NAEPB Bylaws

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS OF
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EMPLOYMENT
OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND

 

Article I
Name

The name of this organization shall be: the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB).

 

Article II
Mission Statement

The Mission of the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind is to represent and protect the collective interests of its member organizations to enable them to strengthen and maximize opportunities for people who are blind.

 

Article III
Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

  1. Charter Members: Any organization which properly voted on these By Laws at the meeting of the General Council of Industries for the Blind where these By Laws were adopted became a Charter Member of NAEPB.
  2. Additional Members: Any nonprofit organization or state agency with a primary focus of employing persons who are blind shall be eligible for membership in NAEPB.
  3. Agency Mergers: When two or more agencies merge, the surviving agency, if it is an NAEPB member, will retain or be eligible for NAEPB membership with one vote. The agency that was acquired ceases to exist and no longer has a vote.
  4. Subsidiaries: Subsidiaries or other organizations controlled by a member are considered to be part of the parent or controlling agency and are considered under the same single membership.
  5. Foundations: Foundations formed by member agencies do not qualify for NAEPB membership.

Section 2. Categories of Membership

There are no separate categories of Membership.

Section 3. Admission

Any eligible organization that makes written application to NAEPB may become a member of NAEPB upon being elected by a majority of the members of NAEPB present at any regular or special meeting of the members and upon the payment of the first year’s dues which may be prorated as applicable. Nothing in these By Laws is to be interpreted to prevent the Board of Directors from establishing a payment plan as appropriate.

Section 4. Suspension and Expulsion

The Board of Directors, for just and reasonable cause, after not less than 15 days’ notice and opportunity for hearing before the Board, may recommend to the membership at the next scheduled regular or special membership meeting that any member organization who, in the opinion of said Board of Directors, shall have abused the privilege of its membership or is otherwise guilty of conduct detrimental to NAEPB or its membership, be suspended or expelled from membership. If the recommendation of the Board of Directors is approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at said regular or special meeting, such member shall be expelled from membership or suspended upon such terms and for such time as shall be specified. During its period of suspension, a suspended member is not eligible to: (i) vote on any matter considered by the membership; (ii) participate on any committee; or (iii) have the privilege of the floor at any meeting.

Section 5. Readmission

An expelled member must seek readmission pursuant to ARTICLE III including the payment of any outstanding fees or dues. A suspended member may apply for readmission at the end of the suspension period by formally applying to the Board of Directors. The suspended member will formally be reinstated upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and after a majority vote of the members of NAEPB present at any regular or special meeting and upon payment of any outstanding fees or dues.

Section 6. Annual Dues

Each member organization shall pay annual dues as established from time to time by the Board of Directors. Dues become payable October 1 and delinquent on November 1 each year.

Section 7. Delinquency

In case of delinquency the Board of Directors may:

  • Declare a member organization in financial hardship and adjust or waive annual dues for any given year.
  • Establish a payment plan as appropriate.
  • Assess a fee of up to 10% per month on memberships delinquent by more than 30 days.
  • Refer memberships delinquent by more than 180 days for action under Article III, Section 4, Suspension and Expulsion.

 

Article IV
Membership Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the membership shall be held during the first quarter of the fiscal year at such place and time as determined by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the date and place of the meeting shall be given to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. Special Meetings.

Special membership meetings may be called by the President or shall be called upon a request in writing by one-third (1/3) of the Board of Directors or shall be called upon written request of ten percent (10%) of the membership in good standing. Written notice of the date and place of any special meeting shall be given to each member at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting. The written notice of any special meeting shall contain a statement of the purpose or purposes thereof, and no business shall be transacted at any special meeting other than that stated in the notice of such meeting.

Section 3. Presiding Officer

The Presiding Officer at any meeting shall be the President or, in the event of his/her absence, the Executive Vice President. In the absence of both the President and the Executive Vice President, a presiding officer shall be chosen by a majority vote of the Directors present.

Section 4. Voting Rights.

Each member organization in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on each matter considered at any meeting of members. Each member organization shall appoint its Designated Representative. The Designated Representative will act on behalf of said member organization at any meeting of the members, and whenever possible should be an employee who has responsibility for the general administration of said member organization. The Secretary of the Board shall prepare a membership book containing a complete list of all members entitled to vote. At each meeting, the membership book shall be filed with the Presiding Officer of the meeting. Upon the demand of any member present at a meeting in person, the membership book, together with any mail-in votes that have been filed with the Secretary of the Board shall be made available for inspection prior to the vote on any matter.

