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Article I. Name, Key,
Seal and Headquarters
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The name of this organization shall be the Honor
Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Incorporated (Sigma Theta
Tau International), and it shall have an official key and corporate seal. The
Headquarters of the organization and the management of the organization shall
be located at the Center for Nursing Scholarship in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Article II. Purposes
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The purposes of this
Society shall be to:
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1.
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Recognize superior
achievement.
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2.
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Recognize the development
of leadership qualities.
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3.
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Foster high professional
standards.
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4.
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Encourage creative work.
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5.
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Strengthen commitment to
the ideals and purposes of the profession.
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Article III. Membership
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Section 1. Categories of
Membership
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a.
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Regular Member
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b.
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Honorary Member
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Section 2. Qualifications for Membership
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a.
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Candidates for all
categories of membership shall be considered without regard to race, age,
gender, creed, color, national origin, disability or other legally protected
categories dependent upon jurisdiction.
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b.
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Student
candidates shall have demonstrated superior academic achievement, academic
integrity and professional leadership potential.
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c.
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Regular Member
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1)
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Students
in Basic Program
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a.
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Definition - Basic program
is defined as a baccalaureate or equivalent nursing degree program that leads
to the first professional nursing degree.
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b.
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Academic
Achievement - Students shall have a
grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or an equivalent of this measure of academic achievement.?When grade point averages are not
available or used by the nursing degree program, "B" or the second
highest grade of the institution shall be used.
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c.
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Rank
in class - Basic students who are
elected shall rank not lower than the highest 35 percent of their class in
scholarship.
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d.
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Curriculum - Students shall have completed at least one-half
of the required nursing curriculum.
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e.
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Exceptions - Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the
chapter's governance committee
following the guidelines adopted by
the International Board of Directors.
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2)
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Students
in Graduate Programs
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a.
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Definition - Graduate
program is defined as an accredited program of graduate study in
nursing including master, post-master, doctoral and post-doctoral.
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b.
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Academic
Achievement - Students in graduate
programs shall be eligible for membership if they have achieved a grade point
average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.? An equivalent of this measure
of academic achievement shall be used when grade point averages are not
available or used by the nursing degree program.
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c.
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Curriculum - Students shall have completed a minimum of
one-quarter of the required graduate curriculum.
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d.
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Exceptions - Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the
chapter's governance committee following
the guidelines adopted by the International Board of Directors.
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3)
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Nurse
Leader
A nurse leader, who is a registered
nurse, legally recognized to practice in his/her country with a minimum of a
baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field, and who has demonstrated
achievement in nursing, shall be eligible for membership.
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d.
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Honorary Member
An honorary member is any person who is not eligible for regular membership
in Sigma Theta Tau International, but who has gained national and/or
international recognition in the field of nursing or in any field
contributing to nursing.
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Section 3. Selection of Members
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a.
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Regular Members:
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1)
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Student member candidates
are required to be enrolled in an institution of higher education where the
chapter is located to be considered for membership in that chapter.
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2)
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The nurse leader candidate
may be selected for membership by any chapter.
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b.
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Honorary Members:
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1)
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Honorary membership is
awarded only by the Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International.
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2)
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Any active member through a
chapter or the Board of Directors may nominate persons for honorary
membership.
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3)
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Each member of the Board of
Directors shall have one vote for each nominee based on established
criteria.?A favorable vote of
three-fourths of the Board of Directors shall be necessary for election to
honorary membership.
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Section 4. Membership Status
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Members may be designated
as active or inactive.?Active members
pay annual chapter and international fees.? Honorary members are designated as active without payment of
fees.?Inactive members have not paid
annual chapter and international fees, but shall become active at any time by
paying current renewal fees.
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Section 5. Rights and Responsibilities of Active
Members
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a.
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Regular Members
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1)
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Active regular members
shall make a commitment to the purposes of the Society.
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2)
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Active regular members
shall receive:?a) official society
publications; b) priority for education programs; and c) priority for
research funding.
