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BYLAWS OF THE TEXAS SCHOOL NURSES ORGANIZATION, INCORPORATED
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Texas School Nurses Organization, Incorporated. (Hereafter known as TSNO.)
ARTICLE II – GOALS
The goals of the organization shall be:
Section 1: To operate as an educational organization on TSNO Bylaws,revised a non-profit basis;
and
Section 2: To promote and advance the quality of school health services and health education
throughout the state.
ARTICLE III – AFFILIATION
The TSNO is a unified affiliate of the National Association of School Nurses, Incorporated (NASN). TSNO Regional Affiliates (Regions) are comprised of TSNO/NASN members of geographic regions defined by Texas Education Agency (TEA).
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1: Eligibility. Active membership in the TSNO shall be open to any registered professional
nurse who meets the requirements for school nursing in the state of Texas, and who is
in compliance with such other qualifications or requirements as set forth in these
bylaws.
Section 2: Instatement. Any person eligible for membership shall become a member upon payment
of dues set for her/his class of membership, and who meets the requirements set forth
in these bylaws for her/his class of membership.
Section 3: Classification. The following shall be the classes of membership: Active, Associate,
Retired, Student, Corporate/Business/Professional Organization, Member-at-Large,
TSNO Lifetime, and NASN Honorary.
A. Active members
1. To qualify for Active membership in TSNO, one must:
a. be a registered professional nurse, licensed by the State of Texas;
b. have as a primary assignment, the administration, education or the
provision of school health services;
2. Any retired member who desires to remain in the Active membership
classification shall be required to pay full Active dues, and upon payment of
dues, shall be granted Active membership privileges.
B. Associate members shall be:
Any registered professional nurse, licensed by the State of Texas, who is not
eligible for Active membership, but who serves a school as a school nurse, upon
payment of dues, shall be an Associate member.
C. Retired members shall be:
Any active member of TSNO, upon retirement shall be eligible to become a
Retired member, upon notification to TSNO.
D. Student members shall:
1. Be enrolled in a professional nursing program to meet requirements to become
a school nurse, or a student not currently a nurse,
in pofessional nursing program.
2. Submit proof of enrollment in a professional program with
the membership form.
3. Be allowed a maximum of five years of student membership.
4. Be ineligible for student membership if they have completed the requirements
to be a school nurse and are pursuing further education.
E. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization members shall be:
1. Those organizations who desire to support the goals of the TSNO, and whose
members are not eligible for Active or Associate membership in the TSNO.
2. Granting of a Corporate/Business/Professional Organization membership
shall in no way bind the TSNO to support philosophies, policies or products of
said organization.
F. Member-at-Large members shall be:
Those members who hold a special interest in or who are working with the
TSNO, and who do not fit into any other TSNO membership classification.
G. TSNO Lifetime members shall be:
Any TSNO President, at the conclusion of their term of office, will be granted
a TSNO Lifetime Active membership.
H. Honorary members shall be:
TSNO members who are NASN Past Presidents shall be honorary members of
TSNO with full Active membership rights.
Section 4: Rights. Active members shall be entitled to vote,hold elected or appointed office, make
motions, debate, serve on committees, and participate in the Annual Business Meeting
of the TSNO.
Section 5: Rights/Restrictions.
A. Associate and Retired members shall have all the privileges of membership,
except the privileges of making motions, voting and holding elected or appointed
office.
B. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization and Member-at-Large members
shall have the privileges of attending meetings and receiving publications only.
Section 6: Dues. TSNO shall establish the annual dues.
ARTICLE V – FISCAL AND MEMBERSHIP YEAR
Section 1: The fiscal year of the TSNO shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Section 2: The membership year shall be a calendar year from the time the person pays dues to
NASN/TSNO.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS
Section 1: Composition. The elected officers of the TSNO shall be President, President-elect,
Secretary, Treasurer, Director to the National Association of School Nurses,
and Nominations Coordinator and shall be designated as the TSNO Executive
Committee.
Section 2: Eligibility.
A. Only Active members of the TSNO shall be entitled to hold office.
B. Candidates for the office of President-elect shall have served on the TSNO
Executive Committee, or as a TSNO Committee Chair.
C. Candidates for the office of Director to the National Association of School Nurses
shall have served on the TSNO Executive Committee, and must have been a NASN
member for the two previous years.
Section 3: Term of Office.
A. The President and President-elect shall serve for a term of only two years.
B. The President-elect shall be elected in even numbered years and shall
automatically succeed the office of President at the expiration of the President’s
term and shall act for the President in the absence of the President.
C. The Secretary shall be elected in odd numbered years and serve for a term of
two years, or until a successor is elected.
D. The Treasurer and Nominations Coordinator shall be elected in even numbered
years and serve for a term of two years, or until a successor is elected.
E. The Director to the National Association of School Nurses shall be elected in
odd numbered years and shall serve a four-year term and shall serve one term only.
The term of office shall coincide with NASN’s guidelines.
F. The term of office for all officers shall commence at the close of the annual
conference.
G. No member of the Executive Committee may hold the same office for more than
two terms.
Section 4: Vacancy.
A. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the President-elect, who
shall serve for the unexpired term of the President and the term of office as President
to which she/he was elected.
B. A vacancy in the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, NASN Director or Nominations
Coordinator shall be filled to complete the unexpired term by appointment by the
President with approval of the Executive Committee.
C. A vacancy in the office of President-elect shall be filled by a vote of the
membership at the next scheduled election.
Section 5: Duties.
The elected officers shall perform those duties prescribed by these bylaws, the
parliamentary authority adopted by the TSNO, and those duties as specified in the
operating guidelines.
Section 6: Any disciplinary procedures within the TSNO shall be conducted as prescribed by our
parliamentary authority, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
Section 1: Annual Meeting. The TSNO shall hold an Annual Meeting each year at the time and place
determined by the Executive Committee to conduct business of the organization,
hear annual reports, amend bylaws as needed, and do any other business as may
properly come before it.
Section 2: Executive Committee Meetings.
A. In the interval between annual meetings, the TSNO Executive Committee may meet
to conduct the organization’s business.
B. The time and place of such meetings shall be determined by the President.
C. A member of the Executive Committee with two or more absences from meetings,
or unprofessional conduct shall forfeit her/his position if requested to do so by a
majority vote of the other members of the Executive Committee.
Section 3: Quorum. A majority of the Active members registered and present shall constitute a
quorum.
Section 4: Electronic Meeting. Board of Directors, Executive Committee, standing and special
committees are authorized to meet by telephone conference or through other
electronic communication media as long as a quorum is present and all the members
simultaneously hear each other and participate during the meeting.
Section 5: Email Voting Board of Directors, Executive Committee, standing, and special
committeesare authorized to use email voting so long as a quorum is present, the vote
is unanimous and is ratified at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Composition. The TSNO Board of Directors shall be composed of the elected officers,
appointed committee chairs and each TSNO Regional President or representative.
Section 2. Eligibility. The Regional President or representative must currently be an Active
member of the TSNO, and must have been an Active member for at least one year prior
to serving on the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Rights. Each TSNO region shall be entitled to designate a representative to the Board
of Directors in the manner prescribed by the region’s respective bylaws and in
accordance with the eligibility requirements noted in Section 2.
Section 4. Authority. The Board of Directors shall:
A. Conduct the affairs of the TSNO in accordance with these bylaws and directives
adopted by the membership at the Annual meeting.
B. Have full power to put into effect the policies and decisions of the TSNO.
Section 5: Duties. The Board of Directors shall:
A. Establish goals and objectives to accomplish the mission of the TSNO.
B. Monitor and evaluate the programs designed to implement the established goals and
objectives of the TSNO.
C. Ensure that the resources necessary for achievement of the TSNO’s goals and
objectives are available and used efficiently.
D. Establish and maintain current operating guidelines for the TSNO.
Section 6: Meetings. The Board of Directors shall:
A. Meet at least once prior to the Annual meeting.
B. Upon due notice, hold such other meetings as the Executive Committee may
determine.
Section 7: Term of Office.
A. Elected officers shall serve terms of office as stated in Article VI of these bylaws.
B. The Regional President or representative shall serve a term in compliance with the
region’s bylaws.
C. Each Regional President or representative shall serve no more than two consecutive
terms with the following exceptions:
1. An individual who has been elected or appointed to serve an unexpired term
shall be eligible to serve an additional term; and
2. The current regional President orrepresentative may serve an additional term
if no one else in the region is eligible.
