SAN DIEGO CHAPTER NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC NURSES BY-LAWS

 ARTICLE I – NAME

This organization shall be known as the SAN DIEGO CHAPTER of the NATIONAL ASSOCATION OF HISPANIC NURSES (SDNAHN), a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS

Section 1.         PURPOSE:

The purpose of this organization shall be to serve the nursing and health care delivery needs of the Hispanic community and the professional needs of Hispanic nurses.  This will be accomplished through the improvement of the quality of health and nursing care for Hispanic consumers by culturally sensitive nursing care to Hispanic consumers, and by providing equal access to EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, and ECONOMIC opportunities for Hispanic nurses.

Section 2.         FUNCTIONS:

The principle functions of the SDNAHN shall be to:

a.       To identify Hispanic nurses throughout San Diego County in order to monitor the size and growth of this group of health care professionals.

b.      To identify barriers to quality education for Hispanic nursing students and recommend appropriate solutions to local, state, and federal agencies.

c.       To work toward recruitment and retention of Hispanic nursing students in local educational programs.

d.      To ensure that Hispanic nurses have equal access to educational, professional, and economic opportunities and encourage licensed nurses to pursue advanced degrees in nursing. 

e.       To provide an opportunity for Hispanic nurses to share information about their professional concerns, experiences, and research.

f.        To provide a forum for Hispanic nurses to analyze and evaluate the health care needs of the Hispanic community.

g.       To assess the safety and quality of health care delivery services to the Hispanic community.

h.       To identify barriers to the delivery of health services to Hispanic consumers and recommend appropriate solutions to local, state, and federal agencies.

i.         To develop, test, and promote culturally sensitive models of intervention that may provide effective nursing care for Hispanic consumers.

j.        To disseminate research findings and policy perspectives related to Hispanic health care needs at both the local, and national level.

k.      To collaborate with, and provide assistance to other Hispanic health care professionals.

l.         To establish a scholarship fund to assist with the pursuit of educational advancement and professional opportunities for eligible persons.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.         Voting Members:

                        Full Members

Membership in this Association is open to licensed nurses in the United States and its jurisdictions who are of Hispanic ancestry and who have paid the dues called for in the Bylaws.  For the purposes of these Bylaws, these individuals shall be known as voting members.  (Active and Retired members are the only categories with voting privileges)  - See NAHN membership application.

Section 2.         Retired Member                                                                                       Any licensed nurse of Hispanic ancestry who is at least sixty-two years of age and who is not employed full-time in the occupation of nursing and who has paid one half of the dues shall have the right to vote.

                        Non-Voting Members:

Section 3.         Associate Members

Any licensed nurse who is not of Hispanic ancestry but is interested in helping to solve the problems and needs of the Hispanic community and has paid the dues called for in these Bylaws.  (Non-voting members).

Section 4.         Affiliate Members

                        Any non-nursing health care professional who is interested in helping to solve the problems and needs of the Hispanic.  (Non-voting members).

Section 5.         International Associate Members

                        Any licensed Hispanic nurse not residing in the US or its jurisdictions and has paid the dues called for in these Bylaws (Entitled to all privileges, except those of making motions, of voting, and of holding office).

Section 6.         Student Members                                                                                     Any Hispanic enrolled in a program leading to nurse licensure is eligible for membership.  (Non-voting members).

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP DUES

Section 1.         MEMBERSHIP DUES:

a.                   The membership dues for SDNAHN:  As set forth in Article IV Section 1 &2 of the NAHN Bylaws – See membership application for exact dues.

b.                  The national office of NAHN will send a reminder letter in the mail within two months of member expiration date.

Section 2.         MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:

a.                   Members have the responsibility to attend meetings and participate in activities of the association.

b.                  Members shall not carry out any profitable activities on behalf of SDNAHN, either individually or collectively without prior authorization from the Executive Committee.

c.                   Members shall not make any political or religious statement or declaration on behalf of SDNAHN.

d.                  Members shall not collect dues or any other kind of contribution, unless duly authorized by the Executive Committee of SDNAHN. 

ARTICLE V – BOARD

Section 1.         COMPOSITION:

The Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President/ President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and four directors elected by the voting membership.  The Board shall manage the affairs of the association unless prohibited by the Bylaws.  The Board may delegate its authority as it deems appropriate and is not in conflict with these Bylaws.

Section 2.         Duties

a.       The Board shall manage all affairs of SDNAHN.  The Board may delegate its authority as it deems appropriate and is not in conflict with these By-laws.

b.      All officers shall deliver to successors all books, papers, and records covering all transactions occurring during their respective two (2) term of office within thirty (30) days of completion of term of office, or resignation.

c.       The Board shall fill any vacancy on the Board

d.      The Board shall meet at least quarterly, or at the call of the President.

e.       The Board may request the resignation of any officer or chairperson who fails to perform the duties of the office after written notification to that officer or chairperson.  Additional causes include actions prejudicial to the goals and purposes of SDNAHN, misconduct in office, and misappropriation of funds.

