UNITED BLIND OF SEATTLE CONSTITUTION
United Blind of Seattle Constitution
Revised November 20, 2021
Article I – Name
Section 1 – NAME
The name of this organization is the United Blind of Seattle (UBS).
Section 2 -TERRITORY
The headquarters of this organization shall be located in the City of Seattle.
Article II – Purpose
Section 1 – GENERAL PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is, through their own efforts, to promote the economic and social welfare of blind persons, by seeking their complete integration into society on the basis of equality.
Section 2 – AFFILIATION
This organization shall be affiliated with the Washington Council of the Blind (WCB).
Section 3 – FUND RAISING
This organization, through the Executive Board, shall have general supervision and control of all fund-raising activities carried on in its name.
Section 4 – TRUSTS
This organization may receive gifts or bequests upon trust or otherwise for its own administration or for any specific purpose not in conflict with the general purpose of the organization.
Article III Meetings
Section 1 – MEETINGS
This organization shall have eight regular business meetings per year (in accordance with WCB chapter meeting requirements), unless otherwise determined by a majority vote at a previous meeting. Any procedure not specifically provided for in this Constitution will be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Section 2 – QUORUM
A. At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members of this organization shall constitute a quorum.
B. Any official business meeting of this organization shall require a quorum.
C. Any official business of any nature whatsoever, except as otherwise specified by this constitution, shall require a quorum vote. No proxy voting shall be allowed.
D. If anyone person shall ask for a secret ballot for non-election voting, it shall be granted.
E. Election voting shall be accomplished via secret ballot.
Section 3 – VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Whenever it is determined by the president or the board that circumstances do not justify assembling at a physical location, any annual meeting, special meeting, board meeting or business meeting may be held using virtual meeting technologies. Such meetings may include voting on proposed motions, if the requirements for a quorum are met. Election of officeholders is also permitted, if the president or the board certifies that any virtual voting techniques respect and preserve the right to a secret ballot.
Article IV – Membership
Section 1 – MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
A. The membership shall consist of legally blind and sighted persons, eighteen (18) years and older, accepted from the general public, provided that the majority of active members shall be legally blind.
B. Membership in this organization shall not be denied on the account of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, political ideology or physical, mental or sensory disability.
C. Every active member of this organization shall pay into the chapter treasury annual dues which will be collected in November of each year and are delinquent if not paid by February first of the following year so as to be turned in to the state by the deadline.
D. If a person wants to be a member of this chapter but cannot monetarily afford dues, they can contact the President.
Section 2 – EXPULSION, SUSPENSION AND OTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION
A. Any member of this organization may be expelled from membership for a violation of this constitution or other cause shown.
B. At a regular business meeting of the general membership, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the active members present and voting, may expel, suspend or otherwise discipline any member for conduct inconsistent with this constitution, provided the member named in the proposed action has received, by certified mail return receipt requested, written notification of the action at least fifteen (15) days previous; and provided the member named in the proposed action shall receive a fair hearing with due process.
Article V – Officers and Their Duties
Section 1 – OFFICERS AND ELIGIBILITY
All officers of this organization shall be members it good standing.
Section 2 – OFFICERS
A. The elected officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, immediate past president, Secretary, Treasurer and four Trustees. Trustees shall hereinafter be referred to as Directors.
B. The President may appoint a Parliamentarian.
C. The elected officers, plus the Parliamentarian, if any, shall constitute the Executive Board of this organization.
Section 3 – ELECTION AND TENURE
A. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected to terms of two (2) years. The President and Vice President must be legally blind. The Parliamentarian’s appointment will expire at the wish of the President or at the end of the meeting wherein elections are held, or at the time the President leaves office for any reason.
B. The President and Secretary will be elected for two-year terms on even numbered years and the Vice President and Treasurer will be elected for two-year terms on odd numbered years.
1. The President can hold the office for an unlimited number of consecutive two-year terms.
C. The Board of Directors shall consist of 4 members. Two Directors will be elected for two-year terms on even-numbered years and the other two Directors will be elected for two-year terms on odd-numbered years.
D. The election of the officers shall be at the annual regular business meeting held in November. It shall require a majority vote.
E. The newly elected officers shall take office as the last item of business on the day of their election.
F. Should the President leave office for any reason, the Vice President shall immediately assume the office of President and serve through the unexpired term.
G. Should any other officer leave office, a replacement will be elected to fill the unexpired term at the next regular business meeting.
Section 4 – REMOVAL OF OFFICER OR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
A. Any elected officer may be removed from office or any Executive Board member may be removed from the Executive Board for negligence of their duties or other cause shown.
B. At a regular business meeting of the general membership, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the active members present and voting, an officer or an Executive Board member may be removed from office or Executive Board, provided that the person named in the proposed action has received, by certified mail return receipt requested, written notification of the action at least fifteen (15) days previous; and provided the person named in the proposed action shall receive a fair hearing with due process.
