Winter 2011 Volume 1 Number 1

Transcription

1 Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired DC/MD Chapter Newsletter Winter 2011 Volume 1 Number 1 From the President. Ray Peloquin Dear Members, Happy Holidays! I am presenting this newsletter to share with you some of what is happening with our chapter. Our Conference for 2012 will be at the Princess Royale in Ocean City, March 22 and 23, We have planned an exciting 2-day conference and I have included a tentative program in this newsletter. Your chapter Board has also revised and accepted new Bylaws which I are included to review. Members present during the chapter business meeting at the conference in Ocean City will vote on these new bylaws We have also set up an awards committee for our chapter to recognize those among us who should be recognized for their outstanding work in the field and have decided on 3 new awards that be presented at our conference. Please find enclosed copies of the description of the awards and form for nomination for each award. You will also find in this newsletter a call for nominations for new board members for The following are the positions open for nominations: President President-Elect 2 Board Member positions The other Officers and Board Members will remain in office until the spring of A Nomination form is included in this newsletter and we encourage you to run for office or nominate a colleague and fellow AER member to serve in this important capacity of chapter leadership! Please send the all your nominations for the chapter awards, conference registration and nominations to me at the following address: Raymond E. Peloquin, III 1622 Thetford Road Towson, MD I hope to see you all at the conference in March and happy holidays to you and yours! Cordially, Raymond E. Peloquin, III DC/MD AER Chapter President 1

2 Award Nominations DC-MD AER Recognition of Excellence in Direct Service in Education Nominee / recipient provide s or has provided excellent direct support or instruction to children with visual impairments ages birth to 21. Award recipient does not need to be an AER member. DC-MD AER Recognition of excellence in Direct Service in Education Nominee / recipient provide s or has provided excellent direct support or instruction to children with visual impairments ages birth to 21. Name of nominator(s) (Nominator must be DC-MD AER member) Nominator address: Nominator phone number: Name of nominee: Nominee address: Nominee phone number: Why do you think this person should be awarded the Direct Service in Education Award? If you need more space, please continue on separate piece of paper. 2

3 DC-MD AER Recognition of Excellence in Direct Service in Rehabilitation Nominee / recipient provide s or has provided excellent direct rehabilitative service or support to enhance the lives of individual adults with visual impairments. Accomplishments may include facilitating their independence, self-advocacy, vocational and/or life goals, etc. Award recipient does not need to be an AER member. DC-MD AER Recognition of Excellence in Direct Service in Rehabilitation Nominee / recipient provides or has provided excellent direct rehabilitative service or support to enhance the lives of individual adults with visual impairments. Name of nominator(s) (Nominator must be DC-MD AER member) Nominator address: Nominator phone number: Name of nominee: Nominee address: Nominee phone number: Why do you think this person should be awarded the Direct Service in Rehabilitation Award? If you need more space, please continue on separate piece of paper. 3

4 DC-MD AER Recognition of Excellence in the Field of Blindness and Visual Impairment Nominee / recipient has made outstanding contributions to the field of blindness. Accomplishment may be in such areas as administration, advocacy, development of policy or curriculum, contributing to the body of knowledge with research or publications, etc. Award recipient does not need to be an AER member. DC-MD AER Recognition of Excellence in the Field of Blindness and Visual Impairment Nominee / recipient has made outstanding contributions to the field of blindness. Name of nominator(s) (Nominator must be DC-MD AER member) Nominator address: Nominator phone number: Name of nominee: Nominee address: Nominee phone number: Why do you think this person should be awarded the Recognition of Excellence in the Field of Blindness and Visual Impairment Award? If you need more space, please continue on separate piece of paper. 4

5 Treasures on the Beach DC/MD Chapter AER Annual Conference March 22-24, 2012 Princess Royale Resort, Ocean City, Maryland 2012 DC/MD Chapter Conference Program Tentative Schedule Thursday March 22 8:00 a.m. Welcome! Registration Opens/ Continental Breakfast 9:00 12:00 Concurrent Sessions (3) A. An Intervention Continuum for Learners with Visual and Multiple Impairments Presented by: Millie Smith, Consultant, American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY B. icrazed! It s Time to Get Hands-On With Universal Accessibility: Why Everyone is Crazy Over the ipad, iphone & ipod Touch (Limit 20 Participants) Presenterd by: Donna Brostek Lee, COMS, Assistant Professor, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI and Helen Lee, COMS, Ed.D., Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI C. Incorporating Location Technology into the O&M Curriculum Presented by: Erica Irhke, COMS, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Rochester, Mi 12:00 1:00 Lunch on Your Own 1:00 3:00 Concurrent Sessions (3) 5

