South Carolina Nurses Association
Chapters Bylaws 

ARTICLE I – TITLE

The name of this SCNA Chapter shall be____________________chapter.  The chapter shall comprise such territory or specialty as the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Nurses Association (SCNA) shall authorize.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND DUTIES

Section 1.  Purpose 

The purpose and function of each chapter shall be clearly defined and recorded by the board of this association.   

(A)    The purpose of this chapter shall align with the purpose of the SCNA.
(B)    These purposes and functions may be changed by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the board provided such change has been previously approved by each chapter concerned and are congruent with the purposes and functions of SCNA.
(C)    Evidence is to be submitted to the Board that a substantial number of members are interested in forming a chapter. 
(D)    The chapter will be recommended by the Commission of Chapters of the SCNA Board

 Section 2. Duties

 It shall be the duty of each chapter of SCNA:

(A)  to require that all its members have the qualifications specified in Article III, Section 2 of SCNA bylaws,
(B)  to maintain a Chapter Executive Committee
(C)  to send to the secretary of SCNA annually, the names and addresses of the chapter executive committee immediately following  their election or appointment,
(D)  to adopt and maintain SCNA Chapter bylaws
(E)  to suggest names of candidates for SCNA ballot and to send the names of these members with addresses to the Committee on Appointments/Nominations,
(F)  to report to the Commission on Chapters as required

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP  

A Registered Nurse who is a member of the South Carolina Nurses Association may join any SCNA chapter.  An SCNA member may choose to affiliate with any number of chapters of SCNA.

 ARTICLE IV –EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Each Chapter shall have a five (5) member Executive Committee composed of a chairperson, vice-chairperson secretary/treasurer and two (2) members-at-large.  

Section 1. Responsibilities 

The Executive Committee shall have the authority and shall perform the duties usually performed by such officers, and also such duties as specified in the SCNA Book of Positions and Roles and as authorized by the Board of Directors of this Association.  

Section 2- Elections

(A)    The chairperson and two (2) members-at-large shall be elected in the even-numbered years to serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected.
(B)   The vice-chairperson and the secretary/treasurer shall be elected in the odd-numbered years to serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected.
(C)   No member of the Executive Committee may serve in the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
(D)   Election results shall be reported to the SCNA Board of Directors within thirty (30) days.
(E)   Chapter elections shall be conducted annually by secret ballot of the current members of the chapter as reported to SCNA. 

 Section 3. Vacancies 

(A)    The absence of a committee member from two (2) consecutive scheduled meetings within a fiscal year may result in the member’s removal from the committee, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
(B)    Vacancies shall be filled by the Executive Committee of the Chapter.      

ARTICLE V – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS 

Section 1.  Nominations 

(A)    Candidates for office shall meet established qualifications and shall consent to serve if elected.
(B)    Individual members shall be considered eligible for only one elective office in any one SCNA Chapter at any one time.
(C)    An individual member who meets the established qualifications for an elective office may declare as a candidate by writing to the secretary of SCNA.
(D)    The members of each SCNA  Chapter shall be notified of the slate of candidates in the South Carolina Nurse at least 60 days before the annual meeting of the SCNA.  

Section 2.   Elections

(A)   Elections shall be held annually following the approved schedule.
(B)   Elections shall be by secret ballot mailed to each Chapter member in accordance with Article XIII, Section 4., of the South Carolina Nurses Association Bylaws.
(C)   The schedule of elections and the calendar for each election shall be published in the South Carolina Nurse.
(D)   A plurality vote shall constitute an election.  In case of a tie, the choice shall be by lot.
(E)   The term of office shall begin at the adjournment of the annual meeting of SCNA.
(F)   All ballots and other records of the election shall be preserved with the chapter records for one (1) year after the election. 
(G)   Any Chapter committee member who chooses to run for a different office when not in an expiring office at the time of the election must resign from the current position to be place on the ballot.
(H)   The Executive Committee would fill the unexpired office by appointment as defined in the Bylaws. 

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS  

Section 1.

Each Chapter will define their preference for conducting business.  Options may include meetings, chat rooms, email correspondence, audio or tele-conferencing.  A minimum of one membership meeting must be held annually. 

Section 2. 

The annual meeting of each Chapter shall be at the annual meeting of the SCNA. 

Section 3.

Special meetings of this Chapter may be called by the Chair upon written request of four (4) members of the Executive Committee, or upon written request of five (5) members of the chapter.  The business shall be limited to the matters for which the meeting was requested. 

Section 4. 

The order of business shall be designated by the Executive Committee. 

Section 5. 

At each annual meeting of members, the Chair and Treasurer shall report on the activities and financial condition of the Chapter. 

ARTICLE VIII – STANDING COMMITTEES 

Section 1.  Composition 

Standing committees as deemed appropriate and established shall carry out functions as delineated by the Chapter (such as membership, Legislation, Finance, Newsletter, Scholarship, Nominations, Program, History). 

Section 2. 

Standing committees as deemed appropriate and established, shall be chaired by one of the members of the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE IX – QUORUM 

Section 1. 

A majority of the Executive Committee, including either the Chair or Vice-Chair shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Committee. 

Section 2. 

Three (3) Executive Committee members and Chapter members present at any membership meeting shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Chapter membership. 

ARTICLE X – SCNA AWARDS FOR CHAPTER PROJECTS 

Annually SCNA will offer Awards to SCNA Chapters.  These awards are to be used by the Chapter to further the purpose and functions of SCNA for their members.  

Section 1.

Each year the SCNA Board will establish an operating budget to support Chapter projects. 

Section 2.

Awards will be granted semi-annually.

Section 3.

Each chapter may submit a written request to the SCNA Board of Directors through the Commission on SCNA Chapters.  Guidelines for this written request will be defined by the Commission on SCNA Chapters.  

 Section 4.

 The SCNA Board has final determination of the number of awards to be funded annually. 

 ARTICLE XI – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern meetings of this Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.  

ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS 

Section 1. With Notice 

These Chapter Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the SCNA membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voted, provided the proposed amendments have been sent to all members at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. 

Section 2. Without Notice 

These Chapter Bylaws may be amended without prior notice at any regular meeting of the SCNA membership by a 99% vote of all members present and voting. 

Section 3. 

All suggestions for proposed amendments shall be referred to the SCNA Bylaws Committee for study.  The amendments proposed by the Bylaws Committee for action at the SCNA Annual Meeting shall be in the possession of the SCNA Board Secretary at least two (2) months before the date of the SCNA Annual Meeting and shall be appended to the call to the meeting. 

ARTICLE XIII – DISSOLUTION OF CHAPTER 

By a two-thirds (2/3) vote, the Board of Directors may agree to recommend dissolution of a Chapter to the Annual Membership Meeting. 

(A).   If the Board of Directors and the respective Chapter mutually agree that there is no reason for the Chapter’s continuance, or;
(B).   If the Board of Directors finds that the Chapter has failed to carry out its responsibilities or conform to its chapter bylaws or the policies and positions of SCNA.
(C).  Funds remaining in any chapter account when a chapter is dissolved will revert to the SCNA within 90 days. 

ARTICLE XIV - REINSTATEMENT 

A chapter which has been disqualified or is on inactive status may be reinstated by a majority vote of the SCNA Board of Directors.