National
Constitution and
Bylaws
Updated April 2009
ARTICLE
I
Name
Section 1.
This organization shall be known as the NATIONAL MODENA
CLUB.
ARTICLE
II
Object
Section 2.
The object of this club shall be:
To encourage the breeding and exhibiting of all
varieties of
ARTICLE
III
Membership
Section 3.
Membership may be either if the following classes:
(a)
Individual membership (1
Vote): Any member of good character interested in the breeding of
(b)
Affiliated Club (0 Vote): Any
local club paying its dues may be part of the N.M.C. Affiliated clubs may host
N.M.C. shows and also encourage and promote the N.M.C. functions (i.e. shows,
elections). No individual or organization shall be elected to membership until
after the membership fee has been
paid and the membership application has been completed and returned. Affiliate clubs, by their very nature,
must support and promote the NMC, thus resulting in a relationship beneficial to
both.
(c)
1. Husband and wife membership: (1
vote): This membership shall
entitle both to all National Modena Club rights and privileges except that only
one bulletin and 1 yearbook will be issued for each husband and wife
membership.
2. Junior Membership (16 & under, 0
vote): Any member of good
character
interested
in the breeding of
become a
member upon payment of the prescribed fee, and completion of the
membership
application and agrees to comply with this constitution and by-laws.
3. Foreign Membership: Any member of good character interested
in the breeding
of
payment of
the prescribed fee, completion of the membership form and
agreeing
to comply
with this constitution and by-laws.
Voting privileges to be the same for
individuals and husbands/wives as in
(d)
Membership fee for any individual SENIOR member or club or organization shall be
$25 (1
Vote). Membership fee for HUSBAND
and WIFE shall be $30 (1 Vote).
Membership fee for all individuals outside of US shall be $30. (Same
voting as US)
JUNIOR member, 16 years or under, shall be $10 (0 Vote). Membership for
Affiliated
Clubs to be $30.00 (0 Vote). The annual dues shall become due and
payable on
or before January 1st of each year and must be paid prior to February
1st
or
membership automatically ceases.
Members in arrears shall not be mailed a
nomination
or election ballot that year.
However, they may receive a club bulletin
and
yearbook if dues are paid after Feb. 1.
(d)
Removal: Any member in violation of the rules and
regulations set forth in the N.M.C. Constitution and Bylaws may be removed from
membership if so approved by two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors.
Proper procedure and investigation as outlined in our Sportsmanship Conduct
Guidelines should be followed before any vote is cast.
(e)
Voting privileges: Voting privileges will begin 12
months after membership has started for new members (New Members: Anyone who
hasn't been a member for the previous 12 months).
(f)
In the event of an emergency
financial crisis within the NMC, whereby an instantaneous increase in yearly
membership dues is required to keep the club on a stable basis, the President of
the NMC will inform the Board of Directors of the matter at hand, requesting an
increase in dues. The unanimous
approval of each and every member of the Full Board of Directors will be
required in order to have yearly membership dues raised in this
fashion.
(g)
Equal Membership
(h)
It is a prerequisite, at any
NMC meet or show, to be a paid up member of the National Modena Club to qualify
for any NMC awards, cash, trophies or certificates at that meet when such are
offered.
(j)
No privileges, including voting on club matters, receiving the bi-monthly
NMC
bulletin
or the yearbook will be extended to non-members. By not paying dues on
time, that
person forfeits his or her entitlement to any and all club activities. The
restoration of one’s membership begins with the payment of dues as
prescribed in
Article III of
this constitution.
ARTICLE IV
Annual Meeting and
Shows
Section 4.
The Annual Meet and the Annual Meeting shall be held with the National
Pigeon Association Grand National Show, unless by 2/3 vote of the entire Board
of Directors determines the annual meet should be held at an alternate location,
time and date to be determined by the Board of Directors. In such case, an NMC sponsored District
or Regional show will be held in conjunction with the NPA Grand National
Show. The place and date of the
District shows shall be approved by the Director of the District in which the
shows will be held. There will also
be (3) three Regional Shows and (3) three Regional Young Bird Shows, in the
Eastern, Central, and Western Regions.
The Eastern Region shall be Districts #1, #2, and #8. The Central Region shall be Districts
#3, #4, and #5. The Western Region
shall be Districts #6 and #7. The
Regional Meets will be placed on a rotation basis within the region, from
district to district. The directors
within each region will mutually decide on the regional site. In regards to the Annual Meet, Regional
Shows, and Regional Young Bird Shows, the Director of the District in which
these meets are held will perform all necessary duties as they would for any
district show, unless otherwise directed by the President.
ARTICLE
V
Quorum
Section 5.
Twenty members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any annual
or special meeting. Six members or
a majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. The quorum may
act on any and all club business brought before them for consideration at the
annual or special meeting unless otherwise specified in another part of the
N.M.C. Constitution and Bylaws.
ARTICLE
VI
Officers
Section 6.
The officers of this club shall consist of a President, Eastern Vice
President, Western Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Election Commissioner,
and a Board of Directors consisting of twelve members with the President serving
as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The twelve members of the board of directors will be the President,
Eastern Vice-President, Western Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and one
Director from each of the eight districts.
METHOD OF
ELECTION
Section 7. Officers shall be elected in the following
manner:
(a)
All officers with the
exception of Election Commissioner shall be elected by mail ballot to be
conducted by the Election Commissioner and the results be certified by the
President as provided by the bylaws.
(b)
The Election Commissioner
shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting
and shall not be eligible for any other office.
