[OhioDAN-Talk] FW: 2016 Constitution; and planning meeting to revise

Tue Oct 11 18:42:58 UTC 2022

Good Day members of the Ohio Diabetes Action Network,

One of the important tasks for this coming convention is to revise our constitution. Please find the current constitution attached. Please review and attend the next DAN meeting with your suggestions and opinions. The meeting is scheduled for:

Tuesday October 18 at 7:30 pm.

Call in information:

701-802-5096

Access code:

364 8731

To ensure that this meeting do not take an extended amount of time, please read the current constitution and come prepared. This meeting is when we will record all the suggestions from the division membership to construct the new constitution, but the preparation will be done by the Ohio DAN board.

If you are experiencing problems accessing the document, please let me know and I will send in the format that you request.

Thank you,

Walter Mitchell

V-President, Ohio Diabetes Action Network

(513) 250-2432

Walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com <mailto:Walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com> 

From: Colleen Roth <n8tnv52 at outlook.com> 
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2022 9:07 AM
To: walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com
Subject: 2016 Constitution
Importance: High

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Constitution for the Diabetes Action Network of Ohio, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind Revised January 2016

CONSTITUTION of the Diabetes Action Network of Ohio, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

As adopted March 9, 2016
(This replaces the original constitution, which was adopted November 3, 2001)

ARTICLE I:	NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Diabetes Action Network of Ohio, hereafter referred to as ?D.A.N.O.?, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, hereafter referred to as ?N.F.B.O.?

ARTICLE II:	PURPOSE
Section 1:
The purpose of this organization shall be to create a climate of opportunity for all diabetics in home, school, and society; to support and educate all diabetics about the ramifications of diabetes; to facilitate the sharing of experiences and concerns about diabetes and to develop and expand resources available to all diabetics.

Section 2:
The Division must not merely be a social organization, but as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind, must formulate programs and actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of blind diabetics.

ARTICLE III:	AFFILIATION

The ?D.A.N.O." of the ?N.F.B.O.? shall be a division of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio and an affiliate of the Diabetes Action Network.  This organization shall furnish to the ?N.F.B.O.? and the Diabetes Action Network annually, on or before September 1, a list of names and addresses of its members and of its elected officers.   At the same time, this organization shall also furnish to the ?N.F.B.O.? the portion of dues paid by each member owed to the state affiliate as stipulated in the ?N.F.B.O.? constitution; and shall furnish a detailed financial report for the past year upon request by the state president.
The constitution and policies of the National Federation of the Blind, the ?N.F.B.O.? and the Diabetes Action Network are binding on this organization; and this organization shall actively participate in the programs of the ?N.F.B.O.?, The National Federation of the Blind and the Diabetes Action Network.  

ARTICLE IV:	 MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:	Active Members:
Any person at least 18 years of age and interested in promoting the goals and purposes of the ?D.A.N.O.?, upon payment of dues, may become an active,  voting member of the organization and may hold office.  The members of this organization shall be diabetics and others interested in promoting the purposes of this organization.  The members of this organization are members of the ?N.F.B.O.? and shall have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as other members of the ?N.F.B.O.? The majority of the members of this organization must be blind diabetics. 

Section 2:	Dues
The dues for this organization shall be set by the active members present and voting at the annual meeting and may be changed by the members at any subsequent annual meeting. The amount of dues shall be 10 dollars ($10) payable annually in advance.  No person who is delinquent in the payment of his or her dues may vote or run for office in this organization.  For persons joining this organization after the first annual meeting, dues received less than sixty (60) days prior to the next annual meeting shall not become effective until after the close of that meeting, and those persons may not vote or run for office at that meeting.

Section 3:	Disciplinary Action
Any member of this organization may be expelled or face  other disciplinary action for violation of this constitution or for behavior unbecoming a member of the ?N.F.B.O.? by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any annual meeting or by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors.  The annual meeting of this organization may reinstate any person who has been expelled, unless the expulsion has been confirmed by the State convention or by the Board of Directors of the ?N.F.B.O.?  Any person who feels that he or she has been unjustly disciplined by this organization may appeal to the Board of Directors of the ?N.F.B.O.? which may, at is discretion, consider the matter and make a binding decision; but unless and until the action of discipline is reversed by the State Board, it shall remain in effect. 

Article V:	OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1:	Officers
The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The duties of each officer shall be those customarily associated with his or her perspective office.

Section 2:	Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the four constitutional officers and up to four Board members at large.  The President, Vice President, and a majority of the board must be blind.   The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the organization present and voting at the business meeting.  The term of these officers shall begin at the close of the State convention at which they are elected and qualified.  
The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs for the organization between meetings.   The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by a majority of the Board members.  A majority of the board must be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business.  The board may be polled by telephone, electronic mail (e-mail), standard mail ballot, or any means that may become available on any question.

