Articles of Incorporation

The North Dakota Association of the Blind, Incorporated

Articles of Incorporation

Adopted: August 23, 1936
Last Amended: June 12, 2016

Contents

Article I – Name

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be: The North Dakota Association of the Blind, Incorporated. Hereinafter, this organization shall be referred to by its trade name, NDAB.

Article II – Purpose

Section 1. The purpose of NDAB shall be:

  1. To promote the educational, social and cultural betterment of individuals who are blind or visually impaired, particularly for those persons who reside in North Dakota.
  2. To encourage and assist persons who are blind or visually impaired, especially those with recent sight loss, to develop their abilities and potentialities so that they can assume their rightful role in the community.
  3. To promote public understanding of vision loss and of the capabilities of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
  4. To work with organizations and agencies in the interests of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
  5. To strive to enhance the way of life for persons who are blind or visually impaired.
  6. To improve opportunities for employment for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

Article III – Membership.

Section 1. Any person 18 years of age or older shall be eligible for membership in NDAB.

Section 2. A majority (more than 50%) of the membership shall be comprised of persons who are “legally” blind or visually impaired.

Section 3. Junior Members. A person under the age of 18 (or no younger than 14) may apply for membership. Junior members shall have the rights and privileges of membership in NDAB but shall not hold office or have voting rights in the organization until the age of 18 has been attained.

Section 4. Dues paying members shall constitute the body politic of the organization.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1. Elected officers shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, development director, and three (3) board directors.

Section 2. The above named officers and directors along with the immediate past president shall constitute the executive board which shall serve as the governing body of NDAB between conventions and carry out the policies and programs of this organization as adopted by the convention.

Section 3. The treasurer shall serve as the registered agent for NDAB and shall be bonded at the expense of NDAB in an amount no less than is sufficient to protect the assets of the organization at any given time.

Section 4. A quorum being present, officers shall be elected at a regular assembled convention.

Section 5. The following guidelines shall be observed regarding the election of officers and board members:

  1. A majority (greater than 50percent) of the members registered at the convention shall constitute a quorum.
  2. Unless a candidate is unopposed, all elections shall be by secret ballot and a majority of all votes cast shall be required for election of any officer or director.
  3. The president and vice president shall not be elected for a third consecutive term.
  4. The three (3) directors shall not succeed themselves in that office.
  5. All elected officers and directors shall be a resident of the State of North Dakota during their terms of office or in a city in a neighbor state, that city shall share a common border with its sister city in North Dakota. Examples of such cities are Fargo – Moorhead and Grand Forks – East Grand Forks.

Article V – Conventions

Section 1. A regular annual convention shall be held at a time and place designated by an assembled convention; if that selection fails for some reason, this decision shall be made by the executive board.

Article VI – Location

Section 1. NDAB shall be located within the State of North Dakota. Contact information of members of the executive board is available on our official web site. The address is www.ndab.org.

Article VII – Corporate Status

Section 1. NDAB shall not be subject to any grand, supreme or sovereign lodge or other superior body or bodies.

Section 2. Although NDAB shall be an independent incorporated organization unto itself within the state of North Dakota, it shall be a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB). Through this affiliation, all members of NDAB are also members of the American Council of the Blind and have all the rights and privileges so conferred by such membership.

Article VIII – Corporate Debts

Section 1. The private property of members of NDAB shall not be liable for the debts that are incurred by the organization.

Article IX – Dissolution

Section 1. Upon the dissolution of NDAB, the executive board, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the organization, shall dispose of all of the assets of NDAB to such organizations which have been organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes, as shall at the time qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any future law.

Article X – Amendments

Section 1. Any proposed amendment to these Articles of Incorporation shall be submitted in writing to the executive board at least sixty (60) days prior to the convention.

Section 2. A motion to amend the Articles of Incorporation may also originate from the floor of a regular convention.

  1. A motion to consider the amendment shall be entertained.
  2. The said motion shall require a simple majority.
  3. If the motion to consider passes, the proposed amendment shall be placed on the agenda of the next convention.

Section 3. A two-thirds vote (2/3) of those present and voting is required to pass all proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation.

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