By-Laws

DBLNJ Constitution and By-Laws as Amended - March 14, 1987


Article I - Name

Section 1

This organization shall be called the Deaf-Blind League of New Jersey (Inc.) to be referred to as DBLNJ.


Article II - Commemoration

Section 1

On August 28, 1982, the New Jersey League of Deaf-Blind (now registered as the Deaf-Blind League of New Jersey) was founded.


Article III - Purpose

Section 1

The purpose of DBLNJ, a non-profit, beneficial society of deaf-blind persons and other concerned individuals will be to encourage it’s members, both deaf-blind and others, to attend meetings and other social affairs, to help our members become more independent, to share their mutual high spirits, and to give them the pleasure of attending recreational and social activities and trips to the National Convention of the American Association of the Deaf-Blind )AADB), etc.


Article IV - Membership

Section 1

The membership of DBLNJ shall consist of active (dues paid) members.

Section 2

Any individual working to further the purpose of DBLNJ is eligible for membership.

Section 3

The membership of DBLNJ will be as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws. All current (dues-paid) members will be entitled to receive all services provided by this organization. Membership dues become due and payable on January 1st each year and will be collected at the January meeting. If there is no January meeting, members are responsible to send their dues to the Membership Chairperson who will collect and record the dues, forward an updated membership list and the monies for deposit to the Treasurer and copies of the updated membership list to both the Recording and Corresponding Secretaries.

Section 4

Privileges of Membership: (A) Members will be eligible to attend all DBLNJ meetings and activities. (B) Will be eligible to vote at all appropriate meetings and elections. (C) Will receive all correspondence initiated by DBLNJ.


Article V - Officers

Section 1

The Officers of DBLNJ will consist of the President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian. The President is on all committees and has a voice, but no vote. All Officers MUST be current (due paid) members.

Section 2

(A) The President as Chief Officer of DBLNJ will supervise the affairs, activities and agendas for all meetings and will make regular reports to the members. (B) Will be responsible to ensure that other Officers carry out their respective duties. (C) Will be the only person empowered to represent the organization on an official basis, and with other organizations, but may delegate authority to others as may be necessary and appropriate. (D) Will call regular meetings of the Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board) and will ensure that the policies of DBLNJ and the Board are carried out. (E) Will sign all legal papers with the approval of the Board. (F) Will be a member of the Board and have voting privileges as tie breaker only. (G) Will co-sign all checks with the Treasurer.

Section 3

(A) The Vice-President will serve in the absence of the President. (B) Will succeed the President should that office become vacant for any reason. (C) Will assist the President in setting up meetings and agendas. (D) Will be a member of the Board and have voting Privileges.

Section 4

(A) The Recording Secretary will record and keep all minutes of General and Board meetings and be custodian thereof. (B) Will keep a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws and all rules and regulations approved by the members and Board. (C) Will keep a three ring binder with all policies, and organizational and procedural changes in chronological order. (D) Will be a member of the Board and have voting privileges.

Section 5

(A) The Corresponding Secretary will provide all (due paid) members with minutes of each meetings and any other necessary correspondence the President provides for distribution. (B) Will send written notices to members ten days prior to each meeting. (C) Will be a member of the Board and have voting privileges.

Section 6

(A) The Treasurer will prepare monthly financial statements. (B) Will pay all outstanding bills up to $100.00. (C) Will pay all outstanding bills up to $300.00 with the approval of the Officers. (D) Will pay all outstanding bills over $300.00 with the approval of the Board. (E) Will be responsible for all monies received for any regular or special functions. (F) Will deposit all monies received within 30 days in the bank approved by the Board. (G) Will keep an accurate account of monies received and spent by the organization. (H) Will be a member of the Board and have voting privileges.

Section 7

(A) The Parliamentarian will be appointed by the President and approved by the Board. (B) Will be knowledgeable of Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure that all meetings are run smoothly. (C) Will assist the President when so requested. (D) Will be a member of the Board and have voting privileges.


Article VI - Board of Directors

Section 1

(A) The President of DBLNJ will be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. (B) The Board will be comprised of not more than eleven members. (C) All Officers and Members of the Board are elected for a period of two years. (D) To qualify as a member of the Board, the candidate must be a (due paid) member of DBLNJ for a period of at least six months prior to the date of the election.

Section 2

The duties of the Board are as follows: (A) To develop and implement the programs and policies. (B) To approve the drafting of all contracts, legal papers and documents. (C) To provide and submit to the organization for it’s approval ways and means for financing DBLNJ. (D) To determine the amount of dues. (E) To call special meetings. (F) To approve of the official bank wherein all DBLNJ financial transactions will take place. (G) To develop rules and regulations to ensure the purpose of the organization. (H) To accept and approve committee reports.

Section 3

The Board will adhere to the Constitution and By-Laws and any resolutions or policies adopted by the Membership in carrying out the business of the organization.

