[NFBV-Fairfax] Constitution Matters (Part 2 of 3)

[Christine Grassman]

	In a previous email earlier today, I sent our original Constitution.
Here I provide the text of the proposed and Board-approved amendments with two exceptions:
An error in the name of the chapter which appeared in the original CConstitution In Article VIII has been fixed, as the number of board members required to call a meeting. 
Please stay tuned for some comments given since the Board’s approval for your consideration this Saturday afternoon.
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    CONSTITUTION OF the FAIRFAX CHAPTER of the NATIONAL FEDERATION of the BLIND 

     Proposed Amended March 23, 2024 



           ARTICLE I. NAME 



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



        ARTICLE II. PURPOSE 



  The purpose of the Fairfax Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind shall be to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia; 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 Membership: 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. At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind.

  Section Two--Associate Members: Any person may become an associate member of this organization through procedures established by the Board of Directors. Associate members shall have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of directors. Associate members shall not pay dues.

  Section 3--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 of this chapter may be suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined for violation of this Constitution, or for actions which violate the Code of Conduct of the National Federation of the Blind, (herein incorporated), by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business meeting of this organization, or at a special meeting called by the President or at least three members of the Board. Additionally, any non-member may have their engagement in the chapter and its activities or programs restricted at the discretion of at least one-third of the board or five members present at the program or activity, or subsequently at a regular or special meeting of the chapter.  

When any disciplinary action is considered, there must be good cause, and a good faith effort must be made to hear the concerns of all parties involved. 

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 the National Board of Directors. Any person who feels that they have 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 at a regular meeting, 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. 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, 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) constitutional 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 at the call of three (3) of the Board Members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between chapter 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 email ballot on any question. A majority of the Board must be blind. 



        ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS 



  Section One--Regular Meetings: This organization shall hold meetings once a month unless otherwise determined by a majority vote.  The date and time of the meeting shall be established by a majority of active members present and voting at any meeting. At least ten (10) or one third, whichever is less, of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any regular meeting.

  Section Two--Special Meetings: The President of this organization may call a special meeting of the body at any time they or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such action to be necessary. At such special meetings, at least ten (10) or one third, whichever is less, of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 



       ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES 



  The President may appoint such committees as determined necessary. The President shall be a ex officio member of all committees.



       ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION



  The Fairfax Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind shall be a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia 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 Fairfax Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, including any amendments,   to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia without delay.

  The Fairfax Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and the National Federation of the Blind (whether made by the State Convention, State Board of directors, National Convention, or National Board of Directors), are binding on this organization and its members; and this organization and its members 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 of Virginia and the National Federation of the Blind (whether by action of the State Convention, State Board of Directors, National Convention, or National Board of Directors), has the power to expel an individual member and to reorganize this organization. In the event of reorganization, the assets of this organization shall belong to the reorganized chapter; 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 should this organization cease to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind (for whatever reason), it 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 determined by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at a chapter meeting. 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 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. 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 a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia to hold 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 shall be-every 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 that it is in compliance with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and the National Federation of the blind.


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