Article I - Name
    The name of the organization shall be the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Association of Nursing     Students, hereafter referred to as UNCC-ANS.

Article II - Purpose and Function
    Section 1.  Purpose
        A.  To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide the highest quality health care.
        B.  To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns to nursing students.
        C.  To aid in the development of the whole person and their professional role and their  responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.
        D.  To give others the opportunity to be involved with nursing issues and ideals.

    Section 2.  Function
        A.  To have direct input to the standards of nursing education and influence the education 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 to other organizations.
        E.  To promote and encourage students' participation in interdisciplinary activities.
        F.  To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participate in student activities and educational opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of person's race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age, economic status, or sexual orientation.
        G.  To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with nursing and related health organizations.

Article III - Membership
    Section 1.  School Constituent
        A.  School constituent membership is composed of active or associate members who are members of the NSNA and NCANS.
        B.  UNCC-ANS shall be composed of at least 15 members from UNC Charlotte or total school enrollment if less than 15.  There shall only be one chapter on this school campus.
        C.  For yearly recognition as a constituent, an officer of the UNCC-ANS shall submit annually the Official Application for NSNA Constituency Status that shall include the following areas of conformity: purpose and functions, membership, dues, and representation.
        D.  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.
        E.  UNCC-ANS is an entity separate from NSNA and its administration of activities with NSNA and NCANS exercising activities.  NSNA and NCANS have no liability for losses, damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of negligence or acts of UNCC-ANS.  In the event that any legal proceeding is brought against NSNA and/or NCANS as a result of such acts of omission or commission by UNCC-ANS, UNCC-ANS will indemnify and hold harmless the NSNA and NCANS from any liability.

    Section 2.  Categories of Constituent Membership (Amended 09/13/2003)
    Members of the constituent associations shall be:
        A.  Active members:
            1.  Students enrolled in state approved programs leading to licensure as a registered nurse.
            2.  Registered nurses enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing.
            3.  Active members shall have all of the privileges of membership.
        B.  Associate members:
            1.  Pre-nursing students, including registered nurses, enrolled in college or university programs designed as preparation for entrance into a program leading to an associate degree, diploma, or baccalaureate degree in nursing.
            2.  Any other non-nursing major in good standing may join UNCC-ANS as an associate member under the UNCC Act for Registration of Student Organizations.
            3.  Associate members shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to hold office as president or vice president at state and national levels.
        C.  Both active and associate memberships shall be renewed annually, except for those who pay two years at a time.
        D.  Any student in good standing with UNCC can become a member of UNCC-ANS.  There are no restrictions to being a member of UNCC-ANS.  A person can become a member by showing up at a meeting and expressing an interest in the group.  If the person is still interested after attending a meeting, that person must pay any dues that have been determined for membership for that term.  Failure to pay dues will result in a person no longer being considered a member of UNCC-ANS.

    Section 3.
    Active and associate membership may be extended six months beyond graduation from a student's program in nursing, providing membership was renewed while the student was enrolled in a nursing program.  Membership maintenance requires annual renewal, except for those who pay two years at a time.

    Section 4. (Added 09/13/2003)
    In keeping with UNC Charlotte's policy of nondiscrimination, UNCC-ANS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and physical or mental ability or disability.

Article IV - Dues
    Section 1.
        A.  The annual dues for active and associate members to NSNA and NCANS shall be $30 for new members and $40 for renewals, or as specified by NSNA and NCANS.  An additional $5 is added to each for UNCC-ANS dues.
        B.  The annual dues for active and associate members joining for two years to NSNA and NCANS shall be $70, or as specified by NSNA and NCANS.  An additional $10 is added for UNCC-ANS dues.
        C.  The UNCC-ANS Board of Directors shall have the authority to change membership dues as they see necessary.
        D.  Dues shall be collected by UNCC-ANS.
        E.  Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges of membership.

Article V - Officers
    Section 1.  Officers
        A.  President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Breakthrough-to-Nursing (BTN) Coordinator, Community Events Coordinator, and Director of Communications shall serve as positions in which one can hold office.

