class representative(s), first year representative(s), and faculty advisor(s). These officers and advisor(s) shall be elected by the Nursing Club members.

B. Meet at lease monthly unless otherwise directed by the president.

C. Transact Nursing Club business between the General Meetings.

D. Attend all meetings. Board members who miss two or more meetings may be asked to resign.

E. Propose policies governing the Nursing Club.

F. Approve the annual budget as submitted by the treasurer at the beginning of each academic year.

G. Coordinates activities of the Nursing Club.

H. Effectively utilizes Roberts’ Revised Rules.

I. Meets with newly elected board officers at a joint meeting held at the beginning of spring semester.

J. Approves all monetary transactions.

K. Shall not incur liability in excess of $50.00 without the approval of the membership. This approval can occur at a General Meeting and consist of a quorum of votes by the members attending the meeting.

L. Recommends and approves all ad hoc committees.

Section 3 Duties of the officers:

A. The president shall be either a junior or senior in the incoming fall and have been accepted in the nursing major and shall:

a. Serve as a principal officer of the Nursing club.

b. President over all meetings and prepare an agenda for each board and General Meeting.

c. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating and elections committee.

d. Appoints committees and their chairpersons subject to approval by the Executive Board and makes other appointments as necessary.

e. Accompany the treasurer to the JCB to present the budget, to request any additional fund, and obtain approval of activities.

f. Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and the department chairperson.

g. Act as an on-voting member of the board except in the event of a tie.

h. Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board.

I. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

B. The vice president shall:

a. Assume the responsibilities of the president in the absence, disability, or termination of the president.

b. Accede to the office of president in case of vacancy in the office.

c. Work to promote and coordinate recruitment efforts at CSB/SJU.

d. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

e. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

C. The secretary shall:

a. Record minutes of all meetings (both Executive Board and General Meetings) of the Nursing Club and distribute these meetings to the appropriate places (such as the Nursing Club webpage)

b. Conduct official Nursing Club correspondence.

c. Send a copy of Nursing Clubs’ Bylaws to the MSNA and JCB.

d. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

e. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

D. The treasurer shall:

a. Maintain funds and make deposits of funds in the Nursing Club account at the CSB/SJU Student Accounts Office.

b. Chair the Fundraising Committee.

c. Pay bills approved by the Board.

d. Submit a financial report at each Board meeting which shall minimally include itemized accounts of all receipts/disbursements and financial status.

e. Keep roster of all members with current addresses, phone numbers, and records of their paid dues.

f. Write proposals requesting funds to be approved by the Board.

g. Present the budget to the JCB, request any additional funds and approval of activities, and reports the results in writing to the Board.

h. Develop a proposed budget for the year to present to the Executive Board and JCB for approval by early September.

I. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

j. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

E. The senior class representative(s) shall:

a. Represent the senior class.

b. Be responsible for the promotion of Nursing Club activities to the senior class.

c. Be elected by Nursing Club members.

d. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

e. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

F. The junior class representative(s) shall:

a. Represent the junior class.

b. Be responsible for the promotion of Nursing Club activities to the junior class.

c. Be elected by Nursing Club members.

d. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

e. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

G. The sophomore class representative(s) shall:

a. Represent the sophomore class.

b. Be responsible for the promotion of Nursing Club activities to the sophomore class.

c. Be elected by Nursing Club members.

d. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

e. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

H. The first year class representative(s) shall:

a. Represent the first year class.

b. Be responsible for the promotion of Nursing Club activities to the first year class.

c. Be elected by Nursing Club members.

d. Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

e. Prepare and submit an end of the year report to the incoming Executive Board.

I. The faculty advisor(s) shall:

a. Be assigned by the Nursing Department for the upcoming year.

b. Be responsible for providing interchange of information between eh Board and the nursing faculty.

c. Serve as a resource person consulting the Board.

d. Attend Executive Board and General Meetings as necessary.

