[nabs-l] Blind Majority

[Mark J. Cadigan]

Let as many sighted people join as they want, just have there vote worth 50% 
or something like that, or have them join in a non voting capacity.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 4:50 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] Blind Majority


> Dear all,
>
> I always knew that the executive positions on any NFB chapter, affiliate 
> or
> division board had to be blind.  I did not, however, know that this 
> majority
> rule also applies to the general membership of these organizations.  It is
> my understanding that at least 51 percent of the membership has to be 
> blind
> and that this provision was primarily included to prevent sighted people
> from taking over the organization.  I can see how this would have made 
> since
> in the organization's early beginnings, maybe even during the 60's, but
> seeing as how the provisions survived the 1986 ratification and is still 
> on
> the books today, I am curious to hear what you think as the up and coming
> generation of leaders.  Is it necessary to guarantee a predominantly blind
> organization through constitutional provisions, or should we be allowed to
> bring in sighted people interested in membership to further promote our
> cause?  I have my thoughts on the subject, but I'm curious to hear your
> views.  The NFB constitution provisions read as follow:
>
> "Section C. State affiliates shall be organizations of the blind 
> controlled
> by the blind. No organization shall be recognized as an "organization of 
> the
> blind controlled by the blind" unless at least a majority of its voting
> members and a majority of the voting members of each of its local chapters
> are blind."
>
> ...
>
> "Any organized group desiring to become a state affiliate of the National
> Federation of the Blind shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the
> president
> of the National Federation of the Blind a copy of its constitution and a
> list of the names and addresses of its elected officers. Under procedures 
> to
> be
> established by the board of directors, action shall be taken on the
> application. If the action is affirmative, the National Federation of the
> Blind shall
> issue to the organization a charter of affiliation. Upon request of the
> national president the state affiliate shall provide to the national
> president
> the names and addresses of its members. Copies of all amendments to the
> constitution and/or bylaws of an affiliate shall be sent without delay to
> the national
> president. No organization shall be accepted as an affiliate and no
> organization shall remain an affiliate unless at least 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 state
> affiliate
> and of all of its local chapters must be blind. Affiliates must not merely
> be social organizations but must formulate programs and actively work to
> promote
> the economic and social betterment of the blind. Affiliates and their 
> local
> chapters must comply with the provisions of the constitution of the
> Federation."
>
> Regards,
>
> Joe
>
> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>
>
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