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

Wed Feb 23 02:13:59 UTC 2022

Miranda, I read through the updated constitution and it looks very workable to me. Not sure what the updates were, as I was not familiar with the previous one. Sorry that I missed the meeting tonight. I am battling a cold, and did not feel well enough to be on the call.

Shanti

From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of tampa President via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2022 8:04 PM
To: NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>
Cc: tampa President <nfbf.tampa at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Tampa] Important - UPDATED Draft of Tampa Bay Chapter Constitution to be discussed Wednesday and voted on Saturday

Greetings,

Please see the zoom information for Wednesday’s Constitution meeting. This meeting is at 8 PM. this will be the first time we read the constitution and we will then read it again on Saturday and vote on it as well. Thank you

Topic: Tampa Chapter  Constitution Meeting

Time: Feb 23, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 945 0246 2799

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-- 
Miranda b. Kilby

Ph: (352)942-0417 <tel:(352)942-0417> 

On Feb 21, 2022, at 12:50 PM, Paul Lewis via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Dear Dan,

       Since I am a member that is living outside of the Tampa area and Hillsboro County, I would post my support with the majority that have approved this update version of the constitution. It seems like a workable an adaptable document for the chapter to work with.

Regards, Paul Lewis

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 21, 2022, at 12:02 PM, Dan hicks via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

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 updated 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. Please watch your email for Miranda’s meeting announcement. 

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/S2YZPK5ULQX3IBHLMLBC2UGD 

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 your 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. 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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