The New Zealand Nurses' Christian Union

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVII, Issue 4, 1 October 1924, Page 167

The New Zealand Nurses' Christian Union

Patroness : Miss Bicknell, Director, Division of Nursing

The Constitution

Article 1: Name.— The name shall be 'The New Zealand Nurses' Christian Union." Article 2: Aims and Objects.— (a) To provide a means for the mutual development of the Christian life amongst nurses. (b) To lead nurses to accept the Christian Faith, and to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ. (c) To call all nurses to explore Christ's teaching; to seek the guidance of His Spirit, and to find m fellowship with Him motive and inspiration for their work. (d) To interest nurses m modern social questions and m the Christian solution of them. (c) To promote regular meetings of nurses for fellowship, conference, and Bible study. Article 3 : Composition. — The Union shall be composed of groups of (i) Registered nurses, nurses trained or m training; (ii) Nurses m private practice; (iii) Retired nurses who wish to join the Union. Note. — The term "Nurse" shall include "General" and "Maternity." Article 4 : Government. — The Government shall be a Central Executive Committee m Wellington, which shall legislate for and control the Union. (a) Composition of Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist of the following members : A President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and Treasurer, together with not less than five other members known to be m sympathy with the Union.

(b) Term of Office: The Term of Office shall be for one year. (c) Quorum: A quorum shall consist of seven members. (d) Work of the Committee: (i) The Executive Committee shall foster and supervise the work of the Union. It shall promote the establishment of study groups m accordance with Article 3. (ii) It shall have authority to take any steps it deems necessary to form a link between the different groups throughout the Dominion, and so afford them the help of fellowship with one another. (iii) The Executive Committee shall devise ways and means of financing the Union. (iv) The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month. (v) The Executive Committee shall have power to fill vacancies until the Annual General Meeting of the Union. Article 5 : Organisation. — (a) General Meeting: A general meeting of the members of the Union shall be held annually m the month of March. (b) Method of Election: The method of election of the New Zealand Central Executive Committee shall be as follows :—- -(i) Each local committee shall have the right to appoint one representative on the Central Executive Committee. (ii) The officers shall be elected by the Annual General Meeting of the Union. (c) Local Committees:

(i) Each Hospital or other group shall have a local Committee, which shall be responsible to the Central Executive Committee. (ii) Any group of Nurses as defined m Article 3 of the Constitution may become affiliated with the Union on the following conditions : — (1) It shall adopt the name " Branch of the New Zealand Nurses' Christian Union."

(2) It shall comply with the aims and objects of the Union, as stated m Article 2. Article 6: Subscriptions. — The membership subscription shall be 2/6 per annum. Article 7 : Amendments to Constitution. — Notice of motion of Amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to the Central Executive Committee at least three months before the Annual General Meeting.