Bylaws of the

PUGET SOUND CHAPTER

OF THE

ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY

ARTICLE I

The name of this organization shall be the Puget Sound Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, (hereinafter referred to as the "Chapter").

ARTICLE II

Mission and Purpose

Section 1.

The mission of the Chapter is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.

Section 2.

The purposes of the Organization shall be:

  1. To promote quality in oncology nursing practice through education, communication, and research.
  2. To encourage a proactive stance with respect to professional issues.
  3. To promote networking among oncology nurses served by PSONS.
  4. To foster service to our communities.

Section 3.

The geographic region defined as Puget Sound for the purposes of the chapter include the counties of King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Island, Thurston, Skagit, and Whatcom.

ARTICLE III

Membership:

Classification, Qualifications and Privileges, Dues and Special Assessments, and Termination (See ONS bylaws: Article III, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4)

Section 1. Classification

There shall be nine classifications of membership: Regular, Retired, Early Career Professional, Physically Challenged, International Tiered, Student, Associate, Sustaining, and Honorary.

Membership in PSONS is included in ONS membership dues if the member’s address is located within the geographic region served by PSONS. ONS members located outside the PSONS region may opt into PSONS membership when joining ONS

.There shall be four classifications of membership: Active, Senior, Student, and Associate.

Section 2. Qualifications

Regular members shall be U.S. or international registered nurses or equivalent, engaged or interested in oncology nursing, and shall be eligible to vote, hold elected office, and serve on committees.

Retired members shall be individuals who qualify for Regular membership and have reached an age specified in policies by the Board of Directors to merit Retired status. Retired members shall have all the privileges of Regular membership.

Early Career Professional members shall be individuals who qualify for Regular membership and have held their RN degree for five years or less. Early Career Professionals shall have all the privileges of Regular membership.

Physically Challenged members shall be individuals who qualify for Regular membership and who are receiving long-term disability benefits, and shall have all the privileges of Regular membership.

Student members shall be individuals enrolled full time in a nursing education program leading to eligibility for registered nurse licensure. Student members shall be excluded from voting, holding elected office and serving as committee members.

Sustaining members shall be organizations, corporations or individuals interested in financially supporting ONS. Sustaining members shall be excluded from voting, holding elected office and serving as committee members.

Honorary members shall be individuals who have received unanimous approval by the Board of Directors in recognition for their outstanding contributions to oncology nursing. Honorary members shall be excluded from voting, holding elected office and serving as committee members.

Associate members shall be healthcare professionals who do not qualify for Regular, Retired, Early Career Professional, Physically Challenged, Student, Sustaining, or Honorary membership. Associate members shall be excluded from voting and holding elected office.

International Tiered members shall be registered nurses or equivalent engaged or interested in oncology nursing and residing in a country deemed as having a low-income to upper middle-income economy, as designated by the World Bank. International Tiered members may not vote or hold elected office. This membership class shall receive reduced membership benefits for a reduced member fee, as defined by the Board of Directors.

Active - Registered Nurses in the Puget Sound Area who are engaged or interested in oncology nursing.

Senior – Individuals who qualify for Active membership and are 65 years old or older.

Student - Registered nurses enrolled in a degree program or individuals enrolled in a nursing education program leading to eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse

Associate - Healthcare professionals who do not qualify for Active, Senior or Student membership.

5.Membership in the Oncology Nursing Society is a requirement for membership in the chapter.

Section 3.Dues

Membership dues shall be determined by the ONS Board of Directors. Increases in dues shall not exceed one per year.

Special assessments may be approved by the ONS Board of Directors. Special assessments shall not exceed one per year. Honorary members shall be exempt from paying dues and special assessments.

International Tiered members would pay a percentage of active membership dues commensurate with their country’s World Bank economic classification, as determined by the ONS Board of Directors.

1.Membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. A dues increase of more than 10% of current dues must have membership approval by ballot. Increases in dues shall be limited to one per year.

2.Senior and Student members shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the dues of Active members. If requested by PSONS, Student members must be able to show proof of matriculation status.

Section 4.Privileges[LT1]

1.All members are encouraged to attend membership meetings, Board of Directors meetings, serve on committees and receive official chapter publications.

2.Active, Senior and StudentRegular, Retired, Early Career Professional and Physically Challenged members are eligible to vote, serve on committees and hold elected office .

3.Associate members shall be excluded from voting and holding elected office.

Section 5.Termination

If the dues or special assessments of any member are not received by the membership expiration date or the assessment due date, that membership shall automatically be terminated as proscribed in applicable ONS policies.

1.If the dues of any member are not paid within ninety (90) days after receiving the first renewal notice this membership shall terminate on the ninetieth (90th) day.