(c)
1. Judges for the Annual Meet
will be nominated at the Annual Business Meeting of the National Modena Club
one-year in advance. Any member
wishing to be nominated by proxy shall notify the Secretary by letter in advance
of the Annual Meeting, or arrange to have delivered to the Presiding Officer at
the meeting, a written letter of consent, dated and signed be the member seeking
the nomination as a judge at the Annual Meet. An election ballot shall be prepared by
the Secretary and mailed to all members in good standing on or before March
1st. The ballot shall give voting
instructions, provide a signature line, date of the signature (no ballot will be
counted that is not signed and dated by the member casting the vote) and note
the Election Commissioner must receive the ballot on or before April
1st for the vote to be counted.
The Election Commissioner shall count the ballots and make available for
publication the results of the ballot no later than April 1st. A minimum of two candidates shall be
nominated for both the Gazzi and the Schietti judge. Before being accepted as a candidate for
nomination by the Presiding Officer, the candidate who is present at the meeting
shall agree to judge if elected.
The elected Annual Meet judges shall not be eligible to judge any
district or regional meet during the ensuing year. No person shall judge two consecutive
Annual Meets.
2. When two elected judges are judging the Annual Meet
and cannot agree on the final decision of Best Modena, a third judge shall be
selected by a committee of three members present, who have been selected by the
Board of Directors present at the show.
The NMC will provide transportation and lodging for the judges at the
Annual Meet.
3. The President, Secretary and Board of Directors shall
decide in advance of the Annual Meet at the close of entries, if in their
opinion a third elected judge is needed due to a large entry. In the event of this decision by the
Board of Directors, the candidate receiving the second largest number of votes
in the variety requiring the second judge shall serve as the third
judge.
4.In the event a member is selected to judge the Annual
Meet due to the inability of an elected judge to serve for reasons such as
sickness, travel, weather, etc., that selected member shall receive the same
compensation as the elected judges.
5.
The NMC will provide
transportation and lodging for the judges at our Annual Meet with a minimum of
$250, and a maximum of $650.
(d)
No member's name will be
placed on the election ballot who fails to return the nomination ballot to the
Election Commissioner on time, signed and indicating a willingness to serve if
elected.
(e)
If the President elect is
unable to assume office, the incumbent President shall continue in office until
such time as a special election is held to select a new President. Within (10) ten days of inability of the
President elect to assume office the President shall direct the Election
Commissioner to call a special election.
The President shall be selected from the two Vice Presidents elect. The election protocols described in
Article VII (Duties of the Election Commissioner), Section 15A and 15B of the
Bylaws shall be followed. The newly
elected President will assume office immediately upon notification of certified
election results by the incumbent President.
(f)
Should the President be
unable or unwilling to complete the term of office, the National Modena Club
membership shall elect, by special election, one of the Vice President to
complete the remaining term of the President. The Election Commissioner shall convene
within (30) thirty days of notice of the inability or unwillingness of the
President to serve.
(g)
In the event that one or both
of the Vice Presidents decline the nomination for President, a special election
will be held to fill the vacancy for President within (10) ten days of
notification.
(h)
Two people living in the same
household shall not hold elected office in the NMC during the same years. This would include but not limited to
spouses or other members of the immediate family.
TERMS OF
OFFICE
Section 8.
The President, Eastern Vice President, Western Vice President,
Secretary-Treasurer, Bulletin Editor,
Election Commissioner, and all members of the Board of Directors shall be
elected every other year for a term of three years, to serve until their
successors are duly elected and installed.
Section 9.
The officers shall all assume office at the beginning of new business at
the annual meeting of the year in which the election takes
place.
Section 10.
The President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Bulletin Editor shall be elected
from the members at large. The
Eastern and Western Vice President shall be elected from members in their
respective regions. (The
DISTRICT #1: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Delaware.
DISTRICT #2: Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi.
DISTRICT #3:
DISTRICT #4:
DISTRICT #5:
DISTRICT #6: Utah,
Arizona, Nevada, California, Hawaii.
DISTRICT #7:
DISTRICT #8:
ARTICLE
VII
Appointment of Standing
Committees
A.
The President shall appoint
the following Standing Committees:
1.
Standard Revision Committee
of five (5) members.
2.
Publicity Director(s)
Committee to consist of not more than five (5) members.
3.
Master Breeder Committee
Chairman is appointed by the President.
The Master Breeder Committee members shall be made up of all living
Master Breeders of the NMC.
4.
Hall of Fame Committee
Chairman is appointed by the President.
The Hall of Fame Committee members shall be made up of all living Hall of
Fame recipients of the NMC.
5.
Annual Meet Futurity
Committee of three (3) members.
6.
Constitution & By-Laws
Committee of five (5)
members.
B. These
Committees shall serve for a term of three (3) years under the appointing
President, and be paid up members in good standing.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE
I
Duties of the
President
Section 1.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, shall act as
Chairman of the Board of Directors, appoint all committees not otherwise
provided for, and fill all vacancies in office taking place between annual
elections. He shall sign all
documents requiring his signature, certify the Election Commissioner's report,
and perform all other duties pertaining to his office.
ARTICLE
II
Duties of the Vice
President
Section 2.
In the absence of the President, or in case of his inability to act, the
Vice President in whose region the meeting is being held shall perform the
duties of that office.
ARTICLE
III
Duties of the
Secretary-Treasurer
Section 3.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall conduct all correspondence of the club,
keep all the minutes of meetings, and shall be the custodian of all monies,
books, papers, and other records belonging to the club.
Section 4.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep such books as are necessary in which
shall be entered the amounts of money received and disbursed by the
Secretary-Treasurer and a complete list of the names and addresses of all club
members and the dates of their election to membership.
Section 5.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare an annual report to be presented at
the annual meeting, giving an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures
for the current year, together with any suggestions and recommendations for the
future welfare of the club.
This financial report shall include an accrual based profit and loss
statement and a balance sheet. This
report shall be published in the Club bulletin following the annual
meeting. A second financial report
reflecting the current financial status of the club shall be published in the
July bulletin.
Section 6.
On the first Monday in July (holiday being excepted) of each election
year, the secretary shall mail to the last known address of each member in good
standing, a printed ballot. The
ballot shall designate the offices to be filled (but will give no names or
prospective candidates) with lines on which names of candidates may be written,
allowing each member to express his/her
preference for officers. The ballot should provide proper space for the
member casting the vote to sign and date the ballot. The ballot should also
designate the address of the Election Commissioner and note the fact that the
ballot must be received by the Election Commissioner not later than (NLT)
30 July for the vote to be
counted. The ballot should also provide space for the member casting the vote to
agree to serve or note that they will not serve if elected. No member may be
elected who did not cast a properly prepared ballot within the proper time
frame. No ballot shall be counted that is not properly completed, dated and
signed by the member casting the vote.
Section 7.
The two persons for each office (or more in case of ties) receiving the
largest number of votes shall be the candidates for that office, and upon
permission from the persons nominated, the Secretary shall on or before August
15, prepare and mail printed ballot to all members in good standing. This ballot
should have the names and addresses printed clearly on the ballot and at the
beginning of each line where the name is printed, a space should be indicated in
which the voting mark may be placed. All ballots should contain voting
instructions, a place for the member voting signature and date (any ballot that
is not signed or dated will not be counted) and the address of the Election
Commissioner to return the ballot. The ballot must be returned to the Election
Commissioner postmarked not later than (NLT) September 1 (holiday being
excepted). The Election
Commissioner shall wait no longer than 7 days to count and report the
results. The ballot should
contain full instructions as to the manner of marking it, and designate the
territory or district from which directors are eligible. No member shall run for
more than one office on the ballot.
Section 8.
Any Remuneration of the Secretary-Treasurer for services rendered shall
be determined by the Board of Directors.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be bonded for a minimum amount of $5000.00
and it shall be the responsibility of the Secretary/Treasurer to assure that the
bond is in place at all times during his/her term of office. The fee for the
bond shall be paid by the N.M.C.
ARTICLE
IV
Duties of the Board of
Directors
Section 9.
The Board of Directors shall have general supervision and control of all
club affairs, promote the annual show, and in intervals between meetings shall
have full authority to take action on any and all matters not in conflict with
this constitution and bylaws, as may be deemed for the best interest of the
club. Action taken by the Board of
Directors between the Annual Meetings that concern expenditures of club funds
not approved by a previous membership action shall be approved by those present
at the following Annual Meeting.
All Board of Director members are required to vote on matters concerning
the Board. Failure to do so may result in their losing the position they hold on
the Board. They may be replaced for failure to vote on Board matters by a
two-thirds majority vote in favor of same by the entire Board of Directors. If
they are replaced, a new member will be appointed by the President to replace
them.
All votes cast by Board members at the Board of Directors meeting, or any
other matters that concern the Board, shall be published in our club
bulletin.
Any decision made by the Board will require a two-thirds vote by Board
members in attendance at the Annual Meet, unless otherwise stated in any other
part of the Constitution or Bylaws. Proxy votes are considered in attendance as
long as written, dated and signed proxy is given to the highest-ranking officer
in attendance before the Board Meeting begins. All other board decisions
requiring a vote, unless otherwise stated in another part of the Constitution or
Bylaws.
ARTICLE
V
Duties of the District
Director
Section 10.
Promote the welfare of the club towards all members within the
district. Will approve all district
meets. A District Director will not
be eligible to judge a district meet, as where in that District Director has the
authority to approve that district's meet.
Will assist show secretaries in matters concerning the proper conducting
of all NMC sponsored meets within their districts. (E.g., making applications for
certificates; informing the NMC Secretary of list of certificate winners;
informing show secretaries of NMC rules; assisting in all other matters that
need to be resolved.) Assist the
newly elected District Director.
Perform all other duties as may be necessary.
ARTICLE
VI
Duties of the Bulletin
Editor
Section11.
(a)
At the annual Board of
Directors meeting of the National Modena Club, the Bulletin Editor shall submit
the budget for the club bulletin.
The budget shall contain the estimated printing and postage expenses for
the calendar year. The budget must
be approved by a 2/3-majority vote of the Board of Directors present at the
annual meeting. Any bulletin
expenses over the approved budget must be approved by a 2/3-majority vote of the
Board of Directors. The Bulletin
Editor is not a member of the executive board and does not have a
vote.
(b)
If the budget submitted by
the Bulletin Editor is not approved by a 2/3-majority vote of the Board of
Directors, it is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to determine an
appropriate budget based on the current financial status of the
NMC.
(c)
The Bulletin Editor is
responsible for producing a quality newsletter to promote the "Bird of Curves"
and to ensure that the National Modena Club bulletin contains helpful and
interesting information that will assist and further the development and
popularity of the breed. The
Bulletin Editor retains the right to reject articles that are not in the best
interest of the National Modena Club, and will refer these articles to the NMC
President for final disposition.
(d)
The Bulletin Editor will also
serve as the Yearbook Coordinator.
Every two years, the NMC will publish a yearbook based on membership
support under the direction and financial approval of the Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE
VII
Duties of the Election
Commissioner
Section 12.
Within ten days after closing date for voting, August 15, or the receipt
of nomination ballots, the Election Commissioner shall count the ballots
returned to him and promptly announce the names of candidates for each office,
and the number of votes received.
