ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization is the National Association of Blind Students.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the National Association of Blind Students is to function as a mechanism through which blind students and interested sighted persons can come together in local, state and national meetings to plan and carry out our programs to improve educational and equality of life for the blind; to provide a means of collective action for blind students; to promote the educational, vocational, economic, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; to strengthen and enhance educational programs for the blind; to take such other action as will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind; and to participate as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its various activities.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. -- Members
At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind. Any student, or anyone interested in the pursuit of studies may become an active member of this association, provided that such person meets the eligibility requirements for membership in the National Federation of the Blind.
Section 2. -- Expulsion
Any person who has been expelled by the National Federation of the Blind shall automatically cease to be a member of this Association. Any member of this organization may be expelled for misconduct, or for activity unbecoming to a member of this organization by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of this association, or by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors of this organization subject to ratification by the general membership.
Section 3. -- Reinstatement of membership
A person may be reinstated to membership in this organization by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of this Association, or by a two-thirds vote of its board of directors, provided that such person meets the eligibility requirements for membership or for reinstatement to membership in the National Federation of the Blind.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
There shall be elected at the annual meeting of this organization: in each even numbered year, a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, and in each odd numbered year four (4) board members, designated as Board Member one, board member two, Board Member three, and board member four. The terms of these officers and board members shall begin at the close of the meeting at which they are elected and qualified. The President and Vice Presidents of this organization must be blind. Officers and board members shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of this Association present and voting. All officers and board members must be in school for one year following their election. There shall be no proxy votes.
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 receives a majority vote. These officers and board members constitute the board of directors for this Association. The officers and board members are authorized to conduct such business as is necessary for the normal operation of this Association between the annual regular meetings of the Association. The duties of each officer and board member shall be those ordinarily associated with the office.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
This Association will meet twice a year in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind and the Washington Seminar of the National Federation of the Blind. Special meetings may be called by the President of the Association, or by most of the board of directors to transact business or otherwise to further the purposes of this Association.
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
The President may appoint such committees as they or the members of the Association deem necessary.
ARTICLE VII. DUES
The dues of this Association shall be $5.00 per year payable in advance.
ARTICLE VIII. 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 obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check issued on order of the President and signed by the Treasurer or the President.
ARTICLE IX. AFFILIATION
The National Association of Blind Students is a division of the National Federation of the Blind. The Association shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind, a copy of this constitution and any amendments that may be adopted in the future, and the names and addresses of the members and elected officers. This organization will comply with the provisions of the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind. In the event of the reorganization of this Association, the assets of this organization belong to the reorganized Association, and the former Association shall dissolve and cease to exist.
ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of this Association, or for whatever reason it ceases to be a division of the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be distributed to the National Federation of the Blind to be held in trust for a reorganized division of the National Federation of the Blind.
If no division is organized for a one-year period from the date this Association ceases to be a division of the National Federation of the Blind, the assets become the property of the National Federation of the Blind.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Association by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and voting, provided the amendment has been submitted to the President in writing, at least one day in advance of the regular meeting.