Bylaws
Preamble
We, the members of The California Council of the Blind, having established in 1934 the CCB as an organization dedicated to the full equality and opportunity in society for Californians who are blind and low vision, and now seeking through revision of our governing document to renew our organization and our commitments in response to the demands of today’s changing world, do hereby:
Establish these bylaws to reflect continuity with the values and principles that have historically defined our organization through policies and resolutions;
Reiterate our commitment to a self-governing organization in which people who are blind and low vision are the supreme authority, maintaining control over our own decisions and lives;
Develop mechanisms for acquiring the necessary management, fundraising, legal, financial and technological expertise to assure the viability and success of the organization and to maximize its ability to meet the challenges of the future;
and Devise administrative and accountability structures to ensure that the authority delegated to officers and staff is utilized in ways that maximize its effectiveness and that preserve membership authority and control.
Table of Contents
Article 1 Name
Article 2 Purpose
Article 3 Governance
Article 4 Affiliation
Article 5 Conference and Convention
Article 6 Officers and Directors
Article 7 Council Membership
Article 8 Chapters and Special Interest Affiliates
Article 9 Executive Director and Staff
Article 10 Gifts, Bequests, and Contracts
Article 11 Resolutions
Article 12 Amendments
Article 13 Dissolution of the Council
Article 1 Name:
The name of this organization is the California Council of the Blind. All references to CCB, or to the Council contained herein or contained in other documents filed or prepared by this organization shall be understood as references to the California Council of the Blind.
Sec. 1.1:
All references in these bylaws to people who are blind shall be understood to include people who are blind, legally blind, and low vision.
Article 2 Purpose:
The purpose of the California Council of the Blind is to increase the independence and equality for all Californians who are blind or low vision.
Article 3 Governance:
Operating under the laws of the United States and of the State of California, CCB is a nonprofit grassroots membership organization, governed by its membership in accordance with these bylaws and operated by its members, the board of directors and staff in accordance with their respective roles as set forth below.
Sec. 3.1:
In the decisions it makes, the policies it adopts, and the activities it undertakes, the supreme authority of the CCB shall be its members acting through its board of directors and staff.
Sec. 3.2:
The organizational units of the CCB, as described below, have designated responsibilities and authority to make decisions, to develop policies and procedures, to ensure compliance with these bylaws and with the requirements of the law, and to conduct the day-to-day work of a modern nonprofit organization.
Sec. 3.3:
For the achievement of its purposes, the fulfillment of its responsibilities and the conduct of its affairs, CCB consists of the following components, all described in greater detail in further articles of these bylaws.
Sec. 3.3.1:
Its membership, deliberating, and acting in the annual Convention.
Sec. 3.3.2:
Its President, carrying out the instructions of the membership, supervising the Executive Director, leading the board and representing the organization in a variety of relationships and community settings.
Sec. 3.3.3:
It’s Executive Director (ED), who is supervised by the President, and who is fully empowered to maintain all operational needs of the CCB as set forth in the approved annual budget and the ED position description.
Sec. 3.3.3.1:
In the event of a vacancy in the ED position, the President shall assume the duties of the position until the position can be filled.
Sec. 3.3.4:
Its officers and directors, carrying out the duties assigned to them, making and implementing policy decisions delegated to them or needing to be made between annual conventions, approving budgets and expenditures and other measures, working with such experts or staff as may be recruited or employed from time to time to address matters beyond the expertise of the board, and serving on such committees as may be created for various organizational purposes.
Sec. 3.3.5:
Its chapters, special interest affiliates and at large members, representing the organization in their local communities, cooperating in statewide organizational initiatives, and developing creative strategies to meet the identified and emerging needs and concerns of people who are blind or have low vision.
Sec. 3.4:
In any instances of disagreement over the rules governing this organization, these bylaws shall be the controlling authority. Any situation not covered by these bylaws shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Sec. 3.5:
The President, along with the board of directors, will steer the organization; developing guidelines and policies to ensure responsible governing, maintaining organizational stability and ensure future growth.
Sec. 3.5.1:
Guidelines and policies developed and approved by the board of directors will be effective immediately upon approval, however, these guidelines and policies may be challenged and overturned by the membership at any convention following the rules set forth in section 5.5.3 of these bylaws.
Article 4 Affiliation:
The California Council of the Blind is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), a national membership organization.
Sec. 4.1:
CCB members are automatically ACB members.
