Community & District Nursing Association


Constitution and Rules of the CDNA

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1. Name


The name of the Association shall from May 1994 be the ‘Community and District Nursing Association’, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Association’.


2. Office


The registered office of the Association shall be The National Office, Walpole House, 18-22 Bond Street, Ealing, London, W5 5AA.


3. Objects


The objects of the Association shall be:

(a) To represent primary care at national policy making levels i.e. participation in various Department of Health working groups throughout the UK

(b) To represent and support members in their working environment;

(c) To promote and maintain high standards of education and professional standards in Community and District Nursing;

(d) To encourage and sustain close co-operation within primary health care and other health related sectors;

(e) To inform and advise members of relevant changes in the Primary Health Care setting and other health related sectors;

(f) To gain official recognition by employing Authorities.


Article 4 - Membership and Subscriptions


4(a) Full Member

Those nurses working within a (i) Community setting and/or Primary Health Care who have recognised community qualifications and are currently registered to practise with the NMC; (ii) Those nurses currently registered to practice with the NMC and working in a nursing capacity in a Community setting and/or in Primary Health Care; or working within Higher Education Institutes (HEI’s) or on secondment to the acute Trust (iii) those Health Care Assistants/Nursing Auxiliaries employed in Primary Health Care and/or in a community setting;

4(b) Affiliate Member

Open to those who (i) Do not meet the above criteria, e.g. practise managers, members of voluntary organisations, directors of social services and others interested in Primary Health Care or (ii) Nurses who wish only a professional affiliation to the Association.

4(c) Associate Member

Open to former Full Members of the Association who have retired their post.

4(d) Student Member

Open to those nurses who have not yet gained the necessary qualifications so as to be registered to practise with the NMC but who are currently training at a recognised institution with the view to becoming a RN.

N.B. Affiliate and Associate Members will not have voting rights nor will they be covered by the Association’s indemnity insurance scheme or be able to seek industrial relations help or representation.

4(e) Payment of subscriptions and renewals:

Members joining the Association will have the following options relevant to the payment of their subscription i) Direct Debit - monthly ii) Direct Debit - annually.

Renewals by Bank Giro Credit will be retained only for those who so choose providing they were in Membership prior to July 1997. Any member wishing to resign from the Association shall do so by advising the Membership Office and their Bank one month before the subscription falls due. Refunds of subscriptions (either in whole or part), which reach the Association’s accounts, will not be made, unless it is the fault of the Bank.

4(f) The Committee shall be entitled to remove from the Register of membership of the Association the name of any member whose membership subscription shall have become lapsed. In such cases the member will be informed and will have the right to appeal to the NEC.

4(g) The annual subscription for members shall be determined by the National Executive Committee.


Article 5 - Rights and Benefits of Membership

(a) Full members and Student Nurse members shall be covered by the Association’s indemnity insurance.

(b) Student Nurse members shall also benefit from advice and assistance from the Association on issues relating to their training and on any matter which affects them as a pre-registered nurse.

(c) Affiliate and Associate members cannot benefit from industrial relations assistance or representation.

Article 6 - Application for membership


6(a) Application for membership shall be made on the prescribed form.

6(b) New members are entitled to full services from day one. However if there is a pre-existing problem such new members may be requested to pay up to six months subscriptions on joining. Legal assistance would not normally be provided but may be considered by the full time officer in consultation with the National Executive Committee.

6(c) Members agree that when a legal opinion and or assistance is provided members accept that the advice provided by our solicitors is binding. Members in receipt of legal assistance will continue to pay full subscriptions until such time as the matter is concluded.

6(d) Where an application for membership is one for Student Nurse membership, proof of that student status shall be provided and accompany their application for membership.

6(e) Any candidate for membership whose application is rejected and who is dissatisfied with the reasons may submit an appeal in writing to the NEC.


7. Termination of membership


Every member accepted to join the Association shall continue as such until their written resignation has been accepted by the Committee or they have been expelled by resolution of the Committee.


8. Biennial meeting


An Biennial General Meeting (BGM) will be held every two years. Business to be transacted at the Biennial General Meeting will be:

(a) Minutes of previous meeting
(b) Report of the past year
(c) Accounts for the years
(d) Appointment of Auditors
(e) Resolutions (if any)
(f) Such other important business as the Committee deem appropriate.


