Awards Committee - shall seek nominations for the Ruth T. McGrorey Leadership Award Outstanding Staff Nurse Award, Student Scholarship Awards, Graduating Student Membership Awards and Media Award; and submit recommendations for recipients to the Board of Directors by the May meeting. Committee Chair is Kathleen Heberling, RN By-Laws Committee - shall review and evaluate existing by-laws, consider changes suggested by members and prepare proposed amendments for approval by the Board of Directors for submission to the voting body. The committee shall review the rules of organizational units to ensure that they are not in conflict with these by-laws. Committee Chair is Mary Lorich, RN, MA Education and Program Committee - shall plan, implement and evaluate programs designed to inform Association membership about current issues relevant to nursing practice and/or nursing education. Programs are designed for membership meetings and/or continuing education activities. Committee Chair is Merrily Kuhn, RNC, PhD Finance Committee - shall prepare an annual budget for the fiscal year which shall be May 1st through April 30th, recommend expenditures and investments of funds and identify additional financial needs. Committee Chair is Lynn Kurek, RN Fund Raising Committee - shall plan and implement fund raising activities to supplement the income of the Association, based on needs identified by the Finance Committee. Committee Chair is Barbara Lawrence, RN Legislation Committee - shall assist in promoting and interpreting the NYSNA legislative program; study proposed local, state, and federal legislation for its implication for nurses, nursing and health care delivery; and advise the Board of Directors to promote desired membership as to actions necessary to promote desired legislative goals. Committee Chair is Janice Howard, RN, MS Membership Committee - shall assess needs and devise and implement plans relating to membership promotion, recruitment and retention; review criteria and applications for Association scholarships and submit recommendations to the Board of Directors. Committee Chair is Mary Ellen Cahoon, RN, MSN