National Federation of the Blind of California, Inc.

`Constitution

ARTICLE I.  NAME

	The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of California.

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE

	The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the blind of California and the Nation and to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.  The National Federation of the Blind of California is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

Section One.  Active Members

	At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind.  Active membership shall be of two classifications:  active members who are affiliated with chapters, and active members who are not affiliated with chapters.

	1. All active members of chapters shall automatically become active members of this organization, with the right to vote in Convention, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.

	2.  Any person who is not affiliated with a chapter may become an active member of this organization, by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at a Convention or by action of the Board of Directors.

Section Two.  Supporting Members

	Any person may be elected to supporting membership in this organization by the Convention, the Board of Directors, or by a chapter.  Supporting members shall have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors.

Section Three.  Expulsion

	Any member may be expelled for misconduct or for activities unbecoming to a member of this organization by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of this organization or by a two-thirds of the Board of Directors.  The Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of California or the Board of Directors 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 or she has been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may (at its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.

ARTICLE IV.  CHAPTERS

	Any organized group desiring to become a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of California shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of California a copy of its Constitution and a list of its members and elected officers.  When the National Federation of the Blind of California, either in Convention assembled or by action of its Board of Directors, shall have approved the application, it shall issue to the chapter a Certificate of Acceptance.  Annually, on or before January 1, each chapter shall provide to the Secretary of the  National Federation of the Blind of California  a current list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of its members.  As new members enter chapters, their names, addresses and telephone numbers shall be sent without delay to the Secretary of the NFB of California.  No group shall be accepted as a chapter and no group shall remain a chapter 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 chapter must be blind.  The President of the National Federation of the Blind of California shall be an ex officio member of each chapter.  In the event of the dissolution of a chapter, or if (for whatever reason) a chapter ceases to be part of this organization, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of California.

ARTICLE V.  OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

	There shall be elected at the annual convention during each even numbered year, 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 convention at which they are elected and qualified.  Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members who are 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 taken.  This procedure shall continue until one of the nominees has received a majority vote from the active members present and voting.  The President and Vice-Presidents must be blind.  The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with his or her office.  

ARTICE VI.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

	The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five constitutional officers and seven additional members, three of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during even numbered years and four of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during odd numbered years.  At the meeting at which this Constitution is adopted, four of the seven Directors shall be elected for one-year terms and the remaining three shall be elected for two-year terms.  The seven Directors shall be elected in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers.  The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call by any five of the Board Members.  The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between Conventions.  At least seven members of the Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business.  The Board may be polled by mail ballot on any question or may meet by conference telephone.  

ARTICLE VII.  MEETINGS

Section One.  Annual Conventions

	This organization shall hold an annual convention, the exact time and place of which shall be fixed by the President and/or his or her designee or, if this is not possible, by the Board of Directors.  At least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual convention.

Section Two.  Special Meetings

	The President of the organization may call a special meeting of the body at any time he or she or a majority of the Board of Directors deems such action to be necessary, but at such special meeting at least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business and written notice must have been sent to the members of the Board and all chapters at least fifteen days prior to the date of the meeting.

Section Three: Automatic Removal

	 If an officer or board member of the NFB of California misses two consecutive board meetings, the officer or board member position requires an affirmative vote to be reinstated by the board. 

ARTICLE VIII.  COMMITTEES

	The President may appoint such committees as he or she or the organization deems necessary.

ARTICLE IX.  AFFILIATION

	The National Federation of the Blind of California shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind annually, on or before January 1, a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers.  A copy of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of California and of all amendments to the Constitution shall also be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind.  The National Federation of the Blind of California shall not merely be a social organization but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of the blind.  The organization shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind.  Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind (whether made by the National Convention or the National Board) has the power to expel or discipline any  member, chapter, State affiliate or division; and to remove officers and reorganize State affiliates.  In the event of reorganization, the assets of the affiliate and its chapters belong to the reorganized affiliate, and the former affiliate 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 or any of its chapters which cease to be part of the National Federation of the Blind (for whatever reason) shall forthwith forfeit the right to use the name National Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE X.  DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION 
OF THE BLIND CONVENTION

	The organization shall elect each year at least one delegate and at least one alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind.  No person shall be elected as delegate or alternate delegate unless he or she is an active member in good standing.  To the extent of the resources of the organization, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to Conventions of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.

ARTICLE XI.  DUES

	In accordance with Article IV and V of the Constitution, chapters shall set the dues for their members.  Members who are not affiliated with a chapter shall pay membership-at-large dues of $15.00 before January 1 of each year.  No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his or her dues.

ARTICLE XII.  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 and the Secretary.  The Treasurer shall be bonded.  All financial obligations of the organization shall be discharged by check issued on written order of the President and signed by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII.  DISSOLUTION

	The property of this organization is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and no part of the net income or assets of this organization shall ever inure to the benefit of any private individual.  In the event of the dissolution of this organization, or (for whatever reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind, to be held in trust for a reorganized affiliate in California.  In the event that no affiliate is organized in California for a period of two years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind, a nonprofit organization, having tax exemption under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.  In the event that the National Federation of the Blind is not in existence at this time and after paying or adequately providing for the debts of the National Federation of the Blind of California, the remaining assets shall be distributed to an organization with similar purposes which has received 501(c) (3) certification from the Internal Revenue Service in a manner as may be directed by decree of the Superior Court of the county in which the organization has its principal office, upon petition therefore by the Attorney General or by a person concerned in the liquidation, in a proceeding to which the Attorney General is a party.

ARTICLE XIV.  PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

	Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permit to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).  No substantial part of the activities of this organization shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE XV.  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 signed by five active members in good standing, submitted in writing, and read at a business session on the day before the vote on the amendment.

June 2013