1. Chapter Board
   1. Shall meet quarterly.
   2. Special meetings of the Chapter Board may be called by the President or upon request by three (3) membersof the Chapter Board.
   3. Meetings may becoordinated through the best available technology such as video conferencing and teleconferencing calls.
   4. Notice of all meetings of the Chapter Board shall be sent to each member by post, Email at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting except for special meetings.
   5. Fifty (50) percent plus one of the Chapter Board members present shall constitute a quorum.
   6. If any member of the board is unable to attend, the President may request written input as needed.


2. General Membership Meetings
   1. Shall meet quarterly.
   2. Quarterly meetings include reports from the Chapter Board, committees, and task forces.
   3. The date, time and place of general membership meetings are determined by the Chapter Board and communicated to the members at least thirty (30) days in advance.
   4. Each active member shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 2:Quorum

1. The presence of twenty (20) percent of active members shall constitute a quorum.
2. The Chapter Board shall determine when a quorum is necessary.

ARTICLE VIII

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
TERMS AND VACANCIES

Section 1: Nomination and Election Committee

1. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall consist of three (3) elected members.
2. The immediate past President acts as chairperson.
3. Candidates must have been active members of the Chapter for two (2) consecutive years to be eligible to run as members of the Nomination and Election Committee.

Section 2: Eligibility to Serve in an Elected Office

1. To be eligible for an elected office, a nominee must have active membership status for two (2) consecutive years immediately preceding the election.
2. To be eligible for the office of President, a nominee must have served one term in the Chapter Board or served as chairperson of a standing committee immediately preceding the nomination.
3. A nominee may be a candidatefor only one office at any given time. If currently holding an elected office, he/she may not be a candidate for another office unless the current office expires before the start of the new term.
4. A past president of the Chapter may run for any office in the Chapter Board two (2) years after the end of his/her term of office.

Section 3: Elections

1. Elections shall be heldannually during the Chapter General Membership Meeting in October.
2. Official election ballots will be sent only to paid active members prior to election date. Eligibility to vote shall be validated against the current list of paid active membersat least one hundredtwenty (120) days prior to election day.
3. The completed ballot must be postmarked no later than five (5) days prior to election day.
4. Candidates are elected by a majority vote of Chapter members. In case of a tie,the candidate will be elected by a majority vote of the Chapter Board.

Section 4: Terms of Office

1. All elected officers and members of the Chapter Board shall serve a term of two (2) years. All, except for the President, can be reelected to thesame office for a second term. A past president of the Chapter may run for any office in the Chapter Board two (2) years after the end of his/her term of office.
2. Failure of elected and appointed officers and committee chairs to attend fifty (50) percent of scheduled meetings, may be grounds for termination from office based on the Chapter Board decision.

Section 5: Vacancies

1. Vacancies that occur in an elected office of theChapter due to inability or ineligibility of the incumbent to perform duties of the office, shall be filled in the following manner:
   1. President: Presidentelect shall assume office.
   2. Responsibilities of the Presidentelect may be delegated to any member of the Chapter Board by the President.


2. The Chapter Board shall fill all other vacancies from active members.
3. Anymember filling any vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term.

NOTE: Refer to Attachment A for illustration of election years, terms of office, offices due for election.

ARTICLE IX

COMMITTEES

Section 1: The standing committees of the Chapter shall be:

1. Bylaws Committee
2. Education and Research Committee
3. Membership and Awards Committee
4. Social, Cultural,Ways and Means Committee
5. Legislative and Regulatory Committee
6. Public Relations and Marketing Committee
7. Nominations and Elections Committee

Section 2: Appointments

1. The President with the approval of the Chapter Board shall appoint the chairpersons of standing committees and historian.
2. The chairperson shall appoint members of the committee not to exceed ten (10) except for the nominations andelections and Bylaws which will consist of three (3) members each.

Section 3: Committee responsibilities shall be as follows:

1. Bylaws Committee
   1. Submits request for amendment(s) and recommendations to the Chapter Board.
   2. Sends proposed amendment(s) to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to voting.


