Bylaws

Article I: Name and Purpose
This organization shall be known as the Nigeria Chapter of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA). The purpose of the Chapter shall be to prevent and promote quality nursing care for the addicted person. It will serve as a meeting ground for nurses that are interested in the problem of addiction in order that they may enhance their knowledge, advance their skills, and continue their education.

Article II: Membership
Section 1-Active Membership: Active Membership shall be open to registered professional nurses who are concerned with or engaged in the practice of addictions nursing. Active members may vote and hold office.
Section 2– Associate Membership: Associated Membership shall be open to persons other than registered professional nurses who are concerned with or engaged in the practice of addictions nursing. Associate members may not vote or hold elective office.

Article III: Finances
Section 1: Dues for the New Chapter of IntNSA are established by the Board of Directors. Forfeiture of all membership rights shall occur if dues are not paid as required by current policy.
Section 2: Additional funds may be raised in any other manner approved by the Board of Directors of the New Chapter of IntNSA.

Article IV: Fiscal Matters
Section 1:Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the New Chapter of IntNSA shall be from July 2nd through July 2nd .
Section 2:Signatures: Checks, drafts, notes, and other papers of a fiscal nature shall be signed by those agreed upon by the Board of Directors of the New Chapter of IntNSA.
Section 3:Auditing: The accounts of the New Chapter of IntNSA shall be audited as determined by the Board of Directors of the New Chapter.
Section 4:Bonding: The Board of Directors of the New Chapter of IntNSA may require of any officer, agent or employee of the chapter to be bonded. The expenses of furnishing such bond shall be borne by the Chapter.

Article V: Officers
Section 1:Officers: The officers of the New Chapter shall be President, President-Elect or Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2:President: The president shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Chapter. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at the Annual Business Meeting of the Chapter and shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The president shall submit an annual report to the IntNSA Board of Directors via the IntNSA Executive Director.
Section 3: Secretary: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Annual Business Meeting, shall preserve records, documents, and correspondence as directed by the Board of Directors; shall cause to be given notice of all meetings of the Chapter, and shall perform all other duties incident of the Office of Secretary, as assigned by the President.
Section 4: Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be custodian of the Chapters funds. This person shall monitor to assure all monies designated for every state chapter are appropriately deposited. In accordance with the budget adopted by the Board of Directors, the person shall approve distribution of the funds of the Chapter. At least once a year, at the Annual Business Meeting, the Treasurer will provide an accurate accounting of all transactions. The Board of Directors can request reports anytime.
Section 5: Vacancies: Offices that are vacated prior to the expiration of the term may be filled by appointment of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 6: Officers Term: Term of office for President, President elect, Secretary and Treasurer shall be for the first four (4) years of the establishment of the new chapter and subsequently it shall be for two(2) years per tenure.

Article VI: Elections
Section 1: Election of officers shall be determined at the initial chapter formation meeting. Thereafter, election of officers shall be by individual ballot mailed to the Chapter members two months prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 2: Each voting member of the Chapter shall cast one vote, which, to be counted, must be received by the Secretary at least thirty days prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 3: A plurality is sufficient to elect officers.

Article VII: Meetings
Section 1: There shall be an Annual Business Meeting of the Chapter.
Section 2: Special Meetings of the Chapter may be called by the Board of Directors or by written request of one-third of the voting members.
Section 3: Meetings may be held via electronic communication including but not limited to phone conference, or video conference, e-mail, in person attendance.
Section 4: The Board of Directors shall meet at least two times per year which may include an in person meeting or electronic communication.
Section 5: The Board of Directors shall act upon any issues concerning the Chapter which are required for the fulfillment of its purposes and objectives. The President will keep the active members informed of any issues requiring approval from the membership.
Section 6: The President will call the meetings of the Board of Directors, and/or Standing Committees, and will set the agenda, or the Secretary may call a meeting at the request of the President of any officer acting temporarily for the President.
Section 7: Board of Directors action on any issue may be taken with the approval of the majority.
Section 8: If the Board of Directors is polled individually by phone or electronic communication, the Secretary may request written votes from each member within 15 days.
Section 9: The Board of Directors will accept for consideration or study any matter presented to it by any member of the Chapter.
Section 10: Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed by two-thirds vote of the officers at any regular meeting. Any officer who is absent without notice from three consecutive regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be removed upon approval of the Board of Directors, this considered adequate cause for removal.
Section 11: Vacancies occurring prior to the expiration of the term may be filled by appointment of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.Priority consideration will be given to the person(s) receiving the most votes, in order, in the most recent election.

Article IX: Standing Committees
Section 1: The Chairs of the Standing Committees will be appointment by the President. The Chairperson will select his/her own committee members. The Board of Directors may determine the number of members on any Committee. Committees will report to the Board of Directors and may need approval to institute plans.
Section 2: The committee of Bylaws shall:
I.  Suggest and receive all proposed amendments to this chapter’s bylaws.
II. Submit proposed amendments to the voting body in accordance with the provisions for amendment in these bylaws.
Section 3: The committee on Membership shall:
I.  Develop plans for retaining and increasing membership
II. Enhance the public image of IntNSA
Section 4: The Committee on Nominations shall consist of at least three (3) persons. The committee shall prepare a slate of at least one (1) candidate for each office whose term will expire at the Annual Meeting. This slate, in the form of a mail ballot, will be mailed to all IntNSA members at least eight (8) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. The results of the mail ballot shall be given to the Board of Directors and be announced at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 5: Special Committees: The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such other committees, subcommittees, or task forces as are necessary and which are not in conflict with the provisions of these Bylaws. The duties of any such committee shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors upon its appointment.

Article X: Amendments
Section 1: Copies of proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be mailed (either via regular mail or e-mail) to eligible voting members two months prior to the Annual Business Meeting. Voting shall be done by regular or e-mail ballot. A two-thirds majority vote of the responding members of the board of directors shall be required for the adoption of the proposed amendments.
Section 2: Notification of adopted amendments will be furnished to all New Chapter members.

Article XI: Dissolution
The Chapter shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws and no part of such funds shall issue or be distributed to any members. On dissolution of the Chapter, any remaining funds shall be sent to the treasurer, International Nurses Society on Addictions, to be used for educational purposes.

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