[NFBK] Fwd: Proposed NFB Kentucky Constitution changes

Sun Sep 8 00:40:59 UTC 2019

Hello All,
Below is the NFB of Kentucky constitution with the proposed changes to be
voted on at our upcoming state convention. Please read and familiarize
yourself with these changes. Thanks for your attention to this important
issue.
Cathy

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Philip Seif via NFBK <nfbk at nfbnet.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 22, 2019 at 4:17 PM
Subject: [NFBK] Proposed NFB Kentucky Constitution changes
To: <nfbk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Philip Seif <pseif at yahoo.com>

These proposed changes to the NFB Kentucky State Constitution are required
to be compliant with  the NFB National Constitution. Specifically,
regarding the date that dues is due to the national organization. That date
must reflect January 1. In the current NFB  Kentucky Constitution, that
date is reflected as August 1.

In addition, under ARTICLE III,

Section One—Active Members, please note section three, which has been added
to the NFB Kentucky State Constitution.

3. Dues must be received by no later than 60 (sixty) days from the date of
the scheduled state Convention to vote, serve on committees, speak on the
floor, hold office and qualify for membership pricing during the annual
state convention.

Please review and please notify only if you have an issue with the
amendments. Only the comments from members of the National federation of
the Blind of Kentucky (NFBK) will be recognized.

*Full Constitution with Amendments*

National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky

Constitution

With amendments approved by the convention

assembled September 26, 2015 incorporated.

Article I. Name

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

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall be to
advance the general welfare of the blind of Kentucky and 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 Kentucky; to
operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted
persons can come together in local chapters and state meetings 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.

Article III. Membership

Section One--Active members: At least a majority of the active members of
this organization must be blind. Active membership shall have two (2)
classifications: active members who are associated with local chapters or
divisions and active members at large who are not affiliated with a local
chapter or division.

1. All active members of local chapters or divisions shall become active
members of this organization, when their name is on a membership list of
any chapter or division received by the President of this organization by
the first day of January each year. Active members shall have the right to
vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.

2. Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter or division, may
become an active member of this organization by requesting membership
at-large and remitting his/her dues to the President of this organization
by the first day of January each year, and complying with requirements
established by the Board of Directors.

3. Dues must be received by no later than 60 (sixty) days from the date of
the scheduled state Convention to vote, serve on committees, speak on the
floor, hold office and qualify for membership pricing during the annual
state convention.

Section Two--Disciplinary Action: Any member may be expelled for violation
of this constitution or for conduct unbecoming a member of this
organization, by a majority vote of the active members present and voting
at the convention or a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. The
state convention 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
believes that he/she has been unjustly disciplined or 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. Local Chapters

Section One--Organization: Any organized group desiring to become a local
chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall apply for
affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of
the Blind of Kentucky a copy of its Constitution and a list of the names
and addresses of its members and elected officers. When the convention or
Board of Directors shall have approved the application, it shall issue to
the local chapter a certificate of Acceptance. Annually, on or before
January 1st, each local chapter shall provide to the Treasurer of the
National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky a current list of its members
and its state dues of one dollar ($1.00) per active member. Each local
chapter, on or before January 1st shall also provide the state President
with a list of the names and addresses of its members and with a detailed
financial report for the past year. A majority of the voting members of
each local chapter must be blind. The President, Vice President(s), and at
least a majority of the Board of Directors of the local chapter must be
blind. The President of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky
shall be an ex officio member of each local chapter.

Section Two--Dissolution: In the event of 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 Kentucky. The National Federation of the Blind
of Kentucky shall hold those assets in escrow for two (2) years to be
returned at any time during that period to a reinstated local chapter. If,
at the end of that period, said chapter is still dissolved, for whatever
reason, said funds shall become the property of the National Federation of
the Blind of Kentucky, and the local chapter shall forthwith cease to use
the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any
variant thereof.

Section Three--Expulsion of Chapters: Any local chapter may be expelled for
misconduct or violation of this constitution, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
the members present and voting at the annual convention of the National
Federation of the Blind of Kentucky or by unanimous vote of the Board of
Directors. The state convention may reinstate any chapter which has been
expelled, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those members present and
voting. Any chapter believing that it has been unjustly 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.

Article V. Divisions

The Board of directors shall establish procedures for admission of a
division and shall determine the structure of a division. The division
shall, with the approval of the board, adopt a constitution and determine
its membership policies, which may not contradict the duties and privileges
afforded to them in this constitution or the national constitution.
Annually, on or before January 1st, each division shall provide to the
Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky a current
list of its members and its state dues of one dollar ($1.00) per active
member. Each division, on or before January 1st, shall provide the state
President with a list of the names and addresses of its members and with a
detailed financial report for the past year.

Article VI. Officers and Their Duties

Section One--Officers and their duties: There shall be elected at the
regular annual convention on even 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 convention at which they
are elected and qualified. Officers shall serve for two-year terms.
Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the active members who are
present and voting. There shall be no proxy voting. Each officer elected
must receive a majority of the votes. The duties of each officer shall be
those ordinarily associated with that office.

Section Two--Replacement of Officers: Should the President, for any reason,
be unable to complete his/her term of office, his/her duties shall be
assumed by the First Vice President. In turn the Second Vice President
would become the First Vice President. Replacement of the Second Vice
President, Secretary, or Treasurer shall be by appointment of the President
with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article VII. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5)
constitutional officers and six (6) Directors elected to two-year terms at
annual conventions held in odd numbered years.  The board shall meet at the
call of the President or on written call signed by any two (2) Board
members. The board shall establish policies for the operation of the
organization between conventions. A majority of the members of the board
shall constitute a quorum.

Article VIII. Meetings

Section One--Annual Convention: This organization shall hold an annual
convention, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the President
with the approval of the Board of Directors. At least fifteen (15) active
members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any
annual convention.

Section Two--Special Meetings: The President or a majority of the Board of
Directors of this organization may call a special meeting of the body at
any time. At such special meeting, at least fifteen (15) active members
must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business, and written
notice must have been sent to the President of each local chapter and
division and to the members of the Board of Directors at least ten (10)
days prior to the date of the meeting. Business transacted shall be limited
to those items for which such a meeting was called.

Article IX. Committees

The President may appoint such committees as he/she or the organization
deems necessary. The President shall be an ex officio member of all
committees.

Article X. Affiliation

The National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky 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 names and addresses of its members and elected officers. A copy of
the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky and
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 Kentucky 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 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 Board of Directors) are
binding on this organization, its chapters, divisions, and members; and
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.

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. All financial
obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, issued on
written order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer. All
disbursements shall be made in accordance with policies established by the
Board of Directors. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the
calendar year.

The funds of the organization may be invested in any manner approved by a
two-thirds (2/3) majority of the board of directors or a majority of those
members present and voting at an annual convention or special meeting.

Article XII. Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the National Federation of the Blind of
Kentucky, or if 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 organized 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 assets shall become the property of
the National Federation of the Blind.

Article XIII. Amendments

This constitution may be amended at any annual convention of this
organization by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present and
voting. All proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the
President of this organization at least sixty (60) days prior to the
convention. The President shall inform the membership of the substance and
nature of such proposals at least fifteen (15) days prior to the
convention. Amendments adopted shall be incorporated into this
constitution. The Constitution as amended shall be made available to all
members.

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