NAMHSA Bylaws Last revised July 19, 2006

Article I - NAME

The name of this association shall be the North American Model Horse Shows Association, abbreviated as NAMHSA.

Article II - OBJECTIVES

NAMHSA's mission is to serve as an inclusive organization to promote the model horse hobby. The aim of NAMHSA is to promote all facets of the model horse hobby and provide support for the future development of model horse showing, customizing, and collecting, which includes but is not limited to: (a) Promoting the model horse hobby to the public to develop interest, support, and recognition. (b) Building national and international communication about the model horse hobby. (c) Distributing information to enthusiasts. (d) Enhancing the prestige of member shows. (e) Serving as a unifying organization for cooperation among live shows and as a clearinghouse for information on shows and events. (f) Offering new goals to model horse exhibitors through sponsorship of the North American Nationals (NAN) model horse show.

Article III - MEMBER RULES

Section 1 - General. There shall be two (2) classes of membership, active model horse live show and active individual. Any model horse live show or individual shall be eligible for NAMHSA membership provided all requirements for membership are met. Every edition of a model horse live show is considered a separate entity; therefore, a show held twice within the NAMHSA show year is considered two separate entities. NAMHSA member shows are qualifying shows for the North American Nationals, abbreviated as NAN. Each member show and each individual member shall have one vote on issues submitted to the membership by the Board of Directors and shall have all responsibilities as stated in these Bylaws. Each member show and individual member shall conform to and abide by all provisions in the bylaws as a condition of membership or continuing membership. Section 2 - Requirements. Member Shows Member shows must meet the following requirements: (a) Show must meet the Core Classlist Requirements. Upon membership application, a show must submit a draft version of its show packet which must include: (1) Show date (pending date is acceptable) (2) Show location (pending location is acceptable) (3) Complete list of classes (4) Rules, regulations, and limits for showing (5) Name and address of person responsible for show (e.g., show secretary or show hostess) (6) An "advertising plan" listing magazines the show will be advertised in (including cover dates of issues ad will run in). Ads in newsletters and postings to "Haynet" are acceptable forms of advertising. (b) Show must inform entrants that first- and second-place equids in its open classes qualify for the NAN. An open class is defined as competition where the entrant is not limited by skill level, age, or years of competition. (c) Show must send results of the show, including a listing of the entrants' names and addresses to the NAMHSA Membership Secretary. "Results" can be full results or just first/second places (and champions and reserve champions if these are not determined by a call back of 1sts and 2nds) in qualifying classes. Results may be submitted by printed or soft copy, postmarked within 30 days of show date, or e-mail, transmitted within 30 days of show date. (d) Show must advertise the show publicly, in print or over the Internet, in advance of the show date. (e) Show must not be "by invitation"; all persons must be allowed to enter. Show may limit entry by number of entrants, but in that case must accept entries on a first-come, first-serve or other impartial basis. (f) No showholder, relative of showholder, nor any person who shares ownership of models with showholder may enter a NAN-qualifying division at a show held by the same showholder. A "relative" is any person related to showholder as grandparent, parent, step-parent, aunts or uncles (by blood or marriage), spouse, significant other, son, daughter, step-son, step-daughter, sibling, in-law, niece, nephew, first cousin, or any person residing with showholder or other relatives of showholder. (g) A person may not show and judge in the same division at a NAMHSA member show. A division is defined as one or more grouped classes such as "OF Breyer Plastic", "Custom Glazed", or "OF Performance" . A judge may not judge any model that he/she has worked/collaborated on. A judge may not judge any model which he/she owns or has owned within the last six months. A judge may not judge models owned by relatives of the judge, as defined in subsection (f) above. (h) The show must pay yearly dues not later than 60 days prior to the show; in any case, the show may not be advertised as a NAMHSA Member Show or NAN Qualifier until dues have been paid. Individual Members Individual members must pay dues. Section 3 - Membership Procedure. Member Shows Each applicant must send a completed membership application form (available by sending a LSASE to the NAMHSA Show Membership Secretary or NAMHSA Individual Membership Secretary), a draft copy of the show packet, and the membership dues to the NAMHSA Show Membership Secretary. Upon receipt of the application, the Secretary (or his/her designee) shall review the application materials and, provided all requirements are met, shall add the show to the NAMHSA membership. Individual Members Each applicant must send a completed membership application form (available by sending a LSASE to the NAMHSA Individual Membership Secretary) and the membership dues to the NAMHSA Individual Membership Secretary. Upon receipt of the application, the Secretary (or his/her designee) shall review the application materials and, provided all requirements are met, shall add the individual to the NAMHSA membership. Section 4 - Loss Of Membership (a) Voluntary Resignation: A member may resign from membership of NAMHSA by sending written notice to the President. A refund of 60% of funds paid will be issued if the resignation is received by NAMHSA 60 days prior to the show date. The showholder must inform the show's entrants no later than 30 days prior to the show date that the show is no longer a NAMHSA member show. Individual membership fees will not be refunded if a member resigns. (b) Involuntary Loss of Membership: A membership may be suspended or revoked by NAMHSA for violation of requirements set forth in these Bylaws. Such revocation will not relieve said member from the obligation to pay any outstanding dues.

