BY- LAWS

Article I. Name

•  The name of the chapter will be:

Lone Star Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (LSGNP)

•  The purpose of this organization will be to promote high standards of health care for older persons through advanced gerontological nursing practice, education and advocacy.

Article II. Membership

•  There shall be 3 levels of membership:

•  Active member must be an Advance Practice nurse (ANP) and will have full voting privileges. Active members are required to members of NCGNP (National Organization) and are responsible for maintaining their membership.

•  Associate member is not an ANP, but works in the health care field with the elderly population. Associate members do not have voting privileges.

•  Student member must be enrolled in an accredited nurse practitioner program and do not have voting privileges.

Article III. Dues

A. Chapter Dues

Local Chapter dues will be $25 per year.

Student rate will be $15 per year.

•  Dues will be paid in January every year.

Article IV. Meetings

A. Meetings will be held quarterly on the 4 th Tuesday of the designated month from 6-8pm. Meetings are open to all members.

B. Meetings will take place at various facilities throughout the area.

•  Members will be given 14 days notice prior to a meeting. Meeting notices will include date, time, location, topic of meeting, name of host and any other additional information needed.

•  There shall be an annual business meeting in January of each year for the purpose of electing officers, receiving committee reports, reviewing financial statements and the transaction of other business.

•  The active member attendees present at the annual business meeting shall constitute a quorum.

•  Parliamentary procedure shall govern the meetings.

Article V. Officers

A. The elected officers of LSGNP shall be a president, vice –president, secretary and treasurer. These offices shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the individual officer job description.

B. The officers shall be elected by ballot, take office at the close of the meeting in which they are elected and shall serve until their successors are elected. The term for all elected officers shall be two years.

C. Duties of Officers:

President: The president shall be the chief executive officer of LSGNP and shall be present at meetings of the chapter and the executive board. The president shall be ex-officio of all committees and communicate to the chapter such matters and make suggestions as may, in the president's opinion, tend to promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the chapter. The president shall perform other duties as necessary to support the organization.

Vice – President: The vice-president performs delegated duties, sits on all committees, is a member ex-officio of all committees and provides liaison for the Executive Board as assigned. The vice-president shall perform all duties of the president during the absence of the president.

Secretary: The secretary shall work directly with the president in the administration and management of the chapter. The secretary shall document all business of the chapter.

Treasurer: The treasurer shall work directly with the president in the administration and management of the financial aspects of the chapter. The treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining all financial records and making disbursement of money as approved by the executive board.

D. Nominees for the office must be active members in LSGNP. Officers will elected every two years at the annual business meeting. Candidates who receive a plurality of votes cast shall be elected.

E. The officers of LSGNP shall constitute the executive board. The executive board shall supervise and direct the affairs of LSGNP chapter's objectives and shall have discretion in the disbursement of funds.

•  The executive board shall meet once annually to review the business and status of the chapter and report their findings to the members.

Article VI. Committees

•  Standing Committee: LSGNP shall have the following standing committees: Membership, Legislative / Resource Development, Continuing Education / Programs and Web Site Development. Members who volunteer for a chairperson of a committee will be responsible for directing and coordinating the affairs of the committee. Chairpersons will be responsible for reporting status and affairs of the committees at designated meetings.

Article VII. Amendments

Notice of sixty (60) days must be given to the active members prior to any vote to amend these bylaws. These bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered, in whole or in part by a two-thirds majority vote of active members at any duly organized meeting of LSGNP.

Article VII. Liabilities

Nothing herein shall constitute members of LSGNP as partners for any purpose. No member or officer shall be liable for the acts or failure to act for any other member or officer of LSGNP. Nor shall any member or officer be liable for his or her acts or failure to act under these bylaws, excepting only acts or omissions arising out of his or her willful malfeasance.

Article IX. Funds

LSGNP is not intended as a profit-making organization nor is it founded with the expectation of making a profit. LSGNP shall use its funds only for objects and purposes specified in these bylaws and operating guidelines as adopted by the executive board.

Adopted November 30, 2004 by the Executive Board and membership.