[nfbmi-talk] mich nfb constitution

Sun Nov 9 12:41:47 UTC 2014

We owe some thanks to our State Treasurer Mark Eagle for making our state constitution accessible. I think in the spirit of 75 and 75 we should know it and read it. Every organization has rules and members should in my opinion know what they are.

Joe Harcz

Here it is:
CONSTITUTION
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MICHIGAN

ARTICLE I-NAME

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

ARTICLE II-PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the blind of said State and the Nation and to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE III-MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.- ACTIVE MEMBERS

At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind. Active membership shall be of two classifications—active members who are affiliated with local chapters and active members who are not affiliated with local chapters.

 1.    All active members of local chapters shall automatically become members of this organization with 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 may become an active member of this organization by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at a convention or by action of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2.—ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization either by the convention or the Board of Directors. Associate members shall have all of the rights and privileges of active members except, they may not vote, or hold office.  Associate members shall not pay dues.

SECTION 3.—EXPULSION

Any member may be expelled for misconduct or for violation of this Constitution by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of this organization, or by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. 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 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-LOCAL CHAPTERS

Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan a copy of its Constitution and a list of   names and addresses of its members and elected officers. When the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, either in an assembled convention, or in action of its Board of Directors, shall approve the application, it shall issue to the local chapter a certificate of acceptance. Annually, on or before January 1, each local chapter shall provide to the Secretary of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, a current list of its members names and addresses. At the same time each local Treasurer shall forward the State dues of each member of the chapter and a detailed financial report of the chapter for the past year. The fiscal year for this organization shall be the calendar year. As new members enter the local chapters, their names and addresses shall be sent without delay to the Secretary of the State organization, and their State dues will be sent without delay to the Treasurer of the State organization. No group shall be accepted as a chapter, and no group shall remain a chapter unless a majority of its voting members are blind. The President and Vice-president(s) and at least a majority of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors, of the local chapter must be blind. The President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan shall be an ex-officio member of each local chapter, dissolution of a local chapter or, if for whatever reason the local chapter ceases to be part of this organization, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.

ARTICLE V-OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

There shall be elected, at the Annual Convention, during each even numbered year, 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 of which they are 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 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 and Vice-Presidents must be blind.

ARTICLE VI-BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five constitutional officers, and four additional members who will be elected during odd numbered years, and who will serve two-year terms.   The four Directors shall be elected in the same manner as prescribed for the election of officers.   The Board shall meet at the call of their President, or by written call signed by any three of the Board members.   The Board shall advise the President, and have charge of the affairs of this organization between Conventions.   At least five 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 of Directors must be blind.   Each local chapter shall elect a representative who shall have the right to speak from the floor, and to raise issues before the Board.

ARTICLE VII-MEETINGS

SECTION 1.—ANNUAL CONVENTION

This organization shall hold an Annual Convention—the time and place of which to be fixed by the membership, or if this is not possible, by the Board of Directors.   At least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Convention,

SECTION 2.—SPECIAL MEETINGS

The President of this organization may call a special meeting of the Board at any time. The President or a majority of the Board of Directors deems such action to be necessary, but at such special meetings at least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. Written notice must be sent to the membership at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. At such special meetings, only business stated on the agenda sent to the members shall be transacted.

ARTICLE IX-AFFILIATION

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 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 Michigan, and all amendments to the Constitution shall also be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind.

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan shall not merely be a social organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of the blind. The organization shall comply with the provision 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 National Board of Directors are binding on this organization and this organization must participate affirmatively in the carrying out of 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 a member, local chapter, or affiliate. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the affiliate and its local chapters belong to the reorganized affiliate and the former affiliate 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 and any of its local chapters 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 or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE X-DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENT ION

The organization shall elect each year at least one delegate and at least one alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected as delegate or alternate delegate unless he or she is an active member in good standing. To the extent of the resources of the organization the expenses of delegates to the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.

ARTICLE XI-DUES

The dues of the organization shall be one dollar per year payable in advance accordance with Article VI of the Constitution. Local chapters shall State dues of their members. Members who are not affiliated with local chapters shall pay their dues before or during the time of the annual Convention. A lifetime membership may be purchased for one hundred dollars. No person may vote if he or she is delinquent in the payment of their dues.

ARTICLE XII-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. The Treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of the organization shall be charged by check issued on order of the President and signed by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII-DISSOLUT ION

In the event of dissolution of this organization, or for whatever reason 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 reorganized in the State for a period of two years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE XIV-AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization by an affirmative of two thirds of the active members present and voting provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at a previous business session. Article II-Purpose, and Article IX-Affiliation, may not be amended.