CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Of the CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
As amended October 2013

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the California Council of the Blind, sometimes referred to herein as "the Council," or "CCB."

Article II. Affiliation

Section 2.1 The California Council of the Blind shall be an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.

Section 2.2 The California Council of the Blind shall not be subordinate to any other organization.

Article III. Purposes

The purposes of this organization shall be:

3.1 to promote in every way, individually and collectively, the well being of blind persons;

3.2 to provide a medium of expression and concerned action;

3.3 to inform all persons who are blind or visually impaired as to their potentialities and opportunities and to impress upon them their responsibilities to themselves and to society;

3.4 to awaken the public to the fact that blind individuals are an integral part of the community, that they have abilities and accomplishments as well as special needs, and that they want opportunities in all areas to be contributing members of society; and,

3.5 to seek the cooperation and assistance of social, civic, and economic leaders, and to seek the cooperation of local, state, national and international organizations and agencies working on behalf of the blind in order to achieve the goals of this organization.
Article IV. Newel Perry Endowment Trust

Section 4.1 The Council hereby provides for the creation of an endowment fund for the purpose of soliciting and investing funds for use in promoting the purposes of the Council as set forth in Article III of the Constitution. The name of the fund shall be the Newel Perry Endowment Trust. The trust shall be administered by a Board of Trustees comprised of three trustees.

Section 4.2 Three trustees shall be selected by the Board of Directors of the California Council of the Blind. Should a trustee resign or be incapacitated for any reason, such trustee shall be replaced by the Council Board of Directors.

Section 4.3 The trustees shall serve without compensation. Their duties shall be to accept, receive and hold, invest and reinvest contributions to the Newel Perry Endowment Trust, with interest thereon and additions and accretions thereto, and such other income that might accrue. Upon the order of the Board of Directors of the California Council of the Blind, the trustees shall pay out and distribute the earned income for the purposes set forth in this Article. The Board of Directors shall not order the expenditure of the corpus unless a Constitutional amendment is adopted for that purpose as provided in Article XVII of this Constitution.

Section 4.4 The trustees shall comply with the provisions of the California Business and Professions Code regulating charitable solicitations and shall file such reports as may be necessary to obtain or maintain approval of the tax exempt status of the Newel Perry Endowment Trust, California Council of the Blind with the Internal Revenue Service and the State of California Franchise Tax Board.

Section 4.5 The Council Board of Directors shall determine at any regular meeting whether any or all of the trustees shall be bonded and in what amount to guarantee the faithful performance of their duties, or whether any or all of the trustees shall serve without bond. If the Council Board of Directors takes no action on this subject, the trustees shall serve without bond, but if bond is required, then bond
premiums shall be paid from the Newel Perry Endowment Trust funds.

Section 4.6 The trustees shall account to the Council Board of Directors quarterly, providing such information as the Board shall direct. All solicitations and investments shall be subject to the approval or ratification of the Board. No expenditure of trust funds shall be made unless two trustees shall sign therefore.

Section 4.7 The Board of Trustees, with the approval of the Council Board of Directors, may adopt such rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Article as they may deem advisable for the administration of the trust funds.

Section 4.8 In case any funds are donated for a specific purpose within the meaning or use of these trust funds, the wishes of the donor shall be respected as far as possible.

Section 4.9 The trustees shall prepare a report to the membership at the Council's annual Convention.
Section 4.10 Upon the dissolution or winding up of the Council, the trust funds shall be distributed as provided in the Constitution.



Article V. Meetings

Section 5.1 There shall be a regularly scheduled meeting of the California Council of the Blind annually, the time and place to be fixed in advance by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.2 The President may call a special meeting of the Council at any time he/she deems such action to be necessary. The President shall notify the Presidents of all organizations affiliated with CCB and the Council's members at large of the date, time and place of the special meeting at least fifteen days in advance of such meeting.

Section 5.3 At least one third of the delegates or their alternates and at least fifty individual voting members must be present and voting to constitute a quorum to transact Council business.

Section 5.4 Each such meeting shall be known as the Conference and Convention, sometimes referred to herein as the "Convention", of the California Council of the Blind.

