gbans bylaws fall 2011

GEORGIA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF NURSING STUDENTSBYLAWS

**Revised August 2011**

ARTICLE INAMEThe Name of this organization shall be the Georgia Baptist Association of Nursing Students, herein after referred to as GBANS, a constituent of the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS) and the National Student Nurses Association, Inc. (NSNA).

ARTICLE IIPURPOSE AND FUNCTIONSECTION 1. The purpose of GBANS

A. To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care;

B. To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns; andC. To aid in the development of the whole person and his/her ideals of holistic health care.

SECTION 2. The functions of GBANS shall include the following:A. To influence standards of nursing education and influence the educational process;B. To influence health care, nursing education, and nursing practice through legislative activities as

appropriate;C. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities directed towards

improving health care and the resolution of related social issues;D. To represent nursing students to consumers, institutions, and other organizations;E. To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities;F. To engage in recruitment efforts and encourage participation in student activities and educational

opportunities regardless of gender, race, religion, color, creed, lifestyle, national origin, age or economic status; and

G. To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with national, state, and local professional nursing and related organizations.

ARTICLE IIIMEMBERSSECTION 1. School chapter

A. The school chapter shall be composed of all students who are currently members of NSNA.B. There shall be only one chapter at the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing (GBCN). C. For yearly recognition as a constituent, an officer of GBANS shall submit annually the Official

Application for NSNA Constituency Status and the application for GANS Constituency Status which shall include the following areas of conformity: purpose and functions, membership, dues, and representation.

D. A member failing to comply with the bylaws and policies of GBANS, GANS, and NSNA shall have their status revoked. The member shall be notified by the GBANS Executive Board of the complaint of an infraction. The member shall be given two (2) weeks from the date of notification to schedule a session with the GBANS Executive Board to address the complaint. Following the two (2) week deadline, the GBANS Executive Board will reach a decision regarding the complaint. Revocation of membership status requires a 2/3 vote of the GBANS Executive Board.

SECTION 2. Members of the association shall include:A. Undergraduate students enrolled at GBCN leading to licensure as a registered nurse and are current

NSNA members.B. Registered nurses enrolled in the BSN completion program at GBCN and are current NSNA members.

SECTION 3. Dues

A. The total annual dues shall include membership in NSNA, GANS, and GBANS for each member. The dues each year shall be for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months for NSNA, GANS, and GBANS.

B. Payment of NSNA dues is a prerequisite for membership. Any member who fails to pay annual dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership.

C. Dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NSNA shall remit to each state constituent the dues received on behalf of the constituent.

D. The amount of annual dues for NSNA shall be determined by NSNA. The amount of annual dues for GANS shall be determined by GANS.

ARTICLE IVBOARD OF DIRECTORSSECTION 1. Officers of GBANS shall be the President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

SECTION 2. There shall be thirteen (13) Directors and four (4) Co-ChairsOne Director shall be the Breakthrough to Nursing Director, one shall be the Fundraising Committee Director, two shall be the Community Service Co-Directors, two shall be Legislative Committee Co-Directors, one shall be the Nominating and Elections Committee Director, one shall be the Webmaster, one shall be the Public Relations Director, one shall be the Student Government Association Representative, one shall be the Senior Class Representative, two shall be the Junior Class Representatives, two shall be the Event Committee Co-Chairs, and two shall be the Award-Archive Co-Chairs. The Event Committee Co-Chairs and Award Archive Co-Chairs will be appointed by the President. .

SECTION 3. Term of officeA. The term of office for the First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the

thirteen (13) Directors and four (4) Co-Chairs shall be for one year. Elections will be in February for the upcoming academic year. Officer instillation will be within four weeks of elections. New officers will assume their office at the end of the spring semester. The interim will be reserved for training of new officers.

B. The term of office for President Elect shall be from elected date and shall commence as described in Article IV, Section 3, paragraph A of these bylaws. The term shall end in April after the National Student Nursing Association convention at which the elected board will assume duties as outlined in Article IV, Section 4, paragraph A-Q of these bylaws.

C. The term of office for the President shall be for one year and shall commence in April with the succession of the President-Elect to the presidency and shall end in May of the following year.

D. Any Officer or Director who voluntarily resigns from office before their term expires shall reimburse the GBANS Executive Board all funds paid to or for during that term within thirty (30) days of notification from the GBANS Second Vice President of the amount owed. Exclusions to the above include: life threatening illness of self, spouse, or child, withdrawal from the nursing program, family relocation, or any other situation approved by a 2/3 vote of the GBANS Executive Board.

