[nabs-l] Proxy Voting

[Jorge Paez]

Hello Arielle:
One quick question on the nominating committee

is this meeting open to the public during convention?

On Jun 20, 2011, at 12:41 PM, Arielle Silverman wrote:

> Hi all,
> I just spoke with Joanne Wilson, director of affiliate action for the
> National Federation of the Blind and a former NFB national board
> member. She informed me that any provision in NFB's national
> constitution prohibiting proxy voting would also apply to the NFB's
> chapters, affiliates, and divisions including NABS. I found the
> following clause in the NFB's national constitution:
> ARTICLE V. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CONVENTION, THE BOARD OF
> DIRECTORS, AND THE PRESIDENT
> 
> 
> 
>            Section A. Powers and Duties of the Convention. The
> Convention is the supreme authority of the Federation. It is the
> legislature of the Federation. As such, it has final authority with
> respect to all issues of policy. Its decisions shall be made after
> opportunity has been afforded for full and fair discussion. Delegates
> and members in attendance may participate in all Convention
> discussions as a matter of right. Any member of the Federation may
> make or second motions, propose nominations, and serve on committees;
> and is eligible for election to office, except that only blind members
> may be elected to the National Board. Voting and making motions by
> proxy are prohibited. Consistent with the democratic character of the
> Federation, Convention meetings shall be so conducted as to prevent
> parliamentary maneuvers which would have the effect of interfering
> with the expression of the will of the majority on any question, or
> with the rights of the minority to full and fair presentation of their
> views. The Convention is not merely a gathering of representatives of
> separate state organizations. It is a meeting of the Federation at the
> national level in its character as a national organization. Committees
> of the Federation are committees of the national organization. The
> nominating committee shall consist of one member from each state
> affiliate represented at the Convention, and each state affiliate
> shall appoint its member to the committee. From among the members of
> the committee, the President shall appoint a chairperson.
> 
> Later on in the constitution, there is also a sentence stating that
> proxy voting is prohibited in NFB's affiliates and chapters.
> Based on the above, I believe our hands are tied regarding the
> amendment proposed. If you feel strongly that NFB's policy regarding
> proxy voting should be modified, I would encourage you to discuss this
> with your affiliate president, with an NFB national board member, or
> with President Maurer directly.
> That said, I do appreciate the on-list discussion. It is good to spend
> some time considering the reasons behind our policies and bylaws.
> Best regards,
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association  of Blind Students
> 
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