THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES

 THE CONSTITUTION OF

THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES

ENGLAND AND WALES

2006

The Association of Catholic Nurses must be relevant to modern society , upholding the Catholic faith and bearing witness to its teachings.Members should promote the spiritual , professional and social development of its members by encouraging retreats , seminars and pilgrimages in order to advance in knowledge and holiness as seen appropriate to the profession and service of God. 

ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION

1.TITLE                 

2.MEMBERSHIP     

3.ORGANIZATION

4.BENEFITS          

ARTICLE 1.

TITLE: THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES OF ENGLAND AND WALES (Formally the Catholic Nurses Guild)

PATRONAGE  OUR LADY HEALTH OF THE SICK

EMBLEM  The member’s official badge or emblem is the Tudor Rose of England and the Daffodil of Wales

ARTICLE 2.

MEMBERSHIP

Full membership is open to qualified Catholic Nurses and Midwives currently on the Register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) . Only full members have the right to vote on constitutional matters.

Associate membership is open to all other Catholics engaged in Healthcare paramedic professions.

Retired membership is open to all full members who are no longer actively engaged in the nursing profession.

Membership subscriptions shall be due annually on January 1^st . This entitles one to receive a copy of each publication of ‘The Catholic Nurse’ the official publication of the Association.

ARTICLE3.

Organization.

The Association shall be organized both nationally and locally. Regional organization may be adopted , with the approval of the National Executive Committee. Whilst local circumstances must be taken into account , no rules must be altered without the approval of the National Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee , vested with the central executive authority of the Association , shall consist of the National President , Vice-President ,Secretary ,Treasurer, Ecclesiastical Adviser and the National Chaplain together with the Diocesan Chaplains and one duly elected member from each diocese (who will be responsible for liaison with Branch and National members in their area) , and one representative member from each branch. In an area where there is no branch a national member may attend. All National Officers and Representatives shall be full members of the Association at the time of taking office  , with the exception of the post of Secretary/Treasurer who may be a retired member seen to have the skills to undertake the post. Prospective National Presidents and Vice-Presidents shall have served a minimum of 3 years on the Executive Committee . Terms of office of all officers and representatives at Branch , Diocesan and National level shall be for a period of 3 years. When practical , extra members may be co-opted for a specific purpose.

The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year.

The National President and Vice-President shall be elected by the Executive Committee after due consultation within each Diocese. The nominations for Vice-President shall be specific for that position. Both the President and Vice-President may be elected for one further term of office for three years if no other nomination is received , after which they must step down from that office. Should a vacancy arise in the office of National President the Vice-President shall serve until the next AGM.

The National President shall appoint Secretary/Treasurer after consultation with the National Officers. The Honorary Treasurer shall present the audited accounts of the Association’s financial business annually at the AGM and be able to answer questions on the accounts.

Branch Offices of President and Diocesan Representative must be full members . Branch offices of Secretary /Treasurer may be associate members.

Sub-committees may be set up where deemed necessary , and will be made up of ACN members.

A quorum shall consist of one fifth of the members for any group or committee.

Absence of an elected representative from three consecutive meetings without due reason shall  be approached formally by the Secretary and may necessitate retirement from that position.

When deemed necessary the National Officers shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Association.

The President shall take the chair at all meetings , in whose absence the Vice-President shall preside or one appointed by the Executive Committee.

Local or diocesan committees will follow will follow the same format as that of the executive including the appointment of a Diocesan Chaplain appointed by the Bishop.

Special attention shall be given to the role of National members whose experience and expertise may have both spiritual and material benefits to the Association.

The general business shall be conducted at the AGM. All members are encouraged to attend.

Proposed alterations to the constitution which shall be circulated to all members must be received by the National Secretary at least six months prior to the AGM and amendments to these proposals shall be received by the Secretary , one month prior to the AGM at which they are to be presented. A two thirds majority is necessary for the adoption of a proposal alteration or amendment . Resolutions on matters other than the constitution may be submitted at the AGM.

ARTICLE 4.

BENEFITS

The Association is geared to foster in its members a fuller realisation of the dignity of the vocation to the health profession to which they are called. The Association promotes unity in faith and support to all members so that they are able to show God’s Compassion to the sick , suffering and Dying in our care .

OUR LADY,HEALTH OF THE SICK,PRAY FOR US