Constitution of the Missoula Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana

Adopted April 8, 2022

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Missoula Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Missoula Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana shall be

• To advance the general welfare of the blind of Missoula and the surrounding area.
• To function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.
• To serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of Missoula and the surrounding area.
• To operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life of the blind.
• To provide a means of collective action for parents of blind children.
• To forward the interests of blind students and provide them with a means of joint action and expression.
• To promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind.
• To achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality with the sighted.
• To take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section One - Active Members

At least a majority of the active members of the Missoula Chapter must be blind. Any person may become an active member of the Missoula Chapter by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular business meeting, and shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.

Section Two - Associate Members

Any person may be elected to associate membership in the Missoula Chapter by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular business meeting. 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 - Affiliation

Membership in the Missoula Chapter automatically establishes membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Montana and the National Federation of the Blind.

Section Four - Expulsion

Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution, 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 meeting of the Missoula Chapter. The state convention of the NfB of Montana may reinstate any person who has been expelled, unless such expulsion has been confirmed by the National Convention or by the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the National Convention or by the National Board. Any person who feels that he/she has been unjustly expelled from this organization may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may (in its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

There shall be elected annually a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. 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. Election shall be by voice vote, standing vote, show of hands, or roll call vote unless at least four-fifths of the active members who are present and voting decide that a secret ballot shall be used. 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. The President, the Vice President, and a majority of the Officers must be blind.

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of the Missoula Chapter shall consist of the four (4) constitutional officers. The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by any three (3) of the Board Members. The Board shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between meetings. At least a majority of the 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 by mail or electronic ballot on any questions. A majority of the Board must be blind.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section One - Regular Meetings

The Missoula Chapter shall hold regular meetings at a time and place to be determined by the membership. At least a majority of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.

Section Two - Special Meetings

The President of the Missoula Chapter may call a special meeting of the body at any time he/she, or a majority of the Board of Directors, deems such action to be necessary. At such special meeting, at least a majority of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

The President may appoint such committees as he/she or the Missoula Chapter deems necessary.

ARTICLE VIII. AFFILIATION

The Missoula Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana and the National Federation of the Blind, and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana 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 the Missoula Chapter and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent for review to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana and the National Federation of the Blind without delay.

The Missoula Chapter shall not merely be a social organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of the blind. This organization shall comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana and the provisions of the contract appearing on the back of the Charter of Affiliation issued to state affiliates by the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, whether made by the National Convention or the National Board of Directors, or the State Convention or the State Board of Directors, are binding on the Missoula Chapter, and the Missoula Chapter shall participate affirmatively in carrying out such policy decisions.

As a condition of affiliation, it is agreed by the Missoula Chapter that the National Federation of the Blind, whether by action of the National Convention or the National Board or the State Convention or the State Board, has the power to expel or discipline an individual member, and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate or local chapter. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the Missoula Chapter shall belong to the reorganized chapter or, if no reorganization occurs for a period of two years, to the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, and the former chapter shall dissolve and cease to exist. 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 the Missoula Chapter, if it ceases to be a part of the National Federation of the Blind, for whatever reason, shall forfeit the right to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE IX. DUES

The dues of this organization shall be $5.00 (five) dollars per year, payable in advance. The Chapter shall forward $5.00 (five) dollars per year to the National Federation of the Blind of Montana for each member. A life-time membership may be secured for a fee of $100.00. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his/her dues.

ARTICLE X. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

The funds of the Missoula Chapter shall be deposited in a bank to be selected by the Treasurer, with the approval of the President. If the members so vote, the Treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, issued on written order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of the Missoula Chapter, or if (for whatever reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, to be held in trust for a reorganized chapter in Missoula. In the event that no chapter is reorganized in Missoula for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Missoula Chapter 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, and provided it is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation received by the Montanaaffiliate from the National Federation of the Blind, and with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana and the National Federation of the Blind.