[Iabs-talk] Revised IABS Constitution

[AZNOR99 at aol.com]

Below is a revised version of the proposed IABS Constitution.  Only  slight 
changes were made for the most-part.  Please see below.
 
 
Illinois  Association of Blind Students Constitution

As Amended August 2006 
ARTICLE  I: NAME
The name of this Organization shall be the "Illinois Association of Blind  
Students" or “IABS.” 

ARTICLE  II: ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTER
This organization shall be chartered as a State Chapter of the National  
Association of Blind Students and as a Division of the National Federation of  the 
Blind of Illinois. 

ARTICLE  III: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Organization shall be to promote excellence in  
educational opportunities and the general well being of the blind of this nation  and 
the state as well as to function as an integral part of the National  
Federation of the Blind. 

ARTICLE  IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section  One: Active Members
At least a majority of the active members of this Organization must be  
students who are blind. 
    1.  All active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, 
 speak on the floor, and hold office.  
    2.  Any person may become an active member of this Organization upon  
application and payment of dues to the Treasurer of this  Organization. 
    3.  Dues will be set by the Board of the Illinois Association of Blind  
Students at the annual business meeting during the fall academic term.  
Section  Two: Associate Members
Any person may apply for and receive Associate membership status at an  
annual business meeting or through an officer of 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 do not pay  dues. 
Section  Three: Expulsion
Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for  
behavior unbecoming to a member of the National Federation of the Blind, by a  
two-thirds vote of the members participating and voting at an annual business  
meeting or by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.  A two-thirds vote of 
participating and  voting members at the annual business meeting 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 Convention or by the National Board of 
Directors of the National  Federation of the Blind. Any person who feels he/she has 
been unjustly expelled  from the organization may appeal to the state board of 
directors at the annual  state convention. If the appeal is denied by the 
state board, the party may  further appeal to the national board of directors, 
who may, at their discretion,  reinstate a member. 

ARTICLE  V: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section  One: Elections
There shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting, a  President, 
a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, a  Treasurer, 
and two members of the Board-at-Large. The terms of their offices  shall be two 
years in length and shall begin at the close of the business  meeting at which 
they are elected and qualified.  Silent balloting will occur upon the  
request of any member.  Officers and  Board members at large shall be elected by a 
majority vote of all members  participating and voting.  If no  nominee 
receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the name of the person  receiving the 
least votes will be removed from the list of nominees and a second  ballot 
recorded. This procedure shall continue until one candidate receives a  simple 
majority of the votes.  The  President, First Vice-president, and Second 
Vice-president must be students who  are blind.  At least a majority of  the Board of 
Directors must be students.  The term “student” is defined as any individual 
who is enrolled in  secondary, post-secondary, or trade school 1) during the 
academic year in which  the election is held, 2) during the academic year prior 
to the election, or 3)  during the academic year following the election.  The 
Board members at Large must be blind  but are not required to be students.  
Section  Two: Duties
The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that  
office.  One of the two Board  members at large shall serve as a liaison between 
the Illinois Association of  Blind Students and the National Federation of 
the Blind of Illinois, while the  other shall serve as a liaison between the 
Illinois Association of Blind  Students and the National Association of Blind 
Students.   

ARTICLE  VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of this Organization shall consist of five  
Constitutional Officers and two Board members at large. The Board shall meet at  the 
call of the President or on written call, signed by a majority of the Board  
Members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the  
affairs of this Organization between meetings. At least a majority of the Board  
must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. The board may be  
polled by telephone, mail, or email ballot on any question.   

ARTICLE  VII: MEETINGS
Section  One: Annual Business Meetings
The Organization shall hold an annual business meeting during the fall  
academic term.  Ample notice of the  annual business meeting will be provided to 
all members of the  Organization.  At least twenty-five  percent of the active 
members must be present to transact business.   
Section  Two: Special Meetings
The President of this Organization may call a special meeting any time  
she/he or a majority of the Board of Directors deems such action to be  necessary. 
At such special meetings at least twenty-five percent of the active  members 
must be present to transact business. To call such a meeting, ample  notice 
must be given to the Board of Directors prior to such special  meeting. 

ARTICLE  VIII: COMMITTEES
The President may create such committees, as she/he or the Organization  
deems necessary. 