6 Visit Local Vendors/ Technology and Exhibits D. icrazed! It s Time to Get Hands-On With Universal Accessibility: Why Everyone is Crazy Over the ipad, iphone & ipod Touch (Limit 20 Participants - see page 8 for information about pre-registering for this session) Presented by: Donna Brostek Lee, COMS, Assistant Professor, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI and Helen Lee, COMS, Ed.D., Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI E. Transitioning/Independent Living Skills Presented by: Dael Cohen,Transition Specialist,Overbrook School for the Blind,Philadelphia, PA and Darlene F. Peregoy, Business Services Specialist, Office for Blindness and Vision Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Baltimore, MD 3:15 5:00 Opening General Session/ Keynote Address Welcome - Ray Peloquin President DC/MD AER Chapter Local Service Providers Introduction/ Brief Overview Maryland School for the Blind - Dr. Michael Bina Office of Blindness and Vision Services (DORS) Sue Schaffer Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Brandon Cox DC Divison Services for the Blind Dr. Edna Johnson Blind Industries Serving Maryland (bism) Andy McIver Keynote Address: Cannibalism is Alive and Well in the New Century Presented by: Dr. Susan Spungin, Educational Consultant, American Foundation for the Blind (recently retired), New York, N.Y. 5:00 6:00 Reception 6:00 Dinner on your own 6

7 Friday March 23 7:30 8:30 Registration/Contintental Breakfast 7:30-8:30 Roundtable breakfast discussion Street Crossings: Moderator: Erica Ihrke, COMS, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Rochester, MI 8:45 9:45 General Session Medical Update: New Treatments and Trends Presented by: Dr. Pradeep Ramulu, Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD 10:00 11:30 Concurrent Sessions (3) F. The Impact of Vision on Mobility Presented by: Dr. Pradeep Ramulu, Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD G. icrazed! It s Time to Get Hands-On With Universal Accessibility: Why Everyone is Crazy Over the ipad, iphone & ipod Touch (Limit 20 Participants - see page 8 for information about signing up for this session) Presenterd by: Donna Brostek Lee, COMS, Assistant Professor, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI and Helen Lee, COMS, Ed.D., Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI H. Transitioning to Employment Presented by: Dael Cohen, Transition Specialist, Overbrook School for the Blind, Philadelphia, PA and Darlene F. Peregoy, Business Services Specialist, Office for Blindness and Vision Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Baltimore, MD 11:45 12:30 General Session DC/MD AER Chapter Meeting Business Meeting Election Update on status of National AER given by Susan Spungin, AER Board Member, Secretary AER :30 2:00 Awards Luncheon (included in registration fees) 7

8 2:30 4:00 Concurrent Sessions (3) I. Roundtable discussion on Public Transportation Presenter to be determined J. ipad Hands on Workshop for the Advanced Presented by: Donna Brostek, COMS, Assistant Professor, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI and Helen Lee, COMS, Ed.D., Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI K. Keys to Employment Presented by: Darlene F. Peregoy, Business Services Specialist, Office for Blindness and Vision Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services. Baltimore, MD 4:00 Adjournment 8

9 2012 Conference Registration Form Treasures on the Beach REGISTRATION FORM (please print): Name: Discipline/Title: Address: Agency/Organization You Work For: Telephone (work) (Home) (Cell) AERBVI Membership Number: *Must be included to receive the membership rate. If you are not a member, would you like to join before this conference? Yes No thank you WHY BECOME AN AER MEMBER? Membership has its benefits and one is being able to enjoy attending chapter meetings and other AER meetings at a discounted rate. We invite you to be a part of the largest group of vision professionals and discover more benefits such as receiving AER s Journal, Insight: Research and Practice in Visual Impairment and Blindness, professional development with discounted online webinars for continuing education, professional and career opportunities with an up-to-date and active online listing of jobs in the field of vision, discounted AER Publications, and MUCH MORE! To join today, go to and click on membership or call the AER office at today! 1. Full Conference: (Thursday and Friday) Full Conference Registration includes all events taking place Thursday and Friday AER Member: $80 Non-AER Member $100 Students $40 9

