NACN-Canada Statutes

Saint John Paul II, Patron Saint of NACN-Canada

National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada
(Association Nationale des Infirmières Catholiques-Canada)

Article I: Name

The name of the Association is the National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada, hereinafter referred to as “the Association”. The abbreviated name of the organization is NACN-Canada. In French, the name is Association Nationale des Infirmières Catholiques-Canada, abbreviated as ANIC-Canada.

Article II: Affiliation

The Association will establish and maintain affiliation with CICIAMS (Comité International Catholique des Infirmières et Assistantes Medico-Sociales).

Tax Exemption Status: TBD

Article III: Mission

The Association is established to support and strengthen the vocation of nurses and other health professionals within the apostolic tradition of the Catholic Church. It is a community that seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit through an ever-wider involvement of health professionals who wish to align their practice with Catholic teaching. It holds that Catholic nurses and other health professionals practice their professions as a vocation anchored in the Word, nourished through the sacraments, and in personal witness to Christ, bearing testimony to Him by their lives and professional practice.

Article IV: Patron Saint

St. John Paul II

Article V: Objectives

  1. To strengthen the vocation of Catholic nurses and other health professionals through prayer and participation in the sacraments.
  2. To provide resources for nurses and other health professionals to align their practice with Catholic moral teaching in association with other organizations that share the mission of the Association.
  3. To provide opportunities for guidance, mentorship, research, and networking for Catholic nurses, other health professionals, their students, and for others who support the mission and objectives of the Association.
  4. To affirm Catholic moral teaching through participation in education, service, public discourse, and other initiatives that integrate faith and health care.

Article VI: Spiritual Oversight

Section 1. Episcopal Advisor:
Oversight of this Association shall be subject to the jurisdiction and approval of the Archbishop of Toronto, Canada. He shall:
A. Receive Annual Summary Report from the President following Board approval of the Report.
B. Provide Ecclesial oversight to the Association.
C. Provide guidance for faithful observance of the teachings of the Church Magisterium in the actions of the Association.
D. Plan and conduct the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and prayer services as available and as requested at meetings of the Association. This service may also be fulfilled by a local bishop or priest where the meeting is held.

Section 2. Spiritual Director:
The Spiritual Director of the Association may be the Episcopal Advisor or another Bishop, or another designee approved by the Episcopal Advisor.
A. Fulfils duties C and D when assigned by the Episcopal Advisor.

Section 3. Priest Chaplain:
A priest may be designated by the Episcopal Advisor or the Spiritual Director to serve as Chaplain to the Association.
A. Fulfils duties C and D when assigned by the Episcopal Advisor.

Section 4. Ex-officio Board Members: The Episcopal Advisor, Spiritual Director and Chaplain are ex-officio members of the Board without voting rights. They are not counted in determining the number required for a quorum or in determining whether or not a quorum is present.

Article VII: Membership Structure

The Association is organized on national, regional and local levels.

Categories and Requirements for Membership
Individuals may be designated as General, Student, Associate, or Honorary members in the Association and hold voting or non-voting memberships.

Section 1. Voting Memberships:

A. General Member:

  1. General membership in the Association is open to Catholic nurses, licensed to practice and residing in Canada, who consider their professional practice as a vocation grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church, who pledge to support the mission of the Association, and who pay the required annual dues.
  2. Emeritus nurses may join the Association as either General or Associate members.
  3. Application for General membership is made directly to the Corresponding Secretary of the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada).
  4. Annual dues, as set by the Board of Directors, for General membership are paid online or to the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) Treasurer, and paid by the annual renewal date.
  5. General Members shall have a vote and are eligible to serve as Board officers or on committees.

