CONSTITUTION
Revised 2005
The name of the organization is Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America,
Inc., hereinafter referred to as “RSVA” or “organization”.
The purpose of this national organization is to bring together blind
persons engaged in the operation of vending facilities, and individuals and
groups supporting the goals and objectives of this organization, its members,
and the Randolph-Sheppard vending facility program, in order to:
A.
Provide
a continuing forum for the expression of the views of licensed blind vendors,
trainees, retired blind vendors, and blind employees participating in, or
affected by, the Randolph-Sheppard vending facility program. The exchange of information and ideas among
licensed blind vendors throughout the nation, including exchanges with vendors
who are not members of RSVA; consulting with, and exchanging information and
ideas with state licensing agency officials, professionals in blindness and low
vision, members of organizations of and for the blind, and other individuals
and groups.
B.
Protect
the interests of blind persons engaged in the operation of the
Randolph-Sheppard vending facilities under the Randolph-Sheppard program by
jointly and commonly defending against direct and collateral attacks upon
vendors and their program at all levels, by engaging in mutual support
(including participation in litigation, where necessary), and by acting as a
unified force for change and improvement in the program.
C.
Promote
the expansion and improvement of the Randolph-Sheppard program and the economic
benefits and employment opportunities for blind vendors throughout the
D.
Assist
in promoting the purposes of the American Council of the Blind through affiliation
with that organization.
Section 1. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
A.
Regular Membership. Any blind
person who is a licensed operator, trainee, or employee in a Randolph-Sheppard
vending facility is eligible for regular membership in the organization.
B.
Life
Membership. Any regular member of the
organization, as described in Section 1, paragraph A of this Article, may seek
life membership in the organization if (1) such member has been a member of
RSVA for a total of at least five (5) years; and (2) such member has retired
because of age or disability from operating a vending facility.
1.
Upon the presentation of proof of the qualifications in paragraph B of
this section, such member shall be accorded the status of life membership upon
a favorable vote of the membership at an annual or other meeting of the organization.
2.
A life member
shall not be required to pay any dues, and shall be entitled to all rights and
privileges accorded to a regular member of the organization. Nothing in this constitution, or in the bylaws
of the organization, shall affect the right of a life member to retain membership
in an affiliate of this organization.
Section 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
A. Associate Membership. Any interested person, group, agency, association, or corporation wishing to support the aims, goals, and purposes of the organization may be admitted to associate membership in the organization: Provided that such associate members shall not exceed forty (40) percentum of the total number of members in the organization.
B. Life Membership in President’s Council. Any person, or entity, in good standing, who meets the membership qualifications set forth in Section 1 subsection A or Section 2 subsection A above is eligible to become a Life Member of the President’s Council upon acceptance of an application to the membership committee and the payment of $1,000.00. Life Membership in the President's Council is not intended in anyway to replace or substitute for Life Membership provided for in Section 1 subsection B of this constitution.
C. This organization shall not pay dues for any person elected to life membership in the President’s Council.
Section 3. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP
A. Three or more regular members of this organization may establish and maintain,
subject
to such qualifications and requirements as may be set forth in the bylaws, an
affiliate organization in any state or territory of the
B.
The purpose
of establishing an RSVA affiliate shall be to strengthen the national
organization through participation in accomplishing RSVA’s goals and
objectives; and, to provide blind licensed vendors an opportunity to organize
and advocate for the Randolph-Sheppard vending program on a state level.
B.
ARTICLE IV -- VOTING
Section 1. REGULAR
AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Each
regular and associate member in good standing shall be entitled to cast one (1)
vote on any matter voted upon by the membership at the annual convention of the
organization or at any other membership meeting.
Section 2. AFFILIATE MEMBERS
Each qualified affiliate of the organization shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote for every five (5) of its members or major fraction thereof in good standing on any matter voted upon by the membership at the annual convention of the organization or at any other membership meeting.
Section 3. PROCEDURE
Voting
procedure and other requirements as determined by the Board or the membership
shall be set forth in the bylaws of the organization.
ARTICLE V -- DUES
Regular, associate, and affiliate members of the organization shall pay dues to the Treasurer annually, at such time and amount as are determined in the bylaws of the organization.
ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. OFFICERS AS DIRECTORS
In addition to
performing duties as officers of the organization, each officer shall also be a
member of the Board of Directors, and shall be subject to all the requirements,
limitations, and privileges imposed upon and enjoyed by a director.
Section 2. NUMBER AND ELECTION
A.
The Board of Directors
shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate past president of the organization,
and the elected directors.
B.
There shall be the
following elected officers of the organization: A President, a First
Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The President, the Second Vice President, and
the Secretary shall be elected at the annual convention in even numbered
years. The First Vice-President and the
Treasurer shall be elected at the annual convention in odd numbered years. An officer may serve no more than four (4)
consecutive two (2) year terms, except as set forth in the bylaws.
C.
There shall be eight
(8) directors elected at the annual convention of the organization, for a term
of two (2) years. Four directors shall
be elected at the annual convention in even numbered years and four directors
shall be elected at the annual convention in odd numbered years. A director may serve no more than four (4)
consecutive two (2) year terms, except as set forth in the bylaws.
D.
No more than two (2)
individuals may be elected from any one affiliate. In cases where there is no affiliate, not
more than one (1) individual may be elected from a state, territory, or the
E. Only a regular voting member may be elected to the Board of Directors, except that an associate member may be elected to the offices of Secretary and Treasurer.
F. The Board of Directors of RSVA shall be the voting members of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors Service Corporation in addition to any other members the RSVA board deems necessary.
G. The provisions of Article vi shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. Members who have served only one year in a term, who are forced to seek reelection in 2005, shall not have their one year term count toward their term limitation restriction.
H.
Section 3. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY
The
Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the organization between
conventions, and such Board may appoint an Executive Committee of the Board to
carry out its normal operations and policies between board meetings. No action may be taken by the Board, which is
inconsistent with policies or decisions made by the membership, or with this
constitution or the bylaws. The general
duties of the officers and directors of the organization shall be those
prescribed in the most current edition of Roberts' Rules of Order Newly Revised,
unless otherwise set forth in this constitution or in the bylaws.
Section 4. VACANCIES
The
President shall be empowered to appoint a member to fill any vacancy on the
Board, and such appointed director shall serve until the next annual convention
unless the Board shall determine otherwise in a regular Board meeting.
ARTICLE VII -- COMMITTEES
Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES
The
standing committees of the organization shall be the following: Awards,
Constitution and Bylaws, Convention, Credentials, Finance and Budget,
Legislative, Membership, Public Relations, Publications, Resolutions, and Ways
and Means.
Section 2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
A nominating committee to present candidates for
election of officers and directors shall be established at or prior to each
annual convention as set forth in the bylaws.
Section
3. OTHER COMMITTEES
The President may establish from time to time such
other ad hoc or standing committees as he or she may determine to be necessary,
subject to ratification by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS
Section 1. ANNUAL CONVENTION
The time and place for the annual convention shall
be designated by the membership at least one year prior to such convention, as
set forth in the bylaws.
Section 2. BOARD MEETINGS
A.
There shall be a pre-convention meeting of the Board of Directors held
immediately prior to the annual convention, and there shall be a
post-convention meeting of the Board of Directors held immediately after the
annual convention, to be held at the same location as the annual convention,
unless otherwise provided in the bylaws.
B.
There shall be at least one interim meeting of the Board of Directors
other than the meetings set forth in paragraph A of this section, the time and
place of which shall be agreed to in advance by the Board of Directors.
C.
Special and emergency meetings may be called by the President, or upon approval
of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section
3. PROCEDURE
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the
most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, unless otherwise
provided in the bylaws.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
A.
This constitution may
be amended, in whole or in part, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership
present and voting at any annual convention.
B.
Any proposed amendment
to the constitution shall be submitted to the Chair of the constitution and bylaws
committee of the organization for its approval, amendment or rejection, not
less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the convening of the annual
convention to which it is to be presented.
C.
A proposed amendment
must be circulated to each member of the organization not less than thirty (30)
days prior to the annual convention to which it is to be presented.
d. Amendments to this constitution, unless otherwise specifically provided for in any such amendment, shall take effect immediately upon the close of the annual conventionat which the amendment is adopted.
Revised and Adopted by
the
Sheppard Vendors of
America, in convention
assembled at
______________________________
Attest: Donna Seliger, Secretary