10 Please help us serve you better by indicating below which sessions you would be interested in attending (Indicate A through K according to the session schedule on the previous pages): Thursday morning Friday morning Thursday afternoon Friday afternoon IMPORTANT: if you indicated above that you would like to attend one of the icrazed! It s Time to Get Hands-On With Universal Accessibility: Why Everyone is Crazy Over the ipad, iphone & ipod Touch presentations, and you will need to register for those in advance. There is a limited number of pieces of equipment that are available, so we ask that you make sure to register in advance for this session only. Attendance is limited to 20 attendees per session. Sign up for the date and time you prefer by visiting: Once each session has reached its maximum number of attendees, it will be removed from the online form. Also, please help us to identify any access or accommodations that you will need during the conference. PROGRAM MEDIA REQUEST: Print Large Print Braille CD I will need: Tactile Map of Hotel Hotel Orientation Special dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten free, etc.): Please Identify other individual needs that will support your full participation in this conference: Make checks or money orders in U.S. currency payable to: DC/MD AER CHAPTER AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ SEND PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION FORM TO: Raymond E. Peloquin, III 1622 Thetford Road Towson, MD

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12 DC/MD AER CHAPTER NOMINATIONS FORM I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING NOMINATION(S): Please remember that all nominees MUST be AER Members. President President-Elect Board Member at Large Board Member at Large AER member making the nomination: Name: Work phone: Evening phone: Deadline: Nominations forms must be received January 26, 2012 Mail nominations to: Or to: DC/MD AER 2012 Board Nominations c/o Ray Peloquin 1622 Thetford Road Towson, MD dc.md.aerchapter@gmail.com Chapter elections will be held during the month of February, Duties of Officers: President reside over all meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors; appoint committees and committee members; overall chapter management President Elect serve as assistant to the President and in the absence of the President, shall preside over meetings of membership and the Board of Directors. Board Member-at-Large serve as voting members of the Board and may serve in any capacity as identified by the Board; to serve as committee liaisons to the Board of Directors. 12

13 New Bylaws District of Columbia/Maryland Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired ARTICLE I. NAME Bylaws Revised August 2011 The name of this organization shall be the District of Columbia/ Maryland Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired; and shall be known in abbreviated form as the DC/MD AER Chapter. The DC/MD AER Chapter is a State Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) and is subject to all of its rules and regulations. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE The purpose of the chapter shall be to render all possible assistance to the promotion, development, and improvement of all phases of the education and rehabilitation of individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the District of Columbia and Maryland. The following goals shall be utilized to meet this purpose: Section 1. Increase public understanding of the nature and causes of blindness and its impact on individuals and on society. Section 2. Increase public understanding of the social and economic gains to individuals and the District/state through providing opportunities for all individuals who are blind or visually impaired to become self-sufficient and self-supporting. Section 3. Provide a forum on a District/state and/or local level for the discussion of all issues relating to services for persons who are blind or visually impaired, the prevention of visual impairments, and provide publications and training relating to this purpose. Section 4. Encourage an interdisciplinary approach to programs and services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. This will be accomplished by maximizing the knowledge and skills of all related professions. 13

