ONS Connect - November 2008 - (Page 26)

ONS 2009 ELECTION Proposed Bylaw Amendment Will Appear on 2009 Ballot ligible ONS members will vote on one proposed bylaw amendment in this year’s election. The 2009 election ballot will feature the following proposed bylaw amendment that is under consideration. Proposed language (underlined) Below are the current ONS Bylaws, with the recommended changes designated at Section 1 and Section 2, A and the addition of Sections 2, H and 3, D. Article III. Membership Section 1. Classifications There shall be eight classifications of membership: active, senior, physically challenged, international tiered, student, associate, sustaining, and honorary. Section 2. Qualifications and Privileges A. Active members shall be U.S. or international registered nurses or equivalent, engaged or interested in oncology nursing, and shall be eligible to vote, hold elected office, and serve on committees. H. International tiered members shall be registered nurses or equivalent engaged or interested in oncology nursing and residing in a country deemed as having a low-income to upper-middle–income economy, as designated by the World Bank. International tiered members may not vote or hold elected office. This membership class shall receive reduced membership benefits for a reduced member fee, as defined by the Board of Directors. Section 3. Dues and Special Assessments D. International tiered members would 26 ONS CONNECT E pay a percentage of active membership dues commensurate with their country’s World Bank economic classification, as determined by the Board of Directors. Rationale: This bylaw amendment seeks to provide a membership class that would offer limited benefits at a reduced cost to individuals in countries defined by the World Bank as low-income, lowermiddle–income, or upper-middle–income economies. This will allow ONS to provide appropriate discounts based on the economies of the homeland of every potential ONS member. Pro: ONS, as a leader in the transformation of cancer care, has an opportunity to apply its core values of stewardship, excellence, and inclusiveness, contributing to quality cancer care on a global level. Nurses in many countries are very resourceful and innovative when caring for patients with cancer, but not all nurses have access to cancerspecific education or research-driven practice guidelines. By making membership more accessible to nurses from economically challenged regions, ONS would be able to distribute content to a broader community of nurses and, in turn, enable them to better serve their patients. Thus, a bylaws amendment supporting an international tiered membership is proposed. The international tiered membership would grant nurses from countries defined by the World Bank as low-income, lower-middle–income, or upper-middle– income economies access to online versions of the three ONS journals, Web-based ONS resources, and patient education tools at the member rate, as well as special interest group involvement and access to discussion forums on key practice issues. International tiered members would pay a percentage of active membership dues commensurate with their country’s World Bank economic classification (low-income: 80% reduction, lower-middle–income: 70% reduction, upper-middle–income: 60% reduction). This amendment recognizes the importance of addressing cancer globally and the value of providing evidencebased resources and education for nurses worldwide. ONS members will benefit from the knowledge sharing and diversity of thought from members in this new membership option. With the increased availability of Internet access around the world and improved technology and resources, this membership option would provide members with the state of the science in safehandling, disease and symptom management, prevention and early cancer detection, and evidence-based guidelines. Yet unlike domestic members, their membership would not include the full member benefits, such as voting privileges, holding office, chapter involvement, and registration fee reductions for live programs and certification examinations. International members could still purchase an active membership if they wish to receive these benefits. Additional outcomes include increased visibility of ONS on a global level, increased potential for partnerships with global and regional international organizations, and increased participation and use of ONS programs, products, and services. Establishing this membership November 2008

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ONS Connect - November 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Lean on Me You Tell Us A Year in the Life-- Month Eleven Put Evidence Into Practice to Manage Caregiver Strain and Burden Web Connect Capitol Connection Caregiver Care New Technique Monitors Patients with NSCLC Calendar of Events Working for You Staying on Top

ONS Connect - November 2008

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