Section 3.         Quorum

The majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum including at least two officers of which shall be the President, Vice-President/ President Elect, Secretary, or Treasurer.

ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Section 1.         COMPOSITION: 

a.       The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President/ President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, webmaster/news letter editor.

b.      The President or Vice President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board.

c.       The Executive Board shall report proceedings to the board.

Section 2.         Quorum

Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS

Section 1.         ELECTED OFFICERS:

The elected officers of SDNAHN shall be President, Vice-President/ President Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer including, four Directors

Section 2.         QUALIFICATION OF OFFICERS:

Voting members of SDNAHN shall be eligible to hold elected offices. 

Section 3.         TERM OF OFFICE:

The term of office shall be two (2) years.  Officers shall not be eligible to serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms.  They shall be announced at the annual Scholarship Dinner in (November) and assume office at the close of the even year Annual Meeting in (January).

Section 4.         VACANCIES:

If a vacancy occurs in the position of President, the Vice-President/ President Elect shall become President.  If a vacancy occurs in any elected office, the Executive Board by a majority vote shall elect a successor to hold office for the unexpired term.

Section 5.         PRESIDENT:

a.       The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board or will notify the Vice-President if unable to attend.

b.      The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee. 

c.       The President shall perform all such duties as are incident to the Office or that may be assigned to the President by the Board. 

d.      The President shall recommend appointment of the editor and webmaster for SDNAHN newsletter , subject to Board approval.

Section 6.         VICE-PRESIDENT:

The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President at meetings of the Association, Executive Committee and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the By-laws and Executive Board. 

Section 7.         SECRETARY:

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of Executive Board and General Meetings and keep all papers, letters, and records of the association.  The Secretary shall issue all notices required by these By-laws or by resolution of the Executive Board and perform such duties as may be assigned by the By-laws of the Executive Board.  Within thirty (30) days upon completion of term of office, the Secretary shall deliver to the new Secretary all books, papers, and reports with a supplementary report covering all transactions which have taken place during the secretary’s term of office.

Section 8.         TREASURER:

The Treasurer shall receive, have custody, and be responsible for all bookkeeping and accounting of all funds of SDNAHN, shall see that only such bills as have been approved by the President or the Executive Board are paid and shall make a financial statement to the Executive Board at regular meetings and to the membership at the annual meeting.  The Treasurer shall deposit the funds of the organization in such banks as determined by the Executive Board.  Within thirty (30) days upon completion of term of office, the Treasurer shall deliver to the new Treasurer all papers, books, records, and money of the organization with a supplemental report covering all transactions which may have taken place since the last report of the Treasurer to the membership.  Two signatures will be required (Treasurer and President) on a check issued by SDNAHN if amount of check is over $500.00.  Receipts for reimbursement by membership must be presented to Treasurer no later than thirty days of expenditure.

Section 9.         IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT:

The Immediate Past-President shall be entitled to attend, make motions and vote at Board meetings.

Section 10.       Directors:

The directors assume responsibilities as delegated by the Executive Board.

They will be responsible for recruitment and retention of members.

Section 11.       NAHN ANNUAL MEETING:

The President or designee shall be the representative of SDNAHN to the Annual Meeting of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC NURSES.

Section 12.       It is the responsibility of each member of the Board to notify the President in writing when such duties as set above cannot be carried out.

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES 

Section 1.         There shall be standing and special committees.

Section 2.         STANDING COMMITTEES:

The Standing Committees shall be:  Articles and Bylaws, Community Outreach, Educations & Meetings, Nominating, Scholarship, Scholarship Dinner and Communications Committee.

a.                   Articles and Bylaws: Shall consist of the Executive Board at least three (3) members who shall be appointed by the Executive Board.  This committee shall receive and study any proposals for amendment to the Bylaws and may initiate proposals for amendments to the same.

b.                  Community Outreach: Shall consist of at least three (3) members who shall be appointed by the Executive Board.  This committee shall devise ways and means of promoting good will between the organization and the public.  Responsibilities include organizing events related to the health of the community to allow SDNAHN members to get involved, and keep copies of volunteer sign up sheets, forwarding all sign up sheets to Scholarship Committee chair.

c.                    Shall consist of at least two (2) members who shall be appointed by the Executive Board.  This committee shall ensure SDNANH general meetings have sponsors for membership breakfast, ensure room is set up for all meetings, and meet and greet new attendees of SDNAHN general meeting. 

d.                  Nominating Committee: Shall consist of five (5) voting members all of whom shall be appointed by the Executive Board.  The Nominating Committee shall prepare and present a report to the Executive Board no later than ninety (90) days prior to the annual Scholarship dinner.  The report shall set forth a slate of candidate for each office.  The committee must obtain from candidates a statement of qualifications and consent to serve.  Ballots shall be mailed to all voting members along with candidate's statement no later than sixty (60) days prior to the annual scholarship dinner.  In order to be counted, the ballots must be received at least thirty (30) days before the annual scholarship dinner.

