Blind LGBT Pride International
Constitution and Bylaws
As Amended By the Membership of Blind LGBT Pride International at Los Vegas on July 14, 2014
(see further history below)
*A0 Constitution
*A1 Article 1 Name
1. ARTICLE 1
1.0 NAME:
The name of this organization shall be Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) known
as Blind Pride.
The name “Blind LGBT Pride International” shall not be used by any person or organization
without the expressed written consent of the President and/or the Board of Directors
of BPI.
*A2 Article 2 Purpose
2. Article II
2.0 Purpose
The purpose of Blind LGBT Pride is to offer advocacy, education, programs, alliances,and support for persons who are either blind or vision impaired and who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
*A3 Article 3 Affiliation
3. ARTICLE III
3.0 AFFILIATION:
3.1. Affiliation with ACB
Blind LGBT Pride is organized and chartered as an affiliate of the American Council
of the Blind. As an affiliate, Blind LGBT Pride and each of its members and affiliates
individually, are bound by the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Council of
the Blind.
3.2. Affiliation with Blind LGBT Pride
3.2.1. Blind LGBT Pride may grant recognition to any organization that seeks affiliation
with Blind LGBT Pride at the Annual Convention of Blind LGBT Pride by majority vote,
provided such organizations affirm the constitutional purposes of Blind LGBT Pride
and that such organizations adhere to the Constitution and Bylaws of Blind LGBT Pride;
And meet the following criteria:
Any organization having at least seven (7) voting members, the majority of whom are
vision impaired or blind, may apply for affiliate status with BPI by the submission
of its Constitution and Bylaws, as well as dues and membership lists as set forth
in the Bylaws of BPI.
3.2.2. Each member of an affiliate Shall be a member of Blind LGBT Pride.
3.2.3. A majority of members of such affiliate must be legally blind as defined by the
Internal Revenue Service.
3.2.4. The Board of Directors may grant provisional affiliation to an affiliate between
conventions, but such grant must be ratified by a majority of members present and
voting at the convention immediately following such action.
3.2.5. The Board of Directors may suspend the charter of an affiliate for cause, but
such action must be affirmed by a majority of members present and voting at the convention
immediately following such action.
3.2.6. Each affiliate shall name a representative to attend board meetings, but such
representative shall not vote
*A4 Article 4 MMeetings
4. Article 4
4.0. MEETINGS:
4.1. Annual Convention
4.1.1. A regular General meeting of this organization shall be held once a
year to be known as the ANNUAL CONVENTION.
4.1.2. A MAJORITY of all votes of voting members in good standing
at the CONVENTION shall constitute a QUORUM to do business.
4.2. Teleconference Meetings;
Regular or Special General Meetings of the membership may be
conducted between Annual Conventions using telephonic
and other electronic communication methods.
4.2.1. Regular General Membership Meetings.
4.2.1.1. One or more Meetings of the Membershipp may be scheduled on
a regular basis as provided for in the by-laws.
4.2.1.2. A regular General Membership Meeting may conduct any normal
business not specifically spelled out in this Constitution and By-laws
as related to the Annual Convention.
4.2.1.3. Notification of Regular General Membership Meetings shall be
given at least 21 days by notice in the Newsletter of the BPI.
and/or other electronic or telephonic means.
4.2.1.4. At least 15 Members or 10percent of the total membership, whichever
is greater, must be present by teleconference to
constitute a quorum to conduct business.
4.2.2. Special Membership Meetings.
4.2.2.1. The Board of Directors or at least 10 members may call for an
emergency or special Teleconference meeting of the General
Membership to deal with any specific
urgent Business that needs to be handled outside of Regular General
Meetings of the Menbership.
4.2.2.2. Special Meetings may only deal with items defined in
the agenda of the call for the meeting.
4.2.2.3. Notification of Special Meetings must be given at least 2 weeks
prior to the Meeting. Such Notification shall be as
to include as many of the membership as
can be reasonably provided for by the call.
4.2.2.4. A quorum for a special Meeting must require the presence
at the teleconference of at least 20 members. or 15 percent of the total
membership, whichever is greater.
4.3. Monthly board meetings:
4.3.1. Between the General Meetings of the Membership the Board of
Directors shall meet on a monthly basis to conduct the business of
the organization as outlined in Article 7.
4.3.2. A quorum for conducting business shall be based on the number
of occupied board positions.
