Constitution and Bylaws
Of the
Washington State Chapter
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this Association shall be the Washington State Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (Washington State NAPNAP).
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to support the goals of NAPNAP in assisting Pediatric Nurse Practitioners improve the quality of health care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. (Birth to age 21).
ARTICLE III OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this organization shall be as follows:
A. To support and facilitate local and state legislative programs improving the quality of infant, child, adolescent, and young adult health care in Washington State.
B. To develop and sponsor educational programs for the ongoing education of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest.
C. To promote the role and visibility of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in Washington State.
D. To promote and foster the objectives and goals of National NAPNAP in Washington State.
E. To facilitate communication, support and interaction among PNP’s and other health care professionals.
ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
Section A Active members of the Washington Chapter are entitled to vote, hold office and serve on committees. Active members shall be registered nurses who have paid dues in full to the Washington State Chapter of NAPNAP, National NAPNAP, and qualify for membership in any of the following categories:
1. PNP’s, Family Nurse Practitioners, School Nurse Practitioners, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners who are eligible for certification or who have been certified by the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
2. Clinical Nurse Specialists (Registered Nurses who have completed a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a pediatric or neonatal emphasis) who are eligible for certification or who have been certified by the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
3. RNs who were trained prior to the 1971 guidelines and who are practicing as PNP’s, and RNs who have completed a course following the guidelines developed by the American Nurses Association-American Academy of Pediatrics 1971 Guidelines on Short-Term Continuing Education Programs preparing the PNP.
4. RN faculty members who prepare the professionals as delineated in #1 and #2.
5. Registered Nurses who otherwise qualify for active membership, but who reside outside the United States or its territories, and who submit proof of licensure or registration in the nurse’s native country and/or state.
Section B Associate members shall be any persons, including student PNP’s, interested in fostering the objectives of the association. Associate members may serve on committees. They shall not have the right to vote or hold office.
Section C Application for membership shall be made in writing on the form provided by the organization and shall be accompanied by the annual membership fee. An applicant shall become a chapter member upon verification of the application by the Chapter Membership Chairperson and receipt of chapter dues.
Section D Membership fees are due as established by the Executive Board. Dues are required of each member and shall be payable July 1 of each year and are delinquent November 1. Making written application and current payment of dues may reinstate any member terminated for non-payment of dues.
Section E Termination of active membership shall be automatic upon:
1. the resignation of the member,
2. the revocation or the suspension of a member’s license or registration as a Registered Nurse,
3. non-payment of membership dues.
4. Membership may also be terminated by the Executive Board if it determines a member has violated these Bylaws or engaged in conduct that violated the objectives of the organization or is injurious to it. The Executive Board may not terminate a member for such reasons without first providing the member with notice of the charges and a full hearing before the Executive Board.
Section F Voting rights shall begin on the date at which Active Membership is established.
ARTICLE V CHAPTER OFFICERS
Section A Qualifications, Number, and Term of Offices
The officers of the organization shall be:
1) President, 2) President-Elect, 3) Continuing Education Chairperson, 4) Secretary, 5) Treasurer, 6) Immediate Past-President, and such other officers as the Executive Board and/or members may authorize.
1. The President, President-Elect, and Past-President shall hold office for a term of one (1) year; after (1) year as President-Elect, that officer shall automatically assume the office of President for one (1) year; after the term as President, that person will remain on the Executive Board as Immediate Past-President for a term of one (1) year.
2. The Continuing Education Chairperson shall be elected annually for a term of service of two (2) years, the first year serving as assistant to the committee chairperson in an apprenticeship role, and serving as the Continuing Education chairperson in the second year.
3. All other officers shall hold office for a term of two (2) fiscal years, or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified.
4. No officer shall hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
5. Election of the President-Elect and Continuing Education Chairperson shall be yearly.
6. Election of the Secretary shall occur during even numbered years.
7. Election of the Treasurer shall occur during odd numbered years.
8. Newly elected officers shall assume office on July 1st of each year.
Section B President
The present shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and shall, in general, supervise and control all of the administrative matters and business affairs of the Chapter, The President shall implement policy established by the members of the Executive Board. The President shall preside at all meetings; execute all conveyances, notes, contracts, or other instruments authorized by the members; appoint all committees and chairpersons as provided in these bylaws; serve as an ex-officio member of all standing committees; and perform and discharge all duties incident of the office of the President and such other duties as may be assigned by the members of the Executive Board.