Article 5 Conference and Convention:
Sec. 5.1:
There shall be a regularly scheduled meeting of the California Council of the Blind annually, known as the Conference and Convention, the time and place to be fixed in advance. Any references elsewhere in this or other organizational documents to “Convention” shall be understood to be referring to the Conference and Convention. The annual Convention will demonstrate adherence to an “Elastic Clause”, meaning that it will adjust to the world’s ever-changing digital environment to maintain its effectiveness and credibility. As technology allows, the Conference and Convention may expand to multiple linked locations. This will not preclude an in-person Convention. Whenever possible, every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that the Convention occurs before July 1st.
Sec. 5.2:
The members of the California Council of the Blind, assembled at CCB’s annual Convention, shall be the supreme authority of the organization.
Sec. 5.2.1:
At the beginning of each Convention the membership assembled shall adopt convention rules.
Sec. 5.3:
The Convention will perform the duties and carry out its responsibilities as follows:
Sec. 5.3.1:
Elect officers and directors.
Sec. 5.3.2:
Receive and discuss reports from the Executive Director, the President, the Treasurer, and other pertinent sources.
Sec. 5.3.3:
Decide on all matters duly brought before the Convention for input or vote.
Sec. 5.3.4:
Resolve any questions as to its procedures or voting, including delegates, credentials, or discipline.
Sec. 5.3.5:
Adopt resolutions embodying organizational policies, strategies, and goals.
Sec. 5.3.6:
Provide a mutually respectful forum for the full and free expression and exchange of thoughts and concerns among the members.
Sec. 5.4:
In performing its responsibilities as set forth above, the Convention’s voting shall be subject to the following requirements:
Sec. 5.4.1:
For votes to be binding, a quorum must exist defined as at least one-third of the chapter and special interest affiliate delegates or their alternates and at least fifty individual voting members being present.
Sec. 5.4.2:
For analysis of all voting issues to be fair and thorough, time will be allotted for discussion and debate.
Sec. 5.5:
In the fulfillment of its responsibilities, the Convention shall observe the following margin of votes for its decisions:
Sec. 5.5.1:
For amendment of these bylaws, two-thirds.
Sec. 5.5.2:
For the election of officers and directors, a majority. In the event no majority is achieved, the second round of voting between the top two vote recipients shall be immediately conducted.
Sec. 5.5.3:
For the rejection of a policy adopted by the board since the last Convention, a majority.
Sec. 5.5.4:
For adoption of a resolution, a majority.
Sec. 5.5.5:
For the expulsion of an individual member or chapter, three-fourths (except that no vote on expulsion shall take place without the member or chapter being given the opportunity to offer a defense).
Sec. 5.5.6:
For suspension or ratification of a suspension of an officer or director, a two-thirds voice-vote (except that no vote shall take place without the officer or director being given the opportunity to offer a defense).
Sec. 5.5.7:
For removal of an officer or director, three-fourths (except that no vote shall take place without the officer or director being given the opportunity to offer a defense).
Sec. 5.5.8:
For suspension of a member or chapter, two-thirds (except that no vote on suspension shall take place without the member or chapter being given the opportunity to offer a defense).
Sec. 5.5.9:
In elections, individual votes will be cast by secret ballot. Delegate votes will be cast by roll call.
Sec. 5.5.10:
In the event that 25 members challenge the ruling of the chair on a voice vote, there shall be a roll-call/secret ballot vote.
Article 6 Officers and Directors:
Sec. 6.1:
Between conventions and throughout the year in the performance of its duties, CCB shall be governed by its officers and directors.
Sec. 6.2:
The officers of this organization are: The President; the First and the Second Vice-presidents; the Secretary; the Treasurer and the Immediate Past President.
Sec. 6.2.1:
The President and the 2 Vice Presidents shall be legally blind, and 2/3 of the board shall be legally blind.
Sec. 6.3:
All members in good standing are eligible to serve on the board of directors.
Sec. 6.3.1:
The board shall consist of 15 persons, 6 officers and 9 directors.
Sec. 6.3.2:
Candidates interested in running for the board are strongly encouraged to submit a candidate statement no less than 45 days prior to the first day of the Convention. Only candidates who submit a candidate statement will be eligible to participate in a candidate forum, which will occur prior to the first day of convention. During elections, all candidates will have up to 5 minutes to have up to 2 people speak on their behalf.
Sec. 6.4:
All terms of office shall last for two years, commencing on July 1st of the year in which the election was held and ending on June 30.
