Maryland Nursing Workforce Commission: Articles of Organization

 I. Purpose Statement

To create and implement a comprehensive strategically driven statewide nursing workforce plan that balances the demand for nurses with the supply.

Membership will consist of 36 commissioners (list attached)

[A] Terms are staggered as of the initial appointment. On February 1, 2006:

[1] One-third of membership shall be appointed for two (2) years.

[2] One-third of membership shall be appointed for three (3) years.

[3] One-third of membership shall be appointed for four (4) years.

[B] A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. A full term is four (4) years

[C] After serving two (2) consecutive terms, an individual may be re-appointed after a one (1) year absence.

[D] A task force shall be established to create procedures and rules that take into consideration diversity and location for the nomination and/or selection of Commission members.

III. Appointment Process

[A] Members and alternates representing organizations shall be selected by the organization and their names forwarded to the Membership Committee.

[B] The Membership Committee shall appoint at-large members in accordance with approved procedures.

[C] The appointment process shall make all efforts to address diversity among the commissioners and representation of all areas of the State.

IV. Leadership

[A] Chair

[1] Term

[a] The term of office shall be two (2) years.

[b] The Chair is eligible to serve one additional term.

[c] The alternate of the Chair may not serve in the elected position.

[2] Duties of the Chair

[a] Preside at all Commission, Steering Committee and Collaborative Partners meetings.

[b] Ensure follow-up on all action items from meetings.

[c] Approve final agenda for all three meetings.

[d] Oversee continuous development, implementation and evaluation of strategic plan.

[e] Other duties as required.

[B] Vice Chair

[1] Term

[a] The term of office shall be two (2) years beginning in odd years.

[b] In year one of the Commission, the Vice Chair shall be elected for a one (1) year term and is eligible to serve two full terms.

[c] The alternate of the Vice Chair may not serve in the electedposition.

[2] Duties of the Vice Chair

[a] Preside at meetings in the Chair’s absence.

[b] Assist the Chair in carrying out the Chair’s duties.

[c] Chair the Membership Committee.

[d] Other duties as required.

[C] Steering Committee

[1] Membership

a) Commission Chair

b) Commission Vice Chair

c) Chairs of committees:

d) Two members of the Commission elected at-large are to serve two-year terms.

[1] One (1) at-large member shall be elected in the even years and the other in the odd years.

[2] In the initial year of the Commission, one (1) member shall be elected for one (1) year.

2. Duties

[a] Provide feedback and direction on the work of the Commission between meetings.

[b] Set agenda for both Commission and Collaborative Partners meetings.

[c] Attend Collaborative Partners meetings and provide a report of activities and decisions to the Commission.

[D] Election to Leadership Positions

[1] Leadership positions shall be filled by a Commission member

[2] Leadership positions shall be elected by a simple majority of commissioners.

[3] Nominations and election shall be held at the last meeting of the calendar year.

[4] In the event of a vacancy in a leadership position, the Membership Committee shall conduct a special election by the next meeting of the Commission to fill unexpired terms.

[5] The initial nomination and election shall be held at the first meeting of the Maryland Nursing Workforce Commission.

[6] Vacancies:

[a] In the event of a vacancy of a commissioner or alternate position, the Membership Committee shall notify the respective organization of that vacancy.

[b] Vacancies that include both the commissioner or his/her alternate shall be filled by the appointing organization within 90 days.

[c] Vacancies for at-large members shall be filled by the Membership Committee.

V. Quorum

A simple majority of the commissioners in attendance shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting Commission business.

VI. Collaborative Partners

[A] Collaborative Partners shall:

[1] Serve in an advisory relationship to the Commission.

[2] Provide feedback and assist the Commission to assess, monitor and evaluate the current and long-term impact of the nursing workforce on access to and delivery of safe, quality and compassionate nursing care.

[3] Actively participate in advancing Commission initiatives.

B. Members will include but are not limited to:

[1] Commission Steering Committee members

[2] Director, Department of Disabilities

[3] Director, Maryland Occupational Safety & Health (MOSH) or alternate

[4] Director, Maryland National Capitol Homecare Association (MNCHA) or alternate

[5] Director, Mental Hygiene Administration or alternate

[6] Executive Director, Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) or alternate

[7] Executive Director, Maryland State Medical Society (Med-Chi) or alternate

[8] Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Life Span or alternate

[9] Governor’s Office Representative or alternate

[10] Maryland State Delegate

[11] Maryland State Senator

[12] Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) or alternate

[13] President, Association of Maryland Hospitals & Health Systems (MHA) or alternate

[14] President, Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM) or alternate

[15] President, Maryland Association of Nursing Student (MANS) or alternate

[16] Secretary, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) or alternate

[17] Secretary, Health and Mental Hygiene or alternate

[18] Superintendent, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) or alternate

C. Appointment Process - Members shall be appointed by the representing agency at the request of the Membership Committee.

D. Meetings - Meetings shall be held at least annually and as determined by the Steering Committee.

[A] The work of the Commission shall be accomplished through Standing Committees.

[B] Standing Committees shall consist of but are not limited to:

[1] Education

[2] Nursing Technology

[3] Recruitment

[4] Workplace/Retention

[5] Marketing

[6] Membership

[C] The Commission shall appoint committees as needed to assist in accomplishing the strategic plan.

[D] Membership

[1] Committees shall be open to all interested individuals.

[2] All commissioners shall serve on at least one (1) committee.

[3] Committees shall have at least four (4) commissioners as members.

[E] Chair

[1] Members of the committee shall elect the Chair from among its commissioner members and a co-chair from the membership (may or may not be a Commissioner).

[2] Meetings:

[a] Committees shall meet as necessary to accomplish their objectives.

[b] Committees shall meet at least twice a year.

[3] Duties - Committee duties shall be defined by the strategic plan.

[A] Whenever possible the decision of an issue will be reached by consensus.

[B] When consensus cannot be reached in a reasonable time, a member may call for a vote or the Chair may put the issue to a vote.

{C] When the majority reaches a decision, it will be binding on all parties.

[A] The chair of the Commission shall remove a commissioner for failure of the commissioner or alternate to attend 80% of committee meetings or failure to attend at least 66% (2/3) of the Commission meetings in a year’s time period.

[B] If the alternate attends, it will be recorded as an attendance of the commissioner.

X. Commission meeting shall be held at least quarterly.

XI. Planning Process

[A] The Commission shall initiate a planning process with expected outcomes and timelines.

[B] The planning process shall be continuous.

[C] The Commission shall routinely review progress toward goals and establish the direction for the coming year.

[D] The Commission shall initiate a strategic plan.

XII. Proposed Initiatives

The following initiatives will form the basis of the Strategic Plan:

[A] Assess, monitor, and evaluate the current and long- term impact of the nursing workforce on access to, and delivery of safe, quality compassionate nursing care.

[B] Establish committees to address issues and make recommendations related to the nursing workforce and delivery of safe, quality and compassionate nursing care.

[C] Develop and implement a standardized statewide system of data collection.

[D] Promote public and institutional policies that will enhance Maryland’s nursing workforce throughout the State.

[E] Establish a clearinghouse for all initiatives throughout the State related to the nursing workforce.

[F] Report annually on the nursing workforce and issues related to the quality of nursing and health care to the nursing community, legislature, the commissioner appointing organization or agency, and the public.

[G] Serve as an advisor to public and private entities to facilitate implementation of the nursing workforce strategies.

XIII. Funding

The Maryland Board of Nursing will fund and provide support for the Maryland Nursing Workforce Commission in accordance with the budget.