Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, About MSNO

INTRODUCING THE MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL NURSE ORGANIZATION
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INDEX

ABOUT MSNO Bullet

MSNO REGIONS Bullet

Executive Board Bullet

LINKS

EVENTS

NOMINATIONS Bullet

MEMBERSHIP Bullet

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Bullet

MSNO Enews Bullet

HONORS

GRANTS

NEWS ROOM

LICENSURE

RESOURCES

LEGISLATIVE NEWS Bullet

PAY EQUITY Bullet

PHOTOS

RETIRED MEMBERS Bullet

LIGHTER FARE Bullet

MSNO OUTLOOK Bullet

SCHOLARSHIPS Bullet

GUEST BOOK

School Nursing:

"You cannot educate an unhealthy child and you cannot keep an uneducated child healthy..." Dr. M. Jocelyn Elders, Former Secretary of Health

The rapid changes occurring in our society and in our health care system present many challenges for the school nurse. Many students come to school shouldering a background of profound health risks, which, in turn, affect their academic progress and success. Modern technology and pharmacology have made it possible for students with special health care needs to participate within the mainstream educational setting. Through the professional expertise of the school nurse, student health needs are assessed, identified and monitored. The school nurse functions with other professionals in the school community to facilitate health and wellness so that each student will have the opportunity for academic success.

School nursing is a specialty of nursing practice that requires extensive preparation and knowledge in the areas of:
School Nursing Practice
Public Health
Emergency Care
Communication
Program Management
Health Education
Environmental/Safety Laws and Issues
Special Education Regulations
Human Growth and Development

New Definition of School Nursing

"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and lifelong achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and/or potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy and learning."

......National Association of School Nurses 1999

Massachusetts School Nurse OrganizationHistorical Background
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Founded in 1970, the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO) has been a strong voice for school nurses throughout the Commonwealth. MSNO is a growing non-profit organization with approximately 800 members, including school nurses, school administrators, public health nurses, practitioners, consultants, educators, and retired school nurses. MSNO is directed by an elected board of directors and a grassroots organizational structure. Currently state membership is divided into ten regions.

Our organization's mission is to promote and advance quality school health services throughout the Commonwealth and promote the rights, interests and professional growth of our members. Members are encouraged to take an active stance in decisions directly impacting school nursing, especially in the legislative, economic, and educational arenas.

Past MSNO presidents, from its inception, have included:
Martha Rich (1970- 1972)
Anna Margaret Ray (1972 - 1974)
Nancy Wolfe (1974 - 1976)
Gladys Newhall (1976 - 1978)
Jayne Cash (1978 - 1980)
Susan Kelly (1980 - 1981)
Jackie Mawhinney (1981 - 1984)
Nancy Miller (1984 - 1986)
Ann Lowry (1986 - 1988)
Anne Kinsley (1988 - 1990)
Judi McAuliffe (1990 - 1992)
Linda Salmonsen (1992 - 1994)
Katherine O'Neill (1994 - 1996)
Marcia Buckminster (1996 - 2001)
Mary Zamorski (2001 - 2003)
Katherine O'Neill (2003 - 2005)
Marie Desisto (2005 - 2007)

Massachusetts School Nurse Organizationat Work
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Publishes newsletter, MSNO Outlook, three times yearly.

Works diligently toward passage of legislation that would mandate a registered professional school nurse in every school in the Commonwealth.

Surveys school nurses as to salary issues. Works to promote pay equity on par with other professionals.

Provides two educational conferences annually for school nurses.

Provides networking opportunities which allow for personal and professional growth.

Provides updated information to membership about certification changes through newsletters, workshops, special mailings, e-mails, etc. since the inception of Educational Reform.

Contributes to the enhancement of school nursing practice.

Recommends policy and provides consultation.

Encourages and recognizes excellence in school nursing practice.

Represents MSNO on NASN Board of Directors and provides leadership at NASN annual conferences.

REPRESENTATION
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Massachusetts Department of Education

Massachusetts Nurses Association

Massachusetts Council of Nursing Organizations

Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

University of Massachusetts

Simmons College

Coalition Organized for Health Education in Schools (COHES)

Massachusetts School Physicians/School Nurses Coalition

COMMITTEES
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  Certification: Keeps membership advised of Department of Education Licensure regulations, including eligibility requirements and re-certification information.