Sec. 6.4.1:
In the event that the annual Convention in any year does not occur before July 1st, terms of office of current members shall continue until the date of such Convention. New terms shall begin immediately following the election and will end on the date they otherwise would have.
Sec. 6.4.2:
Elections shall be staggered with the President, the Second Vice-president and the Treasurer being elected in even-numbered years, the First Vice-President and the Secretary being elected in odd-numbered years. The board elections shall likewise be staggered so that 4 directors are elected in even-numbered years and 5 directors are elected in odd-numbered years.
Sec. 6.5:
Officers and directors shall not serve more than three consecutive terms in any given office. That person may run again after a one-year absence from that position. These limitations shall not apply to the office of treasurer.
Sec. 6.5.1:
An individual who completes an unexpired term shall not be charged with a term for purposes of term limits.
Sec. 6.6:
In the event that an officer or director vacates their position prior to the scheduled end of their term, the board shall, by majority vote, select a replacement who shall serve for the remainder of the term.
Sec. 6.7:
Officers or directors may be censured, suspended, or removed from the board only under certain circumstances and only after a hearing before the board or membership. The board may censure or suspend a board member for cause but may only remove an officer or director if that person does something illegal or detrimental to the interests of the Council. If a board member is removed at the Convention, then a special election will immediately follow to elect a replacement. Anyone elected under such circumstances will serve out the remainder of the existing term, and this term will not count as a term for purposes of term-limits. If the officer or director is removed between Conventions, the position will remain vacant until the next Convention when it is filled by a regular or special election. A President who is removed from the board will not serve as Immediate Past President.
Sec. 6.7.1:
Reasons an officer or director may be censured suspended or removed are a breach these bylaws or of the written policies established by the board of directors, including:
Sec. 6.7.1.1:
Policy Regarding Expectations, Roles, and Responsibilities for members of the board of directors;
Sec. 6.7.1.2:
Confidentiality Policy;
Sec. 6.7.1.3:
Policy Regarding Conflicts of Interest and Discharge of Duties;
Sec. 6.7.1.4:
Any policies subsequently adopted by the board of directors.
Sec 6.7.2:
Conditions:
Sec. 6.7.2.1:
A censure may be issued for a first-time breach of the bylaws or of existing board policy while suspension or removal may be imposed for what the board deems as an extreme breach or repeated breaches of the bylaws or existing board policy regardless of whether such breach or breaches represent a first-time violation.
Sec. 6.7.2.2:
Officer or director may not be censured, suspended, or removed for behavior such as expressing strong disagreement or arguing for an unpopular position.
Sec. 6.7.3:
Censure:
The board may censure an officer or director at any regularly scheduled board meeting by a two-thirds roll-call vote. When an officer or director is censured he/she shall be given written notice that, should the offending behavior continue, or a separate breach of the bylaws or existing board policy occur, suspension and/or removal may result.
Sec. 6.7.4:
Suspension:
Sec. 6.7.4.1:
The board may suspend an officer or director at any regularly scheduled board meeting for an extreme breach or repeated breaches of the bylaws or existing board policy by a two-thirds roll-call vote. Upon imposition of a suspension, the suspended officer or director forfeits the right to vote as a member of the board, participate in board deliberations or in any other way to be a part of board communications.
Sec. 6.7.4.2:
A suspension must be referred to the membership for ratification at the next scheduled Convention following the board meeting at which such action was taken unless the suspension has already been lifted. Ratification of such suspension is subject to the voting thresholds set forth in article five of these bylaws. In no event shall a suspension be longer than one year from its ratification by the membership.
Sec. 6.7.5:
Removal:
Sec. 6.7.5.1:
In addition to the provisions in section 6.7 of these bylaws, the board of directors may suspend an officer or director, with recommendation for removal, at any regularly scheduled board meeting for an extreme breach or repeated breaches of these bylaws or of existing board policy that, in the opinion of the board, is so egregious as to warrant such removal. A two-thirds roll-call vote of the board will be required for such recommendation.
Sec. 6.7.5.2:
The Convention must receive notice of any impending vote for removal at least 24 hours in advance of such vote.
