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
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Members
The majority of members of this chapter shall be legally blind. Membership in
the chapter shall not be denied on the basis of race, color, national origin,
age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, political ideology,
or physical, mental, or memory disability.
All members of this local chapter shall automatically become members of the
Washington Council of the Blind, the state organization with the right to vote,
present motions, speak on the floor, serve on committees, and hold office,
provided that their dues have been paid. The president of the state organization
shall be an ex officio member of this chapter.
SECTION 2: Revocation of Membership
Membership in this organization may be revoked for chronic disruptive
behavior during meetings and other chapter functions, misuse of organizational
resources (including the chapter name), publicly misrepresenting the goals and
views of the chapter, or any other conduct deemed detrimental to the
organization.
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 that
person shall be brought before the members at the next regularly scheduled
chapter meeting. Written notification of the proposed action, and the reasons
for such action, must be sent to the member named in the action at least ten
days prior to the meeting at which the vote will occur. 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. There shall be no proxy voting.
ARTICLE IV
CHAPTER RESPONSIBILITIES
Dues shall be collected and forwarded to the state organization, along with a
list of the names and addresses of the chapter members, by January 1st of each
year.
As new members join the chapter, their names and addresses, and dues (unless
previously paid) shall be sent, without delay, to the state organization. Copies
of all amendments to the by-laws or constitution of this chapter shall be sent,
without delay, to the president of the state organization.
ARTICLE V
DUES
The dues of this organization shall be $10 per year, of which $6 must be
forwarded to the Washington Council of the Blind. No member shall be considered
delinquent who has paid his/her dues on or before January 1st of each year.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
SECTION 1: Officers
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 terms. No officer shall serve more than two
consecutive full terms in the same office. The President and Vice-President must
be legally blind. All terms of office shall begin on January 1st.
SECTION 2: Elections
Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present and
voting. There shall be no proxy voting.
SECTION 3: Duties
The duties of the President shall be to preside at chapter meetings,
coordinate the activities of the organization, serve as liaison between the
state organization and the local chapter, and establish all committees and serve
as an ex officio member of all committees.
The duties of the Vice-President shall be to preside at chapter meetings in
the absence of the President, and temporarily assume the duties of the President
when 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 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 1st.
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 membership at the next regularly scheduled chapter
meeting. Written notification of the proposed action, and the reasons for such
action, must be sent to the officer named in the action at least ten days prior
to the meeting at which the vote will occur. 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. There shall be no proxy voting.
If any officer may be so removed, the rules governing vacancies of officers
shall apply.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
SECTION 1: Regular Meetings
This organization shall hold regular monthly meetings. 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 VIII
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 check issued on order of the President, and
signed by the Treasurer. 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(C3) certification by the Federal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization
by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting, provided
that the proposed amendment has be submitted in writing and read at a previous
regular meeting.
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