South Carolina State Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES, INC.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this chapter shall be South Carolina State Association Occupational Health Nurses (SCSAOHN), Incorporated, a chapter of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN), Inc.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The purposes of SCSAOHN are to:

1.  Constitute the state professional association of licensed nurses engaged in the practice of
occupational and environmental health nursing;

2.  Promote and/or provide lifelong learning opportunities in occupational and environmental health

nursing for members;

3.  Maintain the integrity and character of the nursing profession,

4.  Develop and promote scope of practice and standards for occupational and environmental health

nurses to improve population-focused nursing services;

5.  Advance the profession through discussion of issues in the field of occupational and
environmental health nursing;

6.  South Carolina State Association Occupational Health Nurses is a 501 ( c ) ( 3) not-for-profit professional organization focusing on the advancement of the profession through the promotion of the health and safety of workers and communities and the support of occupational and environmental health nursing practice through monitoring and influencing legislation and regulations and through public relations and local community activities.

7.  Stimulate occupational and environmental health nurse participation in all activities within

AAOHN and its constituencies; and,

8.  Do within the limits of the law all things necessary, proper, incidental, suitable, useful and conducive
to complete accomplishment of the foregoing purposes.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

A. Active

1.  A licensed nurse currently engaged in occupational and environmental health impacting the health and well-being of worker populations.

2.  Active members shall have all rights and privileges of membership including voting, holding AAOHN and chapter office, serving on AAOHN and chapter committees or panels.

3.  An active member may apply for inactive status if the member has temporarily left the field
of occupational and environmental health nursing due to hardship.

B. Inactive

1. A licensed nurse who temporarily changed their engagement in occupational and

environmental health (e.g. hardship or employment status change).

2. Inactive members will have voting rights but are not able to hold AAOHN office.

3. Inactive status must be renewed annually and may be maintained for a maximum of

three years.

C. Retired

1.  A previously active member; now retired but continues to be interested in occupational and environmental health and supports the purposes of AAOHN.

2.  Retired members have voting status in AAOHN, may not hold an elected AAOHN office, but may serve as a committee or panel member.

3.  Retired members may hold office, serve on committees and vote in SCSAOHN..

D. Affiliate

1. A licensed nurse not eligible for active status, but interested in the field of occupational

and environmental health and the purposes of AAOHN.

2. Individuals who are not licensed nurses but who are engaged in the field of occupational and

environmental health or are interested in the purposes of AAOHN.

3. Affiliate members have no national voting privileges.

4.  Affiliate members may serve on committees.

E. Student

1. A licensed nurse enrolled as a student in a program of study related to occupational

and environmental health.

2. A student in a nursing program with interest in occupational and environmental

health.

3. SCSAOHN will allow student members to serve on committees.

F. Chapter bylaws shall not establish any other classes of

membership

Section 2. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Active, Inactive, Retired, Affiliate, Student and Life members who reside or work in the area of a local, state or regional chapter must be members of those chapters. If more than one local chapter exists in an area, the membership shall be in the chapter of the member’s choice

Section 3. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be granted by AAOHN. A written application submitted to the national office is required for all classes of membership, except honorary and life.

A. The state chapter shall have thirty (30) days to challenge a member.

B. If a member's application is challenged, the final review and approval shall be the sole and absolute discretion of the AAOHN Board of Directors.

Section 4. DUES

A. Dues are revolving on a 12 month basis and collected by AAOHN.

B. Each member shall send National dues and Chapter dues to AAOHN National Office.

C. Chapter dues shall be sent by AAOHN to each chapter.

D. Chapter dues are determined by a two-thirds vote of the Chapter Board of Directors.

Section 5. FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP Membership shall be automatically terminated:

A. for not meeting membership criteria; or

B. for non-payment of dues.

Section 6. REINSTATEMENT

A. A former member who forfeited membership may be reinstated by applying as a new member, pay the current dues and meet the requirements then in force.

Section 7. ACCESS TO RECORDS

Consistent with legal requirements, a member may inspect the books and records of SCSAOHN for any proper purpose upon reasonable notice to the chapter Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. COMPOSITION

The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the elected Officers and elected Directors.

Section 2. DUTIES

The duties of the Board of Directors shall

A. Establish mission and goals;

B. Transact the general business and affairs of SCSAOHN;

C. Adopt an annual budget;

D. Designate the place of deposit for money

E. Provide bond for any persons handling funds;

F. Provide for an independent review by an external party of the books and records of this association.

G. Recommend to membership any proposed changes in state dues structure;

H. Fill any vacancy, except that of the President,

I. Approve presidential appointments;

J. Appoint election Teller

K. Process all complaints or requests;

L. Initiate proceedings for the removal of an officer for misconduct or neglect of duty in office using

due process procedures as outlined in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised or the corporate code

of an incorporated association;

M. Establish advisory councils if and when deemed necessary;

N. Determine time and place for annual meeting;

O. Adopt the necessary standing rules and policies to implement these by laws.

Section 3 MEETINGS

A. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least annually.

B. Special meetings of the Board of Directors:

1.  may be called by the President;

2.  shall be called by the President upon written request of majority of the members of the Board

of Directors.

3. may be held with at least 24 hours prior notice.

C. Notices of all regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be electronically transmitted at least 5 days before the date of the Board meeting.

D. Meetings may be conducted through the use of any means of communication by which any or all
Directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A Director
participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting. Minutes of meeting shall include a list of those present and results of votes taken as a minimum.

E. QUORUM: A majority of the members of the Board of Directors, including two (2) officers, one of who shall be the President or the President Elect, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.

