TABLE of CONTENTS
Member News from around the State 7
News from the Lake Region and Bottineau 8
Spotlight on Board Member, Zelda Gebhard 9
Donations: January, February, March Donations 11
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from March 6, 2022 12
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2022 14
Development Report Spring 2022 16
Olga Neal Memorial Committee 18
Nominating Committee Report 18
Legislative and Advocacy Report, Spring 2022 19
Four Simple Rules of Parliamentary Procedure (for the Convention) 21
2022 Proposed Constitution and Bylaw Amendments 23
From the President
Submitted by Trampes Brown
NDAB has had an active and busy spring. Many members assisted in our largest fundraising opportunity of the year with Giving Hearts Day. Many thanks to all who helped and/or donated. Our committees have been working sometimes night and day to plan our many upcoming summer and fall activities. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for all of you and the time and talents that you share with NDAB to make our organization so successful. As you will read, we have an extremely full Promoter this edition, so I will not go into any tirade, and I promise to stay off my soap box about how we can improve NDAB. There are always ways to grow and improve, and our organization has shown me that we have many talented individuals who are striving to do that every day. Once again, thank you to each and every one of you.
I would like to highlight a few things that are coming up that will be elaborated on in other reports and articles in this edition of the Promoter.
- State Convention in Fargo
We will have the opportunity to finally be able to meet in person for this year’s state convention in Fargo June 10-12. The Convention Committee has worked very hard to provide our members with a wonderful weekend after the cancelation of the 2020 convention and the virtual convention of 2021. Watch your email and mailbox for the Call to Convention, which will be arriving soon. I hope to see all of you there this summer. You will read about the convention activities, slate of candidates, as well as the proposed constitution and by-law amendments for consideration further in this edition. - ACB Conference and Convention
This year we are back to having an opportunity to meet in-person for the ACB Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, the first week of July. ACB has made the decision to not only have Convention in-person, but you can also attend virtually via the Zoom platform or listen through ACB media channels. Please watch for details via the numerous communications from ACB, as there will be many pre-conference sessions to participate in starting in mid-June. I know that many of you have attended ACB conferences in the past; however, if you have not, Omaha is one of the closest locations we will have the opportunity to attend, so I encourage as many as possible to attend. I hope that we can have a large contingency representing NDAB in Omaha. - Just Talking Calls
We attempted to re-launch the Just Talking calls in February, but with limited participation in these calls the third Tuesday of the month, we have decided to take at least the summer off from facilitating these calls. If anyone is interested in co-hosting, coming up with topics, or suggesting guest presenters, I would greatly appreciate your help as we consider re-introducing Just Talking calls in the fall.
As I close, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you for supporting me this year as your president. With elections coming up for the next two-year term of president, it has been my honor and privilege to serve NDAB the past year. If re-elected, I look forward to help lead us into the future together.
Calendar for 2022
May 15-20 NDVS/SB Adult Week Programming in Grand Forks
June 5-10 NDVS/SB Adult Week Programming in Grand Forks
June 10-12 NDAB Convention in Fargo
July 1-8 ACB Convention in Omaha, Nebraska
August 7-12 NDAB Camp at Camp Grassick
NDAB Convention 2022
Submitted by Ali Engraf and Kaity Young
“See Blind Possible”
Blind people do everything. We are educated, employed, and active. As your next-door neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family, we put no limitations on our ability to do whatever we want. We write books, record music, run marathons, own businesses, and so much more. There is nothing that assistive technology and a good attitude cannot fix. The North Dakota Association of the Blind invites you to see blind possible with us this June.
The 85th NDAB State Convention will be held Friday, June 10th, through Sunday, June 12th, at the Holiday Inn Express Fargo SW, near Sanford Medical Center, at 4711 19th Ave. S., Fargo.
A block of rooms has been reserved at a rate of $89.00 plus tax per night for a single king room, $99.00 plus tax for a King room with a sleeper sofa, and $109.00 plus tax per night for a double queen room. Each room has a refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker and hair dryer. The Holiday Inn Express features a pool, water slide, hot tub, and fitness center and offers a complimentary hot breakfast.
We have a full line up of events waiting for you at this year’s convention. You will be receiving a call to convention mailing and website version in early May as usual with further details.
Make your reservations today by calling the Holiday Inn Express directly at 701-356-3232. To get the convention rate, tell them you are attending the “North Dakota Association of the Blind State Convention.” Reservations must be made by May 20th.
We invite you to see blind possible with us this June!
