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ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of this organization is the Minnesota DeafBlind Association (MDBA).
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
MDBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established in 1981, for
the purpose of assisting deafblind persons to achieve their potential
through increased independence, productivity and integration into the
community.
ASL: MDBA IS 501 (c)(3) GROUP (MEAN NOT MAKE PROFIT), START IN 1981.
FOR-FOR? HELP DEAFBLIND PEOPLE HAVE BEST LIFE POSSIBLE. HOW? MORE INDEPENDENT
AND BE IN COMMUNITY.
ARTICLE 3: MISSION
The mission of MDBA is to provide information, education, advocacy and
other support and services to persons who are deafblind, their family
members and professionals.
ASL: GOAL WHAT? GIVE INFO, EDUCATE, SUPPORT AND HELP WITH SERVICES FOR
DEAFBLIND PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY, MDBA MEMBERS AND PROFESSIONALS WORK
WITH DEAFBLIND.
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ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: The types
of membership in this organization
1. ACTIVE MEMBER
a) An Active Member must be a deafblind Minnesota resident and at least
18 years old,
b) who supports the organization by his/her thoughts, words, actions,
and participation,
c) who also support MDBA financially by paying annual membership dues,
d) who has the right to be involved in business discussions and vote in
MDBA elections and member business,
e) who receives MDBA newsletters and member emails
f) can request reports as necessary.
ASL: ACTIVE MEMBERS WHO? DEAFBLIND, LIVE IN MN, 18 YRS. OR OLDER. WILL
SUPPORT MDBA THINKING, SPEAK POSITIVE, ACTIVITY. PAY MEMBER DUES EVERY
YEAR. CAN DISCUSS AND VOTE IN BUSINESS MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS. GET MDBA
NEWSLETTER AND EMAILS FOR MEMBERS. CAN ASK FOR REPORTS.
2. SUPPORTING MEMBER
a) A Supporting Member is either:
A Minnesota deafblind teenager under 18 years old, or
Not deafblind (sighted deaf or hearing) but lives in Minnesota, or
A DeafBlind person who does not live in Minnesota.
b) A Supporting member supports the organization by his/her thoughts,
words, actions and participation, and
c) supports MDBA financially by paying annual membership dues,
d) supporting members who live in Minnesota have the right to be involved
in discussions and vote in MDBA elections and member business,
e) Non-Minnesota members and teen members can be involved in discussions
but do not have voting rights,
f) All Supporting members receive MDBA newsletters and member emails,
g) can request reports as necessary.
ASL: SUPPORT MEMBER- 3 KINDS.
1) TEENAGER DEAFBLIND LIVE IN MN (UNDER 18 YRS. OLD)
2) ADULT DEAFBLIND NOT LIVE IN MN
3) ADULT LIVE IN MN BUT NOT DEAFBLIND (SIGHTED HEARING OR DEAF)
WILL SUPPORT MDBA THINKING, SPEAK POSITIVE, ACTIVITY. PAY MEMBER DUES
EVERY YEAR. GET MDBA NEWSLETTER AND EMAILS FOR MEMBERS. CAN ASK FOR REPORTS.
CAN DISCUSS DURING MEETINGS. #3 MEMBER ONLY CAN VOTE IN BUSINESS MEETINGS
AND ELECTIONS.
3. HONORARY MEMBER
a) Individuals or organizations that have done outstanding work in support
of the Minnesota DeafBlind community can be recommended for honorary membership.
b) Honorary members will be approved by a 2/3 vote of the MDBA Board.
c) Honorary Members do not pay dues but may hold any MDBA office if qualified
to do so.
d) Honorary Members receive MDBA mailings and member emails at no charge.
ASL: HONORARY MEMBER WHO? PERSON OR ORGANIZATION (GROUP) THAT WORK VERY
HARD SUPPORT AND WORK POSITIVE FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE. BOARD VOTE 2/3 TO
GIVE HONORARY MEMBER. HONORARY MEMBERS NOT PAY DUES, BUT CAN ON MDBA BOARD.