Article IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 - Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, and the Regional Representatives. The Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary are non-voting members who may make and/or second motions and participate in all discussions and activities. The Board of Directors will also include committee chairpersons in discussions which affect their committee's project. Section 2 - Responsibilities. The Board of Directors will discuss and vote on issues as required to facilitate the operation of the Association. Management of NAMHSA is vested in the Board of Directors, who may delegate decisions about such issues to the membership for vote, as the Board of Directors determines. The Board of Directors may submit issues to member showholders for vote via e-mail, provided however, that any member who requested to vote via e-mail has provided the Show Membership Secretary with an e-mail address. The Board of Directors may formulate, amend, or resubmit the articles of incorporation. Additionally, the Board of Directors may complete such other documents or undertake such acts on behalf of NAMHSA as are needed to establish or maintain corporate and/or non-profit status for the organization, including the selection of a Registered Agent who is a resident of the state where NAMHSA is incorporated. Provided further, that the Board of Directors may undertake any such measures as are necessary to protect the organization, its officers, directors, delegates, and members from legal liability.

Article V - OFFICERS

Section 1 - General. The Officers of NAMHSA shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary. Section 2 - Election of Vice-President. Each year member shows and individual members shall nominate persons for the office of the Vice President. Nominations must be sent to the NAMHSA Recording Secretary by March 1 of each year. Each nomination must be accompanied by a statement of willingness to serve from the nominee. The elections will be held by vote of all member shows and individual members. Ballots will be sent to current NAMHSA member shows and individual members no later than the last day in April, and all ballots must be returned to the Recording Secretary by June 1. Each member show and individual member shall receive one vote. The name of the new Vice President will be announced in the NAMHSA Newsletter, on the NAMHSA website, and/or by any other timely means deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. Section 3 - Vice President. The Vice President is nominated and elected by the NAMHSA member shows and individual members. The Vice President will serve a one-year term beginning at the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN, and then move into the role of President for an additional one-year term. The Vice President will: act as the first officer to the President to carry out NAMHSA business; perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President; and serve as the President's representative as directed. Section 4 - President. After serving a one-year term the Vice President shall become NAMHSA President for a one-year term beginning at the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN. The President will: serve as the primary spokesperson for NAMHSA; serve as ex-officio member of NAMHSA committees; ensure that all members of the Board of Directors are informed and able to participate in all discussions of the Board; initiate the forming of any committees needed to carry out NAMHSA business, and appoint a committee chairperson with consent of the Board of Directors; call meetings of the Board as necessary to administer the business of NAMHSA and/or as requested by members of the Board or member shows; and preside at meetings of the Board. Section 5 - Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall be nominated by the President for this office, and the Board of Directors shall vote to appoint or deny the candidate. The Recording Secretary will be limited to a three year term beginning with the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN. The Recording Secretary will not be given voting rights. The Recording Secretary's primary duties shall be the maintenance of records of Board votes and deliberations, and the conduct of votes of the membership. Section 6 - Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be nominated by the President for this office, and the Board of Directors shall vote to appoint or deny the candidate. The Treasurer will be limited to a three year term beginning with the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN. Section 7 - Show Membership Secretary. The Show Membership Secretary shall be nominated by the President for this office, and the Board of Directors shall vote to appoint or deny the candidate. The Show Membership Secretary will be limited to a three year term beginning with the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN. The Show Membership Secretary will not be given voting rights. The Show Membership Secretary's primary duty shall be administration of the show membership application process. Section 8 - Individual Membership Secretary. The Individual Membership Secretary shall be nominated by the President for this office, and the Board of Directors shall vote to appoint or deny the candidate. The Individual Membership Secretary will be limited to a three year term beginning with the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN. The Individual Membership Secretary will not be given voting rights. The Individual Membership Secretary's primary duty shall be administration of the individual membership application process. Section 9 - Removal of Officers. Upon evidence of an elected officer's unwillingness or incapacity to serve, the Board of Directors shall submit a vote for removal to the member shows and individual members. Upon evidence of an appointed officer's unwillingness or incapacity to serve, the Board may remove that person from office where two-thirds of the Board so vote. Pending formal removal or replacement through these methods, the President may nominate and the Board shall select persons to temporarily fill any vacant position.

