Constitution for

Chapters of the Infusion Nurses Society

Article 1 – Chapter Name and Objectives

 

1. Name

 

This chapter shall be known as ____________________________ Chapter of the Infusion Nurses Society, Inc., and is hereafter referred to as the “Chapter”.  The Infusion Nurses Society, Inc. shall hereafter be referred to as the “Society”.

 

2. Objectives

 

1. To provide the benefits and protection of the qualified IV nurses to the patient, to the institution that employs the IV nurse, to members of associated allied health professions, and to the profession of nursing;
2. To encourage a high quality of professional practice through the establishment and maintenance of standards, professional ethics and education;
3. To promote clinical research and education within this nursing specialty and in related nursing areas’
4. To disseminate knowledge by providing for interchange of information and around its members and members of allied specialties and professions who live and work in the same geographical area; and
5. To assist in providing specialized IV care in every health care facility.

 

Article II – Membership

 

The membership of the Chapter shall consist of Active, Associate and Industry members.
 

 

Article III – Intent

 

1. No part of the monies of this Chapter shall inure to the benefits of any private member or individual, nor shall perform particular services for individual members thereof.
2. The Chapter is organized exclusively for education and charitable scientific and literary purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c), 2055, 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code.
3. In the event of the dissolution of this Chapter, whether voluntary or involuntary, all of its remaining assets shall be distributed in such a manner as directed by the Board of Directors of the Society.

 

Article IV – Officers and Board of Directors

 

The Officers of the Chapter shall be: President, President-Elect, Presidential Advisor, Secretary and Treasurer.  The Presidential Advisor is the immediate Past President of the Chapter.  The President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually by the voting membership as prescribed in the Bylaws of the Chapter.  The five officers shall constitute the Board of Directors of the Chapter.

 

Article V – Amendments

 

The Articles of the Constitution of the _______________________________ Chapter may be amended at any meeting by two-thirds vote of the members present or by mail ballot, provided that notice of the proposed amendments shall have been published at least four weeks prior to the meeting.  This Chapter’s Constitutional Amendments shall be effective unless approved by the Board of Directors of the Society.

 

 

Bylaws for

Chapters of the Infusion Nurses Society

Chapter I

 

Article I – Membership

 

The membership of the Chapter shall consist of Active, Associate and Industry members as defined by these Bylaws.

 

1. Active Members

Active members shall be Registered Professional Nurses, who are currently practicing IV therapy, and who are in good standing with the Licensing Agency of the state or country in which the member resides or works.  These RNs:

 

1. Are engaged in the administration, planning or supervision of infusion therapy;
2. Are involved in teaching intravenous therapy among staff members; and
3. Are approved as active members by action of the Board of Directors.

 

2. Associate Members

Associate members shall be defined as all members of the health care field, other than licensed registered professional nurses, who are in the field of IV therapy.  Associate members shall receive all benefits of the Society, may vote, but shall not be entitled to hold an elected office.

 

3. Industrial Members

Industrial members shall consist of individuals from industry whose products relate to intravenous therapy.  Industrial members shall receive publications and general communications from the Society, may attend meetings, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold elected office.

 

Article II – Dues

 

Dues for members of the Chapter shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Chapter.

 

Article III – Applications

 

All applications for membership in the Chapter shall be made on a written form provided by the Chapter.  Dues shall accompany the application.

 

Article IV- Termination

 

Membership in this Chapter shall be terminated upon: (1) resignation of a member, or (2), non-payment of membership dues.

 

 

Chapter II

 

Article I – Officers and Board of Directors

 

The officers of the Chapter shall be: President, President-Elect, Presidential Advisor, Secretary and Treasurer.  The President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually.  The five officers shall constitute the Board of Directors of the Chapter.

 

Article II – Eligibility

 

All officers of this Chapter shall be active members of the ______________________ Chapter and of the Society in good standing.

 

Article III – Quorum

 

A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for executive purposes.  A majority of the voting members at a duly called business meeting shall constitute a quorum.  Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote.

