Amended: October 31, 2004
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Inc.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization, hereinafter referred to as the NFBV, shall be to promote the legal, social, economic, and educational well-being and independence of the blind, and to foster and support activities and programs of other groups and individuals compatible with these general objectives.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership of this organization shall be of the following types:
A. Active Affiliated Members. All active members of all local affiliates shall be active members of this organization.
B. Active Members At Large. Any person residing in an area not served by a local affiliate of this organization and who desires membership in the NFBV may be elected to such membership by an affirmative vote of a majority of the official delegates present and voting at the annual convention or by a majority of the Board of this organization; provided, however, that at all times at least fifty-five percent of the active members of this organization shall be comprised of persons who are legally blind, as this term is generally defined.
C. Associate Members At Large. Any person residing in an area not served by the local affiliate of this organization and who desires associate membership in the NFBV, may be elected to such membership in the same manner as provided for electing active members at large.
D. Associate Affiliated Members. All associate members of all local affiliates shall automatically be associate members of the NFBV.
E. Rights of Associate Members. All associate members shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges as active members, except that they shall not be entitled to vote and hold office.
F. Affiliated Organizations. Any organization that meets the requirements of the Constitution of the NFBV may be accepted as a local affiliate by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the NFBV or by a majority vote of the delegates present at the annual convention.
G. Upon dissolution of a NFBV affiliate all assets (following retirement of debts and meeting outstanding financial obligations) of such affiliate shall be held in trust by the NFBV until formation of another affiliate in the same area whereupon the assets shall be assets for a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Board of Directors of the NFBV, an affiliate has not come into existence, the assets then shall be used by the NFBV to form other affiliates in any part of the state.
Section 2. Dues.
A. On or before January 1 of each year the treasurer of each local affiliate shall forward to the treasurer of the NFBV the sum of fifty cents for each active and each associate member of the affiliate together with a complete roster of the names and addresses of all officers, directors, and members of the affiliate.
B. On or before January 1 of each year each active and each associate member at large shall forward to the treasurer of the NFBV the sum of one dollar to cover dues for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE IV. ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION
Section 1. Time and Place. The NFBV shall hold an annual state convention. The time and place of such convention shall be fixed either by the preceding NFBV state convention or by the Board of Directors of the NFBV. Each local affiliate shall be given notice of the time and place in writing of said convention at least sixty days prior to its convening.
Section 2. Rights of Members. All active members of all local affiliates and all active members at large are eligible to participate as voting delegates at the annual state convention, serve on committees, and hold office in the NFBV.
Section 3. Quorum. A quorum necessary for the transaction of any annual state convention shall consist of twenty-voting delegates. Proxy voting shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section 1. The NFBV shall elect the following officers: president, first vice-president, second vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer. The first three named shall be persons who are legally blind.
Section 2. A majority vote of the delegates present and voting shall be necessary for election to office. Should no candidate receive a majority of the votes cast, a run-off election shall be held between the two candidates having received the largest number of votes.
Section 3. All elections shall be by secret ballot unless otherwise determined by a majority vote of the delegates present and voting at the annual convention.
Section 4. The duties of each officer shall be those customarily assigned to that office.
Section 5. Each officer of the NFBV shall be elected for a term of two years, except that the first two elections following the adoption of this Constitution the term of office shall be for one year. There shall be no limitation as to the number of terms any officer may serve.
Section 6. In the event of disability, resignation or death of either the president or the first vice-president, the usual order of succession shall govern. In the event of vacancies of other offices, the Board of Directors shall name a person to serve until the next annual convention, at which time the unexpired term shall be filled.
Section 7. The six constitutional officers together with one member elected by each local affiliate and each special interest division or association shall comprise the Board of Directors of the NFBV. The additional Board members shall be elected at the meeting of the local affiliate, division or association following the convention. These Board members shall serve for a two-year term. The expenses of these Board members shall be borne by their respective local affiliates, divisions or associations. Each local affiliate, division or association shall also elect an alternate to serve on the Board in the absence of the Board member.
Section 8. In the interim between conventions, the Board of Directors may make necessary policy decisions not in conflict with previously established policy.
Section 9. The Board of Directors shall convene at the call of the President or upon written request of four of its members, and the presence of a simple majority of the members shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS
Section 1. Following the closing of the organization's books thirty days prior to each convention, an auditing committee of three members appointed by the president, shall audit said books and report its findings to the annual convention.
Section 2. The president shall appoint a legislative committee [of] not less than three nor more than five members, which shall recommend, prepare and work for passage of legislation designed to further objectives of this organization.
Section 3. The president shall appoint a nominating committee comprised of not less than three nor more than five members which shall recommend a slate of officers to be placed in nomination at the convention.
Section 4. The president may appoint such other committees as may be necessary to facilitate the work of the organization.
Section 5. All committee members shall serve at the discretion of the president.
Section 6. The Board of Directors may authorize the establishment of special interest divisions of associations.
ARTICLE VII. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Section 1. There is established the General Fund of the NFBV, which shall be kept in appropriate financial institutions selected by the treasurer and approved by the Board of Directors. All disbursements from the General Fund shall be by check, signed by the treasurer, and issued only on the written order of the president. The president shall order such expenditures as are necessary to carry out the policies of the organization.
Section 2. The Board of Directors is also authorized to provide for the establishment of special accounts and for the disbursement of funds there from for the purpose of conducting community outreach and fundraising activities. Such special accounts shall be kept in appropriate financial institutions and all disbursement from such accounts shall be by check issued in the manner prescribed by the Board of Directors. Any proceeds from such community outreach or fundraising activities shall be transferred to the General Fund established under Section 1.
Section 3. There is also established the Marion McDonald Endowment Fund for the purpose of providing an endowment for the work of this organization. Monies made available to the Marion McDonald Endowment Fund shall be kept in appropriate financial institutions selected by the treasurer and approved by the Board of Directors. All such monies together with the accumulated interest thereon shall be retained in the Marion McDonald Endowment Fund until such time as the Board of Directors determines that it is appropriate to permit the transfer of the current interest income only, or any portion thereof, to the General Fund established under Section 1.
Section 4. The NFBV shall furnish a bond for its treasurer in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION
Section 1. The NFBV shall apply for affiliation with the National Federation of the Blind, and upon approval of its application, disaffiliation may be brought about only after approval of such action by two-thirds of the delegates present and voting at an annual convention.
Section 2. At each convention of the NFBV a delegate or delegates shall be selected to represent the organization at the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind.
ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Unless otherwise provided, the proceedings of this organization shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS
Any amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing at an annual convention and signed by twenty percent of the voting delegates. All amendments shall be referred to a committee, appointed by the president, for study and recommendation at a subsequent session of the convention. Following the committee's report, affirmative action by two-thirds of the delegates present and voting shall be necessary for adoption of the amendment.
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Approved this 14th day of June, in Richmond, Virginia; amended 1959, 1960, 1972, 1983, 1987, 1990, and 2004.