National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Kankakee Heartland Chapter Constitution
As Amended May 1st, 2004
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Kankakee Heartland Chapter.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Kankakee Heartland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of the Kankakee area, of the state of Illinois and of 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 the Kankakee area; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together 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 with the sighted; 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. Every person is presumed to be eligible for active membership in this organization. The active members of this organization shall have the right to deny active membership to a person, if and only if, that person is clearly seeking active membership for the purpose of harming the Federation, disrupting its programs or in any other way violating its constitution. For this reason any person may become an active member of this organization with all the rights and responsibilities of membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Kankakee Heartland Chapter, by a majority vote of the active 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. Any person who is denied membership, may appeal this decision at the next regular business meeting, subject to the terms set forth in Section Three of this article.
Section Two - Affiliation
Membership in this organization automatically establishes membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and 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 the organization. A person charged with any of these offences must be presented with a written copy of the charges at least thirty ( 30 ) days before the business meeting at which these charges are to be heard. The State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois or the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 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 that he/she has been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois or the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, or 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 these officers shall begin at the close of the meeting at which they are elected and qualified. Officers and board members shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members who are present and voting. All active members shall be eligible to vote in an election. 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, the Vice President, and 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 and one (1) additional member. The additional Board Member shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers. The Board shall meet four (4) times each year, at the call of the President or on written call signed by any two (2) of the 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 questions. 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 twenty percent (20%) 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 special meeting at least twenty percent (20 %) 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 National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Kankakee Heartland Chapter shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois annually, on or before January 1, a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers and board members. A copy of the Constitution of the National Federation of the blind of Illinois Kankakee Heartland Chapter and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and the National Federation of the Blind without delay. This constitution and any amendments to this constitution will not take effect until they are ratified by the state board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois. The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Kankakee Heartland 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 Illinois 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 Illinois (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 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 shall belong to the reorganized chapter or if no reorganization occurs for a period of two (2) years, to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 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 two dollars ($2) per year, payable in advance. A life‑time membership may be secured for a fee of one hundred dollars ($100). 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. 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 XI. 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 Illinois its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois to be held in trust for a reorganized chapter in the area. In the event that no chapter is reorganized in the area for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of the majority 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 by the state affiliate from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and the National Federation of the Blind.
Adopted, May 1, 2004
______________________________
Bryan Turner, President Kankakee Heartland Chapter
RATIFIED BY the STATE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL Federation OF THE Blind OF ILLINOIS August 7, 2004.
____________________________
Cathy Randall, President National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
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