[nabs-l] proposition for amendment to constitution

Jorge Paez computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com
Fri Jun 17 19:08:06 UTC 2011 

article IV states:

"There will be no proxy votes"

However, if we have paid our dues we should be able to vote. Even if we aren't able to go to convention.

That's why I'm proposing the amendment below, which would strengthen the underlying organization by allowing those unable to attend the convention to vote, while restricting this to only members who pay the $5 either online before the vote or who have been registered in the database as contributing members.


So the idea is that when you vote online, you're name or address or something would be put threw a database. If you've paid, the computer will validate the vote, if not, it'll simply ask you to pay the $5, and the language I'm proposing would allow for such an addition to our system.




On Jun 17, 2011, at 2:31 PM, Tina Thomas wrote:

> Hello Jorge- Can you clarify the article in the student's constitution that
> you feel violates membership rights. 
> Tina  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Jorge Paez
> Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 9:53 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] proposition for amendment to constitution
> 
> I understand,
> which is why that particular article violates our membership rights.
> That is exactly what I'm trying to get fixed.
> 
> 
> On Jun 17, 2011, at 12:41 PM, Darian Smith wrote:
> 
>> George,
>> in the constitution, the language states  clearly that there is to be
>> no "proxy voting".  I have pasted the language for your review.
>> "Officers and board members   shall be elected
>> by a majority vote of the members of this Association present and
>> voting. All officers and board   members must be in school for one
>> year following their
>> election. There shall be no proxy votes."
>> 
>> 
>> As the constitution of this division, and of our national  body
>> prohibits  this,  we are indeed not in violation of our constitution.
>> The constitution odes  provide for an   amendment to be  submitted
>> for  consideration and review by the  membership.
>> The text of  this provision follows:"This constitution may be amended
>> at any regular meeting of the   Association by an affirmative vote of
>> two-thirds of the active   members present and voting,
>> provided the amendment has ben   submitted to the President in
>> writing, at least one day in   advance of the regular meeting.
>> "
>> 
>> Marsha,
>> Nothing prohibits a student from runningin an election if they are
>> not present- in fact this has  happen before.  It's really a matter of
>> if the people present  believe the   individual seeking an office
>> would  end up working  out better  for the organization than the
>> people who are  currently in the room and seeking that same office.
>> 
>> I hope this was helpful,
>> darian
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 6/17/11, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> In theory this is a good suggestion. But lets be realistic here. This
> would
>>> be a complicated process of tallying the votes. If the students were to
> do
>>> this, the general convention would want this too. Its sad that those who
>>> can't be there can't vote, but that is where those who can't be there,
>>> should get involved to elect those who they feel would do the best job
>>> possible.
>>> 
>>> Say if you were to have a online way to take votes, how are you going to
>>> distinguish from those who are really not going to those who are going to
>>> convention but who want to vote and add votes to a particular person
>>> running.
>>> 
>>> Now correct me someone if I am wrong, isn't it true that you can run, not
>>> necessarily be there, and be elected? Or must you be present? Different
>>> divisions do this differently.
>>> 
>>> Marsha
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf
>>> Of Jorge Paez
>>> Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 11:57 AM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] proposition for amendment to constitution
>>> 
>>> Hello all:
>>> I want to propose the following amendment to the constitution, to article
>>> IV.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Voting
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Due to the fact that there are people who will not be present at the
>>> convention due to issues beyond the membership's control, but who have
> paid
>>> dues and do therefore, retain their right to vote, the NATIONAL
> ASSOCIATION
>>> OF THE BLIND shall henceforth recognize
>>> these members by allowing them to vote, in such methods as are legal and
> of
>>> good practice, in all elections pertaining to the business of this
>>> organization.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> 
>>> end of amendment.
>>> 
>>> The defense I put forth for this amendment is simple: if we are to be a
>>> democratic organization, and if we are truly the "voice of the Nation's
>>> blind" we must realize there are students who will not be able to attend
> but
>>> who have paid dues, and these students must be recognized and given the
>>> chance to vote in elections. If not, we are violating our own
> constitution
>>> as article IV is doing as of this writing, by eliminating those members
> who
>>> cannot attend convention, and therein setting only a certain portion of
> the
>>> student membership to vote.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Jorge
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>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Darian Smith
>> 
>> "My secret?  See it, and stay focused on it."
>> 
>> - Shaquille O'Neal
>> 
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