Section 4

The government of the organization will be vested in the Board, which will have control of the property and management of this organization and be subject to the will of the Membership.

Section 5

All Officers of the Board will be responsible for keeping adequate records pertaining to the carrying out of their duties. Such records will be the property of the organization. Each Officer will be responsible to pass to their successor all records pertaining to that position.

Section 6

Any Officer or member of the Board may be removed from their position if found to oppose the goals and purpose of the organization, for failure to carry out the duties of their position, or for engaging in any activity detrimental to the best interests of the organization. Such action may be taken by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board. Any person removed from a position on the Board or from Office may appeal for reinstatement to the same position by a majority vote of members voting at a regular meeting.


Article VII - Elections

Section 1

(A) The President will appoint a Chairperson of the Nominating Committee not less than sixty days prior to the election. (B) The Chairperson will select an uneven number of (not more than five) members for that committee. (C) Voting will be by secret ballot. All (dues paid) members must be present at the time of the election to be able to vote, unless a written request including their ballot to the Nominating Committee Chairperson has been approved in advance due to extenuating circumstances. In this instance their ballot will be eligible to be counted in the election. (D) The Nominating Committee will count all ballots at the time of the election. (E) Members of the Nominating Committee may not be considered as a candidate, nor can they represent a candidate in the election.

Section 2

(A) No current member will be eligible to vote who has not been a (dues paid) member for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date upon which ballots are to be counted. (B) Notices of the election date will be sent to all (dues paid) members in advance. (C) If a candidate wishes, s/he can supply enough copies of their qualifications to be mailed to all (dues paid) members. This information would be sent to the Corresponding Secretary for mailing. (D) The candidate receiving the most votes for the office or position for which he/she is running, will be installed in that position immediately after the election is completed and will serve for two years. In case of a vacant office or position on the Board, the new Board will vote for someone to fill that office or position. (E) No person elected as President will serve more than two consecutive terms in that office. (F) Results of elections will be sent to all (dues paid) members.


Article VIII - Standing Committees

Section 1

The President appoints the Chairperson of each committee. The Chairperson elects his/her committee members. The President serves on each committee in an advisory capacity, but does not vote. Standing Committees are as follows:

  1. AADB Committee: This committee will act as liaison between DBLNJ and AADB. Will provide reports on the national convention and keep DBLNJ members informed of developments and activities pertaining to AADB.
  2. Budget/Finance Committee: This committee will act in accordance with New Jersy State Law Title XV in setting forth a budget with appropriations for expenditures as needed by the organization. These will include transportation, purchase of equipment, overhead expenses and funding as appropriate and approved by the Board.
  3. Membership Committee: This committee will keep a record of (dues paid) members, work to recruit new members, record and file new and renewal applications and collect dues to be turned over to the Treasurer.
  4. Newsletter Committee: This committee will publish a newsletter named DBLNJ NEWS every fall, winter and spring. With the consent of the President, this committee will also assist with typing and mailings for the organization when necessary.
  5. Social Events Committee: The Chairperson of this committee will take care of the equipment used for refreshments at meetings. Will appoint a person to serve as Host/Hostess for each social event. That individual will select others to assist.
  6. Transportation Committee: This committee will attempt to assist members and deaf-blind individuals to get to DBLNJ meetings and social events when sufficient funds are available in the treasury for this purpose.
  7. Ways and Means Committee: This committee will assume responsibility for fund raising and publicity for the organization. Will also arrange workshops and invite speakers to monthly meetings with the approval of the President.

Article IX - Non-Standing Committees

Section 1

Non-Standing committees may be appointed by the President from time to time to fulfill a need for a variety of purposes. Major non-standing committees are as follows:

  1. Constitution/By-Laws Committee: This committee may be formed for the purpose of making amendments to the Constitution/By-Laws. The President will appoint the Chairperson who will select two more committee members. The results will be presented to the Board for discussion, read at two consecutive board meetings and voted on at the third board meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of the board members present must be obtained. A disclosure statement must be signed by the Committee.
  2. Nominating Committee: The President will appoint the Chairperson who will select an uneven number of (not more than five) committee members. This committee chooses a slate of candidates to run for office and counts ballots at the (election) meeting.

Article X - Robert’s Rules of Order

Section 1

Robert’s Rules of Order will be used whenever deemed appropriate.


Article XI - Annual Business Meeting

Section 1

The annual business meeting will be held in May. The only business that will be conducted at this meeting will be: (A) The President’s annual report. (B) The Treasurer’s annual report. (C) Any special annual Committee reports. (D) Election of new Officers and Board Members in an election year.

Section 2

Election of new Officers and Board Members will be held every two years during the annual business meeting in May.

Section 3

As soon as the election is completed and new Officers confirmed, the President will turn the meeting over to the new President, who will thereafter be the presiding Officer.

Section 4

The new President may then appoint any new committee chairpersons. The new committee chairpersons will then have the summer to select their committee members to prepare for meetings which will resume in September.