The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.
NATIONAL HARBOR Chapter CONSTITUTION
Adopted in 2013
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the National Harbor Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the National Harbor Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of the Prince Georges County and Southern Maryland areas, of the state of Maryland and of the nation; to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind; to serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of Prince Georges County and Southern Maryland area; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life of the blind; to provide a means of collective action for parents of blind children; to forward the interests of blind students and provide them with a means of joint action and expression; to promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; 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 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 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.
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- 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 meeting 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 (in its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.
Article IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
There shall be elected bi-annually during odd numbered years, a President, a First Vice President, a Second 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. Election shall be by voice vote, standing vote, show of hands, or roll call vote unless at least four-fifths of the active members who are present and voting decide that a secret ballot shall be used.
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, the First Vice President, Second 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 five (5) constitutional officers and at least two (2), but no more than four (4), additional members. The Board Members shall be elected bi-annually during even-numbered years and 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 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 mail ballot on any questions. A majority of the Board must be blind.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
Section One -- Regular Meetings
This organization shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be determined by the membership. At least one half of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.
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 half 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.
The committees shall include, but are not limited to, Public Relations, Membership, Advocacy, and Fundraising.
ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION
The National Harbor Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 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, a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of the National Harbor 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 National Harbor 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.
ARTICLE IX. DUES
The dues of this organization shall be $12.00 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 $300.00. No person may vote 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 bank to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President. If the members so vote, the Treasurer shall be bonded.
All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, issued on written order of the President, and signed by both the President and 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 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 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 Maryland the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of one half 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.