(You may also download the AANS bylaws as a pdf file.)

ARTICLE 1 NAME The name of this organization shall be the Alabama Association of Nursing Students, a constituent of the National Student Nurses Association, Inc., herein referred to as the AANS and NSNA respectively. ARTICLE II PURPOSE Section 1 The purpose of the AANS is: To assure responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide the highest quality health care; To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interests and concern; To aid in the development of the whole person, and his/her responsibility for health care of people in all walks of life; Section 2 The function of the AANS shall include the following: To have direct input into the standard of nursing education and the influence in the education process; To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate; To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved health care and the resolution of related social issues; To represent Alabama nursing students to consumers, institutions, and other organizations; To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities; To promote and encourage student recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and educational opportunities regardless of the person's race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age and economic status; To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Alabama State Nurses Association and the Alabama League for Nursing, as well as other nursing and related health organizations. ARTICLE III CONSTITUENT ASSOCIATIONS Section 1 Local student associations whose membership is at least ten (10) active associate or AANS members which have applied for designation as a constituent, and whose bylaws conform to the requirements of AANS, and have been approved by a majority vote of the AANS Executive Board, shall be recognized as a constituent. Section 2 A constituent organization not complying with the requirements of these bylaws may be disqualified by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board of AANS, provided notice of the anticipated action has been given to the constituent two (2) months before such a vote is taken and the constituent is given the opportunity to be heard. Section 3 School chapters are entities separate and apart from the AANS in their administration of activities with NSNA and AANS exercising no supervision or control over their immediate, daily or regular activities. NSNA and AANS have no liability for any loss, damages, or injuries sustained by third parties as a result of the negligence or acts of school chapters or members thereof. In the event any legal proceeding is brought against NSNA or AANS as a result of such acts of omission or commission by a school chapter, said school chapter will identify and hold harmless the NSNA and AANS from any liability. ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP Section 1 Members of the constituent association shall constitute the membership of the AANS School chapters whose membership is composed of active or associate members, whose bylaws have been approved by the AANS Executive Board, shall be recognized as a constituent. A school chapter shall be composed of at least ten (10) members from the school for AANS recognition and NSNA recognition. There shall be only one chapter from each school. A state association shall be composed of at least two (2) schools that meet NSNA requirements. Section 2 Members Active members: Undergraduate students enrolled in a state approved program leading to licensure as a registered nurse. Registered nurses enrolled in undergraduate programs in nursing. Active members shall have all the privileges of membership. Associate members: Pre-nursing students enrolled in college or university programs designated as preparation for an associate, diploma, or baccalaureate degree in nursing. Individual members: Individual membership shall be open at the state and national level to any eligible student when membership in a constituent association is not available. Individual members shall have the same privileges as described in Article IV, Section 2, items 1 and 2. Section 3 Non-constituent membership Sustaining membership: Sustaining membership shall be open at the state level to any individual or organization interested in furthering the growth and development of AANS upon the approval of the AANS Executive Board. This category is not open to those for active or associate membership. Honorary memberships: Honorary membership may be conferred by two-thirds vote of the House of Delegates upon recommendation by the AANS Executive Board upon persons who have rendered distinguished service or invaluable assistance to AANS. Honorary membership shall have none of the obligations or privileges of membership. Section 4 Active, associate, or individual membership shall be extended six (6) months beyond completion of a student's program in nursing. Sustaining membership shall be renewable annually. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 1 Duties The president shall: Preside at all business meetings of this association and the AANS Executive Board. Appoint special committees with the approval of the AANS Executive Board. Establish and maintain contact with the Executive Director of the Alabama State Nurses Association concerning legislation pertinent to the nursing profession. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees. Approve expenditures as submitted by the Treasurer and authorized by the AANS Executive Board. Be accessible to the President-elect in an advisory capacity for the period of one (1) year. Have the power to disburse funds with the approval of the AANS Executive Board in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Treasurer. Be bonded. Perform all duties as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. Perform all duties pertaining to the office and represent all matters relating to the AANS, NSNA or the ALN. The 1st Vice President shall: Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. Assume the duties of the President in the event of a vacancy. Serve as parliamentarian during all meetings of the AANS and the AANS Executive Board. Be responsible for obtaining speakers for the AANS annual convention, and assist with additional AANS annual convention planning as needed. Perform other duties as assigned by the President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The 2nd Vice-President shall: Oversee all arrangements and planning for the AANS annual convention, and report these activities to the AANS Executive Board. Be responsible for the compilation and production of the AANS annual convention program. Be bonded. Perform all duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The Secretary shall: Notify all AANS constituent associations of the time and place of all meetings of the AANS. Record and distribute the minutes of all AANS meetings. Distribution of the minutes shall be as follows: one copy to each AANS Executive Board member at least one week prior to the next scheduled meeting, and fifteen (15) copies of said minutes shall be sent to NSNA, per their request, in the same timely manner. A copy of the minutes for each AANS board meeting will be sent to each local ANS organization. Keep all records of all official correspondence of ANS and NSNA. Conduct all general correspondence of the AANS as requested by the AANS President. Keep on file as permanent records all reports, papers, and documents submitted to the AANS Secretary. Complete and distribute a current mailing list of all constituents and their offices following the AANS annual meeting. Send to NSNA the names and addresses of new AANS Executive Board officers and ongoing activities of the AANS. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The Treasurer shall: Act as custodian of organizational funds and deposit these funds in a bank approved by the AANS Executive Board. See that the system of collecting dues and distributing membership forms is carried out as outlined by the NSNA. Have books balanced by a Certified Public Accountant within two (2) months, or when AANS funds are available, after the AANS annual meeting. Be Bonded. See that the system of collecting dues and distributing membership forms is carried out as outlined by NSNA. Can be held by a senior student with a junior counterpart that can complete the term. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The Newsletter Editor shall: Be responsible for the printing and distribution of the AANS newsletter. The number of newsletter issues with preset dates for publication will be determined at the first AANS Executive Board meeting of the year by the newly elected AANS executive Board. Be responsible for the acquisition of advertisement for the AANS newsletter. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. May be graduating senior student that is able to complete at least three-fourths of the term and also must have a junior student that will be able to carry out the rest of this role until the convention. The Chairperson of the Nominations/Elections shall: Be in charge of determining AANS constituency of school associations. Oversee campaigning by the candidates running for AANS Executive Board offices and enforce all campaign regulations during the AANS annual convention. Monitor and investigate complaints of campaign violations on those running for AANS Executive Board offices. Be responsible for planning the "Meet the Candidates" session of those campaigning for AANS Executive Board offices at the annual meeting. Present an official slate of the AANS Executive Board officers candidates in each session of the House of Delegates at the annual meeting. Be ineligible to run for N/E Chairperson the following term of office unless officer resigns sixty (60) days prior to the AANS annual convention. Provide a list of responsibilities and requirements of each office of the AANS Executive Board to all state constituents via a letter at least sixty days prior to the AANS annual convention. Be responsible for credentialing delegates for the House of Delegates at the AANS annual meeting. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined by the AANS Policy Manual. The Breakthrough to Nursing Director shall: Coordinate recruitment activities. Serve as a liaison for Deans and Directors of nursing schools. Be responsible for obtaining applications for the Breakthrough to Nursing Scholarship essay contest. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The State Project Chairperson shall: Be in charge of the AANS state project. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The Legislative Chairperson shall: Monitor legislative activity of local, state, and national government concerning nursing and other health care professions, and report these activities to the AANS. Be in charge of all AANS legislative business. See that the system of collecting dues and distributing membership forms is carried out as outlined by the NSNA Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual. The Website Coordinator shall: Be responsible for proofreading and submitting all documents to AfterCollege to be placed on the website. Be responsible for keeping the website up to date and user friendly by collaborating with AfterCollege. Perform other duties as assigned by the AANS President or as outlined in the AANS Policy Manual.   Section 2 Officer Eligibility Only NSNA members who shall have nursing student status throughout three-fourths of a term of office are eligible for an AANS Executive Board office. Section 3 Terms of Office The term of office shall be one (1) year from the adjournment of the AANS annual meeting at which new officers are elected and duly installed. ARTICLE VI ELECTIONS Section 1 The AANS Executive Board officers shall be elected at the AANS annual meeting. Section 2 All elections shall be by ballot, and the ballots shall be destroyed immediately after tally. Section 3 A plurality votes of all delegates present entitled to vote shall constitute and election. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS   Section 1 Meetings of the AANS shall be held at such times and places as will be determined by the AANS Executive Board. Section 2 Special meetings of this association may be called by the AANS President upon written request of one-third or more of the AANS constituent associations. Section 3 All meetings of the AANS shall be open unless voted otherwise by the voting body of this association. Section 4 The President shall have the power and authority to call a meeting of the AANS Executive Board when it is deemed necessary. Section 5 All other powers of the association are vested in and shall be exercised by the AANS Executive Board during the interim between meetings of the association, except that the AANS Executive Board shall not nullify of modify any action taken by the House of Delegates at convention, and subject to provisions of these bylaws. Section 6 The AANS Executive Board shall not be responsible for any claim, contract, or obligation of any kind incurred or for any position taken by and AANS Executive Board officer or AANS member constituent unless the same was authorized in writing by the AANS Executive Board. Section 7 If any officer misses more than two (2) meetings of AANS, this will constitute negligence and termination shall be at the discretion of the AANS Executive Board. Section 8 Annual Meeting There shall be an annual meeting of AANS constituents at a time specified by the AANS Executive Board. This shall also be known as the AANS Annual Convention. The purpose of the AANS Annual Convention shall be to discuss the accomplishments, problems, priorities, yearly activities and to share ideas. The AANS Executive Board will also offer advice in the areas of constituency, leadership, and finances. Section 9 AANS State Project Workshop Is coordinated by the AANS State Project Chairperson with the approval of the AANS Executive Board. The Chairperson will decide on the pertinent plans such as theme, speakers, schedules, and other details. Shall be held in the fall of the year. Should be held at the location selected by the AANS Executive Board to allow such constituents to become familiar with the project for the year. ARTICLE VIII HOUSE OF DELEGATES Section 1 The power of the AANS shall consist of the duty accredited from the AANS constituent associations. Section 2 The voting power shall be allocated as follows Each AANS constituent association shall be entitled to delegates at the AANS annual meeting according to the number of members in good standing prior to the annual meeting. A member in good standing is defined as a NSNA member with proof of membership card. The method of preparing the slate of delegates for the AANS annual meeting should include the following: Only member of the AANS school constituency may vote on said delegates. All delegates must be members of the AANS school constituency. Delegate representation for the AANS annual meeting shall be based on: One delegate for each ten members One delegate for either fraction thereof. One delegate at large. Section 3 Members who are in attendance who are not voting delegates may discuss issues before the House of Delegates, but may not make motions or have voting power. Section 4 The AANS is entitled to representation at the annual meeting or special meetings of NSNA according to the NSNA bylaws. Section 5 In the event of a special monthly meeting of AANS, notification of the delegate representation will be handled at the discretion of the AANS Executive Board of AANS. ARTICLE IX EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1 The AANS Executive Board shall exist of the elected officers. Consultants of the association shall attend the meetings of the AANS Executive Board shall have the privilege of speaking without a vote. Section 2 The