[NFBA-Phoenix] Fwd: The Current Constitution As It Stands

[Brad Kuhn]

Good morning Phoenix chapter members;

As many of you recall, we for the past two years, have been working on a revision or overhaul of the phoenix constitution which was adopted in 2006. Unfortunately, our state board did not approve the newly revised constitution. Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to refresh your memory as to what our constitution is currently as adopted into thousand six. Below this email is the current constitution as it stands. I ask that you review this Constitution for September‘s meeting so it does not have to be read during the meeting. I just want to make sure that the chapter as a whole is on the same page. I also would like to remind to the chapter that we as a chapter did vote to adopt a code of conduct that can be  read at any time as a reminder by the Sergeant at arms. Otherwise as we have done for the past few months, we read it prior to the meeting.

 I believe the meetings have ran a lot more smoothly since we adopted the coda conduct and have had our meeting in a different location. Speaking of location. I would like to remind the chapter that we will be having our meeting at Coco‘s bakery at 2026 N. 7th St., Saturday September 15. From 930 until 1130 and will follow it up with a philosophy session from 11:30 to 12:30. If you would like breakfast I asked that you get to cocoas between eight and  845. Please bring your raffle tickets and money to the chapter meeting and it be prepared to give and update on your progress in selling tickets during the rollcall. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the chapter meeting. Sincerely Bradley Kuhn Phoenix chapter president my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Sharonda Greenlaw via NFBA-Phoenix <nfba-phoenix at nfbnet.org>
> Date: February 4, 2017 at 6:04:21 PM MST
> To: nfba-phoenix at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sharonda Greenlaw <sbgreenlaw at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NFBA-Phoenix] The Current Constitution As It Stands
> Reply-To: NFB of Arizona Phoenix Chapter List <nfba-phoenix at nfbnet.org>
> 
> Chapter,
> As promised, here is the Phoenix Constitution as it stands since
> November, 2006.
> 
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
> OF ARIZONA
> 
> PHOENIX CHAPTER
> 
> CONSTITUTION
> Revised: November 4, 2006
> 
> 
> Article I: Name
> 
> The name of this organization shall be the Phoenix Chapter of the
> National Federation of the Blind of Arizona; hereinafter referred to
> as NFBA.
> 
> 
> Article II: Purpose
> 
> The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general
> welfare of the blind of Phoenix, of Arizona and of the Nation. The
> Phoenix Chapter shall not merely be a social organization, but shall
> actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of the
> blind through its support of the policies and programs of the NFBA and
> the National Federation of the Blind; hereinafter referred to as NFB.
> 
> 
> Article III: Membership
> 
> Section 1 - Affiliation. Any person interested in the furtherance of
> the purposes and objectives of this organization is eligible for
> membership in the Phoenix Chapter. Membership in this organization
> automatically establishes membership in the NFBA and in the NFB.
> 
> Section 2 - Active Members. Those wishing to gain or maintain active
> member status in the Phoenix Chapter shall pay dues, annually. At
> least a majority of the active members of this organization must be
> blind. Any person may initially become an active member of the Phoenix
> chapter by a simple majority vote of the active members present and
> voting at any regular business meeting and upon paying dues to the
> treasurer. Active members have the right to vote, to serve on
> committees, to speak on the floor in favor of or in opposition to any
> motion being entertained and to hold office.
> 
> Note: May want to add a paragraph addressing assessing “active” versus
> “inactive” status prior to submitting the chapter’s “Active
> Membership” list to the NFBA president 30 days in advance for voting
> purposes at state convention. This 30 day deadline is required by the
> terms in the NFBA Constitution.
> 
> Section 3 - Honorary Lifetime Member. 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 a simple majority 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. $1.00 (one dollar) from the Phoenix Chapter treasury will be
> forwarded by the treasurer to the NFBA each year on behalf of this
> member.
> 
> Note: Address the question of whether or not a person receiving Honorary Life-
> Time Membership status can become ineligible at a future time. If not,
> consider adding a statement that declares this is a permanent title.
> 
> Section 4 - Expulsion. Any member may be expelled by a simple majority
> vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business
> meeting of this organization for any of the following reasons:
> 
> 1. Flagrant violation of this Constitution and/or rules of the organization,
> 2. Unauthorized activity in the name of the Federation, or
> 3. Releasing confidential information to non-members where it
> adversely affects the interest of the 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 NFB; in which
> event, the person may not be reinstated except by the National
> Convention or by the National Board. Any person who feels he/she has
> been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the Board
> of Directors of the NFB which may (in its discretion) consider the
> matter and make a binding decision.
> 
> Section 5 - Dues. The dues of this organization shall be established
> by a simple majority vote of the active members present and voting at
> any regular business meeting and are payable to the Phoenix Chapter
> treasurer, annually. Dues must be paid in advance no later than the
> conclusion of the regular business meeting each October of an
> even-numbered election year in order to be eligible to vote and be
> considered for office in November. The treasurer of the Phoenix
> Chapter shall forward $1.00 (one dollar) per member per year to the
> NFBA on behalf of each member. No person may retain active member
> status in the Phoenix Chapter who has not made annual payment of
> his/her dues.
> 
> 
> Note: Suggest moving the article addressing Elections (from Article VI
> to Article IV) after Membership, Expulsion and Dues for a more logical
> flow into the make up of the Board of Directors and their Duties. This
> would then advance the article addressing Officers and Their Duties to
> Article V and the article addressing Board of Directors and Their
> Duties to Article VI.
> 
> Article VI: Elections
> 
> Elections shall be held every two (2) years at the regularly scheduled
> business meeting in November of the even numbered years. Each member
> of the Board of Directors shall be elected to serve a term of two (2)
> years. Their term of office shall begin at the conclusion of the
> business session at which they are elected. Anyone whose name is
> placed for nomination for a position on the Board of Directors
> (whether by the Nominating Committee or from the floor during
> elections) must agree to serve in advance and must be present during
> the election process.
> 
> Each member of the Board of Directors shall be elected by a simple
> majority vote of the active members present and voting. 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
> conducted. This procedure shall continue until one of the nominees has
> received a majority vote from the active members present and voting.
> No member of this organization shall hold more than one elective
> office at a time.
> 
> 
> Article IV: Officers and Their Duties
> 
> Section 1 - Officers. Officers of the Phoenix Chapter shall consist of
> President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and
> Treasurer. The President, the First Vice-President, the Second
> Vice-President and the majority of the Board must be blind.
> 
> Section 2 - Duties of the President. The President is the principal
> administrative officer of the organization. As such, his/her duties
> consist of: carrying out the policies adopted by the membership;
> conducting the day-to-day management of the affairs of the
> organization; authorizing expenditures from the treasury in accordance
> with and implementation of the policies adopted by the membership;
> establishing all committees of the organization (except the Board of
> Directors); coordinating all activities, including the work of other
> officers and committees; and taking all administrative action
> necessary and proper to put into effect the programs and to accomplish
> the objectives of the organization.
> 
> Section 3 - Duties of the First Vice-President. The First
> Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President and during such
> time, as the President may be unable to perform the duties of that
> office, perform such duties. If the office of the President becomes
> vacant for any reason, the First Vice-President shall succeed to that
> office.
> 
> Section 4 - Duties of the Second Vice-President. The Second
> Vice-President shall be next in the line of succession.
> 
> Section 5- Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes
> of all Board and Chapter meetings and shall keep a list of the members
> of the Phoenix Chapter and of all committees. The Secretary shall
> furnish to the President of the NFBA, annually, on or before January
> 1st, a list of the names and addresses of Chapter members and elected
> officers. A copy of the Constitution of the Phoenix Chapter and of all
> amendments and By-Laws, thereto. shall be sent to the President of the
> NFBA without delay.
> 
> Section 6 - Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and
> have custody of all funds of the organization. The Treasurer shall be
> responsible for keeping accounts of all receipts and disbursements, in
> addition to presenting written reports to all meetings of the
> membership and to the Board upon request.
> 
> 
> Article V: Board of Directors
> 
> Section 1 - Directors. This organization will have a Board of
> Directors consisting of the five (5) constitutional officers and two
> (2) additional members. The Board shall advise the President and have
> charge of the affairs of the organization between regular business
> meetings. Its function is to make policy decisions when necessary in
> accordance with and implementation of those adopted by the membership.
> The Board of Directors should not make policy decisions that can
> reasonably be postponed until the next regularly scheduled business
> meeting.
> 
> Section 2 - Vacancies. Vacancies in the offices of the Second
> Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer or any of the
> Directorships shall be filled by special election at the next regular
> business meeting of the Phoenix Chapter following the meeting at which
> such vacancies occurred.
> 
> 
> Article VII: Meetings
> 
> Section 1 - Regular Business Meeting. The Phoenix Chapter shall hold a
> monthly business meeting--the time and place of which shall be fixed
> by a simple majority vote of the active members present and voting at
> any regular business meeting or by the Board of Directors. At least
> seven (7) active members must be present to constitute a quorum in
> order to transact business.
> 
> Note: deleted redundant language of “at any regular business meeting.”