Article VI. Supreme Authority

Section 6.1 The California Council of the Blind in Convention assembled shall be the supreme authority of this organization.

Section 6.2 No provision of this Constitution shall be construed so as to diminish the authority of the Convention to act as the supreme authority of the California Council of the Blind.

Article VII. Membership

Section 7.1 Any person who has attained the age of sixteen years is eligible to become a Voting Member of the California Council of the Blind upon compliance with the provisions set forth in this Constitution and the Council Bylaws. The age requirement shall not be applied retroactively.



Section 7.2 The California Council of the Blind shall have five classes of members:

7.2.1 Chapter Members: All members of CCB chapters shall be members of the California Council of the Blind.

7.2.2 Membership at Large: Any person who does not reside within reasonable traveling distance of the meeting place of a Council chapter or for other good cause cannot actively join his/her local Council chapter may become a Member at Large. Determination of such eligibility shall be made by the CCB President, subject to review by the Board of Directors.

7.2.3 Life Members: Any person who is eligible to vote in CCB elections and who has paid Life Membership dues in the amount set forth in the Council Bylaws shall be a Life Member of CCB. If a life member resigns or is expelled, the Life Membership Dues shall be refunded and his/her Life Membership shall be revoked.

7.2.4 Honorary Permanent Member: The Council shall have a single Honorary permanent member, the founder and long time President of the Council, Dr. Newel Perry, now deceased.

7.2.5 Sustaining Members: Upon payment of dues as prescribed in the Council Bylaws, any group or individual may become a Sustaining Member of the Council.

Section 7.3 All members except the Honorary permanent member shall pay dues in accordance with this Constitution and the Council Bylaws.

Section 7.4 Except as provided in this Constitution, Chapter Members, Members at Large and Life Members shall be deemed "Voting Members" and shall have the right to present motions, speak on the floor of the Convention, vote, serve on Council committees and hold Council office. The majority of the voting membership shall be legally blind.


Section 7.5 Sustaining Members shall have all the rights of membership conferred upon the Chapter Members, Members at Large and Life Members except that Sustaining Members shall not have the right to vote and may not hold office in the Council or any of its Chapters.

Section 7.6 Except as provided in this Constitution, a chapter or member may be suspended only by a majority vote or expelled only by a two thirds vote of the Convention after a hearing as prescribed in Robert's Rules of Order. In the proceedings to suspend or expel, the chapter or member charged shall have the right to vote.

Article VIII. Chapter Affiliation

Section 8.1 Any organized group of ten or more individuals, a majority of whom are blind, may apply for affiliation with the California Council of the Blind.

Section 8.2 To apply for affiliation with the California Council of the Blind, the group desiring to be affiliated shall submit to the President and Secretary in care of the CCB office a copy of its Constitution and a list of the names, addresses phone number, email address if any, format of choice, and vision status, i.e.. blind, low vision, or sighted, of its members. An officer information sheet shall be submitted which includes all officers names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses if any as well as information requested for the CCB website and CCB email discussion lists. If the Council either in Convention assembled or by action of the Board of Directors approves the affiliation, the Council President shall issue to the accepted group a certificate of affiliation.

Section 8.3 A chapter's privileges and duties as an affiliate of the California Council of the Blind shall be as set forth in this Constitution and the Council Bylaws. Any chapter not retaining at least ten members for two consecutive years shall be deemed inactive and shall lose its privilege to vote at the Council Convention. At this time, the Board of Directors may consider the withdrawal of the chapter's charter. All members of such a chapter shall retain their privileges of membership in the Council and shall become Members-at-large in the case of withdrawal of charter.

Section 8.4 No group shall remain an affiliate of the Council unless at least a majority of its voting members are blind.

Section 8.5 The Council President shall be an ex officio member of each affiliated chapter.

Section 8.6 Each chapter of the Council shall notify the Council President and Secretary in car4e3 of the CCB office of election results in writing after each chapter election or after any change of officers in such chapter in accordance with the bylaws.

Section 8.7 Each chapter of the Council shall send annually to the President and the Secretary care of the CCB office a list of the names and addresses of its members along with their phone numbers, email addresses if any, format choice, and sight status.

