Resolutions and Legislation
Click here to Read GBANS resolution submitted for GANS 2008
What is a Resolution?
A resolution is a written statement that, when adopted by the House of Delegates, is the basis for the policies and actions of the Georgia Association of Nursing Students. Resolutions are presented on matters of importance to GANS, its members and constituent associations, nursing, and the health needs of the public. For example, resolutions may address issues relevant to nursing education, nursing practice, state regulations for nursing, etc. A resolution is composed of two parts: the “whereas” clauses that summarize, with documentation, the reasons and rationale for the resolutions; and the “resolved” clauses that contain the position to be taken on the issue and/or actions to be taken by GANS, its constituent associations, and its members. These components of resolutions are described in detail below.
Why Write a Resolution?
Submitting a resolution to the House of Delegates at our annual convention is a good way to bring an issue that is important to you to the attention of nursing students across the state. Even if your resolution is not adopted, many students will have been exposed to the issue it addresses. If it is adopted, then various relevant organizations will be notified that GANS holds a particular position on the issue addressed. When educators, policymakers, and the public learn that we have adopted a particular resolution in our House of Delegates, they know that a great deal of support for the position expressed in the resolution exists among Georgia nursing students. Additionally, the process of writing a resolution is a great opportunity to become more knowledgeable about issues affecting the profession of nursing, and presenting a resolution to the House of Delegates is great practice in public speaking. Experience in writing and presenting resolutions now will form a strong foundation for professional involvement throughout your career.
The Resolutions Process
1. Choosing the Topic and Positions/Actions to be Taken
The first step in the resolutions process is choosing a topic that you want the House of Delegates to vote on and pass as well as the positions and/or actions you want GANS to take. During this step of the process you have an opportunity to talk with members of your school chapter to find out what issues are important to them. The topic you choose must be relevant to GANS’s purposes and functions as stated in the GANS bylaws. These are listed in Article II, Sections 1 and 2.
Also, be sure to look over past resolutions when deciding on your topic, as duplication of prior resolutions is not recommended. However, a resolution of reaffirmation may be written if it has been more than ten years since the policy was established.
2. Documenting the Need
You will need to research your topic thoroughly to provide adequate documentation demonstrating the need for a resolution. Remember, this need is presented in the WHEREAS clauses. Each WHEREAS clause must be accompanied by current written documentation (references). Documentation of WHEREAS statements can include: magazine and newspaper articles, text and reference books, materials from other organizations, and speeches, as well as research experiences. However, it is strongly suggested that a majority of the references used come from professional journals and other appropriate sources. The documentation should be factual, rather than opinion. Copies of the documentation, in addition to a complete bibliography, must accompany the resolution when it is submitted. Each whereas statement must be referenced, using APA format, with corresponding documentation underlined for ease of identification.
3. Writing a Resolution
Look over the sample resolution provided in the following pages and pay attention to the differences between the WHEREAS and RESOLVED clauses. Remember, WHEREAS clauses demonstrate the need for what is being proposed in the RESOLVED clauses. Look at the following examples:
For Example:
WHEREAS, “about 22.2 million women currently smoke in the United States including approximately 20 to 45 percent who are pregnant” (Albrecht, Rosella, Patrick, 1994, pg. 155); and
For Example:
RESOLVED, that the GANS encourage health care providers to supply pregnant women with information on the fetal effects of smoking during pregnancy, and on the availability of smoking cessation programs, as part of routine prenatal care; and be it further…
Notice how this RESOLVED statement clearly addresses the need demonstrated by the WHEREAS clause above.
4. Reviewing and Proofing the Resolution
Have other students and faculty groups or individuals read the resolution and provide suggestions for addendums, deletions, or alterations. This will decrease the number of changes that will occur once it is brought before the House. Please do not hesitate to contact the GANS Legislative Director, Kristin Borgia, who will be happy to answer questions about all phases of the resolutions process.
5. Submitting the Resolution
GANS school constituents, the GANS Board of Directors, and GANS committees may each submit one resolution, authored by GANS members, for consideration by the House of Delegates. The deadline for resolution submissions for the 2008 Convention is September 8, 2008.
Resolutions must adhere to the following guidelines:
To be complete, resolutions must be submitted on a CD-ROM disc along with a completed Resolution Submission Form. Please review the checklist for Complete Mailing on the submission form and include all required items.