Article VI - REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1 - General. Regional Representatives will be proposed and elected to represent member shows and individual members from each of the eleven NAMHSA regions. The role of the representative is to: communicate with the show holders and individual members in their region the goings-on in NAMHSA; represent their region at NAMHSA meetings and discussions; act as liaison between the Board of Directors and the Member Shows and individual members in their region; contribute to NAMHSA's efforts in hobby promotion and development; and participate in discussion and resolution of issues brought before the Board of Directors. Section 2 - NAMHSA Regions. There will be one Regional Representative from each of the eleven regions. A periodic review of the regional lines will be conducted as the Board of Directors sees fit. The eleven regions are defined as follows: (a) Region 1- Northwest/Mountain: Composed of the U.S. states of Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. (b) Region 2 - Pacific: Composed of the U.S. states of California, Hawaii, and Nevada and the country of Mexico. (c) Region 3 - Southwest: Composed of the U.S. states of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. (d) Region 4 - Central: Composed of the U.S. states of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, N. Dakota, S. Dakota and Nebraska. e) Region 5 - South Central: Composed of the U.S. states of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. (f) Region 6 - South East: Composed of the U.S. states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. (g) Region 7 - Mid West: Composed of the U.S. states of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. (h) Region 8 - Great Lakes: Composed of the U.S. states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri: (i) Region 9 - Mid Atlantic: Composed of the U.S. states of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania New Jersey and the District of Columbia (k) Region 10 - North East: Composed of the U.S. states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York. (l) Region 11 - Canada: Composed of the entire country of Canada. Section 3 - Elections of Regional Representatives. Member shows and individual members shall nominate persons who reside in their regions for the position of Regional Representative on the Board of Directors. Nominations must be sent to the Recording Secretary by March 1 of appropriate election years. Each nomination must be accompanied by a statement of willingness to serve from the nominee. The election will be held by vote of the member shows and individual members in the region. Ballots will be sent to current NAMHSA member shows and individual members no later than the last day in April, and all ballots must be returned to the Recording Secretary by June 1. Each member show and each individual member shall receive one vote, and will vote only for the representative of their respective region. The names of the new Regional Representatives will be announced in the NAMHSA Newsletter, on the NAMHSA website, and/or by any other timely means deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. Section 4 - Terms. For the elections in odd-numbered years, the Regional Representatives from odd-numbered regions will be elected to a two year term, and the Regional Representatives from even-numbered regions will be elected for a one year term. Thereafter, all Regional Representatives will be elected to serve for a term of two years. Regional Representatives shall take office at the membership meeting held in conjunction with the NAN. Representatives may be re-elected an unlimited number of terms. Section 5 - Removal of Representatives. Upon evidence of a representative's unwillingness or incapacity to serve, the Representative shall be removed from the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the member shows and individual members in that region. Such a vote may be initiated by the majority consent of the Board of Directors or by petition from ten percent or more of the member shows or individual members in the Representative's region. Section 6 - Vacancies. In the event of vacancy by any Regional Representative for any cause, such seat shall be filled by a special election of the member shows and individual members of that Representative's region.

