CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
FRIENDS IN ART
Approved July 2, 1984
Article I Name
The name of this organization is Friends in Art hereinafter referred to as F.I.A.
Article II Affiliation
Friends in Art is a special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
Article III Purpose
Section 1.
The basic purpose of this organization is to stimulate appreciation of the participation by blind persons in all types of art.
Section 2.
F.I.A. believes that a most effective method of achieving this purpose is for sighted and blind persons to experience art together.
Article IV Membership
Section 1.
Any person who endorses the goals of F.I.A. is eligible for membership; provided that a majority of the members shall be legally blind.
Section 2.
Applications for membership shall be addressed to the Secretary of F.I.A.
Section 3.
Dues shall be payable as of the start of a calendar year at a rate established by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.
Each member of F.I.A. who has paid dues for the current year shall be eligible to one vote at membership meetings.
Article V Officers
Section 1.
The officers of F.I.A. shall consist of:
- a President,
- a Vice President,
- a Secretary,
- a Treasurer.
and
Section 2.
The term of office for each officer shall be two years or until a successor shall have been named and shall have assumed office.
Section 3.
The duties of officers shall be those generally associated with their positions as outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised.
Section 4.
A vacancy among the officers shall be filled by the Board of Directors, except that a vacancy in the office of President shall automatically be filled by succession by the Vice President.
Article VI Board of Directors
Section 1.
The Board of Directors shall consist of:
- the officers,
- the immediate Past President,
- the Editor of the Log of the Bridgetender,
- four or five elected Directors, this number to be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
and
Section 2.
Each year two of the elected Directors shall be elected for a term of two years, except that, if the Board of Directors has chosen to allow for five directors, three such directors shall be elected during years when officers are not standing for election.
Section 3.
The Board of Directors shall select an editor of the F.I.A. journal, the Log of the Bridgetender, who shall serve concurrently as a member of the Board of Directors. This appointment shall be reviewed each two years.
Section 4.
The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of F.I.A. between annual membership meetings.
Section 5.
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of four members of said Board.
Article VII Meetings
Section 1.
An annual membership meeting shall be held at approximately the same time and place as the annual meeting of the American Council of the Blind.
Section 2.
A quorum at a membership meeting shall consist of 15 members.
Article VIII Parliamentary Authority
Procedural matters not covered in this constitution and bylaws shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order Revised.
Article IX Amendment
A proposed amendment to this constitution and bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of F.I.A. at least 50 days prior to the annual convention or other membership meeting. The secretary shall send each member a copy at least 30 days prior to the meeting. A proposed amendment shall be adopted if approved by two thirds of the members present and voting.