Section 8: Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a
quorum.
Section 9: Removal. A member of the Board of Directors shall be removed if the region they
present dissolves or if they fail to meet the requirements for Active membership.
ARTICLE IX – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Composition. The Executive Committee shall be composed of:
A. The elected officers: the President, the President-elect, the Secretary, the
Treasurer,the NASN Director, and the Nominations Coordinator.
B. Standing Committee Chairpersons and/or ad hoc appointees may be requested to
attend meetings by the President. Such chairpersons or appointees will serve in a
non-voting capacity.
Section 2. Authority. The Executive Committee may exercise the Powers of the Board of Directors
when the Board is not in session.
Section 3. Duties. The Executive Committee shall:
A. Conduct the business of the TSNO between meetings of the Board of Directors.
B. Report its actions to the Board of Directors at the next Board meeting.
Section 4. Meetings. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at least twice a year.
Other meetings may be called by the President as deemed necessary.
Section 5. Terms of Office. Elected officers shall serve terms of office according to Article VI,
Section 3 of these bylaws.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the elected officers shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE X – COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing and Special Committees.
A. Unless otherwise stated, the composition, power, term and duties of all standing
and special committees shall be recommended by the President and approved by the
Executive Committee.
B. The President, or her/his designee, shall be an ex-officio member of all committees
except the Nominating Committee.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee.
A. Will consist of four members chosen by the Nominations Coordinator and approved
by the Executive Committee.
B. Will be responsible for seeking qualified candidates for office and determining the
TSNO School Nurse of the Year as outlined in the operating guidelines.
C. Will present a proposed slate of officers and the TSNO School Nurse of the Year
applicant to the Executive Committee at its meeting prior to the annual business
meeting.
D. Members will serve no more than two consecutive terms.
Section 3. The Finance Committee.
A. Will consist of four members: the Secretary, the Treasurer, and two members of
the Board of Directors appointed by the President and approved by the Executive
Committee.
B. Will be responsible for reviewing the annual budget, actual income and
expenditures, and making recommendations on fiscal matters to the Executive Committee.
C. Will arrange for an annual external audit.
D. Will have no appointed member serve more than one term.
Section 4. Special Appointments. Special appointments shall be submitted in writing to the
Executive Committee for approval. The scope, authority, term and reporting
responsibility be shall included in the proposal.
ARTICLE XI – ELECTIONS
Section 1. Elections.
A. Election of officers shall be by mail ballot.
B. Biographical data of the candidates shall be included with all ballots.
C. Ballots shall be mailed to all eligible members and returned in accordance with
procedures outlined in the operating guidelines.
D. Plurality vote of those voting in any election shall constitute an election.
Section 2. Eligibility. Only Active members of the TSNO shall be eligible to be elected to office.
ARTICLE XII – STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. Composition. The standing committees of the TSNO shall be: Governmental Liaison,
Marketing, Professional Development, Professional Liaison, Publications/Historian, and
Website Liaison. The President with the approval of the Executive Committee appoints
each chairperson.
Section 2. Eligibility. The appointee must have been an Active member of the TSNO for at least
two consecutive years immediately prior to appointment.
Section 3. Terms of Office. The Governmental Liaison, Professional Liaison and Marketing
chairpersons shall be appointed for a two year term in the even numbered years. The
Professional Development, Publications/Historian and Website Liaison shall be appointed
for a two year term in odd numbered years.
Section 4. Duties. Each chairperson shall perform the duties prescribed for the position in the
operating guidelines of the TSNO.
ARTICLE XIII – ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Under the direction of the Executive Committee, the annual conference will be planned and coordinated through a conference committee that includes, but is not limited to, the President, President-elect, and the Professional Development Chair.
ARTICLE IX – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern TSNO in all cases to which they apply and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the TSNO may adopt.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1. The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at the Annual Meeting with previous notice of the proposed amendment having been sent to the President at least sixty (60) days prior
to the date of the Annual Meeting and mailed to the members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting.
Section 2. The Bylaws may be amended by a four-fifths (80%) voteat the Annual Meeting with
written notice having been made available at least eight (8) hours before the vote, to all eligible members registered at the Annual Meeting.