NDAB Camp 2022
Plans are being made for our 51st Camp Session. It will be held August 7th – 14th at Elks Camp Grassick. The theme for the banquet will be “New Beginnings”. Watch for your packet to arrive in late June. If you know of anyone interested in attending or have any questions, please contact Missy at (701) 298-8091 or Rick at (701) 793-5210.
Just Talking
With limited participation in these calls the third Tuesday of the month, we have decided to take at least the summer off from facilitating these calls. If anyone is interested in co-hosting, coming up with topics, or suggesting guest presenters; please contact Trampes at 701-389-7982 or email trampes@ndab.org. The hope is to re-introduce the Just Talking calls in the fall.
Book Club with the Browns
Submitted by Trampes Brown and Emily Stenberg Brown
We hope you can join us during the summer months for Book Club with the Browns. We meet on Zoom the first Wednesday of each month during We Care Coffee Chat at 10 a.m. We also meet at 7 p.m. for those who can’t join us in the morning or for those who want to discuss the book even more. We always have a great discussion and only occasionally get off-track! We are always excited to have new readers join us, so please consider reading the books below and joining in on our discussions. To join, use the Zoom link that’s provided each week in the Sneak Peek email. In September, we will have a special guest host! Candy Lien chose the book Finding Chika and will lead the discussion on September 7. Thank you to Candy for filling in for us that month! Below is the title, author, and BARD number for each book.
June 1st
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrick Backman
DB 85014
July 6
Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic
DB 10420
August 3
The Blind Mechanic: The Amazing Story of Eric Davidson, Survivor of the 1917 Halifax Explosion by Marilyn Davidson Elliot
DB 104816
September 7
Candy Lien leading discussion
Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom
DB 97729
Please reach out to Trampes (trampes@ndab.org or 701-389-7982) or Emily (estenber@nd.gov or 701-795-2709) with any questions or suggestions for Book Club.
Spotlight on Board Member, Zelda Gebhard
Place of Residence: I live in rural Edgeley on a small acreage.
Occupation: Worked for 19 years as a medical transcriptionist in both clinic and hospital settings.
Was Director of Outpatient Services and on the Administrative Team of a Health Care Network – duties included clinic management, credentialling of health care professionals, management of eight specialty clinics and the marketing of the Health Care Network.
Worked for two years as an at-home contracted Medical Transcriptionist.
Worked as an office administrator for an insurance agent for 19 years.
Family: I am thankful to have had the privilege of growing up in a home with a mother and father who loved us and God. My life was shared with the love and support of two sisters and a brother. I have been blessed with 45 years of marriage to a man of integrity who respects and loves me. I gave birth to four healthy sons who have grown into independent, responsible adults and loved into our family four wonderful “daughters” and eleven cherished grandchildren.
Hobbies: My summer hobbies include gardening and growing flowers, fishing, and camping. In the winter, I spend time reading and quilting.
How long have you been a member of NDAB? I joined NDAB in 2003. I served as newsletter editor for five years, two terms as Vice President and Membership Chair and five years as President. Currently I serve as the Immediate Past President.
I have also been the NDAB Legislative Liaison for the past 12 years advocating on both the state and national levels. We advocated for and were successful in passage of ND Law in 2021 that will give “anyone who cannot read or mark a paper ballot” the option of fully electronic absentee voting.
I have been active in the American Council of the Blind (ACB) as a member of the Auction Committee since 2014 and member of the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee since 2014. I currently serve as a director of the ACB Board of Publications, first elected in 2019.
I’m a member of Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), an ACB special interest affiliate. I was elected as a director on the board in 2016. I am currently the First Vice President and Chair of the Membership Committee.
Why should someone join NDAB? Although vision loss often results in a decrease in opportunities, I have found that joining an organization like NDAB can provide new and different ways to learn, grow, and to develop relationships. A need to get out and spread the word about vision loss propels me to be an active volunteer because there are always more people who need to know that they are not alone.
Members of our NDAB Family
We extend our deepest sympathy to Pat Vannett and family on the death of her husband Kevin, NDAB member, who passed away February 12.
We also offer our sympathy to Beth Bakke Stenehjem on the loss of her husband, Wayne Stenehjem, who passed away January 28.
We wrap our arms around NDAB member Sheryl Gerhardt and give our sympathy to her and her family on the loss of her husband and grandson. Dan, who was 79, passed away on March 29th after an extended illness.
Our thoughts and prayers also go out to Michelle Engraf and Ali Engraf for the loss of mother/grandmother, Lucille Zalesky.
Thinking of Missy Miller for the loss of her mother, Janice Baker.
Rudy Hepper, husband of Donna Hepper, also passed away February 26. We are so sorry for your loss, Donna.