6. Review by the Legislative Director and the Resolutions Committee
The Legislative Director, along with the Resolutions Committee, will review all submitted resolutions. She will then contact the author(s) regarding any revisions needed—e.g. additional documentation, changes in format, etc.—before the resolution can be considered by the House of Delegates at Convention.
7. House of Delegates
After your resolution has been reviewed by the Legislative Director, the next step is consideration by the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates is the voting and decision-making body of GANS, which meets during annual conventions. In the House of Delegates, you will be allowed three minutes to present your resolution, and debate on the resolution will then be permitted. Delegates from school chapters across the state will be able to speak for or against your resolution. At this time, the resolution may also be amended by any delegate. If the House of Delegates adopts your resolution, it will then be implemented by GANS as directed in the RESOLVED clauses.
8. Implementation of Resolutions
Unless specified otherwise in the resolution, the GANS Executive Board has the primary responsibility for its implementation, based on directives in the “resolved” clauses. Resolutions are edited for consistency and editorial style and are sent to the parties named in the “resolved” clauses. Summaries of the resolutions will appear in the EKG, and resolutions are considered as possible topics for EKG articles.
Strategies for Writing a Resolution
Here are some hints to help you get your resolution passed:
1. Be concise. The delegates will get copies of all resolutions and this means a lot of reading. If your resolution is too wordy, it will not get the attention it deserves. Try and limit your resolution to five “whereas” clauses: choose the strongest five facts and use the others in discussion and debate. Resolutions should be no longer than 2 pages.
2. Be realistic. The resolved statements should include specific actions that are realistic and able to be implemented. Resource availability (both human and financial) will affect the implementation of resolutions.
3. Be positive. A positive approach always works better than a negative one. Write positive statements, and address the issue positively when you are speaking to it.
4. Be knowledgeable. Know the facts about all parts of your resolution. Be aware of other resolutions that have been passed on your issue and be sure to state in your resolution why reaffirmation of the same stand is timely.
5. Gather support and assistance. Students from your school chapter should not be the only ones involved in getting your resolution passed. Try to involve other chapters and members in supporting your resolution. Share your facts and ask others to come to the microphone to speak pro to your resolution. This will not only help get your resolution passed, it will encourage other GANS members to get involved. This is also a good way to get to know GANS members from across the state as well.
6. Use your time at the microphone wisely. As the author, you will have and opportunity to speak to the resolution first. Remember that the delegates have a copy, so do not read it to them. Instead, take this opportunity to state some of the facts that might not be included in the “whereas” clauses. You will have 3 minutes to speak to the resolution.
Adopted Resolution Titles
Note: These resolutions are not in chronological order due to previous undated resolutions and the resolution compilation process. This is a listing of titles only.
1. The Creation of a Mission Statement and Strategic Plan for the Continued Growth of the Georgia
Association of Nursing Students.
2. Resolution in Support of Increasing Rehabilitation Services for the Pregnant Substance Abuser
3. Resolution in Support of Hepatitis-B Vaccination for Nursing Student
4. Recognition of Membership Growth
5. Resolution in Support of Establishing an Ongoing Scholarship in the name of Dr. Virginia Harmeyer
6. Support for Third Party Reimbursement of Nurse Practitioners to Provide Alternative Healthcare
Resources in Rural Areas Suffering from a Shortage of Health Personnel