  Program Development: Identifies current, pertinent areas of interest to school nurses in an effort to meet their professional development and advance their professional practice. Plans for annual Fall/Spring conferences. Reviews, updates and centralizes the contact hours/professional development points process, which is administered by MSNO.

  Historical: Maintains the archives of the organization.

  Immunizations: Reviews current status of regulations. Helps MSNO stay abreast of anticipated changes, so that our membership can be informed on a timely basis as changes occur.

  Legislative: Work with the MSNO legislative liaison to maintain updated information about any pending legislation which impacts the practice of school nursing and school health services. Works to facilitate appropriate school nurse staffing in every school. Increase visibility of school nurses with decision makers who affect school health and school nursing. Provides tools/resources to assist school nurses in the discussion of legislative issues with their legislators.

  Marketing: Develops,coordinates and promotes marketing opportunities for MSNO Marketplace. Maintains and distributes promotional items.

  Membership: Keeps a current record of MSNO membership, including membership status. Develops a plan to increase membership and retain members. Actively campaigns for membership.

  Newsletter: Helps with the production of the MSNO newsletter, MSNO Outlook. Encourages submission of articles for publication.

  Nominations: Works to promote interest in both state and national offices. Identifies potential candidates and encourages members to take a leadership role in their professional organizations.

  Professional/Pay Equity: Continue to promote pay equity for school nurses in Massachusetts by supporting nurses in their negotiations and researching alternative methods to achieve the goal of pay equity for all school nurses.

  Policy and Resolutions: Identifies significant issues that impact the health of school children and/or the practice of school nursing which require written resolutions or position statements from the organization. Responsible for an annual review of existing resolutions, if applicable.

  Public Relations: Helps to promote understanding of and support for MSNO with other organizations and the public at large. Helps to promote and advance the image of school nursing through public relation opportunities. Promotes opportunities to interact with media regarding important school health issues.

  Research: Promotes and encourages school nurse participation in all levels of outcome-based research. Actively seeks opportunities for the school nurse to link with nursing and other disciplines in research projects which would benefit children's healthcare and school nursing practice. Encourages the presentation of research results at the district, state and national levels.

  Scholarship and Awards: Promotes scholarship awards (both state and national). Help to review applications and select candidates for awards and scholarships. Recognizes MSNO members who have received various professional awards/scholarships.

  Technology Communication: Responsible for the development of technology communication tools including, but not limited to, the web site and e-mail directory. Searches for and includes new and current items of interest to school nurses. Maintains a free e-mail communication network, MSNOnurse, to expedite dissemination of information on critical issues or information which has time limitations.

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BY-LAWS Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, Inc.

Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, Inc. (MSNO)

Article II: Mission Statement
The mission statement of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization shall be to promote and advance quality school health services throughout the Commonwealth and to promote the interests, rights and professional growth of its members.

Article III: Unification
Section I
MSNO shall be unified with the National Association of School Nurses, Inc.

Article IV: Membership
Section I
There shall be five classes of membership: Active, Retired, Members-At-Large, Student and Corporate.

A. Active

Shall be registered professional nurses who meet the requirements for school nursing in Massachusetts and are serving a public school, private school or institute of higher education.

Must pay full dues.

May hold office, serve on a committee and have full voting privileges.

B. Retired

Active members shall be eligible for this classification upon retirement and notification to the Board of Directors.
Retired members shall pay one half dues.
Retired members shall have all privileges of membership, except those of voting and holding office.
Retired members may retain active status with all privileges upon payment of full dues.

C. Member-At-Large

Those (organizations or) persons who support the goals of MSNO and are not eligible for active membership.
Members-At-Large shall not vote or hold office.

D. Student

Student enrolled in a school of nursing.
Not employed as a school nurse on a full or part-time basis.
Not granted to those with previous Active membership.
Shall not be renewed more than once for a graduate nurse.

E. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization

Organizations whose members are not eligible for Active membership.

Article V: Officers
Section I- The elected officers of the Organization shall be a President, a President-elect, a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a NASN Director.
A. All officers shall be voting members.

B. President and Vice President shall serve a term of two years or until their successors are elected.

C. NASN Director shall serve a four year term.

D. No officer shall be eligible for consecutive re-election to the same office with the exception of the Secretary and Treasurer who may be re-elected for a second term or until a successor has been elected.

