OFFICERS | MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | NEW MEMBERS | BY-LAWS

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
NURSES' ALUMNI ORGANIZATION
BYLAWS

Organized 1927

Revised January 1950; 1957; 1958; 1959; 1960; 1962; 1963; 1964; 1965; 1968; 1974; 1978; 1980; 1984; 1987; 1989, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

NAME

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the University of Wisconsin-Madison Nurses' Alumni Organization (referred to hereinafter as the Organization).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

Section 1: The purpose of this Organization shall be to:

A. Promote fellowship and recognition among the alumni of the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Nursing (referred to hereinafter as the School),

B. Cooperate with the School in advancing its programs,

C. Aid the School in furthering high standards of professional nursing education and practice, and

D. Assist students in various ways, including but not limited to scholarships and awards recognizing academic achievement and/or financial need.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIPS

Section 1: Membership in this Organization shall consist of two types: Active and Honorary.

Section 2: Active Membership. A person who has attended any program of the School or any faculty member of the School become active members of this Organization and shall have all rights and privileges of membership.

Section 3: Honorary Membership. Honorary membership may be conferred by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors on an individual who is not a graduate of the School and who has rendered outstanding service to this Organization or the School. Honorary members are not eligible to vote or hold elected office.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of this Organization shall be a President, a President-elect, a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Registered Agent.

Section 2: The term of office of all officers elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting shall be two years, with the exception of the office of President-Elect which shall be for one year. It shall commence at the adjournment of the annual meeting and shall continue until the expiration of their respective terms of the office or until their successors are elected. The offices of President and President-Elect may be held by one individual simultaneously.

Section 3: A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 4: Duties of the President: The President shall be chairperson of the Board of Directors; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Committees of Nomination and Budget and Finance. The President may appoint special committees as a need for them arises, with approval of the Board of Directors. The President shall preside at all meetings of this Organization and shall cast the deciding vote in case of a tie. The President shall appoint tellers at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall notify members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of each meeting.

Section 5: Duties of the President-Elect. The President-Elect shall observe the conduct of the Organization in preparation for assuming the duties of the President.

Section 6: Duties of the Vice-President. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice-President shall be chairperson of the Board of Visitors and be responsible for the orientation of its members. The Vice-President shall be a member of the Committee on Budget and Finance.

Section 7: Duties of the Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Organization and the Board of Directors, and preserve all papers and letters of this Organization that the Board of Directors deems necessary.

Section 8: Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the Organization; shall deposit all funds in a bank or banks designated by the Board of Directors; shall keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements; shall give a written report at all meetings of the Board of Directors; assemble and Chair a Finance Committee to meet yearly to create an annual budget and perform an internal audit/review of the organization’s financial records.

Section 9: Duties of the Registered Agent of the Corporation (Nurses' Alumni Organization). The Registered Agent shall file an annual report of the Corporation with the State of Wisconsin, Secretary of State.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Membership and Composition: The Board of Directors shall include the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, President(s) of Student Nurse Association (SNA), President(s) of Graduate Nurse Student Organization (GNSO), appointed committee chairpersons, the most recently retired President of the Organization, and the Registered Agent.

Section 2: Term of Office: Members of the Board of Directors shall serve for two years.

Section 3: Meetings: The Board of Directors shall hold meetings at least four times a year including the annual meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President, and shall be called by the President upon the written request of four or more members of the Board. These meetings shall be open to all active members.

Section 4: The Board of Directors shall:

A. Have full power and authority over the affairs of the Organization. It shall transact the general business of the Organization and report pertinent actions in the Newsletter and/or to the general membership on Alumni Day.

B. Support the School in the expansion of its programs and in its assistance to students.

C. Select a place for deposit of funds; provide for and authorize investments.

D. Determine which persons shall be bonded; fix the amount of bond for each, and approve the same.

E. Create special committees as the need arises. (See Article X, Section 5).

F. Have power to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors.

G. Designate the times and places of the meetings of the Organization and the Board of Directors.

H. Act on the yearly budget as presented by the Committee on Budget and Finance.

I. Make decisions as necessary in regard to the transfer of surplus money from the General Fund to the Scholarship Fund. (See Article XI, Section 1).

ARTICLE VI

DEAN’S BOARD OF VISITORS

Section 1: The NAO President and Designee of the President shall serve as the NAO’s appointees to the Dean’s Board of Visitors. NAO members of the Dean’s Board of Visitors shall serve as liaisons between the School and the community at large. They shall work to encourage progress in the School and to provide assistance to the Dean and the School in appropriate ways. They shall also acquaint themselves with changes in the School and shall interpret collegiate nursing education to the public whenever and wherever appropriate.

ARTICLE VII

ELECTIONS

Section 1: Officers and Directors: All officers of the organization shall be elected by written ballot for a period of two years with the exception of the office of President-Elect which shall be for one year. The President-Elect shall assume the office of President in the even numbered years. The President and Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting in the even-numbered years. The President-Elect, the Vice-President, the Recording Secretary shall be elected at the annual meeting in the odd-numbered years. Half of standing committee chairs shall be appointed annually.

Section 2: Method: The Committee on Nominations shall prepare a list of nominees before the annual meeting. Nominees shall have consented to serve if elected. In addition to the slate, nominations may be made at the annual meeting. Officers shall then be elected at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. (See Article XII).

