NCCB Constitution and By-Laws Rev September 22, 2019

N CCB

PRESIDENT, CHRISTOPHER G. BELL, JD

1022 FEARRINGTON POST 

PITTSBORO N. C. 27312

Constitution and Bylaws 

Revised: September 22, 2019 

Our mission is to promote awareness, education, employment and access to public accommodations for all blind and visually impaired citizens of North Carolina.  To this end, we believe that visually impaired persons can contribute to society and lead productive and independent lives with dignity. 

Table of Contents

Preamble…4 

Constitution

Article I Name…5

Article II Purpose….5

Article III Governance….5

Article IV Membership…5

Article V Affiliates…..6 

Article VI Officers…6 

Article VII Board…..7

Article VIII Standing Committees…7

Article IX Meetings…8

Article X Quorum…9

Article XI Voting…..9

Article XII Disbursement of Funds…..9 

Article XIII Parliamentary Reference….9 

Article XIV Amendments…..9

Article XV Dissolution…..9

Preamble

We, the members of the North Carolina Council of the Blind Inc., having been granted a chapter on February 29, 1984, by the North Carolina Department of State and being affiliated with the American Council of the blind, do hereby bind ourselves together to promote opportunities of social, economic and educational equality of the blind and No index entries found.visually impaired with society as a whole, to inform blind persons of the issues concerning their well-being and to acquaint the public with the basic attitudes for upholding the dignity, equality and independence of blind and visually impaired citizens.  

Constitution 

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the “North Carolina Council of the Blind, Inc.”

Article II. Purpose

To promote the interest and general welfare of the blind and visually impaired and to engage in such activities as are deemed advisable to that end.  

Article III. Governance

Governance of the Council shall be shared by three entities – the Members, the board and the elected and appointed committees – as provided in the Constitution, Bylaws and policies of the Council.  

Article IV. Membership

Any person at least sixteen (16) years of age who resides in North Carolina and who is in accord with the purpose and goals of this organization are eligible to apply for membership, provided that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the total membership shall be blind or visually impaired.  The terms blind and visually impaired shall conform to the definitions of blindness employed by the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind in determining the eligibility of applicants for the programs and services administered by and/or provided by the Division of Services for the Blind.  

  1.  Any applicant for membership may be accepted by a majority vote of the affiliate to which he/she applies or by a majority vote of the membership in convention assembled or by a majority vote of the board.  
  2. Any member of the North Carolina Council of the Blind who takes up residence outside North Carolina may retain his/her membership in this organization until he/she has joined an affiliate of the North Carolina Affiliate.  
  3. By majority vote of the Board, any member may be reprimanded, suspended or expelled from this organization for releasing confidential information to nonmembers where such unauthorized release adversely affects the interest of the North Carolina Council of the Blind, as prescribed by Roberts’ Rules of Order, Newly revised, “Trial of Members in Societies.”  All interest in the property of North Carolina Council of the Blind retained or held by those persons suspended or ceasing to be members shall be immediately returned to the North Carolina Council of the Blind.  
  4. The North Carolina Council of the Blind retains the sole authority to receive, reprimand, suspend or expel its members. 

Article V. Affiliates

Affiliates of the North Carolina Council of the Blind shall be subject to the following conditions and qualifications.  

  1.  Any organized group of eight (8) or more persons, in accord with the purpose of constitution as herein stated and desiring to become affiliated with the North Carolina Council of the Blind, shall submit to the President a list of its member with their addresses, whether sighted or blind, and its elected officials.  A copy of its bylaws shall be submitted within six (6) months of acceptance of its application.  The North Carolina Council of the Blind, either in convention assembled or by action of its Board, shall have the power to approve or reject the application for affiliation.  All members of the affiliates accepted under the charter of this organization shall be members of the North Carolina Council of the blind. 
  2. The President and Vice President and at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the membership of each affiliate shall be blind or visually impaired.  
  3. The secretary of each affiliate shall forward to the membership chairperson of the North Carolina Council of the Blind the names, addresses, dues and preferred media format (Braille, large print, disc, cassette or email) for all correspondence and publications within thirty (30) days of acceptance of affiliates members, indicating whether sighted or blind.  The membership chairperson shall forward to the American Council of the Blind such information within thirty (30) days of receipt of same.  

