PASNAP Strategic Plan, Constitution, and By-Laws

The documents below are for membership review to be discussed and voted on during the PASNAP annual business meeting on March 31, 2006.  Any questions or concerns should be addressed through the webmaster.

PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION

OF

SCHOOL NURSES AND PRACTITIONERS

2006

STRATEGIC PLAN

DRAFT

As the voice for all certified school nurses in our state, the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners recognizes the importance of following a carefully crafted plan which enhances the present functioning and future performance of the organization.  The Strategic Plan is meant to be a dynamic document, and as such, will be reviewed by the Organization Committee yearly to document and report to the Board of Directors the progress toward each goal and objective. The revised and updated plan is based on the current and predicted needs determined by Pennsylvania’s certified school nurses and practitioners through needs assessments and written reports

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners is to provide the structure and leadership necessary to promote unity among all certified school nurses and to advance the professional practice of school nursing through continuing education, political awareness, and promotion of school nursing to assure quality school health services

ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

BY 2008 (or 2010) THE ORGANIZATION WILL:

ORGANIZATION GOALS

GOAL 1:          EDUCATION: PASNAP WILL PROMOTE THE PRACTICE OF SCHOOL NURSING IN PENNSYLVANIA

1.1  Expand and utilize existing continuing education opportunities for school nurses in Pennsylvania.

  1.1.1 Provide a needs-based comprehensive annual educational   conference which reflects best practice in school nursing, advanced technology, and leadership skills.

                       1.1.2  Develop and maintain a professional development corner as part  of the PASNAP web page.

                              1.1.2.1 Include internet links to professional sites offering continuing education credit related to school health

1.1.2.2 Maintain an updated list of related professional conferences available throughout the state.

1.1.3        Promote regional conferences throughout the year to supplement the annual conference by presenting pertinent topics of interest to certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners specific to that region

1.2          Collaborate with community agencies and organizations to broaden resources available to the school community.

1.2.1        Collaborate with professional organizations via board liaisons i.e. PSEA, NASN, AFT

1.3          Promote the expanded role of the certified school nurse with on the role as a health educator.

1.3.1        Participate in the development of school community health and procedures that affect school health services.

1.3.2        Develop and disseminate educational materials regarding the role of the school nurse and current health issues that impact children and the community.

1.3.3        Advocate for the inclusion of the certified school nurse on private and public health curriculum committees on the local, state, and national levels

1.4          Prepare a newsletter that provides information and a networking system for certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners.

1.4.1        Encourage school nurses and school nurse practitioners to submit articles on their practice.

1.4.2        Actively solicit articles from interested stakeholders

1.4.3        Increase the percentage of regional representatives submitting written reports for each newsletter               

1.5          Encourage certified school nurses and practitioners to enroll in educational programs which enhance their knowledge and skills.

1.5.1        Provide educational scholarships.

1.5.2        Support college and university programs relevant to school nursing. 

1.6          Encourage school nurses and school nurse practitioners to engage in outcome-based research.

1.6.1        Provide monetary awards for relevant research.

1.6.2        Encourage the presentation of research results at the state

            and national levels

1.7          Improve the management, revisions, and updates of the PASNAP web page through an expanded technology committee.

1.7.1        Encourage the use of the internet resources to enhance the dissemination of educational materials and continuing educational opportunities through web links.

1.7.2        Establish and develop a professional development corner on the PASNAP website to provide information on upcoming school health related educational conferences, workshops, and seminars being offered across the state and nation-wide

GOAL 2:         ORGANIZATION: PASNAP WILL PROVIDE THE STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP FOR ADVANCING SCHOOL HEALTH IN PENNSYLVANIA

2.1        Maintain an organizational structure that meets the needs of           Pennsylvania’s certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners.

