THE JEWISH BLIND OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
BY LAWS
ARTICLE I – NAME
THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE JEWISH BLIND OF CALIFORNIA,
INC., HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS JBC.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
THE PURPOSE OF THE JBC SHALL BE TO EDUCATE AND STIMULATE BLIND
MEMBERS IN THE REALM OF JEWISH HISTORY AND JEWISH CULTURE; TO ARRANGE,
CONDUCT, AND ENCOURAGE CLTURAL, SOCIAL, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE BLIND MEMBERS; TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE THE
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BLIND AND SIGHTED COMMUNITY SO THAT A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING CAN BE DEVELOPED; TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND BEST
INTERESTS OF THE BLIND AND TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN
SUCH PROMOTIONS; AND FOR SUCH OTHER PURPOSES AS THE MEMBERS MAY AGREE
UPON IN THE FURTURE.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
SECTION 1: APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
AN APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP MAY BE ACCEPTED FROM ANY INTERESTED
INDIVIDUAL OF ANY FAITH AT ANY REGULAR MEETING OF THE JBC UPON PAYMENT
OF DUES. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR
REJECT THE APPLICATION OF ANY INDIVIDUAL FOR CAUSE. A NEW MEMBER
SHALL MAKE APPLICATION,ATTEND TWO REGULAR GENERAL MEETINGS, FOLLOWING
WHICH THE NEW MEMBER WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE MEXT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING, BECOMING A MEMBER AT THE NEXT REGULAR GENERAL MEETING.
SECTION 2: CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS.
THERE SHALL BE FOUR CLASSES OF MEMBERS: BLIND, SIGHTED, HONORARY,
AND LIFE. ANY BLIND INDIVIDUAL WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE PURPOSE AND
ACTIVITIES OF THE JBC MAY BECOME A MEMBER. ANY SIGHTED INDIVIDUAL WHO
IS INTERESTED IN AND WILLING TO WORKF FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BLIND MAY
BECOME A MEMBER. A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAS DONE OUTSTANDING
WORK FOR THE JBC MAY BE DESIGNATED AS HONORARY MEMBER OF THE JBC BY
TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A MEMBER MAY PAY $50.00
AND BECOME A LIFE MEMBER.
SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP DUES.
MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR BLIND AND SIGHTED MEMBERS SHALL BE $10.00 PER
ANNUM, PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING OF THE CALENDAR
YEAR. THERE ARE NO DUES FOR HONORARY MEMBERS. DUES ARE DEEMED
DELINQUENT AFTER MARCH 1ST AND THE DELINQUENT MEMBER WILL BE PLACED
ON THE INACTIVE LIST.
SECTION 4: EXPULSION.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT OF EXPULSION, BY MAJORITY
VOTE, OF ANY MEMBER FOR CAUSE, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE ACTIVITIES
DETRIMENTAL TO AND REDLECTING NEGATIVELY ON THE JBC. APPEAL FROM THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECISION SHALL BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE BOARD
STATING REASONS OR SUBMITTING EVIDENCE. THE DECISION BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ON APPEAL IS FINAL.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1: OFFICERS.
OFFICERS OF THE JBC SHALL BE PRESIDENT, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, SECOND
VICE PRESIDENT RECORDING SECRETARY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, AND
TREASURER. THE PRESIDENT, FIRST AND SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS MUST BE
BLIND. THE OTHER OFFICERS MAY BE SIGHTED OR BLIND.
SECTION 2: BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE JBC SHALL CONSIST OF THE SIX (6)
OFFICERS ENUMERATED IN SECTION 1 ABOVE, PLUS SIX (6) MEMBERS-AT-LARGE.
TWO (2) ALTERNATE MEMBER-AT-LARGE ARE TO BE ELECTED, DESIGNATED AS
POSITION ONE (1) AND POSITION TWO (2), WHO WILL ATTEND ALL MEETINGS
BUT WILL VOTE ONLY IN THE ABSENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS. EIGHT (8) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRICTORS MUST BE BLIND.
FOUR (4) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY BE SIGHTED. ALL PAST
PRESIDENTS SHALL BE EX-EFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WITHOUT VOTING RIGHTS.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL CONSIST OF
THE PRESIDENT, BOTH VICE PRESIDENTS, RECORDING SECRETARY,
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY AND THE TREASURER. NOT MORE THAN ONE MEMBER
OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MAY BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DURING A GIVEN TERM. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION, AN IMMEDIATE
FAMILY CONSISTS OF LINEAL RELATIONS AND SPOUSES. EACH AUXILIARY OF
JBC MAY SELECT A REPRESENTATIVE TO BE AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTIORS WITHOUT VOTING RIGHTS. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTIORS MUST BE MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING FOR ONE YEAR.
