ARTICLE I:
Name:
The name
of this organization shall be the American Council of the Blind of Tuscarawas
Valley, here and after known as the ACB-Tusc. Valley.
ARTICLE II:
Purpose:
The
purpose of the ACB-Tucs. Valley is to promote the independence, quality and
equality of life for the blind and visually impaired through education. Support
and advocacy.
A. To promote public awareness of the capacities, aspirations and needs of blind
and visually impaired persons.
B. To increase the amount of social and recreational activity and interaction
between blind, visually impaired and sighted persons.
C. To strive to eliminate all forms of discrimination against blind and visually
impaired persons in the following areas:
1. Education
2. Housing
3. Employment
4. Public facilities
ARTICLE III:
Membership:
Membership in this organization shall consist of three types:
A. Active members-Active members are those who are 18 and older and are
affiliated with the organization through the annual payment of dues. They need
not be visually impaired, but the majority of active members should be blind or
visually impaired.
B. Patron membership-Patron members are those members who do not wish to become
active members, but nonetheless, make contributions to the organization.
C. Expulsion of active members shall be dealt with in a special provision of the
bylaws.
ARTICLE IV
Voting:
A. All active members shall have the right to vote at
meetings but said right shall be forfeited when dues are delinquent.
B. The president, or officer presiding in his or her absence, shall vote only to
break a tie vote.
C. Patron and honorary members shall not be voting
members.
ARTICLE V
Dues:
Payment of dues shall be based on a calendar year.,
with the amount to be stated in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VI
Officers, Duties, And Terms Of Office:
A. This organization shall have the following officers:
1. President--who must be visually impaired.
2. Vice-president--who must be visually impaired.
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5.
Trustee – Who must be visually impaired.
B. Duties of officers: Unless otherwise stated in the
bylaws,, the officers of this organization shall have those duties as are usual
to their respective offices, and they shall be governed by Roberts' Rules of
Order Revised. Malfeasance of duty of any officer shall be dealt with in the
bylaws.
C. Terms of office: Each term of office shall be for two years.
ARTICLE VII
Meetings:
A. Meetings must be held once a month excluding emergencies.
B. The president shall call additional meetings at his or her discretion.
C. A quorum of the membership must be present to conduct an official meeting
which is at least three officers.
D. When procedures other than those outlined in this constitution are needed,
Roberts' Rules of Order Revised shall be used.
E. A quorum shall consist of members present at a meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
Committees:
Outstanding committees: This organization shall, as
deemed necessary by the President, have the following outstanding
committees:
A. Publicity committee.
B. Membership committee. C.
Constitution and bylaws committee.
D. Finance committee.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments:
Amendments to this constitution must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the
members present at the meeting.
Amendments to the bylaws must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the
members present at the meeting.
ARTICLE X
Governmental Restrictions For Tax Exempt Organizations:
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit
of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private
persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay
reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distribution in furtherance of the purposes set forth In Article ll hereof. No
substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on
of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the
corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in, (including the publishing
or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate
for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the
corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried
on (A) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (C) (3)
of the internal revenue code of 1964 (or the corresponding provision of any
future United States internal revenue law) or (B) by a corporation,
contributions to which are deductible under section170 (C) (2) of the internal
revenue code of 1964 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States
internal revenue law).
ARTICLE XI
Corporation Dissolution, Governmental Laws For Tax Exempt
Donations:
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the board of
trustees shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all
the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the
corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such
manner or to such organization or organizations organized and
operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific
purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or
organizations under Section 601 (C) (3) of the internal revenue code of 1964 (or
the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law) as
the board of trustees shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of will
be disposed of by the court of common pleas of the county in which the principal
office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to
such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are
organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE OMEGA
Miscellaneous Constitutional Restrictions Regarding
Amendments:
A. Two copies of the constitution and bylaws being amended or revised shall
be kept permanently by the secretary.
B. At the first regular yearly meeting of the board of directors the latest
constitution and bylaws shall be reviewed.
C. So long as we remain an approved tax-exempt organization and contributions
may be held as tax exempt for the contributor, Articles X and Xl of this
constitution shall not be altered or abridged except for governmental changes.
Carl W. Russo
President