Constitution and Bylaws

Article 1 – NAME

1.01 The name of the organization shall be Parish Nursing Alberta (PNA).

1.02 In the interpretation of this Constitution, the feminine gender used herein shall mean and include the masculine, and the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa as applicable.

Article 2 – DEFINITION

2.01 A parish nurse is a registered nurse with specialized knowledge, who is called to ministry and affirmed by a faith community to promote health, healing, and wholeness.

Article 3 – AFFILIATION

3.01 PNA shall be a Specialty Practice Group affiliated by the Alberta Association of Nurses (AAN).

3.02 PNA shall be affiliated with the Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry (CAPNM).

Article 4 – MISSION, VISION, VALUES

4.01 PNA Mission PNA is committed to the development of parish nursing as a health and ministry resource in Alberta.

4.02 PNA Vision Parish Nursing is recognized as an essential dimension in the integration of faith and health within faith communities throughout Alberta.

4.03 PNA Values PNA will provide leadership and support, foster spiritual growth opportunities, promote expansion of parish nursing ministries, and participate in parish nursing educational opportunities in a committed effort to strengthen parish nursing ministries in Alberta.

Article 5 – OBJECTIVES

5.01 To provide educational and networking opportunities that will contribute to the individual growth and quality of life of nurses engaged in parish nursing practices.

5.02 To promote the unique perspective of parish nurses within the Alberta Association of Nurses where a presence is given under The Specialty Group through an active website.

5.03 To facilitate active involvement of parish nurses within the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) and the AAN.

5.04 To develop affiliations and collaborations with other professional and public organizations.

5.05 To increase awareness of the current and potential contribution of parish nurses within the health care system.

5.06 To actively promote, participate in and support research initiatives in the field of parish nursing.

5.07 To encourage application of research findings for provision of evidence based and best practice guidelines.

5.08 To actively respond to mutually agreed upon issues and priorities as identified by the CRNA.

Article 6 – CHAPTERS

6.01 Where sufficient numbers of nurses in parish nursing practices are present, chapters corresponding to the geographical districts defined by the CRNA may be developed.

Article 7 – MEMBERSHIP AND FEES

Parish Nursing Alberta has 3 categories of membership:

  • Active membership
  • Associate membership
  • Affiliate membership

7.01 Active membership

Active membership shall be open to any nurse who belongs to a regulated category as defined in CRNA’s bylaws:
a) Registered nurse
b) Nurse practitioner
c) Courtesy nurse (RN from another province – temporarily in Alberta)

Privileges of active membership include:
a) The right to vote
b) The right to hold office
c) The right to represent the association as elected or appointed by the Provincial Executive, and
d) The right to receive PNA publications and communications

An active member who does not belong to an established PNA regional group will receive communication and publications from executive and other members.

7.02 Associate membership

Associate membership shall be open to any nurse not meeting the requirements as stated in 7.01. This is a nurse who belongs to a non-regulated category as defined in CRNA’s bylaws.
a) Nursing student member
b) Retired member
Privileges of associate membership include:
e) The right to vote
f) The right to hold office
g) The right to represent the association as elected or appointed by the Provincial Executive, and
h) The right to receive PNA publications and communications

An associate member who does not belong to an established PNA regional group will receive communication and publications from executive and other members.

7.03 Affiliate membership

Affiliate membership shall be open to any person who supports the activities and members (both active and associate) of PNA.
An affiliate member will have the right to receive PNA publications and communications. They will not have the right to vote, hold office or represent PNA.

7.04 Membership in Parish Nursing Alberta shall be renewed annually upon payment of the membership fee, providing the applicant qualifies under the aforementioned requirements. The fiscal year is 01 January to 31 December.

7.05 Membership fees shall be set at the Annual General Meeting each year. Members are then notified of any fee changes. Chapters may collect an additional fee per month for local expenses.

7.06 Any member may request the attendance of external persons at a meeting for the provision of advice and assistance where necessary. These guests have no voting rights and may be requested to leave any meeting at any time.

Article 8 – OFFICERS

8.01 The affairs of PNA shall be managed by a Provincial Executive which shall be composed of the following:
President
Vice–President
Treasurer
Secretary
Past-President
Chairperson or designate from Chapters

8.02 To be eligible for office on the executive, a person must be an active member in PNA. Associate members may hold office for a term until sufficient numbers of active members are available to fill the position.

8.03 TERM OF OFFICE

a) The term of office for the Executive shall be for two years from the conclusion of the AGM at which they are elected, to the conclusion of the ensuing AGM.
b) An officer may serve in the same office for no more than two consecutive terms, but may serve in other executive positions for up to an additional two consecutive terms. If, however, the position after two consecutive terms is unable to be filled, the officer may continue to hold office.
c) Any member of the provincial Executive may resign her office by giving one month’s notice in writing to the Provincial Executive.
d) Any Provincial Executive members who shall for any reason cease to hold office shall forthwith turn over to the Provincial Executive documents, assets, and property of PNA in her possession.

8.04 VACANCIES

a) In the event the President is unable to complete a term of office, the Vice-President shall complete the remainder of that term of office.
b) In the event that any officer is unable to complete a term of office, the Executive may appoint a replacement for the remainder of that term of office.