4.3.3. Regularly scheduled board meeting shall be open to the membership,
pursuant to published guidelines established by the Board.
4.4. Procedure:
In the absence of procedures contained herein or
in the Bylaws, all proceedings, of this organization shall be governed by
ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED.
*A5 Article 5 Membership, Voting, and Dues
5. ARTICLE 5
5.0. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING AND DUES
5.1. Membership
Any person at least 16 years of age who affirms the purposes of this organization
is eligible to become a member of Blind LGBT Pride providing she or he complies with
the provisions herein.
5.2. Classes of Members are as follows:
5.2.1. Voting member: Anyone over the age of sixteen who supports the mission of BPI.
5.2.2. Student Member: Anyone currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary educational
institution. Student member shall have full voting rights.
5.2.3. Life Member: Anyone over the age of sixteen who supports the mission of BPI. Life
Members shall have full voting rights.
5.2.4. Affiliated Member: any member who joins a recognized affiliate of BPI.
Affiliated Members are Voting members of BPI.
5.2.5. Associate Member: Any ally or friend who supports the mission of BPI. Associate members shall have full voting rights.
5.2.6. Supporting Member: Any individual or organization that supports the mission of
BPI. Supporting members do not have voting rights.
5.2.7. Honorary member: An individual or organization for whom BPI offers special recognition.
Honorary members do not have voting rights.
5.3. Dues
Members shall remit dues in accordance with the Bylaws herein contained.
Dues are considered donations to the BPI as a non-profit organization and therefore are non-refundable.
5.4. Voting
5.4.1. Each Individual who is deemed to be a member in good standing shall be entitled to 1 vote.
5.4.2. An affiliate shall be entitled to 1 vote for each 7 members on its
official role properly submitted to BPI
as prescribed in the ByLaws
5.4.3. When voting, the official representative for an affiliate of BPI shall cast his individual vote along with the vote(s) to which the affiliate is entitled.
5.5. ELECTRONIC VOTING
Each voting member and affiliate who will not be present at the Annual Convention
of Blind LGBT Pride and who opts to vote electronically, does so with the understanding
that they will not be able to cast a vote for a candidate running from the floor.
*A6 Article 6 Officers
6. ARTICLE 6
6.0. OFFICERS:
6.1. The Board expects of itself and its members ethical and businesslike conduct.
This commitment includes proper use of authority and appropriate decorum in group
and individual behavior when acting as Directors. Failure to do so will subject a
Board Member to disciplinary actions contained in Section 6.8. Board
Members are expected to attend all board meetings. Failure to attend three consecutive
board meetings may result in disciplinary action as delineated in Section 6.8.
6.2. The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, a Vice-President,
, Secretary, a Treasurer, the Immediate Past President and Four
At-Large Board Members.
6.3. These officers together constitute the organization’s Board of Directors.
6.4. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall be legally blind.
6.5. The term of office of each officer shall be two years and shall begin at the
close of the Annual Convention at which he or she is elected. The positions of President,
Treasurer and two Board Members At Large are elected in even numbered
years and the positions of Vice President, Secretary and two Board Members At Large
are elected in odd numbered years.
6.6. Only a voting member of the organization may
be elected to office.
6.7. If a vacancy should occur between General meetings of the Membership in any position on the Board
of Directors, except the President, the Board of Directors, in conformity with the
requirements for holding office contained herein or in the Bylaws, may by a majority
vote elect an individual to serve in the position until the next General Meeting of the Membership,
at which time, if necessary, the membership shall elect a successor to serve for
the remainder of the term. If a vacancy should occur in the office of the President,
the Vice President shall succeed to that office and shall serve for the remainder
of the term.
6.8. Removal from office:
6.8.1. An officer may be removed from office for her or his failure to adhere to the
provisions of the Constitution or Bylaws.
6.8.2. The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote of those present, may vote to initiate
disciplinary actions in the form of a suspension hearing.
6.8.3. The Board of Directors may vote for an officer’s suspension only after the officer
for whom suspension is contemplated has been given twenty-one days’ notice at his
or her postal address of record in a pre-determined format which is accessible to
that individual or at an email address that had been given by that individual as
the preferred location to contact her or him. The notice shall contain reason(s)
for the hearing and its date and time.
