Being an official and associate delegate for your school

Each Chapter School is entitled to one official delegate, and one or more associate delegates.

Students at member schools elect an Official Delegate (OD) for their chapter as their voting representative at the regional and national meetings; each chapter has one vote at meetings. Students at a chapter school may also elect one or more Associate Delegates (AD) to assist the OD. The AD may vote in the absence of, or with the permission of the OD.

Official Delegate (OD)

Supporting Quality Nursing Education and Entry to Practice; and, Be a Trusted and Reliable Source of Information for Canadian Nursing Students.

  • Promote and encourage the participation of CNSA and CNSA related professional and social events.

  • Orientate students to CNSA including the goals of the association and benefits of membership.

  • Promote and encourage application to CNSA awards at their chapter school.

  • Keep students informed about CNSA activities and encourage participation.

  • Maintain a permanent chapter address and a file of CNSA business and information including correspondence and reports.

  • Provide the regional director with an outline of the chapter goals and activities for the year and submit bi- monthly memo on the last day of the month (with the exception of the months May through August in which schools are closed for Spring/ Summer terms) and notify the Regional Director of any change in contact information throughout the year.

  • Maintain communication with the Faculties, Colleges, Schools of Nursing, and Regional Member School regarding chapter’s activities.

  • Vote on behalf of their chapter at Regional Executive and National Assembly meetings.

  • Attend all business meetings of the regional and National Assembly meetings; if unable to attend, provide written regrets to the Regional Director.

  • Present an oral and written report with recommendations at each business meeting of the region.

  • Surrender to the incoming OD all records and files with an oral and written explanation and recommendations within fourteen ( 14) days of the end of the term of office.

  • Work with Associate Delegate ( AD) in prompting and carrying out the activities of the Association

  • Promote the CNSA awards within their chapter

  • Distribute emails and updates from the Regional Director and Board of Directors to all members within their chapter

  • Vote for the Regional Achievement Award recipient on behalf of their chapter

  • Consult members on their needs regarding services and information.

  • Educate members on how to access services.

  • Increase the profile of new and existing initiatives.

  • Work with their school’ s administration to include CNSA fees into the school’ s registration costs

  • Continue to develop and promote National nursing students’ week on chapter school campuses

  • Communicate effectively and frequently with the Regional Director and other chapter schools in the region to maintain connections within CNSA.

  • Attend all business meetings of the Regional Executive and National Assembly

    • Attendance is important and expected

  • Collaborate with the Associate Delegate(s).

Advocate for the Increased Incorporation of Indigenous Health and Social Policies, as so listed in the following actions, within Nursing context and profession

  • Seek speakers and additional educational opportunities to provide an Indigenous perspective if your curriculum does not already do so.

  • Start meetings with a Land Acknowledgment to remind Chapter Members that we are settlers on Indigenous land.

Promote Social Justice as it Relates to Gender, Sexuality, Anti- Oppression, and Anti- Racism

  • Disseminate related information regarding current CNSA activities, positions, and resolution statements to students and faculty.

  • Encourage chapter members to get involved on their campuses.

  • Disseminate recommended eLearning or modules to extend nursing education into underrepresented patient populations.

  • Keep CNSA Chapter Members aware of cultural safety, anti- oppression, anti-racism, and anti- discrimination within meetings.

Support the Enactment of Measure that Improve Nursing Commitment to the Advancement of Climate Health in Nursing Practice

  • Be conscious of Chapter activities and their impact on the environment. Opt for environmentally - friendly initiatives to reduce our footprint and do our part to remain sustainable in practice.

  • Disseminate related information regarding CNSA activities, positions, and resolution statements to students and faculty

  • Advocate for climate friendly initiatives within Chapter Schools. For example, volunteer clean- up, education regarding climate health, and reducing wastes during meetings

Associate Delegate (AD)

  • Assists the Official Delegate in the aforem entioned duties.

  • Acts as a proxy in the event of the OD’ s absence for voting purposes.

  • Attend all business meetings of the Regional Executive and National Assembly.

  • Act for the OD on occasions where the latter i s unable to attend

  • Promote CNSA and CNSA activities in their chapter along with the OD.

Within Your Region Communication

Communication between the Regional Director, Official Delegate, and Associate Delegate helps to ensure continuity of information and helps make a smooth transition between membership years. Communication within schools, between regional chapters, and at a national level helps to build a strong, united voice of nursing students. It is expected that the OD/ AD of each member school:

  • Provide contact information to the Regional Director each year with updates as necessary.

  • Maintain an email account for the CNSA chapter at their school.

  • Submit a monthly update to their Regional Executive highlighting chapter activities.

  • Act as the communication link between CNSA and the general members with their chapters by distributing pertinent information.

  • Disseminate a biannual report to their Regional Executive fourteen (14) days before the fall and winter regional meetings for presentation.

A problem or breakdown in communication is defined as:

  • Failing to access the CNSA email account at least once a week.

  • Not providing accurate contact information to the Regional Director.

  • Not alerting one’ s Regional Director of changes to contact information

  • Not disseminating a monthly update.

  • Not responding to direct queries from your Regional Director or Regional Executive.