Article VII - COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Committee Delegations. The Board of Directors may delegate its decision-making authority to committees composed of at least two persons, and formed by majority vote of the Board. The Chairperson and members of these committee-delegates shall be selected by the Board from candidates nominated by the President; that provision notwithstanding, the majority of the members of these committees must also be members of the Board. At any time, the Board may by majority vote to disband a committee, or expel, remove or replace any Chairperson or member. That provision notwithstanding, upon completion of its delegation, such committee shall automatically disband. Section 2 - Advisory or Executive Committees. The Board of Directors may seek the advice or recommendation of advisory committees, and the Board may confer the power to execute its decisions to executive committees, all as it requires to facilitate operation of the Association. Such committees shall be formed by majority vote of the Board. The Chairperson and member(s) of these advisory committees shall be appointed by the President. The Board retains final decision-making authority over subjects considered by advisory committees and may dictate the manner in which tasks are executed. At any time, the Board may by majority vote disband a committee, or expel, remove or replace any Chairperson or member. That provision notwithstanding, upon completion of its delegation, such committee shall automatically disband. Section 3 - Consultants and Assistants. The Board may create positions for individuals necessary to execute tasks for the Association. Such individuals shall have no voting rights, and the Board retains authority over such individuals. The President shall nominate individuals(s) for these positions, and the Board shall appoint or deny the nominee(s). At any time, by majority vote, the Board may eliminate the position or remove the individual who occupies the position.

Article VIII - MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meetings. NAMHSA annual meetings are open to anyone interested, and will be held at the location of the annual North American Nationals (NAN) show. Specific location and time will be announced in forums and formats deemed fitting by the Board of Directors. Current business will be discussed, and new officers and board members will be introduced. Minutes will be recorded by the NAMHSA Recording Secretary. In the Recording Secretary's absence, a designee will be appointed by the Board. Copies of the minutes will be distributed to the member shows, and will also be published on the NAMHSA website. Section 2. Board of Directors Meetings. Meetings of the NAMHSA Board of Directors may be conducted by e-mail, telephone, mail, in person, or any other method deemed effective by the Board of Directors. The agenda shall be directed by the President, at the request of any officer or Regional Representative. 'Notice' of a motion before the Board may be presented in e-mail, telephone, mail, in person, or any other effective method. The failure of a director to vote upon motions presented in such meetings after due notice of the deadline for voting has been given, constitutes a waiver of the right to vote upon the issue in question. After 'notice' has been provided, a response from 1/3 of the voting Board by the stated deadline shall constitute a quorum. Minutes will be recorded by the NAMHSA Recording Secretary (or designee), distributed to all member shows, and published on the NAMHSA web site.