Donations: January, February, March Donations
Submitted by Rebecca Anderson, Treasurer/Registered Agent
January Donations Total $2,632.61
Lions $2,139.56
West Fargo Lions $489.56
Bowden Lions $100.00
Horace Lions $1,500.00
Jud Lions $50.00
Gaming $50.00
Hazen Community Chest $50.00
Other Donations and Memorials $443.05
John Garske
Cassel Everson
Leslie Masciarelli & Associates
Douglas Hoffman in memory of Jacob Baltich
February Donations
Gaming $500.00
New Salem American Legion (Scholarship)
Giving Hearts Day (GHD) Donations $45,765.74 (including match of $20,200.00, donated prior to GHD)
Included in the GHD total:
Memorial dedications $990.00
Honor dedications $805.00
Ski for Light $500.00
Assistive Technology $500
March Donations Total $1,031.00
Other Donations $781.00
ACB MMS
Thrivent Grant
N & D Richardson
GHD Bonus Donations $250.00
Dennis Elbert
Neil and Nancy Jordheim Pass-Through Gift Fund
Development Report Spring 2022
Allan Peterson, NDAB Development Director
Loud sustained applause! It’s time to celebrate and to acknowledge and thank our donors and dedicated volunteers for the success we achieved through our participation in the 2022 Giving Hearts Day Appeal! Although, the appeal focuses, like a laser beam on Giving Hearts Day-GHD, this event includes hours of time and effort in advance to plan, prepare, and execute our plan. And, the work continues after GHD to analyze results and thank and inform our donors.
Celebrating our success by the numbers: the total amount we can credit to GHD was $46,015.74. Of this total, on-line donations from Giving Hearts Day totaled $25,471.82 which includes the checks sent to Rebecca which she uploaded into NDAB’s Giving Hearts Day recording system on February 10. It also includes the individual donations that were entered into the GHD system in advance of February 10 and uploaded into our NDAB GHD account on Giving Hearts Day.
Like other GHD participants, NDAB is responsible for raising and reporting a Match Fund in advance of GHD. The figure that was reported for NDAB’s Match Fund was $20,200. This means all our on-line donations were matched “dollar-for-dollar” up to the $20200 amount. Because we did exceed our Match Fund by $5,815.74, it meant that this excess amount wouldn’t be matched by GHD.
FYI: Our NDAB Match Fund was generated from multiple sources which included donations from Lion Clubs, generous individual donors, and charitable gaming enterprises.
We thank and acknowledge many volunteers for their participation and leadership, that was so essential for us to achieve our success. These individuals include:
- Rebecca Anderson who did much of the administrative work and writing all the many thank you acknowledgments. The thank you messages were personalized handwritten notes. This is an extremely important job, and we empathize with the writer’s cramp that she endured to get this job done.
- Zelda Gebhard and Michelle Zentz for their work to create, maintain, and update the donor files that were used to contact donors and do our mailings – this work takes a huge commitment of time and effort.
- Ali Engraf for her work to post information and videos on our Facebook page. Thanks, Ali, great work! Ali also suggested our GHD theme “See Blind Possible” which was used to help promote Giving Hearts Day for NDAB.
- Rebecca’s son, Eric Falde, who created the videos that were used to help promote NDAB on our Facebook page and were used for the email messages sent to donors. The videos were very well done! Thanks, Eric, for sharing your talents with us, it’s much appreciated!
- Mickey Teubner for his willingness to be featured as a technology user in our appeal letter and in the video that was used to promote NDAB for Giving Hearts Day. Thank you, Mickey, you are one fantastic NDAB video star!
- Trampes and Emily Brown who did the work to create the video of Mickey that was used to promote NDAB for Giving Hearts Day. Extremely well done!
- Trampes & Emily Brown and Missy Miller for their work to help edit our mailing that was sent to potential donors in our data base. Thank you so much for your hard work to “get it right”.
- Lilly Mankie who did the graphic design work that was used in the mailing to potential donors. Thank you, Lilly, for sharing your artistic talents with us!
- Brant Adams for the work he did with the posts and editing that needed to be done on our web page for Giving Hearts Day. Thank you, Brandt, for sharing your technology skills with us!
- The thank you team who called to thank donors on Giving Hearts Day. They are Zelda Gebhard, Emily Brown, Michelle Zentz, Lilly Mankie, and Allan Peterson.
- A huge thank you to the NDAB Giving Hearts Day Committee who met on several occasions to plan for what needed to be done. They are Rebecca Anderson, Trampes Brown, Ali Engraf, Zelda Gebhard, Lilly Mankie, Missy Miller, Michelle Zentz, David Olson from NDVS/SB and Allan P.
