Constitution & Bylaws
Georgia Guide Dog Users
Georgia Guide Dog Users
Constitution Revised August 6, 2006
Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be Georgia Guide Dog Users, herein to be referred to as GGDU.
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of GGDU shall be:
A. To promote the acceptance of blind people with guide dogs by all agencies, employers, educational institutions, those doing business with the general public, and by the general public.
B. To work for the standardization, enforcement and expansion of the legal provisions governing the admission of guide dog users to public places, transportation, facilities, hotels, apartments, restaurants, places of amusement and all places to which the general public is invited.
C. To work to improve the scope and quality of educational, cultural, rehabilitation and employment opportunities for guide dog users through cooperation and affiliation with Guide Dog Users, Inc. and American Council of the Blind.
D. To advocate and promote legislation to protect guide dogs from abuse or attacks from other dogs.
Article III. Membership and Voting
A. Any person sixteen years of age or older may become a member of GGDU upon compliance with the provisions and requirements of this constitution and such bylaws as may be adopted.
B. The majority of GGDU members shall be guide dog users.
C. All members in good standing shall have the right to cast their individual votes at any meeting of the membership.
Article IV. Officers and Directors
A. The officers of GGDU shall be: President, vice president, secretary/treasurer and two board members. One new board member shall be elected for each twenty-five new members gained. The executive officers and directors shall be elected for terms of two (2) years, with the new term beginning when the election is held during the GGDU meetings during the convention of the Georgia Council of the Blind. Executive officers are elected in even numbered years, and the board members are elected in odd years. Except for the secretary/treasurer, no officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive two-year terms.
B. Only members of GDUI can be officers. No member can serve in multiple offices simultaneously. The president and vice president must be guide dog users.
C. The officers and directors shall perform the usual duties of their office as provided for in the Robert’s Rules of Order, current edition, unless otherwise provided for by this constitution or such bylaws as may be enacted.
D. The officers and directors shall constitute the board of directors and shall be the governing body of GGDU between meetings of the membership. Board meetings may be held in person or by telephone. A majority of the board, including two guide dog users, shall constitute a quorum at such meetings.
E. All elections shall be by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
Article V. Meetings
A. GGDU shall hold two meetings during the year, one of which will be held at the GCB state convention.
B. One-third of the members shall constitute a quorum to transact business at any regular or special meeting.
C. The president or a majority of the board of directors may call a special meeting. At least two (2) weeks notice must be given to the membership in order to hold a special meeting.
Article VI. Committees
The president may appoint all members of committees within the organization unless otherwise instructed by the membership or the board of directors.
Article VII. Affiliation
This organization shall be affiliated with Guide Dog Users, Inc. and American Council of the Blind of Georgia.
Article VIII. Dissolution
Upon a vote of dissolution by 85% of the active membership and after paying all of its debts and obligations, all remaining funds shall revert to Guide Dog Users, Inc. If that organization no longer exists, all funds shall revert to the American Council of the Blind.
Article IX. Amendments
This constitution may be amended my a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members attending a regular or special meeting. Proposed constitutional amendments shall have been mailed or e-mailed to the membership not less than five (5) days prior to the meeting and will be read two (2) times at the meeting before voting. All bylaws amendments shall be approved by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular or special meeting.
Georgia Guide Dog Users
Bylaws Revised November 7, 2008
Article I. Dues
The annual dues of this organization shall be fifteen (15) dollars; seven (7) dollars will be retained by the GGDU chapter and eight (8) dollars will be forwarded to Guide Dog Users, Inc. These dues shall be determined from time to time by a majority vote of the membership at any regular meeting. Associate members will pay dues of seven (7) dollars. This amount is retained by the GGDU Chapter. Annual dues shall be payable at each GCB Convention meeting, and become delinquent as of January 1st. of each year. GGDU will be affiliated with and pay dues to the Georgia Council of the Blind and will have one delegate to serve on the GCB board. This delegate is usually the president, but if that person holds an office on the GCB board, he/she may name a representative to serve in his/her place.
Article II. Finances
A. The president and the treasurer shall be responsible for the selection of a bank where GGDU bank accounts shall be established.
B. The treasurer may issue checks upon the request of the president.
C. Either the president or the treasurer may sign checks on behalf of the organization.
D. The treasurer and/or the president shall not spend more than fifty dollars ($50.00) without the approval of the Board of Directors or the membership.
Article III. Membership
A. Active Members: Active members pay full dues and may hold office, serve on local and national committees, and serve as delegates to state and national conventions.
B. Associate Members: Associate members pay local dues. They have the right to vote on local issues of GGDU, hold office except for that of president and vice president, and to serve on local committees. They do not have the right to serve on state and national committees or be delegates to state and national conventions.
Article IV. Vacancies:
If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice president shall assume the office. If a vacancy occurs in the office of vice president, or occurs in another office of the organization, the board of directors shall appoint a person to continue in that office until the next scheduled election.
Article V. Convention Delegates
A. Each year, at the winter meeting of this organization, a delegate shall be selected to serve with the president at the annual convention of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
B. Each year at the winter meeting of this organization, a delegate shall be selected to serve with the president at the annual convention of the American Council of the Blind.
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