KANS Bylaws & Governance

The name of this organization shall be the Kentucky Association of Nursing Students, Inc., a constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as KANS and NSNA.

The purpose of KANS:

A. To assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care.

B. To provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interest and concerns; and

C. To aid in the development of the whole person, his/her professional role, and his/her responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life.

D. To advocate for nursing students in preparing for their professional roles as nurses.

The function of KANS shall include the following:

A. To have direct input into standards of nursing education and influence the education process.

B. To influence health care, nursing education and practice through legislative activities as appropriate.

C. To promote and encourage participation in community affairs and activities toward improved health care and the resolution of related social issues.

D. To represent nursing students to the consumer, to institutions, and to other organizations.

E. To promote and encourage student participation in interdisciplinary activities.

F. To promote and encourage recruitment efforts, participation in student activities, and educational opportunities inclusive of a person’s race, color, creed, sex, lifestyle, national origin, age or economic status.

G. To promote and encourage collaborative relationships with the Kentucky Nurses’ Association and the Kentucky League for Nursing as well as other nursing and related health organizations.

H. To encourage communication between constituents, state, and national organizations.

Section 1

A. School chapters whose membership is composed of active or associate members of KANS, whose bylaws have been approved, and upon meeting such other policies as determined by the Board of Directors of NSNA, shall be recognized as a constituent.

B. A school chapter shall be composed of at least ten members from a nursing program or the total enrollment if less than 10. This requirement of 10 or more members must be met on a date 2 weeks prior to the annual House of Delegates meeting. There shall be one chapter in each nursing program.

C. A state association shall be composed of at least two school chapters in a state. School chapters shall belong to the state association. There shall be only one state association in a state.

D. A constituent association that fails to comply with the bylaws and policies of NSNA and KANS shall have its status revoked by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board, provided that written notice of proposed revocation has been given at least two months prior to the vote and the constituent association is given an opportunity to be heard.

E. KANS acknowledges the distinct legal status of its school chapters. Each chapter functions as a separate legal entity from KANS, possessing independent authority to manage its activities. This autonomy is further defined within the organization's policy on liability and indemnification, ensuring clarity and accountability concerning chapter operations.

Section 2 – Categories of Constituent Membership

A. Active members:

Students enrolled in a state approved program leading to licensure as registered nurse;

Registered nurses accepted and enrolled into a baccalaureate-nursing program;

Active members shall have all the privileges of membership.

B. Associate Members:

1. Pre-nursing students, including registered nurses enrolled in college or university programs designed as preparation for entrance into a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in nursing;

2. Associate members shall have all privileges of membership except the right to hold the state offices of President, President-Elect, Vice President, or Secretary-Treasurer, and the national offices of President and Vice President.

Individual membership shall be open at the state and national level to any eligible student when membership in a constituent association is not available. Individual members shall have the same privileges as do active and associate members.

Section 3 – Categories of Non-constituent Membership

A. Sustaining Members: sustaining membership shall be open at KANS level to any individual or organization, upon approval of the Executive Board, interested in furthering the development and growth of KANS. This membership is not open to those eligible for active or associate membership. Sustaining members shall receive literature and other information from the KANS office.

B. Honorary Members: Honorary membership may be conferred by two-thirds vote of the House of Delegates with recommendation of the Executive Board upon persons who have rendered distinguished service or valuable assistance to KANS. Honorary members shall be recognized at convention functions. Honorary members shall have none of the obligations or privileges of membership.

Section 4 – Extended Membership

A. Active and associate membership may be extended six months beyond completion of a student’s program in nursing. Sustaining membership shall be renewable annually.

Section 5 – Dues

The financial obligations associated with membership in KANS, including dues for active, associate, individual, and sustaining members, are comprehensively addressed in the KANS Membership Dues Policy. This policy establishes the amount of dues, due dates, payment methods, and consequences of non-payment. Please consult the policy for all relevant information.

Section 1 – Officers

The officers of the association shall consist of President, President-Elect, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The combined Secretary-Treasurer position constitutes one office.

Section 2 – Directors

There shall be eight directors: Publications/Website Director, the Breakthrough to Nursing Project Director, the Legislative Director, the Central Regional Director, the Western Regional Director, the Northern Regional Director, the Eastern Regional Director and the Promotions Director.

Section 3 – Eligibility

A. Only members who shall have active membership for the full term of office shall be eligible to run or serve as officers of this association.

B. Only members who shall have active or associate membership for the full term of office shall be eligible to serve as directors of this association.