- Note: If I have somehow failed to acknowledge anyone my most sincere apologies.
Finally, a huge and very grateful thank you to our donors you are absolutely what makes this level of success possible!
Just a cursory glance at Giving Hearts Day in 2022: A record amount was set once again for the Giving Hearts Day Appeal, $26.2 million was generated in donations; 538 organizations participated; and 40,714 donors made 89,890 contributions to the charities of their choice.
Finally, and in conclusion, I’ve now come to the realization it’s time to again start planning for Giving Hearts Day in 2023.
Olga Neal Memorial Committee
Submitted by Helen Baumgartner
Olga Neal, one of the founding members of NDAB, made a generous donation to NDAB upon her death. Shereen Faber chaired the Olga Neal Estate Committee and did a fantastic job of determining the best ways to utilize these funds to benefit the people who were near and dear to Olga’s heart. Shereen partially accomplished this goal by funding two projects at the 2021 NDAB State Convention.
At our 2021 NDAB Convention, a motion was made and passed to purchase two Little Rooms for infants and toddlers who have a vision impairment. Two rooms were purchased totaling $5,194.
A second motion was made at the 2021 Convention to purchase benches in Olga’s memory to be placed at Elks Camp Grassick, not to exceed $1,540. The benches Shereen had researched purchasing are no longer being made. The current Olga Neal Estate Committee has purchased two benches for Elks Camp Grassick, at a total cost of 389.90.
The Olga Neal Estate still has approximately $22,000 remaining. At the 2022 Convention, discussion will be held to determine how the remaining funds will be spent.
The Olga Neal Estate Committee is taking any ideas from the NDAB membership, expressing how the remaining funds can be spent. Ideas submitted thus far have been scholarships for those getting a degree as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, putting siding on the Hide Away at Camp Grassick, an NDAB sponsored Teen Camp and scholarships for college students who are visually impaired.
If you have any ideas that you think would benefit people with vision loss, please submit your ideas to Helen Baumgartner by email at helenb@midco.net or by calling her at 701-663-8878.
Thank you for your time and thought to come up with a way to use the money Olga donated to our organization in a way that will help her love for the visually impaired continue into the future.
Nominating Committee Report
Submitted by Paula Anundson, Carol Scallon & Michelle Zentz
The nominating committee has prepared a full slate of candidates for NDAB’s 2022 elections in Fargo. We know you are all eager to once again meet together in person, which will allow time to tend to NDAB business and enjoy one another’s company.
The 2022 slate of candidates reads as follows:
President for a 2-year term: Trampes Brown
Vice President for a 2-year term: Alexandra Engraf
Treasurer for a 2-year term: Rebecca Anderson
Board Director for a 3-year term: Gerald Byron
Editor for a 1-year term: Beth Bakke Stenehjem
Delegate for 2023 ACB Convention: Amy Brunner Osvold
Alternate Delegate: Missy Miller
Our alternate delegate will serve if for whatever reason the elected delegate is unable to attend. The dates of the 2023 ACB Conference and Convention will be June 30th through July 7th in Schaumburg, IL.
Nominations may be made from the convention floor with the member’s prior consent. It is expected nominees are knowledgeable of the duties of the position which they seek to obtain. Please call to receive appropriate manuals or guidelines to read prior to election.
Nominees must meet all the following qualifications:
1. Have attained the age of 18 and paid annual dues.
2. All elected officers and directors must be a resident of ND during their term of office or a city sharing a common border with its sister city in ND.
3. To avoid conflict of interest, officers shall not hold office while serving as an officer in another consumer organization of the blind.
4. No more than one member from a household shall serve concurrent terms.
Thank you so much to all of you that agreed to serve the organization. Your willingness made the task of developing a slate of candidates a true pleasure this year!
Legislative and Advocacy Report, Spring 2022
Submitted by Allan Peterson and Zelda Gebhard
Since the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020, the Board of the American Council of the Blind ACB has chosen to host its national meetings virtually. This was again the case for this year’s ACB Leadership Meetings held last month March 11-15, 2022. An integral part of ACB’s leadership meetings is its Legislative Seminar and the associated advocacy visits on Capitol Hill with the members of Congress.
As seminar participants, we, together with our other ACB state affiliate colleagues, schedule meetings with our respective Capitol Hill congressional delegations to advocate for policies that are beneficial to people who are blind and visually impaired. In our case, we schedule visits with the Capitol Hill offices of Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Congressman Kelly Armstrong. Naturally, since it wasn’t possible for us to make those visits in-person this year, we did make these visits happen through Zoom connections.
