2020
Explanations
Below are the proposed changes to the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. These proposed changes will be read at the NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting on November 6, 2020 and will be voted on by the Convention on November 7, 2020.
General Notes:
- One asterisk means there is a proposed change to that provision.
- Two asterisks means this is entirely new language.
- Each proposed change below includes a description of the purpose for the change in brackets.
- The Board has determined that resolving typographical errors and making this document gender neutral does not constitute substantive changes, and thus such changes are authorized without the need for a vote on them. As a result, the proposed amended constitution incorporates typographical corrections and gender neutral language without pointing them out as deviations from the original constitution.
Article III – Membership
- Section One: Delete line that says: “Active membership shall be of two (2) classifications: active members who are affiliated with local chapters and active members who are not affiliated with local chapters.” [Purpose: Now that an At Large chapter exists, this is not needed.]
- Section One: Change “local chapters” to “chapters and divisions” [Purpose: To capture non-brick and mortar chapters and include divisions.]
- Section One: Delete subsection ii that says: “Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter may become an active member of this organization by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at a convention or by action of the Board of Directors.” [Purpose: Now that an At Large chapter exists, this is not needed.]
- Section Three: Change “Expulsion” to “Discipline” in title. [Purpose: Captures true authority as indicated in Code of Conduct.]
- Section Three: Change entire paragraph to state: “Any member may be suspended or disciplined for violations of the National Federation of the Blind code of conduct, other misconduct, or for violation of this Constitution, by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. Any member may be expelled for violations of the National Federation of the Blind code of conduct, other misconduct, or for violation of this Constitution, by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of this organization, or by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.” [Purpose: incorporate Code of Conduct as reason for discipline; allow for discipline in addition to expulsion.]
Article IV – Local Chapters
- Title: Change “Local Chapters” to “Chapters and Divisions.” [Purpose: To capture non-brick and mortar chapters and include divisions.]
- Format: Create subsections for “Chapters” and “Divisions.” [Purpose: To capture non-brick and mortar chapters and include divisions.]
- Section One: Should read: “Any organized group desiring to become a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, a copy of its Constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. When the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, either in Convention assembled or by action of its Board of Directors shall approve the application, it shall issue to the chapter a Certificate of Acceptance. Annually, on the earlier of either: 1) March 1; or 2) on a date determined by the President of this organization or the National Federation of the Blind, each chapter shall provide to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland or the President’s designee a current list of its members and their addresses. At the same time, each chapter Treasurer shall forward to the State Treasurer the state dues for each member in the chapter, and a detailed financial report of the chapter for the last year. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year. As new members enter chapters, their names and addresses shall be sent without delay to the National Federation of the Blind according to its membership reporting procedures, and their state dues shall be sent without delay to the Treasurer of the state organization. No group shall be accepted as a chapter and no group shall remain a chapter unless a majority of its voting members are blind. The President, Vice President, (or Vice Presidents) and at least a majority of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors of the chapter must be blind. The President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland shall be an ex officio member of each chapter. In the event of dissolution of a chapter, or if (for whatever reason) the chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets shall become property of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Each chapter is required to contribute at least twenty-five percent of its net annual income to the state organization. Any chapter which fails to meet this requirement may be suspended by action of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.” [Purpose: Update membership information submission requirements to be consistent with both current practice and National membership initiatives.]
- Section Two: Should read: “The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for admission of divisions and shall determine the structure of the divisions. Divisions shall pay dues to the state affiliate, submit annual membership lists, and be subject to discipline by the Board of Directors and the national organization. [Purpose: Modernize constitution to reflect inclusion of state divisions and afford the Board the flexibility needed based on their different structures and purposes.]
Article V: Officers and Their Duties
- Change “The officers must be blind” to instead say “The President and Vice Presidents must be blind.” [Purpose: Harmonize with other affiliate and chapter constitution requirements.]
Article VI: Board of Directors
- Delete: “except that, at the annual convention during which this provision is adopted, four (4) members at large shall be elected, three (3) members for two (2) year terms and one (1) member for a one (1) year term.” [Purpose: The last amendment expanded the Board, so it was necessary to prescribe term lengths. This is not the case now so this language may be deleted.]
- Add language that states: “A majority of the Board must be blind.” [Purpose: Previous constitution is silent on this issue, and it is important to ensure that the organization is run by blind people.]
- Change “The Board may be polled by telephone or mail ballot on any question.” To instead say: “The Board may be polled by telephone, electronic means, or mail ballot on any question.” [Purpose: modernize polling methods based on available technology.]
Article VII – Meetings
- Section One: Change quorum from 15 members to 25%. [Purpose: Since Maryland is a large affiliate, a percentage better reflects the needs of the organization for a quorum.]
- Section Two: Change quorum from 15 members to 25%. [Purpose: Since Maryland is a large affiliate, a percentage better reflects the needs of the organization for a quorum.]
Article IX - Affiliation
- Change date by which the membership information is due to the NFB to “annually, on the earlier of either: 1) March 1; or 2) on a date determined by the President of this organization or the National Federation of the Blind.” [Purpose: Update membership information submission requirements to be consistent with both current practice and National membership initiatives.]
Article XI – Dues
- Replace current language in its entirety to state: “The annual dues of the organization shall be at an amount set by the Board of Directors, payable in advance. In accordance with Article IV of the Constitution, chapters and divisions shall pay the state dues of their members. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of dues.” [Purpose: Since there is an At Large chapter, there is no longer a need for at large membership and lifetime membership outside of that chapter; creates mechanism for Board to determine amount of state dues so that a constitutional change is not needed to change dues amounts.]
Article XII – Disbursement of Funds
- Remove treasurer bonding requirement. [Purpose: This is impracticable.]
- Change language that states “All financial obligations of the organization shall be discharged by check issued on order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer.” to instead state: “All financial obligations of the organization shall be discharged by order of the President, in a manner approved by the Board of Directors, and authenticated by the Treasurer.” [Purpose: modernizes methods for transacting business and creates flexibility for further technology developments.]