Section 13.
Within ten days after closing date from the receipt of election ballots,
October 15, the Election Commissioner shall count all ballots returned to him
and immediately furnish the President and Secretary with a report of the results
as shown on the face of the returns.
Section 14.
No votes shall be counted except those on official ballots properly
marked and signed by the voting member.
No change may be made on the ballot once cast and no ballot shall be
counted that is altered or changed in any way.
Section 15.
(a)
After counting the nomination
and election ballots, the Election Commissioner shall carefully preserve and
deliver them either personally or by registered mail, to the President within 30
days after closing date for his verification. The official results of the election,
after verification by the President, shall be forwarded to the
Secretary-Treasurer for publication in the next bulletin.
(b)
The Election Commissioner
shall conduct a special election for President when the President elect is
unable to assume office. The
election process will commence within 15 days of notice from the President to
conduct a special election. The
closing date for receipt of votes will be 30 days after ballots have been mailed
to the membership. The Election
Commissioner shall count all ballots within 10 days of closing and immediately
provide the President and Secretary with a report of the certified election
results. The Election Commissioner
will forward all ballots to the President, in person or by registered mail, for
record purposes.
(c)
The N.M.C. ballot destruction
date shall be three years from the closing date of an election. Ballots shall be
retained by the Secretary/Treasurer for a three year period. After this period,
and if no issues concerning the election are pending, the ballots may be
destroyed.
Duties of the Constitution and
Bylaws Committee
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall review all
proposed changes submitted by any member that will affect the Constitution or
Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the N.M.C. prior to the change being
voted on. The Committee will report at the Annual Meet or before any problems in
the wording of the proposed change that will adversely affect another section of
the Constitution/Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the N.M.C. It is not the
duty of the committee to make comment on the actual merit of any proposed change
but rather report any adverse affect on wording elsewhere in the N.M.C.
Constitution/Bylaws or Article of Incorporation. When possible, the chairperson
of this committee may contact the member making the proposed change before the
Annual Meet and advise the member to amend his proposed change. The Committee is
unable to give final approval or disapproval of any proposed change but rather
to advise and recommend.
ARTICLE
VIII
Duties of the Publicity
Director
Section 16.
The Publicity Director(s) committee shall be responsible for providing
publicity on Modenas, by collecting information and articles of interest to
Modena Breeders. This publicity
shall be forwarded to pigeon magazines and to the NMC Bulletins. The Publicity Director(s) shall assist
the Bulletin Editor in securing articles, pictures, etc., for NMC yearbooks as
well as
ARTICLE
IX
Duties of the Standard Revision
Committee
Section 17.
(a)
The Standard Revision
Committee shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the proposed changes or
revisions in the club standard. It
shall be charged with the responsibility of editing all text matter and
illustrations and arrangement of technical form and expression. It is the intent of this section that
all members be encouraged to submit suggestions and recommendations for any
desired change in the Standard that we believe will be for the welfare and
advancement of the varieties in which they are interested and ultimate breed
improvement.
(b)
The committee shall carefully
consider all proposals and report, through the chairman to the members at the
next annual meeting. Any proposal
rejected by the majority of the Standard Revision Committee will terminate in
the Standard Revision Committee.
Any proposals approved by the majority of the Standard Revision Committee
must be submitted by the SRC Chairman to the Secretary to be published in the
bulletin (90) ninety days before the annual meeting. After discussion at the annual meeting a
majority vote of approval will require a ballot to be sent to the general
membership for approval. This
ballot will be returned to the Election Commissioner reporting the voting
outcome in the bulletin.
ARTICLE
X
Section 18.
The Certificate Chairman will have stewardship of the NMC Certificate
System and be accountable to the NMC President in the administration of the
Certificate System. The Certificate System records are public and available to
the membership. No part of the
certificate records is considered confidential to NMC members in good
standing.
A.
CERTIFICATE
SYSTEM
1.
Challenge Certificate
Shows
a.
Challenge Certificates may be
awarded at the Annual NMC Meet, three NMC Regional Meets, all NMC District
Meets, and three NMC sponsored Young Bird Meets.
1)
Challenge Certificate will be
awarded at the Annual Meet, three NMC Regional Meets, all NMC District Meets
according to the guidelines in 2.a & b.
2)
Challenge Certificates will
be awarded at the NMC sponsored Young Bird Meets according to the guidelines in
2.c.
2.
Challenge
Certificates
a.
Challenge Certificates will
be awarded to the "best of color" or section (i.e., Best NCC) when the following
conditions are meet.
1)
The
2)
There must be competition,
i.e., more than one exhibitor in each class (YH,
3)
At least three exhibitors
must be showing in the color or section.
4)
The judge must believe that
the quality of the winning exhibit justifies awarding a
Certificate.
b.
Challenge
Certificates must be awarded to the following in both Gazzi and Schietti: Best
Old Cock, Best Old Hen, Best Young Cock, Best Young Hen (i.e. Best Old Gazzi
Cock, etc.)
1)
A
Challenge Certificate must be awarded to the Reserve Gazzi and Reserve
Schietti.
2)
If one of
the above awards is won by a bird that is not "best of color", and a Challenge
Certificate was not awarded to the color class due to insufficient competition,
the judge may award a Challenge certificate to the respective "best of
color".
c.
At the three NMC
sponsored young bird meets per year. If the total entries are 200 birds or greater, four to six challenge certificates
will be awarded, depending on the placement of the birds, challenge
certificates will be awarded for Best Young Gazzi
Cock, Best Young Gazzi Hen, Reserve Gazzi, Best Young Schietti Cock, Best Young
Schietti Hen and Reserve Schietti.