14 Section 5. Foster research to advance the knowledge and skills for the improvement of services to all persons who are blind or visually impaired. Section 6. Assist in the development of professional standards for personnel engaged in providing specialized programs and services to all persons who are blind or visually impaired. Section 7. Assist in the development of professional standards for specialized programs serving persons who are blind or visually impaired. Section 8. Initiate, collaborate, and cooperate with other groups in the development of programs for the benefit of persons who are blind or visually impaired. Section 9. Increase public understanding of the etiology of visual impairment and its impact on individuals and society. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Eligibility. The membership of the DC/MD Chapter shall be open to all persons, agencies and organizations in DC/MD, as defined by the International AER bylaws. Memberships are renewable annually. Section 2. Non-Discrimination. No person, agency, or organization otherwise eligible shall be denied membership in the DC/MD Chapter on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, national origin, or disability. Section 3. Types of memberships: All members of AER residing or working in DC/MD shall automatically be members of the DC/MD AER Chapter. Section 4. Membership Dues: Dues for individual and corporate memberships shall be established by the International AER office. Section 5. The membership shall elect the Board of Directors and officers of the chapter. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the DC/MD AER Chapter shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and an immediate Past-President. Section 2. Qualifications of Officers: President and president-elect are limited to members of the Chapter with previous experience on the Board of Directors. Any individual member of the Chapter at large is eligible to serve as secretary or treasurer. 14

15 Any officer candidate must be current with annual dues. No two offices may be held concurrently by the same person. Section 3. Elections: The office of the President of the Chapter shall be filled in succession by the President-Elect. The membership shall elect a President-Elect and outgoing members of the Board. (See Article VIII). Section 4. Terms of Office: The President, President-Elect, and immediate Past President shall serve a one year term in their respective positions. When a President elect is elected into office the natural progression shall be to move to office of President and then to the office of immediate Past President; which will total three years of service. The term of each office shall commence at the close of the annual meeting. Section 5. Terms of Office: The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve a two-year term. The Secretary and the Treasurer may be re-elected to successive terms of office but no other officer shall be re-elected to the same office until at least one year has passed following the date of expiration of that officer s term. The term of each office shall commence at the close of the annual meeting. Section 6. Terms of Office: The four Board Members at Large shall also serve a term of two years. The term of the Board Members at Large shall be staggered to ensure that two new members will join the Board Members at large every two years. The term of each office shall commence at the close of the annual meeting. Section 7. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall serve the remainder of the term as acting President and, upon completion of said term, shall assume the presidency in normal order. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President elect, there shall be no replacement until the annual election at which time there shall be elected a President-Elect. In the event of a vacancy in both the offices of President, and President-Elect, the immediate Past President shall preside over the Board of Directors. The Board will then select a President to serve until the next election. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary or Treasurer or Past President, the Board of Directors may appoint a replacement from its own body or the general membership for the remainder of the term. Section 8. Duties of Officers. Subject to the control of the Board, all officers shall have authority and perform such duties in the management of the chapter: 8.1 The President shall plan and preside over all meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors; shall be the responsible executive officer and will administer the affairs of the chapter between meetings of the Board of Directors; will appoint committees, both standing and special, in accordance with the bylaws. 15

16 8.2 The President-Elect shall serve as assistant to the President, and, in the absence of the President, shall plan and preside over meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors in the absence of the President. In the event that the office of President becomes vacant, he/she shall succeed to the presidency and complete the unexpired term of office. The President-Elect shall be chair of the Bylaws committee. 8.3 The Secretary shall be responsible for the records of the chapter and shall record the minutes of the Board of Directors meetings prepared in proper order. The Secretary shall conduct routine correspondence as directed by the President and/or Board of Directors and shall see that records are transmitted to the successor at the completion of his/her term of office. The Secretary shall preside at Board meetings in the absence of the President and President-Elect. 8.4 The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer and may be bonded at the agreement of the Treasurer, President, and Board members. The Treasurer shall see that regular financial statements are prepared in accordance with recognized accounting principles. The Treasurer shall submit a yearly financial statement to AER as required, after Board approval. The Treasurer shall also submit an annual financial report to DC/MD AER members. The Treasurer shall prepare the annual budget prior to the end of December with the budget period being from January 1 through December 31. The Board shall review and approve the budget prior to implementation. The Treasurer shall preside at board meetings in the absence of the President, President Elect, and Secretary. 8.5 The Immediate Past-President shall serve as the assistant to the President and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He/she shall serve as the conference committee chair. He/she will serve to coordinate between these committees and the president. ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the chapter, the Immediate Past President, and four other elected members, known as Board Members at Large. Section 2. The Board shall meet at each annual meeting and shall hold at least two additional meetings during each calendar year. A board meeting may be called by the President or by three other members of the Board. The Board may participate in meetings by means of telephone conferencing or electronic communications. Section 3. Quorum. A quorum shall be constituted by the presence of a majority of the currently occupied seats on the Board of Directors. 16