Section C President-Elect
The President-Elect shall become familiar with the duties of the President and shall automatically succeed to the Presidency upon the conclusion of the President’s term of office. The President-elect shall perform the duties of the office of President in the absence of the President or in the case of inability to act, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The President-Elect shall perform such other duties as the President and Executive Board may specifically assign.
Section D Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall remain active in committee work as designated by the President and in the planning and implementation of activities of the Executive Board.
Section E Continuing Education Chairperson
The continuing Education Chairperson shall be responsible for the coordination of the Chapter’s efforts to provide continuing education for members. The Chairperson is responsible for the accurate application to National NAPNAP for approval of continuing education programs, for maintain accurate CE records for members, for conveying committee meetings and directing the efforts of the Continuing Education Committee members to plan, conduct, and evaluate all chapter continuing education programs.
Section F Secretary
The Secretary shall keep and maintain the minutes of the meetings and give all notices that are required to be given by these Bylaws; be custodian of the Bylaws, membership roster, and records of the organization; attest all documents, the execution of which has been duly authorized by the members according to these Bylaws; send copies of chapter meeting minutes and newsletters to the Chapters Coordination of NAPNAP; and in all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as the members may request.
Section G Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the chapter; receive and give receipts for all monies due and payable to the chapter from any source whatsoever; deposit all such monies in the name of the chapter in such banks or other depositories as shall be decided by the Executive Board; account for and record all financial transactions by the chapter; prepare and render an annual report to the chapter and to the National Association; authorize an annual audit/review of financial records of the Chapter in such a manner as directed by the Executive Board; and perform such other duties as may be designated by the Executive Board or chapter membership.
Section H Compensation
No part of the net earning of the chapter shall ever inure to or for the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the chapter shall be empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distribution in furtherance of the exempt purposed for which the chapter was formed.
ARTICLE VI MEETINGS
Section A Regular meetings of the organization shall be held at such time and place as are determined by the officers.
Section B Special meetings may be called at any time by the President. Notice of special meeting shall set forth the matters to be discussed.
Section C Notice of meetings in written form shall be mailed to each member in advance of each meeting.
Section D Voting shall be accomplished by one vote per active member of the organization (as defined in ARTICLE IV, Section A). The approval of any matter of business shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of active members present and voting. Occasional balloting of the membership will be conducted by mail (officer elections), with a majority of cast votes required.
ARTICLE VII ELECTIONS
Section A Nomination for President-Elect, Treasures, Secretary, and Continuing Education Chairperson will be presented by the Nomination Committee to the executive board. Candidates will be from the active membership. Nomination will also be accepted from the floor at that time. When possible, two candidates for each office will be nominated. Provision will be made on the ballot for write-in candidates.
Section B Election of officers will be by written ballot.
Section C Ballots shall be returned to the Nomination committee who will be the appointed judges to count the votes. Results will be announced as soon as possible in the newsletter. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for particular office shall be declared elected. In case of a tie vote, a second ballot shall be conducted. If the outcome is still tied, the Executive Board will meet to decide the method for election resolution.
ARTICLE VIII CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section A The Executive Board shall exercise, conduct, and control the corporate powers, affairs, policies and property of Washington State Chapter.
Section B Member: See ARTICLE V, Section A.
Section C Vacancies: In the event a vacancy occurs in any office, or on the Executive Board, due to a change in status, or otherwise, such office shall be filled in the following manner: President: The President-Elect shall assume the office for the completion of that term. (S)he shall then continue to serve as President for the one-year term which (s)he would other wise have served had the vacancy not occurred. The Executive Board shall appoint a temporary Vice-President to serve until the next regular election for President-Elect. The Executive Board shall appoint replacements for all other vacancies.
Section D Removal of an Executive Board member Any officer or committee member who is absent from two (2) consecutive Board Meeting, without excuse, may be removed form office and/or from membership of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX COMMITTEES
Section A Appointment and Term: The committees of the organization shall be standing or special, the chairperson and member of which shall be appointed by the Chapter President (with the exception of the elected Continuing Education Chairperson) to serve for a term of one (1) year or until existence of the committee is terminated. Committee Chairs may not hold a position on the Executive Board for more than six (6) consecutive years. These committees shall be under the direction and control of the Chapter Executive Board and shall have such duties as may be assigned to them by these Bylaws or the Chapter Executive Board or the members. Each standing committee shall submit an annual report or any other interim report in April, prior to the June planning meeting.