2. Education and Research Committee
   1. Performs assessment of educational needs of members.
   2. Plans and implements educational programs to meet membership needs.
   3. Identifies and prioritizes relevant researchactivities
   4. Acts as a resource to members, and other professional organizations interested in research related topics.
   5. Maintains directory of published materials and presentations of FilipinoAmerican nurses.
   6. Monitorsthe progress and compliance of any PNAMC sponsored research projects.
   7. Ensures that investigators, who are approved to conduct research under PNAMC sponsorship follow policies and procedures established for the protection of human subjects inresearch and meet requirements of the agency funding the research.


3. Membership and Awards Committee
   1. Develops and implements programs for membership recruitment and retention of the Chapter.
   2. Maintains membership roster of the Chapter in collaboration with the treasurer.
   3. Develops qualifications and criteria for awards including the process of nomination.
   4. Reviews applications of nominees.
   5. Reviewsand makes the selection of award recipients and recommends to the Chapter Board.


4. Social, Cultural, and Ways and Means Committee
   1. Conducts cultural and social events including the annual oath taking ceremony.
   2. Collaborates with other FilipinoAmerican associations to promote cultural activities and events.
   3. Conducts activities to raise funds to augment the treasury and collaborates with the treasurer.


5. Legislative and Regulatory Committee
   1. Disseminates information regarding regulatory standards, guidelines, legislations that affect FilipinoAmericans and the nursing profession.
   2. Collaborates with PNAA and other organizations/agencies in addressing and supporting legislation(s), position statement(s) that affect the nursing profession and health care.
   3. Formulates position statements and recommends action to the Chapter Board.


6. Public Relations and Marketing Committee
   1. Explores means of promoting the interests of the Chapter.
   2. Submits press releases to the news media as approved by the Chapter Board.
   3. Disseminates information such as activities undertaken by the Chapter.
   4. Publishes the Chapter newsletter.
   5. Develops and maintains the Chapter website.
   6. Maintains a list of experts in designated fields or topics.
   7. Maintains a pool of interpreters


7. Nominationsand Elections Committee
   1. Recruits candidates for offices and obtains willingness to serve.
   2. Submits list of nominees and willingness to serve forms to the Chapter Board ninety (90) days prior to election.
   3. Prepares and sends out official ballots to active members. Each official ballot will contain a code number.
   4. Receives all completed ballots.
   5. Officiatesat election proceedings and tallies the ballots.
   6. Announces election results.
   7. Destroys ballots upon approval or motion by Chapter members.


8. Historian
   1. Documents milestones of the PNAMC.
   2. Makes arrangements for capturing significant events using the latest technology.
   3. Ensures and protects the integrity of historical facts of PNAMC.
   4. Responsible for collecting and safekeeping display ofmemorabilia items.

ARTICLE X

FISCAL YEAR

Section 1: The fiscal year of this Association coincides with the calendar year.

ARTICLE XI

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS

Section 1: The official publication of the Association shall be the PNAMC Newsletter.

Section 2: The official publications shall be published at least once(1) a year.

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION

Section 1: In the event that the Chapter is to be dissolved, the membership shall be notified, and twothirds (2/3) majority vote of active members present is required. Liabilities will be resolved and funds (fixed assets) donated to PNAA.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Submission

1. Amendments to the Bylaws shall be:
   1. Presented to the Chapter Board in writing.
   2. The Chapter Board considers, reviews, and recommends proposed amendments to the active members 30 days before the general membership meeting.

Section 2: Ratification

1. Amendment(s) to the Bylaws shall be ratified at the general membership meeting by two thirds (2/3) vote of active members present.
2. Amendment(s) to these Bylaws shall take effect upon ratification by the general membership.

ARTICLE XIV

NONDISCRIMINATIONPOLICY

Section 1: The Chapter shall not discriminate against any applicant or member on the basis of race, creed, age, sex,sexual orientation, religion or handicap.

Section 2: TheChapter Board shall monitor compliance with this nondiscrimination policy and shall include the statement that the Chapter is an equal opportunity association in all its advertisements.

ARTICLE XV

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order shall be followed during Chapter Board and Chapter General Membership Meetings.

ARTICLE XVI

PLACE OF BUSINESS

The principal location and mailing address of the Chapter shall be the current President's designated address or as established.

Ratified by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Interim Board Chapter
Members and Bylaws Committee
PNA Maryland Chapter, Baltimore, Maryland

21 June 2003

ATTACHMENT A

ILLUSTRATION OF ELECTION YEARS, TERMS OF OFFICE, OFFICES DUE FOR ELECTION