SOUTHWEST FLORIDAORGANIZATION OF NURSE EXECUTIVES(SWONE)
BYLAWS
Accepted November 16, 2010

ARTICLE I – NAME

 

The name of this organization is the Southwest Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, hereinafter referred to as “SWONE”. SWONE serves as a Chapter of the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, hereinafter referred to as FONE.

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Southwest Florida Organization of Nurse Executives shall be to promote health care to the surrounding communities and to advance the development of effective nursing leadership in health care and nursing education facilities by:

 

1. Promoting communication among Southwest Florida nursing leaders and aspiring leaders.
   
   
2. Providing and supporting mechanisms for the exchange of nursing and healthcare-related information and materials relative to nursing leaders and other health care providers.
   
   
3. Promoting communication and effective working relationships between SWONE and other Southwest Florida healthcare and nursing organizations.
   
   
4. Promoting and supporting activities, which will create interest in job opportunities and careers in nursing in our two county areas.
   
   
5. Promoting and maintaining an effective relationship with communities served.

 

1. Promoting educational programs and activities to strengthen the knowledge and skills of our members.

 

1. Collaboration with FONE to foster a shared mission, vision and strategic initiatives.

 

For the purpose of these Bylaws, the term health care includes hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, colleges, extended care facilities, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, ambulatory care centers, nonprofit public health agencies, home health agencies, state hospital associations,)  the Florida State Board of Nursing, Joint Commission, the Agency for Healthcare Administration and professional nursing and healthcare specialty organizations.

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 3.1 – Classification of Membership

1. Full
2. Student
3. Honorary
4. Retired
5. Affiliate

 

Section 3.2 – Eligibility

 

All classifications of membership are limited to professional nurses currently licensed or whose licensure is pending in the State of Florida, students in schools of nursing, members of associated affiliate organizations or, if employed within a Veteran’s Administration or Armed Services Hospital, currently licensed in any state.  An FONE member in good standing employed in Lee or Collier counties is a member of SWONE.

 

Section 3.3 –Full Members

(a)  Full Members of SWONE shall be Registered Nurse leaders or aspiring leaders who hold current membership in FONE and either reside or work in Lee or Collier Counties in the State of Florida. This includes those RN’s who hold an organizational role in  administration/management who are accountable for strategic, operational and/or performance outcomes in sites where health care is delivered; faculty in doctoral, graduate and undergraduate nursing programs, including deans and directors; aspiring nurse leaders, consultants in nursing administration/management practice; persons working in professional associations, regulatory agencies and/or accrediting health care organizations; retired full members and editors of professional nursing journals.

 

(b)  Full Members shall have the right to hold elected positions; vote on organizational issues; elect a slate of candidates for service on the SWONE Board of Directors.  Full Members shall have the right to vote on amendments to the SWONE by-laws.

Section 3.4 – Student Members

Student members of SWONE shall be full time nursing students in associate degree, diploma, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral programs. Student members must hold current membership in FONE. They may attend FONE/SWONE business and educational meetings but will not be considered full members, not permitted to vote in the meetings of, or hold office in or vote for directors or officers of SWONE.

 

Section 3.5 – Honorary Members

Honorary Membership is conferred for life upon the recommendation and action by the SWONE Board of Directors. Once conferred, honorary members may attend SWONE business and educational meetings but will not be considered Full Members, not permitted to vote in the meetings of, hold office in, or vote for the Directors or officers of SWONE except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws.

 

Section 3.6 – Retired Members

Retired Members shall be any Full Member who is retired from the profession and has maintained FONE/SWONE membership for a period of five consecutive years prior to their application for retired status.  A Retired Member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of a Full Member.

 

Section 3.7– Affiliate Members

Affiliate Members of FONE/SWONE are individuals who are not registered nurses but who support the mission and vision of FONE and SWONE.  They may attend business and educational meetings but will not be considered Full Members, not permitted to vote in the meetings of, hold office in, or vote for the board members or officers of SWONE except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws.

