[NFBMV] Chapter Constitution Updates

[Richard Payne]

That is fine but remember that after voting on the amendments we have to send the constitution to the state constitution committee . Shelbie and that committee will review it. Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMV [mailto:nfbmv-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Spangler via NFBMV
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2017 2:11 PM
To: nfbmv at nfbnet.org
Cc: Robert Spangler <spangler.robert at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFBMV] Chapter Constitution Updates

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