[NFBKTAD] Proposed Amendments - NFB Kentucky Technology Assistance Division (TAD) Constitution
Todd E. Stephens
todde.stephens at windstream.net
Thu Feb 12 02:41:21 UTC 2026
Good Evening:
Please find below, the TAD Constitution which was last amended in 2019.
There are several changes that are recommended concerning compliance as well
as issues with dated references, terminology, and methodology.
The TAD Constitution committee has recommended several amendments which has
passed through committee and is now being posted for your review. Current
members of NFB Kentucky TAD are free to comment on proposed amendments.
Thank you,
Todd
Todd E. Stephens, President
NFB Kentucky TAD
https://Nfbkentuckytad.org
Current Constitution
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE DIVISION
A DIVISION OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF KENTUCKY
Enacted September 10, 2006
fourth Revision September 22, 2019
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this division shall be Technology Assistance Division.
ARTICLE II: Mission
The purpose of this division shall be to develop a network of knowledgeable
and supportive individuals willing to provide and to share appropriate,
blind related assistive technology resources and services with its members.
The Technology Assistance Division (TAD) will provide a forum for its
members to share information, and to support one another in a world of
ever-evolving technology.
The Technology Assistance Division of NFBKY will: 1) collaborate and network
with AT professionals who are experts in the field of current and future
technology. 2. Present to its members both new and existing assistive
technology through training seminars and workshops, whenever possible.
ARTICLE III: Membership
To comply with the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of
Kentucky and the National Federation of the Blind, This division will
maintain a membership consisting of a majority of blind members.
Section I-Members
Members that are current by having paid dues during the designated time
frame, as outlined in Article IX Dues, will have the right to vote, hold
office, serve on committees, and speak on the floor (or by other electronic
means).
Section II-Affiliation
Membership in this division automatically establishes membership in the
National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky and the National Federation of
the Blind.
Section III-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 Division.
The Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky,
or 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 convention or by the National Board. Any person who feels that
he/she has been unjustly expelled from this Division may appeal first to the
Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky. The
individual also has the right to 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
Section I-Officers and Their Duties
The elected Officers shall consist of a President, Vice President,
Treasurer, Secretary, Program Manager, Communications Manager and Board
Member.
Section II-Election of Officers
There shall be elected annually, a President, a Vice President, A treasurer,
A Secretary, A Program manager, a Communications Manager, and a Board
Member. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the State
Convention at which they are elected. Officers shall be elected by a
majority vote of Active members who are present and voting. Voting may take
place by voice, counting of hands, or secret ballot as deemed necessary by
those 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 Active Members present and
voting. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated
with that office
Section III-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 Vice President. Replacement
of the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Program manager, Communications
Manager, or Board member shall be by a 2/3 vote of the Board.
ARTICLE V: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of this division shall consist of the four (4)
constitutional officers, a Program Manager, a Communications Manager and a
Board member. The Board shall meet at least two (2) times a year. Special
meetings may be held at the call of the President or on written call signed
by any six (6) members of the board. The Board shall advise the President
and shall have charge of the affairs of the division between meetings. At
least four (4) members of the Board must be present at any meeting to
constitute a quorum to transact business. The Board may be polled by
telephone, email, any electronic polling/internet or mail ballot on any
question.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Section I-Annual Convention
This division shall meet annually at the state convention of the National
Federation of the Blind of Kentucky.
Section II-Special Meetings
The President may call other meetings of the membership at any time he/she
or a majority of the Board of Directors deems necessary. At such special
meetings at least thirty-three and one-third (33-1/3) percent of the voting
members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.
Section III-State of the Division Address
At the annual meeting, the sitting President shall give a "State of the
Division" address, reporting on the membership and activities of the
Division over the past year.
ARTICLE VII: Committees
Section I-The President may appoint such committees, as he/she or the
division deems necessary.
Section II-Non-Members may sit on a committee and vote in committee matters
but may not chair the committee.
ARTICLE VIII: Affiliation
The Technology Assistance Division shall be a division of the National
Federation of the Blind of Kentucky. This division shall furnish to the
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky, by August 1,
a list of the names and addresses of its elected officers, and the names and
addresses of its members. Furthermore, a complete financial report showing
all financial transactions for the previous calendar year shall be furnished
to the State President on August 1 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 Technology Assistance Division
and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of
the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky immediately upon adoption.
The Technology Assistance Division shall not merely be a social division,
but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the sharing of
technology related information for the blind. This division shall comply
with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the
Blind of Kentucky. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind
and the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky (whether made by the
State or National Convention or the State or National Board of Directors)
are binding on this division and this division shall participate
affirmatively in carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of
affiliation, it is agreed by this division that the National Federation of
the Blind (whether by action of the State or National Convention or the
State or National Board) has the power to expel or discipline an individual
member and to expel or reorganize the division. In the event of
reorganization, the assets of this division belong to the reorganized
division; and the former division shall dissolve and cease to exist. The
name National Federation of the Blind or any variant thereof is the property
of the National Federation of the Blind. This division, 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 or any
variant thereof.
ARTICLE IX: Dues
The dues of this division shall be $5.00 per year payable in full at the
state convention. Dues may also be accepted during the fiscal year; however,
will never be pro-rated. To comply with: 501(c)(3) regulations, the Internal
Revenue Service, and to comply with standard accounting policies and
procedures, only those members who have paid dues within sixty (60) days of
the scheduled State Convention will be entitled to vote, hold office, serve
on committees, and speak on the floor in the present TAD Board Elections and
Board Meeting (or by other electronic means).
