World Academy of Nursing Science

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Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1

The name of the organization is the World Academy of Nursing Science (hereafter referred to as “WANS”) .

Chapter 2 Purpose and Activities

Article 2	WANS aims to contribute to the health and wellbeing of people worldwide by developing nursing science through global research collaboration, scientific conferences, and scholarly exchanges.
Article 3	To fulfill the purpose described in Article 2, WANS will hold activities deemed appropriate and which support its aims.

Chapter 3 Member Organizations

Article 4	WANS membership is available to organizations or bodies that have nursing research as a priority and whose mission and vision is compatible with WANS.
Article 5	Organizational membership in WANS is granted by a majority affirmative vote of the WANS Board of Directors.
Article 6	Qualification for membership in the WANS can be revoked by a majority affirmative vote of the Board of Directors. A member organization which damages the reputation of or which acts in opposition to the goals of the Academy is subject to possible revocation.

Chapter 4 Board Members

Article 7

WANS shall have a Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as "the Board").

Article 8

a.	Each member organization of WANS will appoint one individual to the Board.
b.	Each member organization of WANS will have one vote in motions brought before the Board.
c.	Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are elected by the Board.

Article 9

The term for a member of the Board shall be two years. The two-year term begins January 1 of even years and ends in December 31 of odd years. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson may be re-elected but normally not more than once (four years in total).

Article 10

Duties of the officers include:
a.	The Chairperson of the Board of Directors will represent WANS and maintain its integrity.
b.	The Vice Chairperson will assist the Chairperson in his or her duties and will perform the Chairperson's duties should the Chairperson be unable to do so.
c.	Members of the Board will execute the activities of WANS.

Chapter 5 Administration

Article 11

The following workgroups will complete the work of WANS:
a.	Board of Directors.
b.	Committees approved/appointed by the Board of Directors.
c.	Secretariat is appointed by the chairperson of the Board.

Article 12

The Board of Directors shall guide the future direction of WANS.
The Chairperson of the Board of Directors will convene and chair Board meetings. A 50% quorum of the Board of Directors must participate electronically or in person. Board meetings will be convened at least once a year. When so requested by one third or more of the members of the Board, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors must convene a special Board meeting.

Chapter 6 Conferences

Article 13	The conference of WANS shall be held once every two years.
Article 14	The Board will appoint a member organization to host the biennial conference. The member organization will have the administrative responsibility for the conference with collaboration of the Board.
Article 15	The Board shall receive periodic reports on the planning and administration of the WANS biennial conference from the conference host and make recommendations as appropriate regarding programming content and/or process.

Chapter 7 Amendments to the Bylaws

Article 16

Any proposal to amend the Bylaws of WANS must be discussed and approved by a two- thirds affirmative vote in favor by the Board of Directors.

Chapter 8 Miscellaneous Rules

Article 17

Items necessary for the operation and management of WANS that are not stated in the provisions of these Bylaws are stipulated elsewhere.

Appended Rule

The Bylaws will become effective on September 18 2009.The revised Bylaws will become effective on December 30 2011.