Revised at the 2008 PCN Forum, May 1, 2008

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1. This organization is called the Pediatric Chaplains’ Network. In these Bylaws it is referred to as the PCN.

2. The PCN shall be organized and operated as a charitable organization to promote the following mission: "To enhance the spiritual care of children and families in health care."

3. The Pediatric Chaplains' Network serves the following purpose:

1. To advocate for the unique spiritual needs of children and families in health care;

2. To establish and maintain a network designed specifically for pediatric chaplains to provide nurture, support, communication and other collegial opportunities;

3. To create continuing education opportunities to improve the quality of professional development in pediatric chaplaincy, to share important resources and to promote excellence in clinical skills of pediatric chaplains;

4. To encourage theological and spiritual edification and reflection;

5. To speak for the interests of pediatric chaplaincy in relationships with other professional chaplaincy organizations and with individuals and groups making public policy decisions.

1. The fiscal year for the PCN shall coincide with the calendar year.

2. All expenditures of the PCN shall be in compliance with its mission and purpose, as described in Article I of these By-laws. The Advisory Council shall regularly review the expenditures to ensure such compliance.

1. Membership in the PCN shall be open to all pediatric chaplains and others interested in pediatric chaplaincy and supportive of the mission and purpose of the PCN.

2. Membership shall be renewed each fiscal year by payment of dues. Members whose dues are received by April 1 shall be eligible to vote and hold office. (Editor's note -- becomes effective in 2009, and fiscal year coincides with calendar year.)

3. The amount of membership dues in the PCN shall be set by the Advisory Council and approved by the membership at the annual business meeting.

1. The officers of the PCN shall be President, President-Elect, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Advisory Council shall be composed of these officers, six (6) At-Large Members, and the Immediate Past President.

2. Members of the Advisory Council shall be elected by the membership at the annual business meeting. The President-Elect shall be elected during odd-numbered years. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years. Three of the At-Large Members shall be elected in odd-numbered years, and three in even-numbered years.

3. The Immediate Past President shall be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Advisory Council. The President may vote only in case of a tie. All other members of the Council shall have voting privileges. A voting member shall abstain from voting on matters in which s/he has a conflict of interest.

4. The President and President-Elect, with the consultation of the Advisory Council, shall constitute the Nominating Committee and present, at the annual business meeting, a slate of eligible members who meet the qualifications specified in the job descriptions and have agreed to serve, if elected. Additional nominations from members shall be accepted from the floor.

5. The vote to elect Advisory Council members shall be taken by paper ballot, at the annual business meeting, unless the membership shall vote to suspend this rule for any reason.

6. The term of office shall be two years. The President-Elect shall succeed the President, without further vote of the membership. The Secretary-Treasurer and At-Large Members of the Advisory Council, may serve two successive terms of office, if re-elected by the membership.

7. Any member of the Advisory Council may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative of the votes cast at the annual business meeting or by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative of the PCN membership voting by mail ballot whenever, in the judgment of six (6) voting members of the Advisory Council, the best interests of the PCN shall be served by the removal.

8. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, or other reason may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by presidential appointment, with the approval of the majority of the Advisory Council.

1. The President shall be the principal executive officer and spokesperson of the PCN, and subject to review by the Advisory Council, shall perform all duties customary to that office and shall direct the affairs of the PCN in accordance with its mission and purpose and the policies and directives approved by the membership. The President may sign documents and enter into agreements necessary to carry out the objectives of the PCN, except where the membership or these By-laws prohibit.

2. The President-Elect shall serve in the absence of the President and shall succeed the President. S/he shall accept delegated responsibility from the President, by mutual agreement.

3. The Secretary-Treasurer or designee shall keep the minutes of all PCN and Advisory Council meetings; maintain the correspondence and records of the PCN; and keep accurate accounts of its receipts and disbursements, assets and liabilities. S/he shall deposit all money and other valuables received in the name of the PCN as designated by the Advisory Council.

4. The At-Large Members of the Advisory Council shall participate in leadership decisions for the future of the PCN and shall assume responsibilities and serve on committees, as the President or the Advisory Council as a whole may designate. Such responsibilities may include: program plans for the annual PCN Forum; publicity; communication with members and prospective members via e-mail, newsletter, telephone, etc; fundraising and grantwriting; professional education; professional standards and advocacy; and other activities, as may further the mission and purpose of the PCN.

5. The Immediate Past President shall serve in an advisory capacity to the President and to the Advisory Council, for purposes of continuity of leadership, and shall accept responsibilities from the President and/or the Advisory Council, by mutual agreement.

1. The PCN shall schedule and hold an annual conference called the PCN Forum.

2. The PCN Forum shall offer opportunities for professional education, fellowship, and corporate worship for PCN members and others interested in the mission and purpose of the PCN.

3. The Advisory Council shall set the annual registration fee for the PCN Forum.

1. All checks, drafts, or other orders and authorizations for the payment of debts shall be signed by the President or Secretary-Treasurer or such other person/s as the Advisory Council may from time to time designate. No person shall authorize a payment or reimbursement to him/herself.

2. The Advisory Council may accept on behalf of the PCN any contribution, gift, or bequest for the purposes of the PCN.

3. No part of the net earnings of the PCN shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, Advisory Council, officers, or other private persons, except for that the PCN shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payment and distributions in furtherance of the mission and purpose set forth in these By-laws.

4. These By-laws may be altered, amended, or repealed, or new By-laws may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the total votes cast.

5. The PCN shall not engage in any activities prohibited to an organization exempt from federal income tax under any of the following:

   a. Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954;

   b. Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954;

   c. Corresponding future federal regulations of charitable and not-for-profit organizations.

6. The PCN shall provide an annual report of PCN activities and finances.

1. Dissolution of the PCN by consent of the members shall consist of unanimous agreement of the Advisory Council, together with a majority of votes cast at the annual business meeting which shall be publicized in advance to the membership for the purpose of this vote.

2. Should circumstances dictate that dissolution of the PCN be considered at a time other than the annual business meeting, the Advisory Council shall make provision for the membership to vote by telephone, fax, mail, and/or e-mail.

3. Should the PCN be dissolved, the Advisory Council shall: