CONSTITUTION

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

 OF NEW MEXICO

As Amended April10, 2011

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the blind of New Mexico and the nation and to cooperate with the National Federation of the Blind in its various activities.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section One. 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.

1. All active members of local chapters shall automatically become active members of this organization, with the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.

2. 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 a convention or by action of the board of directors.

Section Two. Associate Members.

Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization either by the convention or the board of directors. Associate members shall 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 not pay dues.

Section Three. Expulsion.

Any member may be expelled for misconduct or neglect of duty by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of the organization.

ARTICLE IV - AFFILIATED LOCAL CHAPTERS

Any organized group desiring to become an affiliated local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the president of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico a copy of its constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. When the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico, either in convention assembled or by action of its board of directors shall have approved the application, it shall issue to the affiliated local chapter a certificate of acceptance. No group shall be accepted as an affiliated chapter and no group shall remain an affiliated local 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 affiliated local chapter must be blind. The constitution of each affiliated chapter must include provisions for dissolution or in the event of disaffiliation from the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico, all assets of the affiliated local chapter shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico. The president of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico shall be an ex officio member of each affiliated local chapter.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section One. Annual Election Of Officers

There shall be elected at the regular annual convention during each even numbered year, a president, a first vice-president, a second vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer. 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 who are 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 has received a majority vote from 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 his office.

Section Two. Vacancies.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall immediately fill the office of President. If a vacancy occurs in any other office, a special election to fill the vacancy shall be held at the next regular convention, except that the President may appoint someone to fill the vacancy if necessary.

ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the five constitutional officers and six additional members, three of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during even numbered years and three of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during odd numbered years. The six directors presently serving on the board shall complete their terms after which three of the director positions shall be filled for one-year terms and the remaining three shall be filled for two-year terms. The six 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 call signed by any four of the board members. The board shall advise the president and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between conventions. At least six 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.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

Section One. Annual Conventions.

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 fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual convention.

Section Two. Special Meetings.

The president of the organization may call a special meeting of the body at any time he, or a majority of the board of directors, deems such action to be necessary, but at such special meeting at least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business and written notice must have been sent to the membership at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

The president may appoint such committees as he or the organization deems necessary.

ARTICLE IX - AFFILIATION

The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind annually, on or before January 1, a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. A copy of the constitution of National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico and of all amendments to the constitution shall also be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE X - DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENTION

The organization shall elect each year at least one delegate and at least one alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected as delegate or alternate delegate unless he is an active member in good standing. To the extent of the resources of the organization, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to Conventions of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.

ARTICLE XI – DUES

Section One. Assessments. 

Each chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico shall pay to the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico an assessment in the amount of $1.00 per member up to a maximum of $25.00 by forwarding the assessment and its required attachment, the Membership List, to the President of the state Affiliate. The assessment shall be due on January 1 of each year and shall be considered late by March 31 of each year. This assessment is in the nature of an affiliation fee and is specifically intended to replace the prior practice of paying dues for each member of the chapter.

Section Two. Membership List. 

Each annual assessment shall be accompanied by a current list of members, including addresses and phone numbers. The assessment shall be considered delinquent if the money is paid but the membership list is not provided. In addition, the president or the Board of Directors may request additional information, including financial information from a chapter. Failure to provide this information will render the chapter delinquent.

Section Three. Delinquencies. 

The president shall make every effort to remedy delinquencies should they occur and shall bring any delinquencies not easily remediable to the attention of the Board of Directors for its consideration.

Section Four. Members at Large. 

Persons not living near a geographically based chapter may, if they choose and the chapter agrees, apply for and be granted membership by the chapter. People who do not wish to join a chapter in this manner and who wish to be members of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico shall pay $2 to the organization annually. Dues of members at large are to be paid by January 1 and are tardy by March 31.

Section Five. Voting Rights. 

Persons entitled to vote at the state convention are all those members in good standing of a local chapter which is current in paying its assessment and all members at large whose dues are current. If a dispute should arise as to whether a person is a member in good standing in a local chapter or as to whether the local chapter is current in paying its dues or as to whether the dues of a member at large are current, the Board of Directors, sitting as a credentials committee, shall resolve the dispute before the opening session of the convention or as soon as thereafter as the dispute manifests itself and the Board can meet.

ARTICLE XII - 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 treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of the organization shall be discharged by check issued on written order of the president, and signed by the treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII - DISSOLUTION OF AFFILIATION

In the event of the dissolution of this organization or the disaffiliation of this organization from the National Federation of the Blind, all assets of this organization shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE XIV - 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 provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at a previous business session.

Christine Hall, President