Article II - GOAL

The goal of the Association shall be to provide an organization that will enhance the image, professionalism and unity, and foster the welfare of Filipino nurses in Colorado.

1. Promote activities that will unify Filipino nurses in Colorado
2. Collaborate with other professional organizations and agencies in Colorado in developing and implementing programs related to nursing practice, education and research.
3. Participate actively in nursing and health care activities in the community

1. Regular members are professional nurses of Philippine ethnic origin, who has been granted a license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Colorado
2. Associate members are Filipino nurses licensed in the Philippines, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), student nurses, non-Filipino nurses and retired nurses.

1. Each regular member shall be entitled to one vote.
2. Absentee ballots shall be submitted tin writing to the secretary before the start of the meeting in which the vote will be taken.

1. Annual dues shall be levied by the Executive Council for the purpose of supporting the activities of the Association.
2. The amount shall be recommended annually to the Executive Council and presented for approval to the membership at the annual business meeting.
3. Renewal dues shall be payable on the anniversary of the membership; dues for new members shall be payable at the time they join.

Article VI - DUTIES/RIGHTS/PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

1. Regular and associate members shall pay the prescribed dues.
2. Members shall abide by the By-laws of the PNACO
3. Regular members shall have the right to vote and run for office.
4. Associate members shall be entitled to all membership privileges except voting and holding office.
5. Members may request for a special meeting from the Executive Council upon written request has been submitted to the President, signed by at least five members.
6. Members may inspect the books of the Association for lawful and definitive purpose with the consent of the President.

Article VIII - OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 1 – Elected Officers

1. Elected officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Public Relations Officer and five (5) Board of Directors.
2. Election of officers and members of the Board of Directors shall be held biannually for the designated election year.
3. All elected officers will serve a term of two (2) consecutive years and can be re0leected to the same office for another term.
4. A nominee must have an active regular membership to be eligible to run for any elective office.
5. A nominee may be a candidate for only one office, if holding an elective office, may not be candidate for another office unless the current term expires at the time of election.
6. Vacancies in all offices, except the presidency, shall be filled by the Executive council for the duration of the vacant position’s term only.
7. Grounds for termination of officers and members of the Board of Directors constitute an absence of more than fifty percent (50%) of the regular meetings, unless justified by the Executive Council

Section 2 – Duties of Officers

The President shall:

1. Act as the official spokesperson of the Association and chairperson of the Executive Council.
2. Convene and preside over the Executive Council and Association meetings.
3. Appoint all committee chairpersons with the approval of the Executive Council
4. Sign or countersign all official documents of the PNACO.
5. Prepare reports as necessary
6. Delegate as necessary

The Vice –President shall:

1. Act as presiding office pro-tempore in the absence of the President
2. Work with the President as requested in the preparation of any necessary reports
3. Plan and acts as chairperson of the annual professional program activities.

The Secretary shall:

1. Serve as recorder at Executive Council and Association meetings
2. Distribute minutes to each members of the Executive Council and submit pertinent data to committee chairpersons.
3. Distribute Association meeting summaries to the membership.
4. Preserve all reports, records of membership roster of the Association.
5. Work with the President as requested in the preparation of any necessary reports.
6. Send notice of all meetings and activities

The Treasurer shall:

1. Be responsible for the financial affairs of the Association
2. Keep a record of all receipts and disbursements
3. Carry appropriate banking transactions as designed by the Executive Council
4. Issue checks of the organization, countersigned by the President, for purposes approved by the Executive Council.
5. Assists in the direction of fund raising activities.
6. Act as chairperson of the Ways and Means/finance committee
7. Process membership applications and keep accurate records of receipts and membership dues.
8. Assume other duties as delegated by the President.

The Auditor shall:

1. Be responsible in having all financial records of the Association audited by a professional auditor or certified public accountant.
2. Prepare the income tax return together with the Treasurer and file it with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service

The Public Relations Officer shall:

1. Be responsible for media releases and newsletter publication.
2. Collaborate with other organization and agencies as directed by the President.

The Board of Directors shall:

1. Participate in the formation and implementation of policies of the Association
2. Collaborate with officers in decision-making.

Article IX - MEETING AND QUORUM

1. There shall be an annual general membership/business meeting.
2. The Executive council shall meet regularly every three months or more frequently as the need arises.
3. The Executive Council shall determine the date, time and place of all meetings.
4. For the general meeting, ten percent (10%) of active members shall constitute a quorum.
5. A majority of the Executive council shall constitute a quorum.
6. A majority vote of members present during the meetings is necessary to determine matters submitted for voting.
7. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Councils or by ten percent (10%) of the membership.  Notice of each special meeting shall be sent to the membership thirty days prior to the special meeting.

