Ethics and Governance
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Committee

(Formerly named the Bylaws & Policies Committee)

See the Need. Be the Voice!

Rachael Schmoll
Vice President
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
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Seasonal Memos
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What is the Role of the Ethics and Governance Committee?

The committee is responsible for implementing resolutions passed by the HOD related to ethics and governance; engaging members in the Code of Ethics; assisting chapters to submit amendments to the Code of Ethics; guiding chapters with bylaws, policies and procedures; reviewing NSNA’s policies bylaws and procedures when related issues arise.

Rachael Schmoll, Vice President and Chair,
Ethics and Governance Committee, Summer Memo

Hello fellow NSNA Members! It is an honor and privilege to serve as Chair of the Ethics and Governance Committee alongside committee members Haley Donnerstag and Crystal Nettles. Below is an update on this year’s focus, happenings, and awards.

See the Need. Be the Voice!

Each year, a new theme is chosen by the Ethics and Governance Committee as a focal point for projects, articles, and community work. This year, the theme chosen is a wonderful opportunity to focus on some of the basic principles of nursing: Benevolence and Justice. This year’s theme is “See the Need. Be the Voice!” It seems that now more than ever, vulnerable populations need our help. As an organization rooted in the values of doing good and advocating for the protection of fundamental rights, it is our responsibility to set an example for this community.

As NSNA members, we represent more than just ourselves. With that comes a great responsibility to lead. We must regard our core values and ethics with each choice—these ethics guide how we govern our behavior and choices within our professional and personal lives. As a future nurse, you are being molded and shaped into a being that embodies these characteristics in all areas of your life. As a committee, we aim to provide resources and guidance to help you pursue and adopt these critical thinking methods and apply the nursing principle. 

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"See the Need. Be the Voice!" with Rachael Schmoll

Rachael Schmoll, 2022-2023 Vice President and Chair, Ethics and Governance Committee speaks during the 2022 NSNA Leadership U Summer Summit.
Attention NSNA State Association Leaders

During the past few years have you been struggling to fill your board positions?

You are encouraged to keep a minimum of an executive committee: president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Check your bylaws to determine if there is a bylaw that permits the executive committee to make decisions when a full board is unable to meet or if the decisions cannot wait until a full board meeting. If there is nothing specific, and your bylaws direct you to refer to Robert’s Rules of Order for guidance, then you can use the guidance of Robert’s. This gives you the ability to keep your bank account in place, file tax forms (i.e., 990), and remain a constituent of NSNA (and thus collect dues). This is a temporary method of maintaining the association during this time of crisis. NSNA staff will assist you in communicating with your members and guidance in holding elections. Contact Kenya@nsna.org ​

NSNA Ethics and Governance

​References & Resources

             - Core Values         
             - Code of Professional Conduct
             - Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct (with interpretive statements)
             - Nursing Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
             - Guide to Grievance Process

References
  • Carver, J. (2006). Boards that Make a Difference. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
  • Jacobs, J. (2018). Association law handbook : a practical guide for associations, societies, and charities. Washington, D.C: Association Management Press
  • Policies and Procedures in Association Management. (2001). Washington, DC: American Society of Association Executives.
  • Principles of Association Management. (2001). Washington, DC: American Society of Association Executives and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, p.47.
  • Robert, H., Robert, S., Robert, H., Evans, W., Honemann, D., Balch, T., Seabold, D. & Gerber, S. (2020). Robert's rules of order : newly revised.
    New York: Public Affairs

Resources

American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership
http://www.asaecenter.org/
Publishes Association Leadership, an annual periodical is a practical management tool for volunteer leaders.  Articles focus on the roles of association executives, board, and committee members, and can be used as a training tool for board members.  Designed to help all work more productively as a team, the magazine presents important topics to the volunteer.