[MD-AtLarge] Amendments to the Constitution

[Sharon Maneki]

Hello All,
Below are the amendments to the constitution. Read them below and respond
with any questions.

AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT I:
ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP
Section One -- Active Members
 At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be
blind.  Any person wishing to become an active member must follow the
membership process prescribed by the National Federation of the Blind,
including receiving mentoring and attending National Federation of the
Blind activities.  When the person desiring membership has met all
prerequisites, that person shall pledge to participate in the National
Federation of the Blind and be voted in as a member by a majority of
chapter members present and voting at a regular business meeting.

Section Two- Affiliation
Membership in this organization automatically establishes membership in the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and the National Federation of
the Blind.

Section Three-  Disciplinary Action
Any member may be suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined for
violation of this constitution, violation of the Code of Conduct, or other
misconduct, by a majority of the active members present and voting at any
regular business meeting of this organization, by the Board of Directors of
the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, and/or via the procedures
applicable to the National Code of Conduct process.  The state convention
of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland may reinstate any
member who has been expelled or suspended unless such discipline has been
confirmed by the National Convention or by the Board of Directors of the
National Federation of the Blind including through the NFB Code of Conduct
process, in which case the person may be reinstated only by the National
Convention or the National Board.  Any person who feels that an unjust
disciplinary action has occurred 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.

AMENDMENT II:
ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board may be polled by telephone, text, email, electronic means, or
mail ballot on any questions.

AMENDMENT III:
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section One – Annual Business Meeting
This organization shall hold at least one in-person meeting to transact
business each year. This meeting shall occur during the Convention of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland at a time designated by the
President, with the approval of the Affiliate President. At least 25% of
the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact
business.

Section Two – Regular Meetings
This organization may hold meetings at other times of the year. These
meetings shall be defined as either a) an in-person gathering at a location
agreed upon by the membership, or b) a telephone conference call scheduled
by the President. All members shall be notified in advance of the date and
time of each meeting. At least 25% of the active members must be present to
constitute a quorum to transact business

Section Three – Special Meetings
The President of this organization may call a special meeting of the body
at any time the President, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems
such action to be necessary.  At such special meetings at least one half of
the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact
business.

AMENDMENT IV
ARTICLE VIII.  AFFILIATION
The At-Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
shall function as a local chapter. This organization shall be an affiliate
of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, and the National
Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland annually, on or before January 1 or a
date determined by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, a list
of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers.  A copy of
the Constitution of the At-Large Chapter and of all amendments to the
Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland and the National Federation of the
Blind without delay.

The At-Large 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
Maryland 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 Maryland (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 (2) years, to the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland 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.

AMENDMENT V
ARTICLE IX.  DUES
The dues of this organization shall be $10.00 per year, payable in
advance.  The Chapter shall forward $2.00 per year to the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland and 2.00 to the National Federation of
the Blind for each member.  A life-time membership may be secured for a fee
of $150.00.  No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of that
person’s dues.

AMENDMENT VI
ARTICLE X - DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
The funds of this Organization shall be deposited under the established
bank account of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.  All
financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by legal
tender, issued on written order of the President, and executed by the
Treasurer.

AMENDMENT VII
ARTICLE XI.  SUSPENSION AND DISSOLUTION
Should this chapter be suspended, the members of this chapter who paid
annual dues will retain membership in the National Federation of the Blind
of Maryland and the National Federation of the Blind through the end of the
calendar year in which the chapter was suspended.  However, lifetime
membership will transfer to any reorganized successor chapter should this
chapter be suspended.  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 Maryland, its assets shall be given
to the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland to be held in trust for
a reorganized chapter in the area.  In the event that no chapter is
reorganized 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
Maryland, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland.

AMENDMENT VIII
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 Maryland and the
National Federation of the Blind.


*Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy*
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/md-atlarge_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260216/a244d4eb/attachment.htm>