Running for State and National Office

Running for state or national office is a great way to let your voice be heard and to help make an impact on future nursing students.  Here you can read what the duties of office are, eligibility of office, how to pre-slate, and much more...

Running for State Office:
One way to run for state office is to be placed on the ballot prior to the TSNA Annual Convention. This is “pre-slating” for candidacy. To be pre-slated, you must submit your completed application to the TSNA board or liaisons before the first House of Delegates Meeting. A major advantage to pre-slating is that you will be permitted to campaign once you are notified by the board that you have been pre-slated.  Download an application by clicking here.  

Another way to run for state office is to be nominated from the floor in the House of Delegates during convention. Many people who come to convention have never even considered running for state office, but find themselves interested once they get there. “Running from the floor” means that you decide to run for office while at convention. Many candidates run this way, but if you are one of them, then you must submit you application to the board prior to being nominated. So please act quickly, as your eligibility must be confirmed. If you decide to run from the floor, while at convention, please contact a member of the board to discuss submitting your application. Candidates running from the floor are not allowed to campaign prior to being officially nominated in the House of Delegates.

Running for National Office:
If you are interested in running for national office at NSNA's Annual Convention check out NSNA's page on running for national office: http://www.nsna.org/ElectedOfficials/HowtoRunforNationalOffice.aspxweeblylink_new_window 

Campaigning:
Once you have been nominated to run for state office you will be allowed to campaign for office. Campaigning is a way of letting other people know why you would be the best candidate for the position you chose. Campaigning is a great way to clarify your own ideas about the purpose and function of TSNA as well as to get input from students across the state. It is also a fun way to meet students from all of the TSNA Chapters!

As you are campaigning, please bear in mind the campaign regulations listed below.

Campaign Regulations:
  • One regular or tri-fold poster will be allowed for display during the caucus. The size of this poster may not exceed 36 inches tall, 48 inches wide, and 12 inches deep (outside wings 12 inches and middle section 24 inches).
  • All campaign materials are the responsibility of the candidate and must be removed following the completion of the final caucus.
  • No campaigning is allowed in the convention hall during House of Delegates or during any session with speakers.
  • No campaigning is allowed after voting begins.
  • It is recommended that each candidate have a manager to assist with the campaign. This person may not be a TSNA Executive Board Member.

Candidates' Forum and Presidential Debate:
The Candidates’ Forum and Presidential Debate are opportunities for delegates to hear from each of the candidates for state office as they decide who to vote for. Each of the candidates, except those running for the Presidential office, will have two minutes to present a personal statement, and two minutes for impromptu questioning. Candidates for the office of President will have three minutes to present a personal statement and five minutes for impromptu questioning. They will then participate in a Presidential Debate as outlined below. Please bear in mind the following regulations as you prepare for the Candidates’ Forum and Presidential Debate.

Candidates’ Forum:
  • Following the close of nominations, the candidates are presented to the House of Delegates. This includes candidates already on the slate and those nominated from the floor.
  • During the Candidates’ Forum, candidates for all offices, except President, will have a total of two minutes to present their personal statement, and up to two minutes for impromptu questioning. Candidates for President will have three minutes to present their personal statement, and up to five minutes for impromptu questioning.
  • Candidates may use notes for their speeches, but not the impromptu questioning. Immediately following the personal statement and before impromptu questions are asked, the candidate must remove all notes and hand them to the Nominating and Elections Committee.
  • Only the candidates may speak on their own behalf, unless there is illness excused absence. The Nominating and Elections Committee will decide if the absence is justifiable and, if so, will present the candidates remarks.
This meeting is mandatory for all delegates.

Eligibility of Office:
  • All positions on the TSNA Board of Directors require that the nominee remain a student throughout at least half of the term of office.
  • Only active members who currently hold or have held an office at the Local, State or National level, or who currently serve on or have served on Local, State, or National committee will be eligible for the office of the President and the Vice-President.
  • No members shall hold or be nominated for more than one State office at any time.
  • No officer shall serve more than three (3) terms on the TSNA Board of Directors, with a maximum of two terms of service in the same office.
  • All members of the TSNA Board of Directors must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average in their individual nursing curriculum. Officers who fail to maintain this standard may be asked to resign by a two-thirds vote of the TSNA Board of Directors.
  • Each member of the TSNA Board of Directors must be a current NSNA member.

Term of Office:
The TSNA House of Delegates elects the officers of the TSNA Board of Directors at the Annual State Convention. The term of office shall be one year. The term begins with the adjournment of the Annual State Convention at which officers and directors are elected, and ends with the adjournment of the Annual State Convention at which their successors are elected; immediate past officers serve two additional months to precept.

