Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing

Bylaws

Ratified by membership September 28, 2007

(September 30, 2011: A Bylaws Review Committee has been formed and will be reviewing WCAPN's current bylaws. Check back later for updates).

Chapter 1:  Definition

The Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit council that promotes Advanced Practice Nursing in the state of Wyoming. 

Chapter 2:  Membership

Membership in the Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing is open to all Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who hold a Wyoming APRN license or who practice in a federal facility based in the state of Wyoming.  APRNs included for membership are Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. 

Chapter 3:  Officers

There are four officers of the WCAPN:  Chair, Chair-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.  The Chair, Chair-elect, Secretary and Treasurer are elected by the general membership at the annual membership meeting on an alternating basis. 

Section 1:  Duties of the Officers

Chair:  Presides over council affairs and meetings.  Represents (or designates representation of) the WCAPN in business, legislative, and other professional relationships.  Directs (or appoints director for) activities of the council including educational, legislative, and public presentations.

Chair-elect:  Assists chair in his/her duties in preparation for assuming the chair role at the end of the chair’s elected period.   Assumes duties as chair when chair is unable to fulfill duties (either temporarily or permanently) during the elected chair’s tenure.  Assumes chair position after elected chair’s tenure.

Secretary:  Enrolls new and renewing members and maintains current membership list including updated addresses.  Records minutes of meetings and maintains as permanent records.   Provides other correspondences and written material as directed by the chair.  Is responsible for disseminating pertinent information to the membership.   Chairs the nomination committee and preparing ballots for elections.

Treasurer:  Maintains financial records of the WCAPN.  Is responsible and accountable for WCAPN income and outgo, recording transactions appropriately and maintaining receipts.  Prepares annual budget report for chair to present to membership at annual business meeting and is prepared to respond to any inquiries regarding the financial affairs of the council.  Prepares and submits tax forms as indicated.

Section 2:  Tenure of the Officers

Officers will assume their role for two years with elections being held as outlined in this document.    No officer may serve more than two consecutive terms unless otherwise discussed and voted upon at the general membership meeting.

Elections will be held each year at the general membership meeting.  The treasurer and secretary will be elected in alternate years.  The co-chair will be elected every two years, with the sitting co-chair assuming the chair role after the election.  Only current members of the WCAPN may vote in the elections.

If a person is unable to complete their elected tenure, he/she must notify the current chair as soon as possible so that a suitable replacement can be appointed to serve the remainder of the term.  In the case of the chair needing to resign, he/she must notify the co-chair to assume the position and notify the remainder of the officers and the membership of the change.  In any event, the exiting officer must have their information collected with a progress report on completed, current, and future duties.

Section 3:  Qualifications of Officers

Officers must be a current member of the Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing, and maintain membership during their term.  Must be willing and able to serve two year commitment.

Section 4:  Election of Officers

Nominations for offices will be solicited each year by the WCAPN board.  Potential candidates must be a current member of WCAPN.  Voting will be done by secret ballot during the annual general membership meeting in September of each year.

Ballot will clearly state the position to be filled and the name(s) of the candidate for that position.  Space will also be provided for “write-in” candidates so long as that candidate has consented to serve and is a member of WCAPN.

A plurality vote shall constitute the results of an election.  In the event of a tie, the choice shall be made by lot.  The term of the elected official shall begin at the adjournment of the general membership meeting at which the elections took place.

Any challenge to the election shall be filed with the WCAPN board with 30 days after the adjournment of the meeting.

Section 5:  Removal of Officers

Any officer elected by the WCAPN membership may be removed by the membership whenever such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the WCAPN or for other just cause.  Removal of an officer requires the majority vote of the general membership.

Removal of an officer will be handled as a vacancy and will be filled according to Section 2:  Tenure of Officers.

Chapter 4:  Board Members

The WCAPN structure will allow for a general board to assist the officers in carrying out specific business and activities of the WCAPN.  In general, the members of the board may be appointed by the Chair or may be accepted on a volunteer basis.   Board membership must include a representative from the University of Wyoming/Fay Whitney School of Nursing if such a representative is not a current council officer.   Board membership shall also include the chair of (or representation from) the various WCAPN committees as set forth in Chapter 5 of this document.  Board membership may not exceed seven members.

Board members serve at the leisure of the Chair and may be removed by the chair when their participation is no longer required (ie. Temporary service for a special purpose or project) or their conduct is disruptive to the functioning of the board.