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3)
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Active regular members are
eligible:?a) to vote (as outlined in
the Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws and Chapter Bylaws); and b) to hold
elective and appointive office.
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4)
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Active regular members may
hold dual membership in more than one chapter by remitting multiple chapter
fees and the society fee annually.
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5)
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Active regular members may
transfer from one chapter to another.
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b.
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Honorary Members
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1)
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Honorary members shall:?a) be inducted at the biennial convention
and awarded the official key; b) receive the society's publications; and c)
be responsible for promoting and supporting the purposes of Sigma Theta Tau
International.
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Section 6. Revocation of Membership
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Membership in the society
may be revoked at any time by the inducting chapter for just cause and after
due process.?Revocation of membership
shall be determined at a meeting of the inducting chapter, at which a quorum
is present, by at least three-fourths vote for revocation by those present.
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Article IV. Chapters
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Section 1. Definition of
Chapter
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A chapter is an organized
division of nurse scholars and leaders that has met all of the requirements
for establishment and has been granted a charter in accordance with the
procedures required by the Society. An
at-large chapter is an organized division of nurse scholars and leaders from
two or more schools that has met all of the requirements for establishment
and has been granted a charter in accordance with the procedures required by
the Society. All chapters shall have regular members.
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Section 2. Organization of a Chapter
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a.
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Criteria for Chapter
Development
A chapter may be established in an educational unit that is an integral part
of an institution of higher education and that grants a baccalaureate or
equivalent degree, which leads to the first professional nursing degree.?The baccalaureate or equivalent degree
nursing program within the institution of higher education shall be
accredited by a recognized accrediting body. In the event there is no nursing
accreditation system in place in the potential chapter's country, the program
shall provide evidence of its quality. The group desiring a chapter shall
petition the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors and comply with
approved policies and regulations.
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b.
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Chapter Models
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1)
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One (1) school without a
chapter
One school meeting the criteria listed in Article IV. Section 2. a.
establishes an honor society under the Society's guidelines.
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2)
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Two (2) or more schools
without a chapter
Two or more schools each meeting the criteria listed in Article IV. Section
2. a. establish an at-large honor society under the Society's guidelines. The
at-large honor society will apply to become an at-large chapter.
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3)
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Amending an established
chapter's charter
One or more
schools meeting the criteria listed in Article IV. Section 2. a. establish an
honor society under the Society's guidelines. An at-large chapter is formed
by amending the established chapter's charter to include the school(s)
comprising the honor society. An existing at-large chapter may split into
separate chapters following
established guidelines. Two or
more established chapters may merge to form an at-large chapter following
established guidelines.
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4)
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Alumni Chapter
An established chapter may become an alumni chapter when the school of
nursing that housed the chapter closes. Active members must agree to meet all
of the requirements for a chapter in good standing with the exception of
inducting members a minimum of one time annually. The chapter must maintain
an active membership of at least 100 members.
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5)
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Other models may be
considered by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. Definition of Region
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Sigma Theta Tau
International shall be organized into areas called regions.
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a.
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Each region shall be
composed of chapters.
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b.
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Each region has a Regional
Chapters Coordinating Committee chaired by the elected Regional Chapters
Coordinator and composed of at least three members focusing on activities
identified by the Regional Coordinator.
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Section 4. Powers, Duties, Responsibilities
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a.
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Each chapter shall function
under bylaws, policies and regulations that are not in conflict with these
bylaws, policies and regulations.
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b.
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Chapters are independent,
autonomous organizations affiliated with the Society. Chapters determine the
amounts of their fees and assessments. Chapters have control of their income,
expenses, contracts, accounting systems and internal reports.
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Section 5. Chapter Officers
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a.
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Each chapter elects at
least a chapter president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer and a
faculty counselor. Duties and terms of office shall be outlined in the
chapter bylaws.
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b.
