[nFBMI-Talk] MABS Constitution Amendment Proposal

[Elizabeth Mohnke]

Hello All,

In the past several years there have been a number of students interested in running for board positions for the Michigan Association of Blind Students. I think it is great to see so many students who want to be involved with the student division. However, this increased interest has created rather lengthy elections at the annual business meeting.

Both the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan as well as the National Association of Blind Students split their elections by electing executive positions in even years and general board members in odd years. Therefore, I would like to offer an amendment to the constitution for the Michigan Association of blind Students to split the elections in this same way.

The constitution currently reads as follows:

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section One: Elections

There shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and four board members. The terms of their offices shall begin at the close of the annual business meeting at which they are elected and qualified.

Proposed amendment to constitution:

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section One: Elections

There shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting in all even number years a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer; and in all odd number years' four board members to serve on the board of directors. The terms of these offices shall begin at the close of the annual business meeting at which they are elected and qualified.

The current constitution states that amendments 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 that the amendment is in compliance with the provisions of the charter of affiliation issued by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan and the policies of the National Federation of the Blind.

I believe conducting our elections in this way will provide a smoother transition for new board members and help speed up the process for elections during the annual business meeting.

There seems to be a lot of support regarding this amendment. However, please let me know if there are any questions in regards to this matter.

Warm regards,
Elizabeth Mohnke
Board Member,
Michigan Association of Blind Students