SECTION 3: TERMS OF OFFICE
THE OFFICERS OF THE JBC AND THE MEMBER-AT-LARGE OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR. NO OFFICER OF
MEMBER-AT-LARGE SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SAME OFFICE FOR MORE THAN
THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE TERMS. AFTER THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE TERMS A
MEMBER CANNOT BE ELCETED FOR AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR FOR THE SAME
OFFICE. THE TERM OF OFFICE SHALL COMMENCE AT THE FIRST REGUALR
METTING IN JANUARY. THE SIX MEMBERS-AT-LARGE SHALL BE NUMBERED AS
POSITIONS. MEMBER-AT-LARGE POSITION NUMBER ONE (1) THROUGH MEMBER-AT-
LARGE POSITION NUMBER SIX (6). MEMBER-AT-LARGE NUMBER ONE (1), AFTER
SERVING FOR THREE (3) TEARS, MAY RUN FOR MEMBER-AT-LARGE NUMBER TWO
(2), AND SO ON.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
SECTION 1: CONDUCTING MEETINGS
THE PRESIDENT SHALL PRESIDE AT ALL MEETINGS OF THE JBC.
SECTION 2: APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
THE PRESIDENT SHALL APPOINT ALL STANDING AND AD-HOC COMMITTEES WITH
THE APPROVAL OF THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESDENT. AT
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIIRECTORS, THE PRESIDENT SHALL
APPOINT A NOMINATING COMMITTEE OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE (5) MEMBERS:
THREE (3) BLIND MEMBERS AND TWO (2) SIGHTED MEMBERS. THE PRESIDENT
SHALL BE AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF ALL COMMITTEES EXCEPT THE NOMINATING
COMMITTEE.
SECTION 3: FILLING OF VACANCIES.
THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE EMPOWERED, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE MAJORITY
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESENT, TO APPOINT ANY MEMBER TO FILL ANY
OFFICE VACATED, PROVIDED SUCH APPOINTMENTS DO NOT CONFLICT WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE IV, SECTION 2 REGARDING MEMBERS OF AN IMMEDIATE
FAMILY. THE TERM OF OFFICE OF SUCH APPONITEES SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL
THE NEXT REGULAR ELECTION.
SECTION 4: PUBLIC RELATIONS.
THE PRESIDENT SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS AND REPRESENT THE JBC IN ITS CONTACTS WITH COMMUNITY AND
VARIOUS AGENCIES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, LIMITED BY THE ESTABLISHED
POLICIES OF THE JBC.
SECTION 5: CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
THE PRESIDENT, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO CONDUCT
BUSINESS FOR THE JBC ON BEHALF OF ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OTHER OFFICERS
SECTION 1: THE FIRST VICE PRIESIDENT SHALL PRESIDE AT JBC METTINGS
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT AND SHALL CARRY OUT SUCH OTHER DUTIES
AS ARE ASSIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT.
SECTION 2: THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT SHALL PRESIDE AT JBC MEETINGS IN
THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT AND SHALL CARRY
OUT SUCH OTHER DUTIES AS ARE ASSIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT.
SECTION 3: THE RECORDING SECRETARY SHALL RECORD AND READ MINUTES OF
THE JBC MEETINGS AND MATIAIN A FILE IN THE JBC OFFICE OF ALL MINUTES
IN BRAILLE, OR RECORDING TAPE, AND IN INK PRINT.
SECTION 4: THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE
MANAGER, SHALL ATTEND TO ALL CORRESPONDENCE PERTAINING TO THE BUSINESS
OF THE JBC AND SHALL MAINTAIN THE RECORDS AND FILES THEREOF.
SECTION 5: THE TREASURER WHO MUST BE FULLY SIGHTED, SHALL BE THE
SECOND SIGNER OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CHECKS. FIRST SIGNER OF THE
CHECKS SHALL BE THE ACCOUNTANT, AN PAID EMPLOYEE, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR KEEPING THE BOOKS USING ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING,
RECEIVING AND DEPOSITING ALL FUNDS OF THE ORGANIZATION, MAINTAINING
CHECKING AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN THE NAME OF THE JBC, PAYING ALL
BILLS, AND OTHER RELATED FINANCIAL DUTIES. THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE THE
THIRD SIGNER ON THE CHECKS, WHEN NECESSARY, IN THE ABSENCE OF THE
TREASURER OF ACCOUNTANT.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: STANDING COMMITTEES
THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE JBC SHALL BE: PUBLICITY AND COMMUNITY
RELATIONS, PROGRAMS, MEMBERSHIP, TRANSPORTATION, WAYS AND MEANS,
HOSPITALITY, TELEPHONE AND PERSONNEL.
SECTION 2: PERSONEL COMMITTEE.
A PERSONNEL COMMITTEE OF FIVE MEMBERS WILL KEEP AN UP TO DATE JOB
DESCRIPTION FOR THE ACCOUNTANT, OFFICE MANAGER AND THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR. THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE WILL PERIODICALLY EVALUATE THE
PERFORMANCES OF JBC EMPLOYEES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD
CONCERNING SALARIES, RESPONSIBILITES, CONTRACT RENEWALS, AND CONTRACT
TERMINATIONS. A PRE-DETERMINED PORBATIONARY PERIOD SHALL BE SET FOR
EACH NEW EMPLOYEE AND THE COMMITTEE SHALL, AT REGULAR INTERVALS,
EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL EMPLOYEES.
ATRICLE VIII
MEETINGS AND VOTING
SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE BOARD
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MAY MEET AS NECESSARY AND WILL BE CALLED BY THE
PRESIDENT.
