[NFBV-Announce] Peninsula Chapter Constitution

jackibruce6 at gmail.com jackibruce6 at gmail.com
Sat Jan 16 00:57:34 UTC 2021 

 

 

Hey NFB Family and Friends,

 

Please find below the amended Constitution from the Peninsula Chapter of the
NFBV.

 

As some may be aware, our national office is collecting the constitutions of
all chapters and divisions. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the
Peninsula Chapter's constitution anywhere. As a result, we simply reworked
the model chapter constitution for the specifics of the chapter while
integrating some updated guidance from our national Membership Committee.
The constitution has been reviewed by President Soforenko and First Vice
President Halverson. At the board of directors meeting on Saturday, the
Board of directors needs to provide approval. We are providing it in advance
so it does not need to be read at the Board meeting.

*	Uricka Harrison, Chapter President

 

 


ARTICLE I. NAME


   The name of this organization shall be the Peninsula Chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia. 


ARTICLE II. PURPOSE


The purpose of the Peninsula Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
of Virginia shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of the
Peninsula area of the state of Virginia, and of 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 the Peninsula area; to operate
as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can
come together to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life
of the blind; to provide a means of collective action for parents of blind
children; to forward the interests of blind students and provide them with a
means of joint action and expression; 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 the Peninsula chapter must be
blind. Any person may become an active member of the Peninsula chapter by a
majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular business
meeting, and shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the
floor, and hold office.   

Section Two- Membership Responsibilities


 


*       Pay dues each year.

*       Continue to commit to the NFB Pledge.

*       Participate actively in at least one significant activity of the
organization during the year. 

*       New members must be voted in by the membership. All members must
remain in good standing. Failure to remain in good standing or to pay dues
for two consecutive years will result in the need for an affirmative vote to
be taken to restore membership rights and privileges.

*       The determination of good standing is set by the membership and
should, at a minimum, be what is outlined in the organization's code of
conduct.


Section Three - Affiliation 


Membership in the Peninsula chapter automatically establishes membership in
the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and the National Federation
of the Blind. 

Section Four - Expulsion 

Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for conduct
unbecoming to a member of the Federation by a majority vote of the active
members present and voting at any regular business meeting of the Peninsula
chapter. The state convention of this organization may reinstate any member
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
he/she has been unjustly expelled from the Peninsula chapter 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


There shall be elected bi-annually a President, a Vice President, a
Secretary, and a Treasurer. a delegate and an alternate delegate shall also
be elected for chapter representation on the National Federation of the
Blind of Virginia Board of Directors. The terms of these officers shall
begin at the close of the meeting at which they are elected. 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, or
roll call vote unless at least four-fifths of the active members who are
present and voting decide that a secret ballot shall be used. 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, the Vice President,
and a majority of the Officers must be blind.


ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS


The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the (4)
constitutional officers and (2) additional members. The (2) Board Members
shall be elected at the same time and 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 (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 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 mail ballot on any
questions. A majority of the Board must be blind.


ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS


Section One - Regular Meetings 

The Peninsula chapter shall hold monthly meetings at a time and place to be
determined by the membership. At least 5 active members must be present to
constitute a quorum to transact business. 

Section Two - Special Meetings 
The President of the Peninsula chapter may call a special meeting of the
body at any time he/she, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such
action to be necessary. At such special meeting at least 5 active members
must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 


ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES


The President may appoint such committees as he/she or the organization
deems necessary. 


ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION


The Peninsula Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia,
and the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President
of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia 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 Peninsula Chapter and of all
amendments to the Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of
the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and the National Federation
of the Blind without delay. 

The Peninsula 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. The Peninsula chapter shall comply with the
provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia  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 Virginia (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 the Peninsula
chapter, and the Peninsula chapter  shall participate affirmatively in
carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of affiliation, it is
agreed by the Peninsula chapter that the National Federation of the Blind
(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 an
individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate or local
chapter. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the Peninsula chapter
shall belong to the reorganized chapter or if no reorganization occurs for a
period of two years, to the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia,
and the former chapter shall 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 the Peninsula
chapter, 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. 


ARTICLE IX. DUES


*       The membership year must align to calendar year, from January 1 -
December 31. The  dues of the Peninsula chapter shall be $12 per year,
payable each January.

 

*        The Peninsula Chapter shall forward $1 per year to the treasurer of
the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia for each member. No one may
vote who is delinquent in the payment of his/her dues. 


ARTICLE X. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS


The funds of the Peninsula chapter shall be deposited in a bank to be
selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President. If the members
so vote, the Treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of this
organization shall be discharged by check, issued on written order of the
President, and signed by the Treasurer and president. 


ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION


In the event of the dissolution of the Peninsula chapter, or if (for
whatever reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of
the Blind of Virginia, its assets shall be given to the National Federation
of the Blind of Virginia to be held in trust for a reorganized chapter in
the area. In the event that no chapter is reorganized in the area for a
period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an
affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia the assets
become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia.  


ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS


This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Peninsula
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 by the state
affiliate from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of
the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and the National Federation
of the Blind. 

 

Adopted: January 12, 2021

 


Peace,

Jacki Bruce

Corresponding Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
 <mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com> mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com
 <tel:(757)291-1789> tel:(757)291-1789
 <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org
 <http://www.nfbv.org/> www.nfbv.org

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Live the life you want.

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

 

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