[nabs-l] Blind Majority

[Jedi]

Well, in the Canadian Federation of the Blind, sighted members can't 
vote or serve as officers.

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> 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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