 

Section 3.8- Charter Members

All members of SWONE on March 2, 2010, the date in which the Chapter was established, shall be known as Charter Members of the Chapter. Members who join SWONE following March 2, 2010 will not be known as Charter Members.

 

Charter members are not a category of membership, and as such, Charter members shall retain the category of full membership.

Section 3.9 –Membership Responsibilities

 

A.         Full

1.         Full Members shall be allowed to:
a.         Vote.
b.         Hold office.
c.         Chair and serve on committees.
d.         Attend all regular and special SWONE/FONE meetings.

e.        Attend SWONE and FONE educational meetings

 

 

 

B.        Student

1.         Student Members shall be allowed to:
a.         Serve on committees.
b.         Attend all regular and special SWONE/FONE meetings.
c.         Attend all SWONE and FONE educational meetings.

 

C.     Honorary

1.         Honorary Members shall be allowed to:
a.         Serve on committees.
b.         Attend all regular and special SWONE/FONE meetings.
c.         Attend all SWONE and FONE educational meetings.

 

D.        Retired

1. Retired Members shall be allowed to:

a.       Vote
b.         Hold office.
c.         Chair and serve on committees.
d.         Attend all regular and special SWONE/FONE meetings.

e.        Attend SWONE and FONE educational programs

 

 

1. Affiliate

1.               Affiliate Members shall  be allowed to:

a.          Serve on committees

b.          Attend all regular and special SWONE/FONE meetings

c.          Attend all SWONE and FONE educational meetings.

Section 3.10– Application for Membership

 

An individual who has completed the formal application for FONE, met the criteria for membership, lives or works in Lee or Collier County and paid the initial membership dues shall become a member of FONE/SWONE.

 

Section 3.11 – Changes in Membership Eligibility

 

A.                 Should a member change place of employment in the same or similar capacity to a healthcare institution/system within the State of Florida, a notice of change of address shall be submitted to Executive Assistant of FONE.

B.                 Membership in SWONE/FONE is not transferable to another person.

C.                Should a change of employment result in a member becoming ineligible for active membership, active status may be continued for two (2) additional years.

D.                Should an officer’s membership status change during the term of office and should that officer continue to reside within Southwest Florida, that officer shall have the right to remain on the SWONE Board of Directors until the end of their current term in order to provide continuity and stability to SWONE.  The Board of Directors shall, however, have the option of requiring a resignation based on any extenuating circumstances which would be in the best interest of SWONE.

 

Section 3.12 – Resignation and Forfeiture of Membership

 

A.                 A member in good standing may resign by sending a letter of resignation to the Executive Assistant of FONE.

B.                 Membership shall be forfeited if annual dues are not received by March 1^st.

 

Section 3.13 – Reinstatement

 

A former member of SWONE/FONE shall apply for reinstatement as a new member once annual membership dues are paid to FONE and the individual meets the eligibility criteria for membership in FONE/SWONE.

 

Section 3.14 – Membership Dues

 

A.                 Annual dues are payable to FONE on January 1^st.  If dues are not paid by March 1^st, membership shall be forfeited.  Reinstatement shall require full dues for renewal of membership at any time for the remainder of the calendar year.

 

B.                 New members may be admitted at any time during the year and shall pay full dues.  Dues paid in October, November or December shall be considered as payment of the next year’s dues.

C.                No portion of the dues paid by any member shall be refundable due to termination of membership for any reason.

D.                The fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

E.                 Annual dues for FONE shall be:
1.   Active membership:  One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00).

Twenty-five dollars ($25) shall go back to the chapter based on the number of Chapter members ($25.00 per member).
2.   Student membership: Sixty Dollars ($60).
3.   Honorary membership: Sixty Dollars ($60).

4.   Retired membership: Sixty Dollars ($60).
5.   Affiliate membership: One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00).

 

ARTICLE IV –BOARD OF DIRECTORS/ OFFICERS

 

Section 4.1 – Classification

The Board of Directors/Officers of SWONE shall be the President, Vice President/President-Elect, Past President, Secretary (Historian), and Treasurer, two Directors from Lee County and two Directors from Collier County.  The President of SWONE shall sit on the FONE Board as a voting member.

 

Section 4.2 – Term of Office

A.                 Eligibility:

 

The eligibility requirement for holding a position as a SWONE officer will be active membership in FONE/SWONE for at least one year immediately prior to nomination.  This requirement will be waived in 2010 during the initial year of SWONE. The first President of SWONE must have served as a member of the FONE Board at least one year prior to appointment.

 

B.                 Term of Office

 

SWONE Board of Directors/Officers will serve the following terms:

 

1.                  President –two (2) years; one year as President and one year as Past President.

 

2.                  President Elect-three (3) years; one year as President Elect, one year as President and one year as Past President.

 

3.                  Secretary (Historian)-two (2) years

 

4.                  Treasurer-two (2) years

 

5.                  Directors-one Director from Lee County and one Director from Collier County will serve for one (1) year.

 

6.                  Directors-one Director from Lee County and one Director from Collier County will serve for two (2) years. Each of these Directors will serve as co-chairpersons of the Program Committee.

 

7.                  The officers shall serve until their successors are elected and assume office.

8.                  The term of office shall begin on January 1^st.

9.                  No officer shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

10.              An officer who has served more than half a term shall be considered to have served a term in that office.

 

Section 4.3 – Vacancies

 

A.                 If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President/President-Elect shall succeed to the office of President.  The Board of Directors shall appoint from the membership of the Board of Directors a Vice President pro tempore. 

B.                 If the office of Vice President becomes vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint from the membership of the Board of Directors a Vice President pro tempore.

C.                If the office of Secretary or Treasurer shall become vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint an eligible member of SWONE for the unexpired term.

D.                If there is a vacancy among the Directors, the Board of Directors shall appoint an eligible member of SWONE for the unexpired term, and an election may not be necessary.

 

Section  4. 4 – Duties of Officers

 

The duties shall be such as are implied by their respective titles, except as otherwise stated in these Bylaws and, more specifically, shall include the following:

 

A.                 The President shall:

1.         Serve as the official representative of SWONE.
2.         Appoint a Parliamentarian if deemed necessary.
3.         Appoint committee chairs with approval of the Board of Directors.

4.         Appoint special committees as directed by the Board of Directors of                                     SWONE.

5.         Preside at all meetings and/or designee.

6.         Prepare an agenda for each meeting.

7.         Report on the activities of FONE to the SWONE Board of Directors.

8.         Report on SWONE activities at the monthly meetings of the FONE Board of Directors.

9.         Prepare an annual report of SWONE activities for presentation at the FONE Annual meeting.

 

B.        The President-Elect shall:

1.         Shall have served as a member of SWONE by attending meetings in the last year.

2.         Assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President.

3.        Serve as the Chairperson of the By-Laws Committee.

4.         Serve  as the Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee

 

C.      The Past President shall:

1.                  Chair the Nominating Committee and oversee the elections for the Board of Directors.

2.                  Serve as Co-Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee

 

D.        The Secretary (Historian) shall:
1.         Send notification of all meetings.

2.         Record and preserve minutes of all meetings of the Board and membership.

3.         Distribute copies of minutes to all Board             members at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting.

4.         Maintain attendance records of all meetings.

5.         Keep records of all communications of SWONE.

6.         Maintains a current list of members.

7.         File all ballots for a period of one year and consents to serve for term of office.

8.         Serve as Historian.

9.         Maintains pictorial records of programs and events and maintains                                       archives of the history of the organization.

10.       Solicit membership for information of awards and recognition achieved by membership for acknowledgement through SWONE/FONE publications and for incorporation in the archives of the organization.

11.       Prepare an annual historic report summarizing activities of the                                             organization, which is then presented at the annual meeting.

