2023 WNA Election – Available Positions
All positions are two-year terms.
All nominees must be WNA/ANA members in good standing
Positions begin on January 20, 2023. You will be sworn in at the WNA Annual Meeting held on January 20, 2023
Please find a nomination form here.
Please contact WNA Events & Membership Coordinator Bri Dunbar with any questions about the available leadership opportunities.
608.221.0383 x. 201 or bri@wisconsinnurses.org
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
WNA Board of Directors
Vice President
Secretary
Staff Nurse Representative
Director-at-Large (2)
WNA Councils
Workforce Advocacy Council (3)
Nursing Practice and Quality, Research, and Education Council (3)
Public Policy Council (3)
WNA Committees
Nominating Committee (3)
Overview of Roles
WNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS – VICE PRESIDENT
They will: demonstrate adherence to WNA’s purposes and goals and is representative of the general attitude and values of the Association. Have experience as a group leader with skills in group process, problem solving, policy formation, conflict management and working with the media. Serve as an officer of the WNA Board of Directors. Also is the chair of the Coordinating Cabinet, which consists of the Vice President and the chairs of WNA’s three Councils.
Responsibilities
- Assumes the duties of the President in the President’s absence as it relates to public relations, committee attendance, meetings of the members and Board of Directors.
- Serves as a member of the WNA’s Executive Committee.
- Serves as Chair of WNA’s Personnel Committee.
- Assists with orientation of new officers, Board and structural unit committee members.
- Be knowledgeable of the major current nursing and health care issues.
- Chairs the WNA Coordinating Cabinet, which includes the Vice President and the chairs of WNA’s three Councils.
- Prepares for Board meetings by reading materials provided and requests additional information when indicated.
- Participates in Board deliberations and seeks additional information as needed.
- Review and signs Statement of WNA Board Member Conflict of Interest annually.
Time Commitment*
- Attend all four meetings of the Board of Directors, usually scheduled for a full day on a Friday.
- Participate in meetings of the Executive Committee. On average, the Executive Committee meets twice per year for a one hour conference call.
- Review and be knowledgeable of all board related materials prior to board meeting, usually requires one hour.
- Chair meetings of the Coordinating Cabinet, typically via conference call, at least four times per year.
- Execute responsibilities as Chair of Personnel Committee as needed. Typically consists of a yearly review and other items as needed.
WNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS – SECRETARY
Role: The Secretary serves as an officer on the WNA Board of Directors and is official recorder of all WNA Board meetings and meetings of the full membership.
Qualifications:
- Exceptional listening skills.
- Assist in clarification of conversations/discussions for the purposes of minute taking.
- Able to participate in discussions and procedural voting.
Responsible To: WNA Board of Directors and membership.
Term of Office: Is elected by membership by secret ballot for a two (2) year term.
Basic Function: The WNA Secretary shall record and forward minutes of all meetings of the membership, Board of Directors and Executive Committee to WNA Board of Directors.
Responsibilities:
- Record the minutes of the meeting(s) of the Association.
- Ensure that all motions are appropriately documented before action is taken.
- Forward minutes of WNA Annual Meeting, Board of Directors meetings, and/or Executive Committee Meetings to WNA Executive Director within two weeks of the meeting’s completion.
- Serve on standing and ad hoc committees of the Board of Directors as appropriate.
- Serve as an ambassador, and as appropriate, a spokesperson for WNA.
- Conduct Roll Call prior to any Board of Directors or Executive Committee meetings.
- Conduct membership count to determine quorum for membership meetings.
- Informs guests of Board Policy regarding electronic or mechanical recording of Board action without the consent of the Board of Directors.
- Participates in Board deliberations and seeks additional information as needed.
- Review and signs Statement of WNA Board Member Conflict of Interest annually.
Time Commitment
- Attend every other month meetings of the Board of Directors, usually scheduled for a Tuesday evening.
- Participate in meetings of the Executive Committee, approximately 2 meetings per year for less than one hour.
- Type and submit minutes within two weeks of related meeting.
- Review and knowledgeable of all board related materials prior to board meeting, usually requires one hour.
WNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS – STAFF NURSE REPRESENTATIVE
Role: The individual Board Member serves as a director of the WNA Board of Directors and provides a perspective of the staff nurse. A member running for this position must be a staff nurse.
Responsible To: WNA Board of Directors and membership.
Term of Office: Is elected by membership by secret ballot for a two (2) year term.
Responsibilities:
- Attends regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings and special meetings as called by the President.
- Serves as a member-at-large and performs the duties as outlined in the WNA Bylaws.
- Prepares for Board meetings by reading materials provided and requests additional information when indicated.
- Participates in Board deliberations and seeks additional information as needed.
- Review and signs Statement of WNA Board Member Conflict of Interest annually.
Time Commitment
- Attend every other month meetings of the Board of Directors, usually scheduled for a Tuesday evening.
- Review and be knowledgeable of the Board of Directors agenda item materials, approximately one hour.
WNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS – DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
Role: The individual Board Member serves as a director of the WNA Board of Directors.
