DELEGATE information

House of Delegates

The House of Delegates is the body of Sigma that holds legislative and judicial powers. According to the bylaws, each chapter must have representation to act on its behalf in the House of Delegates for items of business before the organization. It is vital that every chapter is represented and has a voice, so your service as a delegate is truly appreciated!

For the 47th Biennial Convention, the House of Delegates will take place from 14-15 November. This is a synchronous event, and all delegates (in-person and virtual) must be available during the posted times in order to participate and cast their votes in real-time. These sessions will include voting on proposed bylaws and articles of incorporation amendments and the slate of international officers, reporting on the activities of the biennium, and recognition of award recipients and new chapters.

Chapters should identify Convention Delegates in the Chapter Management System (CMS) Officer and Committee Chair Report by 1 June 2023.

Delegate communication starts early, so it is imperative to appoint them on time. Each chapter has two delegate positions to fill. One person can fill both roles but needs to be designated in the Chapter Management System as both Convention Delegate 1 and Convention Delegate 2 for that individual to cast both chapter votes during the proceedings. It is also recommended that chapters identify an alternate delegate to ensure chapter representation in case an emergency arises. This is especially important if only one person is listed as both Convention Delegate 1 and Convention Delegate 2 and is casting both votes. Please keep in mind that any active, dues-paying member of your chapter can represent the chapter as a delegate.

In addition to identifying delegates in the CMS, delegates also need to be registered convention attendees in order to participate. The standard registration deadline is 11 October.

Convention Delegate Community

If you are serving as a chapter delegate, be sure to visit The Circle, Sigma’s online member community, where you’ll find a special community just for delegates. The Convention Delegate Community is a place where you can ask questions about your role, find links to important documents (ballot and proposed bylaws and articles of incorporation changes once available), learn about the schedule of events, and talk with other delegates and staff.

• Visit TheCircle.SigmaNursing.org/MyGroups 
• Scroll to find the community called “Convention Delegates.”

Voting

Prior to the convention, delegates should become familiar with the issues to be considered and communicate with your chapter membership to determine how the chapter would like their votes to be cast.

Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, and Resolutions

During the House of Delegates, delegates will vote on changes to Sigma's bylaws, or governing document, and proposed resolutions. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Meet the Candidates

During the House of Delegates, delegates will vote on the slate of international officers. The slate will be shared as it becomes available.

Voting Information

The virtual House of Delegates will operate on a standalone platform different from the online convention. Sigma is working with Lumi Global, our longtime electronic voting partner, to customize their platform for the upcoming member meeting. Lumi has worked with hundreds of organizations to facilitate secure, user-friendly meetings and voting. Sigma will share virtual delegate login information approximately two weeks prior to convention.

All delegates will use their own personal devices to cast their votes.

Virtual Delegates

• Voting should be done on a laptop or desktop computer with speakers and a microphone.
• Please have access to a strong, reliable internet connection for streaming the live meeting.
• Google Chrome is the preferred web browser to use.
  • Other web browsers that are supported: New Edge (Chromium) or Firefox
  • Web browsers that are not supported: ‘Legacy’ Edge, Safari, Internet Explorer
• Please make sure to update your web browsers to the newest version for the best viewing experience.

Questions about your role?

If you need further clarification about your role or have any questions, please post your question to the Convention Delegate Community for a prompt response. Delegates with questions at convention may visit the Delegate Information Desk located in the Hall 4 West Registration. Please check your convention program book or the event app for the Delegate Information Desk hours.