Current Bylaws
Ammended 2008
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists/l’Association canadienne des infirmières et technologues en néphrologie.
ARTICLE II - MANDATE
CANNT is a professional organization committed to maintaining networks for communication and support, providing systems to disseminate information and research to advance practice, and advocating for membership. We contribute to professional nephrology practice by continually updating standards, promoting and supporting certification, encouraging research, promoting evidence-based practice, developing leadership skills, recognizing excellence in practice, and supporting continued education to augment competence. CANNT participates in the greater nephrology community by collaborating with other professional nephrology associations and affiliates at provincial, national, and international levels.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 – ELIGIBILITY
Membership is open to nursing and technical healthcare professionals involved with the care of individuals with renal diseases.
SECTION 2 – CATEGORIES
Membership is available in the following categories, upon completion of application form and payment of dues:
a. Nursing
b. Technical Member
c. Life Member
d. Associate Member
e. Student Member
Subsection A – Nursing Member
A Nursing Member is a registered nurse, registered practical nurse or licensed practical nurse associated with nephrology nursing. A Nursing Member has one vote.
Subsection B – Technical Member
A technical member is a graduate, of a post-secondary program in electronics, chemistry, physics, biology, biomedical engineering or nephrology technology, who is functioning within the technical aspects of the field of nephrology. (Existing technical members not having the above-mentioned academic background will be “grandfathered” in unless their CANNT membership lapses. In the latter event they would need to acquire the requisite qualifications to be re-considered for membership). A Technical Member has one vote.
Subsection C – Life Member
A Life Member is a person who has given devoted service to the Association over a period of years and who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, shall be noted worthy of the distinction. A Life Member has one vote.
Subsection D – Associate Member
An Associate Member is any person who generally qualifies for membership, but is otherwise ineligible as a regular or technical member and who wishes to join and work on behalf of the organization. An Associate Member has no vote.
Subsection E – Student Member
A student member is a member that is enrolled in full time studies in an educational program related to Nephrology. Student membership fee will be 50% of a regular member rate. A full time student is defined as being registered in two or more semesters in one calendar year. A student member has one vote.
SECTION 3 – APPLICATION
Application for membership shall be in writing, on a form approved by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4 – QUALIFICATIONS
Subsection 1
The Board of Directors is empowered to establish qualifications for membership and to provide such means of ascertaining the suitability of prospective members, as it may deem desirable.
Subsection 2
The Board of Directors is empowered to assign applicants for membership to the category to which their qualifications entitle them and to transfer members from one category to another.
SECTION 5 – RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES
Subsection 1 – Holding Office
Only voting members in good standing shall be entitled to stand for election to the Board of Directors.
Subsection 2 – Being Informed
All members are entitled to be informed of Association matters and to question the actions and policies of the officers and the Board of Directors.
Subsection 3 – Nominate
Only voting members in good standing have the privilege to nominate candidates for office.
Subsection 4 – Duties
All members have a duty to support the Association and participate in its affairs. In addition, all members have a duty to pay all fees, charges promptly as they become due.
ARTICLE IV– OFFICERS
SECTION 1 – NATIONAL OFFICERS
Subsection 1
The Officers of the Association shall be the Immediate Past President, President, President-Elect and Website Coordinator-Treasurer, all of whom have signing privileges. All board positions may run for two consecutive terms with the exception of the President who may not run consecutively.
Subsection 2
The President-Elect shall be elected for a term of one year, after which he/she will become President for a term of one year, after which he/she will become Immediate Past-President for a term of one year.
Subsection 3
The Website Coordinator -Treasurer shall be elected by the membership for a two year term.
Subsection 4
The National Officers of the Association acting together shall be referred to as the Executive.
Subsection 5
All National Officers shall comply with the CANNT Board of Directors Code of Professional Conduct.
SECTION 2 – REGIONAL OFFICERS and TECHNICAL OFFICER
Subsection 1
The membership shall elect four Regional Vice-Presidents to represent the regions of Canada-West, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic.
Subsection 2
The elected Regional Vice-Presidents shall assume control of Association affairs in the region and be responsible for the proper conduct of such affairs to the President. All Regional Vice-Presidents shall comply with the CANNT Board of Directors Code of Professional Conduct.
Subsection 3
The membership shall elect a Vice President of Technologists to represent the technical membership. The Vice President of Technologists shall comply with the CANNT Board of Directors Code of Professional Conduct.
Subsection 4
The term of office for Regional Vice-President and Vice President of Technologists shall be two years. A Regional Vice-President and Vice President of Technologists may run for no more than two consecutive terms.