GET MDBA NEWSLETTER AND MEMBER EMAILS.
SECTION 2: Memberships
are from October 1 through September 30 each year.
ASL: MEMBERSHIP START OCT. 1 AND FINISH SEPT. 30 EVERY YEAR.
SECTION 3: Memberships
may start at any time for the current year but always end on September
30. Persons wanting to join MDAB must fill out a MDBA membership form
and pay dues to the Board secretary.
ASL: CAN PAY DUES TO START MEMBER ANY TIME, BUT END NEXT SEPT. 30 ALWAYS.
FILL OUT MEMBER FORM, PAY DUES AND GIVE TO SECRETARY.
SECTION 4: Respect
1. MDBA has the right to ask any disruptive, abusive or threatening member
that causes problems at any MDBA meeting, workshop or other event to leave.
2. MDBA also has the right to suspend membership for up to six months
of any member who acts against the mission and goals of MDBA.
3. Removing membership requires a 2/3 vote of the MDBA Board.
4. If a member’s bad behavior continues, membership can be suspended
for six (6) more months (a total of one year). This requires a 2/3 vote
of the MDBA board.
ASL: RESPECT. IF MEMBER CAUSE PROBLEM, ABUSE TO OTHERS OR MAKE THREAT,
OR WORK AGAINST MDBA, BOARD CAN ASK PERSON TO LEAVE MEETING. BOARD CAN
STOP MEMBERSHIP FOR SIX MONTHS WITH 2/3 BOARD VOTE. IF PERSON CONTINUE
PROBLEMS, BOARD CAN VOTE ADD 6 MORE MONTHS STOP MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION 5: Appeal
for Suspended Membership (request to get membership back)
1. If membership is suspended, a member can ask the Board to start the
membership again at the end of six (6) months.
2. The member must write a letter to the Board asking to start membership
again for the remainder of the current membership year.
3. Starting membership requires a 2/3 vote of the Board.
ASL: ASK FOR MEMBERSHIP START AGAIN HOW? 6 MONTHS FINISH, PERSON ASK FOR
MEMBERSHIP AGAIN CAN. WRITE LETTER TO BOARD ASK START MEMBER AGAIN. MUST
BOARD 2/3 VOTE YES.
SECTION 6: Non-Discrimination
MDBA does not discriminate (is not against) because of age, gender, race,
religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
ASL: MDBA NOT AGAINST PERSON BECAUSE AGE, GENDER (MALE/FEMALE/TRANGENDER),
RACE (FOR EXAMPLE: WHITE, BLACK, INDIAN), RELIGION BELIEFS, COUNTRY FROM,
SEXUALITY (GAY/STRAIGHT/LESBIAN/TRANS), OR DISABILITY.
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ARTICLE 5: MEMBERSHIP DUES
SECTION 1: All members
of MDBA except Honorary Members must pay annual dues.
ASL: ALL MEMBERS MUST PAY DUES EVERY YEAR (BUT NOT HONORARY).
SECTION 2: The Board
can decide the amount of dues on an annual basis by two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the Board.
ASL: BOARD CAN DECIDE DUES HOW MUCH EVERY YEAR. MUST 2/3 VOTE TO CHANGE
AMOUNT.
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ARTICLE 6: GOVERNANCE (how the organization
is run)
SECTION 1: The MDBA Board
of Directors is responsible to take care of the business of MDBA. The
Board will follow the rules of the by-laws and the Articles of Incorporation
that are filed with the Secretary of State of Minnesota.
ASL: BOARD RESPONSIBLE FOR MDBA BUSINESS. FOLLOW BYLAWS RULES AND “ARTICLE
OF INCORPORATION” RULES FROM STATE OF MN.
SECTION 2: The Board
will be responsible for MDBA property and management of the organization.
