By-Laws

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Midwest Pediatric Cardiology Nurses Association
Saint Louis, Missouri

 BYLAWS
Articles: I. , II. , III., IV., V. , VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI.

 

Article I

The name of this organization is the Midwest Pediatric Cardiology Nurses Association (MPCNA).

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Article II

Section 1. Purpose Statement

To promote the health and welfare of those children with heart disease and their families by enhancing the art and science of pediatric cardiovascular nursing.

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Section 2.  Goals

1. To promote the delivery of care in accordance with standards of nursing care of the child with heart disease.
2. To promote the education of pediatric cardiovascular nurses in accordance with standards for education and practice.
3. C.  To provide educational opportunities for the nurses caring for children with heart disease.
4. To facilitate and maintain effective communication among pediatric cardiovascular nurses.
5. To encourage scientific investigation and research in all areas of pediatric cardiovascular nursing.

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Article III

Status

 

Section 1. Nonprofit Organization

The MPCNA is a nonprofit organization and does not intend the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to the officers, Board of Directors, or members.

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Article IV

Membership

 

Section 1.  Categories

The Association shall have four categories of members which are Active, Associate, Lifetime and Honorary

Section 2. Qualifications

Any person who is interested in the nursing care of children with heart disease and who subscribes to the purposes of the Association, agrees to abide by its bylaws, and meets such other criteria for membership as may established by these bylaws or by the Board of Directors, shall be eligible for membership. 

1. Active Member.  Any registered nurse caring  for or having an interest in the care of children with heart disease
2.  Associate Member.  Any non-registered nurse or allied health professional caring for or having an interest in the care of children with heart disease.
3. Lifetime Member Any active member who has rendered distinguished service or outstanding contribution to the care of children with heart disease and this association shall be eligible for Lifetime Membership in the Association.  Members are elected to Lifetime Membership by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of this Association.
4. Honorary Member Any individual who is not eligible for membership in any other category but who has rendered distinguished service or outstanding contribution to the care of children with heart disease and /or the Association shall be legible for honorary membership in the Association.  Individuals are elected to honorary membership by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of this Association.
5.  

Section 3.  Rights and Benefits

Members shall have rights conferred by this section 3 and no other rights.  Members shall have the benefits determined by the Board of Directors of this Association.

1. Active Member. Active members shall be entitle to receive all official publications of the Association, to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and shall have all other benefits of membership.
2. Associate Member.  Associate members shall be entitled to all the benefits of membership, except they shall not be entitled to vote or hold office.
3. Lifetime Members.  Lifetime members shall be entitled to vote, hold office, and serve on committees, and shall have all other benefits of membership.
4. Honorary Member.  Honorary members shall be entitled to attend membership meetings and shall have all benefits of membership, except they shall not be entitled to vote, hold office, or serve on committees.

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Section 4.  Membership Application

All applications for active and associate membership shall be made in writing on forms prepared by the Association and shall be submitted with the annual membership fees as established by the Board of Directors of this Association.

Section 5.  Annual Membership Renewal

All members other than the lifetime and honorary members shall pay an annual membership fee determined by the Board of Directors.  The membership fee shall be due and payable on January 1 of the current year.  A sixty day grace period will be allowed for completion of the membership renewal, after which membership shall be automatically terminated.  Any member removed from membership because of incomplete membership renewal may be reinstated by making written application as described in section 4 of this Article

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Article V

Meetings

 

Section 1.  Regular Meetings

 

There shall be at least one regular meeting each year which will be designated as the Annual Meeting and shall include an academic program.  Officer’s and committees shall present annual reports at the Annual Meeting.

 

Section 2.  Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of six members of the NPCNA.

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Article VI

Officers and Election of Officers

 

Section 1.  Titles

1. The officers of the NPCNA shall be President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and Program Chairperson and Co-Chairperson.  The Board of directors shall select from the current members of the board the candidate for President-elect. The nominee shall have served at least two years on the Board of Directors.  A Past President may seek the nomination if no current member of the Board seeks nomination for this office.  The candidate for president-elect  shall be included on the ballot prepared by the nominating Committee.  The officers shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting to serve a term of two years and until their successors are elected. Officers shall assume their office upon the adjournment of the Annual Meeting.  All officers are members of the Board of Directors for the duration of their term of office.
2. Any Active or Lifetime member may seek any elected office, with the exception of President-elect.
3. The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such other persons as may be necessary to conduct the business of the MPCNA.