SECTION 3 – PROVISIONS RELATING TO TERM OF OFFICE
Subsection 1
All Officers shall hold office until successors have been elected and installed.
Subsection 2
An Officer may be removed by the Board of Directors for a cause and be replaced by an appointment of the Board of Directors until the next Annual General Meeting at which time an Officer shall be elected who will serve until the end of the regular term of the Officer who has been removed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V– BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1 – RESPONSIBILITY
The overall direction of the affairs and property of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which shall consist of Past President, President, President-Elect, Website Coordinator - Treasurer, four elected Regional Vice-Presidents and a Vice President of Technologists for a total of nine members.
SECTION 2 – VACANCIES
The Board of Directors may fulfil vacancies occurring before the Annual General Meeting. Directors so appointed will serve only until those elected at the Annual General Meeting are installed.
SECTION 3 – CHAIRPERSON
The Past President shall serve as Chairperson.
ARTICLE VI– NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1 – NOMINATING COMMITTEE
A Nominating Committee shall make nominations for the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2 – APPOINTMENT
The Nomination Committee shall consist of all Regional Vice-Presidents, Vice President of Technologists and President as chairperson.
SECTION 3 – NOMINATIONS
The Nominating Committee shall call for nominations at least 9 months prior to the Annual General Meeting.
SECTION 4 – SLATE
At least six months prior to the Annual General Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall have prepared its slate and secured the written consent of each nominee to serve if elected. Announcement of the slate shall be distributed to all members at least 5 months prior to the Annual General Meeting.
SECTION 5 – ELECTION
Subsection 1
If there is more than one candidate for a given office, election will be by mail ballot.
Subsection 2
Ballots are to be received at least 4 months prior to the Annual General Meeting will be counted by the National Office and Chairperson or designate. The Nomination Committee Chairperson will notify those elected and results announced will be announced at the Annual General Meeting.
Subsection 3
A majority of votes cast for nominees for positions on the Board of Directors shall determine those candidates elected.
ARTICLE VII– MEETINGS
SECTION 1 – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting shall be held once a year on the notice given by the President.
SECTION 2 – SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
Special General Meeting shall be called upon receipt, by the Board of Directors, of a petition, stating the purpose of such meeting and signed by 10% of members, or by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3 – NOTICE
At least 30 days notice of either Annual General or Special General Meeting shall be given to members.
SECTION 4 – QUORUM
Attendance, at either Annual General or Special General Meetings of the Association, of at least 10% of the members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 5 – VOTING PROCESS
Subsection 1 – Voting by mailer or website
A member has the right to vote on motions or proposed revised bylaws by a mailer process or by website access in the Members Only section, when available. The mailer or website will have the written proposed changes to be voted upon by the membership. Each member will have to produce his or her membership number when voting which will then be verified by the National Office to accept such a vote by a member.
ARTICLE VIII– COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors is empowered to establish committees for the purpose of carrying out the policies of the Board.
ARTICLE IX– FEES AND ANNUAL DUES
Fees and annual dues shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X– PROPERTY
All interest in the property of the Association of persons resigning or otherwise ceasing to be members shall remain vested in the Association.
ARTICLE XI– DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of the Association and the discharge and the settlement of its affairs, all funds and properties of the Association remaining thereafter shall be conveyed to non-profit, paramedical organizations with purposes similar to those of the Association, such organization to be designated by the Board of Directors at the time of dissolution.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
A proposal to amend the Constitution may be made by 10% of the voting members, or by the Board of Directors. Each proposal to amend the Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2
Upon receipt of a proposal to amend, the Chairperson of the Board shall arrange a conference call meeting with the Board of Directors for the purpose of considering the proposed amendment. The Chairperson shall hold the meeting within 30 days of receipt of the proposal.
SECTION 3
A copy of the proposed amendment shall be distributed to the members of the Association by the Executive Director, at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting at which the proposal is to be presented for consideration and vote.
SECTION 4
In order for the proposed amendment to succeed, it must be approved by two-thirds of the voting members present at the Business Meeting.
ARTICLE XIII – BYLAWS
The Board of Directors is empowered to adopt, amend or repeal such bylaws as may be required for the proper government of the affairs of the Association, provided that such bylaws do not conflict with this Constitution.
Any such bylaw adopted, amended or repealed shall, unless ratified by voting members at a Special Business Meeting, have force and effect only until the next Annual General Meeting.
In default of ratification, such bylaws adopted, amended or repealed shall cease to have effect from the time of that Annual General Meeting.