Ethics and Governance
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Committee

Delaney Sanders
Director
Alverno College
Mesa, AZ
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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.

Delaney Sanders, Director and
Chair, Ethics and Governance Committee, Fall Memo

Hello and happy fall! My name is Delaney Sanders and I have the honor of serving the NSNA membership as a Director and the Chair of the Ethics and Governance Committee. Working alongside me I have Trey Harpole and Ryan Fox. Firstly, I wanted to welcome back those who had the summer off, and good luck to all for a successful school year as we venture through this nursing school journey together.
 
As we begin the school year, I want to encourage each and every member to read and become familiar with their school and state bylaws. Our bylaws are essential in helping our organizations map out their purpose and the practical applications by which we govern ourselves. Bylaws can assist members in determining what rules to abide by, while still allowing for members to make and advocate for change as the organization grows. The structure by which we allow for effective governance should be important for each of us, and although our bylaws at the NSNA level are not a legal authority, it is a moral code by which we guide our decisions.
 
I hope to see many of you at NSNA’s 41st MidYear Conference in sunny San Diego, California from November 2-5th. At this convention, the Ethics and Governance Committee will host an Interpretive Statement round table, which I invite everyone to join. During this session, we will facilitate a space for constituents to formulate Interpretive Statements to reflect changes made during the Annual Convention this past April. Everyone has a VOICE, and we want to ensure that these experiences are led by those we serve. 

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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.