Section 3:	Elections
At the business meeting of this organization in which the election is to take place, the officers and one additional board member shall be elected to two year terms.  The Board of Directors shall be elected by a majority of the active members of this organization present and voting at the meeting. The election process shall be that normally followed by the ?N.F.B.O.?  There shall be no proxy voting.  

Section 4:	Vacancies
If, for any reason, a position on the Board of Directors is vacated, the membership of the organization shall be informed as soon as possible.  If the vacated office is not that of President, the President, with advice and consent of a majority of the remaining Board, shall determine whether or not to fill the vacancy by appointment.  If the vacancy occurs within ten (10) months after the most recent election for that office, it may additionally be filled by special election at the subsequent annual meeting.  Whatever decision has been made shall be transmitted to the membership of the organization within thirty (30) days after notification of the vacancy.  The new Board member shall remain in office until the next regularly scheduled election for that office.  If the office of President is vacated, the Vice-President shall immediately assume that office, and the vacancy of Vice President shall be addressed in the manner prescribed above.  

ARTICLE VI:	MEETINGS
Section 1:	Annual Meeting
The ?D.A.N.O.? a Division of the ?N.F.B.O.? shall hold at minimum, its annual business meeting at the time and place of the annual State Convention of the ?N.F.B.O.?  A majority, at least three (3) board members and 20% of the active  members of this organization must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. 

Section 2:	Special Meetings
The President of this organization may call a special meeting, including a conference call, any time he or she or a majority of the Board of Directors deems necessary.  To call such a meeting, notice must be given to the members and to the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. At such meetings, at least 20% of the membership and a majority of the Board of Directors must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.

Section 3:	Minutes of the Meetings
Minutes of the meetings shall be kept and archived and shall be available at the earliest possible time to members of the board and upon request, to any division  member.  All actions and decisions of the Board of Directors along with a record of motions including financial issues shall be recorded and archived by the secretary for future reference and audits. 

ARTICLE VII:	COMMITTEES

The President of this organization may create any committees he, she or the organization deems necessary.  The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees of this organization except the nominating committee. 

ARTICLE VIII:	FUNDS AND FINANCING

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 transactions must be discharged by check or other draft issued on the order of the President and signed by the Treasurer.  All funds collected in and by the name of the ?D.A.N.O.? shall be turned over to the Treasurer.  The Treasurer is ultimately responsible for the finances of this organization and shall have full knowledge of its accounts and funds.  There shall be a clear audit trail in all transactions. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year. 

ARTICLE IX:	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 circulated in writing and read at a previous business session or special meeting and is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliates provided by the National Federation of the Blind.  Amendments to the bylaws require a simple majority vote.  Amendments become effective immediately at the close of the meeting in which they were passed. 

ARTICLE X:	BYLAWS

The organization may adopt a set of bylaws setting forth the day to day policies including but not limited to financial, parliamentary and responsibilities of officers and members.  Bylaws may be enacted or amended by a majority vote of the members of the organization or Board of Directors at any meeting. Any action taken by the Board of Directors must be ratified or refused by the general membership at the next meeting.  The bylaws must be attached to this constitution so that the Constitution and Bylaws are a single document. The constitution is the supreme policy of the organization and shall override any policy enacted in the bylaws which conflicts with the constitution.

ARTICLE XI:	 DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this organization, or if for whatever reason it ceases to be a part of the ?N.F.B.O.?, its assets shall be given to the ?N.F.B.O.?, to be held in trust for a reorganized division. In the event that no division is organized in Ohio for a period of two (2) years from the date that this organization ceases to be a division, the assets become the property of the ?N.F.B.O.? after payment is made for all outstanding liabilities. If the dissolution of this organization should occur and if at that time the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio has been dissolved or is no longer a tax exempt organization under the provisions of Code, all assets of this organization shall be given to an organization with similar purposes in Ohio which has received a tax exemption from the Federal Internal Revenue Service.

The names ?National Federation of the Blind?, ?Federation of the Blind?, any variant thereof, and ?Diabetes Action Network? are the property of the National Federation of the Blind; and if this organization ceases to be part of the National Federation of the Blind (for whatever reason), it shall forfeit the right to use the names ?National Federation of the Blind?, ?Federation of the Bind?, any variant thereof, or ?Diabetes Action Network?.

ARTICLE XII:	RATIFICATION
This constitution shall be established by a vote of two thirds majority of the active membership of the organization present and voting.

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