The 2008 Constitution and By-laws: A Brief Overview


Preamble
The constituents of the association implores the aid of the Almighty God to build an efficient organization and to promote a united, harmonious and healthy community of nursing students, and thereby promulgates the constitution.

Article I. Name and Office
This article stipulates the official name of the organization, which is Letran Nursing Students' Association (LNSA) as well as the location of its office.

Article II. Purpose of the Organization
The article defines its purpose of building and preserving a united body of nursing students.

Article III. Organizational Goals
The article enumerates the major goals of the organization to accomplish its purpose as a student body, which includes promotion of health among the students, developing the leadership skills of its members and to establish a long-lasting legacy in the College.

Article IV. Declaration of Principles and Policies
In this article, the organization emphasizes their three major principles: 1) the preservation of the gift of life through proper health care, 2) the primary duties of the LNSA officers, and 3) the autonomy of the governing body of the association.

This article also stipulates the various policies of the organization, which include the following: 1) promotion and protection of the health of its members, 2) development of a self-reliant governing body, 3) non-discrimination policy for its members, 4) provision of equal access to opportunities for student leadership and service, 5) effective measures against graft and corruption, 6) efficient implementation of organizational projects, 7) accountability of the organization in the actions of its members, 8) proper information dissemination regarding the organization's financial status, and 9) the commitment of every constituent of the organization in upholding the prestige and integrity of the LNSA and the Nursing profession.

Article V. Magna Carta of LNSA
This article serves as the core of the 2008 Constitution. It declares the right and privileges to be guaranteed to the constituents of the organization. These include the following: 1) the right to express their ideas and opinions, 2) right to information, 3) right to make inquiries to the organization and the School of Nursing, 4) right to participate in the endeavors of the organization, 5) right to raise their petitions and appeals to the School of Nursing and/or the Colegio, 5) right to serve as a student leaders, 6) right to fair academic evaluation, 7) right to confidentiality on private information regarding to a member or officer of the association, 8) protection against forced resignation among the LNSA officers, 9) protection against unauthorized amendment and/or nullification of the constitution by any constituent authority of the Colegio, 10) right to access the campus' facilities and resources, and 11) the right to take legal actions against any person who violates the stipulated rights.

Article VI. Membership
This article stipulates that all students, (which includes old, new, shifters, transferees, and returnees) who are officially enrolled in the BSN course of Letran-Calamba are automatically members of LNSA. The articles also emphasizes on the oath to be taken by the constituents of the association in preserving the unity and prestige of LNSA, as well as recognizing the members of the governing body of the organization.

Article VII. Eligibility for Office
This article stipulates the general requirements for aspirant LNSA officers: 1) Filipino citizenship, 2) enrollment in the BSN course of Letran-Calamba, 3) one year of residency in the School of Nursing, 4) good academic standing, 4) written consent to serve in the organization, and 5) exclusion in holding any major or minor offices in any organization in the Colegio. Aspirants are also mandated to take a comprehensive exam before being recognized as official candidates for election.

This article also contains the grade requirement for officers to be maintained and their oath to be taken.

Article VIII. Organizational Structure
The article enumerates the two governing body of the association: The Executive Board, composed of 11 officers, and the Congress of Confederates, a subordinate body of class officers.

Article IX. The Executive Board
This article explains in detail the qualifications, functions and manner of successions in each member of the Executive Board, from the President & CEO up to the Auditor-General.

Article X. Code of Ethics
This article serves states the proper conduct to be maintained by LNSA officers in the course of performing their duties in the association.

Article XI Accountability of LNSA Officers
Article 11 describes in detail the necessary grounds to impeach and remove a member of the Executive Board from his/her office, the presiding officers of an impeachment trial, the manner of impeachment, and the rights of an accused officer.

Article XII. Standing Committees
This article enumerates the seven (7) standing committees to be supervised by the members of the Executive Board, as well as their functions.

Article XIII. Special Committees
This article states the provisions in forming special committees when the need arises, as determined by the President of LNSA.

Article XIV. Congress of Confederates
Article 14 describes in detail composition of the Congress, as well as their functions, manner of election, term of office and accountabilities.

Article XV. Special Liaisons to the Executive Board
This article specifies the privilege of the President and the other members of the Executive to appoint special liaisons when the need arises. The article also stipulates the functions, limitations and the manner of removal of liaisons.

Article XVI. Meetings
This article includes the types of meeting that may be conducted by the Executive Board, the penalty to be imposed to absentees and late-comers and the order of business in regular meetings. It also includes the provisions in conducting executive session.

Article XVII. Annual Elections
This article specifies the date of the election and explains in detail the manner of elections, qualifications of candidates and the constituents of the voting body.

Article XVIII. Advisory
Article 18 defines the qualifications for the advisers of the organization, as well as their duties and responsibilities and their limitations.

Article XIX. Finance
This article states the right of the organization to collect fees to its members as a Recognized Student Organization. It also discusses the amount of the organizational fee, mode of payment, and provisions in changing the amount of the required fee.

Article XX. Executive Proclamations and Memoranda
This article states the power of the President & CEO of LNSA to issue proclamations and memoranda when deemed necessary with the approval of the majority of the Executive Board members.

Article XXI. Property and Inventory
This article specifies the manner of inventory of the various property of the organization and the transfer of important files to the newly-elected officers of the Executive Board.

Article XXII. Official Publication
This article stipulates the Nurses' Notes as the official publication of the association.

Article XXIII. Provisions for Organizational Activities
The article enumerates the basic provisions in implementing various organizational activities, which include the following: 1) Academics, Research and Enrichment Programs, 2) Co-curricular activities, 3) Sports and Physical Education, 4) Institutional Involvement, 5) Dominican Empowerment, 6) Community Services and 7) Environment Advocacy.

Article XXIV. Constitutional Amendment and Ratification
The article explains in detail the provisions in amending the constitution, when it will be deemed necessary by the members of the Executive Board, and the procedures needed to be accomplished before officially ratifying the amended constitution.

Article XXV. General Provisions
This article emphasizes on the official name of the organization and its symbols.

Article XXXVI. Official Version of the Constitution
This article declares the official language in which the constitution was officially written.

The contents of the foregoing articles of the constitution and by-laws of LNSA was approved by the association's Executive Board for Academic Year 2008-2009 on June 16, 2008, and was ratified on June 18, 2008 by the organization's Executive and Deputy Adviser, Academic Dean of Nursing and Assistant Director of the Office of Student Affairs.