BYLAWS
OF THE
PROFESSIONAL ARMED FORCES RODEO ASSOCIATION
I. MEMBERSHIP RULES AND DUES
A.There are three different membership types available:
Membership is open to anyone who possesses any type of military identification card, DD form 214 with an honorable discharge, or a DOD GS level identification card. Spouses and dependent children may become members. Dependant children are defined as being under the age of 18 or 23 if child is attending college. A person is qualified as a dependant as long as they live with the sponsor or receive child support from the sponsor. This would include step children and adopted children.
Allows member to be a recognized member of PAFRA, allows card holder to vote, hold positions, and participate in PAFRA activities (non rodeo functions, fund raising, gate pullers, concession workers, gate workers, crowd control) but not be a competitor in any event of rodeo.
The purpose of this membership is to allow an otherwise ineligible person to compete in the PAFRA. These sponsored members will be limited to no more than 20% of the total membership. The exact number of sponsored members is based solely on the percent of total membership and the amount of sponsored members will fluctuate. This member status requires a current member in good standing to sponsor him/her, this member’s rodeo conduct is a direct reflection on the sponsoring member and both card members will carry equal consequences as prescribed in the rule book.
A Star Membership is a non-participating member. It entitles you to the newsletter and to be on the mailing list. It is primarily used for people and associations conducting business or sponsorships with PAFRA.
B.Membership dues are set by the PAFRA Board of Directors and can be changed at any time following Board action.
C.Anyone under 18 years of age must have a release signed by parent or guardian and notarized before becoming a member.
D.Memberships can be taken by rodeo secretaries, a PAFRA Officer or Board member at rodeos. Prior members have to renew their membership no later than the beginning of the next season.
E.Memberships Dues (Includes a subscription to Rodeo News, the new bi-monthly PAFRA newsletter.):
a.Individual: $80.00 for the 2008 season.
b.Family: $115.00 for the 2008 Season.
2.Associate: $55.00 for the 2008 season
3.Sponsored: $95.00 for the 2008 season.
4.Star: $35.00 for the 2008 season.
F.Membership dues are set by the PAFRA Board of Directors and can be changed at any time following Board action.
G.Membership applications and monies can be accepted by rodeo secretaries, a PAFRA Officer, Event director or Circuit Director at rodeos. Dues will be paid before the contestant competes in order for points to count. The rodeo Secretary will send the PAFRA Central Office the dues and new member's name and address.
H.Members who resign do not receive their dues back.
I.Reinstatement will be approved by the Board of Directors.
J.Members who resign, or memberships that are revoked or canceled during the current year, will not be permitted to join this association until the following year.
K.Members will receive a PAFRA Newsletter until first rodeo of the following year.
L.Any member qualifying for the PAFRA Finals must participate in at least (7) seven PAFRA sanctioned or co-sanctioned rodeos in each of his or her events, be ranked as a top 15 contestant in each of his/her events, and have successfully completed 2 runs/rides in each of his/her events. This rule is subject to waiver based on the best interest of the association in regards to providing adequate competitors for the World Finals Rodeo. The decision to waive this rule will be made by the board of directors.
II. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
A.General Membership meetings will be held at least one time during the year.
B.Time and place will be determined by the Board of Directors and published in the newsletter. The number of members necessary to constitute a valid membership quorum shall consist of ten (10) percent of the total membership.
C.At least 14 days notice of general membership meetings will be posted on the PAFRA webpage under the membership and finals links.
D.Special Board Meetings. Special board meetings may be called at any time and place by the President or by any six (6) members of the Board of Directors, upon not less than 14 days notice as provided above.
E.All official meetings and functions of this Association shall be governed by Robert's Rule of Order, except in those cases in which Robert's Rule of Order are in conflict with the constitution, by-laws, or rules of the Association.
F.By-Laws and Articles of organization may be amended by a motion being proposed, seconded and submitted to the President. The President may call a vote and the Secretary will execute the vote via webpage submission or at the appropriate time during any general membership meeting. All internet amendments must have a voting period of at least seven days.
III. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the PROFESSIONAL ARMED FORCES RODEO ASSOCIATION shall begin on the first day after the PAFRA World Finals Rodeo and the last day shall be a date determined yearly by the Board of Directors. This date will be established to provide the Board of Directors to allow sufficient time for the board of Directors to finalize standings and qualifications of competitors for the World Finals Rodeo.
IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A.PRESIDENT
The president shall preside at all meetings of the PAFRA and the Board of Directors. It is the duty of the President to call the meeting to order at the appointed time; to preside at all meetings; to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order; to state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly; to preserve order and decorum; and to decide all questions properly brought before the assembly to preserve order and decorum; and to decide all questions of order. In the event of a tie, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. The President, assisted by the Vice President shall submit in January of each calendar year a budget to the Board of Directors for approval.
B.VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President shall assist the President as needed and assume all duties of the President in his absence. He shall sit in on all board meetings and shall have a vote as one of the Directors.
C.TREASURER
The Treasurer will receive all funds and issue all expenditures for the association. The Treasurer will receive a copy of the yearly budget from the President. The Treasurer will maintain a copy of the approved yearly budget of the association and provide monthly updates to the President, Vice President and Secretary as to the status of said budget. This monthly update will include, but is not limited to, monthly receipts and expenditures, balance of funds, both allocated and non-allocated. The Treasurer will provide a quarterly report to the Board of Directors on the status of the budget containing the same minimum requirements.
D.SECRETARY
The Secretary will maintain the Association webpage in its entirety unless a webpage administrator has been identified. This includes all updating of the officers, positions and contact information. The Secretary will receive the electronic copies of the ARRs and scheduling requests for the association. The Secretary will maintain the Standings and Scheduling page and will update these two areas as often as needed, but at a minimum weekly. The Standings and Schedule page will have a banner at the top of the page listing the date of the last change. The posting of points will be accomplished in the following manner: Electronic copy of ARR received via email as outlined in Rodeo Rules, Para. B, Subpara. 4.
E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall have supervision over the business and affairs of the Organization with the power to make, adopt, alter or amend the by-laws thereof. The Board of Directors will consist of the President (tie breaking vote), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer (one vote each), and Circuit Directors shall have one vote. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, 75% of the Circuit Directors and 3 of the Officers shall constitute a quorum. . Each Circuit Director will be appointed by the officers of the PAFRA. All Officers and Board of Directors shall attend a majority of meetings and cannot miss more than two (2) consecutive meetings (unless of an emergency in which case the Board shall be notified). The Board will then replace the delinquent officer or Director by appointing a temporary officer or Director until a special general membership meeting can be held to elect a replacement for the remainder of the term. If a member holds 2 positions the member only has one vote. If the President has more than one position, the President is only the tiebreaker. Rodeo Event Committee. This committee shall have the supervision over the rodeo rules and rules for each event. The REC will consist of the Vice President and the Event Directors. The Event Directors shall consist of eight (8) members, one (1) chosen from each of the following active events: Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling/Chute Dogging, Team Roping, Girls Breakaway Roping, and Girls Barrel Racing. The Circuit Directors will also be part of the Board of Directors. The Vice President will have a tie breaking vote and each Event Director will have one vote each. The committee has the power to amend, alter and change Section XVII, EVENT RULES AND JUDGING GUIDELINES, Item C-P; this committee will vote in whole on separate event topics. Any measures passed by this Committee will be presented to the Secretary by the Vice President for incorporation into the rule book. In addition Each Event Director will be responsible for his/her Event. The Event Director will contact all event members of said event to vote on any changes of that event. A Quorum will be 50% of the members registered in that event and a motion will pass with 2/3ds approval from said quorum. Each Event Director will submit any event rule changes, with the approval documentation to the Secretary for incorporation into the rulebook. No Event rules will be changed during the rodeo season.
V. ELIGILBILITY FOR OFFICERS, CIRCUIT DIRECTORS, AND EVENT DIRECTORS
A.PRESIDENT
1.Must be a member in good standing for one (1) year.
2.Term will last two (2) years with reelections on the odd year. Next election to be held at 2008 Finals for the 2009 season.
B.VICE-PRESIDENT
1.Must be member in good standing for one (1) year.
2.Term will last two (2) years with reelections on the even year. Next election to be held at 2009 Finals for the 2010 season.
C.SECRETARY
1.Must be member in good standing for one (1) year.
2.Term will last two (2) years with reelections on the even year. Next election to be held at 2009 Finals for the 2010 season.
D.TREASURER
1.Must be member in good standing for one (1) year.
2.Term will last two (2) years with reelections on the odd year. Next election to be held at 2008 Finals for the 2009 season.
E.EVENT DIRECTORS
1.Must be a member in good standing for one (1) year.
2.Must be an active participant in the event for which he/she is nominated, left to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
F.CIRCUIT DIRECTORS
1.Must be a member at the time of election.