ASL: BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MDBA PROPERTY AND RUN BUSINESS.
SECTION 3: Finances
1. Money of the organization will be deposited and withdrawn from the
bank by the Treasurer, President or Vice-President. Withdraws or checks
written on any MDBA account requires the signatures of two of these officers.
2. Payments for expenses will follow the Department of Human Services
(DHS) Workplan and Budget, and must be approved by the MDBA Board.
3. The Board must also approve all other expenses that are not approved
on the MDBA workplan or budget.
4. The MDBA will establish a financial review committee to work with the
Treasurer to review financial activities and records as needed.
ASL: PRES, VICE-PRES AND TREASURER CAN DEPOSIT AND WITHDRAW (TAKE OUT)
MDBA MONEY FROM BANK. WITHDRAWS AND CHECKS MUST HAVE TWO NAMES SIGN: PRES,
VICE-PRES OR TREASURER. MUST FOLLOW DHS RULES AND BUDGET. BOARD MUST OKAY
ALL COSTS NOT IN BUDGET OR DHS PLAN. MDBA WILL HAVE “FINANCE REVIEW”
COMMITTEE TO HELP TREASURER KEEP GOOD RECORDS.
SECTION 4: Voting
on Board Business
1. All officers and trustees of the board will vote on business and motions
except for the President, who will vote only when the Board has a tied
vote.
2. A voting “quorum” (enough members of the Board) for all
MDBA business will be a “simple majority” of the filled positions
of the Board (more than half of the board members must be at the meeting).
3. MDBA business, including votes on motions, may be done via email if
business cannot wait until the next board meeting. All board members must
have access to email in order to participate.
ASL: BOARD OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES VOTE ON BUSINESS BUT PRESIDENT NOT VOTE
UNLESS TIE (FOR EXAMPLE: 3 VOTE “YES” AND 3 VOTE “NO”).
PRES BREAK TIE. MORE THAN HALF OF BOARD MEMBERS MUST BE AT MEETING FOR
VOTING (IF LESS HALF, BOARD CAN’T MAKE VOTES AT THAT TIME). BOARD
CAN DO VOTE ON EMAIL BETWEEN MEETINGS IF ALL BOARD HAVE EMAIL.
SECTION 5: Board Member
Suspension
Any member of the Board may be removed from their position for six (6)
months for failing to do their duties or if he/she is disruptive, abusive
or opposed to the mission of MDBA. Such action requires a 2/3 vote of
the other Board members.
ASL: IF BOARD MEMBER FAIL AT DUTIES AND CAUSE HURT TO MDBA OR CAUSE PROBLEMS
AT MEETINGS OR WORK AGAINST MDBA GOALS, CAN BE
REMOVED FROM BOARD FOR 6 MONTHS. OTHER BOARD MEMBERS MUST VOTE 2/3 AGREE.
SECTION 6: Board Member
Appeal Suspension
Any board member suspended from the Board may request to rejoin board
after six (6) months if their term on the board continues at that time.
He/she must contact the Board requesting to join the Board again. This
requires a 2/3 vote of the Board.
ASL: 6 MONTHS FINISH, BOARD MEMBER CAN ASK JOIN BOARD AGAIN IF TIME STILL
LEFT IN TERM OF OFFICE. OTHER BOARD MEMBERS MUST VOTE 2/3 AGREE.
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ARTICLE 7: NOMINATIONS AND
ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: Elections
1. Elections will be every January for any open positions of the Board
(except Treasurer, who is appointed by the President).
2. A majority of the voting membership must be at the annual business
meeting to hold elections/vote.
3. If any position becomes open between February and December, the Board
can appoint a member to the position with a 2/3 Board vote.
4. The appointed Board member will serve until the next election for that
Board position.