SECTION 4. Duties of Officers and DirectorsThe Officers and Directors shall perform the duties prescribed by parliamentary authority, and more specifically shall include:

A. The President shall:1. Preside at all meetings of the association and of the GBANS Executive Board;2. Appoint special committees with the approval of the Executive Board;3. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees, except Nominating and Elections Committee;4. Appoint the Nominating and Elections Committee;5. Prepare an annual report; 6. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board

meetings; and

7. Represent GBANS in matters related to GBANS and perform all other duties pertaining to the office.

B. The President-Elect shall:8. Succeed to the presidency in April;9. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board

meetings; and10. Promote the purposes of the organization and perform such duties as appointed by the

President.C. The First Vice President shall:

11. Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence;12. Accede to the office of President in case of a vacancy in the office;13. Be responsible for the program at monthly meetings of the association;14. Post notices of all meetings and confirm the time and place for the meetings with the

appropriate resources;15. Be responsible for the coordination of the GBANS community projects;16. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board

meetings; and17. Perform all other duties as assigned by the President.

D. The Second Vice President shall:18. Assume the duties of the First Vice President in his/her absence;19. Accede to the office of the First Vice President in case of a vacancy in the office;20. Collaborate with the Legislative Director to submit resolutions form the Executive Board to

the House of Delegates at the annual state convention and annual national convention;21. Collaborate with the Treasurer to coordinate fund raising activities;22. Be responsible for annual review of the GBANS bylaws and make recommendations for

change to the Executive Board;23. Act as parliamentarian at GBANS membership and GBANS Executive Board meetings;24. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board

meetings; and25. Perform all other duties assigned by the President.

E. The Secretary shall:26. Prepare minutes of all business meetings of the association and the Executive Board;27. Submit monthly minutes to the Webmaster and to the GANS Secretary only after the minutes

have been approved by the Executive Board;28. Inform GBANS membership of all current programs and activities and provide up-to-date

names and addresses of state and local officers;29. Correspond with the GANS Executive Board when necessary;30. Coordinate GBANS membership registration at the GANS annual convention and the NSNA

mid-year and annual conventions; and31. Perform all other duties assigned by the President.

F. The Treasurer shall:32. Be responsible for coordination of all GBANS fundraising activities;33. Act as custodian of the organization’s funds and see that an annual financial report is

prepared;34. Develop and manage the organization’s budget under the direction of the President;35. Pay all expenses incurred by GBANS under the direction of the President;36. Deposit all monies into the GBANS account within five (5) business days of receipt;37. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


G. The Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN) Director shall:39. Be responsible for recruiting and retaining GBANS members;40. Be responsible for obtaining and distributing recruitment tools;41. Promote opportunities within the community for education about the nursing profession and

career options;

42. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board meetings; and

43. Perform all other duties assigned by the President.H. The Fundraising Committee Director shall:

44. Collaborate with the Treasurer and Second Vice President to coordinate GBANS fundraising activities;

45. Assist the Treasurer in keeping essential records and maintaining the budget;46. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


I. The Community Service Co-Directors shall:48. Collaborate with the First Vice President to coordinate GBANS community service projects;49. Organize and assist committees in planning community service projects and keep the

Executive Board informed of the progress of these projects;50. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


J. The Legislative Committee Co-Directors shall:52. Stay informed concerning pertinent legislation in Georgia affecting nurses and nursing

students;53. Keep the Executive Board and GBANS members informed concerning legislation which

affects healthcare in the state and nation;54. Collaborate with the Second Vice President to submit resolutions from the Executive Board

to the House of Delegates at the state annual convention and the national annual convention;55. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


K. The Nominating and Elections (NEC) Director shall:57. Serve as Chair of the NEC;58. Carry out all functions and responsibilities as described in Article V of these bylaws;59. Perform all other duties assigned by the President.

L. The Webmaster shall:60. Be responsible for maintaining the GBANS website and publication of the GBANS

Newsletter via internet and hardcopy;61. Be responsible for submitting articles for GANS and NSNA publications;62. Be responsible for writing, soliciting, and editing articles for the GBANS Newsetter and

information to be posted on the website;63. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


M. The Student Government Association (SGA) Representative shall:65. Serve as liaison between GBANS and the SGA 66. Attend all SGA meetings and reporting monthly on SGA activities at each GBANS Executive

Board meeting;67. Attend all GBANS Executive Board meetings and report monthly on GBANS activities at

each SGA meeting;68. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


N. The Class Representatives shall:70. Relay GBANS information to his/her respective class;71. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


O. The Public Relations Director shall:73. Promote GBANS events to the student body and faculty via flyers and emails;

74. Take pictures at all GBANS events to give to the Webmaster to post on the GBANS website;75. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board


P. The Event Committee Co-Chairs shall: 77. Provide support to the Second Vice President in planning the GBCN career fair held during

the spring semester; 78. Assist executive board with additional events and planning; 79. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board

meetings; and 80. Perform all other duties assigned by the President. Q. The Award Archive Co-Chairs shall: 81. Track state and national awards received by GBCN; 82. Collect and archive all paperwork associated with these awards; 83. Collect data and determine eligibility for awards; 84. Provide a written monthly report to the Executive Board at the monthly Executive Board

meetings; and 85. Perform all other duties assigned by the President.

SECTION 5. VacanciesA vacancy on the Executive Board, other than the President, shall be filled, if deemed essential, by the Executive Board, and shall be filled as specified in these bylaws. Providing a vacancy shall be filled, it shall require a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

SECTION 6. Change in dutiesAny change in duties set forth in these bylaws must have the approval of 2/3 vote of the GBANS membership. Any change shall be in effect until a new vote is taken.