Section 8.8 Each chapter shall collect and pay to the Council Treasurer, care of the CCB office, the annual dues assessed by the Council according to the provisions set forth in this Constitution and the Council Bylaws.

Section 8.9 Each chapter shall elect a delegate who is a current voting member of the chapter to attend Council Conventions and cast the chapter's vote. The chapter may also elect an alternate delegate who is a current voting member of the chapter. The chapter shall provide its delegate and alternate delegate with a credential. Such credential must be submitted to the Council President and Secretary care of the CCB office at least thirty days prior to each CCB Convention. No credential of a delegate or alternate delegate may be accepted unless the annual dues of the chapter seeking to be represented are paid along with the roster as required in Section 8.7 and the officer information sheet required in the bylaws.

Section 8.10 An individual may join more than one chapter and may enjoy all privileges of membership in all chapters he/she joins except that each chapter member of the Council shall be counted only in one chapter for the purpose of counting the votes at Council Conventions, shall pay Council dues through only one chapter and may cast only one vote each for a delegate and alternate delegate to Council Conventions. Therefore, any individual who has joined more than one chapter shall inform the chapters' Presidents of which chapter he/she desires to be counted in for the purpose of representation at Council Conventions and for assessment of Council dues.


Section 8.11 Each chapter of the California Council of the Blind shall be allowed to establish its own requirements for membership in that chapter except that such requirements shall be consistent with the provisions of this Constitution and the Constitution of the American Council of the Blind.

Section 8.12 When an affiliated chapter violates its own Constitution, this Constitution or that of the American Council of the Blind, the Board of Directors may by majority vote suspend the chapter until the next regular Council Convention. The Convention shall then vote to expel the chapter, continue the suspension or reinstate the chapter, unless the chapter has been reinstated by the Board of Directors prior to the Convention. An affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the voting membership present and voting shall be required to expel a chapter. A majority vote shall be sufficient to continue the suspension or to reinstate the chapter.

Section 8.13 No chapter shall expend any of its funds for any purposes inconsistent with the provisions of the California Charitable Trust statutes or of the Internal Revenue Code under which those funds were collected.

Section 8.14 The Constitution of each affiliated chapter shall provide that upon its dissolution, liquidation, or abandonment, the property of the chapter shall not inure to the benefit of any person but, unless otherwise stipulated in accordance with the laws of the State of California, shall, after providing for the chapter's debts and obligations, be distributed to the California Council of the Blind.

Article IX. Statewide Affiliates

Section 9.1 In addition to the Chapters authorized by Article VIII, which are local in nature, Statewide Affiliates may be organized which have at least ten members and the purposes of which are similar to and not in conflict with those of the California Council of the Blind. A Statewide Affiliate is bound together by a common interest rather than by geographical proximity. Such a statewide affiliate shall have the duties, rights and privileges of all other affiliates as described in Article VIII.

Section 9.2 All members of statewide affiliates of the California Council of the Blind shall be deemed members of CCB. Such members shall also be eligible to become members of local chapters without regard to their membership in statewide affiliates. Dues and voting strength of the statewide affiliates shall not be reckoned on a per capita basis.

Article X. Board of Directors Composition

Section 10.1 The Board of Directors of the California Council of the Blind shall consist of five officers, 9 directors, and the immediate past President. The officers of the Council shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 10.2 The President of the Council shall serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.

Section 10.3 At least two thirds of the members of the Board of Directors shall be blind. The President and the Vice Presidents shall be blind.

Section 10.4 All officers and directors shall be elected for two-year terms, subject, however, to the provisions set forth in this Article. The President, First Vice President, Treasurer and four directors shall be elected at the annual Convention of each even numbered year. The Second Vice President, the Secretary and 5 directors shall be elected at the annual Convention of each odd numbered year. The terms of officers and directors shall commence on July 1 immediately following the adjournment of the Convention at which their election occurs.

Inasmuch as the Council has acted to hold its Conference and Convention on an annual basis instead of the current semiannual basis, the service length of those elected in the penultimate and ultimate Conventions at which elections were, or will be, held under the current provisions shall have their terms adjusted accordingly. Those elected fall, 2012 shall serve from January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014; those to be elected Fall, 2013 shall serve from January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015

Section 10.5 All voting members who are in good standing and who are not employed by the California Council of the Blind shall be eligible to hold a position on the Board of Directors.

