[NFBMV] Chapter Constitution Updates

[Robert Spangler]

Hello:

Sorry this has taken me so long to complete. In January, the chapter 
voted to change the elections to October, with two-year terms beginning 
on January first for the President, Vice-President, Secretary and 
Treasurer.  It was not clear, however, if this is to apply to the 
at-large board member as well.  If so, then we will need to bring that 
part up to the body as it would involve changing another section of the 
constitution.  For now, I wish to share with you both the original 
section where the change was to be made then the section after the change.

Original Section

               ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

      There shall be elected at the regular December meeting each year, 
a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.  The terms 
of these officers shall begin the following January 1.  Officers shall 
be elected by a majority vote of the 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 members present and voting.  The 
duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that 
office.  The President and the Vice President must be blind.

OK, now the section as amended:

               ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

      There shall be elected at the regular October meeting each year, a 
President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer for two-year 
terms.  The terms of these officers shall begin the following January 1. 
  Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the 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 members 
present and voting.  The duties of each officer shall be those 
ordinarily associated with that office.  The President and the Vice 
President must be blind.


Technically, we're supposed to circulate a written amendment before the 
vote, but let's just try to get everyone to agree to this as written and 
once I feel like most people have agreed, I'll forward the updated 
constitution to Shelby Hindle.  If you guys do want to change the 
at-large board member's term to be two years instead of one, then this 
section would need to be amended:

                  ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the 
four (4) constitutional officers, and one additional member, elected for 
a one-year term at the same time as the officers.  The at-large member 
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
(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 three (3) 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.


As you can see, the term length would need to be updated in the 
paragraph above.

I like that we made these changes because the document did not specify 
the term length before.  I've also attached the document in case anyone 
wishes to review it; this would be a good time to discuss any potential 
changes.

Let me know what you all think!

Robby
-- 
--
Robert Spangler
Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of
the Miami Valley
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