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Officers shall assume their
duties by at least July 1 of the year in which they are elected.
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Section 6. Chapter
Committees
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Each
chapter shall have the following standing committees: an elected/appointed Governance Committee and an elected
Leadership Succession Committee.
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Section 7. Chapter
Meetings
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Each chapter shall have at
least one annual (business) meeting and at least two programs of a scholarly
nature during each fiscal year. The annual (business) meeting, where officers
and committees present written annual reports to the membership, may be held
in conjunction with a scholarly program.
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Section 8. Chapter Responsibilities
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Chapters shall fulfill the
following requirements:
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a.
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Support the purposes of this Society.
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b.
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Observe the provisions of these bylaws and comply
with the Society's policies and regulations.
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c.
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Participate in the biennial convention House of
Delegates.
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d.
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Select and induct eligible members a minimum of
one time annually.
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e.
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Meet all financial obligations.
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f.
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File required reports according to established
guidelines.
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Section 9. Suspension, Revocation, Dissolution
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a.
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The activities of a chapter
may be suspended by the Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International
for failure to comply with these bylaws or policies and regulations.
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b.
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Upon recommendation of the
Board of Directors, the House of Delegates may revoke the charter of a
chapter.
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c.
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Any chapter may vote to
dissolve itself.
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d.
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Upon revocation of a
charter, or dissolution of a chapter, all cash and other assets remaining
after the chapter's outstanding debts are paid should be returned to the
treasury of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing,
Incorporated, or any other appropriate non-profit organization approved by
the Board of Directors. The chapter's charter and coat-of-arms shall be
returned to Headquarters. All members of the chapter have the opportunity to
transfer their membership to a chapter of their choice.
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Section 10. Reactivation and Reinstatement of a
Chapter
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a.
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A chapter may be
reactivated following suspension by action of the Sigma Theta Tau
International Board of Directors.
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b.
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A chapter may be reinstated
following revocation of its charter by meeting all the requirements of a
newly organizing chapter. If approved, the chapter shall receive a new
charter but retain its original name.
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c.
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A chapter may be reinstated
following dissolution by meeting all the requirements of a newly organizing
chapter. If approved, the chapter shall receive a new charter but retain its
original name.
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Article V. House of Delegates
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Section 1. Membership
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a.
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Membership of the House of
Delegates shall be composed of two (2) delegates from each chapter, the members
of the Board of Directors, chairs of standing committees, the Regional
Chapters Coordinators and the past presidents of the Society.
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b.
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The term of the delegates
shall be from the opening of the convention for which the delegate is
selected to serve until the opening of the next convention.
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Section 2. Meetings
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a.
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The House of Delegates
shall hold biennial conventions at a time and place determined by the Board
of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International.
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b.
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The Board of Directors may
call the House of Delegates into special sessions.
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c.
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Each member of the House of
Delegates has the right to cast one (1) vote; or, if any chapter has only one
(1) delegate attending, that delegate shall have two (2) votes.
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d.
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Three (3) members of the
Board of Directors who are not officers, together with four (4) members of
the Board of Directors who are officers of the Society and delegate
representation from three-fourths of the chapters constitute a quorum.
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Section 3. Powers
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a.
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The legislative and
judicial powers of the Society shall be vested in the House of Delegates.
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b.
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The House of Delegates
shall be vested with the following powers in addition to such other powers as
may be given in these bylaws to:
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1)
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Revise and amend the
bylaws.
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2)
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Elect officers and other
members of the Board of Directors and elected committees.
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3)
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Make nominations from the
floor for officers and committees.
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4)
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Approve by a three-fourths
vote such applications for charters as are recommended to the House of
Delegates by the Board of Directors.
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5)
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Approve by a three-fourths
vote the revocation of a charter when such action has been recommended by the
Board of Directors.
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6)
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Adopt such rules and
regulations for the conduct of its proceedings as may be determined by a two-
thirds vote of the House of Delegates at biennial convention.