Section B Standing Committees:
1. Constitution and Bylaws. This committee shall be the President and the President-Elect unless it is determined by them to appoint additional members. This committee shall consider and recommend any changes or amendments in the Chapter Bylaws, which may be considered necessary or advisable. This Committee shall review Chapter By-Laws as requested by the National Association Chapter Coordinator to assure correlation with National NAPNAP Constitution and Bylaws.
2. Continuing Education/Program. This committee shall establish guidelines, with the approval of the Executive Board, for continuing education programs. It shall coordinate provision of educational programs for NAPNAP members. It shall review and make recommendations to the Executive Board concerning the co-sponsoring of programs with other associations and organizations. The Continuing Education Chairperson shall convene the committee and direct committee members to meet the education goals.
3. Child Advocacy. This committee shall be responsible for directing the chapter efforts and involvement in local, regional, and national efforts on behalf of the children and health issues. The committee will make recommendation to the Chapter to identify projects for annual emphasis and will be largely responsible for carrying out the Chapter’s collective efforts.
4. Legislative. This committee shall identify, evaluate, and advise on political and legislative concerns of PNP’s in their respective settings; evaluate proposed federal, state, and local legislation for implications for PNP nursing and child health care; and advise the membership in a timely manner of pertinent state or federal proposed law changes. This committee shall appoint a representative to the ARNP’s United Board.
5. Membership. This committee shall establish criteria for membership eligibility, shall encourage desirable applicants for membership, shall review membership applications and shall formulate, recommend, and implement plans for increasing and maintain membership.
6. Nomination. This committee shall perform the duties described in ARTICLE VII, Section A.
7. Public Relations. This committee shall be responsible for all communication issued by the organization to all media and membership. This committee shall promote the ideals of the organization to respective members and the general public.
8. Newsletter Committee. This committee shall be responsible for publishing the quarterly chapter newsletter. The committee will be responsible for communicating pertinent information to membership from the Executive Board via the newsletter and representing the needs of the members through content.
Section C Special Committees shall be created at the discretion of the Executive Board for short-term specific tasks. Chairperson and members will be appointed/approved by the Board and will be responsible for specific, limited tasks. If it is determined that he committee task is to extend beyond a short time (maximum 1 year), amending these Bylaws to create additional Standing Committees would be in order.
ARTICLE X QUORUM
Section A A simple majority of the members of the Executive Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum at any regular or any special meeting of the committee.
Section B A simple majority of the number of members attending a regular meeting shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE XI GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section A Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the chapter shall be such twelve (12) month period as may be established by resolution of the National Executive Board (currently July to June).
Section B Contracts. The Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers or agent of the organization to enter into any contract, or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the organization. Such authority may be general or confined to special instances.
Section C Books and Records. The chapter shall keep correct and complete books and records of the accounts, meeting and proceeding of the chapter. Valuable papers and document of the Chapter shall be maintained by appropriate chapter officers and passed on at the end of officer’s’ terms to newly elected officials. There shall be an annual audit of the financial records for the organization in such a manner as directed by the Executive Board and should consist of 2 people other than the treasurer.
Section D Disbursements. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the organization shall be signed by the Treasurer or other properly authorized Executive Board member.
Section E Deposits. All funds of the organization shall be deposited to the credit of the organization in such banks and other depositories as the Chapter Executive Board may select.
Section F Chapter Dissolution. Any chapter may be dissolved a the discretion of the National Association’s Executive Board or by majority vote of the active members of the chapter; any funds which remain in the chapter budget shall revert to the National Association’s general fund.
ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised (current edition) shall govern meetings of the organization and Executive Board in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS
Section A These Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the chapter. All proposed amendments should be published prior to the meeting and read at said meeting. Amendments will have been previously submitted to the Executive Board of NAPNAP for written approval.
Section B Amendments may be made at any meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all active members present.
Section C These bylaws shall be adopted at any regular or special meeting and shall become effective when approved in writing by the National Office.
Revised Spring 1994, Spring 2004
Adopted at a meeting of the Washington State Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners on the 5th day of March, 2004.
Debra Ewing Lonczak
President
Karen Wilkinson
President-elect
Anne Stevens
Secretary
Barbara Schneider
Treasurer
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