Put pen to paper and write a resolution!
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What is a Resolution?
A resolution is a written statement that, when adopted by the House of Delegates, is the basis for the policies and actions of the Oregon Student Nurses Association. Resolutions are presented on matters of importance to OSNA, its members and constituent associations, nursing, and the health needs of the public. For example, resolutions may address issues relevant to nursing education, nursing practice, state regulations for nursing, etc. A resolution is composed of two parts: the “whereas” clauses that summarize, with documentation, the reasons and rationale for the resolutions; and the “resolved” clauses that contain the position to be taken on the issue and/or actions to be taken by, its constituent associations, and its members. These components of resolutions are described in detail below.
Why Write a Resolution?
Submitting a resolution to the House of Delegates at our annual convention is a good way to bring an issue that is important to you to the attention of nursing students across the state. Even if your resolution is not adopted, many students will have been exposed to the issue it addresses. If it is adopted, then various relevant organizations will be notified that OSNA holds a particular position on the issue addressed. When educators, policymakers, and the public learn that we have adopted a particular resolution in our House of Delegates, they know that a great deal of support for the position expressed in the resolution exists among Oregon nursing students. Additionally, the process of writing a resolution is a great opportunity to become more knowledgeable about issues affecting the profession of nursing, and presenting a resolution to the House of Delegates is great practice in public speaking. Experience in writing and presenting resolutions now will form a strong foundation for professional involvement throughout your career.
The Resolutions Process
1. Choosing the Topic and Positions/Actions to be Taken
The first step in the resolutions process is choosing a topic that you want the House of Delegates to vote on and pass as well as the positions and/or actions you want OSNA to take. During this step of the process you have an opportunity to talk with members of your school chapter to find out what issues are important to them. The topic you choose must reflect the purposes and functions as stated in the OSNA bylaws. These are listed in Article II, Sections 1 and 2.
Also, be sure to look over past resolutions when deciding on your topic, as duplication of prior resolutions is not recommended. However, a resolution of reaffirmation may be written if it has been more than five years since the policy was established.
2. Documenting the Need
You will need to research your topic thoroughly to provide adequate documentation demonstrating the need for a resolution. Remember, this need is presented in the WHEREAS clauses. Each WHEREAS clause must be appropriately referenced (APA Style). Documentation of WHEREAS statements can include: magazine and newspaper articles, text and reference books, materials from other organizations, and speeches, as well as research experiences. However, it is strongly suggested that a majority of the references used come from professional journals and other appropriate sources. The documentation should be factual, rather than opinion. Copies of the documentation must accompany the resolution when it is submitted. Each whereas statement must be referenced, using APA format, with corresponding documentation underlined for ease of identification.
3. Writing a Resolution
Look over the sample resolution provided in the following pages and pay attention to the differences between the WHEREAS and RESOLVED clauses. Remember, WHEREAS clauses demonstrate the need for what is being proposed in the RESOLVED clauses. Look at the following examples:
WHEREAS, “about 22.2 million women currently smoke in the United States including approximately 20 to 45 percent who are pregnant” (Albrecht, Rosella, Patrick, 1994, pg. 155); and
For Example:
RESOLVED, that the OSNA encourage health care providers to supply pregnant women with information on the fetal effects of smoking during pregnancy, and on the availability of smoking cessation programs, as part of routine prenatal care; and be it further…
Notice how this RESOLVED statement clearly addresses the need demonstrated by the WHEREAS clause above.
Have other students and faculty groups or individuals read the resolution and provide suggestions for addendums, deletions, or alterations. This will decrease the number of changes that will occur once it is brought before the House. Please do not hesitate to contact the OSNA Legislative Education Director, Jennifer Rosales, who will be happy to answer questions about all phases of the resolutions process.
5. Submitting the Resolution
OSNA school constituents, the OSNA Board of Directors, and OSNA committees may each submit one resolution, authored by OSNA members, for consideration by the House of Delegates.
The deadline for resolution submissions for the 2014 Convention is February 1, 2014.
SEND ALL RESOLUTION INFORMATION TO:
OSNA Legislative Education Committee
Attn: Natasha Hofstetter
18675 SW Boones Ferry Road, Ste. 200
Tualatin, OR 97062
Resolutions must adhere to the following guidelines:
6. Must be reviewed by the Legislative Education Director and the Resolutions Committee
The Legislative Education Director, along with the Resolutions Committee, will review all submitted resolutions. The author(s) will then be contacted regarding any revisions needed (e.g. additional documentation, changes in format, etc.) before the resolution can be considered by the OSNA House of Delegates at the annual convention.