Section 2: Non-voting Memberships

A. Student Member:

  1. Student membership is open to all Catholic pre-licensure nursing students and students of other health disciplines with proof of student status, who wish to align their practice with Catholic moral teaching and the Association’s mission, and who are attending an accredited health professional program in Canada. Students with an approved leave of absence from their school of record are also
    eligible for membership.
  2. Application for Student membership is made directly to NACN-Canada (ANICCanada). A nominal fee for student members will be set by the Board.
  3. Student members shall have a voice and may serve on specific committees, once established. These include the Education, Practice & Research committee; the Communications committee; and the Membership and Elections Committee. Student members are non-voting members, and may not serve as Officers.

B. Associate Member:

  1. Associate membership will be open to non-Catholic nurses, Emeritus nurses, and non-nursing healthcare professionals who accept Roman Catholic values and moral principles, pledge to support the mission of the Association, and pay the required annual dues.
  2. Emeritus nurses may join the Association as either General or Associate members.
  3. Application for Associate membership is made directly to the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada).
  4. Annual dues for Associate membership are paid by the annual renewal date.
  5. An Associate member shall have a voice, but is a non-voting member who may serve as a committee member, but not as a Board Officer or committee chair.

C. Honorary Member:

  1. Honorary membership will be open to any person who has aided in the foundation, development, or activities of the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada), or an affiliated Council, in any outstanding manner.
  2. An individual may be recommended for honorary membership as a General Member by nomination from a current member through a letter of support that is submitted to the Board of Directors of the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada). The letter must identify the applicant’s contribution and support to the Association or the affiliated Council, and how these contributions reflect the mission and objectives of the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada).
  3. The NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) Board of Directors will review and vote on the recommendation for Honorary membership.
  4. There are no dues for Honorary Members.
  5. An Honorary member shall have a voice and a vote, and may serve as a committee member, but may not serve as a Board Officer or committee chair.

Article VIII: Governance

Governance of the Association shall be by the Board of Directors, with input from Committees and the Membership. Elected Officers shall be President, President-Elect, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 1: Voting Members of the Board of Directors

A. Voting Members and Voice in Decision-Making:
President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

B. Non-voting Members of the Board of Directors:
Immediate Past-President, and Honorary Members.

Section 2: Standing and Ad Hoc Committees:

A. Standing Committees:
The Association may consider establishing Standing Committees, to which members may be elected, appointed, or volunteer as determined by these statutes. The Standing Committees that could be established include but are not limited to:
By-Laws
Membership and Elections
Ethics and Spirituality
Awards & Scholarships
Education, Practice, and Research
Communication

B. Ad Hoc Committees:
Special Committees or Task Forces determined by the President or the Board of Directors for a specific and limited period.

Article IX: Elections

Section 1. Elections of the Association
Members of the Board of Directors (other than the Spiritual Director, Honorary Members, and Immediate Past-President) are elected. Changes to Statutes require a Membership election.

A. Eligibility for Membership on Board of Directors:

  1. Anyone who has been a General Member of the Association for at least the previous one year is eligible for election to an Officer position, other than the President-Elect, for which a minimum of at least the previous two years’ membership in the Association is required.
  2. Anyone who has been a General member of NACN-Canada for at least the previous one year is eligible for election as a Regional Director.
  3. No more than two (2) Emeritus nurses may sit on the Board at any one time.
    *Note 1: The Presidency is succeeded from the position of President-Elect, so an election does not take place for this position.
    *Note 2: Members may hold only one elected national office at a time.

B. Terms of Office for Elected Members of the Board of Directors:
The term of Office for all elected Members of the Board of Directors is two years.

  1. President: The Office of President shall be through succession from the Office of the President-Elect in even numbered years.
  2. President-Elect: The Office of President-Elect shall be in even numbered years.
  3. Corresponding Secretary: The Office of the Corresponding Secretary shall be elected in even numbered years.
  4. Recording Secretary: The Office of the Recording Secretary shall be in odd numbered years.
  5. Treasurer: The Office of the Treasurer shall be in the odd numbered years.
  6. Directors: up to two may be elected in even numbered years, and up to two may be appointed in odd numbered years.

