About MSNO

• Promote and advance quality school health services throughout the Commonwealth and promote the rights, interests and professional growth of our members.
• Members are encouraged to take an active stance in decisions directly impacting school nursing, especially in the legislative, economic and educational areas.

• School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.
• School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.
• Adopted by the NASN Board of Directors February 2017.

• Founded in 1970, the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO) has been a strong voice for school nurses throughout the Commonwealth.
• MSNO is a growing non-profit organization with approximately 800 members, including school nurses, school administrators, public health nurses, practitioners, consultants, educators, and retired school nurses.
• MSNO is directed by an elected board of directors and a grassroots organizational structure.
• Membership across the Commonwealth is divided into ten regions.

• Martha Rich (1970- 1972)
• Anna Margaret Ray (1972 – 1974)
• Nancy Wolfe (1974 – 1976)
• Gladys Newhall (1976 – 1978)
• Jayne Cash (1978 – 1980)
• Susan Kelly (1980 – 1981)
• Jackie Mawhinney (1981 – 1984)
• Nancy Miller (1984 – 1986)
• Ann Lowry (1986 – 1988)
• Anne Kinsley (1988 – 1990)
• Judi McAuliffe (1990 – 1992)
• Linda Salmonsen (1992 – 1994)
• Katherine O’Neill (1994 – 1996)
• Marcia Buckminster (1996 – 2001)
• Mary Zamorski (2001 – 2003)
• Katherine O’Neill (2003 – 2005)
• Marie DeSisto (2005 – 2007)
• Kathy Hassey (2007 – 2009)
• Mimi Stamer (2009 – 2011)
• Pamela Rivers (2011 – 2013)
• Judy Styer (2013 – 2015)
• Carilyn Rains (2015 – 2017)
• Katie Vozeolas (2017 – 2018)
• Carilyn Rains (2018)
• Jenny Gormley (2018-2020)

2018-2020 Strategic Priorities:

• Increase Advocacy
• Improve Communication
• Strengthen Member Opportunities
• Strengthen Organization Infrastructure

View PDF of By-Laws

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, Inc. (MSNO)

Article II: Mission Statement

The mission statement of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization shall be to promote and advance quality school health services throughout the Commonwealth and to promote the interests, rights and professional growth of its members.

Article III: Unification

Section I
MSNO shall be unified with the National Association of School Nurses, Inc.

Article IV: Membership

Section I
There shall be five classes of membership: Active, Retired, Members-At-Large, Student and Corporate.

A. Active

1. Shall be registered professional nurses who meet the requirements for school nursing in Massachusetts and are serving a public school, private school or institute of higher education.
2. Must pay full dues.
3. May hold office, serve on a committee and have full voting privileges.

B. Retired

1. Active members shall be eligible for this classification upon retirement and notification to the Board of Directors.
2. Retired members shall pay one half dues.
3. Retired members shall have all privileges of membership, except those of voting and holding office.
4. Retired members may retain active status with all privileges upon payment of full dues.

C. Member-At-Large

1. Those (organizations or) persons who support the goals of MSNO and are not eligible for active membership.
2. Members-At-Large shall not vote or hold office.

D. Student

1. Student enrolled in a school of nursing.
2. Not employed as a school nurse on a full or part-time basis.
3. Not granted to those with previous Active membership.
4. Shall not be renewed more than once for a graduate nurse.

E. Corporate/Business/Professional Organization

1. Organizations whose members are not eligible for Active membership.

Article V: Officers

Section I

The elected officers of the Organization shall be a President, a President-elect, a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a NASN Director.

A. All officers shall be voting members.

B. President and Vice President shall serve a term of two years or until their successors are elected.

C. NASN Director shall serve a four year term.

D. No officer shall be eligible for consecutive re-election to the same office with the exception of the Secretary and Treasurer who may be re-elected for a second term or until a successor has been elected.

Section II – The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and at all meetings of the membership of the Organization. She/he shall appoint the members of all committees; shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the Nomination Committee; shall perform all duties specific to the office of President; and any other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.

