[Mn-at-large] Constitution Draft

[David Andrews]

This looks very good to mje.  I don't see anything I would want to 
change.  Thanks for doing this!

Dave

At 09:34 PM 12/21/2014, you wrote:
>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]
>
>
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         David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org