The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.
Maryland Association of Blind Merchants Constitution
Adopted June 8, 2017
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Organization shall be the "Maryland Association of Blind Merchants" or “MABM.”
ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTER
This organization shall be chartered as a State Chapter of the National Association of Blind Merchants and as a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Organization shall be to promote the interests of blind merchants and entrepreneurs and the general well-being of the blind of this nation and the state as well as to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section One: Active Members
At least a majority of the active members of this Organization must be merchants and/or entrepreneurs who are blind.
- All active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.
- Any person may become an active member of this Organization upon application and payment of dues to the Treasurer of this Organization.
- Dues will be set by the Board of the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants annually.
Section Two: Associate Members
Any person may apply for and receive Associate membership status at an annual business meeting or through an officer of this Organization. Associate Members shall have all the rights and privileges of Active Members, except that they may not vote or hold office.
Section Three: Expulsion
Any member may be expelled for violation of this Constitution or for behavior unbecoming to a member of the National Federation of the Blind, by a two-thirds vote of the members participating and voting at an annual business meeting or by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. A two-thirds vote of participating and voting members at the annual business meeting 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, or by the State Convention or the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the National Convention or by the National Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, or by the State Convention or the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Any person who feels he/she has been unjustly expelled from the organization may appeal to the state board of directors at the annual state convention or to the National Association of Blind Merchants at the National Convention. If the appeal is denied by the state board or the National Association of Blind Merchants, the party may further appeal to the National Board of Directors, who may, at their discretion, reinstate a member.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section One: Elections
There shall be elected, a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer during the regular annual business meeting at the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland on even-numbered years. The terms of these offices shall be two years in length and shall begin at the close of the business meeting at which they are elected and qualified. There shall be no proxy voting. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of all members participating and voting. If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the name of the person receiving the least votes will be removed from the list of nominees and a second ballot recorded. This procedure shall continue until one candidate receives a simple majority of the votes. The President, First Vice-president, and Second Vice-president must be merchants and/or entrepreneurs who are blind. In the event of a vacancy in office, the current officers may move to any vacated position and appoint by a majority a member or members of MABM to serve in the remaining vacated position or positions until the next annual meeting is held.
Section Two: Duties
The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.
ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the five constitutional officers and no more than three (3) Advisors. The Advisors shall be elected for two (2) year terms at the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland during odd-numbered years. The board advisors 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 written call signed by any three (3) officers. The board shall advise and direct the president and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between meetings. At least five members of the board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The board may be polled by telephone, email, or mail ballot on any question. A majority of the board must be blind.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section One: Regular Business Meetings
The Organization shall hold quarterly meetings. The annual business meeting shall be held at the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. A majority of the Board and one or more active members must be present to transact business.
Section Two: Special Meetings
The President of this Organization may call a special meeting any time she/he or a majority of the Board of Directors deems such action to be necessary. At such special meetings a majority of the Board and one or more active members must be present to transact business. To call such a meeting, at least three day's notice must be given to the membership prior to such special meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES
The President may create such committees, as she/he or the Organization deems necessary.
ARTICLE IX: AFFILIATION
The Maryland Association of Blind Merchants shall be a Chapter of the National Association of Blind Merchants and a Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, which are, in turn, affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind. The Maryland Association of Blind Merchants shall furnish to the President of the National Association of Blind Merchants and the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland annually or before January first, a list of the names and addresses of the members of this Organization. A copy of the Constitution of the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants, and all Amendments thereto, shall be sent to the President of the National Association of Blind Merchants and to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, without delay.
The Maryland Association of Blind Merchants 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 and with the provisions of the contract appearing on the back of the Charter of Affiliation issued to the state affiliates by the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind, whether made by the National Convention or the Board of Directors, are binding on this Organization and this Organization shall participate and act 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 the decision is made by the Convention or the Board of Directors, 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 affiliate and the chapters belong to the reorganized affiliate, and the former affiliate shall dissolve and cease to exist. The name “Maryland Association of Blind Merchants,” or any variant thereof, is the property of the National Federation of the Blind, and this Organization, upon the event of disaffiliation with the National Federation of the Blind, for whatever reason, shall forfeit the right to use the name “Maryland Association of Blind Merchants” or any variant thereof.
ARTICLE X: DUES
The dues of this Organization shall be set by the Board of Directors. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of dues.
ARTICLE XI: 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. All financial transactions shall be discharged by check or other draft, issued on written order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer, or in his/her absence or incapacity, such check may be signed by the President.
ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of this Organization, or if, for any reason, it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, to be held in trust for a reorganized merchant organization. In the event that no merchant group is reorganized within a period of two years from the date of dissolution, the assets shall be deposited into the general fund of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this Organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members participating and voting, provided that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Charter of Affiliation issued by the National Federation of the Blind and the policies of the National Federation of the Blind. Amendments may also be acted upon at special meetings. Notice of proposed amendments to this constitution must be provided to members 14 days prior to the meeting.
Adopted: Date: June 8, 2017
______________________________
Melba J. Taylor, MABM, President
Maryland Association of Blind Merchants
Ratified: Date: _______________________
______________________________
Sharon Maneki, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland