[NFBF-Tampa] Important - Draft of Tampa Bay Chapter Constitution to be discussed Wednesday and voted on Saturday

Sun Feb 20 22:16:06 UTC 2022

Fellow chapter members, 

Tampa Bay Chapter President Miranda Kilby and I have been working on a draft
of our constitution which would incorporate the changes we have been talking
about at our last few meetings. This draft is attached and pasted below my
signature for your review. Miranda will be calling a chapter meeting via
Zoom for this Wednesday to read and discuss this draft and the changes to
our Chapter Constitution which it signifies. 

I also wish to remind all of you who have not paid your dues to please do so
now. You can do it via PayPal at:

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/NFBFTampaBay?locale.x=en_US

or Square at: 

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/24228PDCG29HT/checkout/S2YZPK5ULQX3IBH
LMLBC2UGD 

Pay with a credit card or debit card and fill out the simple form so we have
your name and email address. 

You can pay dues and buy chances with the same transaction, please make not
of that in the transaction notes or text me at 813-943-5544 or write me at
danjhicks at gmail.com <mailto:danjhicks at gmail.com>  and let me know how to
allocate your payment.  Please text, call, or write if you have any
questions. 

We can also take dues and 50/50 donations at the meeting this Saturday. Cash
is preferred.

Please read the constitution draft below (and attached) and bring you
comments, questions, and suggestions to the meeting Wednesday evening. 

Thank you all!

Dan Hicks, Treasurer

Tampa Bay Chapter

National Federating of the Blind

Danjhicks at gmail.com <mailto:Danjhicks at gmail.com> 

813-943-5544

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

OF FLORIDA

_______________________________________________ 

CONSTITUTION FOR TAMPA BAY CHAPTER

                   ARTICLE I:  NAME

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

                  ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE 

          The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general
welfare of the blind of the Tampa Bay area of Florida and of the Nation, and
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 Tampa Bay area;
to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested public 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; and to take any other action which will
improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.

                  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 a majority vote of the members present at any regular business meeting,
and shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor,
and hold office. 

Section Two:  Affiliation 

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

Section Three:  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 National Federation of the Blind Board of
Directors, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the
National Convention or by the National Board. Any person who feels that they
have 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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AND THEIR DUTIES

          There shall be elected biannually, in even-numbered years, a
President, and a Secretary The terms of these officers shall begin at the
close of the meeting at which they are qualified and elected.  There shall
be elected biannually, in odd-numbered years, a vice president, and a
treasurer.  The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the
meeting at which they are qualified and elected. 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 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 and vice
president must be blind.  

Section Two-Board of Directors

The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the four (4)
constitutional officers and three (3) additional directors. The three (3)
directors shall be elected at the state meeting and in the same manner as
that prescribed for the election of officers. Two directors shall be elected
biannually in even-numbered years and one shall be elected biannually in odd
numbered years.  

The board shall advise the president and shall conduct the affairs of the
organization between meetings. 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 meeting, 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 V:  BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

          The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the
four (4) constitutional officers and three (3) additional members.  The
Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the president or on written
call signed by three (3) 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, electronic ballot, or mail ballot on any questions. A
majority of the Board must be blind. 

                                      ARTICLE VI:  MEETINGS

Section One:  Regular Meeting

          This organization shall hold regular monthly meetings at a time
and place to be determined by the membership. At least one third of the
active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.

Section Two:  Special Meetings

          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 special meeting at least one-third of
the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact
business.         

ARTICLE VII:  COMMITTEES

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

ARTICLE VIII:  AFFILIATION

          The Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
Florida shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind.  At
least annually, a list of the names and contact information of its members
and elected officers shall be forwarded to the President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Florida. Further, a complete financial report
showing all financial transactions for the previous calendar year shall be
furnished to the State President by April 1st for appropriate accounting
purposes and to comply with 501(C)3 requirements and for Internal Revenue
Service purposes. A copy of the Constitution of the Chapter and of all
amendments to the Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of
the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and the National Federation
of the Blind without delay immediately upon adoption.  

          The Tampa Bay 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.
Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind and the National
Federation of the Blind of Florida (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 the 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 belong to the reorganized
chapter, 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 the organization shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per
year payable in advance.  The chapter shall promptly forward three dollars
($3.00) per year to the National Federation of the Blind of Florida for each
member.  A lifetime membership may be secured for a fee of two hundred fifty
dollars ($250.00). Any member who has not paid dues for the current year
will be considered delinquent until they have paid their dues for the
current year. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of dues.
If a member fails to pay dues for two (2) or more consecutive years, they
will be considered inactive and the chapter will need to re-instate them
with an affirmative vote at the time they choose to again be an active
member.

ARTICLE X:  DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS 

          The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank
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 or electronic processing, issued
on written order of the President, and signed or approved by the Treasurer.
In the absences or incapacity of the Treasurer, such check or electronic
payment may be signed by the President. 

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 Florida, its assets shall be given to the National Federation
of the Blind of Florida 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 Florida, the assets become the
property of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

                   ARTICLE XII:  AMENDMENTS 

          This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the
organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active
members present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been
submitted in writing and read at a previous regular business session, 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 of Florida and the National
Federation of the Blind. Any amendments to this constitution that are not
reviewed, accepted, and archived by the board of the National Federation of
the Blind of _____ and the National Federation of the Blind will not be
considered approved policy of the chapter in accordance with the charter of
affiliation. Amendments shall be forwarded for approval and reviewed in a
timely fashion.

ARTICLE XIII. CODE OF CONDUCT

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida
shall abide by the 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.  

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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