2.1.1        Revise the Constitution and By-Laws as necessary.

2.1.2        Define a membership structure that will serve the needs of the Organization.

2.1.2.1   Set membership dues at a level that will allow adequate funding of organization programs.

2.1.2.2 Increase membership by 10% per year.

2.2       Remain an affiliate state of the National Association of School Nurses

            2.2.1    Elect the State Director on a schedule consistent with NASN

            2.2.2    Provide financial assistance for the director to attend NASN board meetings.

2.2.3        Disseminate NASN information /materials to all affiliated nurses in Pennsylvania

2.3                Update organization procedures as needed.

2.3.1        Collaborate with other nursing organizations to review and revise the roles and standards of practice for certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners.

2.3.2        Ensure that the policies and procedures are consistent with the current scope and standards of school nursing practice and briefs and position statements set by school health nursing organizations. 

2.3.3        Maintain operating guidelines as a living document by reviewing, revising, and updating annually for the board of directors.

2.4              PASNAP will be a fiscally stable organization.

2.4.1        Maintain in the treasury an amount equivalent to twenty-five percent of the yearly operating expenses.

2.4.2        Prepare an annual budget.

2.4.3        Plan annual and regional conferences that are self-supporting.

2.4.4        Seek grants or funds from the public and private sector to provide educational offerings and monies for special projects.

2.4.5        Solicit advertisements for the newsletter and web pages from vendors of school health supplies and school health education materials, to help defray the costs of their production.

2.4.6        Designate funds for public relations, including brochures and promotional materials, to foster our professional image.

2.4.7        Have annual tax forms prepared by a professional accountant.

2.4.8        Have accounts submitted for internal/external audits as specified by the Constitution and By-Laws.

2.4.9        Purchase insurance necessary to protect the financial stability of the organization.

            2.4.9.1   Secure an “Event Cancellation” insurance policy for the                             annual PASNAP educational conference

GOAL 3:         LEGISLATIVE: PASNAP WILL BE COGNISANT OF AND PROMOTE SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES THAT COULD IMPACT CERTIFIED SCHOOL NURSES AND SCHOOL NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN PENNSYLVANIA

3.1  Increase visibility of certified school nurses with decision makers who affect school health and school nursing.

3.1.1        Sponsor a “Day on the Hill” activity to personally communicate with legislators.

3.1.2        Provide copies of the newsletter and web page address to legislators, government agencies and other key stakeholders in school health.

3.1.3        Educate legislators and school boards about school nursing practice by providing updated copies of  “The Role of the PA Certified School Nurse” legislators and school districts.

3.2   Promote representation of school nurses on local, state, and committees, coalitions, boards, and commissions.

3.2.1        Provide board members to represent and serve as liaisons for PASNAP on local, state, and      national committees and coalitions. e.g. PANA, PSEA, PSAP, ANA, NASN.

3.2.2        Encourage members to take leadership roles in local organizations and committees.

3.2.3        Provide input to the Board of Education regarding certification criteria.

3.2.4       Collaborate with the Departments of Education and Health in review of state certification requirements that reflect the unique abilities of the certified school nurses and school nurse practitioner

3.3  Communicate relevant information to legislators, governmental  agencies, and others stakeholders in school health issues.

3.3.1        Issue briefs on key legislative issues.

3.3.2        Disseminate information through the newsletter, list serve, and web page.

3.3.3        Collaborate with the Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare to promote favorable legislation on school health issues.

3.4      Provide opportunities for school nurses to learn legislative skills.

3.4.1        Continue to collaborate with PASNAP’s legislative consultant on key issues.

3.4.2        Strive to collaborate with legislators to introduce legislation that will enhance the practice of school nursing for the health and welfare of children.

3.4.3        Encourage participation on the “Day on the Hill”. 

GOAL 4:         PUBLIC RELATIONS: PASNAP WILL PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY OF SCHOOL NURSING.

4.1  Continue to promote school nursing as a professional nursing specialty, and PASNAP as the certified school nurse organization in   Pennsylvania.

