SNAP BYLAWS

S T U D E N T N U R S E S A T P E N N
T h e S t u d e n t N u r s e s A s s o c i a t i o n a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f P e n n s y l v a n i a
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		Bylaws of Student Nurses at Penn (Last revised: February, 2007)
		Click here for MS Word version of Bylaws University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing ARTICLE I. STUDENT NURSES AT PENN Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Student Nurses at Penn (SNAP). ARTICLE II. PURPOSE AND FUNCTION Section 1. Purpose A. To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality of health care. B. To provide programs representative of fundamental interests and concerns to nursing students. C. To aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, his/her responsibility for health care of people in all walks of life. Section 2. Function A. To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence the education process. B. To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate. C. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities directed towards health care and the resolution of related social issues. D. To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and to other organizations. E. To promote and encourage students� 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 nursing and health related organizations. ARTICLE III - MEMBERS Section 1. School Constituent A. School constituent membership is composed of active or associate members who are of the NSNA and the state association when one exists. B. Student Nurses At Penn shall be composed of at least 10 members from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. There shall be only one chapter on this school campus. C. For yearly recognition as a constituent, an officer of SNAP shall submit annually the Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status which shall include the following areas of conformity: purpose and functions, membership, dues, and representation. D. A constituent association which fails to comply with the bylaws and policies of NSNA shall have its status as a constituent revoked by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors, provided 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. E. Student Nurses At Penn is an entity separate and apart from NSNA and its administration of activities. NSNA and SNAP have no liability for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by third parties as a result of the negligence or acts of Student Nurses At Penn or its members. In the event that any legal charges are brought against NSNA and SNAP, Student Nurses At Penn will indemnify and hold harmless the NSNA and/or SNAP from any liability. Section 2. Categories of Constituent Membership Members of the constituent associations shall be: A. Active members: 1. Students enrolled in state approved programs leading to licensure as a registered nurse. 2. Registered nurses enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing. 3. Active members shall have all the privileges of membership. B. Associate members: 1. Pre-nursing students, including registered nurses, enrolled in college or university programs designed as preparation for entrance into a program leading to the School of Nursing baccalaureate degree program. 2. Associate members shall have all of the privileges of membership except the right to hold office as president or vice president at state and national levels. C. Individual members: Individual membership shall be open at the national level to any eligible student when membership in a constituent association is not available. Individual members shall have the privileges of membership as prescribed in NSNA bylaws. D. Active and associate membership shall be renewable annually. Section 3. Active and associate NSNA membership may be extended six months beyond graduation from a student�s program in nursing, providing membership was renewed while the student was enrolled in a nursing program. ARTICLE IV - DUES Section 1. A. The Annual NSNA dues for active and associate members shall be those published annually by NSNA. The dues for these members shall be established for a period of twenty-four consecutive months. B. The SNAP board of directors shall have the authority to change membership dues, providing such dues do not exceed the amounts set in these bylaws. C. National and state site dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NSNA shall remit to each state constituent the dues received on behalf of the constituent. NSNA shall not collect or remit school chapter dues. D. In the event that SNAP charges chapter dues, these will be collected by the chapter treasurer and shall not be collected nor remitted by the NSNA. ARTICLE V- BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. Composition A. The Board of Directors shall consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Legislative Coordinator, Public Relations and Events Chair, Peer Advising Chair-Traditional, Peer Advising Chair-Second Degree, Community Service Chair, Fundraising Chair, Lifesavers Chair, BRAINS Chair, Webmaster, and CPR Chair. B. The Board of Directors shall appoint, by application process, all undergraduate members to SON Committees, as requested by the faculty and administration of the SON. Section 2. Responsibilities A. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for 1. Transacting business of the association between membership meetings and shall report such transactions at the next regularly scheduled membership meeting. 2. Attending bimonthly board meetings and monthly general body meetings. 3. Filling vacancies in any office by 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors, excluding that of President. 4. Reviewing monetary disbursements, acquisitions, and fund raising activities, as well as being responsible for procuring persons for audit of all accounts on an annual basis. 