Section III – The President-elect shall act for the President in her/his absence, and in case of death or resignation of the President, the President-elect shall succeed her/him for the unexpired term, then shall serve the term for which she/he was elected. If, for any reason, the President-elect cannot serve her/his term or fulfill the duties of the office, her/his successor shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Organization.

Section IV – The Vice-President shall act in the absence of the President and the President-elect and shall assume such other duties as may be designated by the President. The Vice-President shall be chairperson of the Program committee.

Section V – The Treasurer shall keep full and correct account of receipts and disbursements in the books of the Organizati on, dispose of funds as may be ordered by the Executive Committee, perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee and with the Executive Committee present a budget for the approval by the Board of Directors by June of each year.

Section VI – The Secretary shall keep minutes of all general meetings, Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Committee.

Section VII – The Immediate Past-President shall serve as Chairperson of the Nominations Committee and other duties as assigned by the President or Executive Committee.

Section VIII – NASN Director

A. Must be a MSNO/NASN member for three consecutive years.

B. Shall attend two NASN board meetings annually.

C. Shall perform other duties assigned by MSNO and/or NASN.

Article VI: Executive Committee

Section I – The members of the Executive Committee shall be: the President, President-elect, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, the Immediate Past-President and the NASN Director.

Section II – The Executive Committee shall approve all Standing Committee appointments; implement programs at official meetings of the Organization; determine policy between official meetings of the Organization and shall authorize all official meetings of the Organization.

Section III – The Executive Committee with the treasurer shall prepare a budget for the approval by the Board of Directors.

Section IV – The Executive Committee shall fill any vacancy occurring in that body, except the office of the President-elect.

Section V – A quorum shall be a majority of the members of the Executive Committee present.

Article VII: Board of Directors

Section I – The members of the Board of Directors shall be: President, President-elect, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past-President, Chairperson(s) of each Region, Chairperson(s) of each Standing Committee, NASN Director and a Retired Member who has retained active status with all the privileges upon payment of full dues.

Section II – The Board of Directors shall meet at least six times yearly. The Executive Committee may call additional meetings when deemed necessary.

Section III – The Board of Directors shall review the budget submitted by the Executive Committee and make general policy recommendations to the annual meeting.

Section IV – A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of members including at least two elected officers.

Section V – Removal of an Officer or Director. An officer or director who fails to attend or to participate in two consecutive or three non-consecutive duly called meetings without good cause as determined by the President may be asked to resign from the Board of Directors.

Article VIII: Regions

Section I – Regions of the Organization shall be: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X. Formation of additional regions shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section II – Each region shall have a Chairperson.

Section III – Regional Chairpersons or Co-Chairpersons shall be members of the Board of Directors.

Section IV – Active regions shall receive a portion of State dues as determined by the Board of Directors.

Article IX: Dues

Section I – Annual dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.

Section II – The annual dues shall include the unified dues set by NASN.

Section III – Dues are payable on the anniversary date of the individual member.

Article IX: Meetings

There shall be an annual meeting to be held on or before the last Saturday in May at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may call special meetings as deemed necessary. Members shall be notified at least two weeks in advance.

Article X: Elections

The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers to be elected at the annual meeting for the term of two years unless otherwise stated in these by-laws. Newly elected officers shall assume office on July 1st.

Article XI: Committees

The President with the approval of the Executive Committee shall appoint Standing Committees and Special Committees as deemed necessary.

Article XII: Rules

Section I – Roberts Rules of Order, Revised shall be the governing authority of this Organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-laws.

Section II – A quorum shall consist of a majority of active members registered at an official meeting.

Article XIII: Amendments

Section I – Any proposed amendment to these by-laws shall be in writing to the President at least two months prior to the official meeting at which the vote will be taken.

Section II – Proposed amendments to the by-laws shall be mailed to the membership at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting. These amendments require a two-thirds vote of the voting members present in order to pass.

Section III – All amendments to these by-laws shall take effect immediately.