Sec. 6.7.6:
Causes for Removal of an Officer or Director:
In addition to the causes referenced in section 6.7.1, an officer or director may be removed for one or more of the following causes, or for multiple breaches of the same cause:
Sec. 6.7.6.1:
Failure to attend three-fourths of the scheduled board of directors’ meetings in any 12-month period;
Sec. 6.7.6.2:
A documented breach of ethics or conflict of interest;
Sec. 6.7.6.3
Employment with the Council;
Sec. 6.7.6.4:
Repeated discourtesy or disrespect toward other board members or members of the Council;
Sec. 6.7.6.5:
Repeated failure to adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Sec. 6.8:
The roles of the officers and directors are those consistent with roles practiced across the nonprofit sector and/or required by law.
Sec. 6.9:
In general, as the leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary responsibilities, the board of directors is responsible for:
Sec. 6.9.1:
Promoting membership development by supporting the work and development of chapters, expanding community partnerships and program expansion; ensuring scrupulous compliance with all government and regulatory requirements; conducting annual board performance reviews; maintaining a relevant conflict of interest and confidentiality policy signed on an annual basis by all board members; and adhering to data security.
Sec. 6.9.2:
All people elected or appointed as officers or directors shall commit to serious and sustained engagement in the work of the organization reflecting the commitment of time, talent, and treasure.
Sec. 6.10:
The board shall establish such standing or special committees as it deems necessary. Standing committees shall exist until and unless terminated by the board, and special committees shall exist for designated periods or pending the completion of the tasks for which they were created.
Sec. 6.10.1:
Standing committees shall initially include, awards, budget and finance, bylaws, governmental affairs, membership, publications, resolutions, resource development, and scholarship.
Sec. 6.10.2:
Committee appointments shall be made by the President. Any board member or any member of the organization in good standing shall be eligible for appointment to a committee.
Sec. 6.10.3:
Nonmembers of the organization may be appointed to special committees under circumstances where their knowledge or expertise not otherwise readily available within the organization are needed, or where in-depth experience not readily available from within organizational ranks is required.
Article 7 Council Membership:
Sec. 7.1:
All persons duly recognized by their chapter or special interest affiliate as members in good standing shall automatically be members of the California Council of the Blind.
Sec. 7.2:
All persons choosing to join the CCB as members at large, who pay their dues directly to CCB and are otherwise in good standing, shall have the full rights of membership.
Sec. 7.3:
CCB shall have 3 membership types:
Sec. 7.3.1:
Active members shall be anyone at least 16 years of age in good standing.
Sec. 7.3.2:
Life members shall be persons who have received the status of life membership. Once a person’s life membership is fully paid, that person shall not be required by CCB to pay additional state dues to maintain their membership rights.
Sec. 7.3.3:
Apprentice members shall be individuals under the age of 16, who shall be entitled to all privileges of membership except voting or holding a position on the board of directors.
Article 8 Chapters and Special Interest Affiliates:
Sec. 8.1:
CCB affiliation consists of local or regional chapters, and of statewide special interest affiliates.
Sec. 8.1.1:
An individual may join more than one chapter, exercising full rights of membership and voting in each, except that only one chapter will pay dues to CCB for a person who has joined more than one chapter. Therefore, any individual who has joined more than one chapter shall inform the chapters’ Presidents of which chapter he/she desires to be counted in for the purpose of representation at Conventions and for assessment of CCB dues. At-large members who join a chapter give up their at-large status.
Sec. 8.2:
Formation:
Sec. 8.2.1:
Any group of ten or more individuals, a majority of whom are blind, as determined by self-declaration, may apply for affiliation as a chapter or special interest affiliate of the California Council of the Blind.
Sec. 8.2.2:
To be accepted for affiliation as a CCB chapter or special interest affiliate, and to remain in good standing, the group shall:
Sec. 8.2.2.1:
Submit to the CCB office such information and documentation at such time and in such manner as the Council may require;
Sec. 8.2.2.2:
Provide such certifications and commitments as the Council may deem necessary, including the timely provision of membership, activity and financial information, and full cooperation in all matters bearing upon legal compliance.
Sec. 8.3:
Existing chapters and special interest affiliates which have already incorporated themselves under the laws of the State of California and/or which have obtained their own Federal/State tax exemption certificates will be permitted to maintain those statuses, except that if either status lapses, the chapter or special interest affiliate may not renew it and will instead operate under CCB’s corporate and tax-exempt umbrella.
Sec. 8.3.1:
New chapters or special interest affiliates seeking affiliation with CCB will operate under CCB’s corporate tax-exempt certificate unless they already have their own.