7. Support the Concept of “Right to Die” Legislation
8. Accessibility of BSN Education
9. Support Programs for Teenage Parents
10. Active Recruitment for Nursing Schools by Nursing Students
11. Smoke Free Environments
12. Mandatory Mouth-to-Mask Resuscitation Devices in all Healthcare Facilities
13. The Role of a GANS Consultant
14. Organ Donation and Transplantation
15. Membership Presentation
16. Nursing Shortage
17. Nursing Research
18. Institutional Licensure of Nonprofessional (Against)
19. Hospital Orientation for Graduate Nurses
20. CPR and Basic First Aid in the Georgia Public School System
21. Student Choice Regarding Aids Patients
22. Support of Influenza Vaccinations for Nursing Students
23. Resolution in Support of Nurse Participation in the March of Dimes
24. Resolution in Support of Mandatory Seat Belts
25. Impaired Nursing Students
26. Student Nurses’ Association of Georgia Emily McNelly Award
27. Upholding Legal Abortion
28. Support for “the Chemical People” (program for increasing awareness of drug problem)
29. Support for Proposed National Association Name Change (January 1984)
30. Proposed Draft of all Health Care Professionals
31. Mandatory/Voluntary Continuing Education
32. Third Party Reimbursement
33. Clarification of Nurse Responsibilities in Informed Consent
34. Support of AIDS Patients
35. Healthcare for the Homeless
36. Divestment in South Africa
37. Support Programs for Impaired Nursing Students
38. Support of Nursing Students Becoming more Politically Active
39. Require National Health-Warning Labels on all Smokeless Tobacco Products
40. National Institute of Nursing
41. Cultural Diversity in Nursing
42. Resolution in Support of Quality Health Care for the Older Adult
43. Safe Containment of Medication
44. Retroactive Continuing Education Units
45. Infant Screening for Hearing Assessment
46. Hospice (1983)
47. Nurses Choice in Discontinuance of Life Support Systems
48. In Support of Reproductive Health Care Services for College Students
49. Promotion and Support of Impaired Healthcare Professional Awareness Week in the Medical and Public Sectors
50. Support President Clinton’s Immunization Plan (February 1993)
51. Resolution in Support of Implementation of Preceptorship Programs for Graduate Nurses (February 1993)
52. Resolution in Support of Student Nurses Participation in Walktoberfest for the American Diabetes Association (February 1993)
53. Support for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Proposed Position Paper on the Licensure of Advance Nursing Practice (February 1993)
54. Preserving GANS History by the Dating of all Resolutions (February 1993)
55. Informing Women of Group B Streptococcal infection and Pregnancy (February 1993)
56. Adoption of GANS Strategic Plan (February 1993)
57. Support for Topical Anesthesia During Circumcision (February 1993)
58. Resolution in Opposition to Mandatory HIV Testing of Healthcare Workers (February 1993)
59. Support for a Universal Centrally-Networked Healthcare System (February 1992)
60. Compiling Resolutions (February 1992)
61. Support for Improved Economic Status of Women and Children (February 1992)
62. Resolution in Support of School Health in Georgia (February 1992)
63. Value of Nurses to Hospitals (February 1998)
64. Support of Geriatric Studies in Nursing
65. Support of Continued Regulation by State Board of Nursing
66. Presentation of Pharmacology in Nursing Schools
67. Maternity Care Coverage: Minimum Requirements (January 1976)
68. Decriminalization of Homosexual Activity (January 1976)
69. Health Services in High School (January 1976)
70. Multi-Disciplinary Health Care Teams (January 1976)
71. Cost-Containment and the Implications for Nursing in Relations to DRG’s
72. Resolution Professional Registered Nurses
73. Student Tax Exemption Law
74. Support of Primary Prevention by Nursing Student (February 1994)
75. Encouragement of the Advertisement of Protected Sex and Abstinence from Sex (February 1994)
76. Support of School Nurses in all Public Schools
77. Support for Increased Taxes on Cigarettes (February 1994)
78. Appeal to the United States Congress for Modification of the Immigration Nursing Relief Act of 1989, Public Law 101-238, 103 Statute 1099 (February 1994).
