Missouri Council of the Blind Bylaws and Standing Rules. Amended October 4, 2025.
The name of this organization shall be the Missouri Council of the Blind, hereinafter referred to as MCB. It is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation. MCB is also a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, hereinafter referred to as ACB.
The purpose of MCB shall be to promote the general well-being of our members and legally blind people in Missouri, and to support or participate in other programs promoting the best interests of legally blind people everywhere.
Members shall be eighteen years of age or over, shall be residents of Missouri and shall belong to a regular affiliate or be a member at large as set forth in Section 2 Member at Large. All members shall have the right to vote, speak on the floor at conventions, serve on committees, and if qualified, hold office.
A member at large shall be any person who meets the membership requirements set forth in Section 1 and is not a member of any regular MCB affiliate. A member at large shall pay dues directly to MCB as determined by the board of directors and shall have all the rights and privileges of membership.
Junior members shall be persons under eighteen years of age who have an interest in the work of MCB. Junior members shall not have the right to vote or hold office but may serve on committees as non-voting members.
A member in good standing is one whose dues are current. Only members in good standing may vote, hold office, or represent their affiliate at MCB conventions.
Any MCB member may be disciplined for conduct detrimental to the best interests of MCB. The board of directors shall establish disciplinary procedures that provide due process protections, including written notice of charges, opportunity to respond, and the right to appeal.
Affiliates receiving grants from the American Council of the Blind must ensure that all members receiving such grants are members in good standing of both their affiliate and MCB, as required by ACB policy.
A. by resignation — Any member in good standing may resign from MCB upon written notice to the president or secretary.
B. by lapsing — Membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid after September 1 of each year. The board may grant a 30-day extension in extenuating circumstances.
C. by moving from the area — Membership shall be terminated when a member moves his/her permanent residency out of the state of Missouri.
D. by expulsion — A membership may be terminated by expulsion as a result of disciplinary procedures.
A regular affiliate of MCB shall be an organization of blind and visually impaired persons, organized as a chapter, that has been chartered by MCB and meets the requirements of MCB and ACB. Regular affiliates must have a minimum of five members in good standing with MCB.
A special interest affiliate shall be an organization, organized around a specific interest or concern related to blindness, that has been chartered by MCB. Special interest affiliates may include members who are not blind or visually impaired and may not have geographical restrictions.
Application for affiliate status shall be made in writing to the MCB president. The application shall include the name of the proposed affiliate, its officers, the number of its members who are MCB members in good standing, and a copy of its constitution and bylaws. The board of directors shall act on applications for affiliate status.
All affiliates shall submit an annual report to the MCB office by June 1 of each year. The report shall include the current officers, number of members, and other information as required by the board of directors.
To maintain affiliate status, an affiliate must: (a) maintain at least five members in good standing with MCB; (b) submit annual reports as required; (c) pay any required dues; and (d) comply with MCB and ACB bylaws and policies.
An affiliate may be placed on probation, suspended, or have its charter revoked by the board of directors for failure to meet the requirements of affiliate status or for conduct detrimental to MCB. An affiliate subject to disciplinary action shall have the right to notice, hearing, and appeal as established by the board.
Regular affiliates shall pay annual dues to MCB as determined by convention. Dues shall be based on the number of MCB members in good standing within the affiliate as of the previous October 1.
Members at large shall pay annual dues directly to MCB in an amount determined by the board of directors. Dues shall be paid by October 1 of each year.
Special interest affiliates shall pay annual dues to MCB in an amount determined by the board of directors.
The fiscal year of MCB shall begin November 1 and end October 31.
All funds of MCB shall be deposited in financial institutions approved by the board of directors. All checks and financial obligations shall be signed by the treasurer and one other officer as designated by the board.
The treasurer shall maintain complete and accurate financial records and shall present a financial report at each board meeting and at each annual convention. The financial records shall be available for inspection by any MCB member in good standing.
Board members and committee chairs shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their MCB duties, subject to board approval and availability of funds. All reimbursement requests must be submitted with receipts.
MCB funds not needed for current operations may be invested in federally insured accounts or other investments as determined by the board of directors. The board shall establish an investment policy to guide such decisions.
The officers of MCB shall be: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and such other officers as the board may designate.
