The 1st Quarter 2003 Board Meeting took place online between February 3, 2003 and February 28, 2003. There was a general discussion regarding the NFSS producing a Junior Award, an award that local clubs could purchase and award to junior exhibitors. By NFSS definition, a junior is an exhibitor who is 16 years or younger. Following this was a lengthy discussion on producing an NFSS Youth Program, under the direction of the 1st Vice-President, that might be promoted through 4H, FFA, schools, Boy Scouts of America, etc. The motivation behind the Youth Program would be to reach out to youth and expose them to aviculture, thereby gaining their interest in the keeping and exhibition of Finches/Softbills. 

Russell Kingston, notable Australian Aviculturalist had accepted NFSS president Sally Huntington's invitation to speak on NFSS's behalf at the AFA annual meeting which was scheduled for California. However, because of Newcastle fears, AFA has moved its annual meeting to San Antonio TX. The additional transportation costs for the Texas extension for Mr. Kingston's tip ($2000) appears prohibitive at this time. We are saddened by these ever-increasing impacts of this Newcastle virus.

Darla Dandre and Patrick Vance, chair-members of the 2004 NFSS Election Committee, report that there is at least one person running for every position on the NFSS Board of Directors with the exception of Executive Secretary. Any NFSS member interested in running for this position, or members with questions regarding this position, are encouraged to contact Patrick Vance at spartanfinchman@cs.com 

Another discussion took place regarding the purchase of new software for the editing of the NFSS Journal. Though not finalized at this point, the software would be state-of-the-art and would be available to NFSS, as a not-for-profit organization, at a great savings. 

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Motions:

Motion 2003-01: Motion by Martie Lauster, seconded by Armando Lee that we pursue appointing someone - or a committee - to look into the feasibility of producing an NFSS Youth Program curriculum that might be promoted through the 4-H, FFA, schools, etc. If approved by the Board, this activity would fall under the NFSS 1st VP - Education Department. 

Vote: YES: 8 NO: 2 PASSED

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Motion 2003-02: Motion by Martie Lauster, seconded by Jim Felix, that the NFSS purchase Quark Software for editing the NFSS Journal at the cost of $500.00. Actual purchase to be made at a later date on final recommendation of 2nd VP, Harry Bryant & the Journal Editor, Martie Lauster. This recommendation will be brought to the board no later than the 2nd Qtr, 2003, Board Mtg. 

Vote: YES: 10 NO: 0 PASSED

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Respectfully submitted, Patrick Vance, NFSS Executive Secretary

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1st Qtr. 2003 NFSS Officers Reports

1st Vice President (Regional VP's, Education), Armando Lee

No report from the 1st V.P. Reports from the Regions 2 & 6 V.P.'s included here, no report from the other regions.

Armando J. Lee,
NFSS 1st Vice President

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Region 2 Vice President, Ron Castaner, Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN)

The only thing to report, I was able to get Treasure Coast Exotic Bird Club, located in Stuart, Florida to affiliate with the NFSS.

Doing a class on finches and their care for the club members Sunday February 23, 2003, bringing my hand raise and tame Diamond sparrow for them to see. The class will be on nesting, Genetics, care and hand feeding.

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Region 6 Vice President, Vince Huntington (Pacific Coast (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA)

From California

1. ENDS leads the day to day aviculture scene. To the best of my knowledge, all southern California bird clubs have suspended regular and general meetings in order to prevent transmitting ENDS disease among memberships. San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park have closed their walk-in avian flights to the public. Central and Northern California continue avian activities as before, however, with some cautions, such as: watching where they go, feed stores, pet marts, flea markets, etc, to be aware of what you might be bringing back to your birds on feet, on bags, boxes, etc. Further, no shipping of birds is permitted by any method, air, train, auto, UPS, POSTAL, etc. from within California.

2. It was refreshing to see a strong negative response by NFSS members when some bird breeders used the e mail and Internet to openly discuss ways to 'go around' federal and state laws on preventing the potential spread of ENDS. The overall feeling here is, 'do the best we can to work within the state and federal system which appears to be trying very hard to control the disease.'

Vince Huntington,
VP-NFSS Region Six.

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2nd Vice President (Publications, Legislative Director), Harry Bryant

Publications Update - NFSS website

PayPal Shopping Cart technology has now been implemented thru-out the NFSS website, with all orders being handled automatically.