Responsible To: WNA Board of Directors and membership.
Term of Office: Is elected by membership by secret ballot for a two (2) year term.
Responsibilities:
- Attends regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings and special meetings as called by the President.
- Serves as a member-at-large and performs the duties as outlined in the WNA Bylaws.
- Prepares for Board meetings by reading materials provided and requests additional information when indicated.
- Participates in Board deliberations and seeks additional information as needed.
- Review and signs Statement of WNA Board Member Conflict of Interest annually.
Time Commitment
- Attend every other month meetings of the Board of Directors, usually scheduled for a Tuesday evening.
- Review and be knowledgeable of the Board of Directors agenda item materials, approximately one hour.
WNA COUNCILS
Wisconsin Nurses Association has three Councils, each consisting of 6-10 members, who are either elected by the membership or appointed by the WNA Board of Directors as needed. The Councils are: a.) Workforce Advocacy, b.)Nursing Practice and Quality, Research, and Education, and c.) Public Policy.
The WNA Councils are the identified structural units of WNA. Their collective role is to advance WNA’s goals and strategic plan, which in turn support the professional image and practice of Wisconsin’s RNs.
WORKFORCE ADVOCACY COUNCIL
WNA’s Workforce Advocacy Council is responsible for reviewing the activities, work products, tools, and services offered through WNA’s Workforce Advocacy Program, which provides members with professional practice advocacy services, including supporting the nurse’s professional integrity, rights and responsibilities, ethics, principles, advancement of practice standards, and personal well-being.
The Council collaborates with WNA’s other Councils, Mutual Interest Groups, and Task Forces as appropriate. The Council provides bi-monthly reports to WNA’s Board of Directors and an Annual Report to the membership.
It is expected that you will prepare for and attend all meetings, which annually consist of one meeting every other month (approximately one hour in length).
NURSING PRACTICE AND QUALITY, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION COUNCIL
WNA’s Nursing Practice and Quality, Research, and Education Council identifies an agenda relating to nursing practice and quality, research, and education, based on WNA’s goals and strategic plan. The Council reviews and promotes opportunities for nursing practice and quality, which may include promoting best practices and reviewing important documents pertaining to Scope of Practice, Professional Standards, and ANA’s Code of Ethics. While doing so, the Council helps provide a forum for discussion on issues related to nursing practice. The Council encourages and facilitates research opportunities, including an annual Call for Abstracts, which are presented at WNA’s Convention. The Council also helps guide WNA’s educational agenda, which includes informing nurses of educational issues and opportunities. Council members may also elect to assist in the planning of the educational sessions at WNA’s Convention and other events as needed.
The Council collaborates with WNA’s other Councils, Mutual Interest Groups, and Task Forces as appropriate. The Council provides bi-monthly reports to WNA’s Board of Directors and an Annual Report to the membership.
It is expected that you will prepare for and attend all meetings, which annually consist of one meeting every other month (approximately one hour in length).
PUBLIC POLICY COUNCIL
WNA’s Public Policy Council monitors and evaluates legislative and regulatory policies that can have an impact on nurses and health care to promote nurses’ participation in the public policy process. The Council creates a Public Policy Agenda for the Association, based on WNA’s goals and strategic plan. The Council develops a lobbying and education strategy, reviews proposed legislation and regulation to determine if WNA should support or oppose, and provides updates to the membership on the status of legislation and regulations.
The Council collaborates with WNA’s other Councils, Mutual Interest Groups, and Task Forces as appropriate. The Council provides bi-monthly reports to WNA’s Board of Directors and an Annual Report to the membership.
As a member of the Council, you should expect to review proposed legislation, make recommendations, and overall actively participate in the development and monitoring of WNA’s Public Policy Agenda. You should be willing to provide testimony on behalf of WNA as needed, as well as engage other WNA members if grassroots involvement is needed. You may be asked to help facilitate Rapid Response Conference Calls, which are opportunities for members to call in and give their feedback on important issues. It is expected that you will prepare for and attend all meetings, which annually consist of one meeting every other month (approximately one hour in length).
WNA COMMITTEES
The Wisconsin Nurses Association has several Committees, which are composed of members appointed by WNA’s Board of Directors. However, because WNA’s Nominating Committee helps prepare the ballot to elect WNA’s Board of Directors, the Bylaws specifically require that the Nominating Committee is elected by the membership to ensure transparency and autonomy.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee provides nominees for the WNA Board of Directors (Officers and Directors), Councils, and Committees. Committee members take the time to learn the role of positions that need to be filled and help prepare leadership succession strategies. Committee members ensure appropriate diversity is represented throughout WNA’s structural units. They select candidates who are understanding and tolerant of the viewpoints of others and who are willing to interact openly and directly with other members and WNA staff.
The Nominating Committee meets via Zoom meeting, typically one hour in duration, from August to December. A standard election season will require three to four meetings. Committee members also make personal contact with members to inquire about their interest in running for office. A Committee member typically calls six to ten members per election cycle.