MISSOURI COUNCIL OF THE BLIND BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES
Amended October 7, 2023
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Table of Contents
Bylaws
Standing Rules
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME:
The name of this organization shall be the Missouri Council of the Blind, hereinafter referred to as MCB. It is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation. MCB is also a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE:
The purpose of MCB shall be to promote the general well-being of our members and legally blind people in Missouri, and to support or participate in other programs promoting the best interests of legally blind people everywhere.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP:
Section 1. Members of Regular Affiliates and Special Interest Affiliates:
Members shall be eighteen years of age or over, shall be residents of Missouri and shall belong to a regular affiliate, a special interest affiliate or be a member at large as set forth in Section 2 Member at Large. All members shall have the right to vote, speak on the floor at conventions, serve on committees, and if qualified, hold office.
Section 2. Member at Large:
Any resident of Missouri, eighteen years of age or over, who is not a member of a regular or special interest affiliate may apply for membership at large. An application, accompanied by dues, shall be sent to the executive director. The membership committee shall vote on all applications. If an application is not approved, it may be submitted first to the board of directors and then if it is still denied, it may be submitted to the general assembly at the next annual convention. An application submitted to the convention shall be signed by at least five members in good standing. A two-thirds vote of the members present and voting shall be necessary to approve the application.
Section 3. Junior Members of Affiliates:
Any resident of Missouri, who is ten through seventeen years of age, may apply for junior membership in a regular or special interest affiliate. Junior members may speak at meetings and serve on committees.
Section 4. Good Standing:
MCB members in good standing are those who have paid their dues and whose rights as members are not under suspension because of disciplinary proceedings. Only members in good standing may be elected or appointed to a position, serve on the board or a committee, and participate in all the benefits and privileges of membership.
Section 5. Disciplinary Procedure:
MCB members shall not engage in conduct injurious to MCB or its purpose, bring disrespect to MCB, or willfully violate these bylaws. The board shall adjudicate allegations of misconduct. Any board member who is the subject of a misconduct allegation must recuse him/herself from all deliberations and voting regarding that allegation. The member shall be given reasonable notice and the right to be heard in accordance with the statutes of Missouri. If the member is found responsible for the allegations, the board shall impose disciplinary action against the member which may include censure, probation with corrective terms, suspension, or expulsion. The vote to suspend or expel a member requires a two-thirds vote of the board members present. The decision of the board shall be final.
Section 6. Termination of Membership:
Memberships may be terminated:
A. by resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from MCB upon written notice to the president or secretary.
B. by lapsing. Membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid after September 1 of each year. The board may grant a 30-day extension in extenuating circumstances.
C. by moving from the area. Membership shall be terminated when a member moves his/her permanent residency out of the state of Missouri.
D. by expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as a result of disciplinary procedures.
Section 7. ACB Convention Grants:
Any member of MCB, who is not a junior member, may receive one grant to the ACB convention when such grants are authorized by the board of directors. To be eligible for a grant, the member must have joined a regular or special interest affiliate or become a member at large by February 1 of the calendar year in which the grant is offered. The grant shall be payable to members after they attend the ACB convention. Members shall attend all daytime general sessions. The MCB president, or president's designee, shall be informed as soon as possible if someone is at the convention but unable to attend a session.
ARTICLE IV. AFFILIATES:
Section 1. Types of Affiliates:
MCB shall have regular affiliates and special interest affiliates. A regular affiliate shall be an organization having an interest in all matters pertaining to MCB and will generally consist of members from a particular area of the state. A special interest affiliate shall be an organization whose members have an interest in a particular subject area and will generally draw its members from throughout the state. A member of MCB is limited to membership in one regular affiliate, but members of regular affiliates may belong to any number of special interest affiliates.
Section 2. Regular Affiliates:
A. A regular affiliate shall have at least ten members, a majority of whom are legally blind, including the president and vice president.
Section 3. Special Interest Affiliates:
A. A special interest affiliate shall have at least fifteen members, a majority of whom are legally blind, including the president and vice president.
B. If a new special interest organization of the blind seeks affiliation, it shall not be chartered if there is an existing special interest affiliate with the same purpose.
Section 4. New Affiliate Application:
In order to become a new affiliate, the organization shall apply for membership at least thirty days prior to the next annual convention by submitting a copy of its constitution and/or bylaws, the names, addresses, and phone numbers of its members and elected officers, and one year's dues to the office. The application shall then be voted on at the convention, with a majority needed for approval. If the application for membership is approved, the MCB president shall issue a charter of membership to the new affiliate.
Section 5. Affiliate Information Updates:
A. By February 1 of each year, each affiliate shall provide the office with a list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, visual status, and preferred reading format of its current members and elected officers for updating the ACB membership list. By September 1 of each year, each affiliate shall provide the office with the names, addresses, phone numbers, visual status, and preferred reading format of its members and elected officers for updating the MCB membership list for voting at the MCB convention.
B. Affiliates shall send any amendments or revisions to their constitution or bylaws to the office within ninety days after they have been adopted.
Section 6. Affiliate Retention:
If a regular or special interest affiliate president believes their affiliate may not meet minimum membership requirements on September 1, the office may be contacted to request assistance from the mentorship committee. If an affiliate does not meet the required minimum membership number on September 1, the MCB board shall determine whether the affiliate must disband, or the mentorship committee shall work with the affiliate to increase membership.
Section 7. Affiliate Disciplinary Action:
The MCB board, after reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard, may discipline an affiliate for any good and sufficient cause. If the affiliate is found responsible for the allegations, the board shall impose disciplinary action against the affiliate which may include censure, probation with corrective terms, suspension, or expulsion. The vote to suspend or expel an affiliate requires a two-thirds vote of the board members present. The decision of the board shall be final.
ARTICLE V. DUES:
Section 1. Affiliate Dues:
Each Affiliate shall pay annual dues as determined by the members in convention assembled. Dues, with a current list of names, addresses, phone numbers, visual statuses, and preferred reading formats of members shall be sent to the office by September 1. Members of affiliates whose dues are not paid by September 1 shall not be entitled to vote at the annual convention.
Section 2. Member at Large Dues:
Members at large shall pay annual dues as determined by the members in convention assembled, which shall be sent to the office by September 1. Members at large whose dues are not paid by September 1 will not be entitled to vote at a convention.
ARTICLE VI. FINANCES:
Section 1. Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year shall be from November 1 through October 31.
Section 2. Banking Procedures:
The funds of MCB shall be deposited in a bank or banks decided upon by the president and the treasurer, with the approval of the board of directors. They shall also designate the purpose of each account. The treasurer and all other persons handling money shall be bonded within thirty days of being elected or appointed.
Section 3. Treasurer's Responsibilities:
The treasurer shall be responsible for the payment of all invoices by check, written on the general funds account, when authorized by the president or executive director.
Section 4. Reimbursement Policies:
Members of the board of directors, employees, and committee members shall be entitled to reasonable expenses, as determined by the board of directors, for attending regular or special meetings or for any assignment directed by the president or the board of directors. A written expense form, with receipts if possible, shall accompany all claims for reimbursement. Expense forms shall be sent to the executive director for approval and sent to the treasurer for payment. The form shall be sent to the president if the executive director is not available. If an expense form is not properly completed, it shall be returned to the member. However, the executive director shall not disapprove any properly prepared expense form where the expenditure has been authorized by the president or the board of directors.
Section 5. Investment Funds:
Any disbursement of the investment funds except by the designated stockbroker and its agents, or any bank holding the investments, shall require in writing, a request signed by two of three authorized signatures. The authorized officers are president, vice president, and the treasurer. Sample signatures from each named officer will be presented to the stockbroker upon election or appointment for comparison when any transaction is made.
ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS:
Section 1. Officers:
The officers of MCB shall be a president, vice president, recording secretary, and treasurer. All officers shall be legally blind except the treasurer who may be sighted. The executive committee shall consist of the officers.
Section 2. Term of Office:
Members of the board of directors shall assume their duties on November 1, following their election. Outgoing officers shall surrender all equipment, documents, and files to their successors no later than December 1.
Section 3. Duties of Officers:
Officers shall perform the duties prescribed for the office in these bylaws, in the adopted parliamentary authority, and as directed by the board of directors. The president shall attend the national convention of the American Council of the Blind.
Section 4. Vacancies:
In the event of the resignation, removal, incapacity, or death of the president, the vice president shall complete the unexpired term. All other vacancies on the board of directors, except that of affiliate representatives, shall be filled by the president, with the approval of the board of directors, until the next convention.
Section 5. Qualifications for Office:
To qualify as a candidate or serve for an elected position, any person must be a member in good standing of MCB for at least the last two years and have attended at least one convention.
ARTICLE VIII. ELECTIONS:
Section 1. Term of Office:
Each officer, director, and the public relations chair shall be elected to serve a two-year term or until their successors are elected and shall not be elected to the same office for more than two consecutive terms (not including unexpired terms).