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7)
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Receive and act upon
recommendations and matters referred to it.
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8)
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Receive reports and the
Board of Directors' approved biennial budget.
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9)
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Levy special assessments
when approved by a three-fourths vote.
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Section 4. Electronic
Voting
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a.
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Chapter delegates may vote electronically on
chapter charter applications.
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b.
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The procedures and time limitations for
electronic voting shall be set by the Board of Directors.
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Article VI. Annual
Meeting of Members
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Section 1.
Annual meetings of members shall be on a date and at a place set by the Board
of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International.
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Section 2.
The agenda of the annual meeting is the presentation of annual reports and
other appropriate items.
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Section 3. Active
members shall receive notice of annual meetings through publications and may
register their intent to attend.
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Section 4.
In odd-numbered years, the annual meeting is the reporting session at the
opening session of the House of Delegates.
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Section 5.
In even-numbered years, the annual meeting is the reporting session of the
Board of Directors and committee chairs' meeting.
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Article VII. Board of Directors
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Section 1. Membership
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The Board of Directors of
Sigma Theta Tau International shall consist of five (5) elected officer
directors, five (5) elected
non-officer directors, the elected
Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair and the chief executive
officer who is a non-voting director.
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Section 2. Focus
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The Board of Directors'
predominant focus is goal-setting, planning, policy development, resource
development, corporate oversight, evaluation and decision-making.
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Section 3.
Administration
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The property, business and
corporate affairs of the Society shall be managed by the Board of Directors.
The executive and administrative powers of the Society shall be vested in the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall supervise and manage the
Society and its committees and publications; shall determine its policies or
changes therein; shall carry forward its objectives and monitor the
disbursements of its funds. The Board of Directors adopts such policies for
the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Functions
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The functions of the Board
of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International include:
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a.
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Reviewing applications for
the establishment of the new chapters and making recommendations to the House
of Delegates.
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b.
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Granting a chapter charter:
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1)
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following a three-fourths "yes" vote by the House
of Delegates, or
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2)
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following a three-fourths "yes" electronic vote
by the chapter delegates representing three-fourths of the chapters
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c.
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Granting approval for
charter amendments.
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d.
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Transacting necessary
business of this Society between meetings of the House of Delegates.
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e.
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Making and enforcing rules
and regulations for its own actions.
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f.
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Filling any vacancy on the
Board of Directors or on a committee occurring between meetings of the House
of Delegates, except for the office of president. These appointments
terminate at the following meeting of the House of Delegates.
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g.
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Overseeing
elected committees, board advisory councils and board task forces.
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h.
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Ratifying changes in the
bylaws of the Society when approved by the House of Delegates, as provided in
Article XIV. Amendments to Bylaws.
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i.
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Revoking the charter of a
chapter upon a "yes" vote of three-fourths of the House of Delegates.
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j.
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Adjusting the fees of the society in accordance with Article XI. Finance, Section 11.
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k.
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Exercising fiduciary
responsibilities including adopting a budget, setting the appropriate bonding
level and selecting the auditor.
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l.
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Investigating and
recommending to the House of Delegates any matter pertaining to the welfare
of this Society.
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m.
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Electing persons for
honorary membership.
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n.
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Appointing a chief
executive officer.
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o.
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Submitting an annual report
to chapters and a biennial report to the House of Delegates.
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p.
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Deciding appeals concerning
revocation of membership.
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q.
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Deciding on revocation of
membership in the event that an inducting chapter no longer exists.
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r.
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Providing
criteria for affiliate relationships and granting affiliation to legally
organized groups.
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Section 5. Meetings
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a.
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The Board of Directors of
Sigma Theta Tau International shall meet as necessary to conduct the business
of the Society between meetings of the House of Delegates.
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b.
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Three (3) members of the
Board of Directors who are non-officers together with four (4) members of the
Board of Directors who are officers shall constitute a quorum.
