Amended November 12, 2022
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Baltimore County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Baltimore County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of the Baltimore County and surrounding 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 the Baltimore County and surrounding areas; 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 encourage seniors to live a full and meaningful life; 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 - Associate Members
Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular business meeting. Associate members shall have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors. Associate members shall not pay dues.
Section Three - 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 Four - 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 annually 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 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 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 four (4) constitutional officers and three (3) additional members. The three (3) Board Members shall be elected at the same time 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, email, text message, mail, or other electronic/digital means on any question. 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 25% of 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 the President, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such action to be necessary. At such special meeting at least 25% of active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
The President may appoint such committees as the President or the organization deems necessary.
ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION
The Baltimore County 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 Baltimore County 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 Baltimore County 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 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 $5.00 per calendar year, payable in advance. The Chapter shall forward $1.00 per year to the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland for each member. A life-time membership may be secured for a fee of $125.00. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of their 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 or electronic means authorized by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and/or the National Federation of the Blind, issued on written order of the President, and effectuated 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 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 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.