The division shall forward $1.00 per year to the National Federation of the
Blind of Kentucky for each member by no later than January 1st. No person
may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his/her dues.
ARTICLE X: Disbursement of Funds
The funds of this division shall be deposited in a bank to be selected by
the Treasurer with the approval of the Board. All financial obligations of
this division shall be discharged on written order by the President and
Board and signed by the Treasurer and President until such time that an
amendment is added to return check signing to the Treasurer, or in his/her
absence or incapacity, the President. The Treasurer shall give a financial
report at the Annual Business Meeting of this division.
ARTICLE XI: Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of this division, or if (for whatever
reason) it ceases to be a division of the National Federation of the Blind
of Kentucky, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the
Blind of Kentucky to be held in trust for a reorganized division. In the
event no division is organized in the area for a period of two (2) years
from the date this division ceases to be a division of the National
Federation of the Blind of Kentucky, the assets become the property of the
National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky.
ARTICLE XII: Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote taken at the
annual business meeting or special meeting through voting via an electronic,
provided the amendment has been posted to the official listserv of this
division one month prior to the vote, 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 Kentucky.
Proposed Amendments
Proposed Amendments - TAD Constitution
Article III: Membership, Section I:
Section I-Members
Current Wording: Members that are current by having paid dues during the
designated time frame, as outlined in Article IX Dues, will have the right
to vote, hold office, serve on committees, and speak on the floor (or by
other electronic means).
Recommendation: All wording remains as written but remove the phrase: (or
by other electronic means).
Section II Election of Officers
Current Wording: There shall be elected annually, a President, a Vice
President, A treasurer, A Secretary, A Program manager, a Communications
Manager, and a Board Member.
Recommendation: There shall be elected biennially a President, Vice
President, Treasurer, Secretary, Program Manager, Communications Manager,
and Board Member.
Section III-Replacement of Officers
Current Wording: Should the President, for any reason, be unable to complete
his/her term of office, his/her duties shall be assumed by the Vice
President. Replacement of the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Program
manager, Communications Manager, or Board member shall be by a 2/3 vote of
the Board.
Recommendation: Replace pro-nouns of "his and her" to "their" to align with
the affiliate constitution.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Section II-Special Meetings
Current Wording: The President may call other meetings of the membership at
any time he/she or a majority of the Board of Directors deems necessary. At
such special meetings at least thirty-three and one-third (33-1/3) percent
of the voting members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact
business.
Recommendation: Replace pro-nouns of "his and her" to "their" to align with
the affiliate constitution.
ARTICLE VII: Committees
Current Wording: Section I-The President may appoint such committees, as
he/she or the division deems necessary.
Recommendation: Replace pro-nouns of "his and her" to "their" to align with
the affiliate constitution.
ARTICLE VIII: Affiliation
Current Wording: The Technology Assistance Division shall be a division of
the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky. This division shall
furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of
Kentucky, by August 1, a list of the names and addresses of its elected
officers, and the names and addresses of its members. Furthermore, a
complete financial report showing all financial transactions for the
previous calendar year shall be furnished to the State President on August 1
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 Technology Assistance Division and of all amendments to
the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation
of the Blind of Kentucky immediately upon adoption.
The Technology Assistance Division shall not merely be a social division but
shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the sharing of
technology related information for the blind. This division shall comply
with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the
Blind of Kentucky. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind
and the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky (whether made by the
State or National Convention or the State or National Board of Directors)
are binding on this division and this division shall participate
affirmatively in carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of
affiliation, it is agreed by this division that the National Federation of
the Blind (whether by action of the State or National Convention or the
State or National Board) has the power to expel or discipline an individual
member and to expel or reorganize the division. In the event of
reorganization, the assets of this division belong to the reorganized
division; and the former division shall dissolve and cease to exist. The
name National Federation of the Blind or any variant thereof is the property
of the National Federation of the Blind. This division, 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 or any
variant thereof.
Recommendation: In the first paragraph, change the date of August 1st to
January 1st to align with the affiliate constitution.
In the second paragraph, change wording as follows: This division, 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, its logos, branding or any variant thereof.
ARTICLE X: Disbursement of Funds
Current Wording: The funds of this division shall be deposited in a bank to
be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the Board. All financial
obligations of this division shall be discharged on written order by the
President and Board and signed by the Treasurer and President until such
time that an amendment is added to return check signing to the Treasurer, or
in his/her absence or incapacity, the President. The Treasurer shall give a
financial report at the Annual Business Meeting of this division.
Recommended Wording: All financial obligations of this division shall be
discharged by check or via electronic funds transfer (EFT). The established
bank account shall be used, and disbursement of funds shall be issued on
written order of the President and confirmed via email for EFT or if via
check, signed by the President and Treasurer. All disbursements shall be
made in accordance with policies established by the division. The Treasurer
shall give a financial report at the Annual Business Meeting of this
division.
ARTICLE XII: Amendments
Current Wording: This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote
taken at the annual business meeting or special meeting through voting via
an electronic, provided the amendment has been posted to the official
listserv of this division one month prior to the vote, and provided it
follows 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 Kentucky.
Recommendation: Based on the structure, it appears that this article was
authorizing voting via an electronic platform. However, the word platform or
other similar word may have been omitted in error.
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