[NFBV-Announce] Greater Williamsburg Constitution

[jackibruce6 at gmail.com]

              Hey NFB Family and Friends,

 

Please find below the amended Constitution for the Greater Williamsburg
Chapter of the  NFBV.

 

From: Jacki Bruce

President, Greater Williamsburg Chapter

jackibruce6 at gmail.com <mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com> 

As some may be aware, our national office is gathering the constitutions of
all chapters. We realized that the members of the Greater Williamsburg
Chapter didn’t have a copy of the chapter constitution. Working from the
model chapter constitution from our national office, we prepared and voted
to approve this constitution. President Soforenko has reviewed the chapter
constitution. 

We are asking the Virginia affiliate Board of Directors to approve the
constitution at our January 16, 2021 Board meeting.  Thank you.

 

Greater Williamsburg Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia Constitution

 


 


ARTICLE I. NAME


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


ARTICLE II. PURPOSE


The purpose of the Greater Williamsburg Chapter of the National Federation
of the Blind of Virginia shall be to advance the general welfare of the
blind of the Williamsburg, York County, and James City County 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 Williamsburg, York County, James City County
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


An Active Member is defined as a  person who’s dues are paid and current, is
in good standing, and who participates in at least one event each year.


At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be
blind. Any person may become an active member of this organization 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 Three - Affiliation 


Membership in this organization 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 this
organization. The state convention of this organization 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
he/she has been unjustly expelled from this organization 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 annually a President, a Vice President, a Secretary,
and a 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, 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 four (4)
constitution/4al officers and two (2) additional members. The two (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 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 a ¾ 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 
This organization shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be
determined by the membership. At least ¾ majority active members must be
present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 

Section Two - Special Meetings 
The President of this organization 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 a ¾ majority 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 Greater Williamsburg 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 Greater Williamsburg
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  Greater Williamsburg 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. This organization 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 this
organization, and this organization shall participate affirmatively in
carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of affiliation, it is
agreed by this organization 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 this organization
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 this organization,
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 dues of this organization shall be $20.00 per year, payable in advance.
The Chapter shall forward $.50  per year to the National Federation of the
Blind of Virginia for each member. No person may vote who is delinquent in
the payment of his/her dues. 


ARTICLE X. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS


The funds of this organization 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. 


ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION


In the event of the dissolution of this organization, 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 this organization
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. 


 


OFFICIAL PLEDGE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND


I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of
the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to
support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
Constitution.

 

Approved unanimously  January 15, 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

Follow us on Twitter @NFBVirginia
Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia

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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