Preamble: 

We, students of nursing preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, as well as those nurses enrolled in baccalaureate completion programs, believe there is a common need to organize, to represent ourselves to the consumer and other health disciplines, and to assume our rightful place in the profession of nursing.

We, believe every human being has a right to the highest quality of health care. We believe in the development of the whole person toward his/her professional role with its rights, responsibilities and ideals.

We believe every right bears inherent responsibility.

 We believe responsibilities are participatory, not purely philosophical or ideological, and

We believe the quality and quantity of participation are not exclusive, but bear the responsibility of participation.

Rights/Responsibilities

Students have a right to and a responsibility for:

• having a creative sound education opportunity;

• having the highest quality practitioner-teacher;

• achieving input into curriculum planning;

• achieving self-directed learning;

• achieving equal participation in all areas of clinical practice;

• participating in interdisciplinary activities;

• due process;

• insuring peer review and self-evaluation;

• the privileges of internal governance;

• organizing and participating in an organization directed toward achieving professional goals;

• facilitating change in health care delivery through various channels;

• assembling and exploring fundamental and current professional issues and concerns;

• organizing in a flexible structure to encompass and represent the diversities within nursing and be representative of the fundamental and current professional issues and concerns;

• fostering a better correlation between nursing education and practice.

ARTICLE I.

The name of this organization shall be the Grand Valley State University Student Nurses’ Association, hereinafter referred to as GVSU SNA.

ARTICLE II.

PRINCIPAL OFFICE

Section 1. Principal Office:

The principal office of the association shall be located at Cook-DeVos Center for Health Science, 301 Michigan St. NE Room 305, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Section 2. Other Offices:

The association may have offices designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III.

PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS

Section 1. The purpose of the GVSU SNA is:

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 interests and concerns.

c) To aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.

Section 2. The function of the GVSU SNA shall include the following:

a) To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence the educational 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 towards improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.

d) To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions and 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 aperson’s race, color, creed, sex, age, life style, national origin, or economic status.

g) To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the American Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, the International Council of Nurses, as well as the other nursing and related health organizations.

Article IV.

Leadership Initiative Credit (LIC)

Section 1. LIC points are extra credit points that are earned by SNA involvement and community volunteer hours. These points are then added to your current theory class, with a maximum of ten points that can be added to increase your grade. However, LIC points cannot be used to take your grade from a failing percentage to a passing percentage.

The volunteer hours completed during Nursing 315 are automatically rolled over to the Nursing 320 theory class. This is the only time hours can be rolled over to the next semester. Most importantly, the hours completed in Nursing 315 need to be submitted by the end of the semester in order to receive credit for Nursing 320.

Any volunteer events announced at an SNA meeting, emailed by the Community Wellness Director and/or posted on the SNA website does not require a volunteer approval form. Participation in these events will count towards LIC points. Failure to arrive or arriving late without sufficient notice will result in loss of total LIC points for the semester. It is to the discretion of the board to decide if the loss of LIC points is appropriate for the situation.  Emergency situations are the exception.

Section 2. All non-SNA volunteer events must be approved by the SNA Board of Directors to earn LIC points. In order to receive LIC points for the hours you volunteer in a health related event that has not been suggested by SNA, you must complete a LIC Event Approval Form and the SNA Board of Directors must approve your requested. Approval forms should be turned in a minimum of two weeks prior to the event to guarantee review by the LIC committee before the event. All volunteer events must be re-approved each semester. Completed volunteer approval forms should be put in the Community Wellness folder in Room 305. The LIC committee will review requests every Monday. Responses to requests will be sent by email.

LEI visits above and beyond what is required for clinical will count toward LIC points for a maximum of 1 point. Any additional hours will be disregarded.

Section 3. : Calculating LIC points

Service on the SNA Executive Board-

Holding office for one entire semester: 5 points

Chairing or co-chairing a committee: 5 points

One hour of volunteer work: 1 point

Participation on one committee: 1 point

SNA Delegates-

Holding delegate status for one entire semester: 3 points

Chairing or co-chairing a committee: 3 points

One and a half hours of volunteer work: 1 point

Participation on one committee: 1 point

SNA Members (non-delegates)-

Two hours of volunteer work: 1 point

Participation on one committee: 1 point

KCON Majors (non-SNA members)-

Three hours of volunteer work: 1 point

All volunteer events should be recorded on one LIC Volunteer hour form including name and theory class number. Record all volunteer activities even if the total number of hours exceeds ten points. All LIC points are tracked and are added together throughout the program. Anyone with a total number of hours that exceeds thirty points is eligible for an award (The Leadership U Award) at the end of Nursing 450. The Community Wellness Director will keep track of these hours and automatically add them to your Nursing theory class. All forms are due by the specified dates at the duration of each semester. LIC forms are to be filled out electronically and emailed via attachment to the Community Wellness Director. Late forms will not be accepted.