4.1.1        Continue to develop and disseminate brochures and promotional items.

4.1.2        Prepare articles for publication in the PASNAP newsletter, on the web page, local newspapers, and public media.

4.1.3        Maintain and update the LISTSERV

4.2  Promote awareness of the role of the certified school nurse, school nurse practitioner, and  the scope of school health services.

4.2.1        Communicate with key members of the public and private sector in conjunction with other PASNAP committees.

4.2.2        Educate local school boards, elected officials, and community members as to the unique role our specialty plays in securing the health, safety, and welfare of the school community.

4.2.3        Develop materials to be used with school boards and administrators.

PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL NURSES AND PRACTITIONERS

Constitution

Article I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be “Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP)

Article II: PURPOSE

The Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners will strengthen the educational process of the state’s children by providing leadership in the promotion and delivery of quality health services and health education by certificated school nurses in every school district in Pennsylvania.

OBJECTIVES:

A. To encourage professional growth by providing continuing education programs in school health.

B. To develop a communications network among school nurses.

C. To advance the field of school health and health education.

D. To promote cooperation among other groups who are interested in fostering the health of the school-aged child.

E. To actively promote research in the practice of school health and education.

F. To facilitate and support legislative changes pertaining to the health of school children.

G. To support the state certification process as a means of promoting and maintaining the professional standards of school nursing practice.

H. To provide publication of newsletters and other communications pertinent to the objectives of PASNAP.

Article III: AFFILIATION

A. The Association is an affiliate of the National Association of School Nurses.

B. A local/county/ or regional school nurse organization comprised of registered professional school nurse members whose members meet the membership requirements for PASNAP shall be eligible to become a state affiliate of PASNAP upon approval of the executive committee of PASNAP.

Article IV: MEMBERSHIP

A. Active Membership shall include school nurses and practitioners certificated as school nurses by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. An active member shall have as their primary assignment, the administration, education, or the provision of school health services. Any retired member who desires to remain in the Active membership classification shall be required to pay full Active dues, shall be granted Active membership privileges. Active members shall be entitles to full membership rights.

B. Associate membership shall include any registered professional nurse who is not eligible for Active membership, but who provides full-time services to a school. Associate members shall have all the privileges of membership, except the privilege of voting and holding office.

C. Retired members shall include any school nurse who is a member of PASNAP upon retirement and notification of the retirement to PASNAP. Retired members shall have all the privileges of membership, except the privilege of voting and holding office.

D. Student members shall 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. The student must submit proof of enrollment in a professional nursing program with the membership form. Student membership will be allowed a maximum of five years. Student membership will not be granted if the requirements to be a school nurse are completed and the student is pursuing further education. Student members shall have all the privileges of membership, except the privilege of voting and holding office.

E. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization members shall include organizations or persons who desire to support the goals of PASNAP and whose members are not eligible for Active or Associate membership in PASNAP. Granting of a Corporation/Business/Professional Organization membership shall in no way bind PASNAP to support the philosophies or policies of any Corporation/Business/Professional Organization members. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization shall have all the privileges of membership except those of voting, holding office and serving on a committee.

F. Lifetime retired members shall include any member who wishes to become a lifetime member upon notification to PASNAP and payment of a one time fee.

G. Member-at-Large shall include any persons who hold a special interest in or who are working with PASNAP and who do not fit into any other PASNAP membership classification. Member-at-Large members shall have all the privileges of membership except those of voting, holding office and serving on a committee.

Article V: OFFICERS

Officers of this organization shall be the president; immediate past-president; president-elect; secretary; treasurer; representatives-at-large; and the Pennsylvania Director to NASN.

To be eligible to hold office a person, at the time of election, must be actively employed as a certified school nurse and be an Active member of the organization.

Article VI: STRUCTURE

The Association shall consist of the following Sections: (!) Certificated  School Nurses, (2) School Nurse Practitioners.

Article VII: MEETINGS

Section 1. The general membership meeting shall be held in conjunction with an annual conference. Other meetings may be called by the President.