Section 5. Proxy Representatives

Should a member organization’s Designated Representative be unable to attend a meeting, that organization will be entitled to name a Proxy Representative. A Proxy Representative will have all the rights of the Designated Representative with the exception of filling a seat on the Board of Directors. A Proxy Representative must be an employee of the Designated Representative’s member organization. Proxy Representative assignments must be written and either hand delivered or received by mail by the Secretary prior to the opening of the meeting for which the Proxy Representative is assigned. The assignment of a Proxy Representative must be signed by the Designated Representative and the Proxy Representative.

Section 6. Mail-In and Proxy Voting

Should a member organization be unable to send its Designated Representative or Proxy Representative to attend a meeting, and it would like to cast a vote on a particular matter, it will be entitled to a mail-in vote or to name a Proxy Voter. Mail-in votes and Proxy Voter names may be sent by e-mail or mail, but where confirmation of receipt is desired by the sender, it is his or her responsibility to secure this confirmation. Authorization of a Proxy Voter must clearly state the name of the individual entitled to vote on behalf of the member organization and must identify the issue on which the vote will be cast. The authorization must be signed by the organization’s Designated Representative. Issues on which emailed or mail-in votes will be placed before the membership must be circulated to the membership at least 30 days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting. The unanticipated presence of a Designated Representative or Proxy Representative from a member organization will automatically nullify the emailed vote, mail-in vote, and/or Proxy Voter. Emailed and mail-in votes and the names of Proxy Voters must be delivered to the Secretary of NAEPB or the Presiding Officer for that meeting not less than 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. 

Section 7. Manner of Voting

The vote on any matter shall be by voice or show of hands. Upon demand of at least ten percent (10%) of the members present at a meeting either in person or by mail-in, the vote shall be made by roll call.

Section 8. Inspectors

Before or at any meeting of the membership, the Board of Directors may appoint three Inspectors. If no appointment shall have been made by the Board, the Presiding Officer at the meeting may appoint three Inspectors. The membership book containing the list of members entitled to vote shall be made available to the Inspectors. If the right of any person to vote shall be challenged, the Inspectors shall determine such right.

Section 9. Quorum

The presence, in person, at any regular or special meeting of the membership, of thirty percent (30%) of the members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. Proxy Representatives present in accordance with Article IV, Section 5 of these bylaws shall be counted in calculating a quorum. Proxy Voters or emailed or mail-in votes of any kind will not be counted towards a quorum.

Section 10. Participation by Conference Telephone or Other Means

One or more persons may participate in a meeting of the membership by conference telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 11. Order of Business

The order of business will be as determined by the President. The usual parliamentary rules as laid down in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern when not in conflict with these Bylaws. 

 

Article V
Board of Directors

Section 1. Powers and Duties.

The affairs of NAEPB shall be managed by the Board of Directors whose duties and responsibilities shall be to:

  • Conduct business for and on behalf of the membership of NAEPB between meetings of NAEPB.
  • Elect the officers of NAEPB.
  • Plan and develop the Annual Meeting of the Membership of NAEPB.
  • Plan and develop the Annual Board of Directors Meeting.
  • Prepare the Annual Budget for NAEPB.
  • Prepare the Strategic Plan and its regular updates for NAEPB.
  • Serve as final internal authority in disputes brought by member organizations to the Ethics and Practices Committee.
  • Take whatever other action it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of NAEPB.

Section 2. Qualifications

All Directors must be the Designated Representative of a member organization in good standing.

Section 3. Nominations and Elections

The Designated Representative of any member organization in good standing may nominate one or more Designated Representatives of an organization in good standing, including themselves, for the position of Director. Nominations must be e-mailed by the nominating Designated Representative to the Secretary no less than 30 days prior to the next scheduled election, unless the Secretary instructs the membership otherwise. Elections are to be held no less than 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors through email or mail-in voting procedures. Newly elected Directors will be seated at the beginning of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Composition and Term

The Board of Directors shall consist of eleven (11) elected members, and, if applicable, the Immediate Past President, an ex-officio non-voting Director. Elected members will be elected by the membership to two-year terms. Five of these positions will be elected in even-numbered years and six will be elected in odd-numbered years. An elected Director shall serve no more than three consecutive terms but is eligible to be elected after the lapse of one year from the third consecutive elected term in office. Each elected Director shall continue in office until his/her successor has been elected and seated, or until his/her death, resignation, or removal.