7. House of Delegates
After the Legislative Education Director and its committee have reviewed your resolution, the next step is consideration by the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates is the voting and decision-making body of OSNA, which meets during annual conventions. In the House of Delegates, you will be allowed three minutes to present your resolution, and debate on the resolution will then be permitted. Delegates from school chapters across the state will be able to speak for or against your resolution. At this time, any delegate may also amend the resolution. If the House of Delegates adopts your resolution, it will then be implemented by OSNA as directed in the RESOLVED clauses.
8. Implementation of Resolutions
Unless specified otherwise in the resolution, the OSNA Board has the primary responsibility for its implementation, based on directives in the “resolved” clauses. Resolutions are edited for consistency and editorial style and are sent to the parties named in the “resolved” clauses. Summaries of the resolutions will appear in the Oregon Vitals, and resolutions are considered as possible topics for Oregon Vitals articles.
Strategies for Writing a Resolution
Here are some hints to help you get your resolution passed:
1. Be concise. The delegates will get copies of all resolutions and this means a lot of reading. If your resolution is too wordy, it will not get the attention it deserves. Try and limit your resolution to five “whereas” clauses: choose the strongest five facts and use the others in discussion and debate. Resolutions should be no longer than 2 pages.
2. Be realistic. The resolved statements should include specific actions that are realistic and able to be implemented. Resource availability (both human and financial) will affect the implementation of resolutions.
3. Be positive. A positive approach always works better than a negative one. Write positive statements, and address the issue positively when you are speaking to it.
4. Be knowledgeable. Know the facts about all parts of your resolution. Be aware of other resolutions that have been passed on your issue and be sure to state in your resolution why reaffirmation of the same stand is timely.
5. Gather support and assistance. Students from your school chapter should not be the only ones involved in getting your resolution passed. Try to involve other chapters and members in supporting your resolution. Share your facts and ask others to come to the microphone to speak pro to your resolution. This will not only help get your resolution passed, it will encourage other OSNA members to get involved. This is also a good way to get to know OSNA members from across the state as well.
6. Use your time at the microphone wisely. As the author, you will have and opportunity to speak to the resolution first. Remember that the delegates have a copy, so do not read it to them. Instead, take this opportunity to state some of the facts that might not be included in the “whereas” clauses. You will have 3 minutes to speak to the resolution.
Sample Resolution
Note: This resolution is a sample NSNA resolution, but the same format is applicable for OSNA resolutions.
TOPIC: IN SUPPORT OF BILLBOARD REGULATION
SUBMITTED BY: University of Pittsburgh Nursing Students’ Association
1 WHEREAS, “tobacco and alcohol industries are the largest, most powerful clients of
2 Billboard companies” whose billboards are heavily concentrated in low
3 socioeconomic areas (Godshall, 1993, p.1); and
4 WHEREAS, 535,095 people die annually of smoking and alcohol related causes
5 (Mintz, 1991, p.1); and
6 WHEREAS, minors are targeted by these industries to be consumers of their
7 products (Mintz, 1991, p.1); and
8 WHEREAS, billboards, strategically placed within crucial camera angles at sports
9 events, are inconsistent with the current ban on TV advertising
10 (Hwang, 1992, p.1); and
11 WHEREAS, 80% of adults who smoke began as youths, 50% by age 13, 25% by age
12 11, influenced by billboard cartoon characters such as Joe Camel and
13 Kool’s Willie Penguin (Levin, 1992, p.1; Dagnoo, 1991, p.1; Green, 1990, p.1);
14 and
15 WHEREAS, alcohol-related accidents are the #1 cause of death among Americans
16 age 3-19 (MADD chapter brochure, n.d., p.1); and
17 WHEREAS, a 1992 Gallup survey showed that most respondents believe the power
18 to regulate billboards which protect minors from these suggestive
19 influences (p.1); and be it further
20 RESOLVED, that NSNA urge its constituents to support billboard regulation as a
21 Community Health/Legislative Project be printed in Imprint, if feasible;
22 and be it further
23 RESOLVED, that NSNA send a copy of this resolution to the American Nurses’
24 Association, the National League for Nursing, and any others deemed
25 appropriate by the NSNA Board of Directors.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(Submit on a separate page)
Dagnoll, J. (1991). Three faces of Kool. Advertising Age. (44), 54.
Godshall, B. (1993, January). “Action Alert: Tobacco & Alcohol Billboard Control in
Pittsburgh.” Smokefree Pennsylvania.
Green, M. (1990). Luring kids to light up. Business and Society Review. 73 (Spring),
22-28.