SECTION 7. AbsencesA. Two unexcused absences will result in termination from office. The Executive Board will determine by

2/3 vote if an absence is excused or unexcused.B. Three absences, excused or unexcused, will be grounds for termination.

SECTION 8. TerminationFailure of any member of the Executive Board to fulfill their duties as outlined in these bylaws, shall be grounds for termination and shall be determined by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VNOMINATION AND ELECTIONSSECTION 1. Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC)

A. Elections shall be held in March, or earlier if feasible, of the Executive Board’s upcoming school year.B. The NEC shall receive the names of proposed candidates. It shall be the responsibility of this

committee to obtain the consent of all proposed candidates in writing.C. The NEC will schedule voting times and shall prepare the ballot and distribute the numbered ballot to

the membership for voting during the scheduled voting times. The ballot box will be placed in a specified location. Decided at the time of voting, and shall be locked up between voting times as not to allow the membership access to the ballots.

D. The committee will count the votes and announce and post the election results on the GBANS bulletin board and website within seven (7) days of the election.

E. The committee will be appointed by the President with the NEC Director serving as the committee chair.

F. One Faculty Advisor will serve as ex officio member of the committee, monitoring the counting of the ballots.

G. Committee members shall not have their names placed in nomination.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGSSection 1. Membership meetings

A. The monthly meetings of the association shall be held at such time and place for the purpose of holding elections, receiving reports and conducting such other business as may properly come before the Executive Board.

B. Notice of meetings will be displayed on the GBANS bulletin board, website, and notices put up elsewhere as permitted and deemed necessary.

C. The meeting say and time will be set each month based on the members’ schedules.D. To conduct official business, the quorum shall be 10% of the constituent membership and at least four

(4) members of the Executive Board, including the President or First Vice President.

Section 2. Executive Board meetingsExecutive Board meetings shall be monthly as determined by the President.

ARTICLE VIIEXECUTIVE BOARDSection 1. MembersThe Executive Board shall consist of the elected Officers and Directors. The faculty advisors shall serve as ex officio members without vote.

Section 2. PowersAll the powers of the association are vested in and shall be exercised by the Executive Board during the interims between meetings of the association.

Section 3. ResponsibilityThe Executive Board shall not be responsible for any contract, claim, or obligation of any kind incurred or for any position taken by an officer or member of a constituent unless the same was authorized in writing by the Executive Board.

Section 4. Management by the Executive Board shall include the following duties:A. Review and approve the terms of official relationships established with other organizations singly or in

coalition;B. Approve any commitment in the form of action, statement of policy or position, or financial

obligations involved in GBANS relationships with other organizations;C. Approve the budget, authorize all monetary disbursements, and provide for the annual audit of

accounts at the close of the fiscal year when deemed necessary by the Executive Board;D. Have the power to fill vacancies for the unexpired term unless otherwise specified in these bylaws;E. In the case of emergency, votes by referendum may be taken by a GBANS member appointed by the

President. The result of such action shall control the actions of the association, the Executive Board, and committees. The result of such a referendum shall be duly verified by the Executive Board and recorded in the minutes of the next meeting; and

F. Perform all other duties as may be specified in these bylaws.

Section 5. DelegatesThe GBANS delegate(s) to the annual GANS and NSNA conventions shall be the GBANS President and other delegates as appointed by the Executive Board. The expenses incurred by these delegates will be reimbursed by GBANS as determined by the Executive Board according to available financial resources.

ARTICLE VIIIFACULTY ADVISORSSection 1. Selection and numberFaculty advisors shall be selected by the Executive Board each year. The number selected shall not exceed four (4). The faculty advisors shall be approved by the Executive Board and the membership. All advisors will be faculty members of GBCN.

Section 2. The faculty advisors shall:

A. Serve as a liaison between the Executive Board and the GBANS members, the faculty and staff of GBCN, and other professional organizations;

B. Serve as a resource person consulting with the Executive Board and committees;C. Attend the meetings of GBANS membership and the Executive Board; andD. Attend the annual GANS state convention and the annual NSNA nation convention, when possible.

ARTICLE IXCOMMITTEESThe president, at his/her discretion, shall establish committees (with the approval of the Executive Board) deemed necessary to carry out the work of the association and determine the functions, terms, and membership of such committees. A quorum for committee meetings shall be a majority of the members present.

ARTICLE XPARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITYAll meetings of this association shall be conducted according to parliamentary laws as set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised where the rules apply and are not in conflict with these bylaws. With a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board, the Executive Board may elect not to conduct meetings using Robert’s Rules for their term of office only.

ARTICLE XIAMENDMENTSProposed amendments shall be submitted on writing carrying proponent’s signature to the Executive Board for review. Proposed amendments may be submitted only to the Executive Board. The board will review the proposed amendments and the amendments to the bylaws will be voted on by the GBANS membership at the next meeting during that semester.

gbans bylaws fall 2011

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