Section 2. Time of Election:
The president, vice president, and recording secretary shall be elected in the even-numbered years. The treasurer, the three directors, and the public relations chair shall be elected in the odd-numbered years.
Section 3. Voting for Officers:
Voting for officers shall be by secret ballot unless a candidate is unopposed. When more than two candidates are nominated for an office and a majority is not achieved on the first ballot, only the two candidates with the highest valid votes shall be considered on the second ballot. A majority valid vote is required for election.
ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS:
Section 1. Convention:
MCB shall hold an annual convention in October at a place and date determined by the majority vote of the members. At each annual convention, affiliates may present proposals offering to host future conventions. The members shall decide by a majority vote where the convention will be held. If no affiliate offers to host the convention, the convention committee shall select a site for the next convention. In this event, the local affiliate in the city selected shall have no responsibility for conducting or arranging the convention.
In the event where conditions are indicative of the undesirability of holding a regularly scheduled annual convention in a location selected either by the members or the convention committee, the board of directors may decide to cancel a hotel contract and select a new hotel, or postpone or cancel a convention, or may decide to conduct the convention via an electronic platform that allows for all members in attendance to hear each other simultaneously. All members shall be notified of the decision in a manner determined by the board of directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings:
Special meetings may be called at any time by the president, or shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the board of directors or a majority of the affiliates. Copies of the motions or resolutions adopted by the affiliates requesting a special meeting shall accompany the request for a special meeting. Members shall be notified of the special meeting at least ten days (not including Sundays or Holidays) prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 3. Voting Body:
The voting body of a convention or a special meeting shall be those members in good standing and registered for the convention or special meeting. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
Section 4. Quorum:
A majority of members registered shall be present to constitute a quorum for conducting business at a convention or special meeting.
ARTICLE X. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Section 1. Composition:
All officers, directors, the public relations chair, and affiliate representatives shall constitute the board of directors. A husband and wife may not serve on the board of directors simultaneously.
Section 2. Directors at Large:
Three legally blind members shall be elected by the convention to serve as directors on the board of directors.
Section 3. Public Relations Chair:
A public relations chair shall be elected by the convention to serve on the board of directors. He/she shall have the responsibility of developing projects to promote the purpose of MCB. The public relations chair shall be legally blind.
Section 4. Affiliate Representation:
A. Each regular affiliate shall have representation on the board of directors. When an affiliate is not already represented by one of the elected officers, the public relations chair, or one of the three elected directors, the affiliate shall elect one of its legally blind members to serve as its representative for a two-year term. This representative shall be elected for no more than two consecutive terms (not including unexpired terms). This election shall take place at the first affiliate meeting following the MCB convention. Any person, serving as the representative of one affiliate, shall not be eligible to serve as the representative of another affiliate for at least two years. If the MCB president is the only representative of an affiliate, a representative shall be elected by that affiliate so that the affiliate will have a vote on the board of directors.
B. If a regular affiliate's board representative is unavailable the affiliate president may appoint a legally blind member of the affiliate to observe that meeting. The MCB president and the office shall be notified.
Section 5. Duties of the Board of Directors:
A. The board of directors shall have the power to transact all of the business of the organization between conventions. In order to promote harmony, inasmuch as possible, the board shall attempt to seek out and consider the wishes of the membership before reaching decisions. The board of directors shall also be fiscally responsible for all expenditures of funds. Affiliate representatives shall be expected to make reports of board of directors meetings to their affiliates so that members will be kept informed of actions taken by the board of directors. If there is no affiliate representative in attendance at a board meeting, the office shall send the minutes to that affiliate's president.
B. The board of directors shall have the authority to revise guidelines to programs administered by committees. Such guidelines may also be amended by a majority of the members present and voting at conventions.
Section 6. Meetings:
The board of directors shall meet at least twice each year in addition to meetings held during the convention. It may also meet at any time upon the call of the president, or upon a written request of the majority of the board members. The board of directors may meet via telephone conference call, but polling of board members, whether by mail or by phone, shall not be used for transacting business.
Section 7. Quorum:
A majority of the whole board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at board of directors meetings.
ARTICLE XI. COMMITTEES:
Section 1. Appointment of Committee Chairs:
Committee chairs shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the board of directors, unless otherwise stated in the bylaws. The president shall appoint other standing or special committees, with the approval of the board of directors, which are deemed necessary to carry out the work of MCB. The president shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
Section 2. Adaptive Technology Grants Committee:
There shall be an adaptive technology grants committee. This committee shall review applications from persons applying for grants under the adaptive technology grants program.