6.8.4. A quorum for a meeting to suspend an officer shall be five Board Members and
the vote to suspend must be a two-thirds vote of those board members present.
6.8.5. The officer against whom suspension is contemplated may not cast a vote.
6.8.6. If the board votes to provisionally suspend an officer, a two-thirds vote by
Blind LGBT Pride members present at the next General Meeting shall be required to confirm
permanent removal from office.
6.8.7. A President so removed shall not serve as immediate past President.
*A7 ARTICLE 7 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE General Meetings of the Membership, AND OF THE
OFFICERS
7. ARTICLE 7
7.0 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE General Meetings of the Membership, AND OF THE
OFFICERS:
7.1. The General Meetings of The Membership of Blind LGBT Pride International
shall be the ultimate authority within this organization on all matters
except those matters delegated herein or in the Bylaws to the final authority
or discretion of the officers.
7.2. Officers of this organization shall perform the usual functions of their
offices as prescribed in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, unless
otherwise provided for herein or in the Bylaws.
7.3. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of this organization
between General Meetings of the Membership, provided that it shall make no
policy decisions and take no official action in conflict with existing
decisions or actions of the General Meetings of the
Membership.
7.4. Any voting member of this organization may make or second motions,
propose or second nominations, serve on committees, and are eligible for
election to office at any General membership meeting of this organization.
*A8 Article 8 Amendments
8. ARTICLE 8
8.0. AMENDMENTS:
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any General Meeting of the
Membership of this organization;
Constitutional amendments by a two- thirds vote and
Bylaw amendments by a simple majority vote of those present, either in person
or by electronic means, and voting.
*A9 Article 9 DISSOLUTION
9. ARTICLE 9
9.0. DISSOLUTION:
9.1. This organization may be dissolved only at an Annual Convention by a four/fifths
vote of the members present and voting.
9.2. Any assets held by the organization upon its dissolution shall become the property
of the American Council of the Blind, or a like-minded organization aligned with
the purposes of BPI.
*B0 Bylaws
BYLAWS
*B1 Bylaw 1 Dues
B1. BYLAW 1
B1.0. Dues
B1.1. Dues for membership in the organization shall be as follows and shall be paid
to the Treasurer or to the person or persons designated by the President.
B1.1.1B. Voting Membership and Associate Membership annual dues shall be $15.
B1.1.2. Student Membership annual dues shall be $10.
B1.1.3. Lifetime memberships shall be two hundred dollars. Lifetime membership dues shall
be paid in one installment or in a series of installments over a period not to exceed
one year.
B1.1.4. Affiliated membership dues shall be $10 per member representing $5 for ACB membership
dues and $5 for BPI membership dues. Dues representing ACB membership dues, should
they change, shall increase or decrease proportionately.
B1.1.5. Supporting Membership annual dues shall be $25.
B1.1.6. Honorary Membership shall not be subject to dues.
*B2 Bylaw 2 VOTING BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
B2. BYLAW 2
B2.0. VOTING BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Between annual conventions, the Board of Directors may cast any needed vote by mail
or by electronic means.
*B3 Bylaw 3 IRS Compliance
B3. BYLAW 3
B3.0. IRS COMPLIANCE:
B3.1. A. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific
purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations
that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax Code.
B3.2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of,
or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons,
except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable
compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance
of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the
activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise
attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in,
or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political
campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities
not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income
tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section
of any future Federal Tax Code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which
are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding
section of any future Federal Tax Code.
B3.3. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one
or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 5O1(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax Code, or shall be distributed
to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas
of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located,
exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court
shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
*B4 ByLaw 4 Affiliates
B4. ByLaw 4
B4.0. AFFILIATES:
B4.1. Each group requesting affiliate status must submit the following, for Blind LGBT
Pride Board approval, prior to receiving recognition as an affiliate
B4.1.1. A copy of the proposed affiliate’s Constitution and Bylaws.
B4.1.2. A full membership list with each members full information as set forth by the
Blind LGBT Pride board and ACB.
B4 .1.3. A signed “Service Mark and Trade Name Agreement”.
B4.2. Each affiliate must keep their Membership list submitted to Blind LGBT Pride
up to date.
B4.3. Each affiliate will pay Blind LGBT Pride dues, as specified in these bylaws,
each January for all of its members.