2.If a member does not subscribe to the purposes of the chapter, or does not abide by its charter and/or bylaws, the Board of Directors may, by three-fourths (3/4) vote, terminate this membership. No such action shall be taken until the member is advised of specific written charges, given a reasonable time to prepare a written response, and afforded a full hearing before the Board of Directors which may provide for reinstatement.

ARTICLE IV

Membership Meetings

Section 1. Meeting

  1. The membership shall meet at least quarterly for the purpose of transacting pertinent business, sharing practice concerns or providing continuing education in oncology nursing. A meeting at the annualyearly sSymposium will be designated as the Aannual business meeting of the membership. The date, time and place of all meetings shall be determined by the Board of Directors or their designee.
  2. The membership shall meet at least quarterly for the purpose of transacting pertinent business, sharing practice concerns or providing continuing education in oncology nursing.
  3. Members will be notified with the date, place, and time of all meetings no less than 14 days prior to such meetings. The date, time and place of all meetings shall be determined by the Board of Directors or their designee.

Section 2. Special Meetings

  1. A specia1 meeting of the members may be called at any time by the majority of the Board of Directors, or upon request of one-tenth (1/210) of the membership.
  2. Only those items of business set forth in the notice of special meetings shall be discussed and acted upon at such meetings.
  3. Members will be notified with the date, place, and time of all meetings no less than 14 days prior to the meeting.

Section 3. Action Without a Meeting

  1. To the extent that action is required by the membership at other than a meeting, at least 3% of eligible members must vote on an issue in order for the action to be effective.
  2. Any action may be taken by the Board of Directors by electronic ballot provided that the action is signed by ALL members of the Board of Directors. Such action shall be filed with the Secretary.

Action may be taken without a meeting, if a consent setting forth the action so taken shall be agreed upon by a simple majority of the members with respect to the subject matter thereof. Such consent shall be filed with the subsequent minutes of the membership. To the extent that action is required by the membership at other than a meeting, at least 3% of eligible members must vote on an issue in order for the action to be effective.

Section 4. Quorum

Members present shall constitute a quorum.

.One tenth (1/10) of the membership and a quorum of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the membership

Section 5. Voting

Each member is entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. There shall be no proxy voting. A simple majority of members present will be required on items put to a vote at a meeting of the members unless otherwise stipulated by the bylaws.

ARTICLE V

Officers and Board of Directors

Section 1. Board of Directors (Member at large officers)

  1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the elected Officers and Directors. Officers shall be President, President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. There shall be Directors who are the Chairpersons of standing committees as well as two (2) Members at Large, elected from the membership. The Immediate past President shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors for a period of one (1) year following expiration of the term as President. In this advisory capacity, the Immediate past President may not vote or make motions and does not count in the quorum

The Board of Directors of the organization shall be composed of the President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer and all chairpersons of standing committees. The immediate past President shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors for a period of one (1) year following expiration of the term as President. In this advisory capacity, the immediate past president may not vote or make motions and does not count in the quorum. “Chairpersons” of subcommittees may not vote.

Section 2. Qualifications

  1. To be eligible for the office of President or President-elect, a member must have been active on the Board within the past 2 years and have been a votingn ONS member for no less than 3 years.
  2. To be eligible for Secretary or Treasurer, a member must have been a voting member for a minimum of 2 years.
  3. To be a Chair of Fundamentals of Oncology or Symposium Committee, the member must be active in the committee for at minimum 1 year prior to selected as Chair.
  4. To be a Chair of a standing Committee, it is recommended the member should must be active in the committee for at minimum 1 year prior to selected as Chair.

Officers and Directors shall have been voting members for no less than five years prior to assuming office.

Officers and Directors shall meet those qualifications as outlined in the position job descriptions and approved by the Board of Directors.

To be eligible for the office of President or President-elect, a member must have been active on the board within the past 3 years. To be eligible for Secretary Treasurer, or chair of a standing committee, a member must have been active in a chapter committee within the previous 3 years.

Section 3. Term of Office

  1. The term of office shall begin at the close of the annual business meeting in the year of election.
  2. An individual may not hold more than one elected office at the same time.

1.The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve a two year term and may be re-elected or until their successors are elected.for consecutive terms.

  1. The President-elect shall be elected every year and shall serve as President-elect for one year. At the end of that term, the President-elect shall automatically assume the office of President for a term of one year. Immediate past presidents will serve as an advisor to the board for 1 year.
  2. The Members at Large shall serve a term of one (1) year and may be re-elected for consecutive terms.
  3. The President-Elect shall be elected by ballot every year to serve a term of one (1) year, and then serve a year as President. Immediate past presidents willalso serve as an advisor to the board for 1 year. The Directors (Cchairs of the standing committees) shall serve a term of one (1) year and may be reappointed for consecutive terms.

3.The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by ballot to serve a term of two (2) years.

.The Secretary and Treasurer may serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms for a total of 4 years.

