[Ctabs] Reminder: Business Meeting Tonight

[Justin Salisbury]

CTABS members and leaders:

I look forward to talking with everyone tonight at our July business meeting.  As you may recall from our last meeting, we have a constitutional amendment on which to vote.  I have pasted at the bottom of this message a copy of the proposed constitutional amendment.  Here is a brief summary of what it does. The current constitution only provides for the expulsion of members; it does not provide for lesser disciplinary actions. The amendment introduces flexibility.

Meeting Information
When: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 9:05 p.m. EST
Where: Conference number (760) 569-9000
Access code: 433706

Talk soon!

Justin Salisbury
President
Connecticut Association of Blind Students

The current Article III, Section 3
 
Any member may be expelled for violation of this constitution or for behavior unbecoming to a member of the National Federation of the Blind, by a majority vote of the members present and voting at an annual business meeting or by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors. The annual business meeting of this organization may reinstate any person who has been expelled, unless such expulsion has been confirmed by the state convention, the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut, the
National Convention, or by the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the Convention or board of directors that confirmed the expulsion. Any person who feels he or she has been unjustly expelled from the organization may appeal to the state board of directors or the annual state convention. If the appeal is denied by the state board [or the state convention], the party may further appeal to the national board of directors, who may, at their discretion, reinstate a member. 

The NEW Article III, Section 3

Any member may be suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined for misconduct or for activity unbecoming to a member of this organization by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors or by a simple majority of the members present and voting at a business meeting. If the action is to be taken by the Board, there must be good cause, and a good faith effort must have been made to try to resolve the problem by discussion and negotiation. If the action is to be taken by the membership, notice must be given on a preceding day at an open Board meeting. The annual business meeting of this organization may reinstate any person who has been expelled or revoke any discipline, unless such action has been confirmed by the state convention, the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut, the National Convention, or by the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the Convention or board of directors that confirmed the expulsion or discipline. Any person who feels he or she has been unjustly expelled from the organization or disciplined may appeal to the state board of directors or the annual state convention. If the appeal is denied by the state board [or the state convention], the party may further appeal to the national board of directors, who may, at their discretion, reinstate a member. Until or unless the Board's action is reversed by the National Convention, the ruling of the Board shall continue in effect.