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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Role of the Affiliate and Chapter Board</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">As with the national constitution, each state affiliate or local chapter constitution specifies the number of board members to be elected and how long they should serve. It is customary that board members be elected every two years. This allows for new members to acclimate while those who have served for a time are able to contribute to the stability of the chapter and affiliate. The role of board members is to first support the president and elected officers. In many instances, affiliate board members may also be leaders at the chapter level. Although their specific responsibilities are not defined, board members should be in touch with the chapter or affiliate president to keep them abreast of happenings within the organization and with other members, help set the tone of the organization, participate in activities and generally provide leadership. While it is expected and typically demanded by the local or state constitutions that the president and vice president be blind, board members do not have to be. However, it is generally the practice that the majority of board members and the membership body are blind. In the National Federation of the Blind it is an expectation that all officers and board members work to achieve the goals of our organization. There are no name only positions in the National Federation of the Blind.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Role of the Vice President at the Affiliate and Chapter Level</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The main role of the vice president is to preside over meetings when the president is absent. The responsibilities of the vice president are to:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Stand in for the president if s/he is away</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Support the president in running the affiliate or chapter and work towards achieving the goals of the Federation</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Assist the president with matters between meetings</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Deal with specific tasks or issues as requested by the president</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The vice president needs all of the skills that make for an effective president as described above. Therefore it is important to pay as much attention to the choice of the vice president as to that of the president. Remember that on occasions, due to illness, family circumstances, or the like, the vice president may be asked to fill the role of president on more than an occasional basis.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Role of the Secretary at the Affiliate and Chapter Level</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The role of the secretary at its most basic is to keep accurate minutes of meetings, although its responsibilities are frequently wider and more substantial. The role of secretary is critical, and you need someone who is efficient, pays attention to detail, and has good administrative skills. Keeping accurate minutes is a learned skill; minute takers do not need to record every word said, yet they need to record more than just the decisions made. For tips on creating useful and accurate minutes see How to Create Useful Meeting Minutes.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The responsibilities of the secretary include but are not limited to:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Help the president to plan meetings</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Organize the logistics of meetings</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Take and distribute minutes (See How to Create Useful Meeting Minutes)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Deal with board correspondence</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Role of the Treasurer at the Affiliate and Chapter Level</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The main role of the treasurer is to maintain a financial overview of the affiliate or chapter. They are also responsible for setting up and managing accounts for the affiliate or chapter including establishing an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and to use best practices according to our accounting department at our national center. For a treasurer, you need a person who is good at figures, understands accounts, and can explain accounts in layperson’s terms. The affiliate or chapter will also need someone who has the required time to give to the role, as it is likely to entail a fair degree of work. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The responsibilities of the treasurer include but are not limited to:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Look after the finances</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Prepare and present, in a timely manner, understandable financial reports to the President, board and members (See Appendix B - Template for State Financials. This can also easily be used for chapter reporting as well.)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Ensure that the financial resources of the organization meet its needs; typically including chairing the fundraising committee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Advise on the financial implications of any new projects</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Prepare the monthly reports and send them to the national center in a timely basis</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Financial Relationship between Chapters and Affiliates</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Every affiliate has their own EIN and has been granted IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Chapters must have their own EIN, but most have not been granted IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and are not recommended to do so (please see Appendix C: Obtaining an EIN-Employer Identification Number)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Any chapter activity that requires tax-exempt status should go through the affiliate. This includes large fundraising events, grants, and even tax-exempt letters. The affiliate needs to collect the funds and then grant it to the chapter.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Authorizations</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">All expenses are reviewed and authorized by the president. The president provides the treasurer with a written authorization form or an email for expenditure. Emails should be printed out, but can also be saved for future reference. When a reimbursement is requested, it must include receipts and be approved by the president. All authorizations for the president to be reimbursed need to include receipts. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Security</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The checkbook is to be secured at all times; locked in a drawer, cabinet, or room when not in use. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Check Signers</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">At least two people should be authorized to sign checks. Check signers should include the treasurer and secretary or another officer other than the president. A third signer can be authorized as a back-up signer. The president should be designated as a check signer only for emergency purposes. Ideally, the person who writes checks should not have authority to sign checks; however, this may not be possible. Any checks written for $5,000 or more should be signed by two check signers. Signature stamps are </FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><U><FONT FACE="Aptos">NOT </FONT></U></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to be used; checks are to be signed by hand.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<BR>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Richard Payne, President</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">937/829/3368</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></U><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">Rchpay7@gmail.com</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="http://www.nfbohio.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></U><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">www.nfbohio.org</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, becaus</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">e low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</FONT></SPAN></P>
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