CONSTITUTION FOR THE NEW HAMPSHIRE
STATE AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
 

ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, Inc.
 

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, Inc. shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire; 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 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; and 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 this organization must be blind. Active membership shall be of two (2) classifications: active members who are affiliated with local chapters or divisions and active members who are not affiliated with local chapters or divisions.
1. All active members of local chapters or divisions shall automatically become active members of this organization, with the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.
2. Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter or division may become an active member of this organization by complying with requirements established by the Board of Directors.
Section Two - Supporting Members
Any person may become a supporting member of this organization through procedures established by the convention or the Board of Directors. Supporting 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. Supporting members shall not pay dues.
Section Three - Disciplinary Action
Any member may be expelled; and any chapter or division may be 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 of the Board of Directors. The state convention of this organization 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 Board. Any person who feels that he/she has been unjustly disciplined or expelled from this organization, or any chapter or division which feels that it has been unjustly disciplined, reorganized, or expelled 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; but until or unless the action of discipline, reorganization, or expulsion 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 New Hampshire shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, either in convention assembled or by action of its 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 to the Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire a current list of its members, their names and addresses. Upon request, a local chapter shall also provide the state President with a list of the names and addresses of the chapter members and with a detailed financial report of the chapter for the past year. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year. As new members enter local chapters, their names and addresses shall be sent without delay to the President and 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 its voting members are blind. The President, the Vice President (or Vice Presidents), and at least a majority of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors of the local chapter must be blind. The President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire shall be ex officio a 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, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire; 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 shall determine the structure of divisions. The divisions shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt constitutions and determine their membership policies.
 

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section One. Qualifications and Election.
There shall be elected at the regular annual convention during each even numbered year, a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention 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 (round of votes), 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 and the Vice Presidents must be blind. All officers must be permanent residents of the State of New Hampshire. In the event that any officer moves permanently out-of-state, he/she must resign immediately or be terminated by the board. At such a time, the vacant position will be filled by elevation or by appointment. All candidates for office must be present (in person or virtually) at the convention to accept the nomination and to be elected. Section Two. Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors
The function of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, Inc., is to carry out the directives, policies, and resolutions of this organization's convention. It may implement new policy between conventions, only if
not in conflict with existing convention mandates, and only if such decisions cannot be postponed until the next convention. The Board of Directors shall deal with the problems the organization presented to it by any of the local chapters. At each meeting the Board of Directors shall receive from the President a report of the operations of this organization. There shall be a standing subcommittee, composed of three members of the Board of Directors, known as the Subcommittee on Budget and Finance. It shall, whenever it deems necessary, recommend to the Board of Directors methods of financing this organization and its activities, and shall consult with the President on major expenditures. The Board of Directors shall meet at the time of each state convention. Special meetings may be called by the President, or any three members of the Board of Directors who sign a request to hold one. The Board of Directors shall consist of the five principle officers and the five Directors elected by the convention. Five members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum to transact business between conventions.
Section Three. Powers and Duties of the President
The President is the principle administrative officer of this organization. His or her duties consist of carrying out the policies adopted by the convention; conducting the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Federation; authorizing expenditures from the Federation's treasury in accordance with, and in implementation of, the policies established by the convention; appointing committees of the organization, except the Board Of Directors; coordinating all the activities of the Federation, including the work of other officers and committees; hiring, supervising, and, when necessary, dismissing staff and other employees of the Federation, and determining their numbers and compensation; taking all administrative action necessary to put in effect the programs, and to accomplish the purpose of the Federation. The implementation and administration of the interim policies adopted by the Board of Directors is the responsibility of the President.
 

Section IV. Vice President
The purpose of the First Vice President is to assist the President in his or her duties, and when necessary, to fill his or her place when absent. In the event of the death or resignation of the President the First Vice President shall be moved up to take the presidency of the organization. The Second Vice President shall take the place of the First Vice President. If such occasion should arise, it shall be the duty of the convention to elect a Second Vice President to fill the vacancy as soon as it would be possible to convene, even in special session. The remainder of the unfinished term shall be the duration of the term of office for the newly elected Second Vice President.
 