Article VI. Officers

The officers of the North Carolina Council of the Blind shall be a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer who shall be elected by a majority vote of the members in convention assembled each odd-numbered year; provided, however, that in 2019, a newly-elected President, upon commencement of his/her term,   may appoint, with the advice and consent of the Board,  an Assistant Secretary and an Assistant Treasurer who shall serve in such positions until the 2021 Convention, ,  whereupon such positions shall be filled by majority vote of the members in convention assembled each odd year.

  1.  The term of each newly elected officer shall commence with the first scheduled Board meeting following the convention in which he/she is elected.  Both old and new officers shall attend the first scheduled Board meeting after the convention.  Only new officers shall vote.  All properties shall be turned over not later than this meeting.  
  2. The President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Members-at-Large shall be blind or visually impaired.  
  3. No member shall be elected to the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.  This provision may be suspended for the office and election under consideration by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members in convention assembled.  
  4. The treasurer shall be bonded within forty-five (45) days of election at the expense of the organization to an amount not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the funds held by the Treasurer on the last day of the fiscal year.  
  5. The current President or his designee shall swear in each newly elected officer at the first Board meeting after the election.  

Article VII. Board

The Board of the North Carolina Council of the Blind shall consist of the following, as voting members: Officers; two Members-at-Large elected from the general membership in convention assembled in each odd-numbered year, for a term of two (2) years; immediate past-President; President of each affiliate.  

  1.  At least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board shall be blind or visually impaired.  
  2. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the business of the organization between meetings of the membership.  The Board shall meet quarterly at the call of the President.  Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or at the request of one-third (1/3) of the Board members.  

Article VIII. Standing Committees

  •  From the general membership of the North Carolina Council of the Blind, there shall be the following standing committees.  
    1. Advocacy, Legislative Affairs and Resolutions committee of at least five (5) members 
    1. Assistive Technology Committee consisting of at least three (3) members. 
    1. Audit Committee to consist of at least three (3) members
    1. Budget Committee to consist of at least three (3) members elected by the Board at the first scheduled Board meeting following the annual convention. 
    1. Employment Committee of at least three (3) members
    1. Environmental Access Committee to consist of at least five (5) members.  
    1. Investment Committee to consist of at least three (3) members 
    1. Johnny Brady Jones Benevolent Committee to consist of at least three (3) members 
    1. Membership Committee to consist of at least three (3) members.  
    1. Publicity Committee to consist of at least three (3) members.  
    1. Constitution and Bylaws Committee to consist of at least three (3) members.
    1. Next Generation Committee to consist of at least three (3) members. 
    1. Nominating Committee to consist of at least three (3) members elected by the Board at the first scheduled Board meeting following the annual convention. 
    1. Transportation Committee to consist of at least four (4) members
    1. Credentials Committee to consist of at least three (3) members. 
    1. Policy and Procedures Committee to consist of at least three (3) members.  
  • All standing committees shall have a chairperson and vice chairperson.  The President shall appoint all committees at the first scheduled Board meeting following the annual convention, with exception of the Audit Committee which is elected by the members in convention assembled, and the Nominating Committee and the Budget Committee which are elected by the Board at the first Board meeting following the annual convention. 
  • The President shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees except for the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and Budget Committee.  No elected officer shall serve on the Nominating Committee or Audit Committee.  
  • Each committee member shall serve until replaced.  

Article IX. Meetings

The regular meeting of the membership shall be held at least annually.  The Board may call a special meeting of the membership at any time if it deems such action necessary, provided that the membership is notified of the time, place and purpose of the meeting at least ten (10) days prior to the convening.  

Article V. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of fifty percent (50%) of members of the Board.  

Article XI. Voting

The manner of voting at the annual business meeting or any called meeting shall be decided upon by members present at each meeting, except that ten percent (10%) of the members present and voting demand a vote by secret ballot on any issue.  

Article XII.  Disbursement of Funds

All funds shall be deposited in a bank approved by the Board.  All checks drawn on the account of the North C Carolina Council of the Blind shall be issued on order of the President.  

  1.  Checks in an amount less than $500.00 require only one authorized signature.  
  2. Checks in the amount of $500.00 or more require two authorized signatures.  
  3. No person can sign a check payable to himself or anyone in his/her household.  

Article XIII.  Parliamentary Reference

Roberts’ Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be used as parliamentary reference by the North Carolina Council of the Blind.

