NEW YORK NURSE: July/August 2007
The NYSNA board of directors has approved the following proposed bylaw amendments for presentation to the 2007 NYSNA Voting Body. The rationale for this proposal is presented in the article on page 10. Language to be [deleted] is in brackets; language to be added is in boldface.
Proviso: Amendments to Article VIII shall be effective at the 2008 NYSNA Annual Meeting.
Article VIII – [Clinical and Functional Practice Units] Practice Focus Groups
Section 1.
a) [Clinical and functional practice units] Practice focus groups are established by the Board of Directors to assist individual members to improve professional practice and development within a specific clinical or functional area.
b) [A clinical practice unit] Practice focus groups may be established by the Board of Directors in any area of specialty nursing practice for which the Board determines that there is need and sufficient interest of members.
c) [A functional practice unit may be established by the Board of Directors in any area of functional role for which the Board determines that there is need and sufficient interest of members.]
Section 2.
Each [unit] group shall:
a) provide a forum for members for discussion of relevant issues and concern;
b) plan a program of continuing education;
c) serve as a source for consultation and expertise;
d) develop positions and policies for recommendation to the Board of Directors;
e) promote adherence to approved standards of nursing practice;
f) maintain communications with other units and councils.
Section 3.
The composition of [each clinical and functional practice unit] practice focus groups shall be limited to members employed in or, in accordance with established [unit] group policy, directly concerned with the respective [clinical or functional area] groups.
Section 4.
The activities, policies and pronouncements of each [clinical or functional practice unit] practice focus group shall be in accord with those of this association.
Section 5.
a) Each [clinical and functional practice unit] practice focus group shall have an executive committee composed of a chairperson, vice chairperson, and [member] three members at large. The chairperson and two members at large shall be elected at the annual meeting in the even year to serve for a term of two years; the vice chairperson and one member at large shall be elected at the annual meeting in the odd year to serve for a term of two years.
b) Each executive committee shall be responsible for the business of the [unit] group.
c) Executive committee members will serve as the group’s representatives on the NYSNA Council on Nursing Practice.
Section 6. Terms
No member of the executive committee of a [clinical or functional practice unit] practice focus group shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office nor a total of more than eight consecutive years.
Section 7. Vacancies
a) In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of chairperson of a [clinical practice unit or functional practice unit] practice focus group, the vice chairperson shall serve as chairperson for the remainder of the chairperson’s term.
b) In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of vice chairperson or [member] members at large, the vacancy will be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors.
c) Absence from two consecutive regular meetings of an executive committee or the Council on Nursing Practice shall be cause for declaring a vacancy in the position. Such vacancy shall be declared by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.
[Clinical or functional practice units] Practice focus groups may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors:
a) upon agreement by the Board of Directors and the respective [unit] group that there is no reason for its continuance; or
b) upon determination by the Board of Directors of failure of the [unit] group to carry out its objective or to conform to the principles and requirements of this association.