79. Support of the Promotion of the Awareness of Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Education Pertaining to Proper Care of Alzheimer’s Victims (1995)
80. Support Primary Prevention in Prenatal Childhood Exposure to Toxic Environmental Health Hazards (1995)
81. Support for all Teachers Being Certified in CPR and First Aid (1995)
82. Support Amending Informed Consent Law Regarding the Exclusion of Abortion Surgical Procedures (1995)
83. Support of Certification in Basic First Aid as a Requirement of Students Prior to Clinical Practice (1995)
84. Support of the Utilization of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in the State of Georgia to Perform Sexual Assault exams for the Victims of Rape (1995)
85. Support of Prescriptive Authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (1995)
86. Support of Nursing Student Learning Basic Spanish (1996)
87. Support of Prescriptive Rights for Georgia’s Nurse Practitioner (1997)
88. Proactive Approach to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in Healthcare Settings (1997)
89. In Support of Institution and Exposure Incident Policy for all Nursing Programs in Georgia (1998)
90. In Support of Increased Education Regarding Airbag Safety for Children (1998)
91. In Support of Diabetes mellitus Prevention Care (1998
92. In Support of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (1998)
93. In Support of Venipuncture as a Reimbursable Nursing Skill Under Medicare (1998)
94. In Support of Georgia Association of Nursing Student Adopting Inner Harbour Hospital as an Ongoing Service Project (1998)
95. In Support of Increased Healthcare Workers Participation in Blood Drives in Light of National Blood Shortage (1998)
96. In Support of the Passage and Implementation of Comprehensive Mental Health Parity Legislation (1999)
97. In Support of Child Restraints and Seat Belt Awareness Through the Buckle-Up America Campaign Week (1999)
98. In Support of Educating Nurse Professional Regarding Latex Allergies (1999)
99. In Support of Improving the Safety of Hospitalized Older Adults through a Reduction in the Use of Physical Restraints (2002)
100. In Support of Encouraging State Legislation to Pass a Bill that Promotes, Protects, and Supports a Woman’s Choice to Breastfeed (2003)
101. In Support of the Protection of Registered Nurses’ Right to Overtime Pay (2004)
102. In Support of Changing the End of Life Order Terminology From Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) to Allow Natural Death (AND) (2006)
103. In Support of Reducing the Incidence of Diabetes Through Early Screenings and Education on Obesity’s Affiliation With the Disease (2006)
104. In Support of Health Promotion, Education, and Vaccination of Pre-Adolescent Females with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (2006)
105. In Support of Encouraging the Georgia Department of Corrections to Consider Permitting the Possession of Condoms in Correctional Facilities as Part of a Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategy (2006)
106. In Support of Increasing Awareness Among Nursing Students Concerning the Health Disparities of Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers and Their Families (2006)
107. In Support of Enforcement of Current Laws That Would Regulate the Make and Design of Children’s Toys Containing Lead Based Paint in an Effort to Eliminate Further Child Deaths and Other Complications Caused by Dangerous Levels of Lead in Toys (2007)
108. In Support of the Georgia State Government Implementing a Community Based Disposal Initiative for Contaminated Medical Waste Including All Needles, Syringes, and Other “Sharps” (2007)
109. In Support of State Legislation That Bans the Use of Cooking Oils Containing Trans Fats in Restaurants In Order to Improve Cardiovascular Health (2007)
110. In Support of Adopting a Policy of Universal HIV Testing of Pregnant Women With Patient Notification (Opt-Out Screening) as a Routine Component of Prenatal Care (2007)
Sample Resolution
Note: This resolution is a sample NSNA resolution, but the same format is applicable for GANS resolutions.
TOPIC: IN SUPPORT OF BILLBOARD REGULATION
SUBMITTED BY: University of Pittsburgh Nursing Students’ Association
1 WHEREAS, “tobacco and alcohol industries are the largest, most powerful clients of
2 Billboard companies” whose billboards are heavily concentrated in low
3 socioeconomic areas (Godshall, 1993, p.1); and
4 WHEREAS, 535,095 people die annually of smoking and alcohol related causes
5 (Mintz, 1991, p.1); and
6 WHEREAS, minors are targeted by these industries to be consumers of their
7 products (Mintz, 1991, p.1); and
8 WHEREAS, billboards, strategically placed within crucial camera angles at sports
9 events, are inconsistent with the current ban on TV advertising
10 (Hwang, 1992, p.1); and
11 WHEREAS, 80% of adults who smoke began as youths, 50% by age 13, 25% by age
12 11, influenced by billboard cartoon characters such as Joe Camel and
13 Kool’s Willie Penguin (Levin, 1992, p.1; Dagnoo, 1991, p.1; Green, 1990, p.1);
14 and
15 WHEREAS, alcohol-related accidents are the #1 cause of death among Americans
16 age 3-19 (MADD chapter brochure, n.d., p.1); and
17 WHEREAS, a 1992 Gallup survey showed that most respondents believe the power
18 to regulate billboards which protect minors from these suggestive
19 influences (p.1); and be it further
20 RESOLVED, that NSNA urge its constituents to support billboard regulation as a
21 Community Health/Legislative Project be printed in Imprint, if feasible;
22 and be it further
23 RESOLVED, that NSNA send a copy of this resolution to the American Nurses’
24 Association, the National League for Nursing, and any others deemed
25 appropriate by the NSNA Board of Directors.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(Submit on a separate page)
Dagnoll, J. (1991). Three faces of Kool. Advertising Age. (44), 54.