5. Duties of the Board shall consist of: a. The President shall: i. Preside at all meetings of this association, appoint special committees as needed, perform all other duties pertaining to the office, and represent this association in all matters to the local nurses association, state nursing association, and other professional and student organizations. ii. Serve as chairperson of the Board of Directors iii. Meet with the Associate Dean, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and administrators in the Office of Academic Affairs as needed. iv. Communicate with the Graduate Student Organization (GSO), Doctoral Student Organization (DSO), and Minority Nurses Organization (MNO) v. Coordinate and preside over the School of Nursing Dean's Advisory Board (SONDAB) meetings. Related responsibilities include composing agenda and recording minutes (or designating the aforementioned tasks.) vi. Shall also attend the SNAP and NSNA annual conventions. b. The Vice President shall: i. Assume responsibility of the office of President in the event of the vacancy occurring until the next regular election. ii. Preside at meetings in the absence of the President iii. Assist and act as an advisor to the President iv. Serve as chairperson of activity chairs to provide increased assistance with projects. v. Attend the School of Nursing's Dean's Advisory Board (SONDAB) meetings as SNAP student representative. vi. Represent this organization in all communication with the Student Nurses� Association of Pennsylvania and the National Student Nurses� Association (NSNA): 1. Submit monthly report to Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania via their website : http://www.snap-online.org 2. Submit articles to the NSNA News according to the publication deadline 3. Submit articles to Insight according to the publication deadline 4. Inform the Board of Directors of important deadlines related to NSNA events and awards vii. Make arrangements for conventions, including registration and hotel accommodations. viii. Attend the Spring NSNA convention and the Fall Student Nurses� Association of Pennsylvania convention. ix. Ensure submission of a resolution to be submitted to the SNAP and NSNA conventions bi- annually. c. The Secretary/Treasurer shall: i. Record and distribute the minutes of all the meetings of this association to the School of Nursing (SON) listserv ii. Maintain the Board of Directors list serve iii. Record and distribute the minutes of all board meetings of this association to this list serve iv. Keep on files as permanent record all reports, papers, and documents submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer v. Refer to dully appointed committees the necessary records for the completion of business vi. Ensure monthly report submission to the state nursing student association board as well as the names and addresses of all officers and committee chairpersons after their election or appointment. vii. Attend or designate proxy to attend monthly Student Activities Council (SAC) meetings viii. Be accountable to the membership for notification of pending student activities sponsored by the Office of Student Life (OSL) ix. Submit funding requests to SAC x. Prepare annual budget for SAC, SON, and University of Pennsylvania Student Federal Credit Union (UPSFCU) accounts in the spring semester. xi. Submit financial reports to the membership as directed by the President (CUT) xii. Prepare monthly financial reports to be submitted to and reviewed by the President and faculty advisory with general financial report to the board. xiii. Keep a permanent record of all funds received and disbursed. xiv. Remit payment for approved debits according to the following: 1. Disbursement of Funds: a. Requests for disbursement of funds shall be made in writing to the BOD using a check request disbursement form. b. All expenditures must be approved by the BOD. c. Shall disburse funds upon reception of receipts for given expenditures d. Shall follow appropriate SAC regulations for disbursing SAC approved funding. d. The Legislative Coordinator shall: i. Be aware of current and proposed legislation that pertains to health care and consequently may affect nursing or related concerns of nursing. ii. Bring legislative issues to the attention of the BOD which pertain to nursing and/or health care. iii. Act as the voice of SNAP by issuing appropriate statements on the local or state political level as needed. These statements will be in regards to the legislative issues discussed by the BOD. iv. Be responsible for writing a resolution that brings to light a specific concern of nursing and nursing students today. v. The proposed resolution shall be submitted to the annual state Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania and national NSNA conventions, as deemed appropriate by the BOD. vi. Collaborate with the Board to discuss possible breakthrough to nursing projects to work on at the local level. vii. Regularly submit articles the Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania's publication, Insight, that recognize SNAP's activism related to local legislative issues. e. The Public Relations and Events Chair shall: i. Keep bulletin boards designated for SNAP use up-to-date with events, projects, and convention information ii. Prepare notices to raise awareness of organization activities iii. Prepare a school newsletter to be published at least biannually with information regarding conventions, scholarships, and events. iv. Change material in glass display case directly across from the first floor elevators at least twice a semester. v. Shall maintain a record of events and activities attended by SNAP members vi. Take photographs at events with SNAP members vii. Organize faculty-student social gatherings viii. Organize social events for undergraduate students in the SON ix. Order refreshments for general membership meetings and submit receipts