111 CMR, § 3.16 - State Committee

(1) Election. The Commission shall conduct a biennial election of the State Committee of Blind Vendors (the Committee) to consist of seven members. Only vendors shall be permitted to vote and run for office. Each election procedure shall be designed to assure representation of the interests of senior and newly licensed vendors operating all types of facilities in all geographic areas of the Commonwealth with a goal of providing proportional representation of vendors on federal property and other property. Each vendor shall be furnished with a nomination form for nomination of himself or herself or another vendor. The Commission shall set and give notice of a deadline for return by certified mail of the forms. The election shall be conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Commission. The seven nominees receiving the most votes shall constitute the Committee for a term of two years. Participation by any vendor in any election shall not be conditioned upon payment of dues or any other fees. Each term shall begin on the first day of October of every odd-numbered year.

(2) Chairperson and Subcommittees. At its first meeting after the election, the Committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The Committee shall give written notice to the Commission of the name of its chairperson, of the titles and functions of any subcommittees, and of the names of subcommittee chairpersons and members.

(3) Meetings. The Committee shall meet once each month with one or more Commission staff members at an agreed upon time and place. From time to time, on agreement, the committee and Commission may hold special meetings. The Commission may reimburse Committee members for reasonable travel expenses incurred traveling to and from monthly and special meetings.

(4) Committee functions. The Committee shall:

(a) participate with the Commission in major policy decisions and in the development of policy, programs, transfer and promotion systems for vendors, and in the development of training and retraining programs;

(b) receive grievances of vendors and serve as their advocates; and

(c) sponsor, with the Commission, meetings and instructional conferences.

Notes

111 CMR, § 3.16