The Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association , Inc.

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ARTICLE I

NAME

This Organization shall be known as the Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association (VNPA).

 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE  

MISSION : Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association, united as a group of healthcare providers, is committed to the support of nurse practitioners in the provision of accessible, cost-effective, quality healthcare for all Vermonters.

 

VISION:   Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association provides opportunities for education, professional growth and development and networking. This includes active input into healthcare policy and collaboration with all healthcare professionals. The organization will focus on expanded membership, increased visibility and enhanced opportunities for practice.

   

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Qualifications

Membership in the VNPA and procedures with respect to admission into the membership, maintenance of membership, classes of membership, qualifications thereof, and the exercise of the privileges thereof shall be those defined by the Vermont State Board of Nursing’s Rules and Regulations on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.  Membership includes Vermont licensed APRNs who are eligible for prescriptive authority.

Membership Categories include:

  1. Individual: Vermont licensed APRNs who are eligible for prescriptive authority; anyone who is eligible to practice as   a Nurse Practitioner may join VNPA as an Individual Member.

  2. Student: Any individual enrolled in an educational program preparing the student for Nurse Practitioner practice may join VNPA as a Student Member.

  3. Retired: Any individual previously recognized as a Vermont APRN with prescriptive privileges who is retired from active practice.

  4. Honorary member: Any individual so honored by the Board.  Nonvoting category.

 

Section 2.  Privileges/Rights/Responsibilities

1. Voting

a. Only Active Members shall have the right to hold office

b. Each Active Member shall have the right to vote on the

1. election of officers

2. adoption of a VNPA Annual or Strategic Plan

3. amendments to VNPA Bylaws

4. Issues as presented by the Board as required by the Bylaws.

5. Issues brought forth by active members.

2. Rules: The VNPA Policies/Procedures/Guidelines as adopted by the Board of Directors shall delineate member privileges/rights/responsibilities.

 

Section 3.  Dues

Each member of the VNPA shall remit to the Treasurer of the VNPA the annual membership fee to be determined yearly, renewable in the fiscal year beginning April 1.  Dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors

 

 

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNMENT

 

Section 1.  Officers

   

  1. The officers of VNPA are the Executive Committee and shall have the authority to present procedure/policy/guidelines to the Board for determination and/or action.

  2. Duties of Officers shall be determined by policies/procedures/guidelines of the VNPA Board of Directors.

  3. Terms of Office:

    1. The current President Elect/Vice President automatically succeeds the presidency. The Secretary shall take office in odd numbered years. The Treasurer shall take office in even numbered years.

    2. The terms of office for the President, President Elect/Vice President and Immediate Past President are one (1) year or until the election and assumption of office of their successors. The term for all others is two (2) years or until the election and assumption of office of their successors. Serving at least one year shall be considered a full term.  Officers may serve only two (2) consecutive terms in the same office. 

    3. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting following the election.

  4. Vacancies

  1. President: a vacancy in the office of President it shall be filled by the President Elect/Vice President. 

  2. President Elect/Vice President: If a vacancy occurs in the office of President Elect/Vice President more than six (6) months prior next regularly scheduled election ,a special election will be held by mail. The President Elect/Vice President elected to fill a vacancy will take office immediately following the special election.

  3. Immediate Past President: a vacancy in the office of Immediate Past President shall remain unfilled until the next Immediate Past President takes office.

  4. Secretary: a vacancy in the office of Secretary shall be filled by a plurality vote of the remaining members of the Board, from among remaining Board members, or the active membership.

  5. Treasurer: a vacancy in the office of Treasurer shall be filled plurality vote of the remaining members of the Board from among remaining Board members or the active membership.

    1. Duties of the Officers

      1. The President shall:

        1. Preside at all meetings of the VNPA and the Board of Directors.

        2. Appoint members to all standing committees, except the Nominating Committee and other special committees subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

        3. Be a member ex-officio to all the committees except the Nominating Committee.

        4. Prepare a report on the year’s activities to be presented at the annual Spring VNPA meeting.

        5. Approve expenses over one thousand dollars ($1000.00) before payment is made by the Treasurer.

        6. Represent VNPA at other meetings and functions when possible.

        7. Keep the Board of Directors informed of VNPA affairs.

        8. Become a member of the VSNA with dues paid by the VNPA as stipulated in Article VII, Section 3; attend VSNA meetings when feasible; maintain communication with other state nurses’ organizations and develop and maintain relationships with other health care provider groups.

      2. The Vice-President shall:
        1. Assume the duties of the President in the event that the President is absent or unable to serve.

      3. The Secretary shall:
        1. Ensure the recording of all meetings of the VNPA and the Board of Directors.
        2. Notify the officers and the members of the Nominating Committee of their election and the members of the standing committee appointments.
        3. Notify members of meetings.
        4. Notify members on the Board of Directors of Board meetings.
        5. Send copies of important correspondence, documents and information regarding VNPA business to the President.
        6. Keep an alphabetical list of members and their addresses.
        7. Send a copy of the VNPA membership packet to each new member.

      4. The Treasurer shall:
        1. Receive monies from the VNPA members, pay expenses and distribute funds as directed by the Board of Directors.
        2. Present a proposed budget to the Board of Directors prior to the annual Spring VNPA meeting.
        3. Give a written report at the annual VNPA Spring meeting and/or upon the request of the Board of Directors.

      5. Additional duties:
        1. In addition to the foregoing specific duties, the officers shall be such as their titles, by general usage, would indicate and as so may have other duties assigned to them by the Board of Directors.
  6. VNPA Property:
    1. By the end of their term (at close of Annual Meeting, or by April 1), each officer shall deliver any VNPA property and records to their respective successor or to the President.
    

Section 2: Board of Directors

  1. Government
    1. The governance of the VNPA Board of Directors shall be vested in five (5) elected officers, consisting of the President, the Vice-President/President Elect, Immediate Past President, the Secretary and the Treasurer.
  2. Meetings
    1. The Board of Directors shall meet at a minimum of (3) times a year.
    2. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President at such times as the business of the VNPA may require, or upon written request by a quorum of the Board of Directors filed with an officer of the VNPA.
    3. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.

  3. Duties
    1. Control and management of funds and property of the VNPA.
    2. Placement selection and management of deposited funds.
    3. Provide for a review by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) the Treasurer’s book(s) prior to the annual VNPA Spring meeting or an audit at such times as the Board of Directors may deem necessary.
    4. Establish and present a proposed budget for the following year at the annual VNPA Spring meeting.
    5. Conduct the general business of the VNPA.
    6. Committee vacancies:
      1. On Committee vacancies, members shall be appointed by the President, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
      2. In the event that a Committee member fails to carry out the responsibilities of the Committee, the Board of Directors may select a replacement.
    7. Publications
      1. The Board of Directors shall designate a member-at-large as the Editor of the VNPA Newsletter.
      2. The Board of Directors will review and approve the VNPA Newsletter prior to distribution.
      3. It shall be the duty of the Editor to give copies to the Secretary for distribution.

 

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES

   

Section 1.  Standing Committees

Including but not limited to the Government Relations, Education, Communications and Nominating Committees.

 

Section 2.  Appointments

  1. The President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint the Standing Committees, except for the Nominating Committee. Each Committee shall be composed of not less than two (2) members.
  2. Special Committees may be appointed by the President, subject to the approval by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.  Term of office

Members appointed to the Committee shall serve for two (2) years.

 

Section 4.  Duties

  1. The Chair of the Committee shall be elected from among its own membership.

  2. The Chair of the Committees:
    1. Shall be responsible to the Board of Directors.
    2. Shall prepare an annual report to be presented at the annual spring meeting and upon request to the Board of Directors.
    3. Shall be responsible for fulfilling assigned duties.

  3. Committee Members:
    1. Shall cooperate with the Committee Chair in fulfilling the assigned duties.

 

Section 5.  Specific Duties

  1. Government Relations
    1. This Committee shall work with and under the direction of the Board of Directors and in cooperation with other organizations in matters pertaining to federal and state legislation regarding the practice and education of APRNs.
  2. Nominating
    1. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three (3) active members, elected at the annual spring meeting.  The Chair shall be elected from among its own membership.
    2. At least sixty (60) days prior to the annual spring meeting, the Committee will prepare and present to the President and the Vice-President a ballot with nominations for the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Section 6.  Vacancies

  1. In the event of vacancies occurring in the Committees, the President, subject to the Board of Directors approval, shall appoint members to fill such vacancies.
  2. In the event that a member of a Committee fails to carry out the assignment, the Board of Directors may select a replacement.

 

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS, QUORUM, VOTING

 

Section 1.  Meetings

  1. The annual meeting and elections will be held in the spring of each year.
  2. The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of three (3) times each year.
  3. Special meetings of the VNPA may be held upon request from the Board of Directors or upon a written request of a quorum of active members filed with an officer of the VNPA.

 

Section 2.  Quorums

  1. Four (4) active members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings, except for the Board of Directors meetings where a quorum is three (3).

 

Section 3.  Voting

  1. Who may vote: only active members shall participate in elections or any other voting.
  2. Nominations
    1. Only active members shall be eligible to vote.
    2. Written or verbal consent of a candidate must be obtained prior to placing their name on the ballot.
    3. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the annual spring meeting before nominations are declared closed.
  3. Method of Voting
    1. All active members are permitted to vote. Any questions regarding membership will be resolved by the Secretary.
    2. Three (3) Tellers if needed shall be appointed by the President and shall be responsible for election procedures, including voting place, ballot boxes, counting ballots/votes and making an official report to the President, who in turn will report the results to the members.  Tellers will also be responsible for counting other votes on any other business transactions.
    3. Matters submitted for vote to the membership shall be determined by the majority unless otherwise specified.
    4. Election may be ballot, or where there is only one (1) candidate for an office, election may be carried out by voice or show of hands if it seems desirable to dispense with a ballot vote.
    5. A vote may be cast for a person not on the ballot by writing in the name if a written or verbal consent of the candidate has been given.
    6. A plurality vote shall elect.
    7. Mailed ballot may be used for the election, if so determined by the Board of Directors. If the voting is by mail, ballots shall be mailed to the membership three (3) weeks prior to the annual spring meeting and said ballots are to be marked and returned no later than one (1) week prior to the annual spring meeting. The method of conducting the mailed ballot shall be determined by the Board of Directors. In the event of a tie vote by mailed ballot, the tie may be broken by a written ballot at the annual spring meeting. Names may be written in on a mailed ballot if written or verbal consent from the candidate has been received.

 

ARTICLE VII

FINANCE

Section 1.  Dues

Dues and payment thereof for the VNPA shall be as stipulated in Section 2, Article III.

 

Section 2.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the VNPA shall date from April 1 to the following March 31.

Rationale: Fiscal year to coincide more closely with Annual Spring Meeting. 

 

Section 3. Vermont State Nurses Association Membership (VSNA)

The VSNA membership dues will be paid by the VNPA for the President or an active member appointed to represent the VNPA.

 

ARTICLE VIII

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

 

Section 1.  Name

The VNPA Newsletter is named THE VERMONT NURSE PRACTITIONER NEWS.

 

Section 2.  Dates of Issue

The VNPA Newsletter shall be issued at least three (3) times each year, when possible.

 

Section 3.  Purpose

The purpose of the VNPA publication is to provide updated information to the membership about the VNPA and about other health care provider activities, and to stimulate interest and promote participation.

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for the VNPA unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws.

 

 

ARTICLE X

 
AMENDMENTS

 

The VNPA Bylaws may be amended at the annual Spring meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those members present and voting, provided that the notice of the proposed amendment(s) have been appended to the call for the meeting and mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the date thereof.

 

STANDING RULE

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

 

  1. Call to order
  2. Roll Call (Establishment of a Quorum)
  3. Reading of minutes
  4. Reports from officers
  5. Reports from the Standing Committees
  6. Reports from the Special Committees
  7. Unfinished business
  8. New business
  9. Announcements
  10. Program (if any)
  11. Adjournment

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