C. No member shall hold more than one elected state position at any time. Service as Secretary-Treasurer constitutes service in one elected state position and carries one vote in each body in which that officer has voting rights.

D. Those members holding state office, who are then elected to a national office, must resign from one of these offices prior to the Executive Board meeting at the Midyear conference, or a vacancy will be declared in the national position.

E. No member shall serve more than two counted terms on the Executive Board, except that a member with one prior counted board term may serve one term as President-Elect and the immediately succeeding term as President. No member may use this exception for a second President-Elect and President sequence. Service exceeding one-half of a regular term shall count as one term; service of one-half or less shall not count. For this calculation, a regular term extends between the adjournments of consecutive annual meetings. This calculation applies to prior and future service. All other eligibility requirements remain in force.

F. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall determine candidate eligibility under these bylaws before balloting whenever practicable. Before disqualifying a candidate, it shall provide written reasons and a reasonable opportunity to respond. A candidate may appeal to the House of Delegates before the affected election. Any decision-maker with a personal conflict shall withdraw from the decision.

G. If a question arises after election, the Executive Board shall review it, give the member written notice and an opportunity to respond, and refer disputed eligibility to the House at its next meeting. Any decision-maker with a personal conflict shall withdraw from the decision. If the final determination disqualifies an elected member, the office becomes vacant and Article 4 Section 6 governs; the runner-up does not automatically assume office.

Section 4 – Term of Office

Terms begin at adjournment of the annual meeting at which the House elects officers and directors and end at adjournment of the following annual meeting. President-Elect shall automatically become President at that adjournment without a separate presidential election, subject to continued eligibility. Outgoing officers and directors shall assist their successors through the first scheduled meeting of the new Executive Board. A President-Elect who succeeds to a presidential vacancy before the annual meeting shall complete the unexpired presidential term and the next regular presidential term, subject to continued eligibility; the unexpired service shall count under Section 3 E. A vacancy appointee to President-Elect shall serve through the next annual meeting and shall not automatically succeed to President unless the House confirms that succession by ballot at that meeting.

Section 5 – Duties of Officers and Directors

The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the parliamentary authority and more specifically shall include:

The President shall:

Preside at all meetings of this association, or appoint a representative from the executive board to preside in his/her place.

Shall be responsible for seeing that lines of direction given by the House of Delegates and the actions of the Board are carried into effect and for reporting to the membership and Executive Board on the conduct of affairs of the association.

Appoint special committees with the approval of the Executive Board.

Serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations and Elections Committee;

Approve expenditures as submitted by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Attend and serve as delegate at the NSNA Annual Convention or designate an alternative to attend in his/her place.

Send notices of time, place, and agenda of Executive Board meetings to all Board members two weeks prior to meeting time.

Represent KANS in matters relating to the association and perform all other duties pertaining to the office.

Have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Board.

The President-Elect shall:

Assist the President in all duties and responsibilities as needed.

Preside at meetings in the absence of the President or when delegated by the President.

Serve as a member of the Executive Board and participate in all board meetings and discussions.

Work closely with the President to understand the ongoing projects and initiatives of the association, preparing to assume the role of President.

Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations and Elections Committee.

Represent KANS at external meetings and events as designated by the President.

Assist in the preparation and dissemination of notices for Executive Board meetings.

Perform other duties as assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Be responsible for planning the annual convention and delegating convention planning responsibilities.

The Vice President shall:

Serve as chairperson of the membership recruitment committee; consisting of the regional directors and other appointed members.

Coordinate committee activities of the Executive Board.

Send ByLaws, Policies, list of officers, directors, and consultants and other pertinent information to constituents;

Coordinate disbursement of information to the Regional Directors.

Be responsible for coordinating the actions of the elected directors.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall:

Record the minutes of all meetings of this association and of the Executive Board and send copies of them to all Board members, constituent presidents and NSNA.

Receive all official documents and correspondence, retain until time of disposal according to procedural policy.

Inform NSNA of all current programs and activities and provide current names and addresses of state and constituent officers.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall oversee custody of association funds and their deposit in a bank approved by the Executive Board; prepare an itemized proposed budget for board approval four weeks before the annual meeting; prepare an annual written financial report; and submit a financial report to the board monthly and whenever a board member requests one. The officer shall be bonded and shall obtain a certified public accountant, with board approval, to audit the financial records at fiscal year end. The retiring officer shall transfer all funds, vouchers, books, records, and other financial materials to the successor immediately after the annual audit, and shall arrange interim access necessary for continued reporting and controls.