Section 10.6 An officer or director of the Council who has served four consecutive terms in the same position shall be barred from holding that position for a period of four years from the date the fourth term expires.

Section 10.7 If a vacancy occurs in the office of President during the period between regular Conventions the First and Second Vice Presidents shall serve as President and Vice President respectively until the next regularly scheduled Convention at which time the office of President shall be filled by election. After the election the First and Second Vice Presidents shall resume their respective duties as First and Second Vice Presidents except in the event that one or the other should be elected President. In that case the vacated position shall be filled by election at the same Convention.

Section 10.8 Should the office of Secretary or Treasurer become vacant during the period between regularly scheduled Conventions, the President shall fill the position by appointment. The appointee shall take office immediately upon designation by the President and shall remain in office until the next regularly scheduled Council Convention at which time a Council member shall be elected to fill the position vacated.

Section 10.9 Vacancies in all other Board of Directors positions, except immediate past President, shall be filled by election at the Convention during which they occur or if they occur between Conventions, then they shall be filled by election at the regularly scheduled Convention immediately following their occurrence.

Section 10.10 A Council member elected to fill any position vacated by any officer or director shall serve for the unexpired term of that officer or director. The period during which a Council member fills an unexpired term as an officer or director shall not be deemed a term of office as defined in Section 10.4 of this Article.

Section 10.11 The Convention may remove any officer or director of the Council between elections only by a two thirds vote of the Council members in Convention assembled. The Convention must receive notice of the impending vote to remove at least 24 hours in advance of such vote. If any officer or director should be so removed, a replacement may be elected by a simple majority vote as in the case of the regular elections. The replacement shall serve for the unexpired term of the removed officer or director. A President so removed shall not serve as immediate past President.

Section 10.12 Officers and directors shall be elected to office by a simple majority vote.

Article XI. Board of Directors Duties

Section 11.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution or in the Council Bylaws, the duties of the officers and directors of the California Council of the Blind shall be those customarily associated with their respective offices.

Section 11.2 The Board of Directors shall be the policy making body of the Council between Conventions. It shall advise the President and approve any policy decisions. It shall have charge of affairs of the organization between Conventions with respect to matters not otherwise within the responsibilities of the President as set forth in this Constitution and the Council Bylaws.

Section 11.3 The Board of Directors shall meet during the regularly scheduled Conventions of the Council as well as at the call of the President or upon written call signed by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 11.4 Two thirds of the Board of Directors must be present and voting in order to constitute a quorum. A quorum shall be required at any meeting in which any Council business is conducted.

Section 11.5 The Board of Directors may be polled by mail or by telephone conference during which the votes cast by the Board of Directors shall be duly noted.

Section 11.6 The President of the California Council of the Blind shall be in charge of the management of the Council's daily affairs and shall have the authority to hire and fire staff members. However, professional staff may be terminated only after consultation with the entire Board of Directors.

Section 11.7 The President or his/her designee shall represent the Council in matters relating to each organization with which the Council is formally affiliated.

Section 11.8 The President with the concurrence of the Board of Directors shall select a Council member who shall serve as Parliamentarian at all Council meetings and whose decisions respecting parliamentary processes shall be final except that at no time shall a ruling of the Parliamentarian take precedence over the Supreme Authority of the Convention. Members of the Board of Directors shall not be barred from serving as Parliamentarian.

Section 11.9 The funds of the Council shall be deposited in a bank(s) to be chosen by the President and the Treasurer.

Section 11.10 The President and the Treasurer shall be bonded.

Section 11.11 On or before January 1 of each year the Treasurer shall notify all affiliated organizations, Sustaining Members, and Members at Large of the annual dues owed by them to the Council. The Treasurer shall prepare a list of paid members to be given to the President by February 15.

Section 11.12 the Treasurer shall report the Council's annual financial position to the Council membership assembled at each Convention. The Treasurer shall also provide reports of the Council's current financial affairs to the President or to the Council within thirty days after receipt of a written request thereof by the President or the Board of Directors.