ARTICLE  IX: AFFILIATION
The Illinois Association of Blind Students shall be a chapter of the  
National Association of Blind Students and a division of the National Federation  of 
the Blind of Illinois, which are, in turn, affiliates of the National  
Federation of the Blind. The Illinois Association of Blind Students shall  furnish to 
the President of the National Association of Blind Students and the  
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois annually or before  
January First, a list of the names and addresses of the members who are elected  
officers of this Organization. A copy of the Constitution of the Illinois  
Association of Blind Students, and all Amendments thereto, shall be sent to the  
President of the National Association of Blind Students and to the President of 
 the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, without  delay. 
The Illinois Association of Blind Students shall not merely be a social  
organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the  
academic and social betterment of the blind. This Organization shall comply with  
the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind and  
with the provisions of the contract appearing on the back of the Charter of  
Affiliation issued to the state affiliates by the National Federation of the  
Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind, whether made 
by  the National Convention or the Board of Directors, are binding on this  
Organization and this Organization shall participate and act 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 the  
decision is made by the Convention or the Board of Directors, 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 the 
 affiliate and the chapters belong to the reorganized affiliate, and the 
former  affiliate shall dissolve and cease to exist. The Illinois Association of 
Blind  Students or any variant thereof, is the property of the National 
Federation of  the Blind, and this Organization, upon the event of disaffiliation 
with the  National federation of the Blind, for whatever reason, shall forfeit 
the right  to use the name Illinois Association of Blind Students or any variant 
 thereof. 

ARTICLE  X: DUES
The dues of this Organization shall be set at annual business meetings.  No 
person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of  dues. 

ARTICLE  XI: 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  
transactions shall be discharged by check or other draft, issued on written  order of 
the President, and signed by the Treasurer,  or in his/her absence or 
incapacity, such check may be signed by the President  and one other officer.  All 
transactions exceeding  $200 must be signed by two officers.  A member of the Board 
of Directors of the National Federation of the  Blind of Illinois shall be an 
authorized signatory on any and all Illinois  Association of Blind Students 
bank and/or financial accounts.  This individual shall be selected by the  
Officers of the Illinois Association of Blind Students.  This individual is only 
authorized to  access financial accounts in the event the Illinois Association 
of Blind  Students is inactive for a period of one year or is formally  
dissolved. 
ARTICLE  XII: DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of this Organization, or if, for any  reason, 
it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind,  assets 
shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, to be  
held in trust for a reorganized student organization. In the event that no  
student group is reorganized within a period of two years from the date of  
dissolution, the assets may be deposited into the general fund of the National  
Federation of the Blind of Illinois, to be used for the sole purpose of the  
Scholarship Program. 
ARTICLE  XIII: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this  Organization 
by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members  participating and 
voting, provided that it is in compliance with the provisions  of the Charter 
of Affiliation issued by the National Federation of the Blind and  the 
policies of the National Federation of the Blind. Amendments may also be  acted upon 
at special meetings.  Notice of proposed amendments to this constitution must 
be provided prior  to the meeting.  This document shall  replace any and all 
previous Constitutions and  Amendments.
 
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Below is a revised version of the proposed IABS Constitution.  Only slight changes were made for the most-part.  Please see below.
 
Illinois Association of Blind Students Constitution
As Amended August 2006
 
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Organization shall be the "Illinois Association of Blind Students" or “IABS.”
 
ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTER
This organization shall be chartered as a State Chapter of the National Association of Blind Students and as a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois.
 
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Organization shall be to promote excellence in educational opportunities and the general well being of the blind of this nation and the state as well as to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.
 
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section One: Active Members
At least a majority of the active members of this Organization must be students who are blind.
All active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.
Any person may become an active member of this Organization upon application and payment of dues to the Treasurer of this Organization.
Dues will be set by the Board of the Illinois Association of Blind Students at the annual business meeting during the fall academic term.
Section Two: Associate Members
Any person may apply for and receive Associate membership status at an annual business meeting or through an officer of 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 do not pay dues.
Section Three: Expulsion
Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for behavior unbecoming to a member of the National Federation of the Blind, by a two-thirds vote of the members participating and voting at an annual business meeting or by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
 
A two-thirds vote of participating and voting members at the annual business meeting 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 Convention or by the National Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. Any person who feels he/she has been unjustly expelled from the organization may appeal to the state board of directors at the annual state convention. If the appeal is denied by the state board, the party may further appeal to the national board of directors, who may, at their discretion, reinstate a member.
 