2.Elections will be held on the circuit level.
3.Term will be for 2 years.
G.Any member holding a position listed above, who loses an election may return to run for the position the following year, or election period for the position.
VI. ELECTION PROCEDURES
A.The general membership will elect the officers of the association and event directors. Circuit directors will be appointed by the officers of the PAFRA.
B.Nominations for officers and Event Directors will be made at the last general membership meeting of each year. Nominations will be made publicly during the meeting. Nominees will state his acceptance or rejection at time of nomination.
C.Elections will be conducted during the general membership meeting at the World Finals Rodeo.
VII. UNAPPROVED CONDUCT
Any member or non-member will be subject to a fine, declared ineligible, or both for any of the following offenses:
A.Failure to abide by or disobedience to the Articles of organization, By-Laws and the PAFRA Rule Book.
B.Non-payment of entrance fees: Any contestant turned into the PAFRA office for non-payment of entry fees and found guilty as charged will pay: 1st offense- $25.00 plus original entry fee and is ineligible to enter any further events until money is paid in by Certified Check or Money Order to the Secretary; 2nd offense-$50.00 plus fees - Same as above; 3rd offense- INELIGIBLE TO ENTER THEREAFTER.
C.Quarreling or fighting at any PAFRA function.
D.Attempting to fix, threaten, bribe, influence or harass any PAFRA Rodeo Secretary, Director, Spokesman, Stock Contractor, Official of the PAFRA, or Judges at any time, in or out of the arena, or talking with a Judge or Timer, while an event is in progress. Violators of this rule shall be fined; 1st offense-$50.00; 2nd offense-$100.00. Fine subject to the Judge, Secretaries, or Board of Directors discretion.
E.Conduct, speech, appearance detrimental to the best interest of the PAFRA or the sport of rodeo.
F.Falsifying points, rodeo results, locations, dates, or rookie status. PAFRA will maintain a zero tolerance policy and ban any member found guilty of such conduct permanently.
G.All contestants found guilty by the Board of any of the above offenses will be subject to a penalty.
VIII. DRESS CODE
Contestant must wear cowboy hat, boots, jeans and long sleeved shirt in the arena during the performance (including slack). You must be in the proper attire one hour before the performance until complete. Arena is defined as the arena, chute areas, crows nest, Secretary Area and the spectator viewing area. You will check in with the Secretary and pay your entries in the appropriate dress. Clothing must be clean and serviceable, free of tears and rips at the start of the rodeo. Competitors may be out of proper attire while in the contestant hold area, i.e. Parking lot. There is a $25.00 fine if an infraction is determined by the arena director or judge or PAFRA BOD.
IX. RULE INFRACTION LIST
A.The Rodeo Secretary will be notified of any infraction-listed member by the PAFRA Secretary. An infraction-listed member will have his or her points withdrawn from time of the infraction to the time he/she is reinstated. The member will be notified by mail by the PAFRA office.
B.PAFRA shall keep an up-to-date rule infraction list of members and non-members who have committed infractions of any of the above rules.
C.The PAFRA will honor any other Associations "Cannot Enter List". This list will consist of repeated unapproved conduct and will be exchanged among Association secretaries. Persons on this list will not be allowed to enter PAFRA sanctioned rodeos until restitution is made to the reporting Association.
D.All fines will be paid in cash, money order or by using Pay Pal only. Contestants may not participate in any PAFRA sanctioned function until the fines are paid in full to the Secretary.
E.All fines must be paid within 30 days from the time the fine was imposed. If the fine is not paid within the 30 days the amount of the fine will double. If not paid by December 31st of that rodeo year, the member may be suspended from the PAFRA up to 5 years as a member or non-member. (Ineligible to compete in any PAFRA function. Entry fees are also defined as a fine.)
F.Any member involved in fraudulent reporting of points, rodeo results, or rookie status will be permanently banned from the association, stripped of all titles and awards and be placed on any other associations "Cannot Enter List". The rightful winner shall be named and awarded accordingly.
X. LIABILITY
A.Financial liability: No member, officer, director, employee, agent, or attorney shall be personally responsible or liable for any debts, cost or judgments imposed upon or against or incurred by the PAFRA.
B.Injury of members: the Association assumes no responsibility for injury or damage to the person, property or stock of any owner, contestant or assistant. Each participant by the act of paying their membership dues waives all claims against the Association for injuries they or their property may sustain.
XI. PERSONNEL DUTIES
A.Association Secretary
1.Keep the minutes of the meeting
2.Take the roll call and mark the absentees at board meetings.
3.Read important correspondence.
4.Record the proceedings, not the debate.
5.Record the name of the member who introduced a motion.
6.Notify committees of their appointments and business.
7.Take charge of all documents of the Association when requested.
B.Treasurer
1.Receive and bank all monies due the Association.
2.Keep bookkeeping records of such funds.
3.Pay bills from officers and committee members only when clearly authorized and when receipts for expenditures are attached.
4.Disburse all monies as the Association may direct.
5.Give a statement of finances as often as required.
6.Give a complete financial report which has been audited by the Board of Directors at annual meetings.
7.Other duties as directed by the Board of Directors
C.Rodeo Coordinator – The Board of Directors may hire a Rodeo Coordinator to be reviewed annually.
1.Work and coordinate with Rodeo Committees.
2.Develop and organize Rodeo productions produced by the PAFRA.
3.Seek and coordinate advertisements, donations, and sponsorships.
4.Other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
D.Judging Coordinator - The Board of Directors may hire a Judging Coordinator.
1.To select and coordinate Rodeo Judges.
2.To be reviewed annually.
E.Arena Director - The Board of Directors may hire an Arena Director to coordinate and organize the PAFRA Membership Drive and PAFRA Finals Rodeos. To be reviewed annually.
XII. BOOKS AND RECORDS
The organization shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, Board of Directors, Committee having and exercising any of the authority of the Board of Directors and shall keep at the principal office of record giving the names land addressed of the members entitled to vote. All books and records of the organization may be inspected by any member or their agent of attorney for any proper purpose at any reasonable time. Financial books will be audited annually. The Organization shall have and use an official seal.
XIII. ADOPTION AND CERTIFICATION OF BY-LAWS
We the undersigned, being a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association, do hereby certify that the foregoing by-laws were unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Organization.
XIV. ASSOCIATION RULES
A.GENERAL STATEMENTS
1.The Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association provides its own association rules for rodeo contests and will insist the rodeo management adhere to them. Any exceptions shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
2.Discrimination of any kind against any Association member in good standing will not be permitted.
B.SANCTION RULES
1.All stock contractors are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
2.All rodeo committees MUST have proof of liability insurance. The PAFRA and the Stock Contractor shall be covered by this policy, relieving the PAFRA and contractors of any liability.
3.All PAFRA sanctioned rodeos will have limited entries due to animal availability of the stock contractor.
4.Panels must be set across all open areas during Rough Stock events.
5.Any contestant entered in a PAFRA rodeo shall be admitted free to all performances and slack unless other arrangements have been made by the Board of Directors. This is subject to change due to rules set by co-sanctioned committees.
6.Minimum fees required for each event are: Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Calf roping, Steer Wrestling/Chute Doggin' - $50.00; Team Roping - $100.00 per team; Girls Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing - $50.00. Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.
7.All entry fees must be paid prior to start of rodeo, which should begin at designated time.
C.GENERAL RULES FOR ALL MEMBERS
1.Year end awards will be decided by the point system. If a team roper is allowed to enter twice and places twice at any single rodeo, only points for highest placing shall be counted toward the season's All-Around Awards.
2.All PAFRA members shall read and know the Rules and By-Laws of this Association. Failure to know the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.
3.Rodeo stock must not be used for jackpots during the course of the rodeo.
4.The decisions of any judges, flagmen, or timers will be final and no protest by contestants will be permitted.
5.If the arena Secretary does not have a contestant on the typed list or does not have a receipt for that person, he/she will not be allowed to compete.
D.DEVELOPING CIRCUITS
1.Any area desiring to develop a circuit within PAFRA must meet the following criteria.
a.Be an undeveloped area (No PAFRA circuit in the area).
b.Have at least 25 competing members on the books prior to a motion to create said circuit.
c.If the new area lies within the boundaries of a PAFRA circuit, a boundary line must be established in that circuit and each side of the line must have 25 competing members on the books prior to a motion to divide the existing circuit being made.
2.The area to be developed or divided must have co sanctioning rights with other associations or stock contractors willing to develop the area.
3.Any new circuit failing to have 8 rodeos the first season will be dissolved, unless a petition is made by that circuit to the board of directors prior to the world finals rodeo at the end of the current season. The BOD may grant a one year waiver to the circuit if an acceptable plan for the next season is pending or elect to dissolve the circuit.
4.If an existing circuit falls below 5 competitors, that circuit will be dissolved and those competitors will fall under a new circuit.