Section 11.13 All financial obligations of the Council shall be discharged by check issued on the written order of the President and signed by the Treasurer. If the Treasurer should become incapacitated or otherwise unavailable, then another officer of the Council other than the authorizing officer may sign checks during the period of the Treasurer's incapacity or unavailability. If, in emergency, the authorizing agent finds it necessary to authorize and sign any check(s), he/she shall report all such transactions to the Board of Directors immediately.

Article XII. Committees

The California Council of the Blind shall have Standing Committees and other committees as provided in the Council Bylaws.

Article XIII. Voting

Section 13.1 Any individual Voting Member attending a Convention of the California Council of the Blind shall have one vote.
Section 13.2 The delegate or alternate delegate of each chapter of the Council shall cast the number of votes to which his/her chapter is entitled, the number of which shall be provided by the Council Bylaws. The chapters' votes shall be publicly cast by the delegate or alternate delegate in the event of a roll call vote.

Section 13.3 In the event of a roll call vote, the individual vote, excluding officers and directors, shall be taken first, followed by the delegate vote, after which each officer and director shall be called by name and shall cast his/her individual vote publicly. However, officers and directors will not be required to vote publicly in elections.

Section 13.4 Members of the Council whose dues are in arrears shall not be entitled to vote.

Section 13.5 In all matters except for elections, roll call votes shall not be required unless otherwise provided in the Council Bylaws.

Section 13.6 All Council elections shall be held by voice vote if there is only one nominee.

Section 13.7 Voting by proxy shall be prohibited.

Section 13.8 No provision in this Constitution or the Council Bylaws shall be construed so as to prevent a Board member from being elected as a chapter's delegate or alternate delegate.

Section 13.9 No person may serve simultaneously as a delegate or alternate delegate from more than one chapter or statewide affiliate.

Article XIV. Dues

Section 14.1 Dues shall be paid on a calendar year basis and shall, if unpaid, be deemed delinquent on or after February 15 of the year due.

Section 14.2 The dues of chapter members shall be paid through their respective chapters. The dues owed by each chapter shall be calculated on a per capita basis.

Section 14.3 The amount of dues shall be set forth in the Council Bylaws.

Section 14.4 Any individual or Council chapter whose dues are delinquent six months or more shall lose all rights and privileges of membership and shall be required to reapply as new members.

Article XV. Fund Raising by Chapters

Section 15.1 Chapters affiliated with the California Council of the Blind shall not engage in any fund raising activities which the Board of Directors of the Council deems to be in conflict with or detrimental to the Council or its fund raising activities.

Section 15.2 The President of the Council shall be notified in full detail at least thirty days in advance of the beginning date of any proposed fund raising activity involving public solicitation. The President may waive the thirty day requirement when extenuating circumstances exist. If the President finds that such proposed fund raising activities would be detrimental to the Council or its fund raising activities, the matter shall be referred to the Board of Directors. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be binding.

Section 15.3 In order to assist chapters in planning their fund raising activities, the Council President shall notify chapters regarding fund raising activities in their areas as soon as possible.

Section 15.4 The funds raised by any chapter belong to that chapter for its use. However, as a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization, each chapter has an obligation to report its fund raising activities to the appropriate agencies of state and federal government. Thus, if a chapter does not have its own tax-exempt status, it must raise funds as a part of and under the tax-exempt status of CCB. The fore, each such chapter shall annually report to the CCB treasurer no later than December 31 the nature of its fund raising projects during the year together with the amounts of the proceeds realized and the expenses incurred in connection with such projects.

Section 15.5 Any violation of this Article shall be considered adequate grounds for the immediate suspension of the offending chapter or individual(s) by the Board of Directors.

Article XVI. Bylaws

All specific enactments of the Council passed by a majority vote at any Convention of the Council shall constitute the Bylaws of the Council when so designated by the Convention. Amendments to the Bylaws shall be adopted by a majority vote.

Article XVII. Constitutional Amendments.

This Constitution may be amended at any regular conference and convention provided such proposed amendment has been presented in writing to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee at least two days prior to the day on which the final action is taken. Any proposed amendment shall have a first reading to the convention without discussion and a final reading with discussion (if necessary) at the time the vote is taken. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting is required to adopt a constitutional amendment according to voting procedures contained herein. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall take effect on the July 1st immediately following the relevant vote.