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Article VIII. Officers
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Section 1. Titles
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The officers of this
Society are required to be regular members of Sigma Theta Tau International.
The elected officers of the Society shall be: the president, the
president-elect, the vice president, the secretary and the treasurer.
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Section 2. Duties
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The duties of the officers
shall be as follows:
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a.
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The officers of the Society
constitute the executive committee.
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b.
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The executive committee
shall conduct essential business of the organization in the interim between
Board of Directors meetings as authorized by the Board of Directors.
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c.
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The president shall be the
presiding officer and shall administer all business of the Society as
provided for by the bylaws.
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d.
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The president-elect shall
succeed into the presidency at the end of the term of office.
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e.
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The vice president shall
perform the duties of the president in the president's absence. In the event
of the president vacating office during the term, the vice president shall
succeed into the presidency until the president-elect takes office at the
next meeting of the House of Delegates.
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f.
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The secretary shall serve
as the corporate secretary for the Society and fulfill all duties authorized
by the Board of Directors.
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g.
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The treasurer shall be the
corporate treasurer and fulfill all duties authorized by the Board of
Directors.
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Article IX. Elections
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Section 1. Elections
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Elections shall take place
at biennial House of Delegates meetings.
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Section 2. Positions
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Elected
positions shall be the five (5) officer directors; five (5) non-officer
directors; the Regional Chapters
Coordinating Committee Chair; and members of Regional Chapters
Coordinating Committee, the Governance
Committee and Leadership Succession Committee.
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Section 3. Vote
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a.
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A majority vote shall elect
officers.
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b.
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A plurality vote shall
elect the non-officer members of the Board of Directors and elected committee
members.
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c.
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In the event of a tie, the
election shall be determined by lot.
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Section 4. Terms
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a.
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Officer Directors
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1)
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Term length: The five (5) officer directors will
be elected for a term of two (2) years, or until their successors are elected.?Their term of office shall begin at the
close of the meeting at which they were elected.
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2)
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Term Limits: Officer directors may serve for a
maximum of two (2) consecutive terms
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3)
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Exception: A director who is elected as
president-elect may serve a maximum of four (4) terms on the Board of
Directors.?Once an officer director
serves a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms as an officer director, that
officer director will only be eligible to serve in the next biennium as
president-elect.
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b.
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Non-Officer Directors
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1)
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Term length: The five (5) non-officer directors
will be elected for a term of four (4) consecutive years or until their
successors are elected.?Non-officer
directors will be elected in alternating biennia; three (3) in one biennium; two
(2) in the next biennium.
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2)
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Term Limits: Non-officer directors may serve a
maximum of one (1) term on the Board of Directors.
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3)
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Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair
term length and limits: The Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair
holds a non-officer position on the board of directors and will be elected
each biennium for a two (2) year term and may not serve more than two (2)
consecutive terms on the Board as Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee
Chair.?
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4)
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Exception: Once a non-officer director serves the
maximum of four (4) consecutive years as a non-officer director, that
non-officer director will only be eligible to serve in the next biennium as
president-elect.
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c.
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Committees
Governance, Leadership Succession and Regional Chapters Coordinating
Committee members' term of office
shall be two (2) years.?A committee
member may not serve longer than six (6) consecutive years.
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d.
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Members shall hold no more than one elected
office at a time.
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e.
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Full Term
A member holding an elected position who has served more than half a term in
that position is considered to have served a full term.
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Article X. Committees
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Section 1. Standing
Committees
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a.
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The standing committees
shall be:?Governance Committee, Leadership Succession Committee and
Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee.
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b.
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Each standing committee
will provide consultation to chapters as congruent with its mission.
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c.
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The president and chief
executive officer are non-voting, ex-officio members of all committees except
the Leadership Succession Committee.
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d.
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Leadership Succession and
Governance Committee chairs are appointed by the president.
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e.
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Each standing committee
chair shall present a biennial report to the Board of Directors and send an
activity report to each Board of Directors meeting.
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f.
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A
quorum shall be a majority of members on the committee.
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g.
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A majority vote constitutes
approval.
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Section
2. Governance
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a.
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Mission - The Governance Committee shall oversee
bylaws compliance, make recommendations for bylaws changes, and oversee
member and chapter eligibility issues.
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b.
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Membership - The Governance Committee shall
consist of at least seven (7) elected members.
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Section
3. Leadership Succession Committee
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a.
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Mission
- The Leadership Succession Committee shall develop members in organizational leadership
roles across the span of their careers, mentor members to assume
organizational board and officer positions at all levels of organizations.
The committee shall select nominees and prepare the biennial ballot. The
ballot will be sent to the Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau
International at least two (2) months prior to the biennial meeting and to
the chapters at least one (1) month prior to this meeting.
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b.
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Membership - The Leadership Succession Committee
shall consist of seven (7) elected members.
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c.
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The Leadership Succession Committee members shall be ineligible for
any elected office on the ballot prepared by the committee.
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Section 4. Regional
Chapters Coordinating Committee
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a.
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Mission - The Regional
Chapters Coordinating Committee shall facilitate the work of the chapter
leaders by advancing initiatives that meet the needs of the chapters and
fulfill the mission of the Society.
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b.
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Membership - The Regional
Chapters Coordinating Committee shall consist of the chair and each region's
Regional Chapters Coordinator, elected by the delegates at the meeting of the
House of Delegates. Delegates from each region shall elect their Regional
Chapters Coordinator at the House of Delegates. Each Regional Chapters
Coordinator serves as chair of the Regional Committee appointed in his/her
respective region.
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Section 5. Board
Advisory Councils
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a.
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Mission - Board Advisory
Councils shall inform the board of current and future issues, directions and
priorities of the society.?
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b.
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Membership - Board Advisory
Councils shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term through the
close of the biennial convention unless reappointed.
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Section 6. Task Forces
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a.
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Mission - Task Forces are formed to complete an
assigned task within a specified time frame.
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b.
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Membership - Task Forces are formed by the Board,
Standing Committees, Board Advisory Councils and staff.?They are made up of members who bring
expertise, interest and commitment to complete an assigned task.
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Article XI. Finances
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Section 1. Fiscal Year
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The fiscal year shall be
July 1 through June 30.
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a.
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The standing committees
shall be:?Governance Committee, Leadership Succession Committee and
Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee.
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b.
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Each standing committee
will provide consultation to chapters as congruent with its mission.
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Section 2. Chapter Fees
and Assessments
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a.
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The annual fee shall be
collected from each chapter each fiscal year or, for new chapters, the
odd-numbered year after a charter is granted. This fee will be based on the
number of regular members excluding inactive members in the chapter for the
prior membership year ending June 30.
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b.
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The House of Delegates may
levy special assessments by a three-fourths vote.
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Section 3. Induction Fee
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Each new member shall pay a
Society induction fee and a chapter induction fee as determined in the
chapter bylaws. This shall entitle the new member to active membership with
all its benefits from the date of induction for one year to the member's
anniversary date of induction.
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Section 4. Active
Membership Fee
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a.
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Each member shall pay an
annual fee for active member benefits.
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b.
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These fees shall be used to
fund the publications, research grants, educational programs, cost of
collection of fees and to advance the activities of the Virginia Henderson
International Nursing Library and Center for Nursing Scholarship.
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Section 5. Honorary
Membership Fee
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There
shall be no induction or renewal fee for an honorary member.
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Section 6. Expenses -
Board of Directors
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The
expenses for the members of the International Board of Directors shall be
paid by the Society treasury when they attend the meetings of the House of
Delegates or the meetings of the Board of Directors.
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Section 7. Expenses -
Committee
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Authorized
expenses of standing and special committees, board advisory councils and task
forces shall be reimbursed by the Society treasury.