At the three NMC
sponsored young bird meets per year. If the entries are 175 birds or
greater, four challenge certificates will be
awarded. Best
Young Gazzi Cock, Best Young Gazzi Hen, Best Young Schietti Cock, Best Young
Schietti Hen.
At the three NMC sponsored young bird meets per year. If the entries are
150 birds or greater, two challenge
certificates will be awarded. Best Young
Gazzi and Best Young
Schietti.
No challenge certificates will be awarded if
entries are below 150 birds
No challenge certificates will be awarded for color classes at these
young
bird shows
1)
The three
annual NMC sponsored Young Bird shows will consist of one show per region;
defined as :
The Eastern Region - Districts 1, 2, & 8.
The Central Region - Districts 3, 4, & 5.
The Western Region - Districts 6, & 7.
2)
The show
will be awarded (placed) by the Vice President and District Directors,
collectively in their respective regions.
3) The NMC sponsored young bird shows will be
held in October thru December. They must not conflict with any District or
Regional shows in their Geographic area.
d)
No more
than one Challenge Certificate shall be awarded to a bird at any individual
show.
e)
The
District Director of each approved show will supply the Certificate Chairman
with the completed application for Challenge Certificates. The application
shall include the following information: Color, Age, Sex, Complete Band Number
(example: NPA 93 NM 320V), Owner, Breeder, Number of birds competing in that
color or other qualifying remarks (example: Best Young Gazzi Cock). The judge must sign
to application for each bird on the application.
f)
Challenge Certificates will be mailed to the exhibitors of
winning birds when the Certificate Chairman receives the applications from the
District Directors.
g)
If a
Challenge Certificate is lost or destroyed, the Certificate Chairman will issue
a new Certificate when appropriate information is provided and conformed by
records.
h) At all NMC meets we
recognize a “Parade of Colors” when picking Best Schietti & Best Gazzi. This
will consist of placing in order the top ten best of color winners in both
Schietti & Gazzi. Any bird that has not won a certificate in its color class
that places ahead of a certificate winning bird in the “Parade of Colors” will
be eligible for a certificate.
1.
Certificates for birds in the “Parade of Colors” will only be awarded at NMC
meets that have a minimum of 250 Modenas’
2.
Certificates for birds in the “Parade of Colors” will only be awarded if there
are a minimum of 100 Gazzi or 100 Schiettis.
3.
Champion
Certificates
a.
Champion
Certificates will be awarded when the following requirements are met:
1)
Application by the owner or breeder to the NMC Certificate
Chairman, acceptance of such application by the Chairman.
2)
Evidence
must be submitted that the bird in question has won at least three Challenge
Certificates under three different judges. One of the Challenge Certificates must have
been won as an old bird.
b.
Champion
Certificates will be suitable for framing and will list qualifying Challenge
Certificate wins.
4.
Reports
a.
The
Certificate Chairman will supply Challenge Certificate applications to each
District Director.
b.
The
District Directors will send the completed application to the Certificate
Chairman upon completion of the show.
c.
The
Certificate Chairman shall provide the Bulletin Editor with a report of the
Challenge Certificates awarded and Champion Certificates awarded. The information
will be published in the NMC bulletin.
d.
The
Certificate Chairman shall be financial responsible for the Certificate system
during the calendar year. He may submit a financial report to the
President for reimbursement approval. Upon approval by the NMC President, the
NMC shall reimburse the Certificate Chairman for money dispersed.
5.
Certificate Chairman
a.
The
Certificate Chairman shall be appointed by the NMC President and shall serve
until a new Certificate Chairman is appointed.
b.
Shall be
responsible for the administration of the Certificate system.
c.
Shall
maintain accurate records that are available for inspection.
d.
The NMC
President will resolve any dispute within the system.
B. SHOW
RULES TO BE FOLLOWED AT ALL DISTRICT OR REGIONAL MEETS:
1.
Birds
must wear seamless band of correct size (1only). No split bands.
2.
Classes
should be judged as follows: YH,
3.
All
birds must have bands checked before and after judging.
4.
The
judge must be a qualified person that has been accepted by the District Director
of the NMC.
5.
No one
will be allowed to talk to a judge while he is judging any class or
classes. All
questions in regard to placing, etc., are to be asked after all judging is
completed.
Anyone breaking this rule is subject to having all his or her entries
disqualified by the Show Superintendent. Complaints will go to the Show Superintendent
and will be discussed and will be discussed in an area far enough away from the
judging as not to disrupt the Judge or the Show for other members. The complaint
should be handled in a proper manner. Any complaint to the will not be allowed in
any manner other than through the Show Superintendent. Anyone offering
such complaint to the Judge will face disqualification of his or her entire show
entry by the Show Superintendent.
6.
Judge's
decisions are final.
A protest on a judge's decision can be made to the Show Superintendent
under the following condition only: 1) The first or second place bird in a class
has an obvious disqualifying fault as described in the NMC standard.2) The first or second
place bird in a class is the subject of faking, i.e. artificial coloring on the
feather or any feather replacement. 3) The first or second place bird of a class
has a split or unauthorized band. Protest on judge's decisions will not be
allowed for any other reasons. A protest fee of $10.00 will be paid to the
host club via the Show Superintendent. If the protest is upheld, the protest fee
shall be refunded.
The protest must be made to the Show Superintendent before the judging of
Specials. Once
the judge has started judging Specials, no protest may be initiated. The Show
Superintendent will investigate the protest with any two NMC members in good
standing. If
this panel of three unanimously determine that the protest is legitimate, the
Show Superintendent will consult the judge and advise him of the protest. The judge will then
have the opportunity to reevaluate the
7.