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Section 2.  Vacancies

The Program Chairperson shall fill the office of president in the event of a vacancy.  The Program Co-Chairperson would then assume the role of Chairperson for the Program Committee.  All other offices are filled by appointment of the Board of Directors with Written notice to the membership of available vacancies.

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Section 3.  Duties

The duties of the offices shall be as follows:

1. The President shall be the Executive officer and shall administer all business of the MPCNA as provided for by the bylaws.  The President is an ex-officio member of all MPCNA committees with the exception of the Nominating Committee.
2.  The Secretary shall serve as the corresponding and recording secretary, as well as maintaining membership records.
3.  The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the MPCNA and may be bonded.
4.  The Program Chairperson and C0-Chairperson shall organize and coordinate the educational programs.
5.  The Newsletter Editor shall oversee all aspects of the printing of the biannual Newsletter.
6.  Each officer shall submit a report to the President and to the membership at the Annual Meeting.

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Section 4.  Compensation

The officers and directors of the Association shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for expenses approved by the Board of Directors.

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Article VII

Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, program Chairperson and Co-Chairperson, and the immediate Past President.  The Board of Directors shall meet biannually and at such times deemed necessary by call vote to transact business of the association.  Notice of regular or special meetings of the directors shall be given to each director at least 7 days prior to the time for the meeting if mailed, or at least 48 hours prior if delivered by telephone.

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Article VIII

Standing Committees

 

Section 1.  Committee Structure

1. The standing committes shall be the Bylaws Committee, Nominating Committee, program Committee, Hospital Liaison Committee, Newsletter Committee, and others designated by the Board of Directors.
2.  The term of office shall be two years.  A member may serve up to three consecutive terms or may be reappointed by the President or Committee Chairperson.
3.  Each standing committee shall present a report to the President and to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
4.  Ex-officio members have full rights on the committee, including the rights to receive notice and to vote.

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Section 2.  Bylaws Committee

1. The bylaws Committee shall review the bylaws biannually.  It shall consider, edit, and/or correlate such amendments as it may originate and as are referred to it.
2.  The Bylaws Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Treasurer as Chairperson.

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Section 3. Nominating Committee

1. The Nominating Committee shall secure the consent to serve, prepare the ticket, and send it to the Board of Directors 2 months prior to the Annual Meeting.
2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of elected or appointed members with the Past President as Chairperson.
3. The Nominating Committee members shall not be eligible for any elected office of the current ballot.

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Section 4.  Program Committee

1. The Program Committee shall be responsible for the educational programs of the NPCNA.
2. The program Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, and at least three members appointed by the Chairperson.
3. The program Co-Chairperson is elected to assume the office of Chairperson of the Program Committee after one year of service and orientation to the office.

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Section 5.  Hospital Liaison Committee

1. The Hospital Liaison Committee shall be responsible for providing information about MPCNA and its activities and programs to interested parties in their respective facilities.
2. The Hospital Liaison Committee shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the President and a liaison member from each healthcare facility represented  in the general membership

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Section 6.  Newsletter Committee

1. The Newsletter Committee shall be responsible for the content and printing of the biannual newsletter.
2. Each member of the Newsletter Committee shall be responsible for providing at least one article per year for the Newsletter. The article may be written by the committee member or by a colleague.

 

Section 7.  Special Committees

To be appointed and dissolved by the President as needed.

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Article IX

Finance

Section 1.  Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year shall be September 1 through August 31.

 

Section 2.  Membership Fees

 

a.       Active members and associate members pay annual dues with the amount                                        determined prior to the Annual Meeting by the Board of Directors.  This financial obligation shall be due by September 1 of the current year.

b.       Lifetime members and honorary members pay no dues.

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Article X

Quorum

Section 1.  Membership

A quorum at a MPCNA business meeting shall consist of three officers and at least ten members

 

Section 2.  Board of Directors

A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of three members.

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Article XI

Financial Transactions

 

All checks written from the MPCNA checking account , or withdrawals made require the signature of two members of the Board of Directors.  The two Board members should be the Treasurer and the President.  This information must be documented by the treasurer and should be included in the annual report. 

Ammended January 2006

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