Disbursements of $150 or less require approval of the Advisor or another Executive Committee member. Disbursements exceeding $150 require prior Executive Board approval. The President shall continue to approve expenditures submitted by the responsible financial officer. No person shall act as the sole initiator, approver, and reviewer of the same transaction.

The Executive Board may appoint a Financial Administrator to perform specified banking, bookkeeping, payment processing, reconciliation, and account administration duties under a written Financial Governance Policy and appointment resolution. These documents shall identify delegated duties, access, term, approval limits, reporting, removal, and independent review. Delegation does not relieve the elected financial officer or board of their oversight responsibilities and does not permit the administrator to exceed the approval requirements in these bylaws. The administrative appointment confers no board membership or vote. Any board status the appointee separately holds remains governed by the applicable bylaw provision.

The Financial Administrator shall provide records needed for monthly reports and the annual audit. At least one authorized person who did not initiate or approve a transaction shall review the supporting records and reconciliation. The board shall approve necessary account access and ensure that transitions preserve access to KANS funds and records. The Financial Governance Policy shall conform to these bylaws.

Directors shall perform such duties as deemed necessary by the president in accordance with needs and policies of the Association.

Section 6 – Vacancies

President-Elect shall fill a vacancy in President. If both offices are vacant, Vice President shall serve as acting President until the Executive Board fills President by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, within thirty days. If Vice President is vacant, the board shall designate an eligible officer as acting President. The board shall fill any other officer or director vacancy by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting from among eligible members. An appointee serves through the remainder of the term, subject to the President-Elect succession provision. All appointees must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements. Resignations must be in writing and take effect upon receipt by the KANS office unless the resignation specifies a later date.

Section 7 – Attendance/Neglect or Abuse of Duty

A. A member of the Executive Board who has missed three or more meetings without prior notification to the officers or valid reason for absence, as determined by the Executive Committee, may be removed from office by 2/3 vote of the Executive Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

B. A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board if that officer is deemed negligent in the function of his/her office as stated in the bylaws or under the discretion of the executive committee.

C. The member of the Executive Board in question will be notified at least two weeks in advance of any action.

Section 1 – Composition of the Nominations and Elections Committee

The Executive Board shall appoint three active or associate KANS members to a Nominations and Elections Committee before candidate applications open. The committee shall elect its chair. Members shall not seek election in the election they administer. The board may appoint a nonvoting consultant to advise the committee. A member who intends to become a candidate shall resign from the committee before submitting candidacy materials or consenting to nomination and shall take no further part in election administration. Resignation before candidacy removes the committee-based bar to candidacy; all other eligibility requirements apply. The board shall fill committee vacancies with eligible noncandidates. For the election at which this amendment is adopted, the board shall constitute the committee before further nominations, credential decisions, or balloting.

Section 2 – Duties of the Nominations and Elections Committee

A. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall receive names of proposed candidates submitted in writing by any constituent association. The committee shall consider the qualification of these proposed candidates, but shall not be limited or controlled by these nominations.

B. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall prepare a ticket with candidates for the officers, and directors. The consent of all proposed candidates shall be obtained in writing before placing their names on the ticket.

C. A copy of the ticket shall be published at least four weeks prior to the convention. The report of the Nominations and Elections Committee shall be presented on the first day of the annual convention. Following presentation of the Nominations and Elections Committee's report, further nominations and candidate consent may be made from the floor, provided the candidate's credential sheet and written consent to run have been submitted to the Nominations and Elections Committee Chair in accordance with the established nomination procedures outlined in the KANS Elections Policy.

D. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall oversee the functions of the campaign, run the candidates presentations and debates, monitor and investigate complaints of campaign violations and present the new officers to the House of Delegates.

E. The committee shall appoint impartial tellers who are not candidates in the election they count. Neither President nor President-Elect shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Nominations and Elections Committee.

F. The Elections Policy shall specify credential submission, campaign conduct, equal access to official candidate information, complaint procedures, and appeals consistent with these bylaws. No policy may alter eligibility requirements in these bylaws.

Section 3 – Elections

A. The House of Delegates shall elect President-Elect and the other officers and directors at each annual convention. President shall assume office through succession under Article 4; the House shall elect President by ballot when no eligible successor exists or when a President-Elect vacancy appointee does not receive House confirmation to succeed. The elected consultant shall be elected only in even-numbered years.

B. The election shall be by ballot. A tie shall be decided first by a revote and if necessary then by casting a lot.

C. If a write-in candidate receives the largest number of votes for an office or directorship, approval of the member’s credentials shall be required before the person takes office.

