National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
Constitution

Article I. Name

The name of this division is the National Association of Guide Dog Users of the National Federation of the Blind. 

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this association is to promote understanding through education with the general public; establish and maintain a forum in which discussion about guide dogs – their training, care, and behavior – may be shared by users; work cooperatively with and provide consultation to guide dog schools; to work constructively within the framework of the National Federation Of The Blind to strengthen equality, opportunity, and security for all blind persons. 

Article III. Membership

Persons eligible for membership in the Association are:

A. Guide Dog Users; and
B. Those individuals interested in the work of the Association.  membership in the Association will constitute membership in the National Federation of the Blind.

Article IV. Dues

Dues of the Association will be an amount determined by the membership as needed. Dues are payable at the time of the annual meeting. If an individual desires to become a member of the Association at a time before the annual meeting, the dues shall be the same. Exception: Should the request for membership be made less than three months before the annual meeting, the dues will be applied to the following year.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS & THEIR DUTIES

Section One: Election of Officers

There shall be elected bi-annually at the National Convention in even numbered years a President and a Secretary. There shall be elected at the National Convention in odd numbered years a Vice President and a Treasurer. The terms of these offices shall begin at the close of the regular business meeting at which they are elected and qualified for a term of two (2) years. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership present and voting. There shall be no proxy voting. If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the person receiving the fewest votes shall be dropped from the list of nominees and a second ballot shall be taken. This procedure shall continue until one of the nominees has received a majority vote from the membership present and voting.

Section Two: Duties

The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office. The President and Vice President must be blind and either a current guide dog user or between guide dogs to qualify for their office. Either the President or Vice-President shall preside over all meetings of this organization.

Section Three: Removal of Officers

An officer may be removed from office for violation of this Constitution or for conduct unbecoming an officer of the National Federation of the Blind by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of this organization. An Officer may also be removed for failure to properly execute the duties of the office. An officer may not be removed without the approval of the President of the National Federation of the Blind nor shall such removal from office automatically constitute expulsion from this organization (see ARTICLE III: Section Three). Any officer who feels unjustly removed from office may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind.

Section Four: Replacement of Officers

Should an office become vacant during the course of a term due to removal in accordance with Section Three above, resignation, or any other reason, the President shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint a member to occupy the office until such time that elections are conducted. If for any reason the President should be removed, resign, or for any other reason the office is vacated, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President and shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint a member to occupy the now vacant post of Vice President.

ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the four (4) constitutional officers and three (3) additional board members. Two (2) of these Board members shall be elected at the National Convention in even numbered years and the remaining Board member shall be elected in odd numbered years.  Board members shall be elected and be bound by this Constitution in the same manner as is prescribed for the officers. A majority of the Board of Directors must be blind and either a current guide dog user or between dogs. The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by any three (3) members of the Board. The Board of Directors shall advise the President and shall have charge of the affairs of the organization between meetings. A majority of the members of the Board must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The Board of Directors may be polled by telephone or any other means approved of by the Board on any issue.

Article VII. Committees

The officers will constitute the Board for purposes of managing the affairs of the Association. The President shall, having consulted with the Board, appoint committees necessary for the handling of specific program activities within the organization. 

Article VIII. Meetings

The Association will meet annually at the time of the National Federation of the Blind Convention. The President may call special meetings of the Board, by telephone or in person. Committee meetings may be called by the chairperson (by telephone) with the knowledge of the President.

Article IX. Affiliation

The National Association of Guide Dog Users; National Federation of the Blind is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. The organization will abide by the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind and the policies established within the authority of the National Federation of the Blind convention. The work of the Association is integral to the over-all objectives of the National Federation of the Blind and it will not consider any action contrary to or independent of the authority of the National Federation of the Blind. 

Article X. Dissolution

If for any reason the National Association of Guide Dog Users; National Federation of the Blind ceases to exist, all assets which have been accrued by the organization will be given to the National Federation of the Blind: a District of Columbia 501 C3 non-profit organization.

Article XI. Amendments

This constitution may be amended at any annual meeting of the Association under the following provisions:

A. The proposed amendment will be submitted in writing to the President at least twenty-four hours before the annual meeting; and,
B. Three-fourths majority of the membership present and voting is necessary for passage of the proposed amendment(s).  All amendments must be approved by the National Federation of the Blind before they may be included to the Constitution of the National Association of Guide Dog Users.

Revision Date: July 1, 1994
Article V: amended June 29, 2008
Article VI: amended June 29, 2008