Bylaws

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this professional organization is the Oregon State Council of Perioperative Nurses, hereafter referred to as the “Council.”” The initials of the organization are OSCPN.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

The purpose of the Council is:

• To host an annual meeting for the purpose of providing education for its membership.
• To network and share information that has the potential to impact perioperative nursing.
• To establish communication with other perioperative organizations.
• To facilitate networking among perioperative nurses.
• To serve as a resource to perioperative nurses.

ARTICLE III: Membership and Dues

Section 1: Membership is obtained by registering for all or part of the annual meeting, or paying the membership fee, and is valid for the following year.

Section 2: Membership will be open to perioperative nurses and health care professionals.

Section 3: Categories in this Council are Active and Associate.

1. Active - a registered professional nurse.
2. Associate - a health care professional who shares the interest and purposes of this council.

Section 4: Representation

1. Active members are eligible to vote and serve on elected or appointed committees.
2. Associate members have all the rights and privileges as active members with the exception of holding elected office, chairing committees and voting.

Section 5: Dues

Annual membership dues in the Council are determined initially by the Governing Council and will be reviewed, as needed, by the Governing Council and brought to the membership for a vote.

ARTICLE IV: Officers (Governing Council)

The officers of the council are: President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Technical Director.

1. The President serves as the official representative of the Council and presides at all meetings of the Council.
2. The President-elect observes and assists the President in preparation for assuming the duties and responsibilities of that office and performs the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to act.
3. The Secretary conducts correspondence, maintains records of the proceedings of all business meetings and affairs of the organization.
4. The Treasurer monitors the fiscal affairs of the Council and provides reports and interpretation to the membership.
5. The Technical Director oversees coordination and implementation of council’s information systems, marketing, and oversight of audio/visual and technical aspects of conference production.

ARTICLE V: Nominations, Eligibility, Election, Terms, Vacancies

Section 1: Nominations

1. The elected officers will solicit, prepare and present a slate of candidates to serve in elected capacity.
2. Nominations may be made at the annual business meeting provided that eligibility has been verified and written consent to serve was obtained from the nominee prior to the meeting.
3. Self-nominations are acceptable.

Section 2: Eligibility

1. A.To be eligible for elective office, a nominee must be an active member of the Council and an active member of a nationally recognized Perioperative Nursing Association (i.e. ASPAN, AORN) for one (1) year immediately prior to being nominated and submit a “Willingness to Serve” form.

Section 3: Elections

1. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting and is elected by majority vote.

Section 4: Terms of Office

1. The President-elect is elected each year and serves in that capacity for one (1) year, and then as President for one (1) year, followed by one (1) year as past-president.
2. The Secretary is elected in even numbered years and serves in that capacity for two (2) years.
3. The Treasurer is elected in the odd numbered years and serves in that capacity for two (2) years.
4. The Technical Director is elected in the odd numbered years and serves in the capacity for two (2) years.
5. No officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 5: Vacancies

A vacancy in an office is appointed, after a vote, by the remaining Council officers.

Section 6: Removal

Any elected officer, regardless of the manner of election or appointment, may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Governing Council and Advisory Committee whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Council would be served.  The elected official, upon request, shall be offered an opportunity to have an unprejudiced hearing at which the elected official is permitted to defend against the termination.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings

Section 1: Council Meetings

1. The Governing Council establishes the number of meetings per year, date, time and location in which they are held.
2. Notice of the meetings will be communicated to the membership.

Section 2: Special Meetings

1. A special meeting may be called by the President, by the majority of the officers, or by request of the Advisory Committee.
2. The membership will be notified at least five (5) days prior to the special meeting.
3. The notification shall state the purpose of the meeting, time and place, and no business other than stated in the notification may be transacted.

ARTICLE VII: Committees

Section 1: Standing Committees

The standing committees of the Council are determined by the Governing Council, as needed.

Section 2: Task Forces

Task forces may be appointed by the President and cease to exist when the purpose for which created is completed.

ARTICLE VIII: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Council is Jan 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE IX: Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the parliamentary authority of this Council in all cases not covered by these bylaws.

ARTICLE X: Amendments

Amendments to these bylaws may be made at the annual meeting, provided the proposed amendments have been submitted to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Amendments to these bylaws require two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present and voting. 

ARTICLE XI: Dissolution

If the Council should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be given to an established perioperative educational organization determined by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a meeting and voting. 

Last Updated 10/11/2023