Any appeals to LIC point calculation must be directed to the Community Wellness Director via the LIC discrepancy form. Discrepancies will be reviewed by the Board of Directors as well as the SNA faculty advisor.

Theory instructors are not responsible for handling LIC points. All requests and appeals must be made through the SNA Board of Directors or the Community Wellness Director.

Article V.

MEMBERS

Section 1. Constituent Status:

As a school chapter or state association whose membership is composed of active or associate NSNA members and who has submitted the

Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status (the Application) containing the areas of conformity, and upon meeting such other policies as the Board of Directors may determine, we shall be recognized as a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association, hereafter known as NSNA.

a) The Application must be submitted annually and can be submitted at the Annual Convention site during the delegate credentialing process for the Annual House of Delegates meeting. For those school and state associations unable to send representatives to the Annual House of Delegates meeting, the Application may be sent to the NSNA on a date postmarked no later than 10 working days after the close of the House of Delegates meeting of the same year.

b) Recognized Constituents shall be composed of at least 10 members from a school, or the total school enrollment if less than 10. This requirement of 10 or more members must be met on a date eight weeks prior to the Annual House of Delegates Meeting. There shall be only one chapter in each school campus.

c) 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.

d) School chapters and state associations are entities separate and apart from NSNA in their administration of activities, with NSNA exercising no supervision or control over their immediate daily and regular activities. NSNA has no liability for any loss, damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of the negligence or acts of school chapters or state associations, or the members thereof. In the event any legal proceeding is brought against NSNA as a result of such acts of omission or commission by a school chapter or state association, said school chapter or state association will indemnify and hold harmless the NSNA from any liability.

Section 2. Categories of Constituent Membership: Members of the constituent associations shall be:

1. Active members:

a) Students enrolled in state approved programs leading to licensure as a registered nurse.

b) Registered nurses enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing.

c) Active members shall have all of the privileges of membership.

Section 3. Dues:

1.a) The dues for active, members joining for two years shall be $105 per member, payable for the appropriate dues years. These dues will be billed directly to student accounts through GVSU. The dues years for these members shall be a period of twenty four consecutive months. GVSU SNA receives $30 of these dues, $75 is sent to NSNA to be disbursed among national and state associations.

  b) The GVSU SNA Board of Directors shall have the authority to change membership dues.

  c) National and state dues shall be payable directly to NSNA by the GVSU SNA. NSNA shall remit to each state constituent the dues received in behalf of the constituent.

2. Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership.

3. There will be no reimbursements of dues from the GVSU SNA once membership forms are sent.

ARTICLE VI.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers, directors, and representatives. The advisors and consultants shall serve as official members without a vote.

Section 2. All the powers of the association are vested in and shall be exercised by the Board of Directors during the interim between meetings of the association, except that the Board shall not nullify nor modify any action taken by the majority vote in any meeting, and is subject to the provisions of these bylaws.

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

Section 4. Management by the Board of Directors shall include the following duties:

a) Constitute the membership of the GVSU SNA in accordance with the organizations bylaws.

b) Review and approve the terms of official relationships established with other organizations singly or in coalition.

c) Approve any commitment in the form of action, statement of policy or position, or financial obligations involved in GVSU SNA’s relationships with other organizations.

d) Approve the budget and provide the annual audit of accounts at the close of the fiscal year, to be submitted to all delegates present at the meeting.

e) Have the power to fill vacancies for the unexpired term, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

f) If a member of the Board of Directors fails to fulfill his or her responsibilities as defined in the Bylaws and in the policies of the GVSU SNA, the Board of Directors shall have the option of removing that Board member from the office. The action will require a 3/4 vote of the Board of Directors. An appeal to this decision must be submitted in writing to the GVSU SNA within two weeks. The appeals case will be considered by the Board of Directors via conference call or Board meeting within two weeks of receipt of appeal. The appealing officer shall be reinstated by a 3/4 vote of the Board of Directors.

g) In case of an emergency, votes by referendum vote or by conference call may be taken by the Board of Directors, provided the content is conveyed in the same words to each member.

