National Federation of the Blind of Oregon

Constitution
National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
Capitol City Chapter

Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, Capitol City Chapter.

Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the economic, social, and political well being of blind individuals, and to carry out the policies of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.

Article III - Membership

Section 1 - 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 providing that such person meets the eligibility requirements for membership in the National Federation of the Blind and of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon. Active members are eligible to vote for chapter offices 30 days following the initial payment of membership dues.

Section 2 - Associate Members Any person may become an associate member in this organization provided that such a person meets the requirements for active membership in this organization. Associate members shall have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, or hold office. Associate members shall not pay dues. This provision is applicable only when the acceptance of a person to active membership would cause the chapter to have less than a majority of its active members who are blind.

Section 3 - Expulsion Any person who has been expelled by the National Federation of the Blind, or by the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon shall automatically cease to be a member of this organization. Any member of this organization may be expelled for misconduct, or for activity unbecoming to a member of this organization by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the chapter.

Section 4 - Reinstatement A person may be reinstated to membership in this organization by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of this chapter, providing that such person meets the eligibility requirements for membership or for reinstatement to membership in the National Federation of the Blind, and the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.

Article IV - Officers and Their Duties There shall be elected at the regular March meeting of this organization on an annual basis: a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. In the event the election cannot be held at the regular March meeting, it shall be held at the first regular meeting following the scheduled March meeting. The terms of those officers shall begin at the close of the meeting at which they are elected and qualified. The President and Vice President of the organization must be blind. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present and voting. There shall be no proxy votes. If no nominee receives a majority 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 receives a majority vote. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.

Article V -- Meetings

Section 1 - Monthly Meetings This organization shall hold a meeting at least once every month, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the membership, or if this is not possible, by the officers of this chapter. At least three active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact the business of the chapter. A meeting may be canceled by a majority vote of members present and voting at a regularly scheduled meeting. No fewer than ten meetings will be held in a calendar year.

Section 2 - Special Meetings The President of this organization may call a special meeting of the chapter at any time he/she, or a majority of the officers deems such action to be necessary. Written notice must be sent to the membership at least five (5) days prior to such a special meeting. A quorum must be present at such meetings to transact the business of the chapter.

Article VI - Committees The President may appoint such committees as he/she or the chapter deems necessary.

Article VII - Dues The dues of this chapter shall be four dollars ($4.00) per year, payable in advance. Two dollars ($2.00) of the four dollars ($4.00) collected from each member shall be submitted to the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon. No person who is delinquent in the payment of dues may vote unless and until he/she has made the appropriate payment. Dues become property of this Chapter and the state office. No refunds will be provided.

Article VIII - 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 issued on the order of the President and signed by the Treasure. Financial obligations in excess of $25.00 must be approved by a majority of the active members present and voting at any regular meeting.

Article IX - Affiliation The National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, Capitol Chapter, is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon. The organization shall furnish to the state President, a copy of this constitution and any amendments that may be adopted in the future, and the names and addressed of the members and elected officers. This organization will comply with the provisions of the constitutions of the National Federation of the Blind, and the state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. In the event of the reorganization of this chapter, the assets of this organization belong to the reorganized chapter, and the former chapter shall dissolve and cease to exist.

Article X -- Dissolution In the event of dissolution of this chapter, or for whatever reason it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, its assets shall be distributed to the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.


Article XI - Amendments This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the chapter by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and voting, provided the amendment has been submitted to the President in writing and read at a previous business session.

This revised constitution was approved and adopted by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the active members present and voting at the annual election chapter meeting. Renee Squier, President of the Salem Capital City Chapter on March 19, 2005