[NFBF-Melbourne] FW: [NFBF-L] NFB, Florida Constitution amendments

Thu Oct 5 15:28:47 UTC 2023

For your information.

Sincerely, 

Camille Tate 

2nd Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

President, Melbourne Space Coast Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

Phone: 321 372 4899 

From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Paul Martinez via NFBF-L
Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:30 AM
To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org; nfbf-leaders at nfbnet.org
Cc: Paul Martinez <president at nfbflorida.org>; nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [NFBF-L] NFB, Florida Constitution amendments

Greetings Florida Federationists,

The constitution committee has reviewed our State constitution and recommendation’s were presented to the board of Directors so we can bring it to the floor of the convention for vote.

Below is the procedure for handling the amendments:

*	The constitution will be posted in its entirety, complete with original copy and its corresponding amendments to the listserv for members to review.
*	On Saturday, October 7, the amendments will be read to the General Session, with no discussion on the floor. We will have each amendment read and explain what is changing from the original constitution. 
*	On Sunday, October 8, during General Session, the amendments will be read again. We will open the floor for discussion by the convention.
*	The convention (members votes on the amendments presented.

Please find below the Constitution with recommended amendments:

Constitution of 
the National Federation of the Blind 
of Florida 

(Adopted 1989 revised 2003 and 2016) 

ARTICLE I: NAME 

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

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE 

The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of Florida 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 and the parents of blind children; 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 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 through collaborative advocacy and joint expression take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind. 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP 

Section One—Active Members 

Any person may become an active member of this organization by joining and paying dues to any local chapter of this organization, or by paying dues directly to the state treasurer and thus becoming a member-at-large. All active members shall have the privilege to chair and serve on committees, speak on the floor of conventions and chapter meetings, and hold state and chapter offices. Voting at chapter and state elections shall not be denied for any reason provided the member is in good standing prior to the opening of the meeting at which elections occur. A majority of the active members of this organization must be blind. 

Section Two—Affiliation 

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

Section Three—Expulsion 

A member may be expelled for violation of this constitution, or for conduct unbecoming a member of the state Federation. Expulsion requires a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business meeting of the chapter of which he/she is a member, or, in the case of a member-at-large, by a two-thirds majority vote of the state board of directors. With either procedure, the presiding officials shall extend an invitation to the member whose conduct is in question to be present and to offer his/her perspective. 

Any person who feels that he/she has been unjustly expelled from a chapter may appeal to the state board of directors. Members-at-large expelled by the board of directors may appeal to the membership at the next convention. In either case, if this appeal process fails to provide satisfaction, the expelled member may then appeal to the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may or may not, at its discretion, consider the matter and make a binding decision.

Amendment: Section Three - Disciplinary Action

Any member may be expelled, suspended or otherwise disciplined, and any local chapter, or division of this organization may be suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined for violation of this constitution or for conduct unbecoming to a member, chapter, or division of the Federation by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session at State Convention, or by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. If the action is to be taken by the board, there must be good cause, and a good faith effort must have been made to try to resolve the problem by discussion and negotiation.

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 Board. 

Any person who feels that they have been unjustly disciplined or expelled from this organization, or any chapter or division which feels that it has been unjustly disciplined, reorganized, or expelled 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; but until or unless the action of discipline, reorganization, or expulsion is reversed by the National Board, it shall continue in effect.

End of Amendment 

ARTICLE IV: ELECTIONS 

Elections shall be conducted by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at an annually held business meeting. Election shall be by voice vote, standing vote, show of hands, roll call vote, or secret ballot. Secret marked ballots shall be required upon the request of a majority 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 taken. This procedure shall continue until one of the nominees has received a majority vote from the active members present and voting. 

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Section One—Officers 

There shall be elected biennially, at the state convention in odd numbered years, a president, a second vice president, and a secretary. There shall be elected biennially, at the state convention in even numbered years, a first vice president, and a treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention at which they are qualified and elected. 

The president is the chief executive officer of the organization. The duties of all officers shall be those ordinarily associated with their respective offices. The president the vice presidents must be blind.

Amendment: There shall be elected biennially, at the state convention in odd numbered years, a president, a second vice president, and a secretary. There shall be elected biennially, at the state convention in even numbered years, a first vice president, and a treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention at which they are qualified and elected. 

The president is the chief executive officer of the organization. The duties of all officers shall be those ordinarily associated with their respective offices. The president and the vice presidents must be blind. 

