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CONSTITUTION IOWA COUNCIL OF THE UNITED BLIND Name The name of this organization shall be Iowa Council of the United Blind, Inc. Purpose The purpose of the Iowa Council of the United Blind shall be to promote in every way, individually and collectively, the general well-being of the blind of Iowa and the nation. (A) by providing a medium of expression and concerned action. (B) By informing blind persons as to their potentialities and opportunities, and by impressing upon them their responsibilities to themselves and to society. (C) By making the public aware of the fact that blind individuals are and integral part of the community - that they have abilities and accomplishments, as well as special needs, and that they desire opportunities in all areas to be contributing members of society. (D) By seeking the cooperation and assistance of social, civic, educational and economical leaders, and by seeking the cooperation and providing substantive, meaningful input to local, state, national and international organizations and agencies working on behalf of the blind in order to achieve the goals of this organization. Membership Membership in this organization shall be composed of blind persons and friends of blind persons who have attained age sixteen and who reside in Iowa or within twenty-five miles of Iowa’s borders: Former Iowans, however, may become active members by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any state convention. (A) Active Members: At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind. Active membership shall be of two classifications: Active members who are affiliated with local chapters, and active members who are not affiliated with local chapters. All active members of local chapters shall automatically become 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 may become an active member of this organization by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any convention, providing his or her dues have been paid to the treasurer ten days prior to the commencement of the convention. (B) Associate Members: Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization. Associate members have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the board of directors. Associate members shall pay the same dues as active members. (B) Associate Members: Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization. Associate members have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office or serve on the board of directors. Associate members shall pay the same dues as active members. (C) Suspension or Expulsion: Any person may be suspended or expelled for misconduct or neglect of duties by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of the organization, after a fair hearing as described in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised. Any member or members whose suspension or expulsion is being considered shall have the right to vote on that issue. Local Chapters Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of this organization shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the president of this organization a copy of its constitution and a list of the names of its members and elected officers. When this organization in convention assembled shall have approved the application, it shall issue to the local chapter a Certificate of Acceptance. Annually, on or before January 1, each local chapter shall provide to the secretary of this organization a current list of its members and their addresses. At the same time, each local treasurer shall forward to the state treasurer the state dues for each member in the chapter. As new members enter local chapters, their names and addresses shall be sent without delay to the secretary of the state organization, and their state dues shall be sent without delay to the treasurer of the state organization. No group shall be accepted as a chapter, and no group shall remain a chapter unless at least 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. The president of the state organization shall be an ex officio member of each local chapter. Dues Dues of this organization shall be three dollars ($3.00) per year more than the per capita dues for affiliate members of the American Council of the Blind, Inc. and shall be payable in advance in accordance with Article IV of the Constitution. Local chapters shall pay the state dues of their members. Members who are not affiliated with a local chapter shall pay their dues before or during the time of the annual convention. Lifetime membership may be secured for a fee of one hundred dollars ($100). All persons above age sixteen (16) attending the annual convention and participating in its activities shall be asked to pay a registration fee which has been set by the membership or board of directors. Officers and Their Duties There shall be elected at the regular annual convention during each even-numbered year, a president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary and a treasurer. The president shall not serve more than five two-year consecutive terms. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention at which they are elected and qualified. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members present and voting. There shall be no proxy voting. If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first ballot, 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 from the active members present and voting. Voting shall be by secret ballot unless otherwise decided by a majority of the active members present and voting. The president and the vice presidents must be blind. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with the office as provided by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised. Board of Directors The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the five constitutional officers and eight additional members representative of the state’s geographical area, four of which shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during even-numbered years, and four of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during odd-numbered years. At the 1987 convention, four of the eight directors shall be elected for two-year terms, and the remaining four shall be elected for one-year terms. The eight directors shall be elected in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers. The board shall meet at the call of the president or on written request signed 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 seven 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. Meetings (A) Annual Convention: This organization shall hold an annual convention, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the membership, or if this is not possible, by the board of directors. At least twenty-five (25) active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual convention. (B) 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, but at such special meetings, at least twenty-five (25) active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business, and a written notice must have been sent to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. (C) In the absence of provisions contained in this constitution or by-laws, all proceedings of this organization shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised. Committees (A) Nominating Committee: Nominations for officers and board members shall be made by a nominating committee consisting of five (5) persons elected by a majority of the active members present and voting at the first business meeting of the annual convention, and a non-voting chairperson appointed by the president. No member of the president’s family shall serve on this committee. The nominating committee shall report at the time of the election the name of the candidate for each position to be filled. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. (B) Other Committees: The president may appoint such other committees as he/she or the organization deems necessary. 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. The president’s signature shall be on record with the bank or banks. 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. In the event of dissolution, all assets of this organization shall be given to an organization with similar purposes which has received a Section 501(c)(3) Certification by the Internal Revenue Service. 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, providing the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at a previous session. Amended 5/02
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If you have further questions about the Iowa Council of the United Blind, you may contact us at: Iowa Council of the United Blind Copyright © 2007, Iowa Council of the United Blind
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