BYLAWS

HOOSIER BLACK DEAF ADVOCATES

ARTICLE I – NAME, PURPOSE,

MISSION STATEMENT, AND
FOUNDER RECOGNITION

Section 1.   Name:

The name of this organization is Hoosier Black Deaf Advocates, Inc., herein referred to as Hoosier BDA.

Section 2.   Purpose:

Hoosier BDA intends to educate Indiana’s Deaf community about their rights and responsibilities as Deaf citizens. We will enhance the lives of Deaf BIPOC individuals by providing a safe space for discussing social, economic, educational, and political issues. Our efforts include developing a local and national employment network, creating cultural enrichment opportunities, and establishing mentoring programs for Black Deaf youth and minority American Sign Language-English interpreters.

Section 3.   Mission Statement:

The mission of the Hoosier BDA is to minimize racism and audism barriers. Hoosier BDA aims to empower its members through advocacy and education while exercising their rights as Deaf individuals and as people of color throughout the State of Indiana.

Section 4.    Founders of Hoosier BDA;

4.1: Hoosier Black Deaf Advocates, formerly known as the Indiana Chapter of Black Deaf Advocates (ICBDA), was originally incorporated on December 5, 1992, in Indianapolis. ICBDA became the 14th chapter recognized by the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA). The amendment declaration for Hoosier BDA was filed with the Secretary of State on December 20, 2024. 

4.2: Honorary members recognition to ICBDA founders:  Donald Tinsley, Carl Moore, Scott Mueller, and Mernarr “Beetle” McClendon.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.    Qualifications of Membership:

Membership is available to Indiana residents who are eighteen years of age or older. By registering for membership and making annual payments, individuals agree to abide by the organization’s bylaws and the guidelines set forth for the Hoosier BDA.

Section 2.    Dues:

2.1: Enrollment for good standing membership opens on April 1st 
and closes on April 30th. Membership term runs from May 1st to April 30th of the following year.

Section 3.   Two Categories of Memberships:

                Single Membership is a member of their state chapter. Dual membership is a member of two groups at state and national levels (National Black Deaf Advocates).

      3.1 Each category includes three (3) classifications of

  membership: regular, senior citizen, and student.
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       3.1.1  Regular: Any individual aged 18-54.
      3.1.2 Senior Citizen: Any individual age 55 and older.  Proof of  
                identification is required.
      3.1.3  Student: Any individual enrolled in six (6) or more credit
                at an accredited secondary school.  Proof of student
                identification is required.     

Section 4.    Rights and Privileges:

4.1 Shall support the goals and objectives of Hoosier BDA as outlined in bylaws and guidelines.

4.2 Shall have rights and privileges of membership including holding office and voting.

4.3 Shall be a Hoosier BDA paying member for one (1) year before they are eligible to hold office.

4.4 Shall be responsible for paying annual dues to Hoosier BDA.

       4.4.1 Members are not permitted to run for any board of directors' position or seek re-election if they have any outstanding balance owed to Hoosier BDA.

Section 5.   Non-Active Member:

5.1 Non-active members or visitors are welcome to attend Hoosier BDA meetings.

5.2 Non-active members or visitors shall not have voting rights, may not hold office, and may not participate in closed meetings until the current year membership fees are paid. 

ARTICLE IV - ROLES OF CHAPTER ADMINISTRATORS

Section 1: The Chapter Administrator(s) oversees the executive board and manages the day-to-day operations of the Hoosier BDA organization.

Section 2: The Chapter Administrator(s) has the authority to override the general management decisions made by the Hoosier BDA executive board.

ARTICLE V – Terms of Office

Section 1.  The Board of Directors of the Chapter shall consist of seven (7) members, including the four (4) officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) directors-at-large. 

Section 2.  The officers and directors-at-large of the Chapter shall be elected by secret ballot at the November meeting of the previous year.  At least 10 active members shall be present at the general meeting. Each shall assume their respective duties, in January or immediately after the adjournment of that meeting.

Section 3.  The Term of office for officers shall be two (2) years and four (4) years for the board of directors.  Officers cannot serve on the board of directors for more than 2 terms in a four (4) year timeframe.

Section 4.  A majority of four (4) members on the board of directors shall be Deaf.

Section 5.  Any officers or director-at-large may be removed from office for poor judgments and harmful behaviors considered by the board of directors with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of directors not being subjected to discipline. However, the suspended member shall have the right to appeal to the chapter at the next regular meeting following the suspension.

Section 6.  Board of directors who wish to resign shall submit their resignation in writing to the President.

Section 7.  Active members shall be selected by the board of directors to fill any vacancies of the departing board members and to serve out unexpired terms. 

Section 8.  The outgoing treasurer shall complete duties as a transition Treasurer, sixty days (60) days after the adjournment of the November election or at the Board of Directors’ retreat.  Before turning over books, Hoosier BDA’s funds, and securities, the outgoing Treasurer shall train the Treasurer-elected and Assistant Treasurer-elected.