Article X - STANDING COMMITTEES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1 – Standing Committees

1. The standing committees of the Association shall be: Membership, By-laws and Legislative, Nominations and Election, Ways and Means/Finance, Education, Research and Practice, Public Relations, Ethics and Human Rights, and Program and Cultural Affairs.
2. The President with the approval of the Executive Council for a two-year term shall appoint the Chairperson and members of the standing committees.
3. Each committee shall consist of a Chairperson and at least two (2) members.
4. Each committee Chairperson shall submit a written report on committee activities and accomplishment at least 30 days prior to the PNACO annual meeting.

Section 2 – Committee Responsibilities

Membership committee

The Membership Committee shall:

1. Initiate program for membership recruitment.
2. Develop strategies to promote chapter growth in membership and recruitment.
3. Receive reviews and coordinates the approval of applications for potential new member of the chapters.
4. Coordinate the annual renewal of chapter membership.
5. Maintain and evaluates the membership roster of the chapter.
6. Prepare progress/status report to present during chapter meetings.
   
   

Education & Research Committee

The Education & Research Committee shall:

1. Plan, implement and evaluate educational and research oriented programs to meet membership needs.
2.  Act as a resource for other community organizations in developing and implementing educational and research oriented programs.
3. Conduct research as appropriate for the chapter.
4. Apply for appropriate grants to provide finding for any research project.
5. Act as a resource to any PNACO member who is interested in research.
6. Evaluate the relevance and impact of PNACO sponsored research projects.
7. Prepare progress/status report to present during chapter meetings.

Budget and finance committee

The Budget & Finance Committee shall:

1. Secure funds through reasonable means to augment the treasury.
2.  Prepare an annual budget for approval by the Executive Board.
3. Provide an accounting at chapter meetings of financial status of the chapter.

Community Service committee

The Community Service Committee shall:

1. Identify relevant community service activates for chapter participation.
2. Plan, implement, and evaluate community service activities to meet the health and well-being needs of the Filipino community.
3. Prepare progress/status report to present during chapter meetings.

Newsletter/Public Relations Committee

The Newsletter/Public Relations Committee shall:

1. Explore and evaluate means of promoting the interests of the Chapter
2.  Submits press releases to the news media as approved by the Executive Board.
3. Disseminate information to chapter members regarding programs and activities undertaken by the chapter
4. Publish the newsletter of the chapter
5. Coordinate with relevant organizations regarding any cultural programs to uphold the Filipino culture/heritage.
6. Prepare progress/status report to present during chapter meetings.

Website/Face book committee

The Website/Face book Committee shall:

1.    Update content of the PNACO website.
2.    Solicit postings to the website.
3.    Formulate policies and procedures.
4.    Prepare progress/status report to present during chapter meetings.

Events Committee (Christmas, Nurses week, summer picnic, etc.)

The Events Committee shall:

1. Plan, implement, and evaluate chapter events designed to build and sustain relationships among Filipino nurses their friends and families.
2. Prepare progress/status report to present during chapter meetings.

Article XI - ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Board shall:

1. Be comprised of past presidents of the Association who have maintained good standing and active participation.  Criteria for membership of persons other than past presidents will be determined by the Executive Council
2. Act in an advisory capacity in deliberations and recommendations of the Executive Council
3. Participate actively in activities that enhance the goals and objectives if the Association.

Article XII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, current edition shall govern meetings of the Association in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-laws or any special rules of order the Association may adopt.

Article XIII - AMENDMENTS

1. These By-laws may be amended at any annual general membership meeting of the Association by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.
2. All proposed amendments shall be in the possession of the Executive Council at least two months before the date of the meeting and shall be appended to the Call of Meeting.

Article XIV - DISSOLUTION

1. If for any reason this Association is to be dissolved or ceases to exists, the membership shall be notified, and approval obtained by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present and voting in a general assembly meeting, thirty days (30) prior to dissolution.
2. Its assets shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of section 501c(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the regulations there under, as they may exist.
3. The Association’s legal counsel shall act as the chief executor of its assets.

Article XV - OFFICIAL ADDRESS AND PLACE OF BUSINESS

The official address and the principal location of business will be the current President’s designated address or as established by the Executive Board.