e.                   Scholarship Committee: Shall consist of at least five (5) members in good standing, one (1) member shall be appointed Chair person by the Board.  Responsibilities include: reviewing all scholarship applications, selecting recipients for SDNAHN scholarship awards, and notifying all applicants via letter and or email of their acceptance or rejection no later than seven (7 days) from date of selection. Send scholarship information packages to area of nursing programs at minimum sixty days before deadline and review application criteria annually.

f.                    Scholarship Dinner: Shall consist of at least five (5) members in good standing, one (1) shall be appointed Chair person by the Board.  Responsibilities include organizing SDNAHN annual scholarship dinner in November, ensuring all potential scholarship sponsors contact information is up to date, sending out notice to sponsors of event, and make all the arrangements for the event.

g.                   Education/Meetings: Shall consist of at least 3 (three) members in good standing.  Responsibilities include ensuring there is an educational speaker at every SDNAHN general meeting, ensuring CEU’s are provided for members who qualify and keeping all the necessary records as required by the Board of Registered Nurses (BRN) in order to maintain CEU certification.  Additionally to have sponsors for membership breakfast, and ensure room set up and meet and greet new attendees at general meeting.    

h.                   Communication committee  Shall consist of at least 3 members: a director, secretary and member(s).  The function of the committee will be to maintain an open communication cannel so that information flows seamlessly between the executive board and other standing committees, the members and community.  The communication  committee will be responsible for maintaining email account, sending our announcements, and updating the data base.  This committee will report to the executive board, and  at least one member will need to be present at the general & board meeting at all times.

Section 3.         SPECIAL COMMITTEE:

The Executive Board may establish such special committees, as they deem appropriate.  Such committees shall have such members, duties, and terms of office as shall be determined by the body appointing them.

ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS OF MEMBERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1.         MEETINGS:

There shall be at least three (3) meetings a year, one (1) of which shall be the annual scholarship dinner meeting.

Section 2.         ELECTIONS:

The elections of officers shall be held by mail ballot.  A ballot may be reissued if the chair of the Nominating Committee or a designee deems it appropriate.  The elections shall be decided by plurality of the votes cast.  A tie vote shall be decided by lot within the Nominating Committee.

Section 3.         QUORUM:

At least five (5) voting members shall constitute a quorum at all general meetings.

ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY AND PARLIAMENTARIAN

Section 1.         The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised, shall govern the meeting of the organization unless contrary to these By-laws.

Section 2.         A parliamentarian appointed by the President shall be present at all meetings.

ARTICLE XI – ARCHIVIST/HISTORIAN

The Executive Board shall appoint and determine duties and responsibilities of an archivist/historian for the Association.

ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1.         Proposed amendments shall be referred to the Committee on Articles and Bylaws.

Section 2.         The Secretary of the organization shall cause notice of each proposed amendment, with the recommendations thereon, if any, of the Bylaws Committee of Articles and Bylaws to be mailed not less than five (5) days and no more than sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting of the members at which the amendment is to be considered.

Section 3.         These By-laws may be amended with notice by a majority vote at any meeting at which a quorum is present.

Section 4.         These By-laws may be amended without previous notice by seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes cast at any annual meeting at which a quorum is present.

Section 5.         70% of all funds raised during the calendar year, will be transferred in to the scholarship fund. Of this amount, 90% of the scholarship fund will be used toward the scholarships the following year. 10% of this fund will be used as an assist to active members to participate in professional development activities. The amounts will be calculated by the president and treasurer at the end of the calendar year and will be announced at the January meeting. The rules, criteria and deadlines for the scholarship and professional development awards will be approved the board and listed on the respective applications.

ARTICLE XIII – COMPENSATION

Officers shall not receive any compensation for their services as such, but may be reimbursed for their expenses.

ARTICLE XIV – ENDORSEMENT  

Section 1.         GUIDELINES

A.     SDNAHN Board shall determine the appropriateness of funding sources in concern with the association’s purpose, existing policies, and the ANA Code for Nurses.

B.     A written agreement shall describe the nature and purpose of the funding.

C.     Funding of any activity that would result in personal financial benefit for an association official or staff member shall be prohibited to avoid any conflict of interest.

D.     Acceptance of external funding shall not imply endorsement of any particular product or service.

E.      The source of external funding shall be acknowledged publicly through appropriate means.

Section 2.         PROCEDURES

A.     The proposed agreement shall be reviewed by the President or designee.

B.     The form of the association’s acknowledgement of the funding source shall be appropriate to the activity being funded.

C.     The president shall report annually to the Board on externally funded activities. 

ARTICLE XV – CHAPTER USE OF NAME AND LOGO 

Section 1.         Chapters may use the name and logo of NAHN.

Revised February 28, 2006

Revised December 4, 2007

Revised June 2, 2009