Leadership and advocacy groups

The Board of Directors serves as the decision-making body of WSNA between meetings of the General Assembly. Board members have the legal, ethical, and fiduciary responsibility to oversee WSNA activities. The board is accountable to the WSNA membership.

Time commitment: Three to four in-person meetings per year and periodic virtual meetings. Members may also be appointed to serve on other WSNA work groups.

Eligibility: Open to all WSNA members in good standing.

Of the 11 members, eight are elected directly to the board: President, vice president, secretary/treasurer, directors at large (3), and directors at-large staff nurse (2). Three are the elected chairs of the WSNA Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare, the Legislative and Health Policy Council, and the Professional Nursing and Health Care Council.

More: Leadership and governance

Members encourage nominations for office and review all completed nomination forms. They prepare the slate of qualified candidates.

Time commitment: Two to three one-day meetings per biennium (every other year).

Eligibility: Open to all WSNA members in good standing.

Of the six members, four are elected and two are appointed.

The PNHCC forecasts trends, promotes continuing education programs, addresses issues on nursing practice, collaborates with other nursing and specialty organizations, and develops resources on issues relating to nursing practice, education, human rights, access to healthcare, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Time commitment: Three one-day meetings per year; some committee work outside of meetings is also typical.

Eligibility: Open to all WSNA members in good standing.

Of 11 members, seven are elected: Chair and members (6). Four are appointed. The chair also serves on the WSNA Board of Directors.

More: Professional Nursing and Health Care Council

Council members serve in a politically nonpartisan capacity to recommend a state legislative agenda to the WSNA Board of Directors; review proposed legislation and recommend responses; educate and assist the WSNA membership in understanding WSNA’s legislative priorities; and assist in providing information to legislators and the public.

Time commitment: Three one-day meetings per year, a virtual Advocacy Camp and Nurse Lobby Day in Olympia; weekly virtual meetings while the Washington State Legislature is in session (January through March or April).

Eligibility: Open to all WSNA members in good standing.

Of seven members, four are elected: the chair (also serves on WSNA Board of Directors), members (3). Three are appointed.

More: Legislative and Health Policy Council

The American Nurses Association’s Membership Assembly, held annually, is ANA’s highest decision-making body. It discusses, debates, and votes on ANA policies, positions, and bylaws.

Time commitment: The ANA Membership Assembly is held annually, usually in June, in Washington, D.C., for two days; an optional Hill Day precedes the meeting. WSNA’s elected representatives also meet virtually for orientation and preparation in advance of the Membership Assembly. Elected representatives are expected to read the various proposals and other documents to be considered at the meeting.

Eligibility: Open to all WSNA members in good standing.

Elected representatives receive a stipend to help cover airfare, hotel, and meal expenses.

There are 13 elected representatives: The WSNA president plus 12 others.

Note: The exact number is determined each year based on ANA’s apportionment of elected representatives.

The cabinet sets priorities for WSNA labor relations functions and activities, and is charged with developing and reviewing policies and procedures for the conduct of the E&GW program and collective bargaining. The cabinet also establishes standards and rules for local units.

Time commitment: Four to six one-day meetings and six to eight conference calls per year as well as additional work outside of meetings.

Eligibility: Open to WSNA union members only.

There are 10 elected members: Chair (also serves on the WSNA Board of Directors), vice chair, secretary/treasurer, and at-large members (7).

More: Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare

Members research and request names of candidates and prepare slates for election to the cabinet, the Nominating / Search Committee, and delegates to the American Federation of Teachers convention.

Time commitment: Two to three one-day meetings per biennium.

Eligibility: Open to WSNA union members only.

There are three members. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes serves as chair.

Delegates attend and participate in AFT’s four-day convention held in even-numbered years. The 10 delegates receiving the highest number of votes will receive a stipend to help cover airfare, hotel, and meal expenses.

Time commitment: Four days at the convention (plus travel). Delegates will also meet virtually for orientation and preparation in advance of the convention. They are expected to read the various proposals and other documents to be considered at the meeting.

Eligibility: Open to WSNA union members only.

There are 20 delegates.