Section 4 Election of officers

A. Submittance of names and desired positions are due by the end of fall semester.

B. Elections shall be held the first two weeks of spring semester.

C. Terms of office shall commence after the first combined Board meeting (incoming and outgoing officers) and terminate at the ends of the following combined Board meeting the following year.

D. The NEC shall conduct elections according to established policies and procedures (refer to Policies and Procedures manual).

E. The NEC shall fill vacancies as outlined in the Policies and Procedures manual.

F. The NEC shall be elected by the Nursing Club members.

Section 5 Termination of office

A. All officers shall deliver all account books, records, and files belonging to the Nursing Club to the faculty advisor at the time of the combined Board meeting.

B. Any resignation from a position on the Board shall be in writing and shall be effective immediately upon receipt of the same by the Board.

Section 6 Vacancies

A. The NEC will convene to conduct an election to fill a vacancy. Until election, the Board may appoint an acting officer to the Boarding pending 2/3 approval by the Board.

B. Candidates for a vacant office must meet all qualification requirements for that specific position.

Section 7 Recall of officers

A. Any officer of the Nursing Club is subject to recall from office.

B. Recall proceedings can be implemented if said officer displays actions that are incongruent with the Nursing Club or does not maintain concurrent enrollment at CSB/SJU.

C. Any officer that fails to meet her/his responsibilities as defined by these bylaws or is absent from two or more meetings may be considered for recall.

D. A recall committee comprised of the Executive Board shall determine conditions for recall. A written letter of dismissal will be sent to said officer. The officer has ten working days to appeal the decision of the Recall Committee. Any actions of dismissal shall require two-thirds vote by the Recall Committee.

Article VI Standing Committees

The following committees are deemed necessary to carry out the goals of the Nursing Club: Program Committee, Fundraising Committee, MSNA/NSNA Committee, Service and Social Justice Committee, and Social Committee and shall assume duties as in accordance with the purpose of the Nursing Club.

A. The Programs Committee shall:

a. Consist of any interested Nursing Club member and shall be chaired by a Board member as appointed by the president.

b. Have a minimum of one program per month. Programs may be presented from other standing committees in conjunction with the Program Committee.

c. Submit a tentative schedule of ht year’s programs the first two weeks of each semester to the Board for approval.

d. Plan and help coordinate all educational activities of the Nursing Club including CPR certification for nursing majors and other interested students.

B. The Fundraising Committee shall:

a. Consist of any interested Nursing Club member and will be chaired by the treasurer.

b. Assist the treasurer in proposal writing, requesting funds, and all fundraising activities.

C. The MSNA/NSNA Committee shall:

a. Consist of any Nursing club member who is also a paid member of the MSNA/NSNA.

b. Coordinate and promote all state and national activities including the Resolutions Committee.

c. Promote the state and national student nurse organizations on campus.

D. The Service and Social Justice Committee shall:

a. Consist of any interested Nursing Club member and shall be chaired by a Board member appointed by the president.

b. Plan and publicize all activities related to service and social justice for the Nursing Club.

E. The Social Committee shall:

a. Consist of any interested Nursing Club member and will be chaired by a Board member appointed by the president.

b. Work in coordination with the Program Committee to provide a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere for students at each General Meeting.

c. Plan and promote fun, enjoyable social interactions among the Nursing Club members.

Article VII General Meetings

General Meetings shall be open to all Nursing Club members. These meetings shall be held at least monthly. The Board will update the members of the Board activities and actions. An agenda, date, time, and location of the meeting shall be available to Nursing Club members via the Nursing Club webpage. The Board may bring issues that require action by the members (such as voting) and these concerns will be brought up at the General Meetings.

Article VII Amendments

These bylaws may be amended at the annual spring election by a 2/3 vote of the Board and 2/3 vote of the Nursing Club (quorum- majority of those members casting votes at that meeting) providing that notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to members at least four weeks prior to the vote.

Article IX Parliamentary Authority

Robert Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the proceedings of the Executive Board and the General Meetings.

Article X

The Nursing Club admits student without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.

Article XI

The Nursing Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of the student organization. The Nursing Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Date of revision/recognition: 4/21/08