Hume, S. (1990). Regulate outdoor ads: poll. Advertising Age. 61 (33) 20.
Hwang, S. (1992, July 17). Some stadiums snuff out cigarette ads. Wall Street BI
Journal. Section B6, p.1.
Levin, G. (1992, April 27). Poll shows Camel ads are effective with kids. Advertising
Age.
MADD aka Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Allegheny County Chapter. It’s the little
things that make us MADD.
Mintz, M. (1991). The tobacco pusher’s marketing smokescreen. Business and Society
Review. 79 (Fall), 49-54.
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Press Office. Don’t let alcohol shatter your dreams:
Facts and issues about underage drinking.
Whaley, L., and Wong, D. (1991). Nursing Care of Infants and Children. (4th ed.) Mosby
Year Book: St. Louis, p.980.
ESTIMATED COST OF IMPLEMENTATION
(Submit on a separate page)
Document Size 2 pages
Photocopy Costs $.10/page x 2 pages = .20/copy x 2 mailings .40
Postage Costs: $.32/copy x 2 mailings .64
Envelopes: $.05/envelope x 2 envelopes .10
Total Cost: $1.14
Contacts
(Submit on a separate page)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
American Nurses’ Association
8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400
Silver Springs, MD 20910
National League for Nursing
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Abstract
(Submit on a separate page)
The purpose of this resolution is to raise awareness about the need for enforcement of existing laws to regulate the make and design of children’s toys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of lead based paint in toys in 1977. However, the CPSC is currently in need of additional resources to ensure adequate inspection and proper enforcement of existing laws. Pediatric lead poisoning via toys is a preventable public health concern in this country; therefore, legislation addressing this issue needs to be supported.
A resolution is a written statement that, when adopted by the House of Delegates, is the basis for the policies and actions of the Oregon Student Nurses Association. Resolutions are presented on matters of importance to OSNA, its members and constituent associations, nursing, and the health needs of the public. For example, resolutions may address issues relevant to nursing education, nursing practice, state regulations for nursing, etc. A resolution is composed of two parts: the “whereas” clauses that summarize, with documentation, the reasons and rationale for the resolutions; and the “resolved” clauses that contain the position to be taken on the issue and/or actions to be taken by, its constituent associations, and its members. These components of resolutions are described in detail below.
Why Write a Resolution?
Submitting a resolution to the House of Delegates at our annual convention is a good way to bring an issue that is important to you to the attention of nursing students across the state. Even if your resolution is not adopted, many students will have been exposed to the issue it addresses. If it is adopted, then various relevant organizations will be notified that OSNA holds a particular position on the issue addressed. When educators, policymakers, and the public learn that we have adopted a particular resolution in our House of Delegates, they know that a great deal of support for the position expressed in the resolution exists among Oregon nursing students. Additionally, the process of writing a resolution is a great opportunity to become more knowledgeable about issues affecting the profession of nursing, and presenting a resolution to the House of Delegates is great practice in public speaking. Experience in writing and presenting resolutions now will form a strong foundation for professional involvement throughout your career.
The Resolutions Process
1. Choosing the Topic and Positions/Actions to be Taken
The first step in the resolutions process is choosing a topic that you want the House of Delegates to vote on and pass as well as the positions and/or actions you want OSNA to take. During this step of the process you have an opportunity to talk with members of your school chapter to find out what issues are important to them. The topic you choose must reflect the purposes and functions as stated in the OSNA bylaws. These are listed in Article II, Sections 1 and 2.
Also, be sure to look over past resolutions when deciding on your topic, as duplication of prior resolutions is not recommended. However, a resolution of reaffirmation may be written if it has been more than five years since the policy was established.
2. Documenting the Need
You will need to research your topic thoroughly to provide adequate documentation demonstrating the need for a resolution. Remember, this need is presented in the WHEREAS clauses. Each WHEREAS clause must be appropriately referenced (APA Style). Documentation of WHEREAS statements can include: magazine and newspaper articles, text and reference books, materials from other organizations, and speeches, as well as research experiences. However, it is strongly suggested that a majority of the references used come from professional journals and other appropriate sources. The documentation should be factual, rather than opinion. Copies of the documentation must accompany the resolution when it is submitted. Each whereas statement must be referenced, using APA format, with corresponding documentation underlined for ease of identification.
3. Writing a Resolution
Look over the sample resolution provided in the following pages and pay attention to the differences between the WHEREAS and RESOLVED clauses. Remember, WHEREAS clauses demonstrate the need for what is being proposed in the RESOLVED clauses. Look at the following examples:
- WHEREAS clauses: using the documentation obtained, specifically explain and defend the issue. Be concise and to the point and keep it as short as possible. Citation must be provided for each whereas clause. The WHEREAS clause must include author, year, and page number.
