[NFBofSC] SC Association of Black Leaders Update

kicrawley.nfb at gmail.com kicrawley.nfb at gmail.com
Fri Nov 4 23:30:09 UTC 2022


Hello again everyone,

Please find the draft constitution for the SC Association of Black Leaders
Attached. I have also included the constitution in the body of this email
for your convenience. Feedback is definitely welcome.

Just a reminder that if you are interested in becoming a member of this
division dues are $10 yearly. If you plan to vote or run for office, dues
are due by the start of the meeting this Wednesday, November 9th at 7PM. You
can pay your dues by filling out the form on our
<https://nfbofsc.org/donateF> donations page or use the
<mailto:NFBSouthCarolina at gmail.com> NFBSouthCarolina at gmail.com email address
when paying through PayPal. You may also mail a check to the Federation
Center at 119 S Kilbourne Rd Columbia, SC 29205. If you mail a check just
keep in mind that it must be received by the start of the meeting on
November 9th to cast your vote or run for office. When submitting your
payment please note the division and that the payment is for dues because it
will be treated as a general donation to the NFB of SC if this information
is not included. 

The meeting will be held on the NFB of SC zoom, formerly the Federation
Center zoom.

Please continue reading for the constitution.

 


Constitution of the South Carolina Association of Black Leaders


 


ARTICLE I: NAME


The name of this organization shall be the South Carolina Association of
Black Leaders, a division of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina. 

 


ARTICLE II: PURPOSE 


The purpose of the SC association of Black Leaders is to serve as a chapter
of the National Association of Black leaders  and a division of the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina; to promote and encourage the full
participation of black members within the affiliate;  to be a vehicle for
collective action by the blind of South Carolina; to encourage and support
black members in the pursuit of leadership roles; to educate others on the
intersecting problems faced by blind Black Americans; to raise awareness of
the contributions of the Black membership within the movement; and to take
such actions, in furtherance of the goals of the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina.

 


ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP


Section One: Active Members


Membership in this division shall be open to people of all ethnicities. At
least a majority of the active members of this division must be blind and in
good standing with the National Federation of the Blind and the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. All active members shall have the
right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office. Any
person may become an active member of this Organization upon application and
payment of dues to the Treasurer of this Organization.

 

The Board of the SC Association of Black Leaders will review dues annually. 

 


Section Two: Expulsion 


Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution; for conduct
unbecoming of a member of the Federation; or failure to perform the duties
of an elected position for 2 months by a majority vote of the active members
present and voting at any regular business meeting of this division. 


Section 3: Reinstatement of Membership


The state convention or the Board of Directors of the National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina 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 Convention or
by the National Board. Any person who feels that they have been unjustly
expelled from this division 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. 


ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES


Section One: Elections


There shall be elected biannually a President, a First-Vice President, a
Second-Vice President, and a Secretary/Treasurer. The terms of these offices
shall be two years in length. There shall also be elected biannually one (1)
at large board member. The term of this position shall be 1 year in length.
The terms of these officers and board member shall begin at the close of the
meeting at which they are elected and qualified, unless elected during a
special election.

Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members who are
present and voting. Election shall be conducted by using a voice vote, a
show of hands, a standing vote, or a 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 vote 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: Eligibility


The President and Vice Presidents of this division must be blind and in good
standing with the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. At
least a majority of the board must be blind. In the event of a vacated
office, the current officers may move up to fill the vacated position
according to normally established succession procedures.   The division
board will take a vote on whether to have the board appoint someone to fill
the open position or to hold a special vote to fill the position until the
next regular election is held.  


Section 3: Duties of the President


Duties of the President of this division include, but are not limited to the
following.

.             Chair meetings

.             Plan meetings and develop the agenda in conjunction with the
secretary/treasurer

.             Provide leadership and ensure the efficient operation of the
governing body

.             Ensure that decisions made at meetings are implemented

.             Maintain the focus of the governing body on the division's
purpose

.             Act as a representative spokesperson for the division


Section 4: Duties of the First Vice President


Duties of the First Vice President of this division include, but are not
limited to the following.

*         Serve as the membership committee chair

*         Stand in for the president upon request or if the president is
absent

*         Support the president in running the division and work towards
achieving the goals of the Federation

*         Assist the president with matters between meetings

*         Handle specific tasks or issues as requested by the president

*         Be prepared to fill the role of president if the existing
president is unable to complete his or her term.


Section 5: Duties of the Second Vice President


Duties of the Second Vice President include, but are not limited to the
following.

*         Serve as the communications committee chair

*         Stand in for the first vice president upon request or if the 1st
vice president is absent

*         Support the 1st vice president in running committees and work
towards achieving the goals of the Federation

*         Assist the 1st vice president with matters between meetings

*         Handle specific tasks or issues as requested by the President or
First Vice President

*         Be prepared to fill the role of First Vice President if the
existing First Vice President is unable to complete his or her term


Section 6: Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer


Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer include, but are not limited to the
following.

