[MDPOBC] Proposed Amendment to NFBMD Constitution

Thu Feb 12 05:56:43 UTC 2026

Federation Family,

The NFB of Maryland Board of Directors is proposing a constitutional
amendment to the convention.  This message provides written formal notice
that we will consider amending the affiliate constitution at the 2026
convention.  We will read the proposed amendment at the Board Meeting, which
constitutes a formal business meeting.  We will then vote on the proposed
amendment during the General Session this weekend.

The proposed amendment increases the number of board members from 11 to 13
by adding two additional board seats.  The number of officers will not
change.  

Below is a copy of the constitution with the proposed changes in brackets.

CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND

ADOPTED BY THE 1979 CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF
MARYLAND ON OCTOBER 28, 1979

AS AMENDED BY THE 1982 CONVENTION ON AUGUST 28, 1982 AND BY THE 2020
CONVENTION ON NOVEMBER 7, 2020

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind
of Maryland.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of
the blind of Maryland and the nation, and to function as an integral part of
the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section One: ACTIVE MEMBERS

At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be
blind. All active members of chapters and divisions shall automatically
become members of this organization, with the right to vote, serve on
committees, speak on the floor and hold office.

Section Two: ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization
either by the convention or the Board of Directors. Associate members shall
have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may
not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors. Associate members
shall not pay dues.

Section Three: Disciplinary Action

Any member may be suspended or disciplined for violations of the National
Federation of the Blind code of conduct, other misconduct, or for violation
of this Constitution, by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.  Any
member may be expelled for violations of the National Federation of the
Blind code of conduct, other misconduct, or for violation of this
Constitution, by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting
at any regular business session of this organization, or by a two-thirds
vote of the Board of Directors.

The state convention 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 an
unjust expulsion has occurred 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: CHAPTERS AND DIVISIONS

Section One: Chapters

Any organized group desiring to become a chapter of the National Federation
of the Blind of Maryland shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, a copy of its
Constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its members and
elected officers. When the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland,
either in Convention assembled or by action of its Board of Directors shall
approve the application, it shall issue to the chapter a Certificate of
Acceptance. Annually, on the earlier of either: 1) February 1; or 2) on a
date determined by the President of this organization or the National
Federation of the Blind, each chapter shall provide to the President of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland or the President's designee a
current list of its members and their addresses. At the same time, each
chapter Treasurer shall forward to the State Treasurer the state dues for
each member in the chapter, and a detailed financial report of the chapter
for the last year. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the
calendar year. As new members enter chapters, their names and addresses
shall be sent without delay to the National Federation of the Blind
according to its membership reporting procedures, and their state dues shall
be sent without delay to the Treasurer of the state organization. No group
shall be accepted as a chapter and no group shall remain a chapter unless a
majority of its voting members are blind. The President, Vice President, (or
Vice Presidents) and at least a majority of the Executive Committee or Board
of Directors of the chapter must be blind. The President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall be an ex officio member of each
chapter. In the event of dissolution of a chapter, or if (for whatever
reason) the chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets
shall become property of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
Each chapter is required to contribute at least twenty-five percent of its
net annual income to the state organization. Any chapter which fails to meet
this requirement may be suspended by action of the Board of Directors of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.

Section Two:  Divisions

The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for admission of divisions
and shall determine the structure of the divisions.  Divisions shall pay
dues to the state affiliate, submit annual membership lists, and be subject
to discipline by the Board of Directors and the national organization.  Each
division shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt a constitution.

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 active members who are present
and voting. 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 active members present and voting. The
President and Vice Presidents must be blind. The duties of each officer
shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.

ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of five (5)
constitutional officers and [eight (8)] six (6) members at large. [Four (4)]
Three (3) of the Board members at large shall be elected for two (2) year
terms at the annual convention during odd numbered years and [Four (4)]
three (3) shall be elected in even-numbered years.

The [eight (8)] six (6) members at large shall be elected in the same manner
as that prescribed for the election of officers. A majority of the Board
must be blind. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of
the affairs of the organization between conventions. At least [eight (8)]
six (6) members of the Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a
quorum to transact business. The Board may be polled by telephone,
electronic means, or mail ballot on any question.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section One: ANNUAL CONVENTION

This organization shall hold an annual convention, the time and place of
which shall be fixed by the membership or, if this is not possible, by the
Board of Directors. At least twenty-five percent of the active members must
be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual
convention.

Section Two: SPECIAL MEETINGS

The President of the organization may call a special meeting of the body at
any time the president,  or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such
action necessary, but at such special meetings at least   twenty-five
percent of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to
transact business, and written notice must have been sent to the President
of each  chapter at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

The President may appoint such committees as the president or the
organization deems necessary.

ARTICLE IX: AFFILIATION

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall be an affiliate of
the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of
the National Federation of the Blind annually, on the earlier of either: 1)
March 1; or 2) on a date determined by the President of this organization or
the National Federation of the Blind, the list of the names and addresses of
its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland and of all amendments to the
Constitution shall also be sent to the President of the National Federation
of the Blind.

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall not merely be a
social organization but shall formulate programs and actively work to
promote the economic and social betterment of the blind. The organization
shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National
Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the
Blind (whether made by the National Convention or the National Board of
Directors) are binding on this organization, and this organization must
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 National Board) has the power to expel or discipline a member,
chapter, division, or affiliate. In the event of reorganization, the assets
of the affiliate and its  chapters and divisions belong to the reorganized
affiliate, and the former affiliate 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 or any of its  chapters or divisions which cease 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 X: DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENTION

The organization shall elect each year at least one (1) delegate and at
least one (1) alternate delegate to attend the convention of the National
Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected delegate unless that
person is an active member in good standing. To the extent of the resources
of the organization, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to
the convention of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.

ARTICLE XI: DUES

The annual dues of the organization shall be at an amount set by the Board
of Directors,  payable in advance. In accordance with Article IV of the
Constitution,  chapters and divisions shall pay the state dues of their
members. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of  dues.

ARTICLE XII: 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. All financial
obligations of the organization shall be discharged by order of the
President, in a manner approved by the Board of Directors, and authenticated
by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this organization, or (for whatever
reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the
Blind, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind, to
be held in trust for a reorganized affiliate in the state. In the event that
no affiliate is reorganized in the state for a period of two (2) years from
the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National
Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National
Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization
by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and
voting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and
read at a previous business session.

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

Pronouns: she, her, hers

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back

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