Chapter 1:The Articles of the Japanese Association of Certified Nurse Specialists
Article 1 Name of the Organization
The official name of this organization is "Nippon Senmon Kangoshi Kyogikai" and is referred to as "CNS Kyogikai " for short.The official English name is the Japanese Association of Certified Nurse Specialists (JACNS for short).
Article 2 The Secretariat
The Secretariat is located within the organization with which the Secretary General is associated.
Article 3 Purpose
The purpose of JACNS is to contribute to the improvement of nursing quality and,through JACNS initiatives,enhance the scope of advanced nursing practices and promote public health-maintenance and policies through legislative action.
Chapter 2: Members,Organization and Administration
Article 4 Composition
(1) This organization is made up of those nurse specialists certified by the Japanese Nursing Association (full-members) seeking to participate in sustaining and developing the goals of the association.
(2) Full-members have the right to vote in the General Meetings of the JACNS.
(3) Those agreeing with and supportive of JACNS objectives and activities may become patron members.
(4) Regarding joining and withdrawing from the JACNS: Application for either process must be submitted using the official form. Decisions will be made during executive meetings and the results reported at general meetings. Procedures for joining or withdrawing must follow organization by-laws.
(5) Should membership dues not be paid up within three years from the due date or date of payment request, full- or patron- membership will be discontinued.
Article 5 Committees
The organization includes four committees: The Clinical Skill Development Committee, the CNS Practice Promotion Committee, the Research and Publication Committee, and the Policy Proposal Committee. Each committee must, in principle, have at least one or more members in addition to the chairperson. Each committee may set up a task group whenever needed in carrying out committee activities.
(1) Clinical Skill Development Committee?: The Clinical Skill Development Committee conducts continuous training and sets the core competency standards for the development of CNS clinical skills. The committee also discusses CNS competency requirements, public health maintenance, medical care, and response to welfare needs.
(2) The CNS Practice Promotion Committee: Based on surveys and evaluations from the public health, medical care, welfare, and education sectors regarding their expectations the committee promotes employment and utilization of CNS practice.
(3) Research and Publication Committee: The Research and Publication Committee publicizes CNS activities, and promotes research publications bringing a much-deserved awareness of the value of CNS and, as a result, higher remuneration for CNS services. The committee is also tasked with research fund procurement.
(4) Policy Proposal Committee?: Through clarifying the duties of the CNS which responds to changing needs and consciousness of the public about today's health maintenance, medical care, and welfare, it promotes our ideas to be reflected on the national policy making. The committee will collaborate in discussions with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the Japanese Nursing Association, as well as such other relevant organizations as the Japanese Association for Nursing Programs in Universities.
Article 6 Executive Members
The organization has the following executive chairs.?①President: 1?②Vice Presidents: unspecified?③Treasurers: 2?④Auditors: 2?⑤Committee Chairs: 5?⑥Secretary General: 1
Article 7 Electing Executives
(1) Elections will take place during general meetings with a majority of members present, including submitted letters of proxy.
(2) Should an executive member wish to step down from the position, voluntary successor(s) shall be encouraged. If none, the successor will be chosen by recommendation or open election.
Article 8 Executive Duties
(1) The president represents this association and supervises the organization.
(2) The vice presidents assists the president and act on behalf of the president should the president be unable to fulfill his or her duties.
(3) The treasurers are responsible for all accounting work needed for the operation of this organization.
(4) The auditors monitor the activities and financial affairs of this association.
(5) The committee chair calls the committee, appoints committee members, and supervises committee operations.
(6) Secretary General administers the general affairs of this association.
(7) In case of changes among executive members, new executive members shall be decided upon in the executive board meeting.
Article 9 Executive Terms
(1) The executive serves a term of two years according to the fiscal calendar. There are no term limits.
(2) Should a vacancy occur in an executive position, the president, with advice from the board, shall appoint a member to the position. In such a case, the appointed executive will serve for the remainder of the term of the previous executive, and it must be reported to the general meeting.
Article 10 Operation/Administration
The organization shall conduct the following meetings:?(1) General meeting (Executives and committee-chairs)?(2) Executive-board meeting?(3) Clinical Skill Development Committee?(4) CNS Practice Promotion Committee?(5) Research and Publication Committee?(6) Policy Proposal Committee
Article 11 General Meetings
(1) General meetings shall be comprised of full-members. The president shall summon general meetings, which he or she chairs.
(2) General meetings will be held annually. However, extraordinary meetings may be called when necessary.
(3) A majority of full-members presence (including letters of proxy) is necessary for the holding of a general meeting.
Article 12 Executive-Board Meetings
(President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurers, Auditors, Committee Chairs, Secretary General)
(1) Executive-board meetings shall include the president, vice-presidents, treasurers, auditors, committee chairs, and secretary general. The president shall call executive-board meetings, which shall be chaired by the president.
(2) Presence of more than 2/3 of the executives is necessary for the holding an executive-board meeting.
(3) The executive-board meeting administers the organization and its operations.
(4) Vice committee chairpersons shall participate in the executive-board meetings when necessary.
Chapter 3:Accounting
Article 13 Accounting
(1) Expenses of the association will be met by membership fees.
(2) The fiscal year begins April 1st,and ends March 31st.
(3) The settlement of accounts will be supervised by the auditors after the end of the fiscal year and will be approved at general meetings.
Chapter 4:Revision of Articles of the Association
Article 14 Revision of Articles of the Association
(1) Articles may be revised with a resolution by a vote of two thirds or more of the full-members. (Additional Clause)?
The Articles of the JACNS shall take effect April 7th,2007.?Revision of the Articles of the JACNS shall take effect March 30,2008.?
Revision of the Articles of the JACNS shall take effect March 28th,2009.
Revision of the Articles of the JACNS shall take effect April 16th,2011.