Section 5. Meetings:

a) Regular meetings of the Board of Directors can be called at such times as deemed necessary by a majority of the Board of Directors. The president shall determine the date and place of meetings in consultation with the Board of Directors.

b) The quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the Board including the president or vice president.

Section 6. Executive Committee:

There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors composed of the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer and the faculty advisor. This committee shall have the power to transact business only of an emergency nature which cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. All transactions of this committee shall be reported in full at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may conduct such emergency business by telephone or mail.

ARTICLE VII.

OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND REPRESENTATIVE

Section 1.  The GVSU SNA Board of Directors shall consist of:

a) Officers

     i. President

    ii. Vice President

   iii. Secretary

   iv. Treasurer

b) Directors

    i. Breakthrough to Nursing director

   ii. Website director

  iii. Community Wellness director

  iv. Membership director

   vi. Curriculum director

   vii. Evaluations director

Section 2. Term of Office:

The term of office for each position on the Board of Directors shall consist of two consecutive semesters, unless graduation from the program does not permit. At that time, slating for the position shall commence. Any member of the GVSU SNA can re-run for a position.

Section 3. Duties of Officers and Directors:

Officers and Directors must attend all general meetings unless excused by the secretary and president due to leadership clinical obligations or an emergency. Each member of the Board of Directors must also participate in at least one SNA sponsored event each semester. The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the parliamentary authority and more specifically shall include:

1. The president shall:

a) Serve as the principal officer of the association and preside at all meetings of the association, the Board of Directors and the executive committee.

b) Shall be responsible for seeing that the actions of the Board are carried into effect and for reporting to the membership and the Board of Directors on the conduct of the affairs of the association.

c) Appoint committees and their chairpersons, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, and make other appointments as necessary.

d) Serve as ex-officio member of all committees.

e) Represent GVSU SNA in matters relating to the association and perform all other duties pertaining to the office.

f) Be responsible for correlating with the treasurer to plan convention trips for the Board of Directors and the membership.

g) Fill out constituency application at the NSNA annual convention.

h) Coordinate purchasing of NSNA membership cords at NSNA annual convention

i) Attend the Council of Student Leaders meeting, as hosted annually by the Michigan Nursing Students Association.

j) Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

2. The vice president shall:

a) Assume the duties of the president in the absence or disability of the president.

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

c) Is head of the fundraising committee and all that entails.

d) Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

3. The secretary shall:

a) Review the minutes of all business meetings of the association and the Board of Directors and insure accuracy prior to distribution to the Board of Directors for action.

b) Attain and keep correct records of attendance of the Board of Directors, delegates and membership at any and all meetings.

c) Attain and keep records of all delegate contracts.

4. The treasurer shall:

a) Act as custodian of organization funds and see that an annual financial report is prepared.

b) Serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee when such a committee is established by the Board of Directors.

c) Provide guidance to staff with regard to the investment of resources and acquisition of fixed assets.

d) Oversee the ambassador program with faculty contact as established by the Board of Directors.

5. The breakthrough to nursing director shall:

a) Maintain the Explore Nursing event.

b) Reach out to establish profile of nursing to all individuals, maintaining professional image along with new ideas presented within the scope of nursing.

6. The website director shall:

a) Maintain the association website with pertinent information as decided on by the Board of Directors and membership.

7. The community wellness director shall:

a) Oversee and encourage involvement in community volunteer opportunities.

b) Oversee and maintain records of LIC points for each class.

8. The membership director shall:

a) Maintain membership records for the GVSU SNA.

b) Schedule speakers for membership meeting

c) Act as the key presenter at NUR 315 orientation sessions.

9. The curriculum director shall:

a) Hold position only during the fall and winter semesters.

b) Function as student representative at faculty curriculum meetings.

c) Report back to the membership regarding curriculum information as deemed appropriate by representative or the Board of Directors.

d) Maintain a basic understanding of the nursing program curriculum.