End of Amendment 

Section Two—Board of Directors 

The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers and four (4) additional directors. The four (4) directors shall be elected at the state convention in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers. Two directors shall be elected biennially in even numbered years and two shall be elected biennially in odd numbered years. 

Amendment Section Two—Board of Directors 

The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers and four (4) additional directors. The four (4) directors shall be elected at the state convention in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers. Board seat 1 and Board seat Two shall be elected biennially in even numbered years and Board seat 2 and Board seat 3 shall be elected biennially in odd numbered years. 

*	End of amendment 

The board shall advise the president and shall conduct the affairs of the organization between conventions. The president shall have the authority to fill vacancies that may occur in one or more of the elected offices. Such appointments shall be valid until the next convention, at which time the active members, present and voting, shall vote to fill any remaining term of service. A majority of the board must be blind. 

The board of directors shall facilitate communication among the organization’s members by providing summaries of business, legislative, and committee activities. Conversely, the board shall strive, whenever prudent and applicable, to obtain the perspectives of chapter and committee leadership on potential policies or procedures that will affect the mission or general operation of these entities. 

ARTICLE VI: CHAPTERS 

Section One—Formation 

The board of directors shall proactively encourage the formation of chapters in the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. The board shall identify localities where the formation of chapters appears feasible, and shall subsequently strive to strengthen the local leadership of blind residents. The board of directors shall charter new chapters whose membership organizes and pledges to abide by this constitution and by the policies of the National Federation of the Blind. The chapter president and vice president(s) must be blind. 

Section Two—Reorganization and Dissolution 

Board of director mandated reorganization or dissolution of a chapter should occur only after the board of directors has carefully examined and documented all relevant issues from all perspectives. In every case, the board must establish and adhere to procedures that provide the chapter’s leadership with both due process and opportunities to confront accusations. 

Section Three—Chapter Assets 

If, for whatever reason, a chapter ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, its assets shall be given to the state treasurer to be held in trust for subsequent return to a reorganized chapter in the same area. If no chapter is reorganized in the area for a period of two (2) years, the assets may become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. 

Amendment:  Section Three – Chapter Assets

In the event of the dissolution of a local chapter, or if (for whatever reason) the local chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and it shall forthwith cease to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE VI:  LOCAL CHAPTERS

Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida a copy of its Constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. 

When the National Federation of the Blind of Florida either in convention assembled or by action of its Board of Directors, shall have approved the application, it shall secure for the local chapter a Charter of Affiliation from the national office. 

Annually, each local chapter shall provide to the Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida a current list of its members, their names, addresses, and their state dues. Upon request, a local chapter shall also provide the state President with a list of the names and addresses of the chapter members and with a detailed financial report of the chapter for the past year. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year. As new members enter local chapters, their names and addresses shall be sent without delay to the Treasurer of the state organization. 

No group shall be accepted as a chapter and no group shall remain a chapter unless a majority of its voting members are blind. The President, the Vice President (or Vice Presidents), and at least a majority of the Officers or Board of Directors of the local chapter must be blind. The President of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida shall be ex officio a member of each local chapter. 

In the event of the dissolution of a local chapter, or if (for whatever reason) the local chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and it shall forthwith cease to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

In the event of the dissolution of a local chapter, or if (for whatever reason) the local chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets shall be given to the state treasurer to be held in trust for subsequent return to a reorganized chapter in the same area. If no chapter is reorganized in the area for a period of two (2) years, the assets may become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida.  It shall forthwith cease to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

Amendment: NEW ARTICLE VII: DIVISIONS 

The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for admission of divisions and shall determine the structure of divisions. The divisions shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt constitutions and determine their membership policies.

*	End of Amendment

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES 

Section One—Appointed Committees 

The president may appoint such committees as he/she, the board of directors, or the organization deems necessary, with the exception of the Nominating Committee. When a committee chairperson is not an elected member of the board of directors, one board member shall be identified as the board’s liaison with the committee chairperson. 

Amendment: The president may appoint such committees as the President, the board of directors, or the organization deems necessary, with the exception of the Nominating Committee. When a committee chairperson is not an elected member of the board of directors, one board member shall be identified as the board’s liaison with the committee chairperson. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.

*	End of Amendment

Section Two—Nominating Committee 

There shall be a Nominating Committee that has as its sole responsibility to present to the state convention a slate of nominees, for consideration by the membership, for each office and directorship open for election. The responsibility of the Nominating Committee in no way prohibits active members, present and voting, from nominating qualified individuals from the floor. 

