Constitution
Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
Revised October 2022
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia INC.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of Georgia and 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 Georgia, to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and the interested public can come together in local chapters, Divisions and state meetings 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 promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind, to achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality, 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. Active membership shall be of two (2) classifications: active members who are affiliated with local chapters or divisions and active members who are not affiliated with local chapters or divisions, and thus members at-large.
- All active members of local chapters or divisions shall automatically become active members of this organization, with the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.
- Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter or Division may become an active member of this organization by receiving a majority vote of the active members present and voting at a convention or by complying with requirements established by the Board of Directors. They would thus be considered an At-Large member.
- All active members are responsible for paying their dues each year, ensuring that they are in good standing, and participating in some meaningful work of the organization during the year.
- Any members seeking to serve in elected offices anywhere in the Affiliate may not be a member of another blindness organization that has policies in opposition to those of the National Federation of the Blind or in contravention to its Constitution.
Section Two – Supporting Members
Any person can become a supporting member of this organization through procedures established by the convention or the Board of Directors. Supporting members shall have all of the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the Board of Directors. Supporting members shall not pay dues.
Section Three – Disciplinary Action.
Any member may be expelled; and any chapter or Division may be expelled, suspended, or reorganized for violation of this Constitution or for conduct unbecoming to a member, Chapter, or Division of the Federation 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. 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 Board. Any person who feels that they have been unjustly disciplined or expelled from this organization, or any chapter or Division which feels that it has been unjustly disciplined, reorganized, or expelled 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, but until or unless the action of discipline, reorganization, or expulsion is reversed by the National Board, it shall continue in effect.
ARTICLE IV. LOCAL CHAPTERS
Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia 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 Georgia, either in convention assembled or by the action of its Board of Directors, shall have approved the submissions, it shall secure for the local Chapter a Charter of Affiliation from the national office.
Annually or before January 1st, each local Chapter shall provide to the Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia a current list of its members, their names, contact information, and their state dues. Upon request, a local chapter shall also provide the Affiliate President with a detailed financial report of the Chapter for the past year.
The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year. As new members enter local chapters, their names, contact information and state dues shall be sent without delay to the Treasurer of the state Affiliate. 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, the Vice President (or Vice Presidents), and at least a majority of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors of the local chapter must be blind. All new members of the Chapter will be voted in at the end of the business meeting, and their membership starts at that time. Therefore they will not be allowed to vote during that meeting.
ARTICLE V. DIVISIONS
The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for admission of divisions and shall determine the structure of divisions. The divisions shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt constitutions and determine their membership policies.
All new members of the Division will be voted in at the end of the business meeting, and their membership starts at that time. Therefore they will not be allowed to vote during that meeting.
The President of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia shall be ex officio a member of each local Chapter and Division. In the event of the dissolution of a local Chapter or Division, or if (for whatever reason) the local Chapter or Division ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia; and it shall forthwith cease to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
There shall be elected at the annual convention during each even-numbered year, a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention at which they are elected and qualified, their terms to run two years. 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, or roll call vote unless at least two thirds of the active members who are present and voting decide that a secret ballot shall be used, no new member will be allowed to vote during that meeting. 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 and the Vice Presidents must be blind.
ARTICLE VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of this Affiliate shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers and six (6) additional Board members. All additional Board Members shall be elected in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers. During an annual convention on a even year, three of the additional board members shall be elected and their terms to run two years. And three additional board members shall be elected during the annual convention in an odd numbered year and their terms to run two years. The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on request by a majority of the Board Members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between conventions. At least a majority of the Board Members must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The Board may be polled by telephone, mail, or electronic ballot on any question. A majority of the Board must be blind.
ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS
Section One – Annual Convention.
This organization shall hold an annual convention, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the membership or (if the membership so decides) by the Board of Directors or the President. At least two thirds of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual convention. in order to be eligible to vote in the business of the convention, a member has to be in good standing and have paid their dues for that year no later than 60 days prior to the convention.
Section Two – Board Meetings.
The President of this organization may call a Board meeting at any time the President, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such action to be necessary. At such meetings, At least a majority of the Board members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.
Section Three – 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 meetings, at least two thirds of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business, and a written notice must have been sent to the President of each local Chapter and Division and to the members of the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.
ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES
The President may appoint such committees as the President deems necessary. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees accept for the nominating committee.
ARTICLE X. AFFILIATION
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish annually to the President of the National Federation of the Blind a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers, and any amendments to the Constitution and if requested, a detailed financial report for the past year shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind without delay.
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia 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, its chapters, and divisions shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind (whether made by the National Convention or the National Board of Directors) are binding on this organization, its chapters, divisions, and members; 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 the action of the National Convention or the National Board) has the power to expel or discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate, local chapter, or division. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the affiliate and it’s local chapters, and divisions belong to the reorganized affiliate; and the former affiliate, it’s chapters, divisions 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 or any of it’s chapters or divisions which cease 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.
The President of the National Federation of the Blind shall ex officio be a member of this Affiliate and each of its local chapters and divisions.
ARTICLE XI. DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENTION
This Affiliate shall elect each year at least one (1) delegate and at least one (1) alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected as a delegate or alternate delegate unless they are an active member of this organization in good standing. To the extent of the resources of this Affiliate, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.
ARTICLE XII. DUES
The dues of this Affiliate shall be $2.00 per year, payable in advance and expiring on December 31st. In accordance with Article IV of the Constitution, local chapters and the at-large chapter shall pay the state dues of their members. Members who are not affiliated with a local chapter or the at-large chapter shall pay their dues before or during the annual convention.
ARTICLE XIII. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank or banks to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check or electronic transaction, issued on order of the President and signed or approved by the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be bonded, if requested by the membership.
Section One – Use of the 501c3 Letter.
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia Affiliate is a legal holder of a 501c3 letter, which grants the Georgia Affiliate with tax exemption status. No chapters, divisions, or any members are to host a fundraising activity that requires the use of the 501c3 letter without the approval of the Affiliate President.
ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, or if (for whatever reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind, to be held in trust for a reorganized affiliate in the state of Georgia. In the event that no affiliate is organized in the state for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind. If the dissolution of this organization should occur and if at that time the National Federation of the Blind is no longer a tax-exempt organization under the provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code or if the National Federation of the Blind has been dissolved, all assets of this organization shall be given to an organization with similar purposes which has received tax-exempt certification from the federal Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE XV. 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 from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind. Any amendments to this Constitution that are not reviewed, accepted, and archived by the National Federation of the Blind will not be considered approved policy of the Affiliate in accordance with the charter of affiliation. Amendments shall be forwarded for approval and reviewed in a timely fashion.
ARTICLE XVI. CODE OF CONDUCT
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia shall abide by the National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct. All individuals within the organization, including all attendees at NFB sponsored events, are expected to refrain from the unwelcome and harmful misconduct outlined in the Code, including but not limited to discrimination, abuse, misuse of power, sexual misconduct, conflict of interest, fraud, and other forms of misconduct.
OFFICIAL PLEDGE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind, to support the policies and programs of the Federation, and to abide by its Constitution.
Convention Approval - October 9, 2022
National Approval - November 17, 2022
Policies of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
Adopted - October 2022
Policy One: Non-Residents of Georgia – Approved Date: 10/09/22
Any non-resident of Georgia may become an active member of this organization, with the right to vote, serve on committees and speak on the floor. Non-resident members may pay dues. They are not allowed to hold any office on any boards within the organization. They may not be a member of another blindness organization that has policies in opposition to those of the National Federation of the Blind or in contravention to its Constitution.