*         Chair the fundraising committee

*         Help the president and vice presidents plan meetings

*         Record and distribute minutes 

*         Manage correspondences with the board  or other entities

*         Submit state dues in a timely manner to the state affiliate as
directed

*         Prepare and present clear and concise financial reports to the
board and members

 


Section 7: Duties of the At Large Board Member


Duties of the At Large Board Member include, but are not limited to the
following.

*         Support the activities of the board and division

*         Suggest resolutions to identified problems or concerns in the
division

*         Direct special projects as requested by the executive board

 


ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS


The Board of Directors of this division shall consist of the four (4)
Constitutional officers and one (1) At Large Board Member. The Board shall
meet at the call of the President or on written request signed by any of the
elected Board members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have
charge of the affairs of the division between meetings. At least a majority
of the 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 by
electronic communication on any questions.

 


ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS


Section One: Annual Business Meetings


The Organization shall hold an annual business meeting at the NFB of SC
state convention.  Ample notice of the annual business meeting will be
provided to all members of the Organization.  A majority of the Board and
one or more active members must be present to transact business.


Section Two: Regular Meetings 


This division shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be
determined by the membership. At least five (5) active members must be
present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 

 


Section Three: Special Meetings 


The President of this division may call a special meeting of the body at any
time he or she, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deem such action
necessary. At such special meetings, at least five (5) active members must
be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 

 


ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES


The President may appoint such committees as they, or the division, deem
necessary. 

 


ARTICLE VIII: AFFILIATION


The SC Association of Black Leaders shall be a chapter of the National
Association of Black Leaders and a division of the National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina, which are, in turn, affiliates of the National
Federation of the Blind.


Section One: Reporting


The SC Association of Black Leaders shall furnish to the President of the
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina 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 SC Association of Black Leaders,
and all Amendments thereto, shall be sent for review to the President of the
National Association of Black Leaders and to the President of the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina immediately.


Section Two: Name


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 division, if it ceases 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. This division 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 division shall comply with the provisions of
the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
and the provisions of the contract appearing on the back of the Charter of
Affiliation issued to state affiliates by the National Federation of the
Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind and the
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina (whether made by the
National Convention or the National Board of Directors or the State
Convention or the State Board of Directors) are binding on this division,
and this division shall participate affirmatively in carrying out such
policy decisions.

As a condition of affiliation, it is agreed by this division that the
National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina (whether by action of the National Convention or the National
Board or the State Convention or State Board) has the power to expel or
discipline any individual member and to expel or reorganize a state
affiliate or division. In the event of reorganization, the assets of this
division shall belong to the reorganized division or, if no reorganization
occurs for a period of two (2) years, to the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina. Subsequently, the former division shall dissolve
and cease to exist.

 


ARTICLE IX: DUES


The dues of this division shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per year, payable in
advance. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his or her
dues. The board will review the amount of dues each year.  The cost of dues
can only be changed by following the amendment procedure established in this
constitution.

 


ARTICLE X: DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS


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 Treasurer, or in his/her absence or incapacity, such check may be
signed by the President and one other officer. 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.

 


ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION


In the event of the dissolution of this division, or if (for whatever
reason) it ceases to be a division 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 state. In the event that no division is reorganized in the state for
a period of two (2) years from the date this division ceases to be a
division of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, the
assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina.

 


ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS


This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this division 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. It must comply with the provisions of the Charter
of Affiliation received by the state affiliate from the National Federation
of the Blind, and provided it complies with the policies of the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina and the National Federation of the
Blind. Amendments may also be acted upon at special meetings.  Notice of
proposed amendments to this constitution must be provided to members  

 


ARTICLE XIII: CODE OF CONDUCT


The SC Association of Black Leaders Division shall abide by the
<https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct> National
Federation of the Blind's Code of Conduct. All individuals within the
organization, including all attendees at NFB-sponsored events, are expected
to refrain from the unwelcome and harmful misconduct outlined in the Code,
including but not limited to discrimination, abuse, and misuse of power,
sexual harassment and misconduct, conflict of interest, fraud, and other
forms of unwelcome behavior.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kristopher I. Crawley

 

 <https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/> 

 

 

 
<https://education.acvrep.org/badges/badge.php?hash=18b8ae05639d02d02387d74e
47732a7cb8eeb657>
<https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification>
<https://www.zoomtext.com/learning/certification>
<https://www.nvaccess.org/> 

 

Board Member: National Federation Of The Blind Of SC

President: SC Communities of Faith Division

Co-Chair: SC Membership Committee

Co-Chair: SC Pr and Social Media Committee

Email:  <mailto:KICrawley.NFB at Gmail.com> KICrawley.NFB at Gmail.com

Phone/Text: (803) 220-1727

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

NFB of SC Pages

 <https://www.nfbofsc.org/> Visit our Website

 
<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-s
outh-carolina/id1563280420> Subscribe to our Podcast

 <https://www.facebook.com/NatFedofSouthCarolina> Like us on Facebook

 <https://www.twitter.com/SCNFB> Follow us on Twitter

 

 

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