The chairs of Standing Committees shall serve a term of one (1) year and may be reappointed for consecutive terms.

Terms of the Chairs of Standing Committees may be extended beyond two terms at the discretion of the President.

Section 4. Vacancies

In the event a vacancy occurs in any position, such position shall be filled in the following manner until the next annual election:

  1. President - The president-elect will assume the office and shall serve for the unexpired term of the President in addition to the term to which he/she was elected.
  2. President-elect - The office will remain vacant until the next scheduled election.
  3. In the event of a vacancy in any other elected or appointed office, the office will be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Removal of Officers

For cause as determined by the Board of Directors, the Board may remove an officer or director upon 2/3 vote of the Board. No such action shall be taken until the officer has been advised of specific charges in writing, given a reasonable time to prepare a written response, and afforded a full hearing before the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Duties of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall:

  1. Develop a strategic plan for the chapter that is consistent with the mission of the national Oncology Nursing Society, the needs of the general membership of the chapter, and the resources available to the chapter.
  2. Direct the implementation and evaluation of the strategic plan to assure that goals are achieved, bylaws of the chapter and policy and procedures of the national Oncology Nursing Society are followed, and the needs of the membership of the chapter are met.
  3. Establish and implement bylaws for proper Chapter functioning, and implement policies and procedures established by the national Oncology Nursing Society.
  4. Review committee reports and determine actions to be taken.
  5. Authorize agreements and contracts of the Chapter.
  6. Develop, approve, and monitor an annual Chapter budget. and recommend alteration of membership dues.
  7. Oversee a n annual review of the bylaws a minimum of every 3 years and submit all proposed amendments to ONS for approval and to the membership for adoption.
  8. Authorize committees and meetings.

9.Fill all vacancies for elected positions with the exception of President, which is filled by the President-Elect.

  1. Foster growth and development of the Chapter; plan for leadership opportunities and development of the chapter membership, and recognize the professional achievements of the chapter membership.
  2. Establish effective lines of communication among members of the chapter, the Board of Directors, and the national Oncology Nursing Society.
  3. Discharge other duties as not herein provided.

Section 6. Meetings

  1. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly. Meeting dates shall be established for a period of one year at the beginning of the term of office for the Board of Directors and communicated to the membership.

2.Emergency meetings shall be scheduled as deemed necessary by the President or a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

3.Action may he taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent to such action. Such consent shall be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of the Board.

  1. Members of the Board of Directors shall be notified of the date, time, and location of meetings prior to each meeting date.
  2. An agenda, minutes, and written committee reports shall be submitted and distributed to the members of the Board of Directors prior to each meeting date.
  3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the President, the President-elect shall preside.
  4. Meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order (current edition).
  5. One half (1/2) plus one members of the Board, one of whom shall be the Ppresident or Ppresident-elect, shall constitute a quorum, and must be present for the transaction of business of the Board.
  6. Each elected officer of the Board of Directors present at the meeting shall be entitled to one vote.
  7. Each chair of a standing committee present at the meeting shall be entitled to one vote.
  8. All motions must be passed by a majority vote of the voting members present at the meeting. (Should all those present, regardless of Board of Director status, be eligible to vote?)
  9. Emergency meetings shall be scheduled as deemed necessary by the President or a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
  10. Action may he taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent to such action. Such consent shall be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of the Board.

Section 7. Removal of Officers

Officers may be suspended or removed from the Board by a three-fourths (3/4) vote-of the Board of Directors for violating the Bylaws of the organization, neglect of duty and office, or behavior injurious to the organization. No such action shall be taken until the officer has been advised of specific charges in writing, given a reasonable time to prepare a written response, and afforded a full hearing before the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

Duties of the Officers

Section 1. President

  1. Direct the activities of the chapter subject to the control of the Board of Directors.
  2. If not elected, aAcceptppoint Committee chairs, with Board approval, for all Standing Committees. If Committee chairs are not proposed, appoint appropriate Chair.
  3. Coordinate the development of chapter goals, objectives, and budget with the Board of Directors and Committee chairs of the chapter Standing Committees.
  4. Monitor the implementation of the chapter goals, objectives, and budget.
  5. Advise the general membership and the Board of Directors of progress toward the chapter goals and objectives, healthcare issues and trends, and information from the national Oncology Nursing Society.
  6. Schedule, formulate the agenda, and preside at a minimum of four (4) meetings of the Board of Directors.
  7. Assure that a minimum of four (4) meetings of the general membership are scheduled, announced and occur. These may in the form of education meetings. At least one must conduct the business of the Chapter.
  8. Serve as an ex-officio member of all Chapter standing committees except the Nominating Committee.
  9. Coordinate the completion, review, and submission of the Annual Report according to procedures established by the national Oncology Nursing Society.

10.Review and sign the completed quarterly and Annual Treasurer Reports.