[NFBMI-Talk] NFBMI New Wayne County Chapter

Wed Apr 5 01:51:36 UTC 2023

ARTICLE I NAME

The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind
of Michigan New Wayne County Chapter.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan New Wayne
County Chapter shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of
Michigan 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 Michigan; 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 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.  Any person may become an active member of this organization by
paying the appropriate dues to an affiliated local chapter or division as
specified under article XII.  All active members of local chapters or
divisions shall automatically become active members of this organization,
with the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold
office. It is strongly recommended that a member of this chapter will not
also be a member of another chapter. A vote of the membership is required to
circumvent this rule.

Section Two-Supporting Members

Any person may become a supporting member of this organization through
procedures established by the Convention or the Board of Directors.
Supporting members shall have all the rights and privileges of active
members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board
of Directors. Supporting members shall not pay dues.

Section Three-Disciplinary Action

Any member may be expelled; and any chapter or division may be expelled,
suspended, or reorganized for violation of this constitution or for conduct
unbecoming to a member, chapter, or division of the Federation by a majority
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 Board. Any person who feels that he/she has been unjustly
disciplined or expelled from this organization, or any chapter or division
which feels that it has been unjustly disciplined, reorganized, or 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; but until or unless the action of discipline, reorganization, or
expulsion is reversed by the National Board, it shall continue in effect.

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

There shall be elected during each year, a President, a Vice President, a
Secretary, and a Treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the
first day of the new year at which they are elected and qualified. Officers
shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members who are present
and voting. All voting will be conducted by secret ballot unless a vote to
suspend the secret ballot and conduct the election by a roll call or
standing vote is confirmed by the active members 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 the
Vice Presidents must be blind.

ARTICLE V BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the four (4)
constitutional officers, and three additional members, whom shall be elected
for one (1) year term.

The Board Members shall be elected 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 of the Board Members. The Board shall
advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the
organization. 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, mail, or electronic mail ballot on any question. A majority of
the Board must be blind.

ARTICLE VI MEETINGS

The chapter shall meet on the first Saturday of each month except when there
is a state convention, national convention or a or a quarterly board meeting
scheduled on the same date.

ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES

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

ARTICLE VIII AFFILIATION

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan New Wayne County Chapter
shall be a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan and
shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan annually, on or before January 1, a list of the names and addresses
of its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of the
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan New Wayne County Chapter and of
all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan without delay.

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan New Wayne County 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. 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, its , 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. In the event of
reorganization, the assets of the Chapter belong to the reorganized chapter;
and the former chaptershall 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 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 ex
officio be a member of this organization and each of its local chapters.

ARTICLE IX DUES

The dues of this organization shall be $5.00 per year, payable in advance.
In accordance with Article III of the Constitution, the local chapter shall
pay the state dues of their members. A lifetime membership may be secured
for a fee of $100.00. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of
his/her dues. 

ARTICLE X DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

The funds of this chapter shall be deposited in a bank or banks to be
selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President; except that
the Board of Directors may also authorize establishment of investment
accounts with other financial institutions.  All financial obligations of
this chapter shall be discharged by check or debit card,  issued on written
order of the President, and signed by the  Treasurer or by an Assistant
Treasurer approved by the membership or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI Meeting Conduct

All meetings will be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order. Any
member who violates this rule may be subject to dismissal from this chapter
by the vote of the membership.

ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this chapter, or if (for whatever reason)
it ceases to be an chapter 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 state. In
the event that no chapter is organized in the state for a period of two (2)
years from the date this organization ceases to be a chapter of the National
Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan.  If the dissolution of this
organization should occur and if at that time the National Federation of the
Blind of Michigan is no longer a Tax-exempt organization under the
provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code Or if the National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan has been dissolved, all assets of this
organization shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind. 

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this chapter 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 from the National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan and with the policies of the National
Federation of the Blind.