17 Section 4. Purpose. The Board of Directors shall serve as the governing and policymaking body of the chapter between meetings of the membership. Section 5. Resignations. In the event that any member of the Board is unable to serve for any reason, the Board shall elect from the members-at-large a person to complete the unexpired term of that elected board member. Section 6. The Board of Directors shall review and approve the budget of the chapter as recommended by the Treasurer prior to presentation to the membership. Section 7. The Board shall report its activities and decisions to the membership at each annual meeting of the chapter or by other means of communication. Section 8. Removal of Director(s). Any one or more of the Directors may be removed with cause by action by the Board of Directors, provided there is a quorum of the Board present and that seven days written notice of removal is given to the Director(s) concerned. Section 9. Votes. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have the right to debate any question before the Board and other assembly of chapter. Each Board member shall have one vote. No officer or Director shall be permitted to assign his/her vote to another Board member. ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES Section 1. The President, upon assuming office, shall appoint standing committees and special committees as required. All appointed committee chairpersons and committee members shall be a member in good standing of AER. The following standing committees are approved by the Board of Directors: Section 2. Committee chairperson will be appointed by the President for a period of one year. Section 3. Standing Committees include: Nominating Committee-shall consist of a minimum of three members with the Immediate Past President or President serving as chairperson. Program Committee may vary in size but shall not have fewer than five members with the Past President serving as chairperson. The principal task of the committee is to plan and prepare, with the full assistance of the Board of Directors, for the next annual meeting of the chapter. 17

18 Bylaws Committee shall be composed of a minimum of three members and will review, draft and submit to the membership proposed revisions and/or amendments to the bylaws of the chapter. A Board member will chair this committee. Membership Committee shall be composed of at least three members to include one Board Member. It shall develop and implement a membership recruitment and retention program for the chapter in conjunction with the AER International office. History and Memorial Committee shall be composed of at least three members, including one Board member. The committee is charged with maintaining all pertinent historical records of the chapter with regard to officers, members, awards, and events which occur during the term of the committee. The committee shall prepare a list, containing the names and a biographical sketch of any member of the chapter or any person who has been active or vitally interested in work with blind people, who has died since the last annual meeting. The list shall be presented to the membership at the business session of the annual meeting. Awards Committee shall be composed of at least five members, including one Board member. The awards committee shall establish awards and criteria, is charged with the responsibility of polling the membership at least ninety days prior to the annual meeting for the purpose soliciting nominations for all awards and citations to be presented to the chapter. The chairperson shall submit all proposed award recipients to the Board of Directors at least thirty days prior to the presentation of the awards for Board approval. Publications Committee shall be composed of the Editor of the Chapter Newsletter and other members as recommended to the President by the Editor. The Editor shall serve as chairperson. Based on Board approval the committee will collect and distribute information to the membership through the chapter newsletter which may be published up to four times a year. Scholarship Committee- this committee is composed of at least one Board member and two other members of the AER membership. The purpose is to promote educational opportunities to members. Based on Board approval the committee may provide funding for training events, individual members attending conferences, and implementation of special projects involving persons who work in the field. Section 4. Committee Reports: Each committee shall provide the secretary a current list of its members, minutes of its meetings, and any proposals which it makes 18