    Section 2.  Duties of the above:
        A.  President
            1.  Shall preside at all meetings of the association, appoint special committees as needed, perform all other duties pertaining to office, and represent this association in all matters to the NCNA, the local NLN, NCANS, and other professional and student organizations.
            2.  Shall serve as the chairperson for and as a member of the Executive Board.
        B.  Vice President
            1.  Shall preside in the President's absence over meetings and attend functions the President is otherwise unable to attend.
            2.  Shall setup meeting dates and times for the fall and spring semesters in accordance and agreement with the rest of the Executive Board.
            3.  Shall contact the Reservations Center of the University (currently located in the Cone Center) concerning the reservation of a room on campus for the meetings.  It is preferred that the same room be used all semester.
            4.  Shall work in conjunction with the President to obtain topics and (if necessary) speakers for all meetings.  Topics should be of interest to the UNCC-ANS as a whole.
            5.  Shall assist the President as delegated and act as advisor to the President.
            6.  Shall be responsible for reviewing and recommending changes in the bylaws, as appropriate.
           7.  Shall perform all other duties as assigned by the President.
            8.  Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
        C.  Secretary
            1.  Shall prepare the minutes for all business meetings of the UNCC-ANS and the Executive Committee.
            2.  Shall inform NSNA and NCANS of all current programs and activities and provide updated names and addresses of officers to those organizations.
            3.  Shall forward all copies of minutes and newsletters to NSNA and NCANS if found to be appropriate by the President.
            4.  Shall be responsible for submitting a rechartering form to the UNC Charlotte SGA in January of each year.
            5.  Shall be responsible for maintaining the ANS bulletin board.
            6.  Shall be responsible for producing a monthly calendar of events to be placed on the ANS bulletin board.
            7.  Shall perform all other duties as assigned by the President.
            8.  Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
        D.  Treasurer
            1.  Shall act as collector of organizational funds.
            2.  Shall obtain a signature card from the bank and sign all checks for monetary disbursements as deemed necessary by the UNCC-ANS.
            3.  Shall see that an effective system of collecting dues is provided and work in conjunction with the Executive Board in this capacity.
            4.  Shall prepare an end of year report to be given to the incoming treasurer in April.
            5.  Shall be responsible for submitting a yearly budget request to the UNCC SGA in January of each year after the Executive Board establishes financial needs for the upcoming year.
            6.  Shall attend meetings for treasurers of campus organizations held by SGA in August of each year and other financial meetings.
            7.  Shall perform all other duties as assigned by the President.
            8.  Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
        E.  Community Events Coordinator
            1.  Shall function as a liaison between the community and UNCC-ANS in order to coordinate community work.
            2.  Shall help with special projects.
            3.  Shall assist with programming for meetings in conjunction with the Vice President.
            4.  Shall coordinate activities surrounding any of UNCC-ANS' special projects or charities as deemed so in the yearly objectives.
            5.  Shall serve as a visible and active member of UNCC-ANS in working with the community to promote volunteerism and public service in nursing.
            6.  Shall perform all other duties as assigned by the President.
            7.  Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
        F.  Breakthrough-to-Nursing (BTN) Coordinator
            1.  Shall ensure that recruitment and retainment continues throughout the year.
            2.  Shall be responsible for coordinating the annual fall membership drive.
            3.  Shall be responsible for working with NSNA and NCANS in the recruitment capacity and utilizing their resources and keeping UNCC-ANS informed of opportunities offered through them.
            4.  Shall coordinate activities with local organizations to promote interest for the nursing profession, focusing on the needs of minority students.
            5.  Shall perform all other duties as assigned by the President.
            6.  Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.
        G.  Director of Communications
            1.  Shall maintain the UNCC-ANS website.
            2.  Shall be responsible for checking and responding to all emails (unless otherwise performed by the President).
            3.  Shall be responsible for creating and maintaining a current list of members of UNCC-ANS.
            4.  Shall maintain the email listserv.
            5.  Shall be responsible for announcing meetings.
            6.  Shall perform all other duties as assigned by the President.
            7.  Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.

Article VI - Election of Officers
    Section 1.
        A.  Election of officers shall be held annually.
        B.  At the January/February meeting, nominations will be opened and endorsements made.
        C.  In February, nominations shall remain opened and then closed with the vote to follow.
        D.  A simple majority of all voting members present shall constitute election.
        E.  All UNCC-ANS members in good standing have the right to vote.

Article VII - Removal from Office
    Section 1.
        A.  An officer is automatically removed if his or her membership to UNCC-ANS becomes invalid.
        B.  At any time, an officer who has not competently fulfilled his or her duties as stated in this constitution may be removed from office by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership, after a motion from the floor or by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

Article VIII - Meeting Times
    Section 1.
        A.  UNCC-ANS shall meet monthly during the fall and spring semesters at a specific date and time to be decided upon annually.
        B.  Other meetings may be scheduled for special programs, projects, or functions.
        C.  The Executive Board shall meet at least twice during the summer to set goals and objectives and to establish a tentative meeting schedule for the upcoming year.  The Board shall also meet as deemed necessary by the President.
        D.  The Executive Board shall meet one week prior to each set monthly ANS meeting, unless otherwise determined by the President.

Article IX - Parliamentary Authority
    Section 1.
        A.  UNCC-ANS adheres to Robert's Rules of Order - Newly Revised.

Article X - Dress Code for Functions
    Section 1.
        A.  For any function, conference, community event, or other activity where members of the community are present, all persons representing UNCC-ANS will dress in a professional manner.  Individuals must also wear an approved UNC Charlotte School of Nursing name tag or other form of visible identification associated with that event.  This stipulation does not include meetings and may overridden with the permission of the President.

Article XI - Amendments
    Section 1.
        A.  Amendments may be submitted by any member in writing at least two weeks in advance of regular monthly meeting to the Executive Board.
        B.  A 2/3 majority vote of those members present will be required for an amendment to pass.

This revision of the UNCC-ANS bylaws shall supersede all others and become effective immediately upon approval of the Executive Board and the advisor(s) of the now UNCC-ANS.

Orig. 01/24/1997
Rev.  09/07/2003 (JPR)
Approved by members and enacted on 09/08/2003.