Article XIV.  Amendments

 This constitution may be amended at any meeting of the members in convention assembled by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting, provided that:

  1. The proposed amendment shall have been signed by not fewer than five (5) members, and 
    1. The proposed amendment shall have been presented to the general membership not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date on which final action is to be taken.  
  2. All other bylaws not in conflict with this constitution may be amended or adopted in the same manner as provided in Section A.  Of this article.  

Article XV. Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the North Carolina Council of the Blind, Inc. all funds, assets and properties shall be turned over to the American Council of the Blind.  

Constitution revised and adopted by the North Carolina Council of the Blind in convention assembled in Burlington N. C. September 21, 2019 

Bylaws

1. Affiliate Secretary Responsibilities….11

2. New Membership Information….11

3. Duties of the President…11

4. Duties of Vice President…11

5. Duties of Secretary…12

6. Duties of Assistant Secretary…12

7. Duties of Treasurer …12

8. Duties of Assistant Treasurer…12

9. Duties of the Board…12

10 Duties of the Audit Committee…12

11. Duties of the Membership Committee…12

12. Duties of the Budget Committee…12

13. Duties of the Nominating Committee…13

14. Duties of Assistive Technology Committee…13

15. Duties of Employment Committee…13 

16. Duties of Environmental Access Committee…13

17. Duties of Investment Committee…13

18. Duties of Transportation Committee…14

19. Duties of Next Generation Membership Committee…14

20. Board Meeting Reimbursement…14

1.     Affiliate Secretary Responsibilities

The Secretary of each affiliate in the state shall forward a complete list to the membership chairperson of the names, addresses, telephone numbers and preferred media format of the affiliate’s members, indicating whether blind or sighted, by February 15 of each year.  

2. New Membership Information

  1. Any applicant for membership shall be required to complete an application and pay the correct dues, state and national.  
    1. Member-at-large are those members who either do not have an affiliate in their area or do not belong to a local affiliate. 
    1. The state shall donate seed money to get new affiliates started.  

3. Duties of the President 

  1. The President shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation and progress of the North Carolina Council of the Blind and for conducting all meetings.  
    1. The President, upon approval of the Board, shall contract the services of any professional necessary to conduct the business of the North Carolina Council of the Blind.  
    1. Not less than sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the annual convention, the President shall have the responsibility to appoint a qualified individual who is familiar with and who has available to him/her an updated copy of Roberts’ Rules of Order, Newly Revised, to serve as Parliamentarian during the business meeting.  
    1. The President shall send to each Board member an agenda at least ten (10) days prior to any Board meeting, except the post-convention Board meeting. 
    1. The President, within forty-five (45) days of election, shall ensure coverage of the Board by a policy of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance at the expense of the organization.  Such insurance policy is not required to cover Officers and Directors of Chapters unless the Board shall so decide and, if so, such coverage shall be at the expense of the North Carolina Council of the Blind and not the Chapters.
    1. The President, upon approval of the Board, shall appoint any committee necessary to fulfill a special task.  

4. Duties of the Vice President 

  1. The First and Second Vice Presidents shall assist the President in any organizational matters deemed necessary.  
    1. In the absence of the President, the First Vice President shall preside at meetings of the membership and of the Board.  Likewise, in the absence of the President and the First Vice President, the Second Vice President shall preside at meetings of the membership and of the Board. 

5. Duties of the Secretary: in addition to the usual duties of such office, the secretary shall:

  1. Furnish to each affiliate and members-at-large a summary of all conventions and/or meetings of the Board within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of said convention and /or meetings.  
    1. Maintain a roll of certified voting members of each affiliate and of members-at-large.  

6. Duties of the Assistant Secretary 

The duties of the Assistant Secretary include working cooperatively with the Secretary in the performance of the duties in 5 above.  The Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary in the event of the absence or incapacity of the Secretary to perform the duties of that office until the Secretary resumes such duties or the office is filled.

7. Duties of the Treasurer: The duties of the Treasurer shall be the usual duties of a financial fiduciary, including: 

  1. Preparing quarter-end financial statements and presenting statements to the quarterly meetings of the Board.  
  2. Preparing annual financial report and presenting report to the annual convention business session.  
  3. Issuing reimbursements of authorized and properly documented expenses incurred on behalf of the North Carolina Council of the Blind.  
    1. Maintaining records of all expenses payments and reimbursements. 