Article IX - NAN

Section 1 - General. The North American Nationals (NAN) is NAMHSA's annual National Championship Model Horse Show. The NAN shall be directed by the NAN Show Committee under the authority of the NAMHSA Board. Current NAN Show Committee members may not enter NAN, nor may any horse owned in whole or in part by a NAN Show Committee member be shown at the NAN. Section 2 - Location. The Board will select a location for NAN based upon whether: (a) the location offers affordable travel and accommodations, (b) the cost is within the means of NAMHSA, (c) the location offers suitable facilities for NAN, (d) proximity to other attractive events, and/or (e) has other features amenable to successful production of NAN. Section 3 - Qualification. Model equines earn their qualifications to show at a given NAN by: placement of first or second in qualifying classes at qualifying member shows, and proper submission of the required documentation to persons designated by the Board. Section 4 - Judges. Judges for the NAN shall be selected by the NAN Show Committee from all nominations received from September 1 to April 30 proceeding the NAN. Judges at NAN may not show on the same day as they are judging, but they are welcome to show on any other day that they are not judging. Section 5 - Change of Location or Qualification Requirements. The NAMHSA Show Year is May 1 to April 30. Any change to show year, NAN location and/or any alteration in model qualification requirements must be approved by the Board of Directors and the member shows and individual members. Board approval shall be by a majority; member show and individual member approval shall be by a majority of the member shows and individual members submitting ballots by the announced deadline. Section 6 - Other Changes. Other substantive changes not involving show year, NAN Location or qualification requirements proposed by the NAN Committee shall be submitted to the Board. The Board shall determine whether any such change should be submitted for approval by the member shows and individual members. Section 7 - Scheduling of Changes. Those changes approved by the member shows and individual members shall become effective with the following NAN year, i.e., changes made in a '97 NAN year would become effective with the '98 NAN year. The member shows and individual members may vote to begin a change effective immediately as an "emergency rule change". Designation of the change as an emergency shall be a separate item on the ballot.

Article X - AMENDMENTS

Procedures for amending the Bylaws are as follows: (a) Amendments may be introduced by any active member show, individual member, officer, or regional representative or by any standing or special committee, including the Bylaws Committee on its own motion. (b) All proposed amendments shall be first submitted in writing to the NAMHSA Recording Secretary. (c) The Recording Secretary shall present a proposed amendment to the Board of Directors. (d) The Board of Directors shall consider the proposed amendment and if needed, appoint a bylaws committee. (e) The Bylaws Committee shall present the amendment in Bylaws language to the Board of Directors. (f) The Bylaws Committee shall, upon approval of wording by the Board of Directors propose the amendment to the membership. (g) Approval of proposed amendments shall require a majority of the member shows and individual members voting.

Article XI - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Section 1 NAMHSA will prepare annually a report of financial activity that conforms generally to the standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and includes a statement of support, revenue, and expenses and changes in fund balances, a statement of functional expenses, and balance sheets for all funds. All records, books, and annual reports of the financial activity of NAMHSA shall be kept by the Treasurer, with copies of tax records and the account ledgers before the current year also residing with the Recording Secretary. Section 2 NAMHSA will post to the website quarterly a simple balance sheet, verified by the Vice President, confirming the current bank balances, income and expenses, and deposits as they stand on the last day of each quarter. This posting will be written by the Treasurer, confirmed by the Vice President, and posted to the official NAMHSA Web site no more than thirty days after the last day of each quarter. Section 3 All tax documents and other paperwork that is public per IRS regulations and/or Texas state law shall be posted on the official NAMHSA Web site no later than 30 days after its filing. Section 4 NAMHSA's financial records shall be reviewed by an outside CPA annually. The CPA is selected by the Audit Committee and may not be a relative (as defined in XX) of any NAMHSA Officer, Representative, or Committee member. The CPA report shall be presented to the full Board of Directors at the completion of the review.

Article XII - POLICIES

The NAMHSA Board of Directors shall keep a Policies document to regulate and document the day to day workings of the organization. Any important and/or recurring procedure shall be documented as a Policy. To change or add a Policy shall require a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The current Policies shall be published on the official NAMHSA Web site and shall be updated there within 10 days of any change, with notice of changes posted to online NAMHSA discussion lists within two days of the Web site update. Members without email access may request that quarterly updates the Policies be mailed to them by submitting 4 SASEs per year to the Recording Secretary.

Article XIII - DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of NAMHSA, membership show fees and individual membership fees shall be refunded to the members. The Board of Directors shall work with members in determining the distribution of remaining assets after the settlement of valid claims.

Last updated August 22, 2007

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