ADOPTED: MAY 3, 1975

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the blind of the State of South Dakota and the nation and to cooperate with the National Federation of the Blind in its various activities.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section One. Active Members

At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind. Active membership shall be of two classifications: active members who are affiliated with local chapters, and active members who are not affiliated with a local chapter.

1. All active members of local chapters shall automatically become active members of this organization, with the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.
2. Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter may become an active member of this organization by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at a convention or by action of the board of directors.

Section Two. Associate Members

Any person may be elected to associate membership in this organization either by the convention or the board of directors. Associate members shall have all the rights and privileges of active members, except that they may not vote, hold office, or serve on the board of directors. Associate members shall not pay dues.

Section Three. Disciplinary Actions

Any member may be expelled for misconduct or neglect of duty by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present and voting at any regular business session of the organization.

ARTICLE IV. LOCAL CHAPTERS

Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the president of the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota a copy of its constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. When the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota, either in convention assembled or by action of its board of directors shall have approved the application, it shall issue to the local chapter a certificate of acceptance. Annually, on or before January 1, each local chapter shall provide to the secretary of the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota a current list of its members and their addresses. At the same time, each local treasurer shall forward to the State treasurer the State dues for each member in the chapter. As new members enter local chapters, their names and addresses shall be sent without delay to the secretary of the State organization and their State dues shall be sent without delay to the treasurer of the state organization. No group shall be accepted as a chapter and no group shall remain a chapter unless at least a majority of its voting members are blind. The president, the vice-president (or vice-presidents) and at least a majority of the executive committee or board of directors of the local chapter must be blind. The president of the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota shall be an ex officio member of each local chapter.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

There shall be elected at the regular annual convention during each even numbered year, a president, a first vice-president, a second vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention at which they are elected and qualified. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members who are present and voting. There shall be no proxy voting. If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first ballot, 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 has received a majority vote from the active members present and voting. The president and vice-presidents must be blind. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with his offices.

ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the five constitutional officers and two additional members, one of who shall be elected for a two-year term at the annual convention during even numbered years and one of whom shall be elected for a two-year term at the annual convention during odd numbered years. At the meeting at which this constitution is adopted, one of the two directors shall be elected for a one-year term and the remaining director shall be elected for a two-year term. The two directors 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 of the board members. The board shall advise the president and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between conventions. At least four members of the board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The board may be polled by telephone or mail ballot on any question.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

Section One. Annual Conventions

This organization shall hold an annual convention, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the membership or, if this is not possible, by the board of directors. At least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual convention.

Section Two. Special Meeting

The president of the organization may call a special meeting of the body at any time he, or a majority of the board of directors, deems such action to be necessary, but at such special meeting at least fifteen active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business and written notice must have been sent to the membership at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES

The president may appoint such committees as he or the organization deems necessary.

ARTICLE IX. AFFILIATION

The National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind annually, on or before January 1, a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. A copy of the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota and of all amendments to the constitution shall also be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE X. DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CONVENTION

The organization shall elect each year at least one delegate and at least one alternate delegate to attend the Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. No person shall be elected as delegate or alternate delegate unless he is an active member in good standing. To the extent of the resources of the organization, the expenses of delegates and alternate delegates to Conventions of the National Federation of the Blind shall be paid.

ARTICLE XI. DUES

The dues of the organization shall be $2.00 per year payable advance. In accordance with Article IV of the constitution, local chapters shall pay the State dues of their members. Members who are not affiliated with a local chapter shall pay their dues before or during the time of the annual convention. A lifetime membership may be secured for a fee of $100.00. No person may vote who is delinquent in the payment of his dues.

ARTICLE XII. 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. The treasurer shall be bonded. All financial obligations of the organization shall be discharged by check issued on written order of the president, and signed by the treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution, all assets of the organization shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind.

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and voting provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and read at a previous business session.