Recommended Bylaw Amendments

At its July 2012 meeting, the ONS Board of Directors approved several changes to the ONS Bylaws in the section dealing with membership categories and member dues. The following recommended bylaw amendments relate to the bylaws as they exist currently. The recommended amendments will be integrated into the modernized version of the bylaws should they be adopted and approved accordingly.

Article III § 1, Membership Classifications

There shall be eight nine classifications of membership: Active Regular, Senior Retired, Early Career Professional, Physically Challenged, International Tiered, Student, Associate, Sustaining, and Honorary.

Article III § 2, Qualifications and Privileges

  1. Active Regular members shall be U.S. or international registered nurses or equivalent, engaged or interested in oncology nursing, and shall be eligible to vote, hold elected office, and serve on committees.
  2. Senior Retired members shall be individuals who qualify for Active Regular membership and have reached an age specified in policies by the Board of Directors to merit Senior Retired status. Senior Retired members shall have all the privileges of Active Regular membership.
  3. Early Career Professional members shall be individuals who qualify for Regular membership and have held their RN degree for five years or less. Early Career Professionals shall have all the privileges of Regular Membership.
  4. Physically Challenged members shall be individuals who qualify for Active Regular membership and who are receiving long-term disability benefits. Physically Challenged members shall have all the privileges of Active Regular membership.
  5. Student members shall be individuals enrolled full time in a nursing education program leading to eligibility for registered nurse licensure. Student members shall be excluded from voting, holding elected office and serving as committee members.
  6. Sustaining members shall be organizations, corporations or individuals interested in financially supporting ONS. Sustaining members shall be excluded from voting, holding elected office and serving as committee members.
  7. Honorary members shall be individuals who have received unanimous approval by the Board of Directors in recognition for their outstanding contributions to oncology nursing. Honorary members shall be excluded from voting, holding elected office and serving as committee members.
  8. Associate members shall be healthcare professionals who do not qualify for Active Regular, Senior Retired, Early Career Professional, Physically Challenged, Student, Sustaining, or Honorary membership. Associate members shall be excluded from voting and holding elected office.
  9. International Tiered members shall be registered nurses or equivalent engaged or interested in oncology nursing and residing in a country deemed as having a low-income to upper middle-income economy, as designated by the World Bank. International Tiered members may not vote or hold elected office. This membership class shall receive reduced membership benefits for a reduced member fee, as defined by the Board of Directors.

Supporting Statements

  1. Change to Membership Classifications
    2. Rationale: This bylaw change modifies the term "Active Member" to "Regular Member" in order to distinguish between an individual's member category and paid status; redefines "Senior Member" as "Retired Member" in order to provide a more descriptive, and appropriate, term; and creates a new "Early Career Professional" category, to address changing membership needs and to help recruit and retain newer and/or younger oncology nurses.

    Pro: The changes in classification names for "Regular Member" and "Retired Member" provides more descriptive, and appropriate, terminology. Establishing an "Early Career Professional" category provides a bridge between Student Member and Regular Member, incentivizing nurses at the onset of their careers to immediately become active in their professional home.

    Con: Creating a new category for nurses who are early in their career is singling out yet another group of members for special status and discounted dues. In addition, offering such discounted dues may have a negative financial impact on the organization.

    Board Recommendation: Adopt.

Article III § 3, Dues and Special Assessments

  1. Membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. A dues increase of more than 10% of current dues must have membership approval by ballot. The term ballot is defined as a method of voting by way of mail, electronic and/or alternative means. Increases in dues shall not exceed be limited to one per year.
  2. Special assessments may be approved recommended by the Board of Directors. Approval shall be by ballot. Special assessments shall not exceed one per year.

Supporting Statements

  1. Change to Member Dues Adjustment Language
    2. Rationale: This bylaw change eliminates the need for the Board to seek ballot approval of a dues increase of more than 10% per occasion, providing more flexibility in managing the Society's finances.

    Pro: The bylaws limit the Board's ability to fulfill its fiduciary responsibility, especially at times when no dues increase has been enacted for many years, and/or during times of economic instability. Removing the requirement of ballot approval for increases of more than 10% provides the Board with more flexibility in dealing with such circumstances. This is also in keeping with best practices adopted by similar organizations.

    Con: Members currently must approve any dues increase of more than 10%. This helps to keep the dues at a reasonable level, and reduces the likelihood that a significant increase could be enacted from one year to the next. That is an important "check-and-balance" feature in the bylaws that should not be changed.

    Board Recommendation: Adopt.

  2. Change to Special Assessments Language
    3. Rationale: This bylaw change eliminates the need for the Board to seek ballot approval of a special assessment, providing more flexibility in managing the Society's finances.

    Pro: The bylaws currently empower the Board to recommend "special assessments," which could be used to offset the development cost of a new member benefit or service, or to invest in a necessary infrastructure upgrade. While this does provide the Board with an important financial tool, the requirement that any such assessment receive ballot approval restricts the timing and circumstances under which such a tool could be utilized. Removing the requirement for ballot approval will allow for greater flexibility and timelier action. This is also in keeping with best practices adopted by similar organizations.

    Con: Special assessments should only be enacted under extraordinary circumstances and with the consent of the membership. Eliminating the need for ballot approval could be seen as consolidating too much authority on the Board.

    Board Recommendation: Adopt.
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