[il-talk] Entire proposed chicago constitution
Patti Gregory-Chang
pattichang at att.net
Mon Mar 28 22:59:48 UTC 2011
If we pass the last article regarding dues, the Chicago Constitution will
read as follows in its entirety.
DRAFT 2 Constitution of the NATIONAL FEDERATION of the BLIND of ILLINOIS
CHICAGO CHAPTER CONSTITUTION
PROPOSED 2011
It is proposed that the October 2003 Chicago Chapter Constitution be amended
by substituting the following language in its entirety. We will vote
article and section by article ans subsection.
ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this organization shall be The National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE The purpose of the Chicago Chapter of the National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois shall be to advance the general welfare
of the blind of the Chicago area, of the state of Illinois and of the
nation; to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the
Blind; to serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of the
Chicago area; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and
interested sighted persons can come together to plan and carry out programs
to improve the quality of life of the blind; to provide a means of
collective action for parents of blind children; to forward the interests of
blind students and provide them with a means of joint action and expression;
to promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; to
achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality
with the sighted; and to take any other action which will improve the
overall condition and standard of living of the blind.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section One - Members At least a majority of the members of this
organization must be blind. Every person is presumed to be eligible for
membership in this organization. For this reason any person may become a
member of this organization with all the rights and responsibilities of
membership in the National Federation of the Blind Chicago Chapter by
tendering dues; and shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak
on the floor, and hold office.
Section Two- Affiliation Membership in this organization automatically
establishes membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
and the National Federation of the Blind.
Section Three- Expulsion: Any member may be expelled for violation of this
Constitution, for conduct unbecoming to a member of the Federation or for
egregious acts including but not limited to racism, or sexism by a two
thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular
business meeting of this organization. The National Federation of the Blind
of Illinois Chicago Chapter is an all inclusive organization. A person
charged with any of these offences must be presented with a written copy of
the charges at least one 1 regular business meeting prior to the business
meeting at which these charges are to be heard and must be afforded an
opportunity to respond in writing or orally. The state convention or the
state Board of Directors of this organization may reinstate any person who
has been expelled unless such expulsion has been confirmed by 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
National Convention or by the National Board. Any person who feels that
he/she has been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the
Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may (in
its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES: There shall be elected annually a
President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President a Secretary, and
a Treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the
meeting at which they are elected and qualified. Officers and board members
shall be elected by a majority vote of the members who are present and
voting; a majority of the members voting must be blind. All members shall
be eligible to vote in an election if, they have paid their dues at least
one (1) chapter meeting prior to the date of the election. Election shall be
by voice vote, standing vote, show of hands, or roll call vote unless a
majority of the members who are present and voting decide that a secret
ballot shall be used. There shall be no proxy voting. If no nominee
receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the name of the person
receiving the fewest votes shall be dropped from the list of nominees, and a
second ballot shall be taken. This procedure shall continue until one of
the nominees has received a majority vote from the members present and
voting. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated
with that office. The President, the Vice Presidents, and a majority of the
Officers must be blind.
ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors of this organization
shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers and four (4)
additional members. The four (4) Board Members shall be elected at the same
time and in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers.
The Board shall meet at least four times each year, at the call of the
President or on written call signed by any three (3) of the Board Members.
The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of
the organization between meetings. At least a majority of the members of
the Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact
business. The Board may be polled by telephone, e-mail, or mail ballot on
any questions. A majority of the Board must be blind.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS:
Section One - Regular Meetings: This organization shall hold regular
meetings at a time and place to be determined by the membership. At least
20 members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.
Section Two - Special Meetings: The President of this organization may call
a special meeting of the body at any time he/she, or a majority of the Board
of Directors, deems such action to be necessary. At such special meeting at
least 20 members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact
business.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES: The President may appoint such committees as
he/she or the organization deems necessary.
ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION: The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Chicago Chapter shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the
Blind of Illinois and the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish
to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois upon
request a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected
officers and board members. A copy of the Constitution of the National
Federation of the blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter and of all amendments to
the Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois and the National Federation of the Blind
without delay. This constitution and any amendments to this constitution
will not take affect until they are ratified by the state board of directors
of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois. The National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter shall not merely be a
social organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to
promote the economic and social betterment of the blind. This organization
shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois and the provisions of the contract
appearing on the back of the Charter of Affiliation issued to state
affiliates by the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the
National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois (whether made by the National Convention or the National Board of
Directors or the State Convention or the State Board of Directors) are
binding on this organization, and this organization shall participate
affirmatively in carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of
affiliation, it is agreed by this organization that the National Federation
of the Blind (whether by action of the National Convention or the National
Board or the State Convention or State Board) has the power to expel or
discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate
or local chapter. In the event of reorganization, the assets of this
organization shall belong to the reorganized chapter or if no reorganization
occurs for a period of two years, to the National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois and the former chapter shall dissolve and cease to exist. The name
National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant
thereof is the property of the National Federation of the Blind; and this
organization, if it ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the
Blind, (for whatever reason) shall forfeit the right to use the name
National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant
thereof.
ARTICLE IX. DUES: The dues of this organization shall be $5 per year,
payable in advance. Existing members' dues are owed on the anniversary date
of the month on which they paid prior to the adoption of this constitution
and annually thereafter. Dues are owed annually on the anniversary date of
the members joining the chapter for all members joining after the effective
date of this constitution. If a member wishes to alter the date upon which
their dues are owed, they may do so by paying before their anniversary date.
A life-time membership may be secured for a fee of $100.00. Dues must be
paid at least one chapter meeting before an election to gain eligibility to
vote.
ARTICLE X. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS: The funds of this organization shall be
deposited in a bank to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the
President. The Treasurer and all signatories on bank accounts shall be
bonded. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged
by check, issued on written order of the President, and signed by the
Treasurer.
ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION: In the event of the dissolution of this
organization, or if (for whatever reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of
the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois its assets shall be given
to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois to be held in trust for
a reorganized chapter in the area. In the event that no chapter is
reorganized in the area for a period of two (2) years from the date this
organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the
Blind of Illinois the assets become the property of the National Federation
of the Blind of Illinois.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS: This Constitution may be amended at any regular
meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
members present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been
submitted in writing and read at a previous business session and provided it
is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation received
by the state affiliate from the National Federation of the Blind and with
the policies of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and the
National Federation of the Blind.
Adopted: ???
_______________________________________
Dave Meyer, President NFBI Chicago Chapter
RATIFIED BY the STATE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL Federation OF THE Blind OF
ILLINOIS on ???.
_______________________________________
Patti Gregory-Chang President NFBI
OFFICIAL PLEDGE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND I pledge to
participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind
to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the
policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its Constitution.
P.S. Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund
via your phone bill.
P.S.S. National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is now on twitter at
www.twitter.com/nfbi.
We also have a facebook page. Just search for our full name.
Patti Gregory-Chang, Esq.
Chairperson, NFB Scholarship Committee
scholarships at nfb.org
President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
pattichang at att.net
www.nfbofillinois.org
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