8. Duties of the assistant treasurer 

The duties of the Assistant Treasurer shall be to work cooperatively with the Treasurer in the performance of the duties in 6. Above.  In the absence or incapacity of the Treasurer to perform the duties of that office, the Assistant Treasurer shall perform all duties of the Treasurer until the Treasurer resumes such duties or that office is filled.

9. Duties of the Board 

  1. All contracts for services, professional or otherwise, shall require a majority vote by the Board.  
    1. The Board may be polled by mail and/or by telephone by the President or the Vice Presidents.  

10. Duties of the Audit Committee

  1. The Audit Committee shall submit a report to the Board by January 31 of each year.  
    1. The Treasurer of the local affiliates shall submit the financial report for the preceding year on the form provided by the Secretary.  These forms will be mailed to the President of each affiliate.  Upon receipt of this information, the Treasurer shall submit the completed financial report form to the Audit Committee.  
    1. Each affiliate is required to have two signatures on any and all accounts.  

11. Duties of the membership chairperson

  1. The Membership Chairperson shall explore opportunities to recruit new members and to establish new chapters.  
    1. The Membership Chairperson shall forward to the Treasurer, upon receipt, the names and dues of all new members.  

12. Duties of the Budget Committee 

The Budget Committee, in consultation with the Treasurer, shall present a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Board for approval not less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting.  

13. Duties of the Nominating Committee

  1. The Nominating Committee shall hold a candidates’ forum not later than the afternoon immediately prior to the annual business meeting.  
    1. The Nominating Committee shall present to the annual business meeting a candidate or slate of candidates for each election.  
    1. All candidates for Board membership must submit to the Nominating Committee, in advance of the Annual Meeting, a brief description of their knowledge, skills, experiences and abilities relevant to the Board position sought, at least sixty (60) days before the convention.  During the Annual Meeting, no member of the organization may nominate, and nor shall the membership consider as a candidate for the Board anyone who has not first complied with the process established by the Nominating Committee. 

14. Duties of the Assistive Technology Committee 

The duties of the Assistive Technology Committee are to provide links to websites and parts of websites which educate, evaluate, provide or test assistive technology which is accessible to and useable by persons who are blind or visually impaired. The Committee is not expected to generate original content on the subject of assistive technology.

15. Duties of the Employment Committee 

It is the duty of the Employment Committee to identify existing barriers to employment and recommend actions the North Carolina Council of the Blind could take to minimize those barriers.

16. Duties of the Environmental Access Committee 

The duties of the Environmental Access Committee    are to serve as the organization’s principal research and advocacy instrument to deal with all issues regarding compromised access to the environment and compromised access to environmental information to the detriment of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

17. Duties of the Investment Committee 

  1. It is the duty of the Investment Committee to select, review and maintain the investment portfolio on an ongoing basis and to report the status and value of such investments at each meeting of the Board.  The Treasurer shall be a member of the Investments Committee.  
  2. There should be two (2) members of the North Carolina Council of the Blind who have separate authority to transact business with the firm(s) holding investments.  One member of the Investment Committee must be selected by the President to be an authorized representative of the North Carolina Council of the Blind on all investment accounts and empowered to execute investment decisions with the Firm(s) holding such investments.  The President may select another member of the organization who is not on the Investments Committee to exercise such authority.

18. Duties of the Transportation Committee 

It is the duty of the Transportation Committee to assist the organization, its Chapters and members, to maximize access to and the accessibility of all types of transportation, including public transit and paratransit, inter-city transportation (including bus and rail transportation) and any other types of transportation which may increase the mobility, independence and quality of life for blind and visually impaired persons.

19. Duties of the Next Generation Membership Committee 

It is the duty of the Next Generation Committee to recruit new members of the organization who are between the ages of sixteen (16) and forty (40) to ensure the continuity and viability of the North Carolina Council of the Blind.

20. Board Meeting Reimbursements : When funds are available, the North Carolina Council of the Blind shall reimburse all approved expenses of: 

  1. Affiliates’ officers and/or designated representatives in attendance at meetings of the Board.
  2. Members who serve on standing committees and who attend meetings of the Board.  

Bylaws revised and adopted by the North Carolina Council of the Blind in convention assembled in Burlington, N. C. September 22, 2019.

Lacey Coward