ASL: ELECTIONS. HAPPEN JANUARY FOR OPEN BOARD POSITIONS (BUT NOT TREASURER
– PRES CHOOSES TREASURER AFTER ELECTIONS). MUST HAVE MAJORITY OF
MEMBERS (MORE THAN 50%) AT MEETING TO HAVE ELECTION. IF BOARD POSITION
OPEN DURING YEAR, BOARD CAN CHOOSE PERSON TO JOIN BOARD UNTIL NEXT ELECTION.
MUST HAVE BOARD 2/3 VOTE TO CHOOSE PERSON.
SECTION 2: Terms
1. The terms of all board members will be two years in length.
2. The President and up to two (2) Trustees will be voted on during even-numbered
years (for example, 2000, 2002, 2004) beginning in 2002.
3. The President will appoint (choose) a Treasurer in even-numbered years
with the 2/3 approval of the Board.
4. Vice-President, Secretary and up to three (3) Trustees will be voted
on in odd-numbered years (example: 2001, 2003) beginning in 2001.
5. There is no term limit; how many times a member can be in any position.
ASL: TERMS (HOW LONG ON BOARD). TERMS ARE 2 YEARS. PRES AND 1-2 TRUSTEES
WILL START IN EVEN YEARS (EXAMPLE: 2002, 2004) AND VICE-PRES, SECRETARY
AND 1-3 TRUSTEES WILL ELECT IN ODD YEARS (EXAMPLE: 2001, 2003). NEW PRESIDENT
CHOOSE TREASURER. PERSON CAN RUN FOR OFFICE EVERY TWO YEARS- NO LIMIT
HOW MANY TIMES.
SECTION 3: Who can
be nominated (recommended)
1. Board positions may open because a board member leaves, is fired or
quits before his or her time is finished.
2. A person must be an Active member or Minnesota Supporting member to
be nominated for an open position on the MDBA Board.
3. If a person is interested in position of Secretary, he/she must have
the necessary skills (described in Article 8, section 6).
4. All persons running for a Board position must be at the annual business
meeting for the election.
a. Before the election, each person will answer questions from the election
committee in writing; for example, why they want to be on the Board and
what they will do to support MDBA.
b. The election committee will send the questions and answers of all nominees
to the members before the election.
c. Persons running for the board positions will also be expected to answer
questions from the members during the election.
ASL: NOMINATIONS (RECOMMEND NAME FOR ELECTION). BOARD MEMBER EMPTY SOMETIMES
WHY? LEAVE, FIRED, QUIT. IF RUN FOR ELECTION, PERSON MUST BE ACTIVE (DEAFBLIND)
MEMBER OR MN SUPPORTING MEMBER (CANNOT BE DEAFBLIND TEEN OR PERSON LIVE
IN OTHER STATE). SECRETARY HAVE SPECIAL SKILLS MUST (READ ARTICLE 8, SECTION
6).
IF RUN FOR ELECTION, MUST BE AT VOTE MEETING IN JANUARY. BEFORE MEETING,
EACH PERSON WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM ELECTION COMMITTEE ABOUT WHY WANT
ON BOARD, HOW WILL SUPPORT MDBA AS BOARD MEMBER. ALSO WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS
FROM MEMBERS DURING ELECTION.
SECTION 4: Election
committee
1. 90 days or more before the election, the President will appoint (choose)
an election committee with the Board's approval.
2. The committee will have a chair and up to three members.
3. Duties:
a. make sure that all persons running for a Board position are qualified
to be on board and follow directions for running for board position,
b. manage the election activity and make sure it is a secret ballot,
c. count the ballots (votes) and report the number of votes to the President
during election meeting.
4. President will announce the names of new board members at the annual
business meeting.
ASL: ELECTION COMMITTEE. 3 MONTHS BEFORE JANUARY ELECTION MEETING, PRES
WILL CHOOSE ELECTION COMMITTEE (BOARD MUST OKAY). COMMITTEE HAVE CHAIR
(BOSS) AND 1-3 MEMBERS.
COMMITTEE DUTIES: TALK WITH PEOPLE RUNNING FOR BOARD AND MAKE SURE THEY
ARE QUALIFY (RIGHT SKILLS) FOR BOARD AND FOLLOW DIRECTION HOW TO RUN FOR
ELECTION. COMMITTEE HANDLE ELECTION/VOTING DURING MEETING. COUNT BALLOTS
(VOTES) AND REPORT TO PRES. PRES WILL ANNOUNCE TO MEMBERS WHO IS NEW BOARD.
SECTION 5: Election
committee members cannot run for a Board position and cannot actively
support a person who is running for a position.
ASL: ELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS CANNOT RUN FOR BOARD POSITION SAME TIME.
CONFLICT. MUST BE NEUTRAL (NOT SUPPORT OR TAKE SIDES TO PERSON RUN FOR
BOARD).
SECTION 6: Replacing
board members in non-election time
A person who is an Active member or is a Minnesota Supporting MDBA member
18 years or older can be recommended to fill an empty position on the
Board during the year when there is not an election. The member will be
appointed by secret ballot of a majority Board vote.
ASL: IF BOARD MEMBER LEAVE DURING TERM, MDBA ACTIVE MEMBER OR ADULT MN
SUPPORTING MEMBER CAN BE RECOMMEND TO BOARD TO REPLACE. BOARD MUST VOTE
MORE THAN HALF SUPPORT.
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ARTICLE 8: OFFICERS/TRUSTEES
SECTION 1: The MDBA
Board of Directors will have a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer
(officers) and one to five (1-5) Trustees.
ASL: MDBA BOARD HAS PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER (OFFICERS),
AND 1-5 TRUSTEES.
SECTION 2: The President
must have at least one year of experience as an officer on a board before
joining the MDBA board.
ASL: PRESIDENT MUST HAVE ONE OR MORE YEARS EXPERIENCE AS BOARD OFFICER
ON ANY BOARD BEFORE JOIN MDBA BOARD.
SECTION 3: The President
(chief officer of the organization)
1. The President must be an Active (deafblind) member,
2. will supervise all MDBA business and activities,
3. will run all meetings,
4. give President’s report and meeting agenda to the Board,
5. can discuss official business using email if all Board members agree
and have email access,
6. will represent the organization on official business,
7. has the authority to ask any Board member or MDBA member to represent
the organization on official business,
8. will be responsible for all committees “de facto” (but
does not have to attend all committee meetings).
ASL: PRESIDENT
1 ) MUST BE ACTIVE (DEAFBLIND) MEMBER
2 ) IN CHARGE FOR ALL MDBA BUSINESS AND ACTIVITY
3 ) MANAGE ALL MEETINGS
4 ) GIVE PRES REPORT AND MEETING PLANS TO BOARD
5 ) CAN LEAD DISCUSS MDBA BUSINESS ON EMAIL IF ALL BOARD HAVE EMAIL
6) REPRESENT MDBA FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS
7 ) CAN ASK OTHER BOARD OR MEMBERS TO REPRESENT MDBA IF NEEDED
8 ) RESPONSIBLE SUPERVISE FOR ALL COMMITTEES
SECTION 4: The Vice-President
1. The Vice-President must be an Active (deafblind) member,
2. assist the President with MDBA business,
3. take over handing business or running board meetings if the President
is absent,
4. replace the President if he/she leaves the board until the next presidential
election,
5. represent the organization if the President asks,
6. other duties as assigned by the President.
ASL: VICE-PRESIDENT
1 ) MUST BE ACTIVE (DEAFBLIND) MEMBER.
2 ) HELPS PRESIDENT RUN BUSINESS
3 ) WILL TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AND RUN MEETINGS IF PRESIDENT IS NOT THERE
4 ) IF PRES LEAVES BOARD, VICE-PRES BECOME PRESIDENT UNTIL NEW ELECTION/VOTE
5 ) REPRESENT MDBA AT OFFICIAL BUSINESS
6 ) WILL HAVE OTHER DUTIES IF PRESIDENT ASKS.