D. Should unforeseen circumstances, including national pandemics or emergencies, prevent the timely conduct of elections, the existing Board of Directors shall, pursuant to the provisions of the KANS Emergency Continuity Policy, convene and elect officers for the subsequent term. This temporary measure safeguards the organization's stability and promotes a seamless return to normal electoral procedures at the earliest opportunity.

Section 1

The annual meeting of the association shall be held at such a time and place as shall be determined by the Executive Board. The annual meeting shall be for the purpose of holding an election, receiving reports and conducting such other business as may properly come before the House of Delegates. Notice of the meeting shall be provided to members of the voting body in compliance with the timeframes stipulated in the KANS policy on meeting notice deadlines.

Section 2

The House of Delegates shall be the governing body of the association. Between its meetings, the Executive Board shall exercise the authority granted by Article 7, subject to these bylaws and House actions.

Section 3 – delegate Representation

A. The voting body shall consist of officers and directors occupying authorized voting seats through election or appointment to a vacancy, and credentialed school constituent delegates. Each voting member shall have one vote on any question or election, even if eligible in more than one capacity.

B. Representation to the annual meeting of KANS shall be allocated per the principles and procedures outlined in the KANS Delegate Selection and Representation Policy. This policy establishes the ratio of delegates to active and associate members for each constituent school chapter, along with the manner of their selection.

C. Representation to the NSNA Annual Meeting: Delegate selection and representation ratios for school chapter delegates at the NSNA Annual Meeting shall be determined in accordance with the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) bylaws and policies.

Section 4

The privilege of making motions and voting shall be limited to the voting body. A voting member shall have but one vote in any election or on any question.

Section 5

All meetings of the association shall be open unless voted otherwise.

Section 6 – Quorum

A quorum at the annual meeting shall consist of the President or President-Elect, at least one-half of currently seated voting Executive Board members, at least two-thirds of the credentialed school delegates registered for that annual meeting, and one consultant. The credentials report shall establish the registered school delegate count at the opening of the first business session. The count may change only through an accepted supplemental credentials report. Abstention from a vote does not reduce the quorum requirement.

Section 1

The Executive Board shall consist of officers and directors occupying authorized seats through election or appointment to a vacancy. Each shall have one vote. Consultants shall serve as ex-officio members without a vote. Appointment to an administrative or advisory role does not itself confer a board seat or vote.

Section 2

All the powers of the association are vested in and shall be exercised by the Executive Board during the interim between meetings of the association, except that the Board shall not nullify nor modify any action taken by the House of Delegates at convention, and subject to provision of these bylaws.

Section 3

The Executive Board shall not be responsible for any contract, claim, or obligation incurred, or for any position taken by an officer or member of a constituent unless same was duly authorized in writing by the Executive Board.

Section 4

The Executive Board's management responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those outlined in the KANS Policy on Board Authority and Limitations. This policy details the Board's specific duties, decision-making authority, and limitations as they relate to various areas, including establishing official relationships, approving commitments, managing finances, and filling vacancies.

Section 5

In case of emergency, votes by mail or email may be taken by the Executive Board, providing the material is sent in and same words to each member. Action taken by mail or email shall be verified and made part of the minutes of the next meeting of the Executive Board.

Section 6

Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held immediately before and after the annual meeting and at such other times as deemed necessary by a majority of the board. The President shall determine the day and place of the meeting.

Section 7

A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of currently seated voting board members and one consultant. Vacant seats shall not count in the denominator. President shall preside; in the President’s absence, President-Elect shall preside, followed by Vice President. If all are absent, the voting members present shall select a chair from among themselves.

Section 8- Policy Formation and Administration

The Board of Directors, in fulfillment of its fiduciary duties and responsibilities, shall establish, implement, and maintain a comprehensive set of policies to guide the operation and administration of KANS. These policies shall address matters essential to the effective functioning of the organization, including, but not limited to, fiscal management, member engagement, program development, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Policy Development and Review:

Board Authority: The Board shall have the authority to adopt, amend, and repeal policies at its discretion.

Internal Review: Prior to adoption or amendment, policies shall undergo a thorough internal review process, including input from relevant KANS committees and staff.

Stakeholder Consultation: When appropriate, the Board shall seek feedback from stakeholders, including members, on proposed policies or amendments.

Policy Access and Transparency:

Public Availability: All adopted KANS policies shall be made publicly available on the organization's website within fourteen (14) business days of their adoption.

Electronic Accessibility: Policies shall be presented in a readily accessible electronic format on the website.