Officers shall serve terms of two years and may serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office. A person who has served two consecutive terms must be out of that office for at least one term before being eligible to serve again.
Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment of the board of directors until the next election. The person appointed shall serve out the remainder of the vacating officer's term.
All officers must be members in good standing of MCB and a regular affiliate at the time of their election and throughout their term of office. No person may hold more than one officer position at the same time.
The president shall be the chief executive officer of MCB. The president shall preside at all meetings of MCB, the board of directors, and the executive committee; shall appoint all committee chairs subject to board approval; shall represent MCB in all external affairs; and shall perform such other duties as are customary for this office.
The vice president shall assume the duties of the president in the absence or incapacity of the president; shall serve as chair of the convention committee; and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the president or the board.
The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of MCB and the board of directors; shall maintain the official records of MCB; shall conduct official MCB correspondence; and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the president.
The treasurer shall be responsible for all financial affairs of MCB; shall maintain complete financial records; shall present financial reports at board meetings and conventions; shall chair the budget and finance committee; and shall perform such other duties as required by the board.
Officers and directors shall be elected at the annual convention. Election shall be by secret written ballot if there is more than one candidate for a position. Uncontested offices shall be declared elected by voice vote or acclamation.
Each member in good standing of MCB shall have one vote in elections. Proxy voting is not permitted. All elections shall be conducted by the credentials committee and the elections judge appointed by the president.
Nominations for elected positions may be made from the floor or in writing prior to the convention. All nominees must be members in good standing and must indicate their willingness to serve if elected.
MCB shall hold an annual convention at a time and place determined by the board of directors. The convention shall normally be held in the fall of each year. Notice of the convention shall be sent to all affiliates and members at large at least sixty days prior to the convention date.
Members may participate remotely in MCB conventions and board meetings via telephone, video conferencing, or other electronic means, provided that all participating members can hear and be heard by all other participants. Remote participants shall have all the rights and privileges of in-person attendees.
Special meetings of MCB may be called by the president, by the board of directors, or upon written petition signed by at least one-fourth of the current member affiliates. Notice of a special meeting shall specify the purpose of the meeting, and only the business stated in the notice may be transacted.
The voting body at MCB conventions shall consist of all members in good standing who are registered and present, including those participating remotely. Each member shall have one vote.
A quorum for the transaction of business at an annual or special convention shall be twenty-five members in good standing who are registered and present. A quorum for a meeting of the board of directors shall be a majority of the sitting board members.
The board of directors of MCB shall consist of the four elected officers, the directors at large, the chair of the public relations committee, and one representative from each regular affiliate.
There shall be five directors at large elected by the convention. Directors shall serve two-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Directors at large must be members in good standing of a regular affiliate.
The chair of the public relations committee shall serve as a voting member of the board of directors in an ex-officio capacity.
Each regular affiliate in good standing shall be entitled to one representative on the board of directors, elected or appointed by the affiliate. Affiliate representatives must be members in good standing of both their affiliate and MCB.
The board of directors shall: manage the affairs of MCB between conventions; implement convention resolutions; authorize expenditures; employ and supervise the executive director; and perform such other functions as are necessary for the operation of MCB.
The board of directors shall meet at least four times per year. Special meetings may be called by the president or upon written request of a majority of board members. Board meetings may be conducted by telephone or electronic conference.
The standing committees of MCB shall be: Adaptive Technology, Building, Budget and Finance, Bylaws and Resolutions, Convention, Education and Advocacy, Membership, Office Personnel, Scholarship, Special Services, Summer Camp, and Youth Services. The president may establish additional committees as needed.
Committee chairs shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the board of directors. Each chair shall appoint committee members with the approval of the president. Committees shall consist of at least three members in good standing.
The Adaptive Technology Committee shall administer the MCB Adaptive Technology Grant Program; review and approve grant applications; make recommendations to the board regarding grant policies and funding levels; and promote awareness of assistive technology resources.
The Bylaws and Resolutions Committee shall review all proposed amendments to the bylaws and standing rules; make recommendations to the convention on each proposal; and maintain the official copy of the bylaws and standing rules.
The Convention Committee shall plan and coordinate all aspects of the annual MCB convention, including venue selection, program development, accessibility arrangements, and convention logistics.