to Office of Student Services and the Secretary / Treasurer. x. Assist Webmaster xi. Report to the Vice President f. The Peer Advising Chair of First Degree Students shall: i. Work with the Office of Academic Affairs to coordinate the Peer Advising Program for First Degree Students ii. Coordinate New Student Orientation activities with the Office of Academic Affairs iii. Recruit and compile, in the winter, a list of Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors willing to serve as advisors. iv. Conduct interviews of all willing freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. v. Plan orientation for all advisors vi. Compile a list of all incoming freshmen and pair these students with advisors vii. Send out mailing over the summer informing incoming student of the program and their advisors viii. Send out mailings over the summer informing advisors of their advisees. ix. Make arrangements for all peer advising activities, including meals, workshops, and social events. x. Coordinate at least one academic and one social event in the winter and spring to reunite advisees and advisors. xi. Maintain advising listserv xii. Advise the BRAINS Subcommittee Chair xiii. Report to the Vice President g. The Peer Advising Chair of Second Degree Students shall: i. Work with the Office of Academic Affairs to coordinate the Peer Advising Program for Second Degree Students ii. Coordinate New Student Orientation activities with the Office of Academic Affairs iii. Compile a list of second degree students willing to serve as advisors iv. Conduct interviews of all willing advisors v. Plan orientation for all advisors vi. Compile a list of all incoming students and pair these students with advisors vii. Send out mailings 2 months before program start dates informing incoming students of the program and their advisors vii. Make arrangements for all peer advising activities, including meals, workshops, and social events ix. Coordinate at least one academic and one social event each semester to reunite advisees and advisors. x. Advise the BRAINS Subcommittee Chair xi. Report to the Vice President h. The Community Service Chair shall: i. Maintain contact with community service organizations in the area. ii. Inform membership of opportunities to serve the community iii. Coordinate at least one community service event each month and one major event each semester iv. Incorporate community service activities at each general meeting. v. Work with fundraising chair to plan philanthropic fundraisers vi. Guide the Lifesavers Chair ` vii. Report to the Vice President i. The Fundraising Chair shall: i. Organize at least one fundraising event each month and one major fundraising event each year. ii. Work with Secretary/Treasurer to compile philanthropy budget. iii. Deliver all funds accrued after fundraising events to the Secretary/Treasurer iv. Guide CPR Subcommittee Chair v. Report to Vice President vi. Organize and maintain a committee to assist in selling and distributing fundraising items. j. The BRAINS (Bringing Resources for Academic Improvement to Nursing Students) Chair shall: i. Organize NCLEX review courses ii. Promote tutoring and learning services to the student population of the SON via e-mails, flyers, and postings. iii. Coordinate the N50 Writing Advising Program iv. Report to the BOD monthly v. Be responsible for coordinating the Alumni panel and other related events. k. The Webmaster shall: i. Update the content of the Web site, http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/snap at least once a month or upon completion of a SNAP event ii. Ensure that the SNAP website is listed on the NSNA and Student Nurses� Association of Pennsylvania Web sites iii. Fill out application forms for the NSNA and Student Nurses� Association of Pennsylvania Web site awards, according to their respective deadlines. iv. Report to the BOD monthly. l. The CPR Chair shall: i. Work with the office of Academic Affairs to coordinate the CPR certification and CPR re-certification classes ii. Solicit instructors to teach an ample number of courses. iii. Send out to all students, via mail and e-mail a schedule of all CPR courses scheduled at the SON iv. Collect all registration forms and fees within 2 weeks prior to the class v. Assign students to courses, as space allows. vi. Coordinate, with Secretary/Treasurer, disbursement of payment to CPR Instructors vii. Report to the BOD monthly m. The Lifesavers Chair shall: i. Provide educational information to the University of Pennsylvania community via tables on Locust Walk ii. Establish a theme for each month iii. Solicit volunteers to staff the information tables iv. Compile appropriate handouts and exhibit materials for each program. Reserve table and poles through OSL, according to their rules and regulations 6. The SON Committee Representatives shall a. Attend all scheduled meetings of their respective committees b. Report back to the BOD via written reports monthly c. Attend all scheduled SNAP membership meetings to present their report to the membership d. Solicit requests for feedback from the students of the SON. Section 4. Absences A. Members of the Board of Directors who have missed more than two regularly scheduled meetings of any current term year without prior notification to the Board of Directors and who offer no valid reason for such absences may be removed from office by a plurality vote of the current membership present at the next scheduled meeting. The officer in question will be notified in advance of the meeting. B. Any officer may also be removed from office by a plurality vote of all members of the Board of Directors at a meeting called for that purpose if that officer is deemed negligent in the functions of that offices as stated in these bylaws. C. Prior notification of two weeks shall be given to the individual in question and a special Board of Directors meeting shall be held to review the circumstances. ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS Section 1. Elections of Board of Directors A. Elections shall be held at the end of the Fall Semester at the final general membership meeting. B. All elections shall be by secret ballot. C. Terms of officers shall last from January through December of the election year. D. In the event of a tie, a re-vote shall be held at the same meeting. E. All nominations shall be solicited and made from the floor at the general meeting prior to the election meeting. F. Candidates may be self or otherwise nominated. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS Section 1. Membership Meetings A. Meetings will be held once a month B. Meeting dates and times shall be set by the Board of Directors, who will take into consideration recommendations from the general members C. The President shall have the authority to convene special meetings as deemed necessary and shall notify the general membership of such meetings, location, and times Section 2. Board of Directors Meeting A. Meetings will be held bimonthly. B. Board members will discuss issues pertinent to the organization to the discretion of the President, as well as elicit brief reports from each of the board members on the progress of their position�s activities. C. Committee chairs will be required to attend designated meetings of the BOD monthly. Section 3. School of Nursing Dean's Advisory Board (SONDAB) A. Meetings will be held once a semester. The President may schedule additional meetings as necessary. B. The President and Vice President are required to attend. If unable to attend, the President and Vice President may appoint other Board of Director members to serve as substitute. SONDAB members include: the Dean of Nursing, the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, the Associate Dean for Research, the Associate Dean for Practice and Community Affairs, the Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, the Assistant Dean in Admissions and Financial Aid, the Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, 2 SNAP representatives, 2 MNO representatives, 2 GSO representatives, 2 DSO representatives, 2 ISO representatives, and 2 MAN-UP representatives. C. The purpose of SONDAB meetings is to formalize student leader interactions with the Dean of Nursing, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans to allow for more efficient and successful student-faculty cooperation in the maintenance of the School of Nursing's ideals. D. SONDAB is to organize one informal all school social event each academic year. ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES Section 1. Appointments A. Committee members shall be named on a voluntary basis and shall be supervised by the committee chair. ARTICLE IX. DELEGATES Section 1. Purpose and Function A. To serve as spokespersons for this association at the annual state and national conventions. B. To present to the state and national organizations all proposed resolutions or amendments to bylaws or policies proposed by this association. C. To keep informed as to all current and proposed resolutions at the state and national levels and report information to this association�s membership at regularly scheduled membership meetings. D. To make available to members updates, explanations, and copies of current and proposed state and national resolutions. Section 2. Qualification and Appointment A. Any member who is active in SNAP projects and is nominated by current membership at a regularly scheduled meeting, and is in attendance at the state and / or national convention is eligible to hold the position of delegate. B. Appointment shall be for one (1) year and shall be made through nomination by those members eligible to vote and voting. The nominee receiving the majority of votes cast shall be warded the position. Section 3. Delegate Representation A. School constituents: 1. Student Nurses at Penn, when recognized as an official NSNA constituent, shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate at the NSNA House of Delegates, and in addition, shall be entitled to one voting delegate and alternate for every 50 members. 2. The school association may designate an alternate delegate for each delegate by one of the following two mechanisms: a. Selection and/or election by members of the school chapter according to chapter bylaws; or b. Written authorization to the State Board of Directors requesting them to appoint a member of the State Board to act as a state-appointed alternate for their school chapter. i. School chapters shall approve the appointment. ii. The State Board of Directors shall verify that any state-appointed alternate is a member in good standing of the NSNA and the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania. iii. A school chapter must have a selected and/or elected delegate present at the NSNA Convention in order to have a state-appointed alternate seated in the House of Delegates. iv. All alternates, whether school-selected or state-appointed, shall have the same privileges as an elected delegate when seated in the House. 3. Student Nurses at Penn shall be entitled to delegates according to the number of members in good standing in NSNA. Delegates shall be computed on the basis of the number of members in each constituent as evidenced by the annual dues received by NSNA on a date eight weeks prior to the annual meeting. ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS Amendments to the bylaws may be made with 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors, provided that notice of proposed amendments have been sent to members prior to the meeting. Only proper amendments submitted in writing will be considered. ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY All meetings of this association shall be loosely 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.

C. Committee chairs will be required to attend designated meetings of the BOD monthly.