4th Quarter, 2001 NFSS Board Meeting
The following are the results of the 4th Quarter Board Meeting.
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Tabled
The following two items were either a motion or a discussion item during the 4th quarter Board meeting and were tabled for future review.
- The inclusion of an Internet membership
- The elimination of the bulk mailing of bulletins and the raise of membership fees to cover the cost. **
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Vote Results
The following items are presented for vote
1. Shall NFSS create a class for the Timor Zebra within Section Four, the Indo-Pacific Finches Section under the group heading, "Finches of India"?
Passed. - ( Yes 10; No 1; Abstain 1; Did not vote 4)
2. Shall the group heading be changed from, "Finches of India" to "Finches of India and Indonesia"?
Passed. - ( Yes 10; No 2; Abstain 0; Did not vote 4)
3. Compromised Bird During NFSS Exhibition"
a. If/when a judge decides a bird's health is compromised, the correct
procedure is to direct the steward to remove the cage from the show area,
contact the owner or owner's representative, or other responsible person to
address the bird's compromise.b. At no time is the presiding judge to open a show cage during his/her judging.
c. At this time, it is the judges discretion to either wait for the problem to be resolved, return the bird to either class, section, or top bench and continue judging or to eliminate the bird from the days competition."
Shall the "Compromised Bird During NFSS Exhibition" become standard procedure for NFSS Panel Judges and show officials?
Passed. - ( Yes 10; No 1; Abstain 1; Did not vote 4)
4. Shall the 2002 calendar year budget be accepted for the National Finch and Softbill Society?
Passed. - (Yes 11; No 0; Abstain 1; Did not vote 4)
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Reports
4th Vice President
Office of the NFSS Fourth Vice-President, Fourth Quarter 2001 Report
Judges Panel Chairman, Standards, Points Manager and Research
Steve HoppinTimor Zebra Finch Classification Committee
The Timor Zebra Finch Classification Committee including NFSS Panel Judges Julie Duimstra - Chair, Paul Williams and Cecil Gunby have been working on a proposal for proper entry of the Timor Zebra within the NFSS Classifications. The committee's final proposal was received by this office and submitted to the NFSS Board for review, consideration and vote.
The Bird Safety CommitteeIn February, 2001 NFSS Judges Panel Director Steve Hoppin formed the Bird Safety Committee to review and recommend procedure for show officials encountering a compromised finch or softbill entered in the NFSS Division. The initial committee consisted of Sally Huntington - Chair and Dale Laird. Ms. Julie Duimstra was invited to participate by committee chair. The committee recommendation was received by this office and submitted to the NFSS Board for review, consideration and vote.
NFSS Pairs Standard CommitteeThe NFSS Pairs Standard Committee concluded its work this summer with the submission to the NFSS Board of Directors the proposed NFSS Pairs Standard. The NFSS Pairs Standard met the Board's approval and is now considered official. NFSS can feel confident that the resulting Official NFSS Pairs Standard will be a powerful tool in the critical evaluation of our finches and softbills - in our birdrooms, in the marketplace, or at the show. Many thanks to Martha Wigmore, NFSS Panel Judge, for a fine job as Committee Chair and to the NFSS Panel Judges that participated in this important project. May I present you........
"The NFSS Official Pairs Standard"An ideal exhibition pair is a true pair and as closely matched as possible. A true pair will be a cock and a hen of the same species or sub-species, although it is recognized that in species that are not dimorphic the distinction between sexes may not be readily evident while the pair is being judged. It will be the Judge's discretion as to assigning pair status, but pair status will not be withheld with prejudice. Each bird of the exhibition pair will be judged according to the NFSS standard, and ideally the pair will be closely matched except for gender differences, in conformation, condition, color and markings. Both birds will be of the same mutation, i.e. same color mutation, both crested, or both non-crested, etc. In terms of deportment, the ideal pair will show similar and complementary demeanor in the show cage, both birds confident, alert and displaying characteristic pair behavior.