8.05 DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Duties of the Executive and Officers shall be as follows:
Provincial Executive:

  • Shall have and exercise all the powers and perform the normal functions to the Association and of the Association and agree on an agenda for the AGM.
  • Will appoint chairpersons of all committees deemed necessary. The committee chairperson will be responsible for the selection of committee members.
  • Shall arrange for annual auditing of the financial statement (done by written treasurer’s report and checked by two other members).

President

  • Preside at all meetings of the Association and the Provincial Executive.
  • Act as a coordinator between the Provincial executive and committees of the Association, and the Provincial council of the CRNA and AAN.
  • Act as a liaison person with other professional and community groups.
  • Delegate responsibilities to Vice-President and other members as necessary.
  • May serve as a signing officer.
  • Prepare an annual report of the Association activity for PNA AGM.

Secretary

  • Have charge of all correspondence and records.
  • Keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association.
  • Notify all members of the Association of all transactions of the Association affecting their membership.
  • Circulate notification of all meetings to the membership.
  • Responsible for updates to website (working with webmaster).
  • Notify Chapter Chairpersons or representatives of vacant positions not less than 90 days prior to circulation of ballots.
  • Submit notices of meetings and news for publication in the Alberta RN and other nursing newsletters with the approval of the Provincial Executive of the Association.
  • Circulate notification of the AGM to the membership no less than 45 days prior to the scheduled meeting.
  • Serve as a signing officer.

Vice President

  • Assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President or duties as delegated by the President.

Treasurer

  • Select a suitable bank and make arrangement for signing authorities.
  • Receive membership fees at the beginning of each fiscal year, and maintain accurate membership records.
  • Communicate with the Secretary regarding membership status of the members.
  • Supervise the collection of, and keep on deposit, the funds, and securities of the Association.
  • Prepare and present the Annual Financial Statement at the AGM.
  • Arrange for the financial audit within two months of the fiscal year end.
  • Attend to all financial affairs of the Association.
  • Prepare a budget for approval by the Executive.
  • Serve as a signing officer.

Past President

  • Chairs the “Nomination Committee”.
  • May serve as a signing officer.
  • Serve as consultant to President and Executive member.

Chapter Representatives

  • Assumes those duties delegated by the Executive.
  • Communicates between Executive and local chapter and vice- versa.
  • Prepares a report for the AGM.

8.06 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

a) Method of Nomination

  • Each chapter shall submit nominations for vacant positions to the Chairperson of the Nominating committee sixty (60) days prior to the AGM.
  • Chapters may nominate any active member in good standing (or associate as deemed necessary).
  • In the event that nominations are not submitted, the Nominating Committee will recruit members.

b) Election Procedure

  • The election of officers, excluding chapter representatives may be by secret ballot.
  • The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
  • All elected officers shall assume the duties of their office at the conclusion of the AGM.
Article 9 – STANDING COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

9.01 Committees may be established by motion of the Provincial Executive or by a motion at a general meeting of the Association. The Chairperson of each special committee will submit a report to the secretary prior to the AGM.

9.02 The “Nomination Committee” shall be a standing committee, chaired by the Past -President. This committee will:

  • Solicit candidates for nomination.
  • Prepare a ballot and circulate it to each active and associate member of the Association for voting.
  • Oversee the election procedure, serving as alternates in counting the ballots cast.
Article 10 – MEETINGS

10.01 “General Membership Meetings”

  • Parish Nursing Alberta shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the spring of each year.
  • Additional meetings of PNA may be called by the Executive and must be convened when a written request is received.
  • Two-thirds of the members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Voting for general business shall be a show of hands. Members who join meetings remotely by electronic means can vote verbally (i.e., Zoom, Teleconference, Skype, Facetime, etc.), by email, or by text message (hard copies of these votes to be printed).
  • An active or associate member in good standing shall have the right to vote at any meeting which she attends. In all voting procedures the principle of one vote per member shall pertain.

10.02 “Executive Meetings”

  • A minimum of three business meetings shall be held each fiscal year.
  • The president shall call a meeting upon written request from a majority of the Provincial Executive Committee members.
  • Two-thirds of the provincial executive shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
  • Should a situation occur that does not permit a formal meeting or a mail vote, the president will consult with available members of the provincial executive committee and take such actions as deemed in the best interest of PNA. The interim action shall be documented and subject to ratification at the next meeting of the provincial executive committee.
  • Meetings of the Provincial Executive Committee shall be held at the discretion of the President.
  • Special meetings of PNA may be called by the President on her own notion, and must be called by the President upon written request of the Provincial Executive Committee or one-quarter of the active and associate members of the Association.
Article 11 – FINANCE

11.01 The fiscal year of PNA shall be from 01 January to 31 December.

11.02 The Provincial Executive will determine the maximum expenditure the treasurer may make without prior authorization. All cheques require a second executive signature.

11.03 The maximum expenditure the treasurer may make without prior authorization is $200.

11.04 Without prior authorization from the provincial executive, members may be reimbursed for appropriate accommodation and travel expenses (at rates not exceeding the rates of the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta).

Article 12 – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

12.01 Parliamentary authority shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (2020).

Article 13 – AMENDMENTS

13.01 This constitution may be amended or altered by two-thirds majority vote at a meeting of PNA. Thirty (30) days written notice specifying the intended resolution must be given.

13.02 Discussion of the proposed bylaw amendments shall occur at the AGM. The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the active and associate members present at the meeting where the amendments are discussed.

Article 14 – DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of PNA all remaining assets of the Association shall be distributed to the Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry (CAPNM).