SECTION 5: The President
and the Vice-President will meet regularly as necessary to discuss MDBA
business and issues.
ASL: PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRES WILL MEET OFTEN TO DISCUSS BUSINESS AND ISSUES
FOR MDBA.
SECTION 6: The Secretary
1. The Secretary can be either an Active or Minnesota Supporting member,
2. and must have these skills:
a. good English,
b. reading and writing,
c. word processing,
d. basic computer and email.
3. write all meeting minutes and keep on file,
4. send copies of minutes to all board members after each meeting,
5. send minutes to MDBA members if requested,
6. keep a copy of the By-Laws and the Articles of Incorporation,
7. take care of all MDBA paperwork,
8. help the board with letter writing and other papers for MDBA business,
9. represent the organization if the President asks,
10. other duties as assigned by the President.
ASL: SECRETARY
SECRETARY CAN BE ACTIVE (DEAFBLIND) OR ADULT MN SUPPORTING MEMBER (SIGHTED
DEAF OR HEARING); MUST HAVE GOOD SKILLS ENGLISH, READING AND WRITING,
WORD PROCESSING, COMPUTER AND EMAIL; WRITE MINUTES (NOTES) FOR ALL BOARD
AND BUSINESS MEETINGS AND KEEP IN FILE; SEND COPY OF MINUTES TO BOARD
AFTER EACH MEETING; SEND MINUTES TO MEMBERS IF ASK; KEEP COPY OF BYLAWS
AND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION IN FILE; TAKE CARE OF MDBA PAPERWORK; HELP
BOARD WITH LETTER WRITING AND PAPERS; REPRESENT MDBA AT OFFICIAL BUSINESS;
AND WILL HAVE OTHER DUTIES IF PRESIDENT ASKS.
SECTION 7: The Treasurer
1. The Treasurer can be either an Active or Minnesota Supporting member,
2. must have these skills:
a. good math,
b. good budgeting,
c. banking skills,
d. knowledge of or able to learn Quicken accounting program,
e. basic computer and email.
3. will take care of paying all bills of the organization,
4. keep accurate bookkeeping of all financial business,
5. prepare monthly and annual reports to the Board,
6. can send end-of-year financial reports to members if requested,
7. help the staff or consultants to prepare audit materials and reports
that may be required by the IRS, the State of Minnesota or private and
corporate foundations,
8. represent the organization if the President asks,
9. other duties as assigned by the President.
ASL: TREASURER
TREASURER CAN BE ACTIVE (DEAFBLIND) OR ADULT MN SUPPORTING MEMBER (SIGHTED
DEAF OR HEARING); MUST HAVE GOOD SKILLS MATH, BUDGETING, BANKING, QUICKEN
ACCOUNTING COMPUTER PROGRAM (OR WILL LEARN) AND COMPUTER AND EMAIL; RESPONSIBLE
FOR PAY BILLS FOR MDBA; TAKE CARE OF BOOKKEEPING AND FINANCES PAPERS;
WRITE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL REPORTS; CAN SEND REPORTS TO MEMBERS AT END OF
YEAR IF MEMBERS ASK; HELP MDBA STAFF AND CONSULTANT PREPARE AUDIT INFO
AND REPORTS FOR IRS, STATE OF MINNESOTA, OR FOUNDATIONS; REPRESENT MDBA
AT OFFICIAL BUSINESS; WILL HAVE OTHER DUTIES IF PRESIDENT ASKS.
SECTION 8: The Treasurer
will be appointed by the President with a 2/3 vote approval of the Board.
ASL: PRESIDENT WILL CHOOSE TREASURER BUT MUST HAVE 2/3 VOTE SUPPORT FROM
BOARD.