Sec. 8.4:
privileges, including a chapter or special interest affiliate’s right to vote at the Convention and to participate in organizational funding and program initiatives, and including all benefits, opportunities and responsibilities of membership shall extend to all chapters and special interest affiliates in good standing and subject to such rules as the Council may adopt.
Sec. 8.4.1:
Any chapter or special interest affiliate not retaining ⠁⠞ least ten members (a majority of whom are blind by self-declaration) for two consecutive years shall be deemed inactive and may be subject to a withdrawal of its charter upon the vote of the CCB board of directors or by the membership at an annual Convention. For purposes of determining chapter or special interest affiliate membership, the CCB President, who is an ex officio member of all chapters and special interest affiliates, shall not be counted except for any chapters or special interest affiliates where the President has paid dues for that chapter or special interest affiliate.
Sec. 8.4.2:
No funds in the possession or under the ownership or control of any chapter shall inure to the benefit of any individual. In the event of the dissolution or inactivation of any chapter or special interest affiliate, including dissolution as a result of membership decline, its funds and other property shall revert, after payment of its debts and obligations, to the CCB except where a different distribution is required by law.
Sec. 8.4.3:
All chapters and special interest affiliates shall adopt the Council’s non-inurement requirement in its bylaws or other governing documents, and each chapter and special interest affiliate shall adopt and implement the Council’s conflict of interest policy. In furtherance of this policy, all chapter and special interest affiliate officers shall sign and pledge adherence to this policy upon assuming office.
Sec. 8.5:
Voting Strength:
Sec. 8.5.1:
On all matters coming before the annual Convention of the CCB, each chapter shall have a minimum of 5 votes. Once the chapter has more than 25 home-chapter members, its number of votes will be determined by dividing the total number of members by 5 and rounding to the nearest whole number. Therefore, a chapter with 27 or fewer members has 5 votes, 28 to 32 members 6 votes, 33 to 37 members 7 votes, etc.
Sec. 8.5.2:
All special interest affiliates shall have 5 votes regardless of their number of members.
Sec. 8.5.3:
If a delegate or alternate delegate is not present or otherwise available to cast the chapter or special interest affiliate’s vote, the chapter or special interest affiliate’s vote shall not be cast. However, each individual chapter or special interest affiliate member in attendance shall retain his/her right to vote as an individual.
Sec. 8.6:
Each chapter or special interest affiliate shall collect dues annually from its members, in an amount to be determined by the chapter or special interest affiliate.
Sec. 8.6.1:
Each chapter or special interest affiliate shall annually pay such portion of member dues or such other funds as may be required to the Council office. Such amount is currently $15 for each home-chapter member for chapters and a $75 flat fee for each special interest affiliate.
Sec. 8.7:
When a chapter or special interest affiliate violates these bylaws the board of directors may, by majority vote, suspend the chapter or special interest affiliate for a period no longer than until the next regular Council Convention. The Convention shall then vote on disciplining the chapter or special interest affiliate, with all options ranging from full reinstatement to expulsion open to it, as it sees fit, subject to the limitations and percentage threshold requirements set forth in article five on voting.
Article 9 Executive Director and Staff:
Sec. 9.1:
The Executive Director (ED) is selected by the board and is supervised by the President. The ED is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of all other staff.
Sec. 9.2:
Selection and termination of staff are generally handled in conjunction with the board President, but the ED has the authority to select and discipline all staff up to and including termination from employment with CCB.
Sec. 9.3:
The ED is responsible for maintaining internal policies and procedures approved by the board and maintaining compliance with all employment requirements and reporting obligations. The ED is also responsible for the creation, implementation, and accountability of routine day-to-day policies and procedures required for smooth organizational operations.
Sec. 9.4:
The ED seeks out, negotiates and manages all contracts and agreements and acts as the signatory for such agreements except where the President is required to do so.
Article 10 Gifts, Bequests, and Contracts:
Sec. 10.1:
All activities connected with seeking, receiving, and managing gifts and bequests shall be carried out in accordance with CCB’s Gift Acceptance Policy. Except as specified in Sec. 10.4, policies will be developed for dealing with gifts and bequests received prior to the implementation of CCB’s Gift Acceptance Policy.