Article 9 - Extraordinary Meetings


The National Executive Committee shall reserve the right to call Extraordinary Meetings at the request of the President or National Chair or at the request of 5% of the membership.


10. Notice of meetings


At least four months notice in writing will be given of the BGM.

All business and resolutions for the BGM will be submitted to the National Chair at least two weeks prior to the date of the BGM.


11. Voting


Voting will be by a show of hands on a decision of the majority of those present and voting. The Chair of a meeting will have a casting vote.


12. Proxies


A member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting is entitled to appoint another person as their proxy to attend and vote instead of themselves. Such proxy must be a member of the Association.


Article 13 – Office Holders


The Office holder of the Association shall be the President who shall be elected by the membership.


Article 14 – The National Executive Committee (NEC)


The management and development of the Association and its policy is vested in the NEC who will have power such as would be exercised by the Association as a whole. Members elected to the NEC shall attend 50% of possible meetings within 12 months or be asked to retire and other members elected in their place. Special circumstances at the discretion of the National Chair shall be considered.

14(a) The NEC shall consist of:

(i) The President

(ii) 14 Members drawn from the Article 4(a), (b), (c) or (d) category of membership but in any event, not less than 12 members from Article 4(a) category. If however there are less than 14 members the NEC shall have the right to co-opt. Co-opted members will not have the right to vote.

14(b) Nominations for seats on the NEC shall be made in writing to the National Office to be received no later than 12 weeks prior to the BGM. Nominees must be proposed and seconded and shall include the consent of the person being nominated at a quorate meeting. Nominations must come from a branch or recognised workplace.

NB A recognised workplace is an established workplace where there is no stabilised branch but where members are active on behalf of the CDNA in areas of negotiation, representation and recruitment.

14(c) The NEC shall appoint from its members one person to be the National Chair of the Association. The committee will have the power to appoint Vice-Chair from its members.

14(d) The normal term of office for an elected member of the NEC will be four years. Committee seats, which fall vacant within these time spans, shall be notified to the membership in accordance with Article 14e(ii).

14(e) (i) Existing NEC members seeking re-election need to be proposed and seconded at a quorate meeting in accordance with 14(b).

(ii) Committee seats that fall vacant with more than two years to run to be filled either by bye election or the highest loser from the last election (that had taken place). For a period of less than two years a member may be co-opted by the NEC. Co-opted members do not have the right to vote.

(f) The NEC will have the power to form working groups of sub-committees and co-opt members for specific tasks and periods of time.

(g) In order for business to be valid at the bi-annual meetings of the NEC, a quorum of 7 of its members shall be in attendance.


15. Funds


Proper audited books of account will be maintained. An annual statement of Accounts will be presented to the NEC and a full account will be presented to the BGM of the Association. The Bank Account of the Association will be operated by signatories authorised by the Committee. On disbandment, the Association will determine the disposal and destination of the Funds.


16. Branches


Formation and Dissolution

All members living or working in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland shall be attached to a local branch where this is practicable. The Committee shall have the power to authorise the formation and dissolution of Branches on production of such application or evidence as it may from time to time require.

Officers and Representatives


Each branch shall elect its own Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The National office must be notified of any officers elected to other posts within a branch i.e Steward, Recruitment officer, H&S Rep.

Annual Meeting


Each Branch shall hold an Annual Meeting between 1January and 31 March. At its annual meeting each Branch shall elect its officers and representatives, receive an annual report and balance sheet.

Funds and accounts


Branch funds may be used for the payment of the expenses of the management of the Branch and of such other expenses as will in the Branch’s view further the interest of the Association or the promotion of its objects and have been specially authorised by the Branch.
The Treasurer of each branch shall prepare the annual balance sheet for submission to the Branch annual meeting. After the balance sheet has been approved by the Branch it will be sent to the National Office to be received no later than 2 weeks after the Branch’s AGM.


17. Amendments to the Constitution and Rules


Notice of proposed amendments to the Constitution and Rules must be given in writing in the normal way for consideration and determination at a meeting of the Association. A decision will be valid on the majority of votes of two thirds of those present and voting.


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