B4.4. The charter of an affiliate may be suspended by the board of directors, to be
ratified by a majority vote of the membership at convention for:
B4.4.1. Being more than two (2) months overdue in payment of annual dues (due date January
15th).
B4.4.2. Failing to supply the board with an up-to-date list of its members every year
by February 15th.
B4.4.3. Failing to satisfy the Board with respect to its purposes or membership.
B4.4.4. Conducting or participating in activities contrary to the good reputation of
Blind LGBT Pride.
B4.5. Before the Board adopts a motion for the provisional deletion of an Affiliate
the Affiliate concerned is provided, by mail, with a notice of the provisional deletion
motion and the reasons upon which it is based.
B4.6. The affiliate has thirty (30 calendar days), to provide the board with reasons
why the provisional deletion should not be adopted.
B4.7. When a motion of provisional deletion is adopted by the Board, the Affiliate
concerned has the right to appeal the action to the Board.
B4.7.1. The appeal must be received by the Board within thirty (30) calendar days of
the mailing of notice of provisional deletion to the Affiliate.
B4.7.2. The Boards vote on the appeal shall be conducted according to the voting procedures
outlined in these Bylaws, and will be held within two (2) months upon receipt of
the appeal.
B4.7.3. The Membership shall vote to affirm the Boards action or take other action by
a majority vote.
B4.7.4. If the vote of the membership is to sustain the provisional deletion, the deleted
Affiliate will be removed from the roster of Affiliates immediately after the vote
of the membership and the Secretary shall enter the deletion to the roster of Affiliates
and inform all Affiliates accordingly.
B4.7.5. If no appeal is made, the memberships action to delete shall be effective immediately.
B4.8. All members of such deleted Affiliates may retain their privileges of membership
and shall become Members-at-large of Blind LGBT Pride.
*B5 Bylaw 5 Endowment Fund
B5. BYLAW 5
B5.0. ENDOWMENT FUND:
B5.1. Blind LGBT Pride will maintain an “Endowment Fund” for the purpose of generating
interest income to be used for services such as web costs and convention program
support.
B5.2. All funds from “Life memberships” and other donations specifically donated to
be placed in the “Endowment Fund” will be added to the fund and the fund will be
invested in “Secure” investments. The interest will be re-invested until the principle
reaches ten thousand dollars, at which time the interest can be transferred to the
convention or general account.
*B6 ByLaw 6 Electronic Voting
B6. BYLAW 6
B6.0. ELECTRONIC VOTING:
The Secretary shall provide each member and affiliate in good standing an electronic
ballot at least 7 days in advance of BPI’s annual Business Meeting at the ACB conference/convention.
Each ballot shall contain language regarding members and affiliates who vote electronically
do so because they will not be present at the annual conference/convention and therefore
forfeit the option of voting for a candidate running from the floor.
Electronic ballots must be received by the Secretary no later than 5 PM convention
time on the day of the business meeting. Ballots received later than 5 PM will not
be counted.
Electronic ballots will be treated as confidential.
Electronic votes will be included in the tally of the votes cast at the business
meeting.
*B7 ByLaw 7 Committees
B7. BYLAW 7
B7.0. COMMITTEES:
B7.1. In addition to the committees listed below, the membership or the Board of Directors
may establish such other standing, special, or ad hoc committees as needed to carry
out the purposes of BPI.
B7.2. Membership: The membership of each committee shall consist of the number of members
necessary to serve BPI effectively. The President shall appoint as Chairpersons members
in good standing who possess those qualities and experience needed to carry out the
purpose(s) of the committee to which appointed. Committee Chairs serve at the pleasure
of the President. The President shall, by appointment, fill vacancies that may occur
in the chair of committees. The Chairperson of each committee shall appoint qualified
members to serve on his/her committee and to fill vacancies within his/her committee.
The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Elections
committee.
B7.2. Reporting: Each committee shall report to the Board of Directors, to the assembly
at annual meetings, and/or through publications of BPI, on a needs basis or as directed
by the President or Board of Directors.
B7.3. Meetings: The President, the Chairperson, or a majority of committee members may
call meetings of a committee. A majority vote of all members present and voting at
a committee meeting where a quorum is present, shall decide matters of business.
Such meetings may be by teleconferencing or other electronic means and in person
with a majority of its members constituting a quorum.