Section 9.  Any officers or directors-at-large absent with invalid excuses from three (3) meetings shall be removed by majority vote by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

Section 1. The elected officers of Hoosier BDA shall be:

                1.1 President (Must be Deaf BIPOC)

                1.2 Vice President (Must be Deaf BIPOC)

                1.3 Secretary (Any eligible member*)

                1.4 Treasurer (Any eligible member*)

                          *Regardless of race and hearing status

Section 2. To be eligible for an office in the Hoosier BDA:

                2.1 Shall be an active member in good standing.

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall:

                1.1 Preside over the General Meetings and Special Meetings of                     Hoosier BDA.

                1.2 Primary liaison for Hoosier BDA with other organizations.

 1.3  Represent or speak for Hoosier BDA before the general public, units of government,      and the Deaf Community.

 1.4  Designate other such representatives in any situation.

                1.5 Shall be ex-officio member of all committees.

                1.6 Shall break all tie votes.

 1.7   Shall be required to attend the National Black Deaf Advocates’ Regional meetings
            and conferences or select another person to be a representative.

 1.8   Shall call emergency meetings.

 1.9   Endorse and co-sign all checks and Debit Card with the treasurer. Board of Directors               must review and authorize charges. 

Section 2. The Vice President shall:

 2.1   Shall run the General Meetings and Special Meetings in the absence of the           president.

                2.2 Shall be chairperson of the Bylaw Committee.

                2.3 Shall perform other duties as assigned by the president.

 2.4  Shall supervise all event committees.

Section 3. The Secretary shall:

 3.1  Shall record and distribute the minutes of the meetings to and for the Board of         Directors’ approval.  Minutes must be distributed immediately following Board       meetings and General meetings.

                3.2 Shall send and receive official correspondence.

                3.3 Shall keep records of attendance at all meetings.

 3.4   Shall keep the current address file of all active members.

       3.5   Shall be responsible for the organization’s Post Office box

and Hoosier BDA office keys.  Each key must be returned to Hoosier BDA upon term completion or resignation.

3.6   Shall maintain member roster each quarter of all Hoosier BDA members living in           Indiana. 

Section 4. The Treasurer shall:

 4.1   Shall receive, record, and transmit membership dues and other funds for the Hoosier           BDA into the bank account.  All funds must be deposited in the Hoosier BDA’s bank     account within three (3) days.  If the bank is closed, it can be submitted via ATM.

                4.2 Shall submit all reports to the IRS promptly.

                4.3 Shall supervise the Fund-raising Committee.

 4.4   Shall keep an accurate account, proven by deposited receipts and vouchers each       time money is received or paid out.

 4.5   Shall keep an accurate account of all expenditures and submit a report to the board.

 4.6   Shall maintain the bank and financial statements.

 4.7   Shall have all checks co-signed by the president or an authorized person.

 4.8   Shall have the treasurer’s books (with the event committee’s report included) audited  every four (4) months, by the 14th day of May, September, and January.

 4.9   Shall submit membership dues to NBDA for members at the end of each quarter audit and by the 14th day of May, September, and January.

ARTICLE VIII – THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Hoosier BDA Board of Directors shall manage the business affairs of the business organization unless otherwise, the Chief Administrator dictates. The Board shall have general management of the business affairs of the organization.  Each Board of Directors must be a regular member of Hoosier BDA. Each member is required to make an oath of office and release to successors all Hoosier BDA official materials at the end of their service.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall meet at least three (3) or more times a year.  The President or at least three (3) board of directors may call a special meeting within 48-hour notice.

Section 3.  Members of the Board of Directors shall be assigned to at least one (1) committee and may from time to time perform other such duties applicable to their office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the organization.

ARTICLE IX – GENERAL MEETING

Section 1.    Chapter shall meet at least three (3) times a year; end of each quarter: April, August, and November.  Notice of the meeting shall be emailed to members and announced via social media to non-members two (2) weeks before the scheduled meeting date.

Section 2. The quorum shall have at least 10 active members present at the general meeting. 

Section 3. If a quorum cannot be met, the meeting may be converted to a Board meeting.

ARTICLE X – EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

Section 1. Executive Board meetings will be held monthly.  Schedule will be
                determined by members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1.    Robert’s Rules of Order:

                The presiding officers shall rule on parliamentary procedure;                       Robert’s Rules of Order, current edition, shall be the authority unless otherwise provided in these bylaws.  

The order of business shall, except as otherwise provided, be as follows:

                1.1 Opening prayer

                1.2 Roll call

                1.3 Reading and approval of minutes

                1.4 Reports of officers

                1.5 Reports of committees

                1.6 Unfinished (old) business

                1.7 New business

                1.8 Announcements

                1.9 Adjournment

ARTICLE XII - COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees: 

The standing committees shall include the Bylaw Committee, Nominating Committee, Fund-raising Committee, and Public Relations Committee.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Vote:

                These bylaws may be amended subject to approval of a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members present and voting.

Section 2. Proposal Change:

Proposed amendments shall be considered only if presented by the Bylaw Committee members, seeking to change the Bylaws, at least thirty (30) days before the date of the next meeting.

Section 3. Suspension

Any sections of the Bylaws may be suspended in unforeseen and urgent circumstances by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors during Board meetings.

ARTICLE XIV - DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Community:

Upon the dissolution of Hoosier BDA, assets shall be distributed to a charitable Deaf organization that qualifies for donations under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. These assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or a state or local government, for public purposes. 

Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.