Middlesex County Association of the Blind - By-Laws

         Logo of the Middlesex County Association of the Blind. A stylized eye drawing on the left with 'Middlesex County Association of the Blind' captioned under the eye. On the right, a woman wearing a grey turtle neck shirt and dark blue jeans is walking on a gravel trail in a wooded area using a white cane.

The Middlesex County Association of the Blind Articles of Incorporation

The Articles of Incorporation of The Middlesex County Association of the Blind, a not for profit Corporation. Articles of incorporation of the undersigned of the majority of citizens of the United States desiring to form a not for profit Corporation, under the not for profit Corporation law of the State of New Jersey 15. 18-20 New Jersey Domestic and Corporation Act do hereby certify on the Certificate of Incorporation affixed to this document Middlesex County Association of the Blind, Inc. shall be referred to as the Corporation throughout this document.

ARTICLE I - NAME

This organization shall be known as The Middlesex County Association of the Blind

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding future section of any tax code.

The Corporation is to strive for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired (blind) community.

  1. By providing a forum for the views of the blind from the entire state and from all walks of life.
  2. By elevating the social, economic and cultural level of the blind.
  3. By improving educational and rehabilitation in the community.
  4. By broadening vocational opportunities.
  5. By encouraging and assisting the blind, especially the newly blind, to develop their abilities and potentialities and to assume their responsible place in the community.
  6. By cooperating with the public and private institutions and agencies of and for the blind.
  7. By providing for the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information relative to matters of concern to blind people.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1-Eligibility.

  1. To be eligible for membership in the Corporation an individual must, at the time of his or her application, be blind or visually impaired.
  2. Must be 21 years of age or older.
  3. Must attend 1 annual business meeting, 1 regular meeting and 1 social event during a calendar year.
  4. A sighted person may become an associate member of the corporation provided they.
    1. Strive for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired in the community.
    2. Are 21 years of age or older
    3. Attend 1 annual business meeting, 1 regular meeting and 1 social event. during a calendar year.

Section 2 - Resignation.

Resignation of any member shall be in writing.

Section 3 - Suspension and Expulsion.

A member can be suspended or expelled from the corporation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Assembly after a formal hearing.

Section 4 - Voting.

Each member and associate member in the corporation shall have 1 vote.
Voting shall be determined by polling or secret ballot.
In the event of a tie the President shall cast the deciding vote.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

Section 1 - Number of meetings.

There shall be at least three meetings per year, one of which shall be designated as The Annual business Meeting when election of officers shall be held. There shall be at least three social events during a calendar year.Times and places for these and other meetings may be fixed by the Executive Committee hereinafter created. 2/3 of the general assembly may request the executive committee to have a special meeting when deemed necessary. Members shall be notified at least 21 days in advance of all Corporation meetings.

Section 2 – Quorum.

A quorum shall consist of a majority of members in good standing plus 50 percent of the Executive Committee.

Section 3 - Procedural Rules.

The meetings of the Corporation and its committees shall be governed by these by-laws. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised will govern any issue not addressed in these by-laws.

ARTICLE V- FINANCE

Section 1 – Dues.

If necessary dues shall be paid by the members at a fixed amount per member as determined by the Executive Committee, at their discretion.

Section 2 - Payment of dues.

Dues shall be payable at or before the Annual Meeting.

Section 3 - Failure to pay dues.

Any member in arrears in dues shall be considered a member not in good standing.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1 - Election of Officers

The officers shall be elected at the even numbered year at the annual meeting by a majority of the General Assembly present and shall be as follows. President, a Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. A Nominating Committee shall propose a slate of officers. Nominations may be made from the floor at that meeting. Voting shall be conducted by popular vote. The officers will serve a two year term and shall begin on January 1 of the next year. All responsibilities of the officers leaving office should be completed before the new officer takes over.

Section 2 - Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Corporation, and three legally blind members appointed by the incoming President. Standing committee chairpersons shall be ex officio/non voting/ members of the executive committee.

Section 3 - Vacancies

If a vacancy should occur between elections of officers in any positions on the Executive Committee, except in the offices of President or Vice-President, the Executive Committee, in conformity with the requirements for holding office contained herein may, by majority vote, elect an individual to serve in the position until the next election. If a vacancy should occur during the term of office of the President ,the Vice-President shall succeed to the higher office and shall serve for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1 - President

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation; he/she shall preside at all meetings, shall be Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and appoint all committees. The President shall make up an agenda for the meetings, and a upcoming calendar of meetings and events for the next year starting January 1. The President shall be legally blind.

Section 2 - Vice-President

The Vice-President shall assume all of the duties of the President when he/she is unable for any reason to fulfill them. This person shall be legally blind.

Section 3- Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for receiving and sending all correspondence carried on in the name of the Corporation. He/she shall maintain custody of all said correspondence. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all meetings of the Assembly and Executive Committee. He/she shall have custody of all minutes and correspondence of the Corporation.

Section 4 - Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing the funds of the Corporation, subject to the supervision of the Executive Committee and in line with the general policies of the Corporation, as set forth by the General Assembly. Such funds are to be deposited in a bank approved by the Executive Committee, and easily accessible by the Treasurer or the President. He/she shall have custody of all financial and corporate records of the Corporation.

Section 5 - The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall meet regularly and report on such meetings to the Assembly; make up a yearly calendar of meetings and social events; gather information on matters pertaining to the work and interests of the Corporation and make such information available to the members; call meetings of the Assembly when needed or duly requested; review the books of the Treasurer periodically and supervise the disbursing of funds; recommend fund raising activities; supervise the handling and maintenance of all properties and assets of the Corporation; carry out the wishes of the Assembly; represent the Corporation and carry on its functions between meetings of the Assembly, subject to the known general policies of the Corporation as set forth by the Assembly. 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. The Corporation shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered consistent with Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) purposes. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Corporation shall not participate in the publishing, or distribution thereof, and the Corporation shall not participate or intervene in the publication and the distribution of statements of any political campaign on behalf of on any position of any candidate for public office. Not withstanding any other provisions of these articles the corporation shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding to any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE VIII - DISSOLUTION

If at any time the Corporation shall disband, it shall be decided by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the total membership. Upon dissolution of the Corporation the assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to charitable purposes or corresponding to any future federal tax code or shall be distributed to the federal, state or local government for a public purpose.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed at any meeting of the General Assembly and shall there after be submitted in writing to the members for consideration. A two-thirds (2/3) favorable vote at the next regular meeting shall be required for passage of an amendment.

We the undersigned certify that this document was approved with an effective date of DECEMBER 10, 2016.

WILLIAM WRIGHT IV, President Date.

DIANNE CHMIELEWSKI, Secretary Date.