B7.4. D. List of Committees and Duties: The goals, objectives and duties of all committees
shall be developed by each committee, directed by the Board of Directors, stated
in this constitution, or by the membership in convention assembled. Once developed,
these goals, duties, requirements, and responsibilities may be published as a set
of standing rules for each committee or added to this constitution by way of amendments
to the appropriate committee.
B7.4.0. Committees
B7.4.1. Legislative and Advocacy
With board approval, the Legislative and Advocacy committee shall develop and implement
blindness and/or LGBT related advocacy strategies, follow and report on legislative
issues, and educate Membership and allies as to trending issues as needed.
B7.4.2. B Budget/Finance
The Treasurer shall Chair the Budget and Finance committee which shall be responsible
for preparing and implementing an annual budget approved by the board of directors.
B7.4.3. Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall be available to any member who wishes
to propose amendments. It shall be responsible for sending notices of pending amendments
and changes adapted to voting members. It shall initiate changes that it believes
will make BPI more democratic and effective.
B7.4.4. Fund Raising
The Fund Raising Committee shall seek and select methods of increasing the Council’s
income. Its decisions shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
It shall be responsible for carrying out fund raising activities which have been
given such approval.
B7.4.5. Membership
The membership committee exists to maintain BPI’s member base. It works to develop
recommended strategies to outreach to new members and retain current members. This
committee also works in conjunction with other committees to meet the mission and
goals of BPI.
B7.4.6. Elections
The Elections committee shall be co-chaired by the Parliamentarian and the Constitution
and Bylaws Chair and shall carry out BPI’s nominating process and elections, in accordance
with the provisions set Fourth by BPI’s constitution and bylaws.
B7.4.7. Programs
The Program Committee shall be responsible for developing programs for BPI’s conference
and convention and other meetings, as approved by the board of directors. It shall
also serve as a hospitality committee as needed.
*B8 Bylaw 8 Regular Telephonic Meeting of the Membership
B8. Bylaw 8
B8.0. Regular Teleconference Meeting of the Membership
If necessary, A Regular General Meeting of the BPI Membership will be held
by teleconference the Third Saturday in January to conduct any published
adgenda in the BPI Newsletter or other regular business
not specifically designated as limited to the Annual Convention.
*H0 History of Constitution and Bylaws
Constitution and Bylaws
As adopted by the officers of Blind, Friends, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
People elected on July 7, 1999 in Los Angeles California
• Amended by the membership on July 5, 2000 in Louisville Kentucky
• Amended by the membership on July 5, 2002 in Houston Texas
• Amended by the officers on February 13, 2003 through meeting electronically to
be ratified by the membership on July 8, 2003 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
• Amended by the membership on July 8, 2003 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
• Amended by the membership on July 5, 2004 in Birmingham Alabama
• Amended by the membership on July 4, 2005 in Las Vegas Nevada
• Amended by the membership on July 3, 2006 in Jacksonville Florida
• Amended by the membership on July 7, 2008 in Louisville Kentucky
• Amended by the membership on July 6, 2009 in Orlando Florida
• Amended by the membership on July 12, 2010 in Phoenix Arizona
• Amended by the membership on July 11, 2011 in Reno Nevada
• Amended by the membership on July 9, 2012 in Louisville Kentucky
Ammendent by the membership on July 9, 2013 in Columbus Ohio
As Amended By the Membership of Blind LGBT Pride International at Los Vegas on July 14, 2014
*QR Quick Reference
*A0 Constitution
*A1 Article 1 Name
*A2 Article 2 Purpose
*A3 Article 3 Affiliation
*A4 Article 4 MMeetings
*A5 Article 5 Membership, Voting, and Dues
*A6 Article 6 Officers
*A7 ARTICLE 7 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE General Meetings of the Membership, AND OF THE
OFFICERS
*A8 Article 8 Amendments
*A9 Article 9 DISSOLUTION
*B0 Bylaws
*B1 Bylaw 1 Dues
*B2 Bylaw 2 VOTING BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
*B3 Bylaw 3 IRS Compliance
*B4 ByLaw 4 Affiliates
*B5 Bylaw 5 Endowment Fund
*B6 ByLaw 6 Electronic Voting
*B7 ByLaw 7 Committees
*B8 Bylaw 8 Regular Teleconference Meeting of the Membership
*H0 History of Constitution and Bylaws
*QR Quick Reference
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