Section 3: Tellers: The President shall appoint three tellers at the annual meeting and designate the chairperson. Tellers shall count and record all votes and give a written report to the Recording Secretary. The results of the election shall be announced by the President at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors; to the members present on Alumni Day; and in the Newsletter.

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS

Section 1: There will be an annual meeting for the purpose of electing officers and providing the membership with summary committee reports.

Section 2: Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President upon a written request of five members of the Organization.

ARTICLE IX

DUES

Section 1: Automatic membership shall be granted to all alumni upon graduation, eliminating all dues payments.

ARTICLE X

STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1: Titles of Standing Committees: This Organization may have the following standing committees:

A. Committee on Alumni Activities

B. Committee on Budget and Finance

C. Committee on Class Reunions

D. Committee on Student Activities

E. Committee on History

F. Committee on Member Participation

G. Committee on Nominations

H. Committee on Publications (Newsletter)

I. Committee on Scholarships and Awards

Section 2: Appointment of Standing Committees: The chairperson of each standing committee, with the exception of the Committee on Nominations, Committee on Budget and Finance, shall be appointed and approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3: Composition of Standing Committees: Each committee shall consist of a chairperson and additional members who are selected by the chairperson.

A. Committee on Budget and Finance: The Treasurer shall act as chairperson. The President and Vice-President shall be members of the committee. Two other members may be selected by the chairperson.

B. Committee on Nominations: The chairperson shall be elected at the annual meeting.

Section 4: Duties of Standing Committees:

A. Alumni Activities: This committee shall plan and make arrangements for the annual Alumni Day and other special activities as scheduled.

B. Budget and Finance: This committee shall prepare an annual budget; shall advise as to the expenditure of funds; and present the proposed budget to the Board of Directors for recommendations and approval at the annual meeting.

C. Class Reunion: The committee will facilitate reunions.

D. Student Activities: This committee shall arrange periodic receptions for students and any other activities as approved by the Board of Directors. This committee shall serve as liaison with graduate and undergraduate student organizations.

E. History: This committee shall collect and preserve all available pictures, clippings and items of historical interest to the Organization. These shall be maintained and preserved for display in the historical room of the School and at times especially designated by the President or Board of Directors.

F. Member Participation: This committee shall plan measures to promote member participation in the Organization.

G. Nominations: This committee shall prepare a list of nominees consisting of one or more names for each office to be filled. Nominees shall have consented to serve if elected. (See Article VII, Section 2.)

H. Publications (Newsletter): This committee shall have charge of all publications of this Organization. It shall publicize activities and meeting of the Organization in the newspapers and other appropriate publications.

I. Scholarships and Awards: This committee will maintain liaison with the School’s Scholarship Committee/Financial Aids Officer and will assemble materials and nominations for the Organization’s awards.

1. The Organization annually seeks nominations for the Horizon, Distinguished Achievement, and Outstanding Service Awards. The criteria for these awards will be published annually in the Newsletter.

2. A special recognition, the Signe Skott Cooper Lifetime Achievement Award, is presented on those rare occasions where an alumnus/alumna can be characterized by his or her extraordinary dedication to the School, the profession, the community, and the Nurses’ Alumni Organization.

3. Student project grants may be awarded twice per year, in amounts that vary according to the nature and merit of the proposed project.

Section 5: Appointment of Special Committees: Special committees may be appointed by the President (with the approval of the Board of Directors) or by the Board of Directors and shall have such duties as the Board of Directors deems advisable. They shall work under the direction of the Board of Directors and report to them. Special committees shall be dissolved when their final report has been made and accepted.

ARTICLE XI

SCHOLARSHIPS

Section 1: Awarding of Scholarships: Decision about the eligibility for scholarships shall be determined by the School of Nursing. The amount of the scholarships shall be decided by the Board of Directors of this Organization.

ARTICLE XII

VOTING BODY

Section 1: The Voting Body shall consist of the members of the Board of Directors and any member who attends the annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII

QUORUM

Section 1: Board of Directors: Four members of the Board of Directors, including two officers (one of whom shall be the President or Vice-President), shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIV

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1: The order of business at regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be:

A. Call to order

B. Approval of the minutes by Recording Secretary

C. Report of the Treasurer

D. Report of the Standing Committees

E. Report of the Special Committees

F. Communications/correspondence

G. Old Business

H. New Business

I. Adjournment

Section 2: The order of business at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be:

A. Call to Order

B. Roll Call

C. Appointment of Tellers

D. Approval of the Minutes by Recording Secretary

E. Address of President

F. Report of Committee on Nominations

G. Election of Officers

H. Annual Report of the Treasurer

I. Annual Report of the Standing Committees

J. Annual Report of the Special Committees

K. Old Business

L. New Business

M. Report of Tellers

N. Announcement of Election of Officers

O. Adjournment

ARTICLE XV

FISCAL YEAR

Section 1: The Fiscal Year of this Organization shall be from July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE XVI

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1: The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order-Revised shall govern the meetings of this Organization in all cases in which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws.

ARTICLE XVII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting provided the proposed amendments have been presented at least two weeks previous to the meeting.