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The Voice : Spring Edition - 2006
Greetings! MTAOHN is busy preparing for the next Annual Seminar. The seminar will be held in Nashville. Information on that event will be available soon at this site. Please check back in the next few weeks. Our amended by-laws are listed below. Tennessee Association of Occupational Health Nurse, Inc. By-Laws ARTICLE I The name of this association shall be Tennessee Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (TAOHN), a Chapter Association of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN), Inc. ARTICLE II PURPOSE The purposes of TAOHN are: 1. constitute the state professional association of registered nurses engaged in the practice of occupational and environmental health nursing; 2. promote and provide continuing education in occupational and environmental health nursing; 3. maintain the integrity and character of the nursing profession; 4. promote scope of practice and standards for occupational and environmental health nurses; 5. provide a forum for networking and discussion of issues in the field of occupational and environmental health nursing; 6. promote health and safety of workers and communities and support occupational and environmental health nursing practice through monitoring and influencing legislation and regulations; 7. promote occupational and environmental health nursing through public relations activities; 8. provide opportunities to develop association leadership skills; 9. do within the limits of the law all things necessary, proper, incidental, suitable, useful, and conductive to the complete accomplishments of the foregoing purposes. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP SECTION l. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP A. Active Member: 1. A registered professional nurse currently employed in occupational and environmental health. 2. An active member whose employment status changes may maintain active membership for the remainder of that membership year and one additional consecutive year. 3. An active member may apply for inactive status if the member has temporality left the field of occupational and environmental health nursing due to hardship. 4. Inactive status must be renewed annually and may be maintained for a maximum of three years. B. Affiliate 1. A registered professional nurse not eligible for active status but interested in the field of occupational and environmental health and the purposes of AAOHN. 2. Others, not eligible for active status, but practicing in the filed of occupational and environmental health and interested in the purposes of AAOHN. C. Student 1. A registered professional nurse enrolled as a student in a program of study related to occupational and environmental health. 2. A student in a professional nursing program with interest in occupational and environmental health. 3. This category of membership must be renewed annually. D. Life Life membership shall be conferred upon TAOHN past presidents at the completion of their terms of office upon request of a member. This membership will apply only when the member is no longer eligible for active membership. E. Honorary Honorary membership may be conferred upon an individual selected by the Board of Directors for outstanding service to TAOHN and/or the profession of occupational and environmental health nursing. A two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors shall be required for confirmation of Honorary Membership. SECTION 2. RIGHT AND PRIVILEGES A. Active members and life members shall have full rights and privileges of membership. B. Members in all other classes may attend membership meetings and participate in debate, but shall not have the right to vote. C. Members in all classes, except Affiliate, serve on committees. D. Honorary and life members shall not pay state Chapter association dues. E. Members who have retired from occupational and environmental health and who are not practicing may decline membership, and all rights and privileges, in AAOHN and only belong to TAOHN. SECTION 3. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Membership shall be granted by AAOHN. A written application submitted to the national office is required for all classes of membership, except honorary and life. A. State Chapter associations shall have thirty (30) days to challenge a member. B. If a member's application is challenged, there shall be automatic review by the AAOHN Membership Committee. C. Final approval of applications for membership shall be within the sole and absolute discretion of the AAOHN Board of Directors. SECTION 4. DUES A. Annual dues are payable January 1st. B. Each member shall send annual dues for AAOHN and TAOHN to the national office. C. New Members joining after June 30, shall pay half a year's national dues and full state dues for the balance of the first calendar year membership. D. The Board of Directors may recommend a change in state dues structure for any class of membership. Any such change must be submitted to the members for approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided notice of such recommendations shall have been sent at least 90 days prior to Annual Session. SECTION 5. FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP Membership shall be automatically terminated: A. for not meeting membership criteria; or B. for non-payment of dues. SECTION 6. DISCIPLINARY ACTION A. The Board of Directors may censure, suspend, expel or otherwise discipline any member of TAOHN for violation of the Code of Ethics, the purposes of TAOHN, these Bylaws or other causes deemed sufficient by the Board of Directors. B. Disciplinary Procedures 1. The member shall receive 30 days prior written notice of proposed expulsion, suspension, or termination and the reason therefore sent certified mail. 2. The member shall have an opportunity to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five days before the effective date of action by the Board of Directors. 3. Any disciplinary action shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members of the Board of Directors. SECTION 7. REINSTATEMENT A. A former member who forfeited membership for non-payment of dues may be reinstated: 1. during the year of forfeiture by payment of current dues; 2. after the year of forfeiture by application as a new member and payment of current dues. B. A former member who forfeited membership for any reason may apply as a new member, pay the current dues, and meet the requirements then in force. SECTION 8 ACCESS to RECORDS Consistent with legal requirements, a member may inspect the books and record of TAOHN for any proper purpose upon reasonable notice. ARTICLE IV BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECTION 1. COMPOSITION