WHEREAS, “about 22.2 million women currently smoke in the United States including approximately 20 to 45 percent who are pregnant” (Albrecht, Rosella, Patrick, 1994, pg. 155); and
- First RESOLVED statement: this should contain the statement of belief, philosophy, or commitment that you want OSNA to take on the issue. Resolved statements must reflect the topic statement.
For Example:
RESOLVED, that the OSNA encourage health care providers to supply pregnant women with information on the fetal effects of smoking during pregnancy, and on the availability of smoking cessation programs, as part of routine prenatal care; and be it further…
Notice how this RESOLVED statement clearly addresses the need demonstrated by the WHEREAS clause above.
- Remaining RESOLVED clauses: these list the direct implementation of the resolution, i.e., the actions to be taken, such as letters to be sent, and the names of organizations and agencies that should receive a copy of the resolution. The first RESOLVED clause states the position OSNA will take broadly on the issue addressed in the resolution, and these following RESOLVED clauses spell out how OSNA is going to do it. For the example RESOLVED clause above, additional RESOLVED clauses might include sending copies of the resolution to the ONA (Oregon Nurses’ Association) and other associations of health care professionals to encourage them to provide information on the effects of smoking on fetal development and the availability of smoking cessation programs, as described above.
Have other students and faculty groups or individuals read the resolution and provide suggestions for addendums, deletions, or alterations. This will decrease the number of changes that will occur once it is brought before the House. Please do not hesitate to contact the OSNA Legislative Education Director, Jennifer Rosales, who will be happy to answer questions about all phases of the resolutions process.
5. Submitting the Resolution
OSNA school constituents, the OSNA Board of Directors, and OSNA committees may each submit one resolution, authored by OSNA members, for consideration by the House of Delegates.
The deadline for resolution submissions for the 2014 Convention is February 1, 2014.
SEND ALL RESOLUTION INFORMATION TO:
OSNA Legislative Education Committee
Attn: Natasha Hofstetter
18675 SW Boones Ferry Road, Ste. 200
Tualatin, OR 97062
Resolutions must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Be submitted both in hard copy and via email as a Word document that is typed, double-spaced, following the format of the sample resolution in this handbook. Note: The Legislative Director is available to assist with formatting.
- Be postmarked by February 1, 2015.
- Be submitted by an OSNA constituent school, the OSNA Board of Directors, or an OSNA committee.
- Be authored by an OSNA member.
6. Must be reviewed by the Legislative Education Director and the Resolutions Committee
The Legislative Education Director, along with the Resolutions Committee, will review all submitted resolutions. The author(s) will then be contacted regarding any revisions needed (e.g. additional documentation, changes in format, etc.) before the resolution can be considered by the OSNA House of Delegates at the annual convention.
7. House of Delegates
After the Legislative Education Director and its committee have reviewed your resolution, the next step is consideration by the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates is the voting and decision-making body of OSNA, which meets during annual conventions. In the House of Delegates, you will be allowed three minutes to present your resolution, and debate on the resolution will then be permitted. Delegates from school chapters across the state will be able to speak for or against your resolution. At this time, any delegate may also amend the resolution. If the House of Delegates adopts your resolution, it will then be implemented by OSNA as directed in the RESOLVED clauses.
8. Implementation of Resolutions
Unless specified otherwise in the resolution, the OSNA Board has the primary responsibility for its implementation, based on directives in the “resolved” clauses. Resolutions are edited for consistency and editorial style and are sent to the parties named in the “resolved” clauses. Summaries of the resolutions will appear in the Oregon Vitals, and resolutions are considered as possible topics for Oregon Vitals articles.
Strategies for Writing a Resolution
Here are some hints to help you get your resolution passed:
1. Be concise. The delegates will get copies of all resolutions and this means a lot of reading. If your resolution is too wordy, it will not get the attention it deserves. Try and limit your resolution to five “whereas” clauses: choose the strongest five facts and use the others in discussion and debate. Resolutions should be no longer than 2 pages.
2. Be realistic. The resolved statements should include specific actions that are realistic and able to be implemented. Resource availability (both human and financial) will affect the implementation of resolutions.
3. Be positive. A positive approach always works better than a negative one. Write positive statements, and address the issue positively when you are speaking to it.
4. Be knowledgeable. Know the facts about all parts of your resolution. Be aware of other resolutions that have been passed on your issue and be sure to state in your resolution why reaffirmation of the same stand is timely.