Section 5 – DUTIES
A. Officers
1. Except as specifically set forth in this Constitution, the duties of the various officers shall be those usual to their respective offices. The duties of the UBS officers are outlined in the following four subsections. See detailed descriptions of UBS officers’ duties in the Bylaws.
a. President. The President is the officer in a leadership role for UBS. The President coordinates with other officers, the Executive Board, and the membership to promote the progress of the organization. The President’s duties fall into three categories:
* Serve as presiding officer at all UBS meetings.
* Perform administrative duties.
* Represent the chapter.
See the Bylaws for a detailed description of the President’s duties within these categories.
b. Vice President. The Vice President works with the President to implement the goals of the organization. Other duties of the Vice President include but are not limited to the following:
* Serve as presiding officer if the President is unable to attend a regular business meeting or an Executive Board meeting.
* Collaborate with the President to provide support to standing committees as a delegated ex-officio member.
* Learn the duties of the President and be prepared to assume the office of President if the President leaves office before the end of his or her term
c. Treasurer. The Treasurer is the officer entrusted with the custody of UBS funds. Duties of the Treasurer include but are not limited to the following:
* Collect and record membership dues.
* Provide required data to the WCB necessary for the correct calculation and payment of state and national affiliate dues.
* Provide a treasurer’s report at each regular chapter business meeting, which may be verbal, and includes current account balances and obligations.
* Prepare a full financial report annually and submit it to the Board of Directors by February 15 for audit. (See Article V Section 5.B.2 and the Bylaws for details.)
* Collaborate with the President to prepare and submit all necessary financial documents to state and federal agencies, for establishing and maintaining Section 501(c)3 certification.
d. Secretary. The secretary is the recording officer of the chapter and the custodian of its records, except those assigned to others, such as the treasurer’s books. Duties of the Secretary include but are not limited to the following:
* Take meeting minutes at each regular chapter business meeting. Distribute to UBS members a digital version of the meeting minutes in advance of the subsequent meeting.
* Keep on file the chapter’s meeting minutes, records, and reports and make them available to the members upon request.
* Keep the chapter’s official membership role (unless another officer has this duty); and call the role where it is required.
See the Bylaws for details on duties of all officers.
2. Each officer shall be responsible for passing on organization records to all newly elected officers within 30 days of election, including all information necessary for electronic access.
B. Directors
1. The Directors, in the name of UBS shall hold title to all properties of UBS.
2. It shall be the duty of the Directors to see that the books of the officers, the annual financial report, and the accounts of the committees are properly audited.
3. The Directors shall submit to the President a written inventory of all properties entrusted to them.
C. Executive Board
1. The Executive Board meets a minimum of four times per year, or more frequently as necessary. Executive Board meetings may be held in person, via conference call, or online.
2. Any member (officer or director), who comprise the Executive Board shall have the authority to call special meetings of the Executive Board and/or the General Assembly. Or, Twenty- five percent (25%) of the membership shall have the authority to call a special meeting of the General Assembly.
3. Each Executive Board member (officer or director) shall attend every regular UBS business meeting and Executive Board meeting unless excused.
Article VI – Committees
Section 1 – COMMITTEES
A. The responsibilities and accountabilities of any committees which are established shall be determined by the President.
B. Co-chairpersons of any standing committee shall be appointed by the President.
C. Each committee shall consist of co-chairs and at least two (2) members either chosen by the co-chairs or who have volunteered to be on that committee.
D. Standing committees may include, but are not limited to, the following: membership, technology, and outreach.
E. Active members are encouraged to participate in one or more committee.
F. The president may appoint ad hoc committees as needed.
See the Bylaws for a description of UBS standing committees.
Article VII – Expenditures
Section 1 – EXPENDITURES
A. This organization, through its Executive Board, shall control the expenditure of funds, except that the Treasurer shall have the authority to meet obligations that are routine.
B. All negotiations shall be under the direct supervision of the Executive Board and shall be brought before the General Assembly. In extreme emergencies the Executive Board may act and must report, at the next regular business meeting of the General Assembly, the cause of the action and details of the action taken.
C. The United Blind of Seattle will pay the expenses of the President, or his/her designee, for meetings he/she is expected or requested to attend which are not otherwise compensated, provided there are adequate funds in the treasury. Such meetings must relate directly to blindness and/or the goals and purpose of this organization. Expenses to be paid are meals, lodging and transportation. Expenses for alcohol or general entertainment will not be funded.
D. Any expenditures, except those that are routine, shall be referred to the Executive Board for a recommendation to the General Assembly.
Article VIII – Disbursement of Funds
Section 1 – DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
A. The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President. The signatures of the President and the Treasurer shall be on record with the banks or other financial institutions. Any change in the status of the organization’s funds or assets, such as changing banks, investment strategies or dissolution, must be approved by the board and require the signature approval of both the President and the Treasurer at the appropriate institutions.
B. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check issued on order by the President and signed by the Treasurer. In the event of dissolution, all assets of this organization shall be given to an organization with similar purposes which has received a Section 501(c)3 certification by the Internal Revenue Service.
Article IX – Amendments
This constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted in writing and read at a previous regular business session. The UBS bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of a simple majority of the members present and voting provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted in writing and read at a previous regular business session.