Section 4. OFFICERS:

A. The officers shall be the President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary.

B. Qualifications: To be eligible for election, candidates must be active members. In addition,
candidates for President shall have served a minimum of one (1) term on the Board of Directors.

C. Duties: The duties shall be such as are implied by the respective titles except as otherwise stated in
these bylaws and more specifically shall include the following:

1. The President shall:

a. be the chief elected officer and official representative of SCSAOHN;

b. perform duties as set down in the bylaws, policies and procedures or standing rules adopted by the Board of Directors;

c. appoint, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, standing and ad hoc
committees, and assign duties associated with each director position:

(Historian, Legislative & Professional Standards, Membership, Vendor Coordinator, Communication, Policy & Procedures)

d. approve bills for payment, subject to limits prescribed by the Board of Directors;

e. establish policies to ensure proper accounting procedures are followed;

f. submit a written report at the annual meeting;

g. submit to the AAOHN office written reports as requested by AAOHN;

h. notify AAOHN in writing of the election or change in officers within 30 days;

2. The President-elect shall:

a.  in the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President;

b.  succeed to the office of President for the unexpired term in the event of a vacancy in that office; NOTE: President-elect shall automatically succeed to the office of President after the President’s term is expired

c. assume other duties, including Chairman of the Education Committee and Program

Planning Committee, assigned by the bylaws or standing rules, or the Board of Directors.

4. The Treasurer shall:

a. assume the responsibility for the financial affairs of Association,

b. submit the books and records for an annual independent review by an external party
appointed by the Board of Directors;

c. review all financial statements and submit a written report of the financial standing of
SCSAOHN at all Board Meetings

d. submit an annual financial report to the annual meeting.

5. The Recording Secretary shall:

a. record the minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors,

b. provide minutes to the members of the Board of Directors

6. The Corresponding Secretary shall:

a. conduct correspondence as requested by the Board of Directors. (A copy should also be sent to the person requesting correspondence.)

D The Directors shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the President or the Board of

Directors.

E All officers shall deliver to their successors all books, papers, and other property belonging to the

association within thirty (30) days after completion of term of office.

SECTION 5. DIRECTORS

A There shall be six (6) Directors that shall equally represent the geographic regions of the state, two Directors from Piedmont, two Directors from Midlands, and two Directors from Coastal/Pee Dee.

SECTION 6. TERM OF OFFICE

A. The term of office for Officers shall be for two (2) years or until a successor has been elected and
assumes office.

B. The term of office for Directors shall be two (2) years or until their successors have been elected and
assume office.

C. The Board of Directors shall assume office July 1.

D. No member of the Board of Directors may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same
office or as a Director.

E. Any part of a term in excess of twelve (12) months for Officers or Directors shall be considered a
term in deciding eligibility for re-election.

SECTION 7. VACANCY IN OFFICE

A. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the President Elect.

B. Any other vacancy shall be filled by a vote of the Board of Directors

ARTICLE V

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. NOMINATION CHAIR /NOMINATING COMMITTEE

A. Nomination Chair is an elected position. The chair can form an ad hoc committee as needed to fulfill

duties of the position. If a committee is formed it shall contain a member from each region in the

chapter

B. Qualifications:

Shall have been a member of SCSAOHN for no less than one (1) year

C. Term:

Two (2) years or until their successor is elected and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election.

D.. Vacancy:

Should the Nomination Chair (or any member of the ad hoc nomination committee) become a

nominee for Officer or Director, that person shall resign

F. Duties:

1.  The chair/committee shall request that members recommend the names of candidates for each elective position.

2.  The chair/committee shall consider the qualifications of all candidates proposed by the
membership or by members of the Nominating Committee and shall select nominees for each
office and director.

3.  The consent of all persons whose names appear on the ballot shall be secured.

4.  A ballot shall be prepared with the placement of names chosen by lot (as opposed to
alphabetically arranged).

Section 2. BALLOT:

A. In even numbered calendar years, the ballot shall contain nominees for:

1.  Recording Secretary

2.  Three (3) Directors – One from each region (Piedmont, Midlands, Pee Dee)

3.  Nomination Chair

In the odd numbered calendar years, the ballot shall contain nominees for:

1.  President-Elect

2.  Treasurer

3.  Corresponding Secretary

4.  Three (3) Directors - One from each region (Piedmont, Midlands, Pee Dee)

B. No member shall be a candidate for more than one position.

Section 3. ELECTIONS:

A. All elections shall be by ballot prepared by the Nomination Chair/committee.

1.  The ballot, together with directions and the accompanying documents of each candidate shall be
mailed or emailed at least 40 (forty) days before the annual meeting.

2.  The official marked ballot shall be mailed or emailed to the Teller not later than 20 (twenty) days

before the annual meeting.

3.  The Director with Membership responsibility shall deliver an official roster of members eligible to

vote to the Teller.

B. Teller: Secured by the Nomination Chair and approved by the Board of Directors .

C. Decision: A plurality vote shall elect. In the event of a tie vote, lot shall determine a decision.

D. The teller shall check the eligibility of the voter by name, not address on the list provided by the
Director in charge of Membership.

E. The ballots shall be counted prior to the annual meeting. The full report of the Teller shall be
read at the annual meeting.

F. The ballots shall be destroyed, with a majority vote by those present at the annual business meeting
after the results of the elections are ascertained.

ARTICLE VI MEETINGS

Section 1. ANNUAL MEETING

A. There shall be an annual business meeting. The annual meeting shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.