Section 2.  Quorum-A majority of the active members registered and present shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3.  Electronic Meetings.  Board of Directors, Executive committee, standing and special committees are authorized to meet by telephone conference or through other electronic communication media so long as a quorum is present and all the members simultaneously hear each other and participate during the meeting.

Section 4.  Email Voting.  Board of Directors, Executive Committee, standing and special committees are 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 or committee.

Article VIII: AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present at the annual meeting. Proposed amendments may be presented by the Organization Committee or upon petition of fifteen or more members of the organization. Proposed amendments must be made available to members of the organization at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.

Article IX: BY-LAWS

By-laws not consistent with the constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those members present at the annual meeting. The provisions of any section of the By-laws may be suspended for a single meeting by two-thirds vote of the members present.

Article X: EFFECTIVE DATE

This constitution shall take effect upon ratification by two-thirds of the members present at the annual meeting.

BY-LAWS

Article I: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the organization.

Section 2. Quorum-A majority of the members of the executive committee, including at least two elected officers, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3.  Meetings- Meetings of the executive committee shall be held at least once a year.  Other meetings may be called by the president as deemed necessary.

Section 1. Term and Manner of Election

A. All officers, except secretary, shall be elected by mail ballot biennially from the active membership. In lieu of election by mail ballot, an uncontested slate of officers as approved at the annual membership meeting will be deemed duly elected.

B. The newly elected officers shall begin their term of office at the beginning of the fiscal year which is September 1 to August 31.

C. The secretary shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

D. All officers shall serve one (1) two year term with the exception of the treasurer, who may serve an additional two year term and the Pennsylvania Director to NASN who serves a term according to NASN By-Laws

Section 2. Duties of Officers

A. The President shall:

                1. Preside at the general membership meeting.

                2. Preside at Executive Committee meetings.

                3. Preside at Board of Directors meetings.

                4. Be an impartial chairperson, voting only to break a tie.

                5. Approve all expense vouchers.

               6. Designate or appoint chairpersons of ad hoc committees and organizational liaisons as needed to accomplish specific objectives of this organization.

                7. Fill vacancies on the Board of Directors.

B. The President-elect shall:

                1. Perform all duties of the office of the president in the absence of the president.

                2. Be coordinator of the annual meeting and conference.

                3. Be professional development coordinator.

C. The Immediate Past-President shall:

                1. Perform the duties of the president in the absence of the president and the president-elect.

                2. Serve as chairperson of the nominations/elections committee.

D. The Secretary shall:

                1. Keep minutes of all meetings.

                2. Perform such other duties as are normally assigned as secretary.

                3. Be an impartial recorder without a right to vote.

E. The Treasurer shall:

                1. Prepare the annual budget in consultation with the Board of Directors.

                2. Pay bills from approved expense vouchers.

                3. Keep an accurate account of the organization’s monies.

                4. Submit a detailed written account of the debits and credits at each Board of Directors meeting and at the annual business meeting.

                5. Submit accounts for internal audit annually and secure the external audit biennially.

F. The Representatives-at-Large shall:

                1. Consist of one representative of the nurse practitioner section and one representative of the school nurse section.

                2. Represent each section at the Executive Committee meetings and Board of Directors meetings.

G. The Pennsylvania Director of NASN shall:

                1. Act as the official spokesperson for PASNAP at all NASN Board of Directors meetings.

                2. Act as official spokesperson for NASN at all PASNAP Board of Director meetings.

                3. Submit state newsletter and information to NASN.

                4. Sit on the Organization Committee.

                5. Represent NASN to all state organizations concerned with school health.

                6. Submit an annual report to NASN by June 15^th of each year.

                7. Coordinate nomination of the School Nurse of the Year.

                8. Serve a term of office as prescribed by NASN by-laws.

Section 3. Duties of the Executive Committee

A. The Executive Committee shall have the duty and authority to act in matters requiring immediate decision and action.

B. The Executive Committee shall serve as the annual internal audit committee.

Section 4. Recall

An officer of the organization may be recalled from office by two-thirds vote of the Active members by mail ballot. Recall shall be initiated by a recall motion signed by at least 25% of the Active membership.