Article XVIII. Parliamentary Procedures

Any situation not covered by this Constitution or the Council Bylaws adopted under it shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

Article XIX. Dissolution of the Council

The California Council of the Blind is organized pursuant to the general nonprofit corporation laws of the State of California. The property of the Council is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and in the event of liquidation, dissolution or abandonment of the Council, after providing for the debts and obligations thereof, the remaining assets will not inure to the benefit of any private person but will be dispersed to the American Council of the Blind. However, should such dispersal not be possible, these assets will be disposed of in such manner as may be dictated by a decree of the Superior Court of the county in which the Council's Agent for Service of Process is located. Upon petition therefore by the Attorney General or any person concerned with the liquidation, dissolution or abandonment in proceedings to which the Attorney General shall be a party with special emphasis given, unless otherwise stipulated in accordance with the laws of the State of California, to contribute such assets to another California charitable organization having similar or identical goals as does this organization.

BYLAWS

Article I. Committees

Section 1.1 The California Council of the Blind shall have seven Standing Committees:

1.1.1 Finance and Budget
1.1.2 Constitution and Bylaws
1.1.3 Fund Raising
1.1.4 Governmental Affairs
1.1.5 Membership
1.1.6 Publications
1.1.7 Personnel.

Section 1.2 The Council President shall appoint a Finance and Budget Committee and designate its chair immediately upon taking office.

Section 1.3 The Finance and Budget Committee shall arrange for an annual independent audit of the Council's books. It shall also conduct a regular annual review of the Council's books and provide a summary of the Council's financial condition to the Board of Directors, along with any recommendations it may have upon completing such review. Such a summary shall also be provided to the Board of Directors by the Finance and Budget Committee upon written request therefore.

Section 1.4 The Finance and Budget Committee shall present an annual budget to the Board of Directors for its adoption.

Section 1.5 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 adopted to voting members. It shall initiate changes that it believes will make the Council more democratic and effective.

Section 1.6 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.

Section 1.7 The Governmental Affairs Committee shall review legislation affecting the blind and shall prepare a summary of such legislation for distribution to the Council members.

Section 1.8 The Membership Committee shall actively seek new members and assist in the organization of new chapters. It shall also serve as a hospitality committee during Council Conventions when needed.

Section 1.9 The Publications Committee shall be responsible for Council publications distributed in Braille, recorded or print format both within and outside the organization, including: brochures, pamphlets, speeches, articles, position papers, the Council's magazine, and any special publications.

Section 1.10 The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for advising the President and Board of Directors on personnel matters. They shall be responsible for preparing job descriptions, preparing an employee handbook, and performing any other personnel related duties requested by the President.

Section 1.11 In addition, there shall be the following Convention committees: resolutions, nominating, and credentials. The Council President shall appoint a Resolutions Committee sixty days before each Council Convention. Council members shall be asked to submit resolutions in writing thirty days in advance of the Convention. The Resolutions Committee shall assign a number to each proposed resolution and it shall present each proposal to the Convention.

Section 1.12 The Council shall have a Nominations Committee which shall nominate candidates for positions on the Board of Directors. The Nominations Committee shall consist of a voting member selected from each chapter and each statewide affiliate.

Section 1.13 The Council President shall appoint the Chairperson who shall preside over meetings of the Nominations Committee. The Chairperson shall not vote unless he/she has also been selected by a chapter or statewide affiliate as a member of the Nominations Committee.

Section 1.14 At the Annual Convention during the Credentials report the delegates shall announce their representative on the Nominations Committee. No member of the Nominations Committee shall represent more than one chapter or statewide affiliate. No employee of the Council shall serve on the Nominations Committee. Membership on the Nominations Committee shall not preclude members from being nominated by the Nominations Committee or from the floor.
Section 1.15 The Nominations Committee shall meet in executive session during the Annual Convention and shall submit its report regarding the nominations during the Convention. The Nominations Committee shall verify that nominees are members in good standing and that they are available as candidates.