NFSS Panel Judge recommendations for 2002
National Cage Bird Show, Santa Clara, CAThe NFSS Board has selected Mr. Cecil Gunby of Georgia, Mr. Dale Laird of Florida, and Mr. Armando Lee for judging consideration for the 2002 NCBS in Santa Clara, CA.. These NFSS Panel Judges will be the Official NFSS Panel Judge Nominations presented to the NCBS Board at the General Meeting in Manchester, NH, November 17, 2001.
NFSS Apprentice Judge Program
This office is pleased to announce NFSS Apprentice Judge, Mrs. Jerri Wiesenfeld of Jacksonville, FL has passed the NFSS Apprentice Test and successfully completed her first apprenticeship under NFSS Panel Judge Mr. Dale Laird. Jerri is a breeder and exhibitor of fine quality Java Rice Finches, English Zebras, Society Finches and other exotic finches. She brings to the NFSS Apprentice Program much enthusiasm and looks forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with other interested parties.
NFSS Panel Judge Retiring
On a sad note, Mr. William Parlee, NFSS Panel Judge and founder NFSS, will be retiring his judgeship with both NFSS and SPBE effective December 31, 2001. "During my career I have judged over 100 shows, and traveled extensively, met many people and made many friends. I've judged the US and Canadian National. Thinking back, I've even judged cockatiel and canary divisions. I don't take this decision lightly and make it with great anguish. I will miss my many friends and the camaraderie of all the other judges. I still love birds and finches in particular. I raise dozens of parrots every year in my store, but I just don't think it is appropriate for a judge to judge birds who has become so detached from exhibiting and breeding the birds he is judging. "
Bill will be dearly missed by his many friends in the hobby, including myself. His resignation was very hard for this office to accept however, we must respect his desire and wish him only the very best in his future endeavors.
NFSS Judges Panel Director / NFSS Board Member Retiring
After having served ten years on the NFSS Board of Directors, my last term of office on the NFSS Board comes to a close December 31, 2001. During my tenure I served the NFSS membership as SE Regional Vice President, President and Judges Panel Chairman. I have had the opportunity to develop many good friendships with NFSS members through my elected offices held with NFSS. Due to personal reasons I have drastically reduced my breeding stock consisting of multi-generation, parent reared and closed banded, domestic finches. Regardless of the numbers of birds being kept and bred, I plan to continue an active role as a NFSS Panel Judge. Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm in the hobby.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Hoppin********************************************
Band Secretary
To date, we have filled 285 band orders. We have ordered the 2002 bands and have already received the plastic open bands the board approved. Harry is working on adding the plastic bands to the website and the info has been sent to Steve to add to the bulletin. We may want to place an announcement in the bulletin that we now offer open plastic bands.
Carol Heesen
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Membership
- Single Membership 524
- Dual Membership 65
- Total Memberships 589
Eileen Laird
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Treasurer's Report
NFSS 2001 Budget (by Department)
PROJECTED Actual to PROJECTED 2001
Date 10/14 2001
Departments 2001 Budget
(Projected)Actual to Date
(10-14-01)2002 Budget