A
correct and accurate account of placement of birds must be kept and available to
all that show, upon request.
8.
All coop
tags are to be made on each bird with color, sex, class, and band number.
9.
Birds
withdrawn from the show before the completion of judging will forfeit all
winnings unless approved by the Show Superintendent; and the exhibitor will be
subject to a three-year band of all NMC shows.
10. Keep a steward on hand to keep
aisles clear so birds can be transported to and from the judging area. The
immediate judging area must be kept clear of all spectators.
11. Anyone identifying his bird in the
presents of a judge gives the judges the right to disqualify the bird. Under this rule any
exhibitor may request a disqualification.
12. The word CHAMPION is not to be used
on trophies or specials. Trophies should read BEST MODENA, and NMC
should be put on all trophies.
13. Rules 1,2,5,6,and 11 are to be sent
out with specials for the show.
14. Awards at all NMC meets should be
as follows:
Best Gazzi
Best
Reserve Gazzi
Best Old
Best Young Gazzi
Best Young
Best Old Gazzi
Best Old Schietti
Best Young Gazzi Hen
Best Young Schietti Hen
Best Young Gazzi CockBest Young Schietti Cock
Best Old Gazzi Hen
Best Old Schietti Hen
Best Old Gazzi Cock Best Old Schietti Cock
15. No birds will be allowed to leave
the showroom until the Show Secretary has closed the show. The only exception
to this being if the bird is sick or the owner has illness in his family or
themselves ill.
Then the Show Secretary must give permission to allow the bird to leave
and also must personally check out each and every bird for that person. Anyone not
following this rule will have their entire entry disqualified and the show
record will show these birds disqualified. The board may also have the right to not
allow this person entry to any NMC show for a three-year period, with two-thirds
vote of the board.
16. The NMC to officially recognize the 10'
wide by 15" high banner featuring the NMC approved illustrated standard drawings
as a visual aid in the judging of Modenas at all NMC sanctioned shows.
C. JUDGE'S
QUALIFICATIONS
1.
Judges
for the NMC Annual Meet shall be deemed qualified by virtue of being elected by
the membership in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.
a.
Judges for the
Annual Meet must have judged at least three NMC meets.
2.
All
other judges for all District Meets and Regional Meets shall meet the following
qualifications:
a.
Must be
a current member of the NMC.
b.
Must be
an active breeder and exhibitor of Modenas.
c.
Have the
proper knowledge of the standard and color classifications to recognize standard
bred Modenas.
3.
Proposed
judges selected by the host club shall submit for approval, the name of the
selected judge to the District Director in whose district the meet is being
held, for that Director's approval.
4.
At all
NMC sponsored meets, including the annual event, the district director, in
concert with the show secretary and any other officers and directors present,
may use the assigned or elected judges, as they decide, in order to equalize the
number of birds each judge judges. In most instances, and upon the gazzi judge
completing his assignment, the gazzi judge may assist the schietti judge to
complete the overall task of judging. In the case of the annual event,
consideration may be given to hiring a third judge should the number of entries
warrant. A
third judge would entail the NMC paying his or her travel expenses and
lodging.
D. MASTER
BREEDER QUALIFICATIONS
1.
All
nominees shall be members of the NMC for a period of not less than 10 years
prior to the year in which the applicant is being presented.
2.
Nomination forms shall be filled out completely, printed or
typewritten.
The person doing the nomination should supply all the necessary
information.
Nominations may come from any NMC member including the person
nominated.
Committee members should feel free to respond to the person submitting
the nomination for additional information, plus any other member of the NMC that
they feel information is required from.
3.
List
only wins which have occurred at NMC District, Regional or Annual Meets. The word 'wins'
would mean Best of Color (with three (3) or more exhibitors in that color
class), Best Young or Old Gazzi or Schietti, and Best Modena. Winning at our
meets is a very important consideration for Master Breeder, but the committee
should also keep in mind the Fancier's ability to improve and create a lineage
of Modenas.
Some Fanciers have done more in improving and supplying birds to
Fanciers, and those Fanciers in turn have done the winning at the shows,
forgetting all about the True Breeder. A Master Breeder is thus a creator as well as
an exhibitor.
4.
Show
record forms shall list at least 10 years beginning with the earliest year
submitted.
Years shall be listed in chronological order. Consideration
should be given to the breeder having serious illness problems in his loft or
with himself and/or a theft problem in his loft.
5.
All wins
listed shall be upon birds, which were bred by the nominee. The birds may have
been exhibited by another breeder, who will submit to the committee, if needed,
written documentation that the nominee is the breeder.
6.
All
nominations must be submitted on official nomination forms. These forms can be
obtained upon written request to the Secretary-Treasurer of the NMC. These forms shall
be filled out completely in detail, signed and forwarded to the Chairman of the
Master Breeder Committee no later than August 15th of the year in which the nominee is being
presented.
7.
The
Master Breeder Committee members shall be made up of all living Master Breeders
of the NMC who are members of the NMC. The President shall appoint a Chairman from
these eligible members. The person nominating an eligible nominee
shall forward the official form for Master Breeder to the Chairman of this
committee by August 15th, who shall then forward
copies to all members of his committee. Those committee members, after checking the
nomination forms, vote Yes or No, sign it and return it to the Chairman by
October 15th. A vote of two-thirds majority of those voting
is needed for approval. The results shall then be sent to the
President by December 1st. All disagreements
should be one(s) of valid reasoning, all personal feeling being eliminated. All other sections
for Master Breeder shall remain the same as stated in the Bylaws.
8.
Awards
shall be presented at the Annual Meeting.
