PHILLIPINE NURSES ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO (PNACO)   BY-LAWS   Article I NAME   The name of this organization shall be the PHILIPPINE NURSES ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO (PNACO), hereinafter referred to as the ASSOCIATION.   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.   Article III OBJECTIVES   The Association shall: Promote activities that will unify Filipino nurses in Colorado Collaborate with other professional organizations and agencies in Colorado in developing and implementing programs related to nursing practice, education and research. Participate actively in nursing and health care activities in the community   Article IV MEMBERSHIP   Section 1 – Classification of Membership The PNACO shall consist of Filipino Registered Nurses (RNs) residing in Colorado 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 Associate members are Filipino nurses licensed in the Philippines, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), student nurses, non-Filipino nurses and retired nurses. Section 2 - Voting Body Each regular member shall be entitled to one vote. Absentee ballots shall be submitted tin writing to the secretary before the start of the meeting in which the vote will be taken.   Article V FISCAL YEAR AND DUES   Section 1 – Fiscal Year The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Section 2 – Dues Annual dues shall be levied by the Executive Council for the purpose of supporting the activities of the Association. B.  The amount shall be recommended annually to the Executive Council and presented for approval to the membership at the annual business meeting. 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   Regular and associate members shall pay the prescribed dues. Members shall abide by the By-laws of the PNACO Regular members shall have the right to vote and run for office. Associate members shall be entitled to all membership privileges except voting and holding office. 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. Members may inspect the books of the Association for lawful and definitive purpose with the consent of the President.   Article VII Administration   The Executive Council consisting of six (6) elected officers and five (5) Board of Directors shall exercise ultimate authority in governing the Association.   Article VIII OFFICERS AND DUTIES   Section 1 – Elected Officers Elected officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Public Relations Officer and five (5) Board of Directors. Election of officers and members of the Board of Directors shall be held biannually for the designated election year. All elected officers will serve a term of two (2) consecutive years and can be re0leected to the same office for another term. A nominee must have an active regular membership to be eligible to run for any elective office. 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. Vacancies in all offices, except the presidency, shall be filled by the Executive council for the duration of the vacant position’s term only. 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 QUORUMS   There shall be an annual general membership/business meeting. The Executive council shall meet regularly every three months or more frequently as the need arises. The Executive Council shall determine the date, time and place of all meetings. For the general meeting, ten percent (10%) of active members shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the Executive council shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of members present during the meetings is necessary to determine matters submitted for voting. 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 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. The President with the approval of the Executive Council for a two-year term shall appoint the Chairperson and members of the standing committees. Each committee shall consist of a Chairperson and at least two (2) members. 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 The Membership Committee shall: Initiate program for membership recruitment Plan strategies for recruitment and retention of members The By-laws and Legislative Committee shall: 1.      Disseminates information regarding current issues and legislative proposals that directly or indirectly affects the members and the profession. 2.      Disseminates information that facilitates self-empowerment that allows each member to be well informed on issues that impact the delivery of care and nursing practice. 3.      Collaborates with nursing organizations as well as other agencies in addressing and supporting legislation that affect the nursing profession and health care. 4.      Collaborate with the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) at the national level and existing agencies at the state level to address legislative and health care issues and policies relating to nursing practice. The Ways and Means/Finance Committee shall:   The Education, Research and Practice Committee shall:   The Public Relations Committee shall:   The Ethics and Human Rights Committee shall:   The Program and Cultural Affairs Committee shall:   Article XI ADVISORY BOARD   The Advisory Board shall: 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 Act in an advisory capacity in deliberations and recommendations of the Executive Council 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   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. 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   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. 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.