CONSTITUTION

DEAFBLIND DIVISION OF THE

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

Adopted: July 3, 2023

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the DeafBlind Division of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is to serve as a division of the National Federation of the Blind; to be a vehicle for collective action by the DeafBlind of the nation; to function as a mechanism through which DeafBlind and interested persons can come together to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life for those who are DeafBlind; to promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the DeafBlind; to achieve the integration of the DeafBlind into the Federation as a whole and into society on the basis of equality; to focus attention upon the problems faced by the nation’s DeafBlind ,  and to take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the DeafBlind.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section One

The members of this organization shall be DeafBlind, and others interested in promoting the purposes of this organization. The members of this organization are members of the National Federation of the Blind and shall have the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as other members of the National Federation of the Blind.

Section Two

This organization shall be made up primarily of DeafBlind people, and it shall be controlled by the DeafBlind. A majority of its voting members must be DeafBlind.

Section Three

Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution, for violation of the policies of the National Federation of the Blind, or for conduct unbecoming to a member of the Federation, by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of this organization, or by two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. The National Convention of this organization may reinstate any person who has been expelled. Any person who feels that they have been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may (at its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision. Unless the decision to suspend or expel is reversed by the National Convention or by the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, the ruling of suspension or expulsion shall continue in effect.

Section Four

The name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof, is the property of the National Federation of the Blind; and if this organization ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind (for whatever reason) it shall forfeit the right to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section One

There shall be elected at the regular annual meeting during each odd numbered year, a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President must be DeafBlind. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the meeting 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 name of 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 duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.

Section Two

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers, and 4 additional members. A majority of the Board of Directors must be DeafBlind.  Board members shall be elected for a two (2) year term at the annual meeting during even-numbered years. All Board Members shall be elected in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section One

This organization shall hold its annual meeting at the time and place of the national convention of the National Federation of the Blind. The Board of Directors shall conduct the business of the organization between annual meetings.

Section Two

The President of this organization may call a special meeting of the body at any time the President, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such action to be necessary. At such special meetings, at least fifteen (15) members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business, and written notice must have been sent to each member and to the members of the Board of Directors at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

The President may appoint such committees as the President deems necessary. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE VII. DUES

The dues for members of this organization shall be $5.00 per year. The membership year is the calendar year. Dues are payable in advance of, but by or before December 31. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of their dues. The dues expire on December 31 of each year; each member who wishes to vote must have paid dues for the current year by the close of registration at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VIII. FUNDS AND FINANCING

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 obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check or electronic transaction, issued on order of the President, and signed or approved by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE IX. DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this organization, or (for whatever reason) it ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be transferred to the treasury of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE X. 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 in advance to the membership and provided it follows the provisions of the division’s Charter of Affiliation received from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind. Any amendments to this constitution that are not reviewed, accepted, and archived by the board of the National Federation of the Blind will not be considered approved policy of the division in accordance with the charter of affiliation. Amendments shall be forwarded for approval and reviewed in a timely fashion.

ARTICLE XI. CODE OF CONDUCT

The DeafBlind Division shall abide by the National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct. All individuals within the organization, including all attendees at NFB-sponsored events, are expected to refrain from unwelcome and harmful misconduct outlined in the Code, including but not limited to discrimination, abuse, misuse of power, sexual misconduct, conflict of interest, fraud, and other forms of misconduct.

OFFICIAL PLEDGE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its Constitution.