SECTION 2: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL MEET ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH.
ALL REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL HAVE ONE VOTE EACH
AT MEETINGS AT WHICH THEY ARE PRESENT. IF ALL REGULAR BOARD MEMBERS
ARE PRESENT AT A BOARD MEETING, THE ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
SHALL HAVE NO VOTE. A QUORUM SHALL CONSIST OF SEVEN REGULAR OR
ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBERS. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SHALL HAVE NO VOTE.
SECTION 3: GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
THERE WILL BE A MONTHLY MEETING ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS MAY BE REPORTED TO THE
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING; A QUORUM SHALL CONSIST OF 51% OF THE
MEMBERSHIP PRESENT. EACH MEMBER SHALL HAVE AN EQUAL VOTE.
ARTICLE IX
ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: NOMINATING COMMITTEE AND ELECTION OF
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS-AT-LARGE OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS.
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT AT THE SEPTEMBER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, SHALL SUBMIT A SLATE OF NOMINEES AT THE
OCTOBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, AT WHICH TIME ADDITIONAL
NOMINATIONS MAY BE MADE FROM THE FLOOR. NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
MUST HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE NOMINEE AT THE MEETING AND A SECONDING
MOTION. OFFICERS, MEMBERS-AT-LARGE, AND TWO (2) ALTERNATES SHALL BE
ELECTED AT THE DECEMBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING BY A MAJORITY OF
MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING, A QUORUM BEING PRESENT. AN INDIVIDUAL MAY
RUN FOR ONE (1) POSITION AT A TIME, BUT IS PERMITTED TO DROP DOWN FOR
OFFICE. IN CASE OF A TIE VOTE, A RUN-OFF WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY.
VOTING WILL BE HELD FOR ONE OFFICE AT A TIME BEGINNING WITH THE
OFFICE OF PRESIDENT. AS THE CANDIDATES FOR EACH OFFICE ARE ANNOUNCED,
VOTERS WILL WRITE THE CANDIDATE'S FIRST OR LAST NAME OR INITIAL ON A
SLIP OF PAPER AS DIRECTED BY THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE ELECTION.
THE PAPERS WILL BE COLLECTED, TALLIED AND ANNOUNCED.
TWO INDEPENDENT, NEUTRAL, NON-MEMBERS OF THE JBC ARE TO BE BROUGHT IN
TO SUPERVISE THE ELECTION PROCESS, TO TAKE AND TALLY THE VOTES AND TO
ANNOUNCE THE ELECTION RESULTS. FOLLOWING THE ELECTION, THE MEMBERS
PRESENT WILL BE ASKED TO AFFIRM THE FAIRNESS OF THE ELECTION. THE
BALLOTS SHALL THEN BE DESTROYED.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1: HOLDING AND TRANSFER OF POPERTY.
THE JBC SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO HOLD AND TRANSFER PROPERTY. THE
PRESIDENT, THE TREASURER, AND THE ACCOUNTANT, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE
MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO ACCEPT,
ASSIGN, TRANSFER, SELL, OR INVEST ANY REAL PROPERTY OR OTHER ASSETS OF
THE JBC FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE JBC.
SECTION 2: SEAL, BOOKS AND RECORDS.
THE SEAL AND ALL BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE JBC SHALL BE KEPT IN THE
OFFICE OF THE JBC.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: AMENDMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL BE
MAILED TO THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE JBC IN NOVEMBER.
SECTION 2: AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY MEMBERS SHALL BE SIGNED BY NO LESS
THAN TEN (10) BLIND MEMBERS AND FIVE (5) SIGHTED MEMBERS, AND SHALL BE
SUBMITTED TO THE JBC OFFICE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 10. SUCH PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS WILL BE MAILED TO THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP DURING THE MONTH OF
NOVEMBER, ALONG WITH THE AMENDMENTS, IF ANY, RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARDS
OF DIRECTORS.
SECTION 3: AMENDMENT PASSAGE SHALL BE VOTED UPON AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP IN JANUARY. THE MOTION TO PASS AN
AMENDMENT TO THESE BYLAWS SHALL BE CARRIED BY A TWO THIRDS VOTE OF THE
MEMBERS VOTING, A QUORUM BEING PRESENT.
ARTICLE XII
SHALOM BAYIT
THE MAKING OF PEACE
IT IS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE JBC BOARD OF
DIRECTORS AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE JBC IN
MIND, AND UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP HAVE GIVEN YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THIS
ORGANIZATION, WE AGREE THAT FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND GENERAL
MEMBERSHIP WILL BE HELD IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER. THERE WILL BE NO
PUBLIC NAME CALLING OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE. NO ONE WILL BE
EMBARRASSED BY WORDS OF HARSHNESS OR RIDICULE SAID PUBLICLY ABOUT
THEM. WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO ASSURE THE DIGNITY OF THE BLIND IN OUR
SOCIETY. WE PLEDGE OURSELVES NOW, TO SAFEGUARD THE DIGNITY OF ONE
ANOTHER AND TO ASSURE THAT OUR GATHERINGS WILL BE OCCASIONS OF PEACE.
