[nfbmi-talk] nfb business chapter business general and specific

[joe harcz Comcast]

Here is our chapter constitution. If people wish to amend it all they have to do is to become a dues paying member, propose amendments formally and then we shall have it amended.

 

Until then I must abide by it and quite frankly non-members don’t have a voice. They can have all the opinions they wish but they don’t have a vote or standing.

 

Joe Harcz

 

 

CONSTITUTION FOR THE Flint area chapter  of the

 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MICHIGAN

Adopted:April 12, 2014 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be theFlint area Chapter of the

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.

 

 

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Flint area Chapter of the National Federation of the

Blind of Michigan shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind in the

Flint area and the  State of Michigan 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 of the Flint area; 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 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 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 on payment of dues and 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 Michigan 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 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 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 AND THEIR DUTIES

 

There shall be elected annually a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary

and a Treasurer.  The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the

meeting at which they are elected and qualified.  Officers shall be elected by a

majority vote of the active members who are present and voting.  Election shall be by

voice vote, standing vote, show of hands, or roll call vote unless at least four-fifths

of the active members who are present and voting decide that a secret ballot shall

be used. 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.  The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.  The President, the Vice-President and a majority of the

Officers must be blind.

 

 

ARTICLE V.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the four (4)

Constitutional officers and one(1) additional member.  The one Board member shall be

Elected at the same time and in the same manner as that prescribed for the election

of officers.

The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed

by any three (3) of the 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 or mail ballot

on any question.  A majority of the Board must be blind.

 

 

ARTICLE VI.  MEETINGS

 

Section One-Regular Meetings

This organization shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be

Determined by the membership.  At least 25% 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

any time he/she, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such action to be

necessary.

At such special meetings, at least 25% 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 Flint Area Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

Shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan and the

National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National

Federation of the Blind of Michigan annually, on or before January 1 st , a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers.  A

Copy of the Constitution of the Flint Area Chapter and all amendments to the

Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of the National Federation of the

Blind of Michigan and the National Federation of the Blind without delay.

The Flint Area 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 of Michigan and 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 Michigan (whether made by the

National Convention or the National Board of Directors or the State Convention of 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 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 shall belong to the

reorganized chapter, or if no reorganization occurs for a period of two (2) years, the

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 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 this organization shall be $5.00 per year, payable in advance.

The chapter shall forward $2.00 per year to the National Federation of the Blind of

Michigan for each member.  A lifetime membership may be secured for a fee of $100.

No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his/her dues.

 

 

ARTICLE X.  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.  If the members so vote, the

Treasurer shall be bonded.  All financial obligations of this organization shall be

Discharged by check, issued on written order of the President and signed by the

Treasurer.

 

 

ARTICLE XI.  DISSOLUTION

 

In the event of the dissolution of this organization or it, for whatever

reason, ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of

Michigan, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 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

Michigan, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of

Michigan.

 

 

ARTICLE XII.  AMENDMENTS

 

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting 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 session and provided it is 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 of Michigan and the

National Federation of the Blind.