All board policies shall conform to these bylaws and actions of the House of Delegates. The board may adopt, amend, and repeal policies within its delegated authority, but shall not use policy to amend, suspend, or override a bylaw provision or nullify or modify a House action. If a policy conflicts with these bylaws, the bylaws shall control and the board shall bring the policy into conformity. Policy references do not authorize changes to bylaw-defined offices, membership eligibility, voting rights, quorum requirements, term limits, or amendment procedures.

Section 1

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers occupying authorized seats through election or vacancy appointment and one board-designated consultant. Officers shall vote; the consultant shall not vote.

Section 2

Transactions by the Executive Committee are restricted to business of an emergency character, defined as matters presenting a demonstrably urgent threat to the well-being of the association or its constituents, which cannot be effectively addressed through existing policies or procedures without causing material prejudice. In such exceptional circumstances, the Executive Committee, under the framework established in the KANS Policy on Emergency Decision Making, may act upon such business after duly documenting the justification for deeming the matter an emergency, including the nature of the threat, the absence of feasible alternatives, and the specific actions taken in response.

Section 3 – Meetings

A. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be at the call of the President or at the request of two voting members of the committee. At least three days’ notice shall be given to each committee member.

B. Meetings may be conducted by telephone conference with twenty-four hours’ notice.

C. Business may be conducted by mail or email provided the material is sent in the same words to each member of the committee.

D. Action taken by telephone conference, mail, or email shall be verified at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

Section 4

All transactions of the Executive Committee shall be reported in full at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Board.

Section 5

A quorum shall consist of a majority of currently seated voting committee members and the designated consultant. Vacant offices shall not count in the denominator. The presiding order shall follow Article 7 Section 7.

Section 1

The appointment, duties, and term limits of KANS consultants are comprehensively addressed in the KANS Policy on Consultant Engagement. This policy defines the number of consultants, the methods of selection, their specific contributions to the organization, and the respective duration of their service.

The Executive Board, at its discretion, shall establish committees deemed necessary to carry on its work of the association and determine the functions, terms, and membership of the committees. A quorum for committee meetings shall be a majority of the members.

“KANS Newsletter” shall be the official publication of this association and shall be distributed to members as one of the benefits of membership. The times of which it is distributed will be determined by the Executive Board, provided that there be an effort made to disseminate the information via mail, email or website a minimum of at least two (2) issues.

All meetings of this association shall be conducted according to parliamentary law as set forth in ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED where the rules apply and are not in conflict with these bylaws.

Section 1

These bylaws may be amended at an annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting when KANS has sent members written notice of the exact proposed amendment at least twenty-four hours before the annual meeting begins. Each proposal shall identify the article and section affected and the proposed change. The proposer shall submit the proposal to the presiding officer and parliamentarian before consideration.

Section 2

When a proposal has not received the advance notice required by Section 1, the House may adopt it at the annual meeting by a ninety percent vote of those present and voting only if the exact proposed amendment has been submitted to the presiding officer and parliamentarian and announced to the House at an earlier session of the same annual meeting. The proposal shall identify the article and section affected and the proposed change. The Bylaws Amendments Policy may establish administrative submission and distribution procedures consistent with these sections; it shall not change their notice requirements, voting thresholds, or the House’s amendment authority.

Section 3

Any amendments to the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) bylaws adopted at their annual meeting that directly impact the area of KANS conformity with NSNA shall automatically become effective and incorporated into these bylaws.

The House of Delegates adopted amendments 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 at the October 3, 2026 annual meeting. Each amendment took effect immediately upon adoption.

Officer structure: The current Second Vice President shall continue as Vice President for the remainder of the term. Elimination of First Vice President creates no additional board seat. The upcoming election shall use the amended titles.

Secretary-Treasurer: The member currently appointed to Secretary-Treasurer shall continue in the combined office for the remainder of the term, subject to the eligibility and removal provisions of these bylaws. The House shall elect one Secretary-Treasurer at the upcoming election. This amendment does not retroactively approve financial transactions or other actions.

Election administration: For the election at which the amendment is adopted, the board shall constitute the Nominations and Elections Committee before further nominations, credential decisions, or balloting.

Financial administration: Existing administrative appointments may continue only to the extent their authority conforms to the adopted amendment. Adoption does not retroactively authorize transactions.

Amendment procedure: The House shall determine adoption of amendment 9 under the amendment rules in force before that amendment passes; that amendment does not authorize its own adoption under a new procedure.

All amendments must be submitted on this form. Please include the article and section numbers of the bylaw(s) that is being proposed for revision. Amendments for the KANS Bylaws can be

submitted at the conference or to the KANS President via email at president@ourkans.org.

Amendment Proposal:

Article #: ____________

Section #: ____________

Proposed Amendment: