Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Senior Issues Division

Revised November 11, 2017

ARTICLE I. THE NAME

The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Senior Issues Division

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Senior Issues Division is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and the National Senior Division. This division provides encouragement and mentoring to newly blind seniors and other blind seniors;  advocates for services and products to assist seniors to maintain maximum independence and remain integrated into society; provides a vehicle to teach one  another about techniques and nonvisual methods for daily and professional living; actively engages in  using new technologies and working to improve their quality and overall accessibility; promotes consumer-based changes in policies that directly affect the lives of newly blind seniors and the senior blind population, through collective action and education of the general public about the capabilities 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 then 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 of 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 every other year, (two 2-year term) 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 majority vote of the active members 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) board members. The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by any two (2) 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,  or in written format on any questions. A majority of the Board members must be blind. Board members will serve two (2) year terms and be elected by the membership in the even numbered years when the officers are not elected.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section One annual meeting — annual meeting

At least one annual meeting of the membership shall be held in conjunction with the National Federation of the Blind state convention.

Section Two Special Meetings —

The President of this organization may call other  special meetings  of the body at any time he/she, or a majority of the Board of Directors deems such a meeting to be necessary. At such meetings, at least 60% 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

This organization is affiliated with the Maryland affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, and the Senior Division of 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 or email addresses, of its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of this Division and 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. 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, the National Federation of the Blind Senior Division and the Maryland affiliate (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. 

ARTICLE IX. DUES

The dues of this organization shall be $5.00 per year, payable in advance. The Division shall forward $1.00 per year to the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland for each member. 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 the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this organization, or if (for whatever reason) it ceases to be a division within the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland or the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland to be held in trust for a reorganized division. If no reorganization occurs for a period of two years, the assets of this organization will 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.