C. Election Process:

  1. Scheduled and special elections of the Association shall be conducted each year or more frequently if needed. Ballot or voting papers are to be made available for regularly scheduled elections to all voting members, either electronically or in writing by postal service, by January 15th.
    *Note: For Special elections (e.g. By-Laws changes) a similar process is followed with dates for ballot return, ballot review, and a report submission date to the President, depending on the special election topic, being defined prior to ballot distribution.
  2. The Membership and Elections Committee, or Officers of the Board of Directors designated by the President in the absence of a Membership and Elections Committee, shall tally all ballot or voting papers that are returned by 2400 hours on March 1st for regularly scheduled elections, and for additional
    elections as needed. A simple majority of votes for a candidate (or candidates, if more than one seat is available) shall constitute an election for a position. Ballot paper return dates for special elections will be determined as needed.
  3. Winners of regularly scheduled elections are announced to the President by March 15th.
  4. All newly elected persons shall be formally announced to the membership and formally recognized for their positions either in person, by electronic mail, or via other conferencing means.
  5. All ballot papers and other records of any election shall be preserved for at least the duration of the candidate’s office, and two years for any By-Laws revisions.
  6. Individuals appointed to fill a vacated Board of Directors position will serve out the remainder of the vacated term. For consideration to most vacated Board of Directors position, the individual must be a General Member in good standing for a minimum of one year.
    *Exception: If the position under consideration is for the President or President-Elect, the appointed individual must be a General Member for a minimum of two years.

D. Term Limits:

  1. The positions of President and President-Elect are for one term only due to the automatic succession of the President-Elect to President.
  2. The Immediate Past-President position is for one term only due to the automatic succession of the President.
  3. For all other positions, persons may not be elected to serve more than three consecutive terms in the same position.
  4. No person shall serve in elected positions of the Board of Directors for a total of more than eight consecutive years.
  5. No elected person shall hold more than one position in the Board of Directors simultaneously.

Article X: Duties & Responsibilities: Officers and Board of Directors

Section 1. Officer and Board of Directors:
Each Officer and member of the Board of Directors is responsible for duties of his/her individual position and shared duties of all Board of Directors members.

Section 2. Officer Duties and Responsibilities:

A. President. The President Shall:

  1. Serve as the official representative of the Board of Directors and the National Association.
  2. Act as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
  3. Perform such duties as coordinating and promoting the growth, function, and sustainability of the Association.
  4. Establish a meeting schedule at least 3 months in advance and preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association. A written meeting agenda is provided at least one week in advance of these routine called meetings.
  5. Call special meetings of the Board of Directors as needed.
  6. Serve as a non-voting Ex-Officio member of all Standing and Ad Hoc committees, once established.
  7. Notify Officers, Regional Directors, and Committee Members of their elections/appointments, and conduct announcements and recognition activities accordingly.
  8. Appoint officers to fill vacant Board of Director positions in accordance with the approval of the Board of Directors.
  9. Appoint Chairpersons for the Standing Committees in accordance with the approval of the Board of Directors.
  10. Appoint an independent accountant to conduct an external review of the finances of the Association every other year in June of odd numbered years.
  11. Appoint Ad Hoc committees, as needed, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
  12. Sign vouchers or expenditures, for any amount over $250.00
    *Note: Another designated officer may do so in the President’s absence, other than the Treasurer.
  13. Co-sign cheques, as needed, in addition to the Treasurer being able to do so.
  14. Oversee the maintenance of the Association’s web site in collaboration with the Webmaster, the Recording Secretary, or any other person(s) designated by the President.
  15. Seek input from the Board of Directors, Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees, and membership-at-large during the first year of office, to prepare a Two-Year Action Plan and Budget.
    *Note: Seek approval of proposed Action Plan and Budget from the Board of Directors as soon as possible and share the approved documents with Association members. Requests for interim revisions to the Action Plan or Budget may be submitted, with supporting rationale, to the Board of Directors for consideration and subsequent approval following input of any committee(s) which may be impacted by the proposed revisions. Changes made to the Action Plan or Budget must be reported to all members of the Association within 30 days following approval.
  16. Act as a liaison for any ethical concerns raised by members on those issues raised by inquiries from outside of the Association.
  17. Act as liaison for NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) Councils in the formation/development phase, and to persons making inquiries about beginning a Council, through appropriate means of communication and interaction.
  18. Attend the biennial CICIAMS General Council meeting at least once during a term (or the President-Elect or other designated Officer may attend on behalf of the President).
  19. Give written/electronic reports of the duties/activities of the position, as appropriate, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, for dissemination to the Association membership.
  20. Prepare a written Annual Summary Report prior to the end of June each year for inclusion in the next Board of Directors Meeting Minutes and a variety of communication opportunities across the Association’s membership. The President’s Annual Summary Report will be forwarded to the Episcopal Advisor in the Archdiocese of Toronto and can be forwarded to other Associations or interested parties, as indicated, following acceptance by the Board of Directors.
  21. Submit receipts to the Treasurer for reimbursement of costs incurred for travel as required by position of the President (or the President’s designee) for the business of the Association.