The three of us, namely, Trampes, Zelda, and Allan, attended the virtual Legislative Leadership meetings and the Legislative Seminar that was held on March 11 -15. To date, we have had advocacy meetings with staff persons in Senator Cramer and Congressman Armstrong’s offices and are continuing to attempt to schedule a meeting with Senator Hoeven’s office. When making our visits, we advocate for legislative issues that were selected by ACB to discuss with our representatives in Congress and, for good measure, we added a fifth issue to the list.
All five of the priorities on this year’s advocacy list address access to visual information for people who are blind or are visually impaired; these priorities include:
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Exercise and Fitness for All Act. This legislation would require exercise and fitness facilities to provide a base level of accessibility for disabled consumers, both in the equipment as well as the instruction they provide. This legislation has been introduced as a bill in both the U.S. Senate S2504 and the U.S. House H.R.4756. FYI: NDAB passed a resolution in support of this Act at our 2021 virtual convention.
- The Medical Device Non-Visual Accessibility Act. This legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration to consider non-visual accessibility when approving medical equipment and devices with a digital display to ensure access for patients with disabilities. Such a bill has been introduced in the U.S. House H.R. 4853. We seek the introduction of a companion bill in the U.S. Senate and the subsequent passage of this legislation by Congress.
- Web and Application Accessibility. Access to websites, applications and online services impacts most aspects of everyday life, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made digital inclusion more important than ever. However, the Department of Justice has not finalized enforcement standards for websites, applications, and online services for people who are blind, low vision, and deaf-blind. We are asking Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice to develop clear standards for website and application accessibility so developers would have guides to follow to ensure that access will be incorporated into these products.
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Communications & Video Accessibility Act Amendment. The original 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act CVAA was passed in 2010. It guaranteed access for people with disabilities to advanced communication services, telecommunications hardware and software, user interfaces, and it required delivery of audio-described content. Many innovations have happened in the intervening years since and are not covered by the original CVAA. We are seeking to expand the CVAA to include all TV broadcast markets in the nation and that video streaming innovations developed in the intervening time span would be covered by an amendment to the CVAA.
- Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act. This legislation was just reintroduced in the U.S. House H.R. 6848. It would evaluate, through a five-year national demonstration project administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, the fiscal impact of a permanent change to the Social Security Act. This legislation would allow reimbursement for certain low-vision devices that sustain daily independent living. The devices would be considered durable medical equipment. This legislation would help correct Medicare’s expansion of the eyeglass exclusion rule which denies coverage for any device that uses a lens as a part of its design and function.
All five of these issues, if enacted, would help people with sight loss access more visual information and give people with blindness and visual impairments greater independence in their daily lives. I’m curious (Allan) does anyone read these reports?
Four Simple Rules of Parliamentary Procedure (for the Convention)
By A. Gregory Wonderwheel, M.A., J.D. (Edited for publication)
Many people are intimidated by the words “parliamentary procedure” and by Robert’s Rules of Order, both by the book’s imposing number of pages and its complex cross-referenced rules. Human beings are very complex too, but that doesn’t prevent them from being our friends. Similarly, parliamentary rules should be the member’s friend, and all the complexity of the rules should be made friendly by an understanding of their commonsense relationships to each other.
The purpose of parliamentary rules of order are to help people make group decisions after a full, fair, and free discussion. All the rules of parliamentary procedure may be traced to four fundamental principles of common sense, which I liken to the four legs holding up of the parliamentary table. If the member of the board, committee, or assembly holds these four basic rules in mind, all the other rules will fall into place and easily be put into perspective.
1. One Speaker Speaks at a Time
2. One Question Is Decided at a Time.
3. The Speaker Must Be Respectful.
4. Everyone’s Rights Are Protected by Balancing Them with Each Other.
1. One Speaker Speaks at a Time. The rules of order about who may get the floor to speak and when a speaker may be interrupted all derive from the simple rule that if any of the members are to be heard then only one member should speak at a time. If someone is speaking, then others should be quiet. If another feels it is important enough to interrupt, hopefully that person will know the rule that allows him or her to interrupt. But if the person feels the need to interrupt is important and doesn’t know the rule, then the member may always make a parliamentary inquiry to ask the chair if there is a rule that allows for interruption for that purpose. It is the chair’s duty to assist members with understanding the rules and finding the appropriate rule to assist the member’s participation.