SECTION 9: The Trustees
1. The Trustees can be either Active or Supporting Minnesota members,
2. will plan, organize and coordinate workshops and other MDBA events
and activities as directed by the President,
3. create and mail flyers,
4. help editor produce newsletters,
5. attend MDBA board meetings and events,
6. represent MDBA at community events if the President asks,
7. do other duties assigned by the President.
ASL: TRUSTEES
TRUSTEE CAN BE ACTIVE OR SUPPORTING MN MEMBER. TRUSTEES PLAN, ORGANIZE
AND RUN WORKSHOPS AND OTHER MDBA EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IF PRESIDENT ASKS;
MAKE AND MAIL FLYERS FOR INFO TO MEMBERS; HELP NEWSLETTER EDITOR MAKE
AND MAIL NEWSLETTER TO MEMBERS; SHOW UP AT ALL BOARD MEETINGS AND EVENTS;
REPRESENT MDBA FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS IF PRESIDENT ASK; WILL HAVE OTHER
DUTIES IF ASK BY PRESIDENT.
SECTION 10: All
Board members will be responsible for keeping records about their duties
and activities as requested by the President or by law.
1. Records will be the property of MDBA.
2. Each member of the Board will have the responsibility of passing on
his/her records from that position to the next person in that position.
ASL: ALL BOARD MEMBERS KEEP RECORDS (PAPERS) FOR THEIR POSITION ABOUT
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY. THESE RECORDS BELONG TO MDBA. EACH BOARD MEMBER
RESPONSIBLE TO HELP NEXT PERSON AS NEW BOARD MEMBER.
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ARTICLE 9: COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: The Board
will set up committees necessary to do MDBA business. Committees will
be established by a majority vote of the Board. The President will
appoint (choose) the chair of each committee with the approval of the
Board. The chair will choose members to serve on the committee.
ASL: BOARD WILL SET UP COMMITTEES AS NEEDED. BOARD MUST HAVE MAJORITY
VOTE TO DO THIS. PRESIDENT CHOOSE CHAIR WITH BOARD VOTE OKAY. CHAIR PERSON
WILL CHOOSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
SECTION 2: Types of
Committees
1. “Standing committees”
a. are permanent,
b. work on long term goals and issues; for example, membership, workshop
development.
2 . “Ad Hoc committees”
a. are temporary,
b. work on specific, time limited goals or activities; for example, elections,
Helen Keller picnic, banquets.
c. When the work of the Ad Hoc committee is finished, the committee will
end with Board approval.
ASL: TYPES OF COMMITTEES
1 ) “STANDING” COMMITTEE- COMMITTEE PERMANENT, WORK ON GOALS
LONG TERM (TIME). FOR EXAMPLE MEMBERSHIP, WORKSHOPS, FINANCES.
2 ) “AD HOC” COMMITTEE- SHORT TIME, WORK ON GOALS THEN FINISH.
FOR EXAMPLE, ELECTIONS, HELEN KELLER PICNIC, BANQUETS.
SECTION 3: All committees
will make a report to the board on their progress.
1. Committee chairs will give/send report to Board Secretary.
2. Reports will be made every month if committee is active or every three
months when it is not active.
3. The Secretary will give copies to the board and put a copy in the MDBA
file.
ASL: COMMITTEES REPORT TO BOARD. CHAIR RESPONSIBLE SEND REPORT TO BOARD
SECRETARY. IF COMMITTEE BUSY, REPORT EVERY MONTH. IF NOT BUSY, REPORT
EACH 3 MONTHS. SECRETARY WILL SHARE COPY OF REPORTS WITH BOARD AND FILE
COPY AT MDBA OFFICE.
SECTION 4: Committees
may not raise funds or search for donations without the approval of the
Board of MDBA.
1. Committees that need to buy supplies or want “reimbursement”
(paid back for buying) must ask in writing from the board before they
make purchases.
2. The written request will be given to the Secretary who will put it
on the business agenda for the next Board meeting.
