Organizational Policies

 Ethics Statement

All officers and at-large members of the NFBO Board of Directors shall serve without compensation. Expenses incurred in the course of carrying out board duties shall be reimbursed in accordance with the organization's reimbursement policy. All members of the board are required to disclose any material conflicts of interest as soon as they recognize that they exist. Members must recuse themselves from discussing or voting on any matter in which they have a material conflict of interest.

Diversity Statement

Because the NFB is a consumer organization of and for blind people, our focus is the disability of blindness, so we do not deal with other disabilities. We would never prevent someone with another disability from joining, but we would not divert our focus to other disabilities except as they might affect or be affected by blindness. From our beginnings we have incorporated into all policies the concept that we take stands, sometimes controversial ones, on blindness issues, but on nothing else. For this reason everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other area of difference is welcome, but as an organization we will take no stand or political position on anything but blindness-connected matters. Historically women have always found it easy to assume leadership in the NFB; For many years about half the state affiliate presidents have been women. Blindness caused by diabetes, glaucoma, and macular degeneration is significantly more prevalent in minority and older populations. The NFB’s membership has always reflected these demographic trends. Because we think of ourselves as a family, we prize respect, loving concern, and courtesy in all our interactions with everyone, within or outside the organization. No human being lives up to this standard all day, every day, but everyone in the NFB of Ohio would recognize this statement as our policy.

Reimbursement Policy

The reimbursement policy of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio conforms in spirit, but is not absolutely identical, to the policy of the National Federation of the Blind. We reimburse those engaged in business on behalf of the NFB of Ohio for transportation expenses, including bus, taxi, train, airline, or personal auto. We require receipts for all tickets and fares in order to provide reimbursement. We pay drivers at the most advantageous hourly rate negotiable, tolls, and mileage at the rate of .48 per mile. Requests for reimbursement for drivers or for mileage must be made in writing over the signature of the individual being reimbursed.

We reimburse for hotel, room, and tax. We ask that those being reimbursed be as economical as they can in choosing hotel accommodation. We do not pay for cable TV; hotel services such as dry cleaning, fitness center fees, etc.; or room hospitality supplies in refrigerators. We will cover parking fees at hotels if the individual has driven in order to do NFB business.

We reimburse meals and gratuities at a rate up to $30 a day. This does not include alcohol or cigarettes. We also cover incidental expenses such as bell staff tips, business telephone expenses, etc.

The spirit of this reimbursement policy should be apparent from what I have written. We intend to cover the work-related expenses of those engaged in Federation business. The rates we have established to pay are moderate, but should cover the actual costs so that the individual does not incur hardship in volunteering his or her service. We believe it is inappropriate to spend our resources on overtly personal pleasures or indulgences. NFB volunteers are welcome to enjoy themselves during their free time, but not at Federation expense. Receipts for meals need not be supplied so long as the expense is less than $30 a day. All requests for reimbursement must be in the form of a clear, signed memorandum or a completed signed expense reimbursement form accompanied by all necessary receipts. Requests for reimbursement not accompanied by receipts are subject to presidential refusal to voucher. The organization’s president reviews all requests for reimbursement and instructs the treasurer to pay those which are deemed to be appropriate.