[NFBA-Phoenix] Fwd: To Post to the Listserv - NFB of AZ Phoenix Chapter Constitution Approved by the Affiliate Board as of 11-2018 (11-23-20)

[Brad Kuhn]

Upon the request of one of our dues paying members below is our most recent updated constitution.

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Vjazz at cox.net
> Date: November 23, 2020 at 9:49:37 AM MST
> To: Brad Kuhn <Papa.ks.kafe at gmail.com>
> Cc: Donald Porterfield <nfb.az.president at gmail.com>, Jordan Moon <JMoon at saavi.us>, Bob Kresmer <krezguy at cox.net>, Vicki Hodges <vjazz at cox.net>
> Subject: To Post to the Listserv - NFB of AZ Phoenix Chapter Constitution Approved by the Affiliate Board as of 11-2018 (11-23-20)
> Reply-To: vjazz at cox.net
> 
> 
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF ARIZONA
> 
> PHOENIX CHAPTER
> 
> CONSTITUTION
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> ARTICLE I. NAME
> 
> The name of this organization shall be the Phoenix Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona
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>  
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> 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 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 monthly chapter meeting under new business, and shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office. Active members only need to be voted om once unless their membership dues lapse for three or more consecutive years.
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>  
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> Section Two - Associate Members
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> An associate member is anyone who has let their annual dues lapse. 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.
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>  
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> 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.  $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.
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> Section Five - Expulsion
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>  
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> We, the Phoenix Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind chose to adhere and abide by the Code of Conduct that has been set forth and signed by the officers and members of the National
> 
> organization and the Arizona Affiliate. 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.
> 
>  
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> ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
> 
> There shall be elected in February on odd 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.
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>  
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> No later than November of even 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 odd 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-fourth (1/4 or 25%) 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 electronically, 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.
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>  
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> 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 active member. No person in attendance during elections may vote if they are delinquent in the payment of his/her dues.
> 
> Article X. Maintenance of Official Chapter Documentation
> 
> The elected Secretary shall produce and publish the official minutes of each chapter meeting and all chapter board meetings and shall archive the minutes accordingly upon their approval. The Secretary shall also maintain a roster of all active, associate, and lifetime members. And shall do this monthly as new members join and are voted into the chapter. This roster shall be approved each July by a majority of active members and shall be submitted to the state affiliate Secretary at least 30 days prior to the state convention of that given year. The secretary shall also submit the roster to the chapter board no later than one week after the January meeting proceeding February chapter elections in odd numbered years.
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>  
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> ARTICLE XI. 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 cash or check, issued on written order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer. The President will also be authorized on the Phoenix chapter bank account for the sole purpose of emergency or unforeseen circumstances, thereby preventing the loss of existing funds. Disbursement of funds will be authorized by both the Treasurer and the President before disbursement of funds are distributed. In accordance with the affiliate, the Phoenix chapter shall make a best faith effort to use the same financial institution as the state of Arizona affiliate.
> 
> ARTICLE XII. 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 event that no area chapter is reorganized 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 XIII. 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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