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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, monthly 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), directors at-large staff nurse (2). Three members are the elected chairs of the WSNA Labor Executive Council, the Legislative and Health Policy Council, and the Professional Nursing and Healthcare Council.
Members encourage nominations for office and review all completed nomination forms. They prepare the initial slate of qualified candidates.
Time commitment: Two to three one-day meetings per biennium.
Eligibility: Open to all WSNA members in good standing.
Of the six members, four are elected and two are appointed. The chair is selected by the committee members.
The Professional Nursing and Healthcare Council (PNHCC) forecasts trends, promotes continuing education programs, addresses issues on nursing practice, and collaborates with other nursing and specialty organizations. Council members also develop resources on issues relating to nursing practice, education, human rights, access to health care, and 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, four are appointed. The chair also serves on the WSNA Board of Directors.
Legislative and Health Policy 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 they 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, three are appointed. The chair also serves on the WSNA Board of Directors.
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 will be 12 representatives elected: the WSNA president plus 11 others
Note: The exact number is determined each year based on ANA apportionment of elected representatives.
Offices for the following three bodies are open to WSNA union members represented by WSNA for collective bargaining: Labor Executive Council, Labor Nomination/Search Committee, and Delegate to AFT National Convention (see below).
The Labor Executive Council (LEC) is WSNA’s statewide elected union governing board. The LEC sets priorities for WSNA labor relations functions and activities and is charged with developing and reviewing policies and procedures for the conduct of the labor program and collective bargaining. The LEC also establishes standards and rules for local units.
Time commitment: Four to six in-person meetings and six to eight conference calls per year; additional work outside of meetings.
Eligibility: Open only to WSNA union members in good standing.
There are 10 elected members: chair, vice chair, secretary/treasurer, and at-large members (7). The chair also serves on the Board of Directors.
More: Labor Executive Council
Members research and request names of candidates and prepares an initial slate for election to the Labor Executive Council, the Nominations/Search Committee, and delegates to the AFT national convention.
Time commitment: Two to three one-day meetings per biennium.
Eligibility: Open only to WSNA union members in good standing.
There are three members. The chair is selected by the committee members.
Delegates attend and participate in AFT’s four-day convention, typically held in July, in even-numbered years.
WSNA will elect 11 delegates and 11 alternates to the AFT Convention. The 11 candidates for delegate receiving the greatest plurality will be elected and receive expense reimbursement to attend the AFT Convention according to reimbursement guidelines established by the LEC. The next 11 candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected alternates and will become eligible for expense reimbursement if they replace an elected delegate who is unable to attend the convention. If elected, the chair of the Labor Executive Council will serve as WSNA’s ranking delegate at the AFT Convention.
Time commitment: Four days at the convention (plus travel). Delegates will also meet virtually for orientation and preparation in advance of the convention and are expected to read the various proposals and other documents to be considered at the meeting.
Eligibility: Open only to WSNA union members in good standing.