Section 1.16 The Council President shall appoint a Credentials Committee of three members prior to each Council Convention. The Committee shall confirm to the Convention the names of all representatives and voting members in good standing.

Section 1.17 Under extenuating circumstances, the Credentials Committee may accept the credential of a Council affiliate's delegate and alternate delegate up to the time of the Committee's regular meeting prior to each Council Convention, notwithstanding the provision set forth in Article VIII, Section 8.9 of the Council's Constitution.

Section 1.18 The Council President shall be an ex officio member of all Council Committees except the Nominations Committee. The President shall not be a member of the Nominations Committee.

Section 1.19 Employees of the California Council of the Blind shall not be eligible to serve on Council committees.

Section 1.20 If the President receives a written complaint that a chapter is violating its own constitution or bylaws, or the constitution or bylaws of either the California Council of the Blind, or the American Council of the Blind, and the President believes that this complaint is not frivolous, the President shall:

1.20.1 notify the President of the chapter, by way of a letter, of the nature of the complaint, explaining the procedure which will be followed by the Board of Directors in evaluating the complaint;

1.20.2 appoint a committee to investigate and determine the validity of the complaint and report its findings to the Board of Directors of the California Council of the Blind.

Section 1.21 The President of the Council may establish other committees as needed to further the Council's purposes. The President may appoint the members of such committees and designate their chairs. The President may not remove a committee member over his/her objection without the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article II. Voting

Section 2.1 Each chapter of the California Council of the Blind shall be entitled to five votes plus one additional vote for each five members in excess of twenty-five members. If the last increment of five members constitutes a major fraction of that number, the chapter shall be entitled to an additional vote consistent with the voting formula detailed in this section. However, no chapter shall be entitled to more than twenty-five votes.
Section 2.2 Should a chapter fall below the ten member minimum requirement as specified for chapter affiliation in Article VIII, Section 8.1 of the Council's Constitution, the chapter may lose its chapter vote, but no individual member shall lose his/her individual vote.

Section 2.3 In the event of a roll call vote, the names of chapter delegates or their alternates shall be called and they shall cast the chapters' votes orally.

Section 2.4 Except in elections, the votes of individual members shall be ascertained by a division of the house. In elections, individual members shall cast their votes by secret ballot.

Section 2.5 Except in elections, a roll call vote shall not be required unless a minimum of 20 Voting Members request it.

Article III. Dues

Section 3.1 The annual dues to the Council from each affiliated chapter shall be five dollars multiplied by the number of members declaring that chapter as their home chapter except those members who are life members of the California Council of the Blind.

Section 3.2 The annual dues to the Council from each Statewide Affiliate shall be fifty dollars regardless of the size of its membership.

Section 3.3 The dues to the Council from each Member at Large shall be ten dollars per year.

Section 3.4 Individuals who are Sustaining Members of the Council shall pay annual dues to the Council in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Organizations which are Sustaining Members of the Council shall pay annual dues to the Council in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00). Individual Sustaining Members who have not attained the age of sixteen years, however, shall be required to pay annual dues to the Council in the amount of one dollar ($1.00).

Section 3.5 Any voting member who has paid Life Membership dues in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) shall be a Life Member of the Council. Such dues may be paid in a lump sum or in five or fewer annual payments. During any year in which an installment of at least forty dollars ($40) is paid, no state membership dues shall be required for the potential life member. When life membership dues have been paid in full, no further state membership dues shall be required.

Section 3.6 The Treasurer shall deposit all funds derived from the payment of Life Membership dues and the principal amount of that deposit shall not be expended for any purpose until the death of the Life member. From the interest accrued in the account of Life Membership payments, the Treasurer shall pay the California Council of the Blind dues that the Life Member's home chapter would have paid at the time the Life Membership was established. Any other interest derived from the Life Membership account shall be paid into the general fund of the California Council of the Blind.

Article IV. Chapter Officer information

Each chapter and affiliate shall submit an officer information sheet to the council office. This officer information sheet shall include the officers' name, phone number, mailing address, email address if any, as well as information for the CCB web site and CCB email discussion lists. This officer information sheet shall be submitted along with the roster, and shall be updated within thirty days of any change in officers.








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