General Assembly
General Assembly is where WSNA members come together to shape the future of our organization.
This biennial meeting gives members the chance to vote on resolutions and changes to WSNA’s bylaws—decisions that directly influence our priorities, programs, and policies.
If you’ve ever wanted to guide the direction of your professional association and union, this is your moment. Your voice matters here, and your vote has power.
Members participate during General Assembly by making and seconding motions, proposing amendments to motions under consideration, speaking to issues, and casting votes.
In addition to considering proposed bylaws amendments and resolutions that have been prepared in advance, in some cases, members may introduce emergency resolutions to address urgent or time-sensitive issues.
To help you get familiar with the process, this short video walks through the basics: how motions and amendments work, how to participate in debate, and how to navigate the flow of discussion. It wraps up with a lighthearted skit that brings everything together and shows what it looks like in action.
Robert’s Rules of Order is a time-tested system used in democratic meetings across the country.
WSNA follows Robert’s Rules of Order during General Assembly to keep the meeting fair, organized, and inclusive. These rules guide how members bring forward ideas, participate in discussion, and make decisions together.
Key terms
A formal proposal for the group to take action or express a position.
Example: “I move that WSNA support legislation for nurse staffing ratios.”
Another member must say “Second” to show that more than one person wants to consider the motion.
A proposed change to the original motion.
Example: “I move to amend the motion by adding ‘in all hospital settings.’”
Members take turns speaking for or against the motion or amendment. You must be recognized by the Chair before speaking.
After debate ends, the Chair calls for a vote. Members say “Aye” or “No.” A majority wins.
Additional tools
Used to alert the Chair that you believe a rule or procedure is not being followed.
The Chair may rule a motion out of order if it doesn’t follow the rules or isn’t relevant to the topic being discussed.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time participating in General Assembly or using Robert’s Rules. We’ll have experienced members and staff available to guide you throughout the process and make sure your voice is heard.