General Assembly
General Assembly is where WSNA members come together to shape the future of our organization.
This biennial meeting gives members the chance to vote on resolutions and changes to WSNA’s bylaws—decisions that directly influence our priorities, programs, and policies.
If you’ve ever wanted to guide the direction of your professional association and union, this is your moment. Your voice matters here, and your vote has power.
Members participate during General Assembly by making and seconding motions, proposing amendments to motions under consideration, speaking to issues, and casting votes.
In addition to considering proposed bylaws amendments and resolutions that have been prepared in advance, in some cases, members may introduce emergency resolutions to address urgent or time-sensitive issues.
To help you get familiar with the process, this short video walks through the basics: how motions and amendments work, how to participate in debate, and how to navigate the flow of discussion. It wraps up with a lighthearted skit that brings everything together and shows what it looks like in action.
Attendance
- Attendance at the General Assembly is open to WSNA members and observers.
- Participants are asked to keep noise to a minimum during sessions of the General Assembly. All electronic devices must be set to vibrate only or must be powered off.
Microphones and speaking
- A member who wants to speak in debate or make a motion must go to microphone #1 or #2.
- A member who wants to raise a point of order or a question of privilege, who has a request for information, or who has a parliamentary inquiry must go to microphone #3 and wave the card available from the microphone monitor. Microphone #3 is not to be used for any other purpose unless directed by the Chair.
- The Chair will generally recognize speakers in the order that they have lined up at the microphones but may recognize a different speaker for the purpose of alternating between those in favor and those opposed.
- When recognized by the Chair, a member will state their name and the purpose for requesting the floor—for example, to speak in favor, to speak against, or to make a motion.
- Each speech in debate is limited to 3 minutes.
Non-voting participants
Attendees other than duly accredited WNSA members may be permitted to ask questions and speak to matters before the General Assembly at the discretion of the Chair. When speaking, a nonvoting attendee must comply with the rules applicable to duly accredited members.
Motions
All main motions and motions to amend must be submitted in writing, unless directed otherwise by the Chair. The Chair may require any other motion to be submitted in writing.
Voting
The initial vote on a motion will be a voice vote, a show of hands, or a rising vote, at the chair's discretion.
Resolutions
Debate and amendment of the preamble of a resolution (one or more clauses beginning “Whereas”) is not allowed. If a resolving clause is amended prior to adoption and it requires a change to the preamble, the bylaws and resolutions committee is authorized to amend the preamble.
Emergency resolutions
- An emergency resolution is a resolution that was not submitted prior to the deadline of March 1, 2025. An emergency resolution must pertain to issues whose significance could not have reasonably been known prior to the deadline and must require urgent action.
- An emergency resolution must include the signature of at least 25 duly accredited WSNA members and must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on the first day of the Convention (Wednesday, April 30, 2025).
- An emergency resolution is referred to the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee without debate. By a two-thirds vote, the committee may decide to not report the emergency resolution.
Other business
A two-thirds vote is required to introduce any original main motion that is not a resolution, is not an emergency resolution, and is not part of a committee report. (An original main motion is one that proposes a question as a new subject and is not procedural in nature.
Robert’s Rules of Order is a time-tested system used in democratic meetings across the country.
WSNA follows Robert’s Rules of Order during General Assembly to keep the meeting fair, organized, and inclusive. These rules guide how members bring forward ideas, participate in discussion, and make decisions together.
Key terms
A formal proposal for the group to take action or express a position.
Example: “I move that WSNA support legislation for nurse staffing ratios.”
Another member must say “Second” to show that more than one person wants to consider the motion.
A proposed change to the original motion.
Example: “I move to amend the motion by adding ‘in all hospital settings.’”
Members take turns speaking for or against the motion or amendment. You must be recognized by the Chair before speaking.
After debate ends, the Chair calls for a vote. Members say “Aye” or “No.” A majority wins.
Additional tools
Used to alert the Chair that you believe a rule or procedure is not being followed.
The Chair may rule a motion out of order if it doesn’t follow the rules or isn’t relevant to the topic being discussed.
Member rights
Each duly accredited WSNA members has the right to speak, to make motions, and to vote.
A duly accredited WSNA member is one who is current in their payment of WSNA membership dues as of 30 days prior to the convening of the General Assembly and who is registered for the General Assembly.
Debate
Each member may speak twice on each debatable motion each day.
The limits of 3 minutes per speech and 2 speeches per member can be extended by a two-thirds vote. This is done by a motion to Limit or Extend Debate.
Process of making motions
When making motions to amend bylaws proposals or proposed resolves of resolutions, a member must legibly write the motion on a pre-numbered WSNA motion form. Motion forms are available from the microphone monitors and from the head monitor’s table at the front of the room. Unless a member is moving to close debate or to second a motion, they must write out the motion and give it to a microphone monitor prior to speaking. Any member who has a proposal in the form of a main motion should also use a motion form and present it in writing to the head monitor who will give it to the Chair. The Chair will present the main motion proposal under New Business.
Parliamentary authority
The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the General Assembly unless otherwise provided by the WSNA bylaws.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time participating in General Assembly or using Robert’s Rules. We’ll have experienced members and staff available to guide you throughout the process and make sure your voice is heard.