The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of one delegate from each chapter. The name of the voting delegate shall be submitted either orally or in writing by the chapter president or secretary to the president or vice president of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida prior to the beginning of the Nominating Committee meeting. A delegate must be an active member of the chapter he/she is representing. 

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS 

Section One—Regular Meetings 

There shall be at least one general convention of the membership held each year. The time and place of this convention shall be determined by the board of directors. 

The board of directors shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be determined by the board. At least two-thirds of the members of the board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum in order to transact business. Board members may meet in person, by telephone, or by other electronic means. Board members may be polled on any question in person, or by mail ballot, telephone, or other electronic means. 

Section Two—Special Meetings 

The board may meet at the call of the president, or any three (3) board members, provided notice is given via postal or electronic mail at least seventy-two (72) hours before the convening of the meeting. 

ARTICLE X: DUES 

The membership dues of this organization shall be determined by the board of directors. Annual dues for members-at-large are delinquent on March 1 of each year. Chapters that collect this organization’s dues in proxy with their own dues must remit the portion due to the state by March 1. Dues received in proxy by chapters after February 1 must be remitted in sixty (60) days from receipt. 

ARTICLE XI: FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY 

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 and/or an outside audit shall be conducted. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, and signed by the treasurer, following written authorization of the president. 

At the state convention, the treasurer shall report to the membership the true and accurate financial condition of the organization, including totals of all receipts and expenditures for the year, moneys received from fund-raising and gifts, and moneys held in reserve, endowment, or quasi-endowment. 

Amendment: The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank or banks to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President; except that the Board of Directors may also authorize establishment of investment accounts with other financial institutions. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, electronic transaction or credit card, issued on written order of the President, and signed or approved by the Treasurer, the membership or the Board of Directors.  All written checks over a designated amount agreed on by the board of directors must be co-signed by the president.  

The treasurer shall report to the membership the true and accurate financial condition of the organization at the state convention.

*	End of Amendment

ARTICLE XII: AFFILIATION 

The National Federation of the Blind of Florida is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. It 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 and with 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 Florida (whether made by the national convention, the national board of directors, 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, this organization agrees that the National Federation of the Blind has the authority to expel or discipline an individual member, and to expel or reorganize any state organization or local chapter. 

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. 

Amendment: The National Federation of the Blind of Florida shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish annually to the President of the National Federation of the Blind 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 Florida and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind without delay.

The National Federation of the Blind of Florida 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, its chapters, and divisions, 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 of Directors) are binding on this organization, its chapters, divisions, and members; 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) has the power to expel or discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate, local chapter, or division. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the affiliate and its local chapters and divisions belong to the reorganized affiliate; and the former affiliate, its chapters, and divisions 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 or divisions which cease 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. The President of the National Federation of the Blind shall be an ex officio member of this organization and each of its local chapters and divisions.

*	End of Amendment 

ARTICLE XIII: 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, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind to be held in trust for a reorganized affiliate in the state. In the event that no affiliate is reorganized in the state for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind may claim the assets as its own. 

Amendment: NEW ARTICLE XIV: DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENTION  

This organization shall elect each year at least one (1) delegate and at least one (1) alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected as a delegate or alternate delegate unless they are an active member of this organization in good standing. To the extent of the resources of this organization, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.

End of Amendment

ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS 

This constitution may be amended at any general session of a state convention 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 general session of a state convention. All proposed amendments must be 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. 

Amendment: This Constitution may be amended at any regular business meetingat State Convention 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 meeting and provided 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. Any amendments to this constitution that are not reviewed, accepted, and archived by the National Federation of the Blind will not be considered approved policy of the affiliate in accordance with the charter of affiliation. Amendments shall be forwarded for approval and reviewed in a timely fashion.

*	End of Amendment

*        Amendment: NEW ARTICLE XVI: CODE OF CONDUCT

The National Federation of the Blind of Florida shall abide by the  <about:blank> National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct. All individuals within the organization, including all attendees at NFB-sponsored events, are expected to refrain from the unwelcome and harmful misconduct outlined in the Code, including but not limited to discrimination, abuse, misuse of power, sexual misconduct, conflict of interest, fraud, and other forms of misconduct. 

*	End of Amendment  

PLEDGE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 

I 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. 

Paul M. Martinez

President, national Federation of the blind Florida

813-390-5720

With love, hope and determination we transform dreams into reality

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