Section II - The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and at all meetings of the membership of the Organization. She/he shall appoint the members of all committees; shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the Nomination Committee; shall perform all duties specific to the office of President; and any other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.

Section III - The President-elect shall act for the President in her/his absence, and in case of death or resignation of the President, the President-elect shall succeed her/him for the unexpired term, then shall serve the term for which she/he was elected. If, for any reason, the President-elect cannot serve her/his term or fulfill the duties of the office, her/his successor shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Organization.

Section IV - The Vice-President shall act in the absence of the President and the President-elect and shall assume such other duties as may be designated by the President. The Vice-President shall be chairperson of the Program committee.

Section V - The Treasurer shall keep full and correct account of receipts and disbursements in the books of the Organizati on, dispose of funds as may be ordered by the Executive Committee, perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee and with the Executive Committee present a budget for the approval by the Board of Directors by June of each year.

Section VI - The Secretary shall keep minutes of all general meetings, Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Committee.

Section VII - The Immediate Past-President shall serve as Chairperson of the Nominations Committee and other duties as assigned by the President or Executive Committee.

Section VIII - NASN Director
A. Must be a MSNO/NASN member for three consecutive years.

B. Shall attend two NASN board meetings annually.

C. Shall perform other duties assigned by MSNO and/or NASN.

Article VI: Executive Committee
Section I - The members of the Executive Committee shall be: the President, President-elect, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, the Immediate Past-President and the NASN Director.

Section II - The Executive Committee shall approve all Standing Committee appointments; implement programs at official meetings of the Organization; determine policy between official meetings of the Organization and shall authorize all official meetings of the Organization.

Section III - The Executive Committee with the treasurer shall prepare a budget for the approval by the Board of Directors.

Section IV - The Executive Committee shall fill any vacancy occurring in that body, except the office of the President-elect.

Section V - A quorum shall be a majority of the members of the Executive Committee present.

Article VII: Board of Directors
Section I - The members of the Board of Directors shall be: President, President-elect, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past-President, Chairperson(s) of each Region, Chairperson(s) of each Standing Committee, NASN Director and a Retired Member who has retained active status with all the privileges upon payment of full dues.

Section II - The Board of Directors shall meet at least six times yearly. The Executive Committee may call additional meetings when deemed necessary.

Section III - The Board of Directors shall review the budget submitted by the Executive Committee and make general policy recommendations to the annual meeting.

Section IV - A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of members including at least two elected officers.

Section V - Removal of an Officer or Director. An officer or director who fails to attend or to participate in two consecutive or three non-consecutive duly called meetings without good cause as determined by the President may be asked to resign from the Board of Directors.

Article VIII: Regions
Section I - Regions of the Organization shall be: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X. Formation of additional regions shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section II - Each region shall have a Chairperson.
Section III - Regional Chairpersons or Co-Chairpersons shall be members of the Board of Directors.

Section IV - Active regions shall receive a portion of State dues as determined by the Board of Directors.

Article IX: Dues
Section I - Annual dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.

Section II - The annual dues shall include the unified dues set by NASN.

Section III - Dues are payable on the anniversary date of the individual member.

Article IX: Meetings
There shall be an annual meeting to be held on or before the last Saturday in May at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may call special meetings as deemed necessary. Members shall be notified at least two weeks in advance.

Article X: Elections
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers to be elected at the annual meeting for the term of two years unless otherwise stated in these by-laws. Newly elected officers shall assume office on July 1st.

Article XI: Committees
The President with the approval of the Executive Committee shall appoint Standing Committees and Special Committees as deemed necessary.

Article XII: Rules
Section I - Roberts Rules of Order, Revised shall be the governing authority of this Organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-laws.

Section II - A quorum shall consist of a majority of active members registered at an official meeting.

Article XIII: Amendments
Section I - Any proposed amendment to these by-laws shall be in writing to the President at least two months prior to the official meeting at which the vote will be taken.

Section II - Proposed amendments to the by-laws shall be mailed to the membership at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting. These amendments require a two-thirds vote of the voting members present in order to pass.

Section III - All amendments to these by-laws shall take effect immediately.

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