TSNO Bylaws
Revised 11/06
TSNO BYLAWS INITIATED AND APPROVED AMENDMENTS
Initial TSNO Bylaws were approved July 15, 2003.
Two amendments were presented and approved at the November 13, 2004 TSNO Business meeting during the conference in Austin, Texas in accordance with the TSNO Bylaws.
1. ARTICLE XII, Section 1 was amended to include the position of Professional Liaison that had been inadvertently omitted from the original bylaws.
2. ARTICLE XII, Section 3 was amended to include that the Professional Liaison will serve a two year term and be appointed in the even numbered years.
One amendment was presented and approved at the November 5, 2005 TSNO Business meeting during the conference in Dallas, Texas in accordance with the TSNO Bylaws.
1. Article V was amended to be in compliance with a change in NASN Bylaws. The fiscal year remains the same. The membership year shall be the calendar year from the time the person pays dues to NASN/TSNO.
TSNO Bylaws Changes
Presented to and approved by the TSNO membership at annual business meeting Saturday, November 11, 2006
1. Article III Clarifying members of TSNO Regions
Rationale: Clarifies that members of TSNO Regions are TSNO/NASN members
Article III – Affiliation
The TSNO is a unified affiliate of the National Association of School Nurses, Incorporated (NASN.) TSNO Regional Affiliates (Regions) are comprised of TSNO/NASN members of geographic regions defined by Texas Education Agency (TEA).
2. Article IV (NASN Bylaws Change 7/2/06) Modification of language to provide clarity to membership categories
Rationale: Remove unnecessary wording, improve grammar, and to limit corporate/business/professional organization membership to organizations.
Article IV – Membership and Dues
Section 3: Classification
C. Retired members shall:
Any school nurse who is active member of TSNO, upon retirement shall be eligible to become a Retired member, upon notification to TSNO.
D. Student members shall:
1. Be enrolled in a professional nursing
program to meet requirements to become a
school nurse, or a student not currently
a nurse, in a professional nursing
program.
2. Submit proof of enrollment in a
professional program with the membership
form.
3. Be allowed a maximum of five years of
student membership.
4. Not be Be ineligible for granted student membership if they have completed the requirements to be a
school nurse and are pursuing further education.
E. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization
members shall be:
1. Those organizations persons who
desire to support the goals of the TSNO,
and whose members are not eligible for
Active or Associate membership in the
TSNO.
3. Article V Change fiscal year
Rationale: Provides smoother transition for incoming Treasurer who begins term in November.
Article V - Fiscal and Membership Year
EFFECTIVE JANUARY, 2008
Section 1: The fiscal year of the TSNO shall be from January 1 through December 31.
4. Article VI (NASN Bylaws change 7/2/06) Clarification of when terms of office begin
Rationale: Clarify when terms of officers begin and provide an avenue for officers to begin their terms of office in the event they are not able to be present at the typical time of installation.
Article VI - Officers
Section 3: Term of Office.
H. The President and President-elect shall serve
for a term of only two years, or until
successors are elected and installed.
I. The President-elect shall be elected in even
numbered years and shall automatically succeed
the office of President at the expiration of
the President’s term and shall act for the president in the absence of the president.
J. The Secretary shall be elected in odd numbered
years and serve for a term of two years, or
until a successor is elected. and installed.
K. The Treasurer and Nominations Coordinator
shall be elected in even numbered years and
serve for a term of two years, or until a
successor is elected. and installed.
F. The term of office for all officers shall
commence upon installation at the close of the annual conference.
5. Article VI (NASN Bylaws change 7/2/06) Removing two-year term option for NASN Director
Rationale: The suggested removal of the optional two-year term for state affiliate NASN directors is based on the increased turnover in the NASN Board of Directors created by two year terms. Increased turnover of the state NASN directors creates the potential of a less experienced NASN board and fewer available representatives to assume leadership responsibilities typically occurring in year three or four of service.
Article VI - Officers
L. The Director to the National Association of
School Nurses shall be elected in odd numbered
years and shall serve for a two- or a four-
year term. A representative serving a two year
term shall be eligible for re-election for one
additional two-year term. A representative
serving a four-year term and shall serve one term only. The term of office shall coincide with NASN’s guidelines.
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