Position Obligations:
The President shall:
  1. Preside at all meetings of the TSNA Board of Directors
  2. Be responsible for seeing that the lines of direction given at the House of Delegates and actions by the TSNA Board of Directors are carried to effect
  3. Notify the TNA Executive Director and the NSNA Executive Director by formal letter of the appointment of the TNA/TSNA Liaison Consultant within two (2) months of the appointment
  4. Report to the TSNA membership and TSNA and NSNA Board of Directors about the business affairs of the association
  5. Appoint special committees with the approval of the TSNA Board of Directors
  6. May serve as a member on any committee and attend any committee meetings except the Nominating Committee and the Ballot Committee
  7. Approve emergency expenditures as submitted by the treasurer
  8. Represent the TSNA in matters relating to the Association
  9. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TSNA policies

The Vice-President shall:
  1. Assume the duties of the President in the absence, vacancy, or disability of the President
  2. Serve as the Chair of the State Convention Planning Committee
  3. Serve as the Chair of the Standing Bylaws/Policies Committee
  4. Perform other duties as designated by the President
  5. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TSNA policies

The Secretary shall:
  1. Prepare the minutes of all the meetings of the Association and the TSNA Board of Directors
  2. Keep a current, accurate list of names and addresses of all Board of Director members, Consultants, TNA Executives, NSNA Executives and Board of Directors, and Local chapter Board of Directors members and advisors
  3. Send the names and addresses of all TSNA Board of Directors and TSNA Consultants to the NSNA Board of Directors, the NSNA Executive Director and the TNA Executive Director within ten (10) days after the annual State Convention
  4. Send the minutes and the agendas to the TSNA Board of Directors ten days prior to each board meeting, or as designated by the Board of Directors
  5. Send the designated number of copies of the minutes with the attachments to the NSNA headquarters, after the approval by the TSNA Board of Directors
  6. Serve as Historian, maintaining old and current records detailing how TSNA has evolved. This includes the Association’s reasons for being, rights and responsibilities, and other important issues involving TSNA
  7. Have adequate computer skills to understand and communicate with the webmaster of the official TSNA website
  8. Send updated information to the webmaster and verify that the official TSNA website is maintained and current
  9. Serve as chair of the Standing Communications Committee
  10. Perform other duties as designated by the President
  11. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TSNA policies

The Treasurer shall:
  1. Act as custodian of the Association’s funds
  2. Prepare and present an annual financial report to the House of Delegates
  3. Sign checks for monetary disbursements
  4. Serve as Chair of the Standing Committee, labeled as the Finance and Fundraising Committee
  5. With the assistance of an accountant, prepare a compilation of the financial records and tax return every year
  6. Serve as Chair of the State Convention Registration Committee
  7. Become bonded within two months of office
  8. Prepare an annual budget to be presented to the board of directors for approval prior to the new fiscal year
  9. Perform other duties as designated by the President
  10. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TSNA policies

The Breakthrough to Nursing (BTN)/Legislative Director shall:
  1. Serve as Chair of the Breakthrough to Nursing Committee
  2. Appoint three (3) BTN Committee members, one from each state region of local TSNA constituents
  3. Utilize the NSNA-BTN guidelines to aid in duties of office
  4. Submit an annual report detailing the State BTN activities to the NSNA-BTN Director
  5. Promote career opportunities in nursing for traditional, non-traditional and minority students
  6. Serve as Chair of the Resolutions Committee
  7. Plan programs of the purpose of educating students on becoming involved in the legislative process
  8. Coordinate legislative activities on the State level for the Association
  9. Communicate political activities to the Board of Directors
  10. Develop the Associations legislative positions and present them to the Board of Directors for approval and implementation
  11. Be a liaison to TNA’s lobbyist
  12. Be a liaison to the State legislators
  13. Be a liaison with other organizations and government agencies concerned with legislation
  14. Write at least one (1) article per quarter term of office for presentation on the website about a health care bill or law currently being processed
  15. Perform other duties as designated by the President
  16. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TSNA policies

Regional Directors shall:
  1. Keep a file of current, accurate names and addresses of all the Schools of Nursing, Local Chapter Board of Directors members, and the faculty advisors in their respective regions
  2. Work with the Schools of Nursing in their regions which do not have a TSNA/NSNA chapter to start one
  3. Maintain contact by phone, letter, or visits throughout their term of office and offer assistance to TSNA/NSNA chapters within their regions
  4. Be a member of the Convention Planning Committee if serving as the Director for the region in which the annual State Convention will be held
  5. Serve as members of the Standing Communications Committee
  6. Receive official application of proposed BOD candidates submitted by TSNA members
  7. Evaluate the qualifications of the proposed BOD candidates but shall not be limited or controlled by these nominations
  8. Choose and submit a slate of BOD candidates for officers
  9. Obtain written consent forms of all proposed BOD candidates before placing their names on the ballot
  10. Verify NSNA status prior to placing the BOD candidate’s names on the ballot
  11. Present the official slate of BOD candidates to the first business meeting of the Annual Convention
  12. Perform other duties as designated by the President
  13. Perform other duties as enumerated in the TSNA policies