 

Article IV – Elections

 

Elections of officers shall be held annually, all members shall have one vote each.  Voting for officers shall be by written ballot.  The President and Secretary of the Chapter are responsible for counting the ballots and certifying the results.

 

Article V – Term of Office

 

The new officers shall assume the responsibilities of their offices at the end of the Annual Meeting each year. 

 

Article VI – Duties of the President

 

The President shall be the chief elected officer of the Chapter, shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.  All activities of the chapter shall be supervised by the President.  The President shall perform all duties encompassed in the Office of the President, and other necessary duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.  All presidential papers shall be kept in the permanent files of the Chapter.  Upon completion of the term in office, the President in the succeeding year shall become the Presidential Advisor.

 

Article VII – Duties of the President-Elect

 

The President-Elect shall become familiar with the duties of the President and shall automatically succeed to the Presidency at the conclusion of the President’s term in office.  The president-elect shall perform the duties of the office of President whenever the President shall be unable to do so.  The President-elect shall be a member of the Board of Directors, and shall serve as its Vice Chairman.

 

Article VIII – Duties of the Secretary and the Treasurer

 

The Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence of the Chapter to its members.  It shall be his or her duty to notify all members by mail or in–hand at least four weeks prior to the Annual Meeting and at least two weeks prior to every other meeting.  The Secretary also shall, as soon as possible after January 1^st, send to the Executive Director an annual report of activities and the name and address of officers and committee Chairmen.  He or shall also shall, attend each meeting, submit a written report to the Editor of an official Society publication and the Society Chapter Liaison.  The Secretary shall also keep or cause to be kept, the bylaws and the membership roster of active and associate members.  The secretary shall perform any other duties designated by the president.

 

The Treasurer shall, quarterly, submit a copy of the chapter’s financial report with copies of all appropriate receipts to the Executive Director of the Society.  He or she shall be responsible for the receipt and deposit of all moneys in the Treasurer’s fund.  Checks drawn on the operating fund shall be signed by the Treasurer.  The signature of the president shall be registered at the bank in order that the president may sign checks in lieu of the Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall prepare a financial report for delivery at each meeting or at any time during the year as so requested by the Board of Directors.  The treasurer shall initiate or coordinate fund raising projects for the Chapter.  The Treasurer’s report shall be reviewed every year by independent accountants upon submission to the Society, of the Chapter financial report.  The Treasurer shall perform any other duties designated by the President. 

Article IX – Duties of the Presidential Advisor

 

The Presidential Advisor is the immediate Past President who will serve a one-year term in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors.  The Presidential Advisor shall serve as its chairman in the absence of both President and President-Elect.

 

Article X – Duties in General

 

The duties of Officers of the Chapter shall be as specified in the Bylaws, in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, and such standing rules as shall be adopted by the Chapter. 

 

Article XI – Duties of the Board of Directors

 

Within the Society’s Constitution and Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have authority to: direct the business of the Chapters; foster growth and development of the Chapters; make policy decisions for the Chapters; review the budget; establish rules and procedures for the Chapters; and approve, modify or disapprove reports, resolutions or actions of officers of committees of the Chapters.  Any officer may be removed from office if, after a due and proper hearing, he or she is found guilty by that body of neglect of duty, illegal or improper professional conduct and violation of these bylaws.  Removal of an officer shall require a two-thirds vote of the Board.

 

Article XII – Vacancies

 

The Board of Directors is empowered and directed to fill all vacancies that may occur.  If the President shall become unable to perform the duties of his or her office, the President-Elect shall succeed to the Office of the President.  He or she shall also continue to serve as President for the subsequent year. 

