Constitution of the Senior Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska

CONSTITUTION

Adopted October 2000

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization is the Senior Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the SENIOR Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska shall be to promote the complete integration of the senior blind [age fifty-five (55) and older] into society on a basis of equality with the sighted and to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section One--The active members of this organization shall be blind seniors, age fifty-five (55) or older and others interested in promoting the purposes of the organization.

Section Two--Affiliation. Membership in this organization automatically establishes membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and the National Federation of the Blind with the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as other members of 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 he or 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 the officers shall begin at the close of the meeting at which they are 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 be continued 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 and over age fifty-five (55).

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of four (4) constitutional officers and three (3) additional members. The three 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 the written request of any three (3) 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 question. A majority of the Board must be blind and over age fifty-five (55).

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

The President may appoint such committees as he or she or the organization deems necessary.

ARTICLE VII. AFFILIATION

The SENIOR Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska shall furnish to the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska annually, or 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 SENIOR Division and of all amendments to the constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and the National Federation of the Blind without delay.

The SENIOR Division 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 Nebraska, the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind 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 Nebraska (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 the State Board) has the power to expel or discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate or state division. In the event of reorganization, the assets of this organization belong to the reorganized division; or if no reorganization occurs for a period of two (2) years, to the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska; and the former division 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 if this organization ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind (for whatever reason) it shall forfeit the right to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE VIII. DUES

The dues of this organization shall be $5.00 per year payable in advance. The division shall forward $1.00 to the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska for each member. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his or her dues.

ARTICLE IX. 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 X. 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 Nebraska, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska to be held in trust for a reorganized division in the state. In the event that no division is reorganized in the state for a period of two (2) years from the date this division ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended at any meeting of the membership by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and voting; but the amendments shall not become effective until approved by the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska.