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THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES
ENGLAND AND WALES
Revised 15/10/2022
The Association of Catholic Nurses must be relevant to modern society , upholding the Catholic faith and bearing witness to its teachings.Members should promote the spiritual , professional and social development of its members by encouraging retreats , seminars and pilgrimages in order to advance in knowledge and holiness as seen appropriate to the profession and service of God.
ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
1.TITLE
2.MEMBERSHIP
3.ORGANIZATION
4.BENEFITS
ARTICLE 1.
TITLE: THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES OF ENGLAND AND WALES (Formerly the Catholic Nurses Guild)
PATRONAGE OUR LADY HEALTH OF THE SICK
EMBLEM The member’s official badge or emblem is the Tudor Rose of England and the Daffodil of Wales
ARTICLE 2.
MEMBERSHIP
Full membership is open to qualified Catholic Nurses and Midwives currently on the Register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) .
Associate membership at a reduced rate is open to all other Catholics engaged in healthcare professions.
Retired full membership at a reduced rate is open to all full members who have retired and returned to practice or are no longer actively engaged in nursing /healthcare professions .Student nurses and midwives are also entitled to membership at a reduced rate .
Membership subscriptions shall be due annually on March 31st . This entitles one to receive a copy of each publication of ‘The Catholic Nurse’ the official publication of the Association.
ARTICLE 3.
Organization.
The Association shall be organized both nationally and locally. Whilst local circumstances must be taken into account , no rules must be altered without the approval of the National Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee , vested with the central executive authority of the Association , shall consist of the National President , Vice President , National Secretary ,Membership Secretary ,Treasurer, National Chaplain /Ecclesiastical Adviser together with Diocesan Chaplains and at least one duly elected member from each diocese (who will be responsible for liaison with Branch and National members in their area) and one representative member from each branch. Where there is no branch a national member may attend. All National Officers and Representatives shall be full members of the Association at the time of taking office , with the exception of the post of Secretary orTreasurer who may be a retired member seen to have the skills to undertake the post. .
The Executive Committee shall meet at least three times a year.
The National President and Vice-President shall be elected by the Executive Committee after due consultation within each Diocese. The nominations for President and Vice-President shall be specific for that position. The post of President and Vice-President should be reviewed every three years . Both the President and the Vice - President may be re-elected for a further term of three years . if it is the decision of the majority of the Executive Committee members and no other eligible member nomination is received . Prospective National Presidents and Vice-Presidents shall have served a minimum of 3 years on the Executive Committee Should a vacancy arise in the office of National President the Vice-President shall serve until the next AGM.
The National President shall appoint a National Secretary , Membership Secretary and Treasurer in consultation with the and agreement of the National Executive Committee Officers. The Honorary Treasurer shall present the checked accounts of the Association’s financial business annually at the AGM and be able to answer questions on the accounts.
Branch Offices of President and Diocesan Representative must be existing or retired full members . Branch offices of Secretary /Treasurer may be associate members.
Sub-committees may be set up where deemed necessary , and will be made up of ACN members.
A quorum shall consist of one fifth of the members for any group or committee.
Absence of an elected representative from three consecutive meetings without due reason shall be approached formally by the Secretary and may necessitate retirement from that position.
When deemed necessary the National Officers shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Association.
The President shall take the chair at all meetings , in whose absence the Vice-President shall preside or one appointed by the Executive Committee.
Local or diocesan committees will follow will follow the same format as that of the executive including the appointment of a Diocesan Chaplain appointed by the Bishop.
Special attention shall be given to the role of National members whose experience and expertise may have both spiritual and material benefits to the Association.
The general business shall be conducted at the AGM. All members are encouraged to attend.
Proposed alterations to the constitution which shall be circulated to all members must be received by the National Secretary at least three months prior to the AGM and amendments to these proposals shall be received by the Secretary one month prior to the AGM at which they are to be presented. Only full members and those retired from full membership will have the right to vote on constitutional matters at the AGM when voting takes place.A two thirds majority from voting members present at the AGM is necessary for the adoption of a proposal alteration or amendment . Resolutions on matters other than the constitution may be submitted at the AGM.
ARTICLE 4.
BENEFITS
The Association is geared to foster in its members a fuller realisation of the dignity of the vocation to the health profession to which they are called. The Association promotes unity in faith and support to all members so that they are able to show God’s Compassion to the sick , suffering and Dying in our care .
OUR LADY, HEALTH OF THE SICK, PRAY FOR US
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