 

Article XIII – Committees

 

      A.   Committee Controls

1. All Committee Chairmen shall be appointed by the President, subject to approval by the board of directors.
2. All committees shall be responsible to the Board of Directors
3. The Chairman of each committee shall present a report annually.  A special report of the activities of any committee shall be made by the chairman upon request of the president.
4. Copies of any letters pertinent to Chapter business shall be sent to the Board of Directors.
5. Any member of committee who fails to fulfill the duties assigned may be dismissed by a majority vote to the board of directors.
6. Within one month after the expiration of term, the Chairman of each committee shall deliver, to his or her successor, all papers necessary to carry on the work of that committee.
7. The Board of Directors may suspend or discontinue any committee whose function may not be considered necessary to carry out the objectives of the Chapter.  The Board of Directors may consolidate the functions of any one or more committees to better accomplish such objectives.

 

B.   Committees.

            1.  Bylaws Committee

This committee shall review the constitution and the Bylaws and recommend any changes or amendments that may be considered necessary or advisable.  No bylaw amendments of the chapter will be effective unless approved by the Board of Directors of the Society.
 
2. Membership Committee 
This committee shall enforce the established criteria for membership eligibility, shall encourage desirable applicants for membership, shall review membership applications, and shall formulate and recommend plans for increasing and maintaining membership.

 

            3.  Program Committee

This committee shall plan, develop and present programs to meet the educational needs of the membership.  The committee shall make all physical arrangements for presenting the programs.  All programs and activities must be approved by the Board of Directors.

 

            4.  Nominating Committee

It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare a slate of candidates for the offices of President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer to the Board of Directors.  Upon their approval, this slate is presented to the membership.  Any member of the chapter may recommend a candidate for consideration by the immediate Past Presidential Adviser for the term of one year.
 

 

            5.  Public Relations

This committee shall explore ways for creating friendly, cooperative and helpful relations between the Chapter and the members of allied specialties and professions in order to further the aims and objectives of the Chapter and the Society. 

 

            6.  Ad Hoc Committee

The Ad Hoc Committee may be appointed by the President for special tasks.  Such committees shall limit their activities to the accomplishment of the task for which created and appointed.  Upon completion of said task for which appointed, such committees shall stand discharged.
 

 

Chapter III

 

Article I – Chapter Directives as Governed by the Infusion Nurses Society

 

The _____________________ Chapter was formed with the authorization from the Board of Directors of the Infusion Nurses Society, Inc. and shall continue for such a period of time as the Society’s Board of Directors permits.  The Bylaws and Standing Rules of the ____________________ Chapter shall comply with the objectives of the Society, and shall be approved by the Board of Directors of the Society.

 

 

Article II – Dissolution

 

If the ____________________ Chapter fails to comply with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Society it may be dissolved by the unanimous vote of the Society’s Board of Directors.  Such action shall be taken only in case the _____________Chapter fails to comply with the Bylaws and Standing Rules.  The ____________________Chapter may be dissolved by the majority vote of the membership registered at a special meeting to be held after all members have been notified in the mail or in-hand.  Such action must also be approved by the Board of Directors of the Society.

 

Article III – Amendments

 

The __________________ Chapter shall submit its Constitution and Bylaws to the Executive Director of the Society.  Constitution and Bylaw amendments shall not be effective unless approved by the Board of Directors of the Society.

 

Article IV – Chapter Debts

 

The Society shall not be liable for any debts incurred by the _______________ Chapter unless so authorized by the Society’s Board of Directors.

 

 

Chapter V

 

Article I – Meetings

 

There shall be an Annual Meeting for the transaction of affairs of the Chapter.  The date, time and place of the meetings are to be agreed upon by the Board of Directors of this Chapter.
 

 

Article II – Notice of Meetings

 

The Secretary of the Chapter shall notify the membership by mail of the pending meeting.
 

 

Article III – Order of Meetings

 

The order of business for all meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.
 

 

Article IV – Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of the Chapter shall end December 31^st.

 

Article V – Amendments to Chapter Bylaws

Any proposed alteration of the Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Bylaws committee.  These bylaws may be altered, amended or changed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the members who have voted by mail ballot.  Amendments to the Chapter Bylaws shall not become effective unless approved by the Board of Directors of the Society.