CONSTITUTION NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI 

ARTICLE I : Name.

The name of this organization shall be NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI (NFBMS).

ARTICLE II : Purpose.

The purpose of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of Mississippi and the nation; to function as an integral part of NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND; to serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of Mississippi; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together in local chapters and state meetings to plan and carry out a program 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; and to take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind child.

ARTICLE III : Membership.

Section One: Member.

At least a majority of the members of this organization must be blind. Membership shall be of two classifications: members who are affiliated with local chapters or divisions, and members who are not affiliated with local chapters or divisions.

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

Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter or division may become a member of this organization by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a convention or by action of the board of directors.

Section 2  Disciplinary action.

Any member may be expelled; and any chapter or division maybe expelled, suspended or reorganized for violation of this constitution or for conduct unbecoming to a member, chapter, or division of the Federation by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of this organization, or by a two-thirds vote by the board of directors. The state convention of this organization may reinstate any person who has been expelled unless such a function 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 board. Any person who feels that he or she has been unjustly disciplined or expelled from this organization or any chapter or division which feels that it has been unjustly disciplined, reorganize or expelled 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; but until or unless the action or discipline or reorganization is reversed by the national board it shall continue in effect.

ARTICLE IV : Local chapters.

Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI 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 MISSISSIPPI either in convention assembled or by action of the board of directors shall have approved the application, it shall issue to the local chapter a certificate of acceptance. Annually, on or before January 1, each local chapter shall provide the treasurer OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI a current list of its members, their names and addresses, and their state dues. Upon request a local chapter must provide the State President with a list of the names and addresses of the chapter members and with a detailed financial report of the chapters past year’s transactions. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year. As new members enter local chapters, their names and addresses and state dues shall be sent without delay to the treasurer of the state organization. No group shall be accepted as a chapter and no group shall remain a chapter unless a majority of the voting members are blind. The President, Vice President, or Vice Presidents and at least a majority of the executive committee or board of directors of the local chapters must be blind. The President of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI shall be an ex-officio member of each local chapter. In the event of the dissolution of a local chapter or if for whatever reason the local chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, it's assets shall become the property of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI and it shall forthwith cease to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind or any variant thereof.

ARTICLE V : Divisions.

The board of directors shall establish procedures for admission of divisions and determine the structure of divisions. Divisions shall with the approval of the board adopt constitutions and determine their membership policy.

ARTICLE VI : Board of Directors.

The constitutional officers of this organization shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer which shall be elected for a two-year term at the annual convention during even numbered years. The president, vice presidents, and a majority of the board must be blind.

The board of directors shall consist of the five constitutional officers and six additional members, three of which shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual convention during even numbered years, and three of which shall be elected for a two year term at the annual convention during odd numbered years.

The board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by any three 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 (6(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 convention.

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 this organization 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, but at such special meetings 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/she or the organization deems necessary

ARTICLE IX : Delegates.

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 or she is an member.  To the extent of the resources of the organization, the expenses of the delegate and alternate delegates to the convention of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND shall be paid.

ARTICLE X : Affiliation.

The NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI 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, and all amendments of the constitution shall be sent to the President of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND without delay. The NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI 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, its chapters and divisions shall comply with the provisions of the constitution of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND. Policy decisions of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND whether made by the national convention or the national board of directors are binding on this organization, its chapters, divisions and members. This organization, its chapters, divisions and members shall participate actively in carrying out such policies and decisions. As a condition of affiliation, it is agreed by this organization that the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND whether by action of the national convention or the national board has the power to expel or reorganize a state affiliate, local chapters or divisions. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the affiliate and its local chapters and divisions belong to the reorganized affiliate and the former affiliate, its chapters or divisions shall cease to exist. The name NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND or any variant thereof is the property of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND. If this organization or any of its chapters or divisions shall cease to be a part of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND for whatever reason it or the chapter or division shall forfeit the right to use the name NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND or any variant thereof. The president of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND shall be an ex-officio member of this organization and each of its local chapters and divisions.

ARTICLE XI : Dues.

The dues of members in local chapters must be paid each year consisting of $5 state dues payable in advance. In accordance with ARTICLE IV of the constitution, local chapters shall remit the state dues collected from their members to the state organization. Members who are not affiliated with a local chapter shall pay their $5 state dues before or during the time of the annual convention. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his or her dues.

ARTICLE XII : Dissolution.

In the event of dissolution all assets of the organization shall be given to the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND.

ARTICLE XIII: Amendments.

This constitution maybe 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 meeting.

   Previous Amendments:

•             This Constitution (Article 6) was amended at the March 2008 state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Mississippi

•             Article 12 was amended by the state convention on March28, 2010.

• Bylaw 002 Financial Assistance. Current members MUST pay membership dues three (3) months before any activity to qualify for any financial assistance. Assistance is given based on availability of funds in the Affiliate/Chapter Treasury with the approval of the Affiliate/Chapter President and Board of Directors. To receive assistance to National Convention, each member must attend the state convention. All decisions related to financial assistance to National Convention must be decided by the Affiliate/Chapter President and Affiliate/Chapter Board of Directors, no later than the monthly meeting in May. If a member receives financial assistance they MUST adhere to all requirements by the granter of the assistance.

          •             Bylaw 004 Affiliate and Chapter Funds. The funds to carry out the mission and objectives of the organization MAY NOT be use for any other purposes besides those stated in Article II of the State Constitution listed below. The mission and objectives are: (1) Education, (2) Civil Rights, (3) Self-organization. ARTICLE II (2): Purpose-The purpose of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MISSISSIPPI shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of Mississippi and the nation; 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 Mississippi; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together in local chapters and state meetings to plan and carry out a program 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; and to take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind child.

•             Bylaw 2013-001 Ethics Policy. NFB of Mississippi-Board of Directors. All officers and at-large members of the NFB of Mississippi-Board of Directors shall serve without compensation. Expenses incurred in the course of carrying out board duties shall be reimbursed in accordance with the organization's reimbursement policy. All members of the board are required to disclose any material conflicts of interest as soon as they recognize that they exist. Members must abstain themselves from discussing or voting on any matter in which they have a material conflict of interest. Comments: conflict of interest is defined as a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust.

•             Bylaw 2013-002 returning members. NFB Members who come into good standing after January 31st of each year are returning members. Comments: A new member is an individual who has never been affiliated with the organization. A returning member is one who has had affiliation with the organization.