[NFBA-Phoenix] Constitution

[Tanner Gers]

Besides the articles of affiliation, disbursement of funds, dissolution, and
amendments, here are the proposed changes to the constitution we are working
on. Again, this is the entire document and does not reflect changes within
the aforementioned articles.

 

Phoenix Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona

Revised Constitution 

February --, 2017

 

ARTICLE I. NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be the Phoenix Chapter of the National
Federation of the Blind of Arizona 

 

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Phoenix Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
of Arizona shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of the
Phoenix area, of the state of Arizona 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 of the Arizona; 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. Blind is defined as an individual with a visual impairment
ranging from legal blindness to total blindness.

 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

 

Section One - Active Members

 

At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be
blind. Any person may become an active member of this organization by paying
annual dues of $5, receiving a majority vote of the members present and
voting at any regular business meeting, and shall have the right to vote,
serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office. An active member
is a dues paying member who attends and or participates in 6 events in a
rolling 12-month calander year with special considerations given to those
actively participating in committees supporting the Phoenix chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind of Arizona. Events are defined as and
include all chapter, Affiliate or national meetings and events, conference
calls, social gatherings, fund-raisers, and other official gatherings of the
Phoenix chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona. Any
member who does not satisfy the 6 events in a 12-month rolling calendar year
will be moved to Associate Member status, will not be considered an "Active
Member," and thereby will not count toward the official membership roster,
nor affect the Phoenix chapter's ability to hold quarum. To reestablish
active membership status, a member must reach the goal of participating in 6
events within a 12 month rolling calendar year.

 

Section Two - Associate Members

Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization by a
majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular business
meeting, or shifted to associate membership if they are unable to attend 6
events within the past 365 days. Associate members shall have all the rights
and privileges of active members within this chapter, except that they may
not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors. Associate members
shall not pay dues. 

 

 

Section Three - Honorary Life-Time Membership

An Honorary Life-Time Membership may be granted to an Active Member of the
Phoenix Chapter that exhibits extraordinary dedication and commitment to
promoting the policies and programs of the organization.  Honorary Life-Time
Membership status may be granted upon three-fourths vote of the Active
Members present and voting at any regular business meeting.  An Honorary
Life-Time member shall exercise all the rights of Active Members without
being assessed the responsibility of paying annual dues or attending 6
events in a rolling calendar year to maintain status.  $1.00 (one dollar)
from the Phoenix Chapter treasury shall be forwarded to the treasurer of the
NFBA each year on behalf of this member.  Any member receiving this distinct
recognition shall retain it for Life except in the event their actions meet
the criteria for expulsion.

 

Section Four - Affiliation

Membership in this organization automatically establishes membership in the
National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and the National Federation of
the Blind. 

 

Section Five - Expulsion

Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for conduct
unbecoming to a member of the Federation by a majority vote of the active
members present and voting at any regular business meeting of this
organization. The state convention of this organization may reinstate any
person who has been expelled unless such expulsion has been confirmed by the
National Convention or by the Board of Directors of the National Federation
of the Blind, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the
National Convention or by the National Board. Any person who feels that
he/she has been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the
Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may (in
its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision. 

 

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

 

There shall be elected in February on even numbered years a President, a
First-Vice President, a Second-Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the meeting at which
they are elected and qualified. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote
of the active members who are present and voting. When 2 or more nominees
are up for election, elections shall be by secret ballot only. Nominees must
be present at the meeting in which elections are being conducted. Voters may
vote in an election remotely or telephonically, but their vote will be
recognized as a voice vote. 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 active members present and
voting. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with
that office. The President, the Vice President, and a majority of the
Officers must be blind.

No later than November of odd numbered years, the president of this
organization shall establish a Nominating Committee that will consist of a
chair person and three (3) additional members. The chair person will not
vote, unless there is a tie that needs to be broken. The role of this
committee is to nominate members of the chapter as prospective officials
slated for election in February of the following even numbered year. In
January, the Nominating Committee chair will present a nomination report to
the membership at the January chapter meeting.

 

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5)
constitutional officers and two (2) additional members. The two (2) Board
Members shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner as that
prescribed for the election of officers. The Board shall meet at the call of
the President or on call by any four (4) of the Board Members. The Board
shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the
organization between meetings. At least a majority of the members of the
Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact
business. The Board may be polled by telephone, e-mail, through any digital
device, or mail ballot on any questions. A majority of the Board must be
blind.

 

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

 

This organization shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be
determined by the membership. At least one third (1/3) of active members
must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 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. In the instance of not being able to hold quorum, and timely
business needs to be conducted, four (4) board members may meet separate
from the general membership in-person or electronicly, to vote on the said
timely business. If the majority of board members are unable to hold quorum
and vote on timely business, business affairs will be tabled until the next
general meeting or the majority of the board can hold quorum.

 

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

 

The President may establish such committees as he/she deems necessary, and
committee chairs may appoint members to said committees. The core committees
of the Phoenix chapter include, but are not limited to Membership,
Fundraising, Social, and Nominating committees. The president of this
organization will also appoint members of this chapter to represent this
chapter on state committees.

 

ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION

 

The Phoenix Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona shall
be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and the
National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President and the
Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona annually,
thirty days prior to the state convention a list of the names and addresses
of its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of the
Phoenix Chapter and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent for
review to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona
and the National Federation of the Blind without delay. The Phoenix Chapter
shall not merely be 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 Constitution of
the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona 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
Arizona (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. As a condition of
affiliation, it is agreed by this organization that the National Federation
of the Blind (whether by action of the National Convention or the National
Board or the State Convention or State Board) has the power to expel or
discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate
or local chapter. In the event of reorganization, the assets of this
organization shall belong to the reorganized chapter or if no reorganization
occurs for a period of two years, to the National Federation of the Blind of
Arizona and the former chapter shall dissolve and cease to exist. The name
National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant
thereof is the property of the National Federation of the Blind; and this
organization, if it ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the
Blind, (for whatever reason) shall forfeit the right to use the name
National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant
thereof. 

 

ARTICLE IX. DUES

 

The dues of this organization shall be $5 per year and are payable in
advance. In order to be eligible to vote in the February elections, dues
must be received by the end of the day on the day of the January chapter
meeting. The Chapter shall forward $1 per year to the National Federation of
the Blind of Arizona for each member. No person may vote who is delinquent
in the payment of his/her dues.

 

ARTICLE X. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS 

The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank to be selected
by the Treasurer with the approval of the President. If the members so vote,
the Treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of this
organization shall be discharged by check, issued on written order of the
President, and signed by the Treasurer. 

 

ARTICLE XI. 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 Arizona its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind
of Arizona 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 Arizona the assets become the property
of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona. 

 

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

 

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization
by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and
voting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and
read at a previous business session and provided it is in compliance with
the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation received by the state affiliate
from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the
National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and the National Federation of
the Blind. 

 

OFFICIAL PLEDGE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

 

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of
the Blind 

to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; 

to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
Constitution.

 

 

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