THE SOUTH FLORIDA COUNCIL OF

ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES, Inc.

BY-LAWS

I.    PURPOSE

      The purpose of the South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses is to promote the visibility, viability and unity of all nurses engaged in advanced practice nursing.  The council will foster professional excellence and educational advancement with the ultimate aim of providing quality health care that is both accessible and cost-effective. 

II.   GOALS

A.    To promote national, regional, and local visibility of advanced practice nurses.
 

B.    To promulgate advanced practice nursing through legislative/political activities, marketing, public relation strategies, network systems, and educational programs.
 

C.    To promote and protect the economic and general welfare of advanced practice nurses.
 

D.    To advocate and promote high standards of advanced practice nursing and research.

III. MEMBERSHIP

      A.    Qualifications for Full Membership:

1.    Hold a Florida RN-ARNP license which is current and in good standing.
 

2.    Only Full Members will be allowed to vote or hold office

B.    Qualifications for Associate Membership:

1.    Students currently enrolled in post-basic education programs that prepare them for advanced practice roles.
 

2.    Associate Members will not be entitled to vote or hold office but may participate in committees. 

IV.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A.    Membership:  The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the council and shall conduct the business of the council.
 

B.    Term of Office: Members of the Executive Committee shall consist of elected council officers serving their two year terms.
  

C.    Officers shall assume office immediately after elections take place, which is during the last meeting of the council year in December.
 

1.    Unannounced absences by any officer from either two Executive Committee meetings or two general membership meetings shall constitute a resignation from the committee.
 

D.                The President position shall be filled by a member who has maintained active membership in the council for no less than two years.

V.    OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS             

A.    Officers:  The officers of the South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses shall consist of the following:  President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Nominating & Education Committee Chairperson and 2 Nominating & Education Committee Members.
 

B.    The following Executive Committee positions will be elected by the general membership on the EVEN-NUMBERED years:  President, 1st Vice President, Secretary, and Chair of the Nominating & Education Committee.
 

C.    The following Executive Committee positions will be elected by the general membership on the ODD-NUMBERED years:  2nd Vice President, Treasurer, and 2 Nominating & Education Committee members.
 

D.    The Nominating & Education Committee shall prepare a ballot for each election.  Election of officers shall take place during the last meeting of the council year. This committee will also be present at the meetings to check in members and ensure membership status as well as collect membership fees. The committee will schedule educational events, conferences, etc. to enhance the NP profession.

      E.  Vacancies

1.    In the event that the President cannot complete the term of office, the 1st Vice President shall assume the role and functions of the President.
 

2.    For any vacancy that occurs during the term of office of any other members of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee will seek nominations from the general membership from which they will appoint an officer to complete the term of office of the vacant chair.

VI.   DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

      A.    The President Shall:

1.    Preside at all meetings for the council and the Executive Committee, and act as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee;
 

2.    Submit a written report of the Council activities to the Chairman of FNA's Council for Advanced Practice upon request;
 

3.    Be authorized to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee upon recommendation of the Executive Committee to meet special needs;
 

4.    Serve as an ex-officio member of the succeeding Executive Committee for two consecutive Council meetings and shall have no voting privileges at these meetings;
 

5.    Keep a copy of the By-Laws and all Council minutes on file.

      B.    The 1st Vice President (Program Chairperson) shall:

1.    Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President;
 

2.    Assume the office of President in the event of a vacancy in that office, and shall assume such duties as may be delegated by the Executive Committee;
 

3.    Organize CEU programs and secure funds and sponsorship for each council meeting in collaboration with the Executive Committee;
 

4.    Secure speakers for CEU programs four months in advance;
 

5.    Keep a record of all CEU offerings to include speakers curriculum vitae, CEU applications, and attendance rosters
 

6.                Keep CEU material up to date with the Board of Nursing requirements as a CEU provider and with CE Broker.

      C.    The 2nd Vice President shall:

            1.    Serve as the legislative liaison for the council;

            2.    Keep the council informed at each general membership meeting on the
                   current legislative issues; It is recommended that the 2nd Vice President shall
                   be a legislative district coordinator (LDC).

      D.    The Secretary shall:

            1.    Record the minutes of all meeting;

            2.    Furnish a copy of the minutes to the council's Executive Committee.

      E.    The Treasurer shall:

            1.    Keep records of all debits and credits relevant to the council and report these
                   at each council meeting;

            2.    Report monetary needs for the minutes and other monetary needs as
                   recognized by the Executive Committee;

            3.    Collect the $35.00 membership fee from all meeting participants at the
                   September council meeting. Student fees will be $15.00 and non
                   ARNP/guest fees will be $20.00. 

      F.    The Nominating & Education Committee shall:

            1.    Prepare a ballot for the Council for each election;

            2.    Include in each ballot the names of one or more members of the council for
                   each office to be filled.

            3.    Ensure membership status and fee payment during check-in at all meetings.

            4.    Seek options within the community for Fundraising

            5.        Schedule educational programs/conferences to enhance NP knowledge  

      G.    All Officers Shall:

             1.    Make available to their successors all pertinent council material within two
                    weeks after termination of office.  These materials shall include all books,
                    minutes, and properties in their possession that belong to the respective
                    offices.

       H.        Past President may act as consultant to the Board of Directors and the
               general membership and assist with legislative activities as needed.

VII.  MEETINGS   

A.    The Executive Committee shall meet twice yearly.  Additional meetings may be called by the President with 30 days notice to committee members.

B.    The Executive Committee shall review the By-laws at least once every two years on the even-numbered years.  Questions referred by the general membership regarding the by-laws or other council questions will be discussed by the Executive Committee and presented during the next scheduled council meeting under old business.
 

C.    The general membership shall meet a minimum of five times yearly. 

VIII. COMMITTEES 

      A.    Nominating & Education Committee (see Article V).

      B.    Other Committees may be appointed as necessary to achieve the goals of the
              council.  Any member of the council who chooses to be on a committee must be
              an active participant of that committee. The member may choose to leave the
              committee at anytime as long as it is discussed with the Executive committee
              first so a replacement can be named.

IX.   QUORUM

A.    The President or 1st Vice President and two other members of the Executive Committee shall be present at all general membership meetings.

B.    Any questions put forth before the general membership will require 2/3 of the full members present for approval.

C.                The Executive Committee may at any time by a 2/3 vote ask an Executive Committee member to leave their position if the Executive Committee deems it necessary due to circumstances that include, but are not limited to the following: lack of participation, poor attendance, inappropriate behavior or conduct, and unreasonable expectations from the Executive Committee, the general council, or any member of the Executive Board.

X.    EMERGENCY MEETINGS

A.    The President or 1st Vice President may call an emergency meeting at any time in the event of a disaster.

XI.   DISSOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL

A.    The council may be dissolved by a 3/4 vote of the Executive Committee upon recommendation of the council and in agreement with the Executive Committee.

Revised 3/6/2006-deleted Ways & Means position
Revised 3/5/2003-changed wording to Nominating/Education committee
Revised 7/11/2002-increased membership dues/Quorum/Executive committee revision
Revised 2/9/2000-changed wording to Nominating/Special Events committee
Revised 7/13/99-changed wording to Nominating/membership committee