10. The evaluations director shall:

a) Hold position only during the fall and winter semesters.

b) Function as student representative at faculty evaluation meetings.

c) Report back to the membership regarding evaluation information as deemed appropriate by representative or the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Vacancies:

a) A vacancy on the Board of Directors, other than president, shall be filled, if deemed essential, by the Board of Directors. In any case a written explanation must be provided to all members as soon as the Board of Directors has reached a decision.

b) The candidates for a vacant office must meet all eligibility requirements.

c) Providing a vacancy shall be filled, it shall require a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.

d) Any resignation from a position on the Board of Directors shall be in writing and shall be effective immediately upon receipt of the same by the GVSU SNA Office.

e) In the event that a verbal resignation is tendered without written confirmation as stated in Section 4 d) above, then the Board of Directors shall consider the removal of the individual by declaring the office vacant by 3/4 vote.

f) Verbal resignations shall be tendered to the President and another board member. In the case that the president is verbally resigning, the president shall tender the resignation to the vice president and another board member.

ARTICLE VIII.

NOMINATING AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Eligibility:

a) Members who shall be nursing students at the start of their term, have held a delegate position for one semester, and have the privileges of active membership shall be eligible for the positions of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, breakthrough to nursing director, website director, community wellness director, membership director, curriculum director, and evaluations director. 

b) A member must be in good standing with Grand Valley State University, Kirkhof College of Nursing, and be a current NSNA member.

c) Members who hold an officer position, here in being president, vice president, secretary or treasurer, on the GVSU SNA Board of Directors shall not be eligible to hold the position of president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary or treasurer at the state or national level.

d) No member shall serve more than two terms on the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Nominating and Elections Process:

a) Slating will begin one meeting prior to the scheduled election meeting. Slating will reopen between each position election

b) A delegate or a board member shall receive verbal nomination and consent. 

c) The election shall be by paper ballot or electronically by the clicker system. A plurality vote shall elect. A tie vote shall be decided first by a revote.

d) Voting will take place for one position at a time in the following order for positions that are expiring at the culmination of the current semester: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Breakthrough to Nursing Director, Website Director, Community Wellness Director, Membership Director, Curriculum Director, Evaluations Director.

e) Ballots will be counted by 2 persons; a board member and/or a member delegated by the board, who is not slated for a board position.

ARTICLE IX.

MEETINGS

Section 1. The meetings of the association shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Meetings will be held but not limited to bi-monthly and will be conveyed to the membership by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. The Board of Directors and delegates shall be the governing and voting body of the association.

Section 3. Delegate Representation:

a) Each nursing section shall be entitled to seven delegates and two alternates.

b) In the case of more than seven delegates per section, each applicant will state their purpose for wanting to hold this position which will then be voted on by the Board of Directors.

c) Delegate contracts must be completed by the second general assembly meeting of each semester, and are valid for one semester. If any part of the contract is broken, then the delegate shall be relieved of his/her duties by 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors and will not receive LIC points for delegate responsibilities.

d) Delegate duties include:

1. Attend SNA meetings- delegates are only allowed to miss two (2) meetings unexcused.  If unable to attend a meeting, delegates must contact the SNA president and SNA secretary and provide a valid excuse before the beginning of the general meeting that they will be missing.

2. Take information back to their respective classes to inform them of the happenings of SNA. 

3. Send an email to their class through blackboard regarding the pertinent information from meeting. 

4. Participate in at least two SNA sponsored events each semester.

5. Officially join the Student Organization (Student Nurses Association) on the Office of Student Life sponsored website STUEY.

e) As a delegate, a member is considered a part of the voting body.

Section 4. The privilege of making motions and voting shall be limited to the voting body. A voting member shall have but one vote in any election or on any question. This vote must be exercised in person by the delegate and in their absence may be assigned to an alternate delegate.

Section 5. All meetings of the association shall be open unless voted otherwise by the Board of Directors and delegates. Student or faculty members, other than voting delegates, may attend the meetings.

Section 6. Quorum:

The quorum for the all meetings shall consist of delegates from at least 51% of the total number of delegates credentialed at the start of each semester, and at least five members of the Board of Directors, including the president or the vice president.

ARTICLE X.

ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS

Section 1. There shall be two advisors: one faculty advisor and one staff advisor.

a) The faculty advisor shall be appointed by the GVSU Kirkhof of Nursing faculty in consultation with the GVSU SNA Board of Directors. The faculty advisor shall be appointed at any time to serve until their respective successors are appointed.

b) The staff advisor shall be appointed by the GVSU SNA Board of Directors in consultation with the delegates and shall be appointed at any time to serve until their respective successors are appointed.