2. One Question Is Decided at a Time. A question is a motion. People need to know what issue is being discussed and when and how it will be decided. All the rules about considering motions and their rank in order are made to avoid confusion about which question the group is discussing and deciding. The basic rule is that only one question is considered at a time in the order of being raised. If one question is being debated but another question develops that would have an important impact on the first question, then the rules provide a way for the subsidiary question to be decided before the main question. Also when important questions arise that are not about the main question but must be asked and answered before the group can continue, these privileged or incidental questions may be considered while the main or subsidiary question is pending. By making a parliamentary inquiry any member may ask the chair if their question has any precedence over the immediately pending question. When one question has precedence, all other pending questions are stacked to be decided in order.
3. The Speaker Must Be Respectful. The rules of order are fundamentally about respecting each member of a group so that the group can get decisions made in as quick and as fair a manner as possible, considering the size of the group and the urgency of the question. Decorum is a significant factor in helping questions be decided expeditiously, ethically, and impartially. The rules of decorum embody the principle that each member of a group has an equal right to attempt to persuade the other members that his or her view of a question is correct or best for the group. A member’s attempt to persuade the group is debate. Fair debate requires each member to show respect for the other members. Disrespectful debate takes unfair advantage of the right to persuade. Name calling, personalizing, shouting down, or other types of disrespect are not appropriate means of persuasion. The chair has the duty to call to order any member who is disrespectful. Also any member may raise a point of order to call to order another member who breaches decorum. The chair should direct the offending member to proper conduct. If a member continues to be disorderly after correction, the chair or any member may ask the group to discipline the member, including asking for an apology or ejecting the member for the remainder of the meeting. Since the conduct occurred in the meeting there is no need for a formal disciplinary trial. But if a member continues to act disrespectfully and that conduct reflects badly on the group or interferes with the group’s ability to conduct business, then the ultimate discipline of being expelled from membership in the organization may be decided after a trial according to the bylaws or the rules of parliamentary procedure adopted by the organization.
4. Everyone’s Rights Are Protected by Balancing Them with Each Other. The whole design of the rules of parliamentary procedure is created to balance the rights of the members. The interests balanced by the rules are those 1) of the majority, 2) of the minority, 3) of the individual member, 4) of the absentee members, and 5) of all together. For example, the simple majority vote for most main questions protects the majority’s right to get business done. A two-thirds majority vote protects the rights of a minority larger than one-third when certain significant questions are considered. The rules requiring or not requiring a second, protect the rights of the individual or the minority to consider or prevent consideration of certain questions. In addition the rules of quorum and notice protect the absentee members. Knowing that the rules are balanced to protect everyone’s rights, not just the majority or just a minority, helps members appreciate why the rules are elaborate. All the rules of parliamentary procedure relate directly to one or more of these four simple rules. If these four primary rules are held in mind when conducting meetings, the members should be able to have their say while the questions needing to be decided are decided in the most fair and efficient manner possible.
2022 Proposed Constitution and Bylaw Amendments
Respectfully submitted by Trampes Brown, Zelda Gebhard, Allan Peterson and Michelle Zentz, chairperson
NDAB’s governing documents are beginning to truly communicate how our organization operates! We have 17 proposed amendments to put forth this year, but don’t worry most are only clerical in nature.
Each proposed amendment has been written in a manner to provide you with the current wording, the proposed revision, followed by the reasoning for the change. If you have any questions before convention, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the committee for further explanation.
Amendment #1
Where it states in the Constitution Article III. Membership. Section 5. Dues: The annual convention reserves the right to establish or change membership dues. Members shall pay annual dues each year. Payment of annual dues shall be a pre-requisite for the right to vote or hold office in NDAB. If a member’s current dues are not paid by May 30th, that person’s membership is forfeited, and they must reapply to become a member.
Proposed clerical amendment: Strike out the sentence, ”The annual convention reserves the right to establish or change membership dues.” And delete the sentence “If a member’s current dues are not paid by May 30th, that person’s membership is forfeited, and they must reapply to become a member.”
To read as follows:
Section 5. Dues. Members shall pay dues each year. Payment of annual dues shall be a pre-requisite for the right to vote or hold office in NDAB.
Justification: The first sentence is not necessary as the governing documents are all subject to possible amendment. The second listed sentence is repetitive and better placed within the Bylaws. where it exists within Article II. Membership: Section 2.
Amendment #2
Where it states in the Constitution Article IV Officers. Section 2. Election of Officers. B: Directors shall be elected for a term of three years and until a successor to that directorship is elected or appointed. One director will be elected at each annual convention.
Proposed clerical amendment: Add the words “during” and “with the exception of vacancies” to read as follows:
B: Directors shall be elected for a term of three years and until a successor to that directorship is elected or appointed. One director will be elected during each annual convention with the exception of vacancies.
Justification: It may be that more than one director needs to be elected during convention for whatever reason as noted in the listed subsections regarding vacancies.