Section 5. Immediate Past President

Additionally, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the President of the Board whose term on the Board is expiring shall be eligible to remain on the Board for a one-year term as the Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President shall be an ex-officio non-voting Director. Following the conclusion of this one-year term, the Immediate Past President shall be eligible for election to the Board for a full two-year term after one year has passed from his or her term as Immediate Past President.

Section 6. Vacancy and Removal

A member of the Board of Directors may be removed by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors or by a two thirds (2/3) vote of members present at a Regular or Special meeting of NAEPB. In the event of a vacancy, for whatever reason, the position on the Board of Directors shall be filled with the qualified person receiving the most votes of the members at a Regular or Special meeting of NAEPB.

Section 7. Presiding Officer

The Presiding Officer at any meeting of the Board shall be the President or, in his or her absence, the Executive Vice President. In the absence of both the President and Executive Vice President, a presiding officer shall be chosen by a majority vote of the Directors present in person.

Section 8. Regular Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet at least four times annually and at such time and places as it may designate, except that one of these shall be the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, which shall occur before the Annual Meeting of the Membership in the first quarter of the fiscal year at such place and time as determined by the Board. Written notice of the date and place of such regular meetings must be given to the members of the Board of Directors at least 30 days prior to the regular meetings.

Section 9. Special Meetings

Special Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President at times and places to be fixed by the President on at least 5 days’ written notice to each member of the Board of Directors. Special meetings shall be called by the President in like manner on the written request of five (5) members of the Board of Directors.

Section 10. Quorum

A majority of the elected Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The Immediate Past President shall not be counted for purposes of determining if a quorum exists.

Section 11. Action Without a Meeting

Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the consent or consents in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all of the elected members of the Board of Directors in office and shall be filed with the corporate secretary of the Board of Directors.

Section 12. Participation by Conference Telephone or Other Means

One or more persons may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by conference telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 13. Executive Session

The President may, at the initiation of any officer, or as part of a published agenda, adjourn any meeting of the Board to Executive Session. Executive Session shall include only members of the Board. The Secretary will keep confidential minutes of Executive Sessions.

Section 14. Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and, if applicable, the Immediate Past President, who shall serve in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. The Executive Committee shall possess and may exercise, subject to any restrictions which may be imposed by the Board, all of the powers of the Board when the Board is not in session and all acts done and power and authority conferred by the Executive Committee within the scope of its authority are deemed to be, and may be specified as being, the acts of and under the authority of the Board including power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but the Executive Committee shall not have the power to (a) fill vacancies in the Board of Directors or any Committee, (b) elect or remove Directors or Officers of the Corporation, (c) make, alter, amend or repeal Bylaws, (d) fix compensation of Directors for serving on the Board or any committee, (e) amend or repeal any resolution of the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable, (f) approve a merger or plan of dissolution, or (g) adopt a resolution approving the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation.

Minutes of Executive Committee meetings shall be mailed or sent by email to all members of the Board within thirty (30) days following any Executive Committee meeting.

Section 15. Committees

The following shall be Standing Committees of The National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind, and the officers assigned to chair them:

  • Finance and Budget: Treasurer
  • Membership: Secretary
  • Operations: Vice President for Operations
  • Services: Vice President for Services
  • Public Policy: Vice President for Public Policy
  • Base Supply Centers: Vice President for Base Supply Centers
  • Marketing and Communications: Vice President for Marketing and Communications
  • Strategic Planning: As appointed by the Board of Directors
  • Ethics and Practices: As appointed by the Board of Directors

As determined by the Board of Directors, each Standing Committee will be made up of individuals who are employees of member organizations in good standing with NAEPB. Non-members may serve as non-voting consultants to committees. Unless provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors, Standing Committees do not have the authority to exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may establish additional committees by resolution.

Section 16. Conflicts of Interest

The following guidelines shall prevail concerning duality and conflict of interest:

  1. No Director shall knowingly take any action or make any statement intended to influence the conduct of the Corporation in such a way as to confer any benefit on such Director or on any company or entity in which the Director, or a member of the Director’s immediate family, has a significant interest as a stockholder, director or officer.
  2. In the event that a matter for consideration or decision comes before the Board of Directors that raises a potential conflict of interest for any Director, that Director, or any other Director, shall disclose the conflict of interest as soon as the Director becomes aware of it. The disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. The interested Director may not be physically present during the Board’s final discussion and vote on this issue.
  3. Any Director who is aware that he or she has a potential conflict of interest with respect to any matter coming before the Board shall not vote in connection with the matter.
  4. These provisions shall not be construed as preventing or discouraging any Director from disclosing relevant information with respect to any matters to which the Director has knowledge or from answering questions or stating his or her position with respect to any matter.

