VAPNA is organized for educational purposes to advance, support, and promote the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).

The goals of this organization are to:provide continuing education programs for APNs, educate the public regarding the role of the APN, establish channels of communication and cooperation with other groups who share the purpose and vision of VAPNA, act as resource group for APNs, and provide educational scholarships for APN students.

The membership of VAPNA shall be comprised of Regular and Associate Members.

Regular Membership shall be composed of Registered Nurses prepared as Advanced Practice Nurses. Regular members shall pay dues, may vote, hold elected or appointed office, and serve as Committee Chairs.

Associate Membership shall be open to retired APN’s and MSN or Doctorally prepared nurses who are interested in fostering the purpose and goals of VAPNA. Associate members shall pay dues but may not vote or serve as Committee Chairs or officers of VAPNA.

Annual dues shall be established with approval by the majority vote of regular members at a scheduled meeting with a with a quorum (10% of regular membership) present.

Dues are to be paid upon registration and annually thereafter.

The elected officers of VAPNA shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. To be eligible for election as an officer, the candidate must be a Regular member. An officer shall serve a term of two years. Members shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same elected office.

President- The President shall provide leadership and preside at all meetings. The President shall be elected on EVEN numbered years.

Vice-President- The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the office of the President in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall de responsible for meeting site arrangements and educational programs. Also, the Vice-President will perform other duties as assigned by the President. The Vice-President shall be elected on ODD numbered years.

Secretary- The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings. All such minutes shall be posted on the website to the membership. The Secretary shall maintain all VAPNA correspondence and perform other duties as directed by the President. The Secretary shall be elected on ODD numbered years.

Treasurer- The Treasurer shall receive dues and other VAPNA funds, disburse funds for approved expenses, and keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall give a report at scheduled meetings. The Treasurer shall submit annual dues notice to the membership and maintain an official roster of membership. The Treasurer shall co-sign with at least one other officer on all bank accounts. The Treasurer shall submit the bank account information and miscellaneous vouchers to the Financial Committee for an annual audit. The Treasurer shall be elected on EVEN numbered years.

Nominations for Office- The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of eligible candidates to be presented to the membership. Elections shall take place in July of each year. Elected officers shall be sworn in at the Annual Conference held in August.

Ballots- Ballots shall be distributed to members. Ballots shall be returned by a specified date set by the Nominating Committee.

Counting the Ballots- Election ballots shall be counted by the presiding officers.

Notification of Results- Election results shall be announced at the next scheduled meeting. All candidates shall be notified of the results by the Secretary. New officers shall assume office in September.

Upcoming meetings shall be posted on the website. The meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month, unless otherwise changed.

All business, except that which is specifically designated in the by-laws, shall be decided by a majority vote of regular members at a scheduled meeting with a quorum (10 per cent of membership) present.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of business at all meetings except where superseded by these by-laws.

A quorum shall consist of 10 per cent of regular members present at the meeting.

Standing Committees- shall consist of Website, Nominating, and Special Committees. Chairs of Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President who receives suggestions from the membership. It is the responsibility of the Committee Chair to choose committee members from Regular or Associate members. Meetings of the Standing Committees shall be open to the membership.

Website committee-shall be responsible for organizing and maintaining the website.

Special Committees–shall be appointed by the President. Responsibilities will be defined with each appointment.

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of federal tax codes.

VAPNA will refrain from participating in political campaigns for candidates.

VAPNA will ensure that its assets and earnings do not unjustly enrich board members, officers, or any other insiders.

VAPNA will not further non-exempt purposes (such as purposes that benefit private interests).

VAPNA will not operate for the primary purpose of conducting a trade or business that is not related to its tax exempt purpose(s).

VAPNA will not engage in activities that are illegal or violate fundamental public policy.

This organization may affiliate with other professional organizations that promote the goals and purposes of Advanced Practice Nurses. Such affiliations will require a vote of 10 per cent of regular membership at a scheduled meeting.

Affiliations must be proposed by the officers and must be distributed to the membership with a statement of purpose for the proposed affiliation.

Proposed amendments to the by-laws must be submitted to all regular members prior to a scheduled meeting.

Proposed by-law changes may be amended on the floor at the scheduled meeting.

By-law amendments shall be adopted by a vote of 10 per cent of regular membership at a scheduled membership.