Article II: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Membership

The board of Directors shall consist of the officers, chairs of the committees, one representative from each of 6 geographic regions of the Commonwealth (Northeast, Northcentral, Northwest, Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest), one representative each from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and Ad Hoc members consisting of the Director of School Health Services, Pennsylvania Department of Health, or his/her designee ,a Nurse Educator and representatives of other professional nursing or educational organizations as deemed necessary by the board.

Section 2. Duties

The Board of Directors shall carry out plans and policies adopted by the organization.

Section 3. Meetings

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President.

Section 4. Quorum

A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum.

Article III: REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1. Term and manner of election

A. Regional representatives shall be elected by members of their respective areas by mail ballot. They shall be elected on the alternate year of the officers. In lieu of election by mail ballot, an uncontested slate of representatives as approved at the annual membership meeting will be deemed duly elected.

B. Regional representatives shall serve a term of two years and may be elected to serve a successive two year term.

Section 2. Duties

The regional representative shall:

                1. Represent members of their respective region.

                2. Be an active, voting member of the Board of Directors. If neither the representative nor an alternate attends three consecutive meetings he/she shall be replaced by the president.

                3. Relay pertinent information to the regional members as necessary.

                4. Serves on committees as appointed by the President.

                5. Act to encourage membership in this organization.

Article IV: 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 his/her designee shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

Section 2. Chairpersons

The chairperson of the Finance committee shall be the treasurer of the organization. The chairperson of the Nominations/Elections committee shall be the immediate past president. Their term of office shall coincide with those of the officers of the organization.

Section 3. Duties

A. Education

                1. To plan educational programs for the organization.

B. Finance

                1. To determine the dues structure of the organization.

                2. To prepare an annual budget in consultation with the Executive Committee.

                3. Sit as a member of the organization committee.

C. Legislative

                1. To review current legislation affecting health and education.

                2. To propose legislation favorable to the organization.

                3. To inform the membership when action needs to be taken.

D. Membership

                1. To enlist members and to keep accurate membership roles.

                2. Sit as a member of the organization committee

E. Nominations/Elections

                1. To receive nominations.

                2. To screen nominations for eligibility.

                3. To present a report at the annual meeting.

                4. To prepare ballots and conduct the election.

F. Public Relations

                1. Oversees the newsletter.

                2. To prepare and/or edit articles/publications for the public media.

G. Scholarship/Research

                1. To establish and maintain a scholarship award.

                2. To establish and maintain a research award.

                3. Sit as a member of the Education Committee.

H. Technology

                1. To promote the use of technology in the practice of school nursing.

                2. Sit as a member of the Education Committee.

I. Organization Committee

                1. To review the operations of the organization.

                2. To review and recommend changes and/or additions to the Constitution and By-laws.

Section 4. Other Committees

The president shall appoint other committee chairpersons as may be needed for the efficient operation of the organization with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article V: DUES

Dues shall be collected annually in the amount designated by the Board of Directors.

Article VI: AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Active members at any general membership meeting.

Article VII: RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall prevail, except where otherwise provided for in the Constitution and By-laws of this organization.

Article VIII: DISSOLUTION

A resolution for the dissolution of this organization must be signed by a majority of active members entitled to vote and present at the annual meeting. Officers must notify the membership of this resolution and vote prior to the annual meeting. All monies remaining after payment or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities incurred by the organization shall be disposed of by the officers to a recipient organization that qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501-© (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1984.

Adopted 11/7/93                                                                                                     

Revised    4/2/95                                                                                                                                               3/24/96                                                                                                                                               3/17/02                                                                                                                                               3/23/03                                                                                                                                              4/18/04