[Mn-at-large] Constitution Draft

[Jennifer Dunnam]

At-Large Minnesota Federationists:

Pasted below is a draft constitution. This includes some elements from other
affiliates' at-large constitutions plus elements of constitutions of other
chapters in Minnesota. Please discuss, ask questions, and make it what we
want for our at-large chapter.

Draft 1 
Constitution of the 
NATIONAL FEDERATION of the BLIND of MINNESOTA AT-LARGE CHAPTER

ARTICLE I. NAME 

The name of this organization shall be The National Federation of the Blind
of Minnesota At-Large Chapter.
					
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE 

The purpose of the At-Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
of Minnesota shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of the
state of Minnesota 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 in Minnesota; 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 1: Qualifications

Any blind or sighted person who is a member of the National Federation of
the Blind of Minnesota and is interested in promoting the purposes of this
organization is eligible for membership. Membership is concurrent with
membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, and
termination of that membership shall terminate membership in this
organization.

Section 2: Classifications

Membership in this organization shall be of two classifications: regular
membership and associate membership as provided in the Bylaws of the
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. At least a majority of the
regular members of this organization must be blind.

Section 3: Admittance to Membership

Persons who are members of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
may become members of this organization by requesting membership in the
organization.

 ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES: 

There shall be elected annually a President, a Vice President, and a
Secretary-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. Election shall be by voice vote 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
and the Vice President must be blind.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS: 

Section One - Regular Meetings: 

This organization shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be
determined by the membership. At least 4???? 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 4???? members must be
present to constitute a quorum to transact business.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES: 

The President may appoint such committees as he/she or the organization
deems necessary.

ARTICLE VII. AFFILIATION: 

This organization shall be a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
of Minnesota and shall furnish to the National Federation of the Blind of
Minnesota annually, on or before June 1, a list of the names and addresses
of its members and elected officers. A copy of this constitution and
amendments thereto shall be sent to the President of the National Federation
of the Blind of Minnesota without delay. This shall not be merely 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 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota 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
Minnesota (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.

ARTICLE VII. DUES: 

There shall be no dues for this organization in addition to dues for the
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.  

ARTICLE IX. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS: 

If and when the At-Large chapter establishes a treasury account, all funds
shall be deposited in a bank to be selected by the Treasurer with the
approval of the President. All financial obligations of this organization
shall be discharged by check, issued on written order of the President, and
signed by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE X. 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 Minnesota its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the
Blind of Minnesota 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 Minnesota the assets become the
property of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS: 

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization
by an affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the regular members present
and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to the
membership with a written notice of the meeting. No amendment shall take
effect until approved by the Board of Directors of the National Federation
of the Blind of Minnesota.

Adopted [Date]

[Signatures]

RATIFIED BY the STATE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL Federation OF THE Blind OF
MINNESOTA on [Date]
[Signature]