Section 3. Building Committee:
There shall be a building committee consisting of the president, the executive director, and three other members appointed by the president. The purpose of the committee shall be maintenance and upkeep of the MCB building.
Section 4. Budget and Finance Committee:
There shall be a budget and finance committee consisting of the treasurer, who shall serve as chair, the executive director, and two other members appointed by the president. The members of the budget and finance committee may be sighted or blind. This committee shall prepare an annual budget to be presented to the board of directors for its approval. The budget shall then be presented to the convention. Recommended changes to the budget made at the convention shall be sent back to the board of directors for consideration and final action. The committee shall also arrange for an annual audit by a Certified Public Accountant and shall furnish the convention with a financial report covering the fiscal year. Annually, the committee shall recommend to the board a strategic financial plan for the investment of MCB's assets.
Section 5. Bylaws and Resolutions Committee:
A. There shall be a bylaws and resolutions committee composed of
1. a chair who shall be appointed by the president, and shall be legally blind, and
2. a member from each regular affiliate who may be either sighted or blind.
B. Amendments to the bylaws and resolutions to be presented to the convention shall be submitted to the bylaws and resolutions committee chair no later than July 15 along with supporting documentation from
1. the names of two members, or
2. an MCB committee, or
3. a regular affiliate, or
4. a special interest affiliate.
C. The bylaws and resolutions committee shall hold an open meeting immediately prior to the opening of the convention for the discussion of amendments and resolutions.
D. Amendments and resolutions shall be presented to the convention for discussion and voting with a recommendation from the bylaws and resolutions committee.
Section 6. Convention Committee:
There shall be a convention committee consisting of at least the committee chair (appointed by the president), the president, the executive director, the public relations chair, and a representative from each host affiliate for the upcoming convention. This committee shall work with the host affiliate(s) to arrange for conducting the convention according to the convention guidelines.
Section 7. Education and Advocacy Committee:
There shall be an education and advocacy committee to keep the membership informed of pending legislation affecting legally blind persons. The committee shall be comprised of a legally blind delegate from each regular affiliate, elected by the affiliate, in the odd-numbered years and for a two-year term. The chair shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the board of directors.
Section 8. Membership Committee:
There shall be a membership committee consisting of a chair and two other members to be appointed by the president. This committee shall strive to increase the membership of the organization.
Section 9. Office Personnel Committee:
There shall be an office personnel committee consisting of a committee chair and two additional members appointed by the president with the approval of the board of directors. The majority of the committee members shall be legally blind. Functions of the office personnel committee include drafting and/or revising personnel policies for board approval, making recommendations to the board for job descriptions, salary structure, benefits package, and annually reviewing staff salaries, acting as a grievance board for employee complaints, and developing and conducting the executive director’s yearly evaluation with the president as presiding officer.
Section 10. Scholarship Committee:
There shall be a scholarship committee, which shall administer the scholarship program.
Section 11. Special Services Committee:
There shall be a special services committee, which shall administer the special services program.
Section 12. Summer Camp Committee:
There shall be a summer camp committee, which shall review applications and determine eligibility for attending summer camp. The committee shall assign cabins and approve any other summer camp activities.
Section 13. Youth Services Committee:
There shall be a youth services committee, which shall sponsor programs and activities focusing on blind youth.
Section 14. Mentorship Committee:
There shall be a mentorship committee, which shall assist affiliates in danger of losing their MCB affiliation due to not meeting minimum membership requirements.
ARTICLE XII. HEADQUARTERS AND EMPLOYEES:
Section 1. Duties of Executive Director:
A. An executive director may be hired by the president with the approval of two-thirds of the board of directors. A two-thirds vote of the board of directors shall also be necessary to dismiss the executive director. If there is no executive director, the president shall assume the executive director's duties.
B. The executive director shall attend all meetings of the board of directors and all MCB state conventions as well as the national convention of the American Council of the Blind. The executive director shall give reports at board of directors meetings and state conventions.
C. The executive director shall hire office staff, as authorized by the board of directors. Remuneration for all employees shall be determined by the board of directors.
D. The executive director shall draw up a proposed annual budget covering expenses for the office, which shall be presented to the budget and finance committee and approved by the board of directors.
Section 2. Professional Personnel:
The president with the approval of two-thirds of the board of directors may engage the services of professional personnel, such as but not limited to, attorneys or accountants. A two-thirds vote of the board of directors is required to dismiss professional personnel.