 

E.         The Treasurer shall:

1.        Receive all funds of SWONE; deposit such funds in the bank designated by the Board of Directors; and pay such bills as have been approved by the President or the Board of Directors.

2.         Keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements and give a written report at regular meetings of the Board of Directors of SWONE.

3.         Submit all books of account for audit or review at the end of the Treasurer’s elected term and at the request of the Board.

4.         Prepare a budget to be reviewed by the Board for presentation to SWONE at the annual meeting.

5.         Deliver to the newly elected Treasurer all books and bank accounts after audit.

F.         Directors shall:

1. Each Director shall serve as chair or member of a standing committee and chair or participate as a member of the program committee.

2. 3. Participate in Strategic Planning for SWONE

4. Represent the concerns and interests of their respective counties.

 

Section 4. 5 – Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

A.         The Board of Directors shall:

1.         Have the authority to make policy decisions for SWONE.

2.         Establish rules and procedures for the Board of Directors.

3.         Review the annual budget, approve operating statements, and                                approve all expenses related to the organization’s business.

4.         Fill all Board vacancies as directed in the Bylaws.

5.         Approve all official forms.

6.         Report to SWONE members at each regular meeting and/or designee.

7.         Transact business by mail, email or telephone when necessary.

8.           Approve the proposed slate of candidates developed by the Nominating Committee.

9.        Review proposed amendments to Bylaws prior to written presentation to membership.

10.      Review, approve and evaluate all educational programs.

11.        Review, approve and evaluate all contracted services and proof of service.

12.       Communicate with membership by newsletter and/or email.

Section 4.6 – Meetings of the Board of Directors

 

A.                 The Board shall meet not less than four (4) times per year.  The time and place shall be determined by the Board. Board meetings may be conducted by conference call or in person

B.                 Additional meetings may be called by the President or at the request of three (3) Board members.

C.                A quorum shall consist of four (4) members of the Board of Directors.

D.                If any member of the Board of Directors fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings, he/she will be asked to resign from the Board.  Positions will be filled according to Article IV. Section 4.3.

 

Section 4.7 Resignation

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the SWONE President.

 

Section 4.8 Removal

Any of the Officers may be removed at any time by a 2/3 vote of the SWONE Board of Directors; whenever, in their judgment, the best interest of SWONE will be served thereby.  Discretionary removal may be exercised against officers who have demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to carry out and facilitate the approved polices and purposes of SWONE or who have resigned or been removed as SWONE officers.

 

 

ARTICLE V – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

 

Section 5.1 – Nominating Committee

A.        Composition

1.  The Founders shall be the initial members of the Nominating Committee.  The Committee shall consist of a Chairman and two (2) members from the SWONE region.  The Chair shall appoint other members on the Committee as needed.

2. The Nominating Committee will appoint the initial President of SWONE who meets the eligibility requirement outlined in Article IV, Section 4.2.

3.      Following the initial year of establishing SWONE, the Nomination Committee will be chaired by the SWONE Past President.

 

B.        Duties

The Committee shall:

1.      Prepare the election ballot outlining the responsibilities of each open position and eligibility requirements.

2.      Send a call for nominations to each active member, which shall include:

a. List of offices to be filled in the next election.

b. Instructions as to procedure and deadline for filing names for                                   nominations.

c. Consent to serve form, which must be signed by the proposed   candidate for office.

 

Section 5.2 – Method of Election

 

A.                 Elections shall be conducted by e-mail or other electronic means.

 

B.                 Election to the Board of Directors will begin with distribution of a Call for Nominations that will be distributed to all SWONE members. Members will have ten working days to return the Call for Nominations by fax or electronically.

 

C.                 SWONE members may nominate themselves or another SWONE member for open positions.

 

D.                The completed ballot will be distributed to all SWONE members. This ballot must be returned by fax or electronically to the specified address or fax number.

 

E.                 The ballots shall be tabulated by the Nominating Committee.  The committee shall count the ballots and present the results to the general membership at a meeting of the members.

