Written by Cathy (CJ) Carter-Snell, AFN President, PhD, RN, SANE-A, DF-AFN

My focus this month is on member engagement and the AFN Bylaws. The original bylaws for this organization—defining its governance, structure, and procedures—were established by the AFN Founding Board of Directors (BOD), and we are grateful for the work they did to build a strong foundation for AFN. Over time, however, this document was becoming bulky and needed revision.

Our Bylaws Committee, led by Founding Board Members Annie Lewis-O’Connor and Kathy Bell, have spent the past year working with the current BOD to review and modify our bylaws to fit a template provided by our lawyer. This template is designed specifically to create a solid framework for nonprofit organizations such as AFN.

The result of this amazing work was shared earlier today via email with AFN members. The email included an invitation to review and comment. Remember that this is your organization, and members have the final say in how they want the organization to run. If you are a current member, please check your email and respond with comments on or before April 15.

The next steps will be taking your comments to the Board of Directors to integrate them into the bylaws, and then holding a member vote to adopt them. We hope these steps will be completed by the end of May.

The “how to” of the bylaws are contained in the policies. Many of our existing policies will need to be updated once the bylaws are adopted. We will seek member input for those changes, as well.

As you read the draft of the bylaws, please consider two of the philosophies guiding the organization at present: evidence-informed practice and collaboration.

• Evidence-Informed Practice—AFN has always focused on evidence-based, trauma-informed practice. For us, that means facilitating member access to quality education through webinars, intensives, and conferences. Commitment to evidence-informed practice support also includes ensuring free access to our peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing.

  
  

• Collaboration—In the past few years we have also emphasized collaboration, both within the organization and with other organizations. This is more important now than ever, as organizations grow and evolve.

Please consider these philosophies as you recommend changes to bylaws or policies. We aim to be an organization that lifts forensic nurses up on others’ shoulders, and to act as a resource for all forensic nurses, regardless of country or organization. Your feedback is important. Please let us know how to best support you.

P.S. — This is a gentle reminder that registration to our AFN Regional Forensic Nursing Conferences in Indianapolis (July 22–24) and in Tucson (September 22–24) is open. We look forward to meeting you there!