The Scholarship Committee shall administer the MCB Youth Scholarship Program; establish eligibility criteria; review and evaluate applications; and make scholarship awards in accordance with available funds and board guidelines.
The Special Services Committee shall administer the MCB Special Services grant program for members in need; establish eligibility criteria; review applications; and make awards in accordance with available funds.
The Summer Camp Committee shall plan, organize, and oversee the MCB Summer Camp program; establish camp policies and procedures; recruit and screen volunteer staff; and report to the board on camp operations.
The Youth Services Committee shall oversee MCB programs for youth members; coordinate with parents, schools, and other organizations serving youth with visual impairments; and make recommendations to the board regarding youth programs.
The headquarters of MCB shall be located in Missouri at such location as determined by the board of directors. The board may establish branch offices as needed.
The board of directors may employ an executive director to manage the daily operations of MCB. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the board and shall be responsible for: implementing board directives; managing MCB staff; administering MCB programs; and reporting to the board on organizational operations.
The board of directors shall establish policies for the employment, compensation, evaluation, and termination of all MCB staff. All employees shall be subject to the personnel policies established by the board.
MCB shall publish a magazine known as The MCB Chronicle, distributed to all MCB members in good standing and to such other persons as determined by the board. The Chronicle shall be published in accessible formats including audio recording, large print, and electronic versions to serve members with varying visual impairments.
MCB shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act, Missouri Revised Statutes Section 355.661, and any amendments thereto. MCB may purchase and maintain directors and officers liability insurance.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern MCB in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, special rules of order, or standing rules adopted by MCB.
These bylaws may be amended at any annual convention of MCB by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the bylaws committee at least ninety days prior to the convention, and notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to all affiliates at least sixty days prior to the convention.
A.
B. Standing rules may be amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any annual convention. Emergency amendments may be considered without prior notice by a two-thirds vote to suspend the rules.
Adopted 1985
The treasurer shall present a complete financial report at each annual convention. The financial records of MCB shall be audited annually by a certified public accountant or a qualified auditor approved by the board, and the audit report shall be presented at the annual convention and made available to all affiliates.
Adopted 1987
A parliamentarian shall be engaged for all annual MCB conventions. The parliamentarian shall be knowledgeable in Robert's Rules of Order and accessible meeting procedures and shall advise the presiding officer on questions of parliamentary procedure.
Adopted 1991
The MCB president shall make a reasonable effort to visit each regular affiliate at least once during the president's term. The board shall budget for reasonable travel expenses associated with such visits.
Adopted 1994
MCB conventions shall include a full-service banquet. The convention committee shall ensure that the banquet facility and menu are accessible to all attendees, including those with dietary restrictions and those using mobility aids.
Adopted 1996
All MCB conventions shall be held at hotels that are in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The convention committee shall verify ADA compliance before selecting a convention hotel, with particular attention to accessibility features for blind and visually impaired guests.
Adopted 2005
All MCB standing rules shall be numbered using the format YY-NN (where YY indicates the year and NN indicates the sequential number within that year), shall be maintained in a current standing rules document, and shall be distributed to all affiliates in accessible formats including audio and large print.
Adopted 2015
MCB board meetings and annual conventions shall be made accessible via telephone or other electronic means to allow members who cannot attend in person to participate fully. MCB shall ensure that remote participants have the ability to hear all proceedings and to speak, vote, and otherwise participate as if present in person.
Adopted 2016
The Bylaws and Resolutions Committee is authorized to make technical corrections to the MCB bylaws and standing rules that do not change the substance or intent of any provision. Such corrections may include correcting typographical errors, updating statutory citations, and conforming cross-references. All technical corrections shall be reported to the board of directors.
Adopted 2016
Before a proposed bylaws amendment is brought to the convention floor, the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee shall notify all MCB affiliates of the proposed amendment in accessible formats. Notification shall occur at least thirty days prior to the convention.
Adopted October 8, 2022
A.
B. Any individual or organization wishing to request disbursement of funds greater than one hundred dollars not already appropriated in the current budget shall follow the process outlined in Clause A before the board may approve such disbursement.
C. Receipts shall be submitted to the office where appropriate.
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