 

F.                 In the event that a newly elected officer or board member announces their inability to serve prior to their installation, the runner-up shall be duly elected.  If there are no other candidates on the ballot, the nominating committee will be directed to prepare a slate of eligible candidates within twenty-one (21) days of the announcement of inability to serve.  The ballot shall then be e-mailed to each member and returned to the chair of the nominating committee within fourteen (14) days. The results shall then be communicated to the membership by mail or e-mail.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS

SECTION 6.1 – REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held at least four (4) times per year.  These will include one (1) meeting to include the installation of new officers, two (2) meetings with CE credit (one with legislative information).  The November meeting shall be designated as the annual meeting.  The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place for each meeting.

 

SECTION 6.2 – SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings may be called by the President upon the approval of the majority of the Board of Directors or at the request of at least ten (10) members of SWONE.  Such meetings shall be limited to the consideration of subjects listed in the official call.

 

SECTION 6. 3 – NOTICE OF MEETINGS

The Secretary shall notify the membership by e-mail of all meetings no less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting.

 

SECTION 6. 4 – QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of ten (10) active members present at the meeting, one of whom shall be an officer.

 

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

SECTION 7. 1 – STANDING COMMITTEES

A.        There shall be the following standing committees which shall be chaired as designated in these by-laws or otherwise by Presidential appointment.

1.         Bylaws

2.         Program

3.         Nominating/Auditing

4.         Strategic Planning

B.        The Committee Chairs shall recruit their members from the membership during the annual installation meeting or anytime thereafter.

C.        Each committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, one of whom shall be a member of the Board.

 

D.        The President shall be a member, ex-officio, of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

 

E.        All standing committees shall submit written annual reports and such interim reports as necessary.

 

SECTION 7. 2 – DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEES

A.        Nominating/Auditing Committee:
1.         See Article V. for responsibilities for Nominations
2.         Audits the records of the Treasurer at the end of the Treasurer’s                                           elected term and submits a report at the respective annual meeting.
3.         The Treasurer shall not be a member of this committee.

4.         Audits the records of the Treasurer at the request of the Board.

B.        Bylaws Committee:
1.         Review the Bylaws on a regular basis.

2.         Recommend changes necessary to meet the objectives of SWONE.

 

C.        Program Committee:

1.         Develop programs and activities that promote the objectives of SWONE.

2.         Submit recommendations for future programs.

 

D.         Strategic Planning Committee

1.      Develops the annual SWONE Strategic Plan

2.      Reports on the status of the identified strategies and goals quarterly.

3.      Provides a year-end report on the goals and accomplishments of the

Organization related to the Strategic Plan

 

SECTION  7. 3 – SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A.        Special committees may be appointed by the President as authorized by the Board of Directors of SWONE

 

B.        Special committees shall submit interim written reports of their activities to the board, if requested, and upon completion of the project shall present a final written report with conclusions and recommendations.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the SWONE in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are consistent with these Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Southwest Florida Organization of Nurse Executives is organized exclusively as a not-for-profit association.  It shall be conducted so that no part of its income or earnings will inure to the benefit of any member, director, or other individual.  Upon dissolution, the assets shall be distribution to an organization enjoying exempt status under 501 C of the Internal Revenue Code or Successor Statutory Authority.

 

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the eligible members present and voting at any regular business meeting, provided the amendment has been reviewed by the Board of Directors and has been sent in writing to the Secretary.  A copy of the proposed amendment shall be included with the call to the meeting at which time it is to be voted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Approval: November 16,2010

SWONE Organizational Meeting

 

(Signatures on original document)

Date

 

 

__________________________________________                          ________________

President: Michele Thoman, RN, MBA

 

 

_________________________________________                           ________________

President Elect: Linda Strommen, RN, MSN, EdD

 

 

_________________________________________                            ________________

Secretary: Susan Torres, MSN, RN, BC

 

 

_________________________________________                            ________________

Treasurer: Dora Kraus, MBA, RN, CCRN