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section One: Elections
There shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting, a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and two members of the Board-at-Large. The terms of their offices shall be two years in length and shall begin at the close of the business meeting at which they are elected and qualified.
 
Silent balloting will occur upon the request of any member.
 
Officers and Board members at large shall be elected by a majority vote of all members participating and voting.
 
If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the name of the person receiving the least votes will be removed from the list of nominees and a second ballot recorded. This procedure shall continue until one candidate receives a simple majority of the votes.
 
The President, First Vice-president, and Second Vice-president must be students who are blind.
 
At least a majority of the Board of Directors must be students.
 
The term “student” is defined as any individual who is enrolled in secondary, post-secondary, or trade school 1) during the academic year in which the election is held, 2) during the academic year prior to the election, or 3) during the academic year following the election.
 
The Board members at Large must be blind but are not required to be students.
Section Two: Duties
The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.
 
One of the two Board members at large shall serve as a liaison between the Illinois Association of Blind Students and the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, while the other shall serve as a liaison between the Illinois Association of Blind Students and the National Association of Blind Students.
 
 
ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of this Organization shall consist of five Constitutional Officers and two Board members at large. The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call, signed by a majority of the Board Members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of this Organization between meetings. At least a majority of the Board must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business. The board may be polled by telephone, mail, or email ballot on any question.
 
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section One: Annual Business Meetings
The Organization shall hold an annual business meeting during the fall academic term.
 
Ample notice of the annual business meeting will be provided to all members of the Organization.
 
At least twenty-five percent of the active members must be present to transact business.
Section Two: Special Meetings
The President of this Organization may call a special meeting any time she/he or a majority of the Board of Directors deems such action to be necessary. At such special meetings at least twenty-five percent of the active members must be present to transact business. To call such a meeting, ample notice must be given to the Board of Directors prior to such special meeting.
 
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES
The President may create such committees, as she/he or the Organization deems necessary.
 
ARTICLE IX: AFFILIATION
The Illinois Association of Blind Students shall be a chapter of the National Association of Blind Students and a division of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, which are, in turn, affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind. The Illinois Association of Blind Students shall furnish to the President of the National Association of Blind Students and the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois annually or before January First, a list of the names and addresses of the members who are elected officers of this Organization. A copy of the Constitution of the Illinois Association of Blind Students, and all Amendments thereto, shall be sent to the President of the National Association of Blind Students and to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, without delay.
The Illinois Association of Blind Students shall not merely be a social organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the academic and social betterment of the blind. This Organization shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind and with the provisions of the contract appearing on the back of the Charter of Affiliation issued to the state affiliates by the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind, whether made by the National Convention or the Board of Directors, are binding on this Organization and this Organization shall participate and act 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 the decision is made by the Convention or the Board of Directors, 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 the affiliate and the chapters belong to the reorganized affiliate, and the former affiliate shall dissolve and cease to exist. The Illinois Association of Blind Students or any variant thereof, is the property of the National Federation of the Blind, and this Organization, upon the event of disaffiliation with the National federation of the Blind, for whatever reason, shall forfeit the right to use the name Illinois Association of Blind Students or any variant thereof.
 
ARTICLE X: DUES
The dues of this Organization shall be set at annual business meetings. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of dues.
 
ARTICLE XI: 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 transactions shall be discharged by check or other draft, issued on written order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer
, or in his/her absence or incapacity, such check may be signed by the President and one other officer.
 
All transactions exceeding $200 must be signed by two officers.
 
A member of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois shall be an authorized signatory on any and all Illinois Association of Blind Students bank and/or financial accounts.
 
This individual shall be selected by the Officers of the Illinois Association of Blind Students.
 
This individual is only authorized to access financial accounts in the event the Illinois Association of Blind Students is inactive for a period of one year or is formally dissolved.
 
ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of this Organization, or if, for any reason, it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, to be held in trust for a reorganized student organization. In the event that no student group is reorganized within a period of two years from the date of dissolution, the assets may be deposited into the general fund of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, to be used for the sole purpose of the Scholarship Program.
 
ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this Organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members participating and voting, provided that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation issued by the National Federation of the Blind and the policies of the National Federation of the Blind. Amendments may also be acted upon at special meetings.
 
Notice of proposed amendments to this constitution must be provided prior to the meeting.
 
This document shall replace any and all previous Constitutions and Amendments.