Amendment #3
Where it states in the Constitution Article IV. Officers. Section 4. General Duties: Officers and directors shall have the following duties:
A. To regularly attend meetings of the board and be knowledgeable about the business that needs to be discussed and acted upon.
B. To be actively involved in the activities of the organization and to provide leadership on the committees of NDAB.
C. To serve as voting members of the executive board.
Proposed structural Amendment: Move sections Where it currently states in the Bylaws Article V. Executive Board Article V. Section 1 and Section 2 to that of Section 6 and Section 7. Strike out “Officers and directors” and replace with “Members of the executive board”. Before moving to the Bylaws Article V. Executive Board. Section 1. General Duties. To read as follows:
Section 1. General Duties. Members of the executive board shall have the following duties:
A. To regularly attend meetings of the executive board and be knowledgeable about the business that needs to be discussed and acted upon.
B. To be actively involved in the activities of the organization and to provide leadership on the committees of NDAB.
C. To serve as voting members of the executive board.
Justification: The listed duties of officers and directors are responsibilities of executive board members and are better placed within the Bylaws.
Amendment #4
Where it states in the Constitution Article IV. Officers. Section 4. General Duties:
Proposed clerical amendment: Strike out the Subsection listing of Letter D. The remaining text is to read as follows: Section 4. Each officer shall perform all duties normally associated with the office according to Roberts Rules of Order Revised and any additional duties assigned by the executive board or the convention.
Justification: This proposed amendment is just clerical in nature to address the remaining text within the Constitution.
Amendment #5
Constitution Article VI, Convention, Section 4
Proposed substantive amendment: To add and then renumber those Sections following.
Section 4. Any convention of this organization, in addition to in-person, may also be held by means of telecommunication platforms, or other electronic communications technology alone or in combination with in-person attendance as long as the members have the opportunity to read or hear the proceedings, vote on matters presented, ask questions, and make comments.
Justification: This amendment prepares us for a possible virtual or hybrid convention in the future if necessary.
Amendment #6
Where it states within the Bylaws Article V. Executive Board.
Proposed substantive amendment: Add the following good faith text to read as follows:
Section 2. Good Faith. Members of the executive board are expected to carry out their role with the same care an ordinarily prudent person would use in managing their own affairs. Meaning members of the Board are to act in good faith, stay informed, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions on behalf of NDAB.
Justification: This section has been drafted to include needed verbiage relating to ND state Law immunity for non-profit executive board members.
Amendment #7
Where it states in the Bylaws Article III. Elections. Section 2. A complete list of the qualifications and duties of officers and board directors are outlined in the Constitution of this organization.
Proposed Clerical Amendment: Strike out section 2 as the qualifications and duties of officers and board directors were moved to the Bylaws during the 2019 state convention. Relabel remaining section numbering.
Amendment #8
Where it states in the Bylaws Article III. Elections. Section 5. The convention shall annually elect a delegate to attend the subsequent year’s ACB Conference and Convention. The first runner up for this position will serve as alternate delegate if for whatever reason the elected delegate is unable to attend.
Proposed substantive amendment: Add “and an alternate delegate” to the first sentence. Strike out “first runner up for this position will serve as” and replace with, “will serve” to read as follows:
Section 5. The convention shall annually elect a delegate and alternate delegate to attend the subsequent year’s ACB Conference and Convention. The alternate delegate will serve as delegate if for whatever reason the elected delegate is unable to attend.
Justification: 2019 was the first year to include election of a Delegate within our governing documents. We discovered the need to vote as separate positions.
Amendment #9
Where it states in the Bylaws Article IV. Officer Duties. Section 4. The treasurer shall have the following duties:
A. To be in charge of collections of dues and special assessments.
G. To keep a classified list of all members that includes their status as to payment of current dues.
Proposed clerical Amendment: Combine A with G. to read as follows:
A. To be in charge of collections of dues and special assessments and keep a classified list of members’ status as to payment of current dues
Justification: This revision begins to condense the list of treasurer’s duties into a more readable format.
Amendment #10
Where it states within the Bylaws Article IV. Officer Duties. Section 4.
C. To be the official custodian of all monies and commercial papers. In this capacity, the treasurer is to receive all monies paid to the account of NDAB and is to keep an accurate record of the same.
D. To be the official custodian of all property not otherwise provided for.
H. To 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.
Proposed clerical amendment: Combine sections C and D into C and move the current sub section H to that of D to read as follows:
C. To be the official custodian of all monies, commercial papers and all property not otherwise provided for. In this capacity, the treasurer is to receive all monies paid to the account of NDAB and keep an accurate record of the same.