Day-to-day updates have been turned over to Myra Markley, which frees me up to work on long range planning and other projects.

Legislative Update

Proposed legislation that would affect bird-owners, the "END" crisis out west, and the never-ending assault on aviculture by the "animal-rights" groups keep me occupied - updates on all of these matters can be found on the "Legislative" pages of the NFSS website.

Regards,
Harry Bryant,
NFSS 2nd Vice President & Legislative Director

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3rd Vice President (NFSS Finch/Softbill Save Program, Census Mgr.), Kerri McCoy

The FSS program has added one new membership since 4th quarter. The first FSS newsletter was mailed at the end of December and was well received by the FSS membership. Work has begun for the 2nd newsletter to be published in March of 2003.

I am in the process of inputting the data received from the NFSS census forms. I am notifying the membership in writing in the March/April issue of the Journal that the census deadline will be May 1. We anticipate publishing the results of the census in the May/June issue of the Journal. 

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Membership Director, Martie Lauster

Our membership continues to increase. This report reflects a 6.9% increase during the 1st quarter, 2003. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our many new members - as well as appreciation to our renewing members. The following is a report of the actual numbers ("Dual" are second names on Dual Memberships):

Region	# Memberships	Dual Members	Total Members
1	156	14	170
2	141	19	160
3	158	20	178
4	62	14	76
5	35	3	38
6	128	19	147
7	11	0	11
8	12	0	12
TOTAL	704	89	793

Respectfully submitted,
Martie Lauster, NFSS Membership Director

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Treasurer's Report, Mark Phelps

Financial Report for the period 1/1/03 - 2/19/03:

CASH IN ACCOUNTS:

Total Cash in Accounts - $24,393.09 Total Income - $6,150.27 (39,305.00 Budget) Total Expenses - $5,462.23 (40,058.00 Budget) Total Gain/Loss - $688.04 (-753.00 Budget)

The numbers shown in parenthesis are the budget figures for 2003.

Speaking of the 2003 Budget...

Listed below is the approved budget for the calendar year 2003 that shows that we are planning on having a loss of $753.00 this year. The board approved the additional costs of the "new and improved" Journal along with other programs that have caused this planned loss. This deficit will be easily covered by the amount that we now have in savings. These savings are a result of aggressive cost cutting and the frugality of the last few years. Because the society's finances are now in order, we will be able to provide more and better services to the membership.

Part of the reason we had such a large gain in 2002 was because the billing for the printing of the Nov/Dec Journal was not received until January of this year. This means that $3,100.62 that should have been paid last year, was paid this year. We have to keep this in mind when comparing our actual income and expenses for 2003 against this new budget.

2003 BUDGET
INCOME:
Band Sales	6,500.00
Membership Sales	22,095.00
FinchShop	4,950.00
Affiliations	1,500.00
4th VP/ Judges Panel	260.00
Journal	1,500.00
Awards	2,500.00
Finch/Softbill Save	0.00
Advertising	0.00
Misc	0.00
Total Income:	39,305.00
EXPENSES:
Bands	6,163.00
Membership	1,084.00
FinchShop	3,706.00
Affiliations	350.00
4th VP/ Judges Panel	175.00
Journal	22,600.00
Awards	2,500.00
Materials	2,200.00
Postage	250.00
Misc.	50.00
Finch/ Softbill Save	200.00
Advertising	750.00
Misc Expense	2,530.00
Total Exp:	40,058.00
Net Loss:	753.00

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Phelps, NFSS Treasurer

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Liason Officer Report, Ginny Allen

Re-affiliation packets were mailed to 2001 and 2002 clubs the 2nd week of January. To date (Feb.23) there are 24 clubs who have affiliated for 2003. Upon affiliating, each club is sent an affiliated club packet which includes a NFSS brochure, FinchShop catalog, information list of safe/toxic plants, membership applications, and a personal letter.

I continue to receive inquiries by both email and telephone. Affiliation packets are sent when requested.

Ginny Allen, NFSS Liaison Officer

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Band Secretary Report as of 2/19/03

Closed Metal Band Sales (by each string)
December, 2002 A 25 B 32 C 62 D 601 E 128 G 6 J 6 K 42 L 16 M 0 R 0 T 0	January, 2003 A 12 B 14 C 30 D 0 E 39 G 10 J 5 K 0 L 3 M 0 R 3 T 1	February, 2003 A 10 B 16 C 24 D 428 E 154 G 2 J 1 K 20 L 8 M 1 R 0 T 0

2nd half of 2003 order for closed bands from our present supplier rec'd 2/18/03-$1,911.00 with S&H.

