Constitution
Rose City Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Rose City Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the blind in the Portland metropolitan area, of Oregon, 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 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: Honorary Members
Any person may be elected to honorary membership in this organization by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular business meeting. Honorary 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. Honorary members do not pay dues.
Section Three: Affiliation
Membership in this organization automatically establishes membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, and the National Federation of the Blind.
Section Four: Expulsion
Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for conduct unbecoming 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 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 of Directors. 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 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. 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 nominee receives a majority vote of the active members present and voting. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office. 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. The Board shall meet at the call of the President, or on written call of any two (2) of the Board members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge 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 meetings at a time and place to be determined by the membership. At least 40% 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 a meeting, at least 40% 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 Rose City Chapter shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon and the National Federation of the Blind, and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, 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 Rose City Chapter and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon without delay.
The Rose City 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 Oregon 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 Oregon (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 dues of this organization shall be four dollars ($4.00) per year payable in advance. The chapter shall forward two dollars ($2.00) per year to the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon for each member. A lifetime membership may be secured for a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00.) 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. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, 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 ceased to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, to be held in trust for a reorganized chapter in the area. In the event that no chapter is reorganized in the area within two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.
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 a previous business session 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 Oregon and National Federation of the Blind.