D. To 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.
Justification: This amendment again groups similar duties into a more readable format.
Amendment #11
Where it states within the Bylaws Article IV. Officer Duties. Section 4.
E. To keep an accurate record of each financial transaction, and to procure an annual review/ compilation/ agreed upon proposal of the books for presentation to the convention by a qualified auditor.
F. To collaborate with an accountant or another qualified person to prepare the organization’s 990 report to the IRS and ensure that this report is submitted before the filing deadline.
Proposed clerical amendment: Strike out “To keep an accurate record of each financial transaction: as it is repetitive. (See sub section C.) Strike out “or another qualified person” from both sentences as the phrase is both vague and unnecessary. Combine Sub sections E and F duties within E. Strike out “presentation to the convention” and replace with “review by the executive board” and add word, “annually” to read as follows:
E. To procure an annual review/ compilation/ agreed upon proposal of the books by a qualified auditor or accountant for review by the executive board. In addition, collaborate with the accountant to prepare the organization’s 990 report for the IRS and ensure that this report is submitted annually before the filing deadline.
Justification: Combining the duties makes sense as both these duties are completed at the same time with NDAB’s accountant.
Amendment #12
Where it states in the Bylaws Article IV. Officer Duties. Section 4.
Proposed substantive amendment: Add duty of being registered agent to read as follows:
F. To serve as the organization’s registered agent. In this capacity, the registered agent will receive all communications from the Secretary of State and notice of process if a lawsuit is ever filed against the organization.
Justification: Previously this duty has not been included within our governing documents.
Amendment #13
Where it states in the Bylaws Article IV. Officer Duties. Section 4.
Proposed substantive amendment: Add duty of being chairperson of the finance committee to read as follows:
G. To serve as the chairperson of the finance committee. The committee’s composition is to include the development director, at least one other member of NDAB or the community to advise the executive board regarding the management of NDAB’s finances.
Justification: Previously this duty has not been included within our governing documents.
Amendment #14
Where it states within the Bylaws Article IV. Officer Duties. Section 4.
Proposed substantive amendment: Add the duty of preparing the fiscal budget to read as follows:
H. To collaborate with the finance committee to prepare the proposed annual fiscal budget that is presented for review by the Executive Board and for approval from members that are assembled in annual Convention.
Justification: Previously this duty has not been included within our governing documents other than within the development director’s duties.
Amendment #15
Where it states in the Bylaws Article VI. Committees. Section 1. The standing committees of NDAB shall be: Executive, Membership, Public Relations, Finance, Legislative/Liaison, Summer Camp for Adults with Vision Loss, Scholarship, Family Adjustment Seminar, and Sports and Recreation.
Proposed substantive amendment: Alphabetize listed Standing committees. Add Fundraising and Publication and Communications. Revise the titles of Legislative/Liaison to Legislative and Advocacy; Public Relations to Public Relations and Education; Summer Camp for Adults with Vision Loss to Summer Camp. Delete Scholarship and Family Adjustment Seminar from listing to read as follows:
Section 1. The standing committees of NDAB shall be: Executive, Finance, Fundraising, Legislative and Advocacy, Membership, Public Relations and Education, Publication and Communications, Sports and Recreation and Summer Camp.
Justification: This is our attempt to update and more clearly communicate NDAB’s current committee structure to the membership. The section below will list the committees that operate during convention as special committees.
Amendment #16
Where it currently states in Bylaws Article VI. Committees Section 1. The standing committees of NDAB shall be:
Proposed structural amendment: Relabel as Section 2. And replace word” Standing committee” with “Special committee” to read as follows:
Section 2. The special committees of NDAB shall be: Awards, Constitution and Bylaws, Convention Planning, Nominations, and Scholarship.
Amendment #17
Where it currently states within Section 2. Special committees may be appointed by the president if deemed necessary.
Proposed substantive amendment: Relabel as Section 3 and renumber remaining sections as 4 and 5. Strike out sentence” Special committees may be appointed by the president if deemed necessary.” Use the two sentences of explanatory text regarding committees below to read as follows:
Section 3 Standing and Special committees are ongoing committees while most ad hoc committees have a limited timeframe. Ad hoc committees are appointed by the president after a request has been expressed by the executive board, whenever a motion or resolution has been passed by the convention or as deemed necessary to complete a specific task.
Justification: This added language provides a clear explanation of how NDAB’s committees are formed.
NDAB is a nonprofit organization which promotes the interest of ND residents who are blind and visually impaired. As a nonprofit organization, we welcome donations to help in advancing the cause of persons who are blind and visually impaired.