Section 2. The consultants shall:

a) Be appointed the Board of Directors if deemed necessary.

b) Serve as resource persons consulting with the Board of Directors, members and staff.

c) Attend GVSU SNA meetings when applicable.

ARTICLE XI.

COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Board of Directors, at its discretion, shall establish committees deemed necessary to carry on the work of the association and determine the functions, terms, and membership of the committees.

ARTICLE XII.

CONVENTIONS

Section 1. Eligibility

a) Those board members, delegates, and other SNA members who have attended 1 instate and 1 out-of-state convention through SNA funding will be ineligible to attend any other conventions using SNA funding.

b) If there are more people interested than there are available spots to attend convention, the Board members will be considered first (excluding the President), SNA delegates will be considered second, and SNA members who are not delegates will be considered third.

c) Other criteria to determine who will be attending convention includes how long he/she has been a delegate, Level of SNA involvement (attending meetings, participation in SNA sponsored events, completion of delegate responsibilities, committee involvement), and LIC points. Consideration will also be given to those who are closer to graduating from the program.

d) If a conclusion cannot be reached based on the above criteria, each person who desires to attend convention will be required to write a half to one page essay to the board regarding why he or she wishes to attend convention.

ARTICLE XIII.

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

All meetings of this association shall be conducted according to 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.

ARTICLE XIV.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Section 1. National Student Nurses Association Leadership U Award – The National Student Nurses' Association leadership recognition program recognizes students who have participated in extra curricular services and received class credit for those services. Award description available on www.nsna.org . Certificates from NSNA headquarters. Faculty advisor is responsible for sending in the information. Presented by outgoing president and faculty advisor.

Section 2.  Award for Excellence - In the summer of 2002, the Student Nurses' Association Award for Excellence was established to recognize and reward those who went above and beyond the duties of an SNA member. Those receiving this award were active members in the Student Nurses' Association for four or more semesters, made a significant contribution to the SNA through serving as a delegate or board member, or serving on committees and volunteering. Students are nominated for this award by the Grand Valley Student Nurses' Association Board.

Section 3. Outstanding Member Award - Awarded at the end of every semester to three members of the graduating class, the Outstanding Member Award recipients are involved members of the SNA. Each recipient demonstrates leadership and participation beyond the expectations of his or her position. They exemplify professionalism inside and outside their role as a student nurse. Recipients are nominated and elected by members of their graduating class.

Section 4. The Linzy Duvall SNA Membership Scholarship – To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be accepted to KCON. GVSU SNA will pay $50 toward the membership to a maximum number of three students. The scholarship application will be the first Monday of each semester by 5 pm to the membership

director. In the case that there are more than three students applying for this scholarship, the GVSU SNA board of directors will decide the recipients of the scholarship. An essay will be required and is to include:

1. What contribution the applicant will make toward SNA.
2. The interest the applicant has in SNA and it’s activities, and the
3. The financial situation as to why you could use the scholarship funds.

Section 5. Pins for service on GVSU-SNA board – In any event that a current member has served a term on the GVSU SNA board (past or present), those members are eligible for a nursing pin paid for by GVSU-SNA including the associated shipping and handling cost. The maximum amount of money towards this achievement is $200 with the least expensive pin being chosen. If there are more funds available then members on the board for their class, other graduating members are eligible. An essay will be required and submitted to the board of directors for evaluation of merit. If any of the board members would like a more expensive pin then provided, the member will pay the difference toward the more expensive pin.

ARTICLE XV.

CLINICAL GROUPS

Section 1. The Student Nurses Association recognizes that students often have added expenses during clinical assignments. In an attempt to support students, SNA awards up to $50 for clinical expenses to 2 clinical groups per 6 week rotation (up to $200 per semester). A student or group must submit the Financial Assistance Clinical Request Form  to the SNA board treasurer. The board of directors will vote on the approval form and distribute the awards accordingly.

ARTICLE XVI.

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors and those delegates present and voting provided that notice of the proposed amendments has been sent to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 2. Proposed amendments may be submitted only by the Board of Directors or a GVSU SNA committee. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing, carrying proponent’s signature, to the Board of Directors for review.