The Board of Directors shall be
comprised of the elected Officers and five (5)
Directors, one from each local Chapter association SECTION 2. DUTIES The duties of the Board of Directors shall be: A. establish mission and goals and planning strategies of TAOHN; B. transact the general business and affairs of TAOHN not otherwise provided in these bylaws; C. adopt an annual budget; D. designate the place of deposit for money; E. provide bond for any person handling funds; F. provide for and independent review by an external party of the books and records of TAOHN; G. recommend to membership any proposed changes in dues structure; H. fill any vacancy, except that of President; I. fill any vacancy on the Election Advisory Committee; J. approve presidential appointments; K. appoint election Tellers and Chairman of Tellers; L. process all complaints or requests for disciplinary action against a member M. initiate proceedings for the removal of an officer or committee member for misconduct or neglect of duty in office using due process procedures as outlined in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised. A hearing shall be held following the same procedure described for disciplinary action against a member; O. establish advisory councils if and when deemed necessary; P. determine time and place for annual meeting; and Q. adopt the necessary standing rules and policies to implement these bylaws. SECTION 3. MEETINGS A. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least four (4) times yearly. B. Notices of all regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be mailed or emailed no less than ten (10) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting. C. Meetings may be conducted through the use of any means of communications by which all of the Directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A Director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting. A report of any action taken shall be verified and made a part of the minutes at the next Board of Directors meeting. D. Special meetings of the Board of Directors: 1. may be called by the President; 2. shall be called by the President upon special request of 2/3 members of the Board of Directors. E. QUORUM: A majority of the Board of Directors, including two (2) officers, one of whom shall be the President, or Vice President, shall constitute a quorum at any of the meetings of the Board. SECTION 4 OFFICERS A. The officers shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. B. Qualifications: To be eligible for election candidates must be active members. C. Duties: The duties shall be such as are implied by the respective titles except as otherwise stated in these bylaws and more specifically shall include the following: 1. The President shall: a. be the chief elected officer and official representative of TAOHN; b. appoint, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, standing and ad hoc committees; c. perform duties as set down in the bylaws or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors; 2. The Vice President shall: a. in the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President; b. assume other duties assigned by the bylaws, resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors; c. succeed to the office of President for the un-expired term in the event of a vacancy in that office;. 3. The Recording Secretary shall: a. responsible for the preparation of the minutes for all meeting of the Board of Director and the regular meetings; b. notify all officers of their election and all committees of their appointments; c. perform other duties assigned by the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors; 4. The Corresponding Secretary shall: a. conduct the general correspondence; b. notify member's and directors in writing of the time and place of meetings; c. assist the State Legislative Coordinator with correspondence with other chapter representatives and state legislators: d. perform other duties assigned by the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. 5. The Treasurer shall: a. Chair the Finance Committee; b. monitor the financial performance of TAOHN and submit a written report of the financial standing of TAOHN to the Board of Directors at meetings; c. submit a reviewed financial statement to the members at the annual business meeting; deposit all moneys belonging to this association in a bank approved by the Board of Directors;
d. D. The Directors shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors. SECTION 5. DIRECTORS There shall be five (5) Directors. SECTION 6. TERM of OFFICE A. The term of office for Officers shall be two (2) years or until a successor has been elected and assumes office. B. The term of office for Directors shall be two (2) years or until their successors have been elected. C. The Board of Directors shall assume office on September 1. D. No member of the Board of Directors may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office or as a Director. E. Any part of a term in excess of twelve (12) months for Officer or Director shall be considered a term in deciding eligibility for election or re-election. F. The absence of any member of the Board of Directors from more than two (2) consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors without sufficient reason, as determined by the majority of the entire Board, shall be considered a resignation from the elected office. SECTION 7. VACANCY in OFFICE A. The Vice President shall fill a vacancy in the office of President. B. A vacancy in the office of Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer shall be filled by the Board of Directors with election by ballot vote. The nominee (s) shall be current members of the Board of Directors. C. A vacancy in the office of Director shall be filled by the candidate who received the next highest number of votes in the most recent election. If there is no candidate eligible in accordance with this provision the vacancy shall be filled by a ballot vote of the TAOHN Board of Directors. ARTICLE V NOMINATIONS and ELECTIONS SECTION 1. ELECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE A. The Election Advisory Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members elected by TAOHN members. B. Qualifications: A member shall have been a member of TAOHN for no less than one (1) year. C. Term: Members shall serve two (2) years or until their successors are elected and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election. D. The Chairman shall be the member who receives the highest number of votes. E. Duties 1. The committee shall request that members recommend the names of candidates for each elective position. 