[NFBofSC] SCAGDU - South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users Constitution, looking for feedback

Fri Feb 4 02:19:35 UTC 2022

Good evening everyone,
This is Nancy Irwin, newly-elected President of SCAGDU.
My wonderful Vice-President, Steve Cook and equally wonderful Secretary/Treasurer, Roger Webb and myself have worked quite hard on this. Below, you’ll find the text of our constitution. Please give it a read and let us know what you think.
Many thanks,
SCAGDU Board

CONSTITUTION
South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users

ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users, a division of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
To educate the community about issues of guide dog users;
To act as advocates for guide dog users;
To educate the community about the capabilities and needs of the blind;
To promote the general well-being of the blind in the State of South Carolina and of the nation; and
To function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section One: Active Members
A majority of the active members of this organization must be blind.  Active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak from the floor, and hold office.
Section Two: Affiliation
Membership in this organization constitutes membership in the National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina and the National Federation of the Blind.
Section Three: Expulsion
Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for conduct unbecoming a member of the National Federation of the Blind by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the active membership present and voting at any regular business meeting of this organization. Any person who feels unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS & THEIR DUTIES
Section One: Election of Officers
There shall be elected annually a President, a Vice President, and a Secretary/Treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the meeting at which they are elected and qualified. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members who are present and voting. Election shall be by voice vote, standing vote, show of hands, electronic, or roll call vote. 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.
Section Two: Duties
The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office. The President and Vice President must be blind and either a current guide dog user or between guide dogs to qualify for the office. Either the President or Vice President shall preside over all meetings of this organization and shall be required to represent the division at the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Convention.
Section Three: Removal of Officers
An officer may be removed from office for violation of this Constitution or for conduct unbecoming an officer of the National Federation of the Blind by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of this organization. An Officer may also be removed for failure to properly execute the duties of the office. An officer may not be removed without the approval of the President of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina nor shall such removal from office automatically constitute expulsion from this organization (see ARTICLE III: Section Three). Any officer who feels unjustly removed from office may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.
Section Four: Replacement of Officers
Should an office become vacant during the course of a term due to removal in accordance with Section Three above, resignation, or any other reason, the President shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors of this organization, appoint a qualified member to occupy the office until such time that the present term expires and elections are conducted. If for any reason the President should be removed, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President and shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors of this organization, appoint a member to occupy the now vacant post of Vice President.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.
The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the 3 constitutional officers of this division. Members shall be elected and be bound by this Constitution in the same manner as is prescribed for the officers. The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by a majority of the members of the Board. The Board of Directors shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between meetings. A majority of the members of the Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The Board of Directors may be polled by telephone, mail ballot, including email, or any means that may become available on any issue. A majority of the Board must be blind.

Section2.
Should a board position become vacant during the course of a term due to removal in accordance with Article IV, Section Three, resignation, or any other reason, the
President shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors of this organization, appoint a qualified member to fulfill the term of the vacated position until such time the term expires and elections are conducted.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
This organization shall hold regular monthly meetings using an accessible platform for the members of the South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users. This division will meet in person at the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
The President may appoint such committees deemed necessary by the President or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII: AFFILIATION
The South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users shall be a Division of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. This organization shall furnish to the Presidents of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina annually, on or before January 31, a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. Furthermore, a complete financial report showing all financial transactions for the previous calendar year shall be furnished to these Presidents on or before February 15. A copy of the Constitution of the South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users and of all amendments to this Constitution shall be sent to the Presidents of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina immediately upon their adoption.
The South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users 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 Constitutions of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina and the National Federation of the Blind. All policy decisions of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the Blind, or of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina whether made by the National or State Convention, during the regular meeting of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, or by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina or the National Federation of the Blind are binding on this organization. Therefore, this organization shall affirmatively participate in carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of affiliation, it is agreed by this organization that the National Association of Guide Dog Users and  the National Federation of the Blind whether by National or State Convention or by National or State Boards of Directors, has the power to expel or discipline any individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate, local chapter, or any Division. In the event of reorganization, the assets of this organization belong to the reorganized division, and the former Division shall dissolve and cease to exist.
The name National Association of Guide Dog Users, Association of Guide Dog Users, 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, if it ceases to be a part of the National Association of Guide Dog Users or the National Federation of the Blind, for whatever reason, shall forfeit the right to use the name National Association of Guide Dog Users, Association of Guide Dog Users, National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE IX: DUES
The dues of this Association shall be five dollars ($5.00) an amount determined by the membership and in accordance with the constitutions and policies of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, and the National Federation of the Blind. No rights or privileges of membership are extended to any person who is delinquent in the payment of their dues.  Dues are for membership from January 1 through December 31 for the South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users. A person must have already paid their National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state dues before becoming a member of the South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users.

ARTICLE X: DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
 Section One: General Expenditures
The funds of this division shall be deposited in the treasury of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. All financial obligations of this division shall be discharged by check or electronic processing, issued on written order of the President, and signed or approved by the Secretary/Treasurer. Written communication will then be made with the affiliate Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina so that the desired transaction can be completed.

Section Two: Expenditure of Restricted Income
If donations are accepted subject to restrictions or limitations, these donations shall be expended only in accordance with those limitations or restrictions.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of this organization or for whatever reason it ceases to be a Division of the National Association of Guide Dog Users or of  the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina to be held in trust for a reorganized Division. In the event that no Division is reorganized for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, the assets shall be divided equally between and become the property of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at the regular business meeting, and provided it is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation received from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.

This Constitution was ratified on this _________ day of _______________________, 20_____________.

_________
president
South Carolina Association of Guide Dog Users

Nancy Irwin
nancyeirwin at outlook.com
Sent from my iPhone

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