<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Thank you Sheri for providing the constitution to the member of your chapter. In fact, I am going to ask all chapters and divisions to review their respective constitutions during the year to come. We should modernize them and be sure that they are in an electronic file. <div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">It is well that we should all know and understand what is contained in the constitutions of the organizations to which we belong. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">, to say that we should uphold a constitution to the letter is not a practical way of governing. All constitutions are to some degree subject to interpretation. </div><div class="">Although the constitution of the United States has served us well for more than 200 years, laws passed by congress and or executive orders created by the president are some times challenged on the basis of constitutionality. In those cases it is left to the courts to make determinations about whether or not the law in question should be upheld. When the constitution is not absolutely clear on a matter there are several things the courts must consider.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">When I look at <font face="Times" class="">ART. IV Meetings in your chapter’s constitution I see the following language:</font></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class="">"Section 1—Regular meetings. This organization shall hold one (1) business meeting per month at a time and place to be determined by a majority vote of the membership. At least ten (10) members must be resent to constitute a quorum to transact business.”</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class="">I interpret that to mean that a majority of the chapter members present shall determine the day, location, and time of chapter meetings. This is so that members and those interested in becoming members shall no when and where meetings are held on a regular basis. </div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""> If the chapter were to try to live by the “letter” of this article, there would have to be a meeting literally in every month of the year, including during extreme weather conditions, it would mean that you would have to conduct a meeting during December rather than holding a Christmas party as some chapters choose to do. We could stretch this much further should we choose to do so. </div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class="">This article neither grants the president the authority to cancel a meeting nor prohibits him or her from doing so.</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class="">We cannot possibly foresee every circumstance that might arise when writing a constitution therefore we only try to build in those protections that are needed or required.</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class="">In addition to reading and understanding this constitution, iI encourage everyone to read and study the essay written by President Riccobono entitled making decisions, setting policy, and taking action, the governmental structure of the National Federation of the blind. This can be found in our book Building the lives we want. </div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times;" class="">I remind everyone that according to the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio the president of <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14px;" class=""> be affiliate is ex officio a member of each local chapter and division.</span></div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""> Therefore, when I offer advice, it does not come from an outsider with no real interest in the chapter.</p><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I hope we can engage in meaningful discussions about ways to grow and build this chapter. That will not happen if we become embroiled in unnecessary and unproductive discussions on this list.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">That is not my intent in replying to this message. However, I believe that it deserved a reply.</div></body></html>