2. The committee shall consider the qualifications of all candidates proposed by the membership or by members of the Election Advisory Committee and shall select nominees for each office and vacancy on the ballot. 3. The consent of all persons whose names appear on the ballot shall be secured. 4. A ballot shall be prepared with the placement of names chosen by lot. 5. In the event there are no qualified nominees submitted the Election Advisor Committee shall secure nominees as necessary. F. Vacancy: 1. Should a member of the Election advisory Committee become a nominee for office, the person shall resign. 2. Any vacancy on the Election Advisory Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors with the candidate who received the next highest number of votes, if available. If the member is unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled by the ballot vote of the Board of Directors. G. All rejected nominees shall have the right of appeal to the Election Advisory Committee. SECTION 2. BALLOT A. In the event that a member is nominated and qualities for more than one (1) position, the member shall select a position. B. Preparation of the Ballot: In odd-numbered calendar years, the ballot shall contain nominees for the office of:: 1. President 2. Vice President 3. Corresponding Secretary 4. Three (3) Directors - at least two nominees from MTAOHN, WTAOHN, and MAOHN 5. Three (3) members of the Election Advisory Committee In even numbered calendar years, the ballot shall contain nominees for the office of: 1. Treasurer 2. Recording Secretary 3. Newsletter Editor 4. Two (2) Directors - at least two nominees from CTAOHN, and TSMAOHN SECTION 3. Method: All elections shall be by ballot prepared by the Election Advisory Committee: 1. The ballot, together with directions, official envelopes and the accompanying documents of each candidate shall be mailed at least forty (40) days before the annual meeting to each active member on the official roster provided by the Treasurer. 2. The sealed official envelope containing the marked ballot shall be mailed to the Chairperson of Tellers not later than twenty (20) days prior to the annual meeting. 3. The sealed ballots shall be counted prior to the annual meeting.
4. The full report of
the election results shall be read at TAOHN meeting 5. Decision: A plurality vote shall elect. In the event of a tie vote, a Lot shall determine decision. 6. The ballots shall be retained for six (6) months. ARTICLE VI MEETINGS SECTION 1. ANNUAL SESSIONS: A. There shall be an annual meeting which shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the TAOHN Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the hosting chapter. B. Cancellation of Annual Meeting In the event of an emergency, the board of Directors by two-thirds (2/3) vote may cancel or reschedule the annual meeting. All members shall be notified of the cancellation or rescheduling and the results of the election. SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings may be called by the President or upon written request of 15% of the membership. SECTION 3. NOTICES: Notices of all meetings of the membership shall be mailed or emailed at least ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. SECTION 4. QUORUM A quorum shall be represented by 15% of the active members of TAOHN; and representation of three (3) of the five (5) chapter associations, and officers (one of whom shall be the President or Vice President) SECTION 5. OFFICIAL RECORD: An official record of the meetings will be made. ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES SECTION 1. STANDING COMMITTEES The Board will create the necessary standing committees needed to accomplish programs & goals of TAOHN: A. The Chairman of each standing committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors. B. Each committee shall consist of a number determined by the Board of Directors at the time the committee is established. C. Detailed duties and procedures shall be as set down in the standing rules on Policies and Procedures. SECTION 2. AD HOC COMMITTEES Ad Hoc committees may be appointed as authorized by the general membership or the Board of Directors. SECTION 3. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Advisory Committee. SECTION 4. QUORUM Quorum for any meeting shall be a majority of the committee. ARTICLE VIII ADVISORY COUNCIL SECTION 1. There may be Advisory Councils consisting of representatives of interested groups allied to occupational and environmental nursing from the Medical Management fields. SECTION 2. Members of Advisory Councils shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term of two (2) years. SECTION 3. The Advisory Councils Shall: A. elects its own Chairman; B. meet at the call of the President, the Chairman of the Council, or at the C. request of any of three (3) members of the Council; D. consider and promote the interest of the association, direct and promote good public relations with authorization of the Board of Directors; E. advise regarding the interpretations of the purposes of this association. SECTION 4. May be invited to attend meetings of the Board of Directors or may request such privileges, but shall not have a vote. ARTICLE IX PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, shall govern the proceedings of this association, in all cases not provided for in these bylaws or in the standing rules or policies. ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS SECTION 1 These bylaws may be amended, at any annual meeting or special meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendments shall have been approved by the Board of Directors and mailed or emailed to each voting member at least thirty (30) days in advance. SECTION 2. Any amendment to the AAOHN bylaws adopted at any AAOHN annual meeting or special meeting which directly relates to the business of this state Chapter association shall automatically and immediately effect the necessary amendments to these bylaws.
REVISED: __________________________________________________________ Name Date
APPROVED: ___________________________________________________________
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