> 
> Section 2 - Board Meeting. The Board of Directors shall hold meetings
> as called by the President or on the written request of any three (3)
> members. There shall be no proxy voting by Board members. The Board of
> Directors may be polled by telephone or mail ballot on any question.
> At least four (4) members of the Board of Directors must be present to
> constitute a quorum in order to transact business.
> 
> Note: Consider adding a statement that distinguishes between polling
> the Board members on an individual issue versus holding
> open-to-the-public Board meetings.
> 
> Note: Deleted redundant language “at any Board meeting.”
> 
> Section 3 - Special Meeting. 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. At such a
> special meeting, at least seven (7) active members must be present to
> constitute a quorum in order to transact business. Except in cases of
> emergency, notice shall be given to the membership at least three (3)
> days prior to the date of the meeting.
> 
> Note: Consider adding a statement that provides that a certain
> number/percent of active members may also call for a Special Meeting.
> 
> 
> Article VIII: Affiliation
> 
> The Phoenix Chapter of the NFBA shall function as an integral part of
> the NFB. The Phoenix Chapter shall comply with the provisions of the
> Constitution of the NFBA and the provisions of the contract appearing
> on the back of the Charter of Affiliation issued to state affiliates
> by the NFB. Policy decisions of the NFBA and the NFB (whether made by
> the National Convention, by the National Board of Directors, by the
> State Convention or by 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 NFBA and the NFB have the power and authority to expel and
> discipline any member, to remove officers and to reorganize the
> Phoenix Chapter. In the event of reorganization, the Phoenix Chapter
> shall dissolve and cease to exist.
> 
> It is hereby recognized by this organization that the name National
> Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind or any variant,
> thereof, is the property of the NFB; and, the Phoenix Chapter or any
> of its members that cease to be a part of the NFBA or the NFB (for
> whatever reason) shall forthwith forfeit the right to use the name
> National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind or any
> variant, thereof.
> 
> 
> Article IX: 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. All
> financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by
> check issued on order of the President and signed by the treasurer.
> Each financial transaction conducted on behalf of the Phoenix Chapter
> shal be verified by a receipt, invoice or other appropriate document
> furnished to the treasurer for record-keeping purposes.
> 
> 
> Article X: Dissolution
> 
> In the event of the dissolution of the Phoenix Chapter, or if (for
> whatever reason) this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the
> NFBA and the NFB, its assets shall be given to the NFBA to be held in
> trust for a reorganized chapter in the Phoenix area. In the event that
> no new chapter is reorganized for a period of two (2) years from the
> date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the NFBA and the
> NFB, the assets shall become the property of the NFBA.
> 
> 
> Article XI: By-laws
> 
> Any situation not covered by this Constitution may be considered by
> the membership in the form of a motion or resolution, and when
> adopted, shall become a by-law when so designated by the membership.
> The adoption or repeal of a by-law shall require a simple majority
> vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business
> meeting.
> 
> 
> Article XII: Amendments
> 
> This Constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of
> the Phoenix chapter by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the
> active members present and voting provided that the proposed amendment
> has been submitted in writing and read at a previous regular business
> meeting; and, provided that it is in compliance with the provisions of
> the Charter of Affiliation received 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.
> 
> 
> BY-LAWS (Proposed)
> 
> Definitions:
> 
> 
> Active Member - An Active Member is one who pays annual dues and acts
> on his/her pledge to participate actively in the efforts 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.
> 
> Honorary Life-Time Member - An Honorary Life-Time Member is one who
> believes in and promotes the cause of the National Federation of the
> Blind and who has been awarded this title by a simple majority vote of
> the active members present and voting at any regular business meeting.
> Any member receiving this distinctive recognition shall retain it for
> Life except in the event their actions meet the criteria for
> expulsion.
> 
> Flagrant violation of the Constitution - A flagrant violation of the
> Constitution is an obvious and/or provable action or inaction that is
> in direct opposition to the strict or implied terms stated in the
> Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind.
> 
> Unauthorized activity: Unauthorized activity is observable and/or
> provable action and/or communication that directly or indirectly
> either wrongly affiliates itself or interferes with sanctioned
> affiliation with the cause, the policies and programs of the National
> Federation of the Blind, its affiliates and its chapters and
> divisions.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sharonda Greenlaw
> National Federation of the Blind of Arizona (NFBA)
> ----------
> For the most awesome and essential kitchen tools, visit my Pampered
> Chef site at:
> www.pamperedchef.com/pws/SharondaG616
> ----------
> Skype: sharonda2004
> Twitter: shari_rocks
> facebook.com/Sharonda.Greenlaw
> 
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