Sec. 10.2:
Except as otherwise specified all gifts and bequests shall be administered and managed in strict conformance with the highest standards of fiscal accountability, including:
Sec. 10.2.1:
Selection by the Treasurer, or by such other official as the President may determine, of an investment manager whose stewardship shall include informing the organization of the benchmarks used to evaluate investment performance, who shall consult with the Treasurer or other designated representative in the selection of suitable investments, who shall adhere to a fiduciary standard in the allocation of organizational assets and in the furnishing of advice, and who shall cooperate in ensuring that information and options made available to the Treasurer and board are accessible to persons who are blind or have low vision.
Sec. 10.2.2:
The Treasurer shall report to the board at such intervals and in such detail as the board may direct on the performance and other details concerning gift and bequest funds.
Sec. 10.3:
The Council hereby provides for the creation of an endowment fund for the purpose of soliciting and investing funds for use in promoting the purposes of the Council as set forth in article 2 of these bylaws. The name of the fund shall be the Newel Perry Endowment Trust. The trust shall be administered by a board of trustees comprised of three trustees.
Sec. 10.3.1:
Three trustees shall be selected by the board of directors of the California Council of the Blind. Should a trustee resign or be incapacitated for any reason, such trustee shall be replaced by the Council board of directors.
Sec. 10.3.2:
The trustees shall serve without compensation. Their duties shall be to accept, receive and hold, invest and reinvest contributions to the Newel Perry Endowment Trust, with interest thereon and additions and accretions thereto, and such other income that might accrue. Upon the order of the board of directors of the California Council of the Blind, the trustees shall pay out and distribute the earned income for the purposes set forth in this article. The board of directors shall not order the expenditure of the corpus unless an amendment is adopted for that purpose as provided in article 12 of these bylaws.
Sec. 10.3.3:
The trustees shall comply with the provisions of the California Business and Professions Code regulating charitable solicitations and shall file such reports as may be necessary to obtain or maintain approval of the tax-exempt status of the Newell Perry Endowment Trust, California Council of the Blind with the Internal Revenue Service and the State of California Franchise Tax Board.
Sec. 10.3.4:
The Council board of directors shall determine at any regular meeting whether the trustees shall be bonded and in what amount to guarantee the faithful performance of their duties, or whether the trustees shall serve without bond. If the Council board of directors takes no action on this subject, the trustees shall serve without bond, but if a bond is required, then bond premiums shall be paid from the Newel Perry Endowment Trust funds.
Sec. 10.3.5:
The trustees shall account to the Council board of directors quarterly, providing such information as the board shall direct. All solicitations and investments shall be subject to the approval or ratification of the board. No expenditure of trust funds shall be made unless two trustees shall sign, therefore.
Sec. 10.3.6:
The board of trustees, with the approval of the Council board of directors, may adopt such rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this article as they may deem advisable for the administration of the trust funds.
Sec. 10.3.7:
In case any funds are donated for a specific purpose within the meaning or use of these trust funds, the wishes of the donor shall be respected to the fullest extent possible.
Sec. 10.3.8:
The trustees shall prepare a report to the membership at the Council’s annual Convention.
Sec. 10.4:
Funds received by the organization pursuant to contracts, grants or otherwise for the conduct of specified organizational activities, and to be used within specified periods of time, shall be administered in accordance with the conditions and reporting requirements applicable to their receipt but shall not comprise any part of the organization’s gifts and bequests portfolio.
Article 11 Resolutions:
All resolutions to come before the Convention must be submitted to the resolutions committee at least thirty days prior to the first day of the Convention. Any CCB member in good standing may submit a resolution for consideration. At its discretion, the committee may accept a resolution after the deadline.
Article 12 Amendments:
These bylaws may be amended at the annual Conference and Convention provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to the bylaws committee at least sixty days, and disseminated to the membership at least thirty days, prior to the first day of the Convention.
Article 13 Dissolution of the Council:
The California Council of the Blind is organized pursuant to the general nonprofit corporation laws of the state of California. The property of the Council is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and in the event of liquidation, dissolution or abandonment of the Council, after providing for the debts and obligations thereof, the remaining assets will not inure to the benefit of any private person but will be dispersed to the American Council of the Blind. However, should such dispersal not be possible, these assets will be disposed of in such manner as may be dictated by a decree of the Superior Court of the county in which the Council’s Agent for Service of Process is located. Upon petition therefore by the Attorney General or any person concerned with the liquidation, dissolution or abandonment in proceedings to which the Attorney General shall be a party with special emphasis given, unless otherwise stipulated in accordance with the laws of the state of California, to contribute such assets to another California charitable organization having similar or identical goals as does this organization.