ARTICLE XIII. PUBLICATIONS:
MCB shall publish a magazine, which shall be distributed, free of charge to members and any other persons requesting it. The president, with the approval of the board of directors, shall appoint an editor, who shall publish the magazine according to an editorial policy established by the board of directors. The editor shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses upon submitting written expense forms with receipts, if possible, to the office.
ARTICLE XIV. INDEMNIFICATION:
The directors, representatives, officers, and employees of the Missouri Council of the Blind shall be indemnified for any costs, expenses, or liabilities incurred as a result of the performance of their duties as provided in the Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 351.355, or any amendments thereto.
ARTICLE XV. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY:
The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of MCB in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any other rules that MCB may adopt. Any situation not covered by these bylaws shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised. The parliamentary authority of MCB shall be adopted by each affiliate.
ARTICLE XVI. AMENDMENT:
Section 1. Amending Articles I and II:
Article I and Article II of these bylaws may be amended only upon amendment of the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 2. Amendment of Bylaws:
A. These bylaws may be amended at the annual convention by a two-thirds vote of the members, present and voting, provided that:
1. amendments have been sent to the bylaws and resolutions committee chair no later than July 15 along with supporting documentation from
a. the names of two members, or
b. an MCB committee, or
c. a regular affiliate, or
d. a special interest affiliate.
2. and the bylaws and resolutions committee chair has sent properly prepared amendments and resolutions to the office by August 1 for circulation to each member in the format of his or her choice by August 20.
3. Amendments will be read and discussed at the bylaws and resolutions committee meeting prior to being presented to the convention for discussion and voting with a recommendation from the bylaws and resolutions committee.
Section 3. Revision of Bylaws:
These bylaws may be revised only upon authorization by the convention.
Section 4. Amending Standing Rules:
The standing rules may be amended at the annual convention by a majority vote of the members, present and voting, provided that the amendment has been sent to the bylaws and resolutions committee chair no later than July 15 and the bylaws and resolutions committee chair has sent properly prepared amendments to the MCB office by August 1 for circulation to each member in the format of his or her choice by August 20. Amendments to the standing rules received after the July 15 deadline may be adopted by the convention body by a 2/3 vote.
STANDING RULES
STANDING RULE 85-02:
Copies of the treasurer's and the auditor's reports shall be made available to the executive board, the affiliates, and to any MCB member who desires them as soon as possible after November 1.
Adopted October 13, 1985
STANDING RULE 87-05:
MCB shall procure the services of a registered, certified, non-partisan parliamentarian to serve at all conventions.
Adopted October 10, 1987
STANDING RULE 91-07:
The president is authorized to visit each affiliate once each term. During these visits, the president shall give the affiliate an up-to-date report on all MCB activities.
Adopted October 12, 1991
STANDING RULE 94-01:
Convention banquets shall be full service banquets rather than buffet style.
Adopted October 15, 1994
STANDING RULE 96-01:
MCB shall instruct all who plan conventions to have the conventions in hotels that meet all ADA requirements.
Adopted October 13, 1996
STANDING RULE 2005-01:
All ongoing resolutions and motions past, present, and future shall be considered standing rules. All standing rules available shall be dated and inserted at the end of the bylaws.
Adopted October 15, 2005
STANDING RULE 2015-01:
MCB directs its board and staff to stream board meetings, and the convention, when possible.
Adopted October 3, 2015
Standing Rule 2016-01:
The bylaws and resolutions committee chair shall be authorized to correct article and section designations, punctuation, and cross-references and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the intent of this organization.
Adopted October 8, 2016
Standing Rule 2016-02
Each regular affiliate president shall notify the office of the name and contact information for the affiliate’s bylaws and resolutions committee member immediately after appointment--no later than September 1. If the designated committee member must be changed after September 1, the office shall be notified no later than two weeks before the opening of the convention. A committee member substitution may be allowed after that time at the discretion of the MCB president.
Adopted October 8, 2016
Standing Rule 2022-01
A. Any individual or organization wishing to request disbursement of funds greater than one hundred dollars not already appropriated in the current budget shall:
1. provide a written request to the appropriate committee at least fifteen days prior to the next board meeting to be presented to the board with the committee’s recommendation, and
2. provide details for how the funds will be used including:
A. intended purpose, and
B. how this funding will help MCB fulfill its mission.
C. Receipts shall be submitted to the office where appropriate.
Adopted October 8, 2022