AANS Executive Board shall meet before the annual meeting of the association, immediately following the annual meeting, and at such times deemed necessary by the majority vote of the AANS Executive Board. Section 3 The AANS Executive Board shall Transact business of the association between meetings and report such transaction at the next meeting of the association. Have the power to fill vacancies in any office except President. Approve budgets, authorize all monetary disbursements, and provide for the annual audit of the accounts at the close of the fiscal year. Assume responsibility with regard to constituents as specified in Article III in these bylaws. Devise a program of action, implementing and augmenting the purposes of this association, for presentation to membership. Section 4 The AANS shall have one (1) voting delegate at the NSNA annual meeting. The delegate shall be the AANS President or an alternative designated by the AANS Executive Board if the President is unable to attend. The AANS voting delegate shall be provided with room, transportation, registration, and a predetermined amount of money voted on by the AANS Executive Board if for the NSNA Annual Meeting and Mid-Year Conference. The AANS shall provide monetary support for the past president to attend the NSNA annual meeting, when funds are available. Section 5 No member of the AANS Executive Board shall hold two (2) voting positions simultaneously on such Board. Section 6 The AANS Executive Board shall at its discretion establish other communities deemed necessary to carry on the work of the association, and determine the functions, terms, and membership of these committees. A quorum of these committee meetings shall be a majority of these members. ARTICLE X CONSULTANTS Section 1 Consultants One appointed by the ASNA (Alabama State Nurses' Association) and shall serve a two (2) year term. One appointed by the ALN (Alabama League for Nursing) and shall serve for a two (2) year term. The immediate past President shall serve in an advisory capacity for a period of one (1) year. Will be appointed with the approval of the AANS Executive Board. Shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms unless approved by the AANS Executive Board. ARTICLE XI DUES Section 1 Annual dues for members for AANS* shall be established by the AANS Executive Board and approved by the membership at the AANS annual meeting of the association plus the current dues fro membership in the NSNA** from the membership year*** *The dues for members shall be a period of twelve (12) consecutive months. Section 2 Dues shall be collected in accordance with the procedures circulated by the Treasurer of NSNA. The student becomes a member in good standing upon receipt of his/her membership card. Section 3 NSNA and AANS dues shall be payable directly to NSNA. NANA shall remit each state constituent the dues received on behalf of the constituent. School dues shall be collected separately. Section 4 The annual dues of sustaining members shall be established by the AANS Executive Board, and shall be paid directly to the AANS office. Section 5 Any member who fails to pay current dues shall forfeit all privileges and membership. Section 6 The fiscal year of the association shall be from November 1 to October 31. ARTICLE XII QUORUM     Section 1 A majority of the AANS Executive Board officers shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the AANS Executive Board. Section 2 The majority of the committee members shall constitute a quorum at meetings. ARTICLE XIII PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE Section 1 Meetings of this association shall be conducted according to parliamentary law as set forth in Robert's Rule of Order. The Newly Revised, 9th Edition (1990) where the rules no direct conflict with these bylaws. ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENTS Section 1 These bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting of this association by a two-thirds vote of the House of Delegates entitled to vote, due notice having been given. Section 2 All proposed amendments shall be prepared by the Committee on Bylaws and submitted to the AANS Executive Board for approval at least two (2) months before the AANS annual meeting.     Section 3 Proposed amendments may be submitted to the Committee on Bylaws by any constituent association. Section 4 Copies of all proposed amendments shall be sent to the President of the constituent associations at least four (4) weeks prior to the AANS annual meeting. Section 5 These bylaws may be amended without previous notice at the AANS annual meeting or at a meeting duly called for such a purpose by a ninety-nine (99%) vote of those present entitled to vote and voting. Section 6 An amendment to these bylaws shall become effective immediately upon its approval at the AANS annual meeting unless the amendment specifies annual meeting, unless the amendment specifies a time for it going into effect. Section 7 Amendments to the bylaws of NSNA adopted at the NSNA annual meeting which directly relates to the business of the constituent associations in the area of conformity, shall automatically and immediately affect the necessary amendment to the bylaws of the constituent associations and shall promptly be incorporated into their bylaws