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Section 8. Expenses of
Host Chapter - Biennial Convention
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The host chapter of the
biennial convention shall be reimbursed by the Society treasury in accordance
with approved policies and procedures.
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Section 9. Expenses -
Evaluation Visit to a School(s) Applying for a Charter
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The
expenses for an evaluation visit to a school of nursing that has applied for
a charter shall be paid by the school(s) that submitted the application.
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Section 10. Expenses -
Chartering of Chapters
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The
Society treasury shall pay for the charter, coat-of-arms, book in which the
membership roster is recorded, and installing officer's expenses at the time
of the chartering of the new chapter. The chapter shall pay a chartering fee
plus the cost of inscribing the names on the charter.
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Section 11. Fee Changes
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Adjustments
to the fee schedule shall be approved by the Sigma Theta Tau International
Board of Directors.?Fee schedule
adjustments shall not occur more than once a biennium and shall not exceed
the cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) percentage rate.?Any adjustments, accompanied by rationale,
will be provided to membership sixty (60) days in advance of the effective
date.
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Article XII. Official
Publications
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The
Board of Directors shall authorize publication of an official journal and
other publications as it deems appropriate according to policies and
procedures established by the Board of Directors.
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Article XIII.
Parliamentary Authority
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Robert's Rules of Order
Newly Revised shall govern the
Society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with these bylaws or special rules of order of the Society.
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Article XIV. Amendments
to Bylaws
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Section 1. Amendments
with Notice
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These bylaws may be amended
at any meeting of the House of Delegates by a three-fourths "yes" vote of
members present and voting. All proposed amendments shall be in the
possession of the secretary two (2) months preceding the biennial meeting of
the House of Delegates. They shall be appended to the Call to Convention,
which shall be sent out at least one (1) month in advance of the meeting.
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Section 1. Amendments
with Notice
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These bylaws may be amended
at any meeting of the House of Delegates by a three-fourths "yes" vote of
members present and voting. All proposed amendments shall be in the
possession of the secretary two (2) months preceding the biennial meeting of
the House of Delegates. They shall be appended to the Call to Convention,
which shall be sent out at least one (1) month in advance of the meeting.
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Section 2. Amendments
without Notice
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These bylaws may be amended
by unanimous vote of the House of Delegates without previous notice.
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Section 3. Revisions
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These bylaws may be revised
only upon the authority of the House of Delegates.
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Section 4. Amendments
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Any amendments to these
bylaws approved by the House of Delegates or editorial changes approved by
the Board of Directors that are also applicable to the chapters shall be
incorporated into the chapter bylaws.
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Article XV. Amendments
to Articles of Incorporation
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These Articles may be
amended or repealed by a majority vote of active members present and voting
at any annual meeting of members of the Society. Notice of such changes is
required to be sent in writing to all active members at least thirty (30)
days before such meeting. Articles may also be amended or repealed by a
majority affirmative votes of those voting by a thirty (30) day mail ballot.
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Article XVI. Dissolution
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A resolution for the
dissolution of the Society shall be signed by a majority of active chapters
entitled to vote and shall be presented at a regular meeting of the Board of
Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International. The Board of Directors shall then
call a special meeting of the House of Delegates for the purposes of
considering and acting upon such resolution. If three-fourths of those Delegates
present and voting shall vote for dissolution, the Board of Directors shall
take the necessary steps to conclude the affairs of the Society in accordance
with statutory requirements existing at the date such action is taken. After
payment or making provision for payment of all debts and liabilities incurred
by the Society, the Board of Directors shall dispose of all assets of the
Society exclusively for the purposes of the Society to the American Nurses'
Foundation or other appropriate organization operated for educational or
scientific purposes. The recipient organization or organizations shall at the
time qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code for 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United
States Revenue Law).
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Article XVII. General
Provisions
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Officers
and employees shall be indemnified by the Society for any and all civil
liabilities for conducting their official duties, except in circumstances and
cases of conducting their duties in bad faith.
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