[il-talk] Proposed constitutional amendment

[Gregory Chang Patti]

Proposed Amendment to IL constitution

The following amendment will be voted upon during our upcoming convention. 

Summary:  This increases our board of directors from 9 to 11 members.  It will afford opportunity for more people to serve on the board.  



Current:

    ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES



    There shall be elected at the regular annual convention, during each even

numbered year, 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 convention at which they are elected and qualified.

    Officers shall be elected by a majority vote, of the members present and

voting.  There shall be no proxy voting.  If no nominee from the list of

nominees received a majority vote, the person with the least number of 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.  Voting shall be decided by a

majority of the active members present and voting.

    The President and the Vice Presidents must be blind.  The duties of each

officer shall be those ordinarily associated with the offices.



    ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS



    Elections, Powers and Duties: The Board of Directors of this organization

shall consist of the five constitutional officers and four additional

members, two of whom shall be elected for two year terms at the annual convention

during odd numbered years and two of whom shall be elected at annual conventions

during even numbered years.  A majority of the Board members must be blind.

    The Board of Directors shall be elected in the same manner as that

prescribed for the election of officers.  The Board shall meet at the call of the

President or on written call signed by any three of the Board members.  The

Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the

organization between conventions.  At least five 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 or by mail ballot on any question.



Amended to:  (If passed.)

    ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

    There shall be elected at the regular annual convention, during each even

numbered year, 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 convention at which they are elected and qualified.

    Officers shall be elected by a majority vote, of the members present and

voting.  There shall be no proxy voting.  If no nominee from the list of

nominees received a majority vote, the person with the least number of 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.  Voting shall be decided by a

majority of the active members present and voting.

    The President and the Vice Presidents must be blind.  The duties of each

officer shall be those ordinarily associated with the offices.



    ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS



    Elections, Powers and Duties: The Board of Directors of this organization

shall consist of the five constitutional officers and six additional

members, four of whom shall be elected for two year terms at the annual convention

during odd numbered years and two of whom shall be elected at annual conventions

during even numbered years.  A majority of the Board members must be blind.

    The Board of Directors shall be elected in the same manner as that

prescribed for the election of officers.  The Board shall meet at the call of the

President or on written call signed by any three of the Board members.  The

Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the

organization between conventions.  At least six 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 by mail ballot on any question.



"Every day we raise the expectations of blind people in the National Federation of the Blind.  Live the Life You Want."

Patti Gregory Chang
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, President
NFB Scholarship Committee Chair 
pattischang at gmail.com
www.nfbofillinois.org