3. The Board must approve all purchases.
4. Committee must provide receipt for purchases.
ASL: COMMITTEES MUST HAVE BOARD APPROVE TO FUND RAISING (ASKING FOR MONEY
FOR MDBA FROM OTHERS). IF NEED BUY THINGS/SUPPLIES FOR COMMITTEE WORK,
MUST ASK BOARD BEFORE BUYING. MUST WRITE LIST OF THINGS TO BUY AND GIVE
BOARD. THE SECRETARY WILL ADD COMMITTEE REQUEST TO NEXT BOARD MEETING.
BOARD MUST GIVE OKAY FOR ALL BUYING! IF BOARD NOT OKAY BEFORE BUY, TOO
BAD.
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ARTICLE 10: AUTHORITY TO
BIND
SECTION 1: “Authority
to bind” means to sign a contract or make an agreement for MDBA.
ASL: “AUTHORITY TO BIND” = SIGN CONTRACT FOR MDBA OR TALK
FOR MDBA ON BUSINESS.
SECTION 2: MDBA
members cannot
1. do business for MDBA or
2. cause MDBA to become in debt or
3. make an agreement in the name of MDBA unless the member has authority
from the MDBA Board.
ASL: SIGNING CONTRACTS OR MAKE AGREEMENT FOR MDBA. MDBA MEMBERS MUST
HAVE APPROVE FROM BOARD FOR DO BUSINESS, CAUSE DEBT (OWE MONEY) FOR MDBA
OR MAKE AGREEMENT WITH OTHERS FOR MDBA. IF BOARD NOT APPROVE, MDBA NOT
RESPONSIBLE.
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ARTICLE 11: DISSOLUTION
(MDBA close)
SECTION 1: “Dissolution”
means to close or shut down.
SECTION 2: If MDBA
closes down, the Board will follow the law and rules of the Certificate
of Restated Articles, Article II, section 1d.
ASL: IF MDBA CLOSE, BOARD MUST FOLLOW LAWS AND RULES.
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ARTICLE 12: AMENDMENTS
(CHANGES) TO THE BYLAWS
SECTION 1: Any
member of MDBA can talk to the Board about concerns or issues related
to the Bylaws.
ASL: MDBA MEMBER CAN TALK TO BOARD ABOUT CONCERN, PROBLEMS OR CHANGES
ABOUT BYLAWS.
SECTION 2: Any MDBA
member can make proposal for changing the Bylaws.
1. Changes must be given in writing to the Secretary.
2. The Secretary will put the proposal on the agenda for the next Board
meeting.
3. If the Board approves the idea, it will be sent in writing to the members
at least 90 days before the annual business meeting where it will be voted
on.
4. Changes require a majority vote (more than 50% of voting members at
the annual business meeting) to be accepted.
5. If the change is accepted, the Secretary will type the new changes
in the Bylaws and send the changed pages to the Board and members within
60 days.
6. The Secretary must put the Bylaws changes in the MDBA files and give
a copy to the Secretary of State.
ASL: MDBA MEMBER HAVE IDEA OR CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH MDBA BOARD CAN.
IF WANT MAKE SUGGESTION FOR NEW OR CHANGE BYLAW, MUST WRITE DOWN AND GIVE
TO SECRETARY. BOARD WILL VOTE YES OR NO TO SUPPORT IDEA. IF YES, ALL MEMBERS
INFORM IN WRITING 90 OR MORE DAYS BEFORE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. MEMBERS
AT MEETING MUST VOTE MORE THAN 50% TO ACCEPT NEW OR CHANGED BYLAWS.
IF BYLAW NEW OR CHANGE ACCEPT, SECRETARY WILL SEND TO MEMBERS SOON 60
OR LESS DAYS FROM VOTE. SECRETARY ALSO KEEP BYLAW CHANGE IN FILES AT MDBA
OFFICE AND GIVE COPY TO SECRETARY OF STATE (FOR MINNESOTA – REQUIRE
FROM LAW).
END OF BYLAWS
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