9.
The
number of awards to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
10. The number to be presented each
year will be decided by the committee.
E. HALL OF FAME QUALIFICATIONS
1. Must be a member in good standing of the N.M.C. for ten
years or more
2. Has inspired both new and old members of the N.M.C. by
giving freely of his/her knowledge of breeding Modenas.
3. Should have served as an officer of the N.M.C. and shown
he/she would freely offer his/her time to our club and breed.
4. Should be active at shows at least in his/her district
with help in judging and/or book work and setup and tear down of show, if
possible.
5. Should be an inspiration to fellow breeders through
loyalty to his club and good sportsmanship.
6. Should have been helpful to both new and old
members.
7. Nominations shall be typewritten or printed and shall
list all information needed by the committee to form a decision.
8. The Hall of Fame Committee members shall be made up of
all living hall of Fame members of the N.M.C. who are members of the NMC. The President
will appoint a Chairman from those eligible members. The person nominating an
eligible nominee shall forward the nomination letter to the Chairman of the
committee by August 15, who shall then forward copies to all members of the
committee. These committee members, after checking the nomination paperwork will
vote Yes or No, sign it and return to the Chairman by October 15. A vote of
two-thirds majority of those voting is needed for approval. The results will
then be sent to the President by December 1st. All disagreements should be of
valid reasoning, all personal feelings being eliminated. All other sections of
Hall of fame members shall remain the same as stated in the Bylaws.
9. Awards shall be presented at the Annual Meeting.
10. The number to be presented each year will be decided by
the committee.
F. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NMC JUNIOR
ACHIEVMENT AWARD
1.
You must
have maintained an active membership in the NMC for the past (3) three
years.
Exception would be made for a junior who enters the hobby at an older age
and is unable to attain the time requirement before the age of (18)
eighteen. In
such case, documentation by an NMC officer or director must be submitted to the
Junior Committee of the applicant's achievements to promote the
2.
Each
applicant must complete at least one of the following:
a.
Must
have earned a total of (20) twenty entries in NMC sponsored shows in this time
period. All
birds entered must be bred and owned by the junior member.
b.
Must
have won Best Gazzi or Best Schietti in junior competition in at least one NMC
show.
c.
In the
event of lack of junior competition, must be approved by the NMC District
Director as a breeder of competitive Modenas.
3.
The
applicant must prepare an article for the NMC bulletin on such topics as pigeon
disease, loft management, local pigeon shows or their own pigeon activities or
interview an NMC Master Breeder and prepare an article for the NMC Publicity
Director.
4.
You must
promote the Modena Hobby in at least (2) two of the following ways:
a.
Give an
oral presentation or pigeon display at a group or organization (school,
Scouting, 4H, etc.)
b.
Design
or build a
c.
Recruit
at least (2) two new members for the NMC.
d.
Attend
at least (2) two NMC shows.
e.
Be
prepared to help in the work of putting on an NMC show such as set up,
maintenance or tear down.
f.
Provide
the NMC Secretary with a photo display of
g.
Sketch
the floor plan, nesting arrangement, perches, ventilation, feeders, water
dispensers, etc. of a Modena Loft.
ARTICLE XI
Order of Business
Section 19. Unless otherwise provided for by a two-thirds
vote of the Club, the order of business at the annual meeting will be as
follows:
1.
Call
meeting to order
2.
Roll
call of officers
3.
Minutes
of last meeting
4.
President's report
5.
Secretary's report
6.
Treasurer's report
7.
Report
of Standing Committees
a.
Standard
Revision Committee
b.
Certificate Chairman
c.
Master
Breeder / Hall of Fame Committee
d.
Annual
meet Futurity Committee
e.
Publicity Director
f.
Election
Commissioner
8.
Unfinished Business
9.
Installation of Officers
10. New Business
11. Discussion
12. Election of Election
Commissioner
13. Adjourning of Meeting
Section 20. The Law of Common Courtesy shall be the guide
of this club and the manner in which the annual meeting will be handled, subject
to Constitution and Bylaws, and to such other official rules as may be adopted
by the National Modena Club.
Section 21. The Constitution and Bylaws of the NMC may
only be amended by a majority vote of the general membership. Proposed changes by members
must be presented to the Secretary and published in the bulletin, (90) ninety
days in advance of the Annual meeting. Each proposed change will be read, discussed
and voted on by the members in attendance at the annual meeting. The outcome of
that vote will be placed on a ballot as a recommendation by the members in
attendance at the annual meeting. All proposed changes will be voted on by the
general membership in the form of a ballot sent by the Secretary. This ballot
will be sent to all members in good standing on the First day of March of that
calendar year, and may or may not be sent with the club bulletin. The ballot
will have voting instructions and state that the ballot must be completed,
signed and returned to the Election Commissioner so he will receive it on or
before the 1st day of April of that calendar year. The Election Commissioner
will report the outcome in the next scheduled bulletin. A majority vote in favor
will result in the adoption of the proposal.
ARTICLE XII
Sportsmanship Guidelines
Section 22. Sportsmanship Guidelines:
1)
Sportsmanship Conduct Violations
a.
Any
member engaged in badgering, chastising, or rude questioning directed at the
judge at any time, before, during, or after the judging.
b.
Any
member the verbally or physically attacks another NMC member at any NMC
meet.
c.
Any
member that pulls his/her entries from the show prior to the authorized release
time without permission from the Show Superintendent.
d.
Guilty
of "faking" or "cheating".
e.
Any
member Handling and /or disturbing another exhibitor's birds without
permission.
f.
Any
member creating a disturbance on NMC show premises before, during, or after the
show.
g.
