Constitution
of the Capital
City Council of the Blind
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Capital City Council of the Blind.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to promote opportunity, equality, and
independence for legally blind people.
ARTICLE III
AFFILIATION
The Capital City Council of the Blind (CCCB) is a chapter of the Washington
Council of the Blind (WCB), which is an affiliate of the American Council of the
Blind (ACB).
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Members.
The majority of
members of this chapter shall be legally blind. Members shall be sixteen (16)
years of age or older. Membership in this chapter shall not be denied on the
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital
status, religion, political ideology, or a physical, mental or sensory
disability.
The rights and privileges of membership in this chapter shall include the right
to vote, present motions, speak on the floor, serve on committees, and hold
office.
Members shall be considered delinquent if they have not paid their dues, as
specified in the chapter bylaws. Delinquent members shall not have any of the
rights of membership.
All members of this local chapter shall automatically become members of the
Washington Council of the Blind (WCB), and the president of WCB shall be an ex
officio member of this chapter.
Section
2. Junior Members.
Members under the age of sixteen (16) shall be considered junior members of this
chapter. Junior members shall pay dues and have all of the rights and privileges
of membership, except that they may not hold office.
Section 3. Revocation
of Membership.
Membership in this chapter may be revoked for chronic disruptive behavior during
meetings and other chapter functions, misuse of chapter resources (including the
chapter name), publicly misrepresenting the goals and views of the chapter, or
any other conduct deemed to be detrimental to the chapter.
Any allegations concerning a member’s behavior or conduct may be brought before
the executive committee for investigation and resolution. After a full
investigation, should the allegation warrant further action, a proposal, by
majority vote of the executive committee, to revoke the membership of this
person shall be brought before the members at the next regularly scheduled
chapter meeting. At least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the
announcement is to be made, written notification of the proposed action, and
reasons for such action must be sent to the named member.
At the chapter meeting following the meeting where the proposed action is
announced, the member named shall receive a fair hearing, at which time both
sides will be given an opportunity to present their case. Following the fair
hearing, a motion regarding the proposed action must be made. The member named
shall have the right to vote on the proposed action. A two-thirds majority vote
is required to affirm the executive committee’s proposed action. There shall be
no proxy voting.
ARTICLE V
CHAPTER RESPONSIBILITIES
All dues shall be collected no later than January 31 of each year. WCB dues and
required information shall be forwarded as specified by the state organization.
As new members join the chapter, their names and other required information,
along with state dues (unless previously paid) shall be sent, without delay, to
the state organization.
When changes are made to the Constitution and/or Bylaws copies of the revised
documents shall be sent, without delay, to the president of the state
organization.
ARTICLE VI
DUES
The dues of this local chapter shall be $2 plus the amounts required for
membership by the state and national organizations. No current member will be
considered delinquent who has paid his/her dues by January 31 of each year.
Members who have not paid their dues by January 31 of each year will no longer
be considered members of this local chapter, and will not have any of the rights
and privileges of membership until such time as their dues have been paid.
Article VII
OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section 1.
Officers.
Any member who has attended at least four (4) chapter meetings in the previous
twelve (12) months may be elected to any office with the provision that the
President and Vice-President must be legally blind.
On odd-numbered years, there shall be elected a Vice President and a Secretary,
and on even numbered years, there shall be elected a President and a Treasurer;
each for a two-year term. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive full
terms in the same office. All terms of office shall begin on January 1.
Section 2.
Elections.
Elections shall be held in November of each year.
Section 3.
Duties.
The duties of the President shall be to preside at chapter meetings, set the
tone for the chapter, coordinate the activities of the chapter, serve as liaison
between WCB and the local chapter, establish all committees, and serve as chair
of the executive committee and ex officio member of all other committees. In the
absence of the Treasurer the President shall have the authority to make deposits
and write checks.
The duties of the Vice-President shall be to temporarily assume the duties of
the President as requested by the President.
The duties of the Secretary shall be to take and maintain the minutes of all
chapter meetings, accurately maintain all chapter records and correspondence,
and handle correspondence at the request of the President.
The duties of the Treasurer shall be to collect all chapter dues and submit
state membership dues, along with the chapter membership list to the state
Treasurer, maintain all financial records of the chapter, deposit all monies
collected and issue checks at the request of the President, provide financial
reports to the chapter, and maintain a current membership list throughout the
year.
Each officer shall be responsible for passing on chapter records to all
newly elected officers by January 1.
Section 4.
Vacancies.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the Vice President shall
function as President for the remainder of the term.
Should a vacancy occur in any office other than President, the executive
committee shall appoint a replacement to serve for the remainder of the term.
Section 5.
Removal of Officers.
Officers may be removed from office, and may have their membership revoked for
negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duties.
Any allegations concerning the performance of an officer’s duties may be brought
before the executive committee for investigation and resolution. After a full
investigation, should the allegation warrant further action, a proposal, by
majority vote of the executive committee, to remove that person from office
shall be brought before the members at the next regularly scheduled chapter
meeting. At least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the announcement
is to be made, written notification of the proposed actions and reasons for such
action must be sent to the named officer.
At the chapter meeting following the meeting where the proposed action is
announced, the officer named shall receive a fair hearing, at which time both
sides will be given an opportunity to present their case. Following the fair
hearing, a motion regarding the proposed action must be made. The officer named
shall have the right to vote on the proposed action. A two-thirds majority vote
is required to affirm the executive committee’s proposed action. There shall be
no proxy voting.
If any officer may be so removed, the rules governing vacancies of officers
shall apply.
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS
This chapter shall hold a minimum of eight (8) scheduled meetings throughout the
year. Five members, or twenty percent of the membership, whichever is greater,
must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any meeting.
ARTICLE IX
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. All financial obligations of this
organization shall be discharged by the treasurer on approval of the President.
In the event of dissolution, all assets of the organization shall be given to an
organization with similar purpose which has received a Section 501(c)3
certification by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any scheduled business meeting of this
chapter by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting,
provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at a
previous scheduled business meeting.
Amended by the members of the Capital City Council of the Blind in session
September 15, 2007.
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