The NACNS was formed to bring together those CNSs who share common interests and concerns. This purpose is based on the NACNS belief that interests and concerns related to CNS practice exist, that CNSs have not had a national voice, and that these interests and concerns can be addressed more effectively through collective efforts. NACNS also believes that local and regional affiliates constitute the most meaningful and robust aspect of the organization because they connect the national with the local. The NACNS Board of Directors decided to seek an affiliating relationship with groups of CNSs and with groups of CNSs who exist within an advanced practice nursing group (APNG) that currently exist or may develop in the future.
Affiliation benefits can be viewed from two differing perspectives: the perspective of the interested group and the perspective of NACNS.
The interested group:
* becomes a visible link to the national organization,
* has the benefits of resources of the national organization,
* gains opportunities to influence the positions, activities, and resources of NACNS,
* becomes the local link for individual CNSs to all CNSs in the United States,
* has the opportunity to market its accomplishments in the CNS journal and Newsletter,
* has the opportunity to advertise local efforts through the NACNS Web site
* receives one complementary registration at the NACNS conference, and
* can recognize an individual in the affiliate as the CNS of the Year.
The national organization:
* increases it authority as the voice for issues of concern to CNSs nationwide,
* is better able to target services and programs needed by affiliates and their members, and
* can identify qualified CNSs for national leadership positions.
The guidelines for affiliation are pretty simple. Whether your group is loosely constructed or a more formalized group, the steps you take, the agreement form to submit, and monitoring procedures are suggested below.
Definition: An NACNS affiliate comprises a group of CNSs or a subset of CNSs within an APNG who wish to affiliate.
Procedures:
A. To get started, the group leader(s) should:
1. Submit to NACNS a roster of participants in the group.
2. Submit a brief description of the activities of the group for the year. Official bylaws are not required for affiliation with NACNS.
3. Complete, sign, and submit the affiliate agreement to NACNS.
B. The NACNS response will be to
1. Confirm the percentage of NACNS members within the group.
2. Report the intent of the group to the Board of Directors at its next scheduled meeting.
3. Vote to "approve" the affiliate.
4. Notify the group leader of the Board of Directors vote and send a copy of the affiliate agreement, signed by the NACNS President.
5. Establish procedures for regular communication between the NACNS Board and the group regarding NACNS board meetings, activities, and other initiatives.
C. Annually, the affiliate will:
1. Submit the affiliate membership roster to NACNS.
2. Ensure that the current group leader or official designee is an NACNS member.
3. Support NACNS by strongly encouraging attendance at the NACNS annual conferences and other organization activities.
4. Assist the NACNS Board of Directors or committees, when requested.
5. Have a minimum of 25% of group members who are active members of NACNS. In the case of the CNS members of an APNG, the group must have a minimum of 25% of the total number of CNSs in the APNG.
6. Submit operational guidelines of the group, if developed, to NACNS for review.
Contact Christine Filipovich, Executive Director, at 717-234-6799, by e-mail at [email protected], or by mail at 3969 Green St, Harrisburg, PA 17110 for further details.