Section V. Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary of this organization is the official recorder of the business transacted by the regular and special meetings of the convention. The Secretary shall also transmit all correspondence commonly associated with his or her office. He or she shall record the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors and shall preserve all correspondence and records of all meetings. The Secretary shall regard all names and addresses of all members of this organization as confidential, unless cleared by the President for release.
Section Six. Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer of this organization shall be the officer who handles the finances. He or she shall be required to keep the books of this organization in such a manner as to show a clear picture at all times of the Federation's funds. The Treasurer shall be bonded, and such bond shall cover the Treasurer from the time he or she takes office, until he or she has been replaced. The funds of the Federation shall be deposited in a bank of the Treasurer's choice, providing, however, that such bank be insured, and meets all requirements of the Banking Commission of the state of New Hampshire. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, issued on the order of the President, signed by the Treasurer, and executed in accordance with the requirements of the bonding company. The books of the Treasurer, and the names and addresses of members he or she may have, shall be regarded as confidential, unless cleared for release by the President. The Treasurer shall have the financial reports of this organization available for presentation at each convention, and for meetings of the Board of Directors.
 

ARTICLE VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section One – Composition, Election, and Duties
The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers, and five additional members, five of whom shall be elected for two (2) year terms at the annual convention during even numbered years, and five of whom shall be elected for two (2) year terms at the annual convention during odd numbered years. The untitled Board Members shall be elected in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of officers. The Board shall meet at the call of the President or on notification 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 members of the Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The Board may be polled by telephone, mail, or electronic mail ballot on any question. A majority of the Board must be blind.
Section Two – Conflicts of Interest
(a) Each Director, prior to taking his position on the Board, and all present Directors shall submit in writing to the Chairman of the Board a list of all businesses or other organizations of which he is an officer, director, trustee, member, owner (either as a sole proprietor or partner), shareholder, employee or agent, with which the Corporation
has, or might reasonably in the future enter into, a relationship or a transaction in which the Director would have conflicting interests. The Chairman of the Board shall become familiar with the statements of all Directors in order to guide his conduct should a conflict arise.
(b) At such time as any matter comes before the Board in such a way as to give rise to a conflict of interest, the affected Director shall make known the potential conflict, whether disclosed by his written statement or not, and after answering any questions that might be asked of him, shall withdraw from the meeting for so long as the matter shall continue under discussion. Should the matter be brought to a vote, neither the affected Director nor any other Director with a pecuniary benefit transaction with Corporation shall vote on it. The Board shall comply with all requirements of New Hampshire law where conflicts of interest are involved.
 

ARTICLE VIII. 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 the membership so decides) by the Board of Directors or the President. At least fifteen (15) 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. At such special meeting at least fifteen (15) active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business, and notice must have been sent to the President of each local chapter and division and to the members of the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.
 

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES
The President may appoint such committees as he/she or the organization deems necessary. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees.
 

ARTICLE X. AFFILIATION
The National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, Inc. 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 of the National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, Inc. and of all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind without delay.
The National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, Inc. 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; shall participate affirmatively in carrying out such policy 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 discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate, local chapter, or division. 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, and divisions 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 this organization or any of its chapters or divisions which cease 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. The President of the National Federation of the Blind shall ex officio be a member of this organization and each of its local chapters and divisions.
 

ARTICLE XI. DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENTION
This organization shall elect each year at least one (1) delegate and at least one (1) alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected as a delegate or alternate delegate unless he/she is an active member of this organization in good standing. To the extent of the resources of this organization, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.
 

ARTICLE XII. DUES
No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his/her dues to the chapter, division, or state affiliate.
 

ARTICLE XIII. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank or banks to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President; except that the Board of Directors may also authorize establishment of investment accounts with other financial institutions. The Treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, issued on order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Treasurer approved by the membership or the Board of Directors.
 

ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of this organization, or if (for whatever reason) it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind, to be held in trust for a reorganized affiliate in the state. In the event that no affiliate is organized in the state for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind.
If the dissolution of this organization should occur and if at that time the National Federation of the Blind is no longer a tax-exempt organization under the provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code or if the National Federation of the Blind has been dissolved, all assets of this organization shall be given to an organization with similar purposes which has received tax-exempt certification from the federal Internal Revenue Service.
 

ARTICLE XV. 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 and read at a previous business session and provided it is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation received from the National Federation of the Blind and with the policies of the National Federation of the Blind.
 

Adopted December 15, 2020