Chapter 5:  Council Committees

There shall be seven  standing committees of the WCAPN.  Other committees may be appointed by the Chair for special purposes or projects.  Each committee should have not less than three members, and as many members as may be needed to fulfill their function.  Each committee shall select a chair, or the chair may be appointed by the WCAPN Chair.

General members are highly encouraged to volunteer for a committee assignment of interest to them.  Members may serve on more than one committee, but should not be the chair of more than one committee at a time.  All members of the committees are expected to be active participants in achieving the mission of the committee and the WCAPN.

Committee meetings will be set by the committee chair and will be held with a frequency suited to achieving the purpose of the committee in a timely manner.

The standing committees and purposes are as follows:

Annual Conference Planning Committee:    Shall consist of no less than five members, one of who is the treasurer and one of which is a representative of the University of Wyoming Fay Whitney School of Nursing.  Committee should also include representation from any other major sponsor or contributor to the conference (ie.  Cheyenne VA Medical Center).  Purpose is to develop the annual conference, securing funding, presenters, CNE credit, facilities, etc. 

Financial Committee:   Shall consist of no less than three members, one of who is the WCAPN treasurer.  Purpose is to monitor financial aspects of WCAPN, allowing for a specific budget and monitoring process for all financial activities.  Prepares annual financial report for submission to the general membership.  Makes recommendations for investment of assets for consideration of the board.

General Membership Meeting Committee:  Shall consist of no less than three members, one of who is the WCAPN chair.  Purpose is to plan and organize the general membership meetings, one of which is to be held at the annual conference, with others to be held at the preference of the general membership.  Solicits items and organizes the agenda for the meetings, arranging for needed materials for the general membership to review including ballots from the nominating committee and reports from other committees.  

Legislative Committee:   Shall consist of no less than three members, one of who is the WCAPN chair.  Purpose is to monitor both state and federal legislation that directly affect APRNs and their ability to provide care, and legislation that can affect our patient’s right to choose their care provider and general issues relating to their care.  Committee will establish means of communication among all members to initiate action (ie. Direct contacting of state and national legislators) regarding any proposed legislation and votes.

Membership Committee:   Shall consist of no less than three members, one of who is the WCAPN Secretary.  Purpose is to solicit new members for WCAPN by identifying and contacting APRNs (old and new) throughout the state.  Assist in membership renewal at the general membership meeting.  Attends other professional meetings as identified to represent WCAPN and provide information about the organization.

Nominating Committee:   Shall consist of no less than three members of WCAPN.  Purpose is to secure individuals to run for council offices by solicitation or by inquiry and assure that these potential candidates are members of WCAPN.  Prepares the ballot for voting at the annual general membership meeting, tallies the votes and prepares for announcement. 

Scholarship Committee:  Shall consist of no less than three members.   Purpose is to advertise the availability of scholarship money to the various APRN programs, solicit applicants for the scholarship, and select a recipient based on established criteria.  The committee will use established guidelines and update them as needed. 

Chapter 6:  Meetings

A general membership meeting will be held annually at a time, date and place established by the WCAPN officers.  Usually this meeting is held in conjunction with the annual Pharmacotherapy Conference.  Alternately, a time, date and location can be decided upon by the Council Officers and Board Members, with notification to the general membership within 60 days of the scheduled meeting.

A quorum must be present at both board and general membership meetings to transact official WCAPN business.  The quorum must consist of the Chair (or Co-Chair in his/her absence), either the Secretary or Treasurer, and at least three members of the general board.  (All officers are highly encouraged to be at any official meeting of the WCAPN.).  

Roberts Rules of Order will be the basic governing rules of the general business meeting.  The meeting will be presided over by the Chair (or Co-chair in his/her absence) with a formal agenda made public to the membership and other attendees.  Points on the agenda will be allowed presentation and discussion, and any resolution must be made by a motion by a member, with the motion seconded by another member, then a vote by the general membership.  A verbal vote will suffice in most cases, with a show of hands vote if the verbal vote is to close to call.  On some agenda items, a written vote may be called for by any member PRIOR to the call for a verbal vote.

For WCAPN board meetings, a quorum as described above must be present.  Voting on issues will be made by those present, with the Chair (or Co-Chair in his/her absence), abstaining unless needed to break a tie in the vote.  Official meetings of the Board shall be held quarterly or as deemed necessary by the Chair.

Ratified by membership September 28, 2007

Modified March 2011 for compliance with 501(c)(3) Non-profit Status