Virginia Affiliate Bylaws

Bylaws

American College of Nurse-Midwives

Virginia Affiliate
Article I. Title of Relationship

Section 1. The name of the organization shall be American College of Nurse-Midwives, Virginia Affiliate

Section 2. The Bylaws of the Virginia Affiliate shall be consistent with the Bylaws of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of the Affiliate shall be:

  1. To give support and encouragement to concerns and interests of Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), Student Nurse-Midwives (SNMs), and Student Midwives (SMs). In the following, midwives refer to Certified Midwives and Certified Nurse-Midwives. Student midwives refer to Student Midwives and Student Nurse-Midwives.
  2. To support and promote communication and professional achievement.
  3. To encourage midwives and student midwives to be active participants of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
  4. To extend public relations to increase the public knowledge of midwives and Midwifery.
  5. To promote communications and cooperation with other organizations which promote midwifery and maternal-child care, including state agencies.
  6. To provide information and input into the Virginia legislative process on improving access to midwifery care and improving maternal and newborn care.
  7. To provide continuing education opportunities for midwives.

Article III. Membership and Privileges

Section 1. Members of the Virginia Affiliate shall be current members of the ACNM residing or practicing in Virginia.

Section 2. Membership shall consist of at least five active members of the ACNM.

Section 3. Type of membership in the Affiliate shall be classified based on the membership an individual holds in ACNM.

Section 4. Active membership in the Affiliate shall entitle an individual to make motions, to vote, and to hold office.

Section 5. Student and associate members will be welcomed as members. They may speak but may not make motions, vote or hold office. They may serve on committees.

Section 6. Membership expiration, resignation, suspension, expulsion, termination, or transfer is established by ACNM.

Article IV. Dues and Finance

Section 1. Dues: Annual membership dues shall be the amount recommended by the officers, subject to the approval of a simple majority of the members voting.

Section 2. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Section 3. Dues Collection: Dues will be collected by ACNM and forwarded to the Affiliate on a monthly basis. Members not paying dues will forfeit membership.

Section 4. Reinstatement: Members may be reinstated by payment of the current year’s dues.

Section 5. Signatures: The Treasurer and at least one other officer shall be authorized to sign checks.

Article V. Officers

Section 1. Active members shall be eligible to hold any of the elected positions of the affiliate.

Section 2. The elected officers (the Executive Committee) shall be President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section 3. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms. Each member shall serve until a successor is elected and assumes office.

Section 4. Vacancies: A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the President-Elect. If there is no President-Elect, the office of President shall be filled for a 2-year term by special election. Vacancies in other offices shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the remaining officers as soon as possible. A President-Elect appointment must be voted on by the membership prior to assuming the office of President.

Section 5. Officers:

  1. The President shall:
    1. Preside at Affiliate meetings.
    2. Appoint standing and Ad Hoc Committee Chairpersons.
    3. Coordinate communications between the Virginia Affiliate, Other Affiliates, Regional representative, and ACNM Committees.
    4. Represent the Affiliate at ACNM meetings, conferences, and other events. The Affiliate may provide funding for the performance of these duties.
    5. Submit an agenda prior to Affiliate meetings.
    6. Serve a 1-year term as the President-Elect followed by a 2-year term as the President.
  2. The President-Elect shall:
    1. Perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the Chairperson to serve.
    2. Succeed to the Office of President at the end of 1-year term or should the office become vacant during an unfinished term.
    3. Works in coordination with the President to meet the mission of the Affiliate.
    4. Perform such duties as may be delegated by the President.
  3. The Treasurer shall:
    1. Be custodian of the funds of the Virginia Affiliate.
    2. Provide a financial report at least quarterly.
    3. Be responsible for an accurate and complete recording of all Affiliate income and disbursements.
    4. Maintain a list of members with dues currently paid.
    5. Serve a three-year term.
  4. The Secretary shall:
    1. Be responsible for maintaining a record of all meeting minutes and financial reports.
    2. Distribute the minutes of meetings.
    3. Maintain current and organized files of all Affiliate businesses.
    4. Work with the Membership Chair to maintain a contact list of all midwives in Virginia who are members of ACNM.
    5. Create and distribute a quarterly newsletter to the Affiliate membership.
    6. Serve a three-year term.

Article VI. Nominations and Elections

Section 1. There shall be elections as needed to fulfill the following terms and schedule:

  1. President: One year term as president-elect followed by a two-year term as president.
  2. President-Elect: One-year term during the current president’s final year in office.
  3. Treasurer: Three-year term.
  4. Secretary: Three-year term.
  5. Typically, elections will take place in the fall and new officers will assume duties on January 1 following their election.

Section 2. Nominations:

  1. Nominations for President-elect, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be made to the Nominating Chair or President in writing.
  2. Only active members whose consent has been obtained shall be selected for nomination.
  3. The Nominating Chair shall announce the nominees at least 2 weeks prior to the election to allow time for discussion and dissemination of information.

Section 3. Election Procedure:

  1. The membership shall elect by mail ballot or electronic vote.
  2. A majority of those voting shall