Last revision of the band order form has definitely increased split plastic band sales.

Split Plastic Band Sales (by string)
December, 2002 (Sales $1882.43)
Size XF red 7 white 4 dark blue 4 light blue 0 dark green 0 light green 10 orange 3 yellow 6 pink 5 purple 4 black 0	Size XCS red 0 white 1 dark blue 1 light blue 0 dark green 0 light green 1 orange 0 yellow 0 pink 0 purple 0 black 0
January, 2003 (Sales $2181.65)
Size XF red 7 white 7 dark blue 4 light blue 13 dark green 0 light green 5 orange 6 yellow 6 pink 4 purple 9 black 3	Size XCS red 0 white 0 dark blue 1 light blue 0 dark green 1 light green 0 orange 0 yellow 0 pink 0 purple 0 black 0	Size XCL 1 7 white 1 dark blue 1 light blue 0 dark green 1 light green 2 orange 1 yellow 2 pink 1 purple 3 black 1	Size XB red 0 white 0 dark blue 1 light blue 0 dark green 0 light green 1 orange 0 yellow 0 pink 0 purple 0 black 0
February, 2003 (Sales $790.30)
Size XF red 8 white 5 dark blue 5 light blue 4 dark green 4 light green 2 orange 3 yellow 7 pink 8 purple 1 black 8	Size XCS red 0 white 0 dark blue 0 light blue 3 dark green 0 light green 0 orange 0 yellow 5 pink 0 purple 5 black 0	Size XB red 3 white 2 dark blue 2 light blue 2 dark green 1 light green 1 orange 0 yellow 1 pink 0 purple 0 black 0	Size X3 red 2 white 2 dark blue 2 light blue 1 dark green 0 light green 1 orange 0 yellow 0 pink 0 purple 0 black 0

New Insurance rates have been revised and email addresses are now being requested for members to include on the band order form. This will help with avoiding my phone calls to members.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Hansen, NFSS Band Secretary

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NFSS Editor's Report, Martie Lauster

I'd like to extend our sincere appreciation to those who have so graciously taken the time and energy to contribute the articles, photographs, and ideas that continue to enhance our Journal.

I have concentrated efforts during this quarter in gaining more advertisers to help support the high cost of our publication and have met with some success. This success is solely due to the advice and counsel of Roy Beckham - who has tirelessly educated me in the "ways of the advertising world". Thanks to Roy, I am sending a very professional-looking, complete package to potential advertisers with an offering of a high quality, fairly priced product. While negotiations are still under way - there are six new full-page ads scheduled for the Mar/Apr issue. This effort will continue throughout this year.

Respectfully submitted,
Martie Lauster, NFSS Journal Editor 

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REPORT OF NFSS 2001 FINANCIAL AUDIT

An audit of the 2001 financial records of the National Finch and Softbill Society has been conducted by two members of the NFSS Board, Armando Lee and Martha Wigmore, as appointed by NFSS President Sally Huntington, and in accordance with the NFSS Bylaws. This Report of the results of our audit, conducted separately in October and November 2002 and compiled by e-mail correspondence, is submitted today for review by the NFSS Board. Questions raised about particular transactions have been resolved to our satisfaction. We have made some recommendations to the President and Treasurer in regards to 2002 and 2003 financial controls and record-keeping, which have been acknowledged and implemented.

Both Mr. Lee and Ms. Wigmore would like to emphasize that we found all 2001 records compiled by then-NFSS Treasurer Bobbi Keenan complete and well-organized, all bank statements present, all NFSS payment and deposit transactions well documented and traceable (with the few exceptions as noted below). No questionable bank transactions were found.

As internal auditors, we found that to a tremendous extent, with only a few immaterial exceptions, every 2001 financial transaction has a clear audit trail. The Treasurer obtained appropriate approvals for all financial activities, and the financial systems in place in 2001 demonstrate excellent control, oversight, and proper accountability. We wish to commend Bobbi Keenan's efforts for NFSS as Treasurer.

Respectfully submitted,

Armando Lee, NFSS 1st Vice President

Martha Wigmore, NFSS 4th Vice President