Godshall, B. (1993, January). “Action Alert: Tobacco & Alcohol Billboard Control in
Pittsburgh.” Smokefree Pennsylvania.
Green, M. (1990). Luring kids to light up. Business and Society Review. 73 (Spring),
22-28.
Hume, S. (1990). Regulate outdoor ads: poll. Advertising Age. 61 (33) 20.
Hwang, S. (1992, July 17). Some stadiums snuff out cigarette ads. Wall Street BI
Journal. Section B6, p.1.
Levin, G. (1992, April 27). Poll shows Camel ads are effective with kids. Advertising
Age.
MADD aka Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Allegheny County Chapter. It’s the little
things that make us MADD.
Mintz, M. (1991). The tobacco pusher’s marketing smokescreen. Business and Society
Review. 79 (Fall), 49-54.
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Press Office. Don’t let alcohol shatter your dreams:
Facts and issues about underage drinking.
Whaley, L., and Wong, D. (1991). Nursing Care of Infants and Children. (4th ed.) Mosby
Year Book: St. Louis, p.980.
ESTIMATED COST OF IMPLEMENTATION
(Submit on a separate page)
Document Size 2 pages
Photocopy Costs $.10/page x 2 pages = .20/copy x 2 mailings .40
Postage Costs: $.32/copy x 2 mailings .64
Envelopes: $.05/envelope x 2 envelopes .10
Total Cost: $1.14
Contacts
(Submit on a separate page)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
American Nurses’ Association
8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400
Silver Springs, MD 20910
National League for Nursing
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Abstract
(Submit on a separate page)
The purpose of this resolution is to raise awareness about the need for enforcement of existing laws to regulate the make and design of children’s toys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of lead based paint in toys in 1977. However, the CPSC is currently in need of additional resources to ensure adequate inspection and proper enforcement of existing laws. Pediatric lead poisoning via toys is a preventable public health concern in this country; therefore, legislation addressing this issue needs to be supported.
Resolution Submission Form
PROPOSED RESOLUTION: ____________________________________________________
SUBMITTED BY: _____________________________________________________________
(Constituent, GANS Board, GANS Committee)
AUTHOR(S): _________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________
CITY: ____________________________________ STATE: ________________________
ZIP CODE:______________
PHONE: ________________________ FAX: _______________________ EMAIL:________________________
NSNA MEMBERSHIP NUMBER OF AUTHOR(S): _______________________________________________
CHECK LIST FOR COMPLETE RESOLUTIONS MAILING
Before mailing your resolution to the GANS Legislative Director, please review and check off the following items and include this form in your mailing:
____Prior GANS positions have been reviewed for this topic. If prior position was taken, it is included in the citations and justification for revisiting the position is given.
Only complete resolutions will be accepted for consideration by the Legislative Director. To be considered complete, resolutions must include:
___1. Copy of resolution on a CD-ROM disc (Word, Word Perfect, Text only format)
___2. Copy of this page
___3. Four (4) copies of each of the following:
____ A) hard copy of the resolution
____ B) copies of all documents used for the “whereas” clauses. Each whereas clause must have a
specific citation identified in the body of the resolution. The sentences referenced must be
underlined in the “resolved” clauses, listed on a separate page
____ C) names and addresses of all organizations, agencies, and individuals mentioned in the
“resolved” clauses, listed on a separate page
____ D) the estimated cost of implementing the resolution, noted on a separate page
____ E) the abstract (3 or 4 sentences about the purpose and intended outcomes of the resolution) on a
separate sheet
____ F) a bibliography (APA Style) on a separate sheet
___ 4. Be sure that information about the author is complete.
___ 5. Mail complete resolution to:
Kristin Borgia
GANS Legislative Director
1160 Gray Squirrel Crossing
Marietta, GA 30062
Phone: (770) 655-5858
Email: legislative@ganursingstudents.org