Committees, Boards, & Affiliates

If you have the time, active participation in RISNA activities allows you to acquire career advancing skills, learn about the multiple opportunities available in nursing, become an expert on key health care issues, and develop a solid network of new friends, colleagues and key leaders in RI. Members can volunteer to serve on the following committees:

Committees

The Government Affairs Committee
The Committee on Program and Convention
The Membership Committee
The Ethics and Human Rights Committee
The Peer Review Approval Group
The Advanced Practice Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Council
The Nurse Practitioner Council

Run for an elected seat

The Board of Directors
The Committee on Nominations
The Cabinet of Nursing Practice
The Cabinet on Nursing Education
Become a Delegate to the ANA House of Delegates (HOD)

Organizational Affiliate Members

The Government Affairs Committee monitors trends and developments in legislative and governmental areas as they relate to health policy. Committee members study proposed federal, state and local legislation for its implications for nurses, nursing, and health. They learn to testify on bills at the state house, network with state elected officials, attend political fundraisers, and work closely with the RISNA lobbyist. The Government Affairs Committee meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month from September through June.

Learn about RISNA's Legislative Agenda for 2005

The Committee on Program and Convention assists in the planning of RISNA's educational programs and the annual business meeting and dinner. Members identify educational topics of interest, recommend expert speakers, and assist in coordinating the events. Members learn valuable skills in event planning, business negotiation, fund raising, and networking. This committee usually meets at least monthly- excluding the summer

See RISNA's educational calendar and upcoming events

The Membership Committee recruits new members to RISNA by spreading the word on the importance of belonging to your professional association. Committee members plan creative/fun membership events, set up recruitment tables at RI health care organizations, and devise ways of assisting the association in increasing its membership. This committee meets as designated by the membership and events planned.

The Peer Review Approval Group is responsible for reviewing individual, organizational and agency continuing education activities for contact hour approval in accordance with the American Nurses Credentialing Center standards of accreditation criteria. Membership in PRAG provides an opportunity for RISNA members to be actively involved in the organization. It also allows members to learn the CEA process in depth. It is also an excellent opportunity for professional growth for those nurses with an interest in nursing education. Members must have a BS in nursing, graduate degree preferred

The Advanced Practice Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Council discusses the issues facing psychiatric clinical nurse specialists and recommends/plans action for resolution. Council members assist in planning educational programs, work closely with the government affairs committee on legislative issues and the cabinet on nursing practice on practice issues. Meetings are at least monthly- excluding the summer months.

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the association.
Composition:

The officers of this association, the past president (ex-officio), president elect, the six elected directors, the presidents of the districts (if active) and the chairpersons of the cabinets shall constitute the Board of Directors.

The Board shall:

a. Exercise the corporate responsibility and fiduciary duties of the association consistent with applicable provisions of the law.
b. Transact the business of the association in the interim between the annual conventions.
c. Establish policies governing the affairs and the growth and development of the association.
d. Provide for the maintenance of the office, and the care of materials, equipment and funds of the association; provide for the payment of legitimate expenses and for a review of all books of accounts by a certified accountant every five years or if the Executive Director or Office Manager should vacate these positions and provide for reporting to the membership.
e. Determine officers and other persons to be bonded, fix the amount of bond for each, and approve it.
f. Appoint an executive director, define the duties of and fix the compensation for such position.
g. Establish standing and special committees as necessary to implement its duties and define the purpose and authority of such committees.
h. Fill vacancies on standing and ad hoc committees, the committee on Nominations, the Board of Directors and alternate delegates or until next regular election. The Board of Directors may not fill vacancies in the office of president, president-elect, or presidents of the districts.
i. Approve the plans for the annual meeting.
j. Ratify votes of the Board of Directors secured by referendum.
k. Establish policies and procedures for disciplinary action against members.
l. Assume other duties as may be provided for elsewhere in the bylaws.
n. Provide for RISNA liaison or representation at meetings of voluntary organizations and public or governmental agencies upon request or as deemed appropriate.

Accountability

The Board of Directors shall report and be accountable to the membership.

Term of Office

a. Three directors will be elected in the odd years and three directors in the even years, each to serve for a two-year term.
b. Elected directors will not exceed two consecutive terms in the same office. No member can serve more than eight consecutive years on the Board of Directors. An officer or director who has served 12 or more months shall be considered to have served a full term.

The Committee on Nominations consists of five members representing the various practice settings and geographic areas. Members serve a two-year term with three members elected in the odd years and two members elected in the even years. This committee recruits RISNA members to run for the various elective leadership, cabinet, and committee positions of the organization. This is a great way for members to network with other nurses and
members.

The Cabinet of Nursing Practice consists of up to nine elected members to serve a two-year term. This cabinet discusses and debates the issues facing professional nursing practice and in turn my conduct educational programs, issue position papers, make public statements to the media, and work closely with other RISNA entities as the expert on practice setting issues as appropriate. This committee usually meets monthly-excluding the summer months. Committee members become well versed on the issues of professional nursing practice.

The Cabinet of Nursing Education ensures that RISNA meets all the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) criteria forapproving continuing education programs for nursing contact hours. RISNA is the only ANCC accredited body in the state in which health care organizations submit programs for approval of contact hours. Members of the cabinet are elected to three-year terms and must have a masters degree in nursing or in a related field. If a masters is in a related field, the member must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Membership on the cabinet provides the opportunity to learn the continuing education process in depth.

Become a Delegate to the ANA House of Delegates (HOD)
This is an exciting opportunity for members to represent RISNA and participate in shaping policy for our national association, the ANA. Every other year the HOD is held in Washington, DC and is in session for about 4 days. On the opposite years the HOD is held in conjunction with the ANA convention and provides RISNA delegates the opportunity to conduct ANA business while attending a large national convention and all the excitement that has to offer. There is no better way to stimulate your enthusiasm and offer inspiration than to meet with thousands of other RNs from across the country who share your same beliefs and concerns. Delegates are elected to a two-year term with no term limits. Based on RISNA membership numbers, ANA allows for 5 RISNA delegates.

Organization Affiliate Member

This is a great opportunity for RI specialty nursing organizations and RISNA to combine forces in sharing ideas, discussing issues and fighting for action. Current Organizational Affiliate members are:

Association of Operating Room Nurses of RI
National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Ocean State Chapter
RI Association of Nurse Anesthetists
RI Association of Occupational Health Nurses

Definition

An organizational affiliate/member of RISNA is an association that --
a. is a nursing organization that has a governing body composed of a majority of registered nurses.
c. has been granted organizational affiliate/membership status by the RISNA Board of Directors.
d. has paid an organizational affiliation fee to RISNA

Responsibilities

Each organizational affiliate/member shall maintain a mission and purpose harmonious with the purposes and functions of RISNA.

Rights

a. a representative from each organizational affiliate will be invited to attend RISNA Board of Director meetings and Government Affairs meetings.
b. For a slight additional membership fee, the organizational affiliate will have rights to use the RISNA offices for their own membership meetings.
c. Organizational Affiliate members receive discounts to participate in certain RISNA events and Nursing Week activities
d. Receive the RISNA's newsletter for the latest information on nursing and health care.

Affiliates

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
Suite 100
2920 Brandwine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341

Association of Operating Room Nurses
2170 South Parker Road
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80231

National Association of Hispanic Nurses,Ocean State Chapter
PO BOX 25453 Providence RI 02905.

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
222 South Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068 4001