Constitution of California State University, Chico Nursing Students' Association (May 8, 2003).

Article I - Name of Organization

     The name of the organization shall be amended to the new name of: California State University, Chico Nursing Students' Association, hereinafter referred to as CSU-CNSA.

Article II - Purpose

     The purpose of CSU-CNSA shall be to facilitate advocacy for nursing and pre-nursing students by: providing an environment for networking, encouraging unity among colleagues, promoting professionalism in nursing, supporting nursing education, participating in community outreach programs and campus events, encouraging academic excellence, and developing leadership skills through interactive group process. Our goal is to provide members with opportunities and experiences that broaden their personal vision of the profession of nursing.

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Article III - Membership (one of two possible ways)

  1. NSNA Membership:
    1. Qualifications for NSNA membership requires:
      1. Current enrollment at California State University, Chico.
      2. Recognition under the major of Nursing or Pre-Nursing.
      3. A current member of the National Student Nursing Association (NSNA) and California Nursing Students Association (CNSA).
    2. Voting privileges shall be granted only to regularly enrolled CSU, Chico students that maintain current NSNA dues.
    3. Annual, or optional two year, membership dues paid to NSNA (the rate set by that association).

  2. Associate Membership:
    1. Qualifications for Associate membership requires:
      1. Current enrollment at California State University, Chico.
      2. Recognition under the major of Pre-Nursing.
      3. Not currently enrolled in the CSU, Chico nursing program.
    2. Shall have all rights of CSU-CNSA members with the exceptions of voting privileges. Therefore, Associate member privileges shall include: attending CSU-CNSA meetings and functions, discounts on all merchandise sold by CSU-CNSA, participation in community and campus service projects, access to the Advocate (newsletter), and invitations to association conventions.
    3. Annual Associate membership dues shall be $10.00 (payable to CSU-CNSA).

  3. Membership responsibility and loss of membership:
    1. The responsibility of all members shall be to serve in the best interest of CSU-CNSA and the NSNA.
    2. Membership shall be terminated by academic disqualification or membership dues delinquency.

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Article IV - Officers and Committees

    1. Criteria:
      1. All officers must be regularly enrolled students in good standing at California State University, Chico.
      2. All officers must hold current membership with NSNA.
      3. The President, Vice President, and Treasurer positions shall be a full term position, within Chico State's professional nursing curriculum sequence (i.e., one full year, Fall through Spring semesters). All other positions shall be filled in the same manner with the exception of any remaining position(s) which may be filled by a fifth semester nursing student being elected to the office (i.e., filled for one semester, one-half the professional nursing curriculum sequence).
    2. Election of Officers:
      1. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the members present at a designated elections meeting and inducted prior to the end of the Spring semester.
      2. A quorum of at least five CSU-CNSA members must be present for elections.
      3. A general meeting must consist of at least three CSU-CNSA members to construct a quorum.
      4. The Board of Officers shall fill vacant positions by special election.
    3. Removal of Officers:
      1. Members of the Board of Officers who have missed more than two regularly scheduled meetings in their term year, without prior notification to the Board of Officers with a valid reason for such absence, may be removed from office by a plurality vote.
      2. An officer can be removed from office if negligent of CSU-CNSA bylaws.
      3. A 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Officers is required for removal of an officer.

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The President shall:

  1. Preside at all meetings of the association, the Executive Board, and the Executive Committee.
  2. Appoint special committees with the approval of the Executive Board.
  3. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
  4. Represent CSU-CNSA in matters relating to the association.
  5. Evaluate all expenditures as submitted by the treasurer and authorized by the Executive Board.
  6. Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Board.
  7. Maintain and manage the chapter e-mail.
  8. Support this chapter's resolution(s) at the state and national level as a delegate for the chapter.

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The Vice President shall:

  1. Assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President.
  2. Organize and arrange for all speakers for meetings.
  3. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of the president, the Vice-president shall assume the duties of the President.
  4. Perform all other duties as assigned by the President.

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The Secretary shall:

  1. Prepare the minutes of all business meetings of the association and the Executive Board.
  2. Provide up-to-date names and addresses of district officers.
  3. Write thank you letters to all guest speakers of CSU-CNSA.
  4. Post minutes on the CSU-CNSA bulletin board.
  5. Perform all other duties as assigned by the president.

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The Legislative Officer shall:

  1. Endeavor to research and write a resolution to present at California Nursing Students Association (CNSA) State Convention.
  2. Shall remain current on legislative and political issues.
  3. Shall gather and proactively communicate timely and current information to the general association members through legislative updates in the Advocate at least every other month.
  4. Will support this chapter's resolution(s) as a chapter delegate at the State and National Conventions.
  5. Arrange for the election of new officers.
  6. Perform all other duties as delegated by the President.

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The Social Chair shall:

  1. Publicize the events of the association as designated by the members.
  2. Serve as organizer and coordinator of all social communications to nursing students and faculty.
  3. Update the CSU-CNSA bulletin board once a month.
  4. Coordinate ideas for speakers to assist the Vice President.
  5. Coordinate efforts to develop poster presentations which: illustrate highlights of CNSA (state) and NSNA (national) activities, promote and report chapter events, and formally present CSU-CNSA chapter accomplishments for display at State and National conventions.
  6. Perform all other duties as delegated by the President.
  7. Establish, maintain, and update a CSU-CNSA web site with assistance from the Board of Officers.

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The Fund-raiser Chair shall:

  1. Oversee fundraising activities.
  2. Organize events and sales at orientation.
  3. Perform all other duties as delegated by the President.

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The Advocate Editor shall:

  1. Be responsible for the publication of the "The Advocate", CSU-CNSA's newsletter.
  2. Publish at least one newsletter per month, during each semester.
  3. Distribute the newsletter to all five semesters of nursing students and associate members.
  4. Perform all other duties as delegated by the President.

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The Treasurer shall:

  1. Act as the custodian of the association's funds.
  2. Work with the Executive Board to form and adhere to a financial budget.
  3. Sign check requests for monetary disbursements.
  4. See that a system for collecting dues is provided.

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