19 Section 5. At the end of a committee Chairperson s term the following shall be shared with the new committee Chairperson and/or new committee members: a contact list of current committee members, proposals or projects that have been discussed or worked on, as well as relevant notes or documentations of the committee s objectives. These notes shall be passed onto the incoming committee Chairperson. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS Section 1. An annual business meeting shall be held at a time and location determined by the President, Board of Directors, and program committee. The membership will then be notified of the time and place of the meeting. Section 2. The purpose of the annual business meeting shall be to promote the purposes of the chapter and the interests of its membership. Section 3. The Chapter shall make every reasonable effort to schedule and hold its annual business meeting in a location where all members can participate and be fully accommodated without discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, national origin, or disability. Section 4. If possible, the business meeting will occur concurrently with the annual conference. The membership will be notified of this meeting at the time of the conference announcement. ARTICLE VIII. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Section 1. The President or immediate Past President, upon assuming office, shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of three members with the Past President serving as Chairperson. Section 2. All voting members shall be eligible to vote for the offices of President, President-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Directors. Section 3. Procedures: 3.1. The Committee shall solicit from the membership, approximately 90 days prior to the annual chapter meeting, via mail or , nominations for each elective office or seat on the Board of Directors Before any nomination shall be considered valid, the nominee shall submit a written biography of not more than 150 words and a written statement of willingness to serve if elected. Current paid membership of the nominee and the nominator will be verified by contacting the AER office. 19

20 3.3. In the event that at least two nominees for each elected office are not submitted by the membership, the Nominating Committee will attempt to solicit two nominees for each elected position on the election ballot. 3.4 Approximately 30 days prior to the annual meeting, the Chapter Nominations Committee will mail, or , each member a copy of the biographical sketch of each of the nominees, along with a ballot Elections shall be held by ballot pursuant to the procedures established by the Board of Directors, either held prior to or during the annual meeting by mail or other electronic means Each voting member may vote for one (1) candidate for each elective office or board seat on the ballot The candidate receiving the most votes for each elective position shall become the holder of the office at the close of the annual meeting. In the event of a tie vote in the election for any office, the election shall thereupon be decided by a runoff election. ARTICLE IX. CHAPTER RELATIONSHIPS Section 1. Members of Chapter shall reside or work in the District of Columbia (DC) or the State of Maryland (MD) at the time of the application for membership. Section 2. The chapter shall aid in planning and shall support and participate in regional and international meetings sponsored by AER. Section 3. Tax Status. Said chapter is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code). No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, directors, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of Section 501 (c) 3 purposes. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax 20

21 under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax Code). Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code), or shall be distributed to the Federal Government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. However, if the named recipient is not then in existence or no longer a qualified distribute, or unwilling or unable to accept the distribution, then the assets of this organization shall be distributed to a fund, foundation or corporation organized and operated exclusively for the purposes specified in Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code). ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS Section 1. This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any business meeting held during the annual meeting or by mail ballot or ballot, or by any other forms of electronic communication involving the entire voting membership of the chapter. Section 2. The amendment shall originate in one of the following manners: 1) submission by petition of at least fifteen voting members, or 2) submission by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Section 3. Notification: A proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Board of Directors at least forty-five days prior to consideration by the Board and shall, in turn, be submitted to the entire membership no less than thirty days prior to the final vote by the membership. Section 4. Adoption of Amendments: Adoption of proposed amendments requires a quorum and affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting membership present at a business meeting or the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of mail ballots returned, or by the same amount - two-thirds - by a form of electronic communication. ARTICLE XI. QUORUM Section 1. A quorum at a regular business meeting shall be constituted by the presence of at least ten percent of the voting membership. ARTICLE XII. BUDGET AND FISCAL Section 1. In addition to the membership fees, the chapter may accept gifts or donations from interested individuals or groups and may conduct fund raising 21

22 activities as approved by the membership and/or Board of Directors for the general purposes or special projects of the chapter. Section 2. All income shall be handled by the Treasurer. All monies shall be deposited in accounts by the Treasurer and approved by the President and Board of Directors. All funds deposited shall be reported to the President and Board of Directors. Section 3. Regular expenditures of the chapter shall be made in accordance with a budget prepared by the Treasurer and approved by the Board of Directors. All checks for expenditures must be signed by the Treasurer and/or co-signed by the President. Section 4. Special projects will be maintained under the direction of the Board of Directors. Section 5. Any non-budgeted expenditure or amount(s) in excess of the approved budget shall need the approval of the Board of Directors before payment will be considered. ARTICLE XIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Section 1. The Chapter, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws or in rules adopted by the Board of Directors, shall be governed in all of its meetings by parliamentary law as contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Section 2. Upon the opening of the annual membership business meeting and all board meetings, the President will announce the name of a qualified member who is at the meeting and who has agreed to serve as a Parliamentarian. 22