Any
member identifying his/her bird in the presence of the judge.
h.
Any
member in violation of NMC or other published show rules.
i.
Any
member caught stealing pigeons or personal property of another
exhibitor/breeder, in or out of the showroom.
j.
Any
member that distributes degrading memos about NMC officers and/or fellow
members, or sends hate mail to any NMC member.
k.
Any
member found guilty of fraudulent practices, or whose conduct impairs the
welfare of the NMC.
2.
Penalties for Sportsmanship Conduct Violations
Penalties for Sportsmanship Conduct Violations will be the
decision of the Board of Directors. Depending on the severity and frequency of
the violation, the Board of Directors may take one of the following
actions. The
NMC Board of Directors will act based on a two-thirds vote of the entire
Executive Board.
Penalty Option:
a.
No
action.
b.
Letter
of warning.
b.1. After receiving a letter of warning, a repeat
violation will receive a greater penalty
c.
One-year
suspension from exhibiting at NMC meets.
d.
Three-year suspension from exhibiting at NMC meets.
e.
Five-year suspension from exhibiting at NMC meets.
f.
Lifetime
expulsion as a member of the NMC.
In addition: Any member that is serving a suspension will
not be permitted to hold an NMC office, receive an NMC appointment, or serve as
an NMC judge.
3.
Procedure to receive complaints of "Unsportsmanlike
Conduct".
a.
Any NMC
member in good standing who has witnessed a sportsmanlike conduct violation as
outlined will report the violation to the Show Superintendent. The member
reporting the complaint should do so in written form. If done at the show room,
the complaint should be given to the Show Superintendent in writing dated and
signed by the member filing the complaint. If done after the show is over, the
complaint should be sent in written form within 15 days of the date the show
took place, in complete detail and signed via certified mail to the Show
Superintendent. The Show Superintendent will investigate the complaint and
report his/her
findings to the District Director of the geographic area in which the
complaint was filed via certified mail within 10 days of his/her receiving the
complaint..
The District Director will upon receipt of the complaint notify the
N.M.C. President via certified mail that the complaint has been filed and send a
copy of the complaint with the notification within 5 days of his/her receiving
the complaint.
b.
The
District Director will investigate the charges, which include written statements
from any witness. This procedure should be completed within 30 days from the
date he/she receives the complaint. The Director will then forward the
complaint, plus all information in regard to the complaint (witness statement,
evidence, etc.) to the accused via certified mail with written instructions to
answer the complaint within 30 days from the date received. The accused should
then answer the complaint via certified mail in written form, sent to the
Director within the 30-day period. The accused must answer within 30 days or
his/her answer to the complaint will not be accepted. Once the accused has
answered the complaint, or failed to do so with in the 30 day period, the
Director should forward to the entire Board of Directors, via certified mail, a
copy of the complaint, witness statements, evidence, answer from the accused,
etc. Once all Board members have received all the needed information, via
certified mail, the N.M.C. President will call for a vote from the Board
members. The vote will be cast via ballot provided by the President. No votes
shall be cast in any other manner (internet, telephone, etc.). The ballot must
be returned to the President within 15 days from the date received by the Board
members via certified mail. Each ballot will give a yes or no answer to the
punishment. Should a Board member fail to vote, his/her vote will be counted as
a yes vote to the punishment the majority ruled on. The Board and all others
involved should strive to assure that the information in regard to the complaint
is shared only with those on a need to know basis. The Ballot will provide a
space for the Board member to sign and date it.
c.
The
Board of Directors will administer disciplinary action with a two-thirds vote in
favor of it by the entire Board. The President will notify, via certified mail,
the accused of the outcome of the vote of the Board of Directors within 10 days
of his/her receiving the ballots.
4.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct Outside the Showroom:
a.
Any
member in good standing may report a sportsmanlike conduct violation directly to
his/her District Director. Should the complaint be filed against his/her
Director he/she may skip the process of filing through the Director and forward
the complaint directly to the President. The President will then follow the
steps the Director should normally follow.
b.
The same
steps outlined for complaints of violations in the showroom will be followed. If
at all possible, complaints in regard to Unsportsmanlike Conduct should be
handled via certified mail and not at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE XIII
Financial
Section 23. Policy on Disbursement of Funds for Service
Rendered and Reimbursement for Expenses
1.
Payment
for Services Rendered:
All services rendered on behalf of the National Modena Club
by elected and appointed officers, chairmen, committees and individuals are
voluntary and are not compensated monetarily from NMC funds. The NMC will not be
held responsible for cost incurred for services rendered unless prior approval
has been obtained from the NMC President and both NMC Vice-Presidents
collectively.
If payment for "services rendered" is being considered by the NMC
President, the NMC President will confer with the Eastern and Western
Vice-Presidents and be in unanimous agreement prior to payment. The final decision
for payment approval of "services rendered" will rest with this body of three
officers. If
one of the aforementioned NMC offices is not occupied, the decision will be
deferred to the NMC Board of Directors and will require a 2/3 vote of
approval. Any
such payment for "services rendered" will be included in the published
secretary's financial report.
2.
Expense
Reimbursement
Elected and appointed officers, chairmen, committees, and
individuals should submit "request for reimbursement" for supplies, materials,
and postage required in performing NMC related duties and assignments. Requests for
reimbursement should include all applicable receipts. All such requests
for reimbursement will require approval from the NMC President, and such expense
reimbursements will be included in the published secretary's financial
report.
Section 24. E-Bulletin:
Foreign Members who subscribe to the NMC E-Bulletin, via the NMC web-site, for the entire calendar year will pay the normal membership rate, not the modified rate charged due to the additional postage costs