 

Article VI
Officers

Section 1. Qualification

The Officers of NAEPB shall be a President, an Executive Vice President, a Vice President for Operations, a Vice President for Services, a Vice President for Base Supply Centers, a Vice President for Public Policy, a Vice President for Marketing and Communications, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, which positions may be combined temporarily from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors with these exceptions: (i) the position of President may not be combined with the positions of Executive Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary and (ii) the position of Immediate Past President may not be combined with any other position. All Officers must be the Designated Representative of a member agency in good standing and elected as a member of the Board of Directors. No member shall hold more than one Office at a time. All Officers serve until their successor has been properly elected by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election and Term

At the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, an Executive Session of the Board will be called for the purpose of seating the newly elected Directors and conducting the annual election of Officers of the Corporation. Election shall be by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors. Officers may be re-elected without limits except for those imposed in Article V, Section 4 of these Bylaws.

Section 3. Vacancy and Removal

An Officer of NAEPB may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors or by a two thirds (2/3) vote of members present at a Regular or Special meeting of NAEPB. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of President, for whatever reason, the unexpired term shall be filled with the qualified person receiving two thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. A vacancy in all other Offices shall be filled by a qualified member chosen by the President of NAEPB for the unexpired term.

Section 4. Powers and Duties

The duties and powers of these officers shall be the same as generally pertain to their respective offices as well as such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred on them by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Executive Vice President

The position of Executive Vice President is established to ensure leadership continuity for the NAEPB. The position shall be filled by a Director the Board believes can succeed the President. The position of Executive Vice President can be combined with any other position except for President.

 

Article VII
Financial Management

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The Fiscal Year of NAEPB shall be October 1 through September 30.

Section 2. Budget

The Budget and Finance Committee shall, with the Board of Directors and the Standing Committees, prepare an annual budget, to be approved by the membership on or about the beginning of each Fiscal Year.

Section 3. Financial Statements

The Budget and Finance Committee will ensure that an independent review of the Financial Statements of the Corporation is performed each year. Such Financial Statements shall be audited only if required by law. The reviewed Financial Statements will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval at the first Board of Directors Meeting following the completion of the Financial Statements. Once approved by the Board of Directors, the reviewed Financial Statements will be made available to member organizations.

 

Article VIII
Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, any and all remaining assets of the Corporation, after the payment of obligations and necessary expenses, shall be distributed to member organizations in good standing at the time of dissolution. The dissolution will be made in a manner consistent with the current dues structure.

 

Article IX
Indemnification

The Corporation shall indemnify each of its Directors, Officers, and employees whether or not then in service as such (and his or her executor, administrator and heirs), against all reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense of any litigation to which the individual may have been a party because he or she is or was a Director, Officer or employee of the Corporation. The individual shall have no right to reimbursement, however, in relation to matters as to which he or she has been adjudged liable to the Corporation for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties, or was derelict in the performance of his or her duty as Director, Officer or employee by reason of willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties of his or her office or employment. The right to be indemnified for expenses shall also apply to the expenses of suits which are compromised or settled if the court having jurisdiction of the matter shall approve such settlement. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, all other rights to that which such Director, Officer or employee may be entitled.

 

Article X
Notices

Section 1. Written Notice

Whenever written notice is required to be given to any person, it may be given to such person, either personally or by sending a copy thereof by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, or by e-mail, to his or her address (or to his or her facsimile number or e-mail address) supplied to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. If the notice is sent by mail, it shall he deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States mail or, if the notice is sent by facsimile or e-mail, when dispatched by facsimile transmission or e-mail. A notice of meeting shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and any other information required by statute or these Bylaws. When a special meeting is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.

Section 2. Waiver of Notice

Whenever any written notice is required to be given under the provisions of any statute or the Articles or Bylaws of this Corporation, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Except as otherwise required by statute, neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of a meeting needs be specified in the waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Article XI
Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by participation of two thirds (2/3) of the membership, by attendance, Proxy Representative, email or mail-in vote, or Proxy Voter and a simple majority of that number for passage. Any proposed amendment or amendments must be sent to the President at least 60 days prior to the date of the meeting at which the proposed amendment or amendments are to be considered. Any proposed amendment or amendments must be mailed to each member at least 30 calendar days prior to the date of the meeting at which the proposed amendment or amendments are to be considered.

 

APPROVED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OCTOBER 9,2023.