B. President-elect
The President-elect shall:

  1. Assume all duties in the absence of the President.
  2. Perform such duties as are assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.
  3. Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association.
  4. Give verbal reports of the duties/activities of the position, as appropriate, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, and any other meetings of the Association as a whole.
  5. Prepare a written Annual Summary Report prior to the end of June each year and additionally at the request of the President/Board of Directors.
  6. Serve as Chairperson of the By-Laws Committee.
  7. Work with the President and other members of the Board of Directors to develop the Action Plan and Budget of the Association and facilitate its implementation.

C. Immediate Past-President.
The Immediate Past-President shall:

  1. Assist the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
  2. Perform other duties as requested by the President or Board of Directors.
  3. Give verbal reports of the duties/activities of the position, as appropriate, at meetings of the Board of Directors other meetings of the Association.
  4. Serve as a voting member of the By-Laws Committee.
  5. Prepare an electronic written Annual Summary Report prior to the end of June each year, and anytime at the request of the President/Board of Director.

D. Recording Secretary.
The Recording Secretary shall:

  1. Provide an electronic copy of the agenda and the NACN-Canada (ANICCanada) Board of Directors and Committee Roster to the Board members two weeks before each meeting.
  2. Attend, and record minutes at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association.
  3. Provide an electronic copy of all Minutes to the Board members within two weeks after each meeting.
  4. Update the Board of Directors and Committee Roster monthly as needed.
  5. Provide an electronic copy of all APPROVED minutes to the webmaster for posting in the Board Only Section of the website and to the Archives/History Ad Hoc Committee Chair for the historical record.
  6. Maintain electronic copies of APPROVED minutes and agendas for reference and to provide to successor.
  7. Work with the Webmaster for the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) website to facilitate appropriate postings per the request of the President, Board of Directors, committees of the Association, the membership, and other Associations, as appropriate, following approval of the President or a designee.
  8. Provide verbal reports of the duties/activities of the position, as appropriate, at all meetings of the Board of Directors and any other meetings of the Association.
  9. Prepare an electronic written Annual Summary Report prior to the end of June each year), and at the request of the President/Board of Directors.
  10. Work with the President and other members of the Board of Directors to develop the Action Plan and Budget of the Association and facilitate its implementation as appropriate.

