NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF NEBRASKA

 

COLUMBUS AREA CHAPTER

 

ARTICLE I NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Columbus Area Chapter.

 

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the blind of the Columbus area, of Nebraska, and of the nation, and to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.

 

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

 

Section One--Active Members

 

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 attending any regular meeting and stating his/her desire to do so. Active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.

 

Section Two--Affiliation

 

Membership in this organization automatically establishes membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, and the National Federation of the Blind.

 

Section Three--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 session 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 (at its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.

 

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

 

There shall be elected annually during the first regular meeting of the calendar year 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 present and voting. There shall be no proxy voting. If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first round of voting, the name of the person receiving the fewest votes shall be dropped from the list of nominees, and a second vote shall be taken. This procedure shall continue until one of the nominees has received a majority vote from the active members present and voting. In the event of a tie vote, the person presiding over the election shall cast the deciding vote. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office. The President and the Vice President must be blind.

 

ARTICLE V BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the four (4) constitutional officers, and one (1) additional member, all of whom shall be elected annually at the first regular meeting of the calendar year. The one (1) Board Member shall be elected 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 three (3) 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 question. A majority of the Board must be blind.

 

ARTICLE VI MEETINGS

 

Section One--Regular Meetings

 

This organization shall hold regular monthly meetings. At least one-third (1/3) of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. Meeting dates may be changed or canceled upon majority vote of the board of directors or the general membership.

 

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 meetings at least one-third (1/3) of the 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 National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Columbus Area Chapter shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, and the National Federation of the Blind, and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska annually a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Columbus Area Chapter and of all amendments thereto shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska without delay.

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Columbus Area 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska (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 the 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 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 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 annual dues of this organization shall be $10.00 per year. The chapter shall forward $5.00 per year to the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska for each member. No person may vote or hold a position on the board of directors 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 financial institution 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 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 Nebraska, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, 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 Nebraska, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska.

 

ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS

 

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at the previous business meeting, and provided it is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation received from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and the National Federation of the Blind.