Guidelines on the Development of Regional Affiliates

GUIDELINES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL AFFILIATES

Regional affiliates are being organized throughout the country as a modality in which members of the organization can share their expertise, concerns and professional issues. These groups provide an opportunity for systematic exploration and discussion in an environment structured to meet the needs of a local group. It is believed that such an exchange results in improved care of the patient, professional growth and communication regarding the WOC Nurse and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN).

OBJECTIVES OF THE WOCN REGIONAL AFFILIATES:

1. To provide support and encouragement for members of the WOCN

at a local level.

2. To foster leadership qualities in the WOC Nurse through interest and participation

in the professional organization.

3. To promote and communicate the philosophy of the WOCN to members of the WOCN.

4. To encourage and support the new WOC Nurse upon entry into specialty practice.

5. To promote interest among interdisciplinary health professionals regarding the

WOCN.

Section 1 – Name

The name of this affiliate shall be “The ______

______

Affiliate of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society”.

Section 2 – Purpose

The purpose of this affiliation shall be the same as that of the WOCN: to foster high standards of practice relating to the care, teaching and rehabilitation of wounds, ostomies and continence related conditions; and to promote the professional and educational advancement and welfare of the WOC Nurse in order to facilitate the practice of the specialty. Therefore, persons in need of these services shall have the opportunity for optimal care and rehabilitation.

Section 3 – Function

The function of this affiliate is as follows:

A.  To provide for continuing growth in the field of WOC Nursing.

B.  To provide a medium for direct communication among members of the WOCN on a local level.

C.  To serve as an educational resource and focus on clinical practice in WOC Nursing and as a source of information concerning the activities of WOCN.

Section 4 – Membership

A.  Members of the affiliate shall be members of the WOCN.

B.  Active members of the affiliate shall be entitled to make motions, vote and hold office.

C.  Retired, honorary, agency and associate members, as well as students and allied health professionals may attend meetings. They may speak, but may not make motions, vote or hold office. They may serve on committees in any capacity except as chairperson.

D.  Membership shall consist of no less than five active members of the WOCN.

Section 5 – Dues

A.  WOCN will issue each year, a rebate of $12.00 for each current regional affiliate member to the regional affiliate.

B.  The convening officer should represent the area affiliate at all regional board meetings and report to the affiliate on all activities of the region and the WOCN.

C.  The officer shall keep a record of all activities of the area affiliate, and submit the report to the regional president and newsletter editor.

D.  The treasurer shall keep an account of the financial matters of the affiliate. A report should be given to the regional president at least twice yearly. The treasurer must also submit year-end financial statements to the WOCN Society National Office for inclusion in the WOCN Society Tax Return.

Section 7 – Relationship of the Affiliate to the Region

The Regions Chairperson from the WOCN will assist chapters as requested in an advisory capacity. The relationship between the WOCN and this affiliate is one of mutual support. The affiliate must agree to comply with the directives of the WOCN in order to retain its status.

Section 8 – Procedure for Application for Affiliate Status

A.  The proposed affiliate shall:

1.  Obtain a copy of Guidelines on the Development of Regional Affiliates, and the Application for Affiliation Form from the National Office of the WOCN.

2.  Complete the forms, attach a copy of the proposed rules of procedures (bylaws) and return to National Office.

3.  Submit a letter authorizing WOCN to file for a tax exemption on its behalf.

B.  The National Office shall:

1.  Copy and mail copies of the application to the Regional President in the geographic area, the Regional Chairperson, if applicable, and the President and Secretary of the WOCN Society.

C.  Each of the above reviewers will inspect materials to be sure there is not an affiliation in the area and to assure consistency in Rules of Procedure with Bylaws of the WOCN. Affiliation will be approved if all of the above requirements are met. Rejection pending revisions will be given if the affiliate application does not meet the requirements.

D.  After approval by the reviewers, the application will be brought to the Board of Directors for approval. The convening officer will be informed by the WOCN Society President of the outcome.

E.  Notice of approved applications will be published in the WOCN Newsletter, and sent to the Regional President.

F.  Questions regarding the status of applications should be directed to the WOCN National Office.

G.  At the time of approval, the convening officer will receive a copy of the tax-exempt status form which must be completed and returned to the National Office of the WOCN within 30 days.

H.  Affiliate Applications must be submitted 60 days prior to the next Board of Directors meeting for consideration at that meeting.

I.  All Regional and Affiliate Bylaws are to be reviewed every two years by the Regional Bylaws Chair.

APPLICATION FOR AFFILIATION

The undersigned are elected members of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN). Together, we are hereby making application to become an affiliate organization of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. The proposed name of the affiliate is The ______

Affiliate of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society.

Attached to this application is a copy of the Guidelines for the Development of Regional Affiliates which we have read and agree to abide by in every respect.

Also attached to this application is a copy of the proposed rules of procedure for our affiliate. We agree to follow the direction of WOCN in revising any of the rules so as to make them more consistent with the rules of other affiliates.

Finally, the five active members and the convening officer have signed a copy of the tax exempt status form which requests that we be considered a tax exempt status organization within the meaning of the group exemption letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service. We hereby authorize WOCN, its officers and agents, to represent our interests in applying for the exempt status. In accordance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, we agree to follow the direction of the WOCN and to report quarterly to National Office about our activities and to file an annual financial report with the regional treasurer.

Date ______

Convening Officer

______Active Member

______Active Member

______Active Member

______

Active Member

TAX EXEMPT STATUS

We, the undersigned, are active members of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society and The ______.

Affiliate of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. We hereby request the WOCN to act as our representative before the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice in an effort to obtain and retain our tax-exempt status under a group exempt letter from the IRS.

Date ______

Convening Officer

______Active Member

______Active Member

______Active Member

______

Active Member

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6/26/07