5. Gather support and assistance. Students from your school chapter should not be the only ones involved in getting your resolution passed. Try to involve other chapters and members in supporting your resolution. Share your facts and ask others to come to the microphone to speak pro to your resolution. This will not only help get your resolution passed, it will encourage other OSNA members to get involved. This is also a good way to get to know OSNA members from across the state as well.
6. Use your time at the microphone wisely. As the author, you will have and opportunity to speak to the resolution first. Remember that the delegates have a copy, so do not read it to them. Instead, take this opportunity to state some of the facts that might not be included in the “whereas” clauses. You will have 3 minutes to speak to the resolution.
Sample Resolution
Note: This resolution is a sample NSNA resolution, but the same format is applicable for OSNA resolutions.
TOPIC: IN SUPPORT OF BILLBOARD REGULATION
SUBMITTED BY: University of Pittsburgh Nursing Students’ Association
1 WHEREAS, “tobacco and alcohol industries are the largest, most powerful clients of
2 Billboard companies” whose billboards are heavily concentrated in low
3 socioeconomic areas (Godshall, 1993, p.1); and
4 WHEREAS, 535,095 people die annually of smoking and alcohol related causes
5 (Mintz, 1991, p.1); and
6 WHEREAS, minors are targeted by these industries to be consumers of their
7 products (Mintz, 1991, p.1); and
8 WHEREAS, billboards, strategically placed within crucial camera angles at sports
9 events, are inconsistent with the current ban on TV advertising
10 (Hwang, 1992, p.1); and
11 WHEREAS, 80% of adults who smoke began as youths, 50% by age 13, 25% by age
12 11, influenced by billboard cartoon characters such as Joe Camel and
13 Kool’s Willie Penguin (Levin, 1992, p.1; Dagnoo, 1991, p.1; Green, 1990, p.1);
14 and
15 WHEREAS, alcohol-related accidents are the #1 cause of death among Americans
16 age 3-19 (MADD chapter brochure, n.d., p.1); and
17 WHEREAS, a 1992 Gallup survey showed that most respondents believe the power
18 to regulate billboards which protect minors from these suggestive
19 influences (p.1); and be it further
20 RESOLVED, that NSNA urge its constituents to support billboard regulation as a
21 Community Health/Legislative Project be printed in Imprint, if feasible;
22 and be it further
23 RESOLVED, that NSNA send a copy of this resolution to the American Nurses’
24 Association, the National League for Nursing, and any others deemed
25 appropriate by the NSNA Board of Directors.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(Submit on a separate page)
Dagnoll, J. (1991). Three faces of Kool. Advertising Age. (44), 54.
Godshall, B. (1993, January). “Action Alert: Tobacco & Alcohol Billboard Control in
Pittsburgh.” Smokefree Pennsylvania.
Green, M. (1990). Luring kids to light up. Business and Society Review. 73 (Spring),
22-28.
Hume, S. (1990). Regulate outdoor ads: poll. Advertising Age. 61 (33) 20.
Hwang, S. (1992, July 17). Some stadiums snuff out cigarette ads. Wall Street BI
Journal. Section B6, p.1.
Levin, G. (1992, April 27). Poll shows Camel ads are effective with kids. Advertising
Age.
MADD aka Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Allegheny County Chapter. It’s the little
things that make us MADD.
Mintz, M. (1991). The tobacco pusher’s marketing smokescreen. Business and Society
Review. 79 (Fall), 49-54.
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Press Office. Don’t let alcohol shatter your dreams:
Facts and issues about underage drinking.
Whaley, L., and Wong, D. (1991). Nursing Care of Infants and Children. (4th ed.) Mosby
Year Book: St. Louis, p.980.
ESTIMATED COST OF IMPLEMENTATION
(Submit on a separate page)
Document Size 2 pages
Photocopy Costs $.10/page x 2 pages = .20/copy x 2 mailings .40
Postage Costs: $.32/copy x 2 mailings .64
Envelopes: $.05/envelope x 2 envelopes .10
Total Cost: $1.14
Contacts
(Submit on a separate page)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
American Nurses’ Association
8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400
Silver Springs, MD 20910
National League for Nursing
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Abstract
(Submit on a separate page)
The purpose of this resolution is to raise awareness about the need for enforcement of existing laws to regulate the make and design of children’s toys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of lead based paint in toys in 1977. However, the CPSC is currently in need of additional resources to ensure adequate inspection and proper enforcement of existing laws. Pediatric lead poisoning via toys is a preventable public health concern in this country; therefore, legislation addressing this issue needs to be supported.