E. Corresponding Secretary.
The Corresponding Secretary shall:

  1. Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association.
  2. Serve as a communication liaison between the Board of Directors and the members of the Association through written correspondence via the postal service/post office box of the Association, and electronic mail (email) as appropriate.
  3. Accesses the Association’s electronic email box (nacn.canada@gmail.com) at least weekly (daily if possible) and responds to or forwards emails to the appropriate board member.
  4. Send mass electronic email messages to membership per the request of the President, Board of Directors, committees of the Association the membership, and Affiliated Councils as appropriate and approved by the President or a designee.
  5. Distribute information about the Association to prospective members through mail, email, the Newsletter, the Association website (in collaboration with the Recording Secretary), and Social Media.
  6. Assist with general reminder notices for membership renewals in collaboration with the Recording Secretary through email and postings on the Association website at the beginning of January.
  7. Facilitate communications for posting on the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) website and other appropriate forms of publicity available to the Association membership and the Catholic community.
  8. Give verbal reports of the duties/activities of the position, at meetings of the Board of Directors and any other meetings of the Association.
  9. Prepare an electronic/ written Annual Summary Report prior to the end of June each year and at the request of the President/Board of Directors.
  10. Work with the President and other members of the Board of Directors to develop the Action Plan and Budget of the Association and facilitate document implementation, as appropriate.
  11. After June of each fiscal year, file documents electronically for archiving.

F. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall:

  1. Ensure renewal notices are sent to membership throughout the year.
  2. Provide on-line correspondence to acknowledge new and renewed memberships. Annually review the automated message sent from the Association’s website to new and renewing members to determine if any revisions are indicated.
  3. Maintain an electronic and hard copy database and Membership Directory.
  4. Provide the Board of Directors with an electronic copy of the Membership Directory upon request.
  5. Receive all funds of the Association, including dues and donations, with deposit to a bank designated by the Board of Directors.
  6. Pay all bills approved by the voting members of the Board of Directors, including those approved in the Action Plan (e.g., currently basic operating expenses, website and webmaster fees, CICIAMS membership fee, as directed in the By-laws, Action Plan, Budget, or special meetings of the Board of Directors.
  7. Request the co-signature of the President on each Expenditure Request/Voucher for expenditures exceeding $250.00.
  8. Keep electronic and hard copies for itemized accounts of all receipts and disbursements each month.
  9. Give a verbal/written report at all meetings of the Board of Directors and any other meetings of the Association or as requested by the President/Board of Directors.
  10. Send electronic/written financial statements to the Board of Directors every six (6) months, due December 31st & June 30th.
  11. Prepare an electronic written Annual Summary Budget Report for the Board of Directors and the Association as a whole prior to the end of June each year.
  12. Facilitate publication of the Annual Report for the membership via the Newsletter and/or the Association’s website in collaboration with the Corresponding Secretary following approval of the President and Board of Directors.
  13. Complete an Annual Report of Finances.
  14. Submit all books and account records to an Auditor/Accountant designated by the President (with approval of the Board of Directors) for routine external audits conducted every other year before the end of June in odd numbered years and a Year-to-Date Report whenever solicited in writing by the President/ Board of Directors.
  15. Work with the President and other members of the Board of Directors to develop the Action Plan and Budget of the Association and facilitate document implementation.
  16. Maintain an ongoing petty cash fund in the amount of $250.00 for unexpected expenses approved by the President/Board of Directors.

Section 3. Board of Directors Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Board of Directors.
The Members of the Board of Directors shall:

  1. Hold at least three (3) business meetings each year. Additional meetings may be held at other times at the request of the President or vote by simple majority of one-half, plus one Board membership. Meetings are held in person or through other means of communication when a quorum is present.
  2. Transact the general business of the Association.
  3. Report the business of the Association to the membership and other appropriate individuals or Associations in a timely manner.
  4. Approve a financial institution for the deposit and transaction of funds.
  5. Approve a postal service location and mechanism to process correspondence.
  6. Identify and support in a timely manner the President’s appointment of candidates filling in an office vacancy.
    *Note: Time served by Presidential appointment to complete the remainder of a vacated position will not be considered as elected time of service.
  7. Participate in the appointment of volunteer members to the Standing Committees per Committee criteria.
  8. Approve appointment by the President for Standing Committee Chairpersons, Ad Hoc Committee Chairpersons, committee members, and a solicited External Auditor for review of Association finances every two years (on odd years).
  9. Receive and respond to verbal and written reports from Standing Committees, once established, and any Ad Hoc, regular or special called meetings with results reported to the membership in a timely manner.
  10. Contribute to the development, approval, and implementation of the President’s Action Plan and Budget every two years in odd numbered year and as needed for interim revisions or updates.
  11. Work to recruit new members and retain existing members.
  12. Contribute to the Association’s Newsletters and website postings as requested by the President, Board Members, and Association Committee Chairs.
  13. Review and make decisions on applications for Associate or Honorary membership.

Article XI: Meetings

Section 1. Meetings of the NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada):
Meetings of the Association and Board of Directors will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 11th edition (2011), except for an Opening and Closing prayer. Minutes of these meetings will be provided to the membership via email or posting on the Association website within 30 days.

A. Meetings of the Association Membership-At-Large:

  1. An Annual Meeting may be held at a date, time, and location as determined by the President and the Board of Directors, and/or conducted as an announced conference session when a national conference is held.
  2. The notice shall include a copy of the agenda, an annual report of the Association prepared by the Board members, and a copy of each motion proposed for adoption by the Annual General Meeting, other than those proposed by the Board members.
    *Exception: Except in unique situations requiring rapid Board member response, notice of all general membership meetings and the agenda shall be mailed/ emailed at least one month in advance of the meeting date.
  3. Additional meetings of the Association membership may be called by the President/Board of Directors at any time.
  4. Notice of all motions proposed for adoption by the Annual General Meeting, other than those proposed by members of the Board, shall be forwarded in writing, signed by the proposer and seconder, not less than eight (8) weeks prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.

B. Meetings of the Board of Directors:

  1. The Board of Directors shall meet at least three (3) times a year and held at a date, time, and location via a variety of communication media as determined by the President.
  2. Additional meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President and the Board of Directors.

Representation for Voting Purposes: All General members who are in good standing (i.e., those who pledge to support the mission of the Association and have paid current dues in full), shall be considered the voting body of the Association with voice and voting privileges. For elections, appointments, By-Laws revisions, and other issues pertinent to the Association, the exchange of information, and ballots, if necessary, will be provided through written/electronic or other communication media appropriate to the situation.

Article XII: Quorum

  1. A quorum for meetings of the Board of Directors and passage of agenda items following open discussion is defined as a simple majority of any more than 50% of those eligible to vote through meeting presence and proxy vote.
  2. A quorum for general meetings of the Association and passage of agenda items following open discussion is defined as any more than 50% of those eligible to vote through meeting presence or proxy vote.
  3. In the case of a tie, the President or Committee Chair may vote.

Article XIII: Finances

Section 1. Finances: The Association may be financed by dues, gifts, meetings,
and fundraisers.

Section 2. Dues:

1. Initial and annual Association dues shall be reviewed each year by the Board of Directors prior to annual renewal notices being prepared and distributed. The Board of Directors may change dues up to twenty-five per cent (25%) without membership approval.

2. Councils are to annually provide a membership list and dues structure outline to the Association Treasurer.

3. Renewal of national membership occurs on an annual basis and is paid online or by cheque to the Treasurer, NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada).

5. Annual membership renewal notices and at least one (1) additional renewal notification, if needed, will be sent to all members electronically prior to expiration of membership. If dues are not paid in a timely manner, after the additional renewal notification, members will be given one final notice before their names are removed from the active membership list.
*Note: In circumstances where the Association is notified by written/electronic communication of financial hardship, a payment schedule for Association and Council dues may be extended across the year by recommendation of the Treasurer and approval of the Board of Directors.

Article XIV: Fiscal Year

Section 1. Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year for the Association shall be January 1 – December 31 each year.

Article XV: Affiliation

The NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) Association will be affiliated with the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants (CICIAMS), the over-arching constituent body for Catholic Nursing Guilds, as a dues-paying member country (amount is based on the number of NACN-Canada ANIC-Canada members), and will uphold its objectives which are:

  1. To unite Catholic nurses and other health professional associations, promoting their technical skills in accord with Christian principles.
  2. To cooperate in the development of nursing and medico-social professions.
  3. To witness Christian values in international agencies.

The Mission Statement and aims of CICIAMS are as follows:
Informed by the moral and social teachings of the Church, CICIAMS is committed to the following:
a) Giving Christian witness in our lives through guiding and supporting Healthcare workers internationally
b) Developing a positive vision of life from conception to death
c) Representing Christian and professional values in our work with other national and international associations
d) Coordinating the work of member associations in their efforts to evangelise the ethos and ideals of the nursing profession
e) Promoting the initiation of and participation in professional research and development towards the achievement of optimum care and wellbeing
f) Respecting the religious convictions of others and accepting their rights to practise their beliefs.

Aims:
a) Representing the professional and Christian interests of its members
b) Promoting the spiritual welfare and ethical values of its members
c) Promoting health and social measures of health, following Catholic principles and professional development
d) Promoting cooperation among member associations

Therefore, all members of NACN-Canada (ANIC-Canada) are considered affiliated with CICIAMS through this Association.

Article XVI: Councils

Section 1: Definition:
A Council is a local or regional organization within the National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada which is a separate, distinct, and
independent entity having no legal relationship with NACN-Canada. To use the name “National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada Council”, the organization develops its own Mission, By-Laws, Governance, and Financial Structures that are congruent with those of the national association or adopts the NACN-Canada Mission and By-laws on its own.

Section 2: General Council Information:

  1. Affiliated Councils may adopt the Mission, By-laws Governance, and Financial documents of NACN-Canada, or develop their own documents that are aligned with those of their national counterpart.
    *Note: Documents describing Council Mission, By-Laws, Governance, and Financial Structure must be submitted to NACN-Canada Board of Directors for approval prior to being recognized as an affiliated entity of NACN-Canada.
  2. Whenever a Council is available in one’s living region, membership in both the Council and NACN-Canada serves to provide an avenue for networking among members of the Association at the local, regional, and national levels.
  3. There are two types of membership available to Council members: Voting and Non-voting. Voting memberships are defined as General and Constituent Members, and all voting members can serve then Council or the Association in leadership positions. Non-voting memberships are defined as Associate, Honorary, or Student Members.
    *Note: Council members automatically become Constituent Members of NACN-Canada through the membership application and dues payment of NACN-Canada and Council dues (if the Council is collecting dues).
  4. The President serves as a liaison between NACN-Canada and existing affiliated Councils, and Councils in formation, with support offered by other Members of the Board of Directors.
  5. Inquiries and the development of new Councils is facilitated through guidelines and support offered by the Association President and members of the Board of Directors, as appropriate.

Article XVII: By-Laws Amendments

  1. Recommendations for changes to the By-Laws and accompanied rationale must be presented to the Board of Directors from the By-Laws Committee at least thirty days prior to a vote. After approval of the Board of Directors, the proposed changes will be forwarded to the Membership-at-large of the Association for a vote, held by way of written/electronic communication. Thirty (30) days will be allotted for ballot returns.
  2. Only proposed changes put forth by the By-Laws Committee and voted for approval by the Board of Directors and voting membership may be amended.
  3. Changes to the By-Laws may be made every two years in the odd numbered years, or more often as agreed upon by the Board of Directors.
  4. Approval of proposed By-Laws changes requires two thirds (2/3) “yes” vote of all returned ballots.

Article XVIII: Dissolution

  1. Before taking decisions about the dissolution of the National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada, the National President shall consult with the Archbishop of Toronto, Canada.
  2. To make a valid decision about the dissolution of the Association after consultation with the Archbishop of Toronto, Canada, at least half of the membership should be present or represented at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose.
  3. In the event of the dissolution of the Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada, the assets which might remain to be liquidated will be decided by the members present at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting taking into consideration the aims of the Association.

Dated at Toronto, Ontario Canada June 29, 2018