(Projected)JUDGES PANEL - 4th VP Income 260.00 $ 270.00 $ 270.00 $ 260.00 $ 270.00 Expenses $ 150.00 $ 0.00 $ 50.00 MEMBERSHIP Income $11,000.00 $11,350.00 $11,500.00 Expense $ 650.00 $ 556.00 $ 700.00 BULLETIN Ad income $ 143.00 $ 200.00 $ 400.00 Printing Expenses $10,400.00 $7,220.00 $10,000.00 Postage Expenses $ 1,600.00 $ 1,160.00 $ 1,400.00 Editors Fee $ 1,200.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,200.00 Supplies Expense $ 59.00 $ 75.00 TREASUER Interest income $ 100.00 $ 109.00 $ 120.00 CA Sales Tax $ 61.00 $ 100.00 Bank fees $ 20.00 $ 20.00 Tax preparation ? Treasurers Expense $ 75.00 $ 75.00 Paypal fees $ 68.00 $ 150.00 BAND SALES Band sales Income $ 7,085.00 $ 5,835.00 $ 6,500.00 Band purchase $ 4,650.00 $ 4,000.00 Band supplies exp/postage $ 220.00 $ 348.00 $ 450.00 AFFILIATIONS/AWARDS Affiliation Income $ 1,275.00 $ 1,189.00 $ 1,900.00 Awards Income $ 2,400.00 $ 1331.00 $ 1,500.00 Purchase awards $ 2,200.00 $ 1,404.00 $ 1,500.00 Regional Expenses $ 400.00 $ 89.00 $ 200.00 FINCHSHOP Sales income $ 1,000.00 $ 75.00 $ 1,000.00 Purchase products $ 500.00 $ 261.00 $ 500.00 Regular expenses $ 200.00 $ 107.00 $ 200.00 FINCHSHOP Expenses $ 200.00 $ 200.00 WEBSITE Expenses None None None 1st VICE PRESIDENT Income/Raffle $ 700.00 $ 430.00 $ 500.00 Expenses None None None EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Expenses $ 100.00 $ 100.00 PRESIDENT AFA affiliation $ 125.00 $ 125.00 $ 125.00 AFA travel $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 National travel $ 400.00 $ 400.00 Expenses $ 100.00 $ 100.00 MISCELLANEOUS NCBS Auction Income $ 1,500.00 NCBS Auction Donations $ 70.00 Advertising Expenses $ 350.00 $ 75.00 $ 350.00 Champion bird $ 50.00 $ 50.00 GABS/NCBS ads $ 125.00 $ 125.00 Judges fees $ 800.00 $ 800.00 Total Income $25,730.00 $22168.00 $23,490.00 Total Expenses $24,915.00 $12933.00 $23,270.00 NET GAIN $815.00 $ 220.00
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Item (B) - Tabled for further review.
Bulk Mail from Steve Poe. - The elimination of the bulk mailing of bulletins and the raise of membership fees to cover the cost ( Please include Steve Poe in all discussion concerning the Bulk Mail issue.)
I am wondering what you think about this idea. No more bulk mail. Start phasing it out and when it gets low enough, bite the bullet and dump it. (Not sure what "low enough" is, but I could check with the Post Office.) The difference in cost to members is only $5 a year. The difference in our cost is $.60 an issue, or $3.60 a year. We would actually make about $1.40 extra per member per year. These are negligible costs in anyone's eyes and would eliminate a whole lot of headaches and possibly membership cancellations due to not getting their bulletin.
Current membership cost = $25
Basic Club Affiliation cost = $25
First class mailing on either = $30Using July 2001 figures as a typical mailing, we mailed 435 bulk and 136 1st class. This is roughly average, at least good enough as a ballpark figures. Cost to NFSS was $73.95 for bulk and $108.80 for first class, a total of $182.75. Multiply that times the six mailings a year, the total cost for mailing would be $1,096.50. Had we mailed everything first class, the total cost would have been $456.80 per issue or $2,740.80 for the year. Annual cost would be higher by ($2,740.80 - $1096.50) $1,644.30.
Currently the 435 members receiving bulk mail generated $10,875 for the year. By eliminating the bulk mail option, those same members would now generate $13,050, an increase of $2, 175, which will cover the previously mentioned cost increase of $1,644.30 with a remainder of $530.70, annually. Of course, the more members, the larger that number would be, since it is equivalent to $1.22 per member per year. Add in the annual cost of the bulk mail permit ($125) and the annual benefit climbs further.
The 136 members that are already first class, would generate the same amount of money that they do now, so there would be no change in revenues or expenditures for that segment.
Expected benefits to NFSS:
- $530+ a year in increased revenues after increased expenditures
- $125 annual cost of bulk mail permit converted to revenue.
- $100 cost every time bulk mail permit is moved (change of editors).
- Additional savings due to not having to re-send bulletins first class that were lost in bulk mail. Estimated cost is < $5 per issue currently.
- Fewer complaints about late or not received bulletins.
- Fewer members fail to renew membership because of not receiving their bulletin.
Downside:
- Possible some members would not renew if prices raised.
Last modified: April 08, 2007
Copyright © 1999 National Finch and Softbill Society