The 4th Quarter Board Meeting was conducted online beginning October 27th and ending December 9th, 2003. The Board of Directors of the NFSS invited the 2004/05 officers to join the Officers' List during the 4th quarter meeting. The new officers joined the current board members in the discussions, adding their insights, thoughts, etc. to the discussions at hand. From their contributions online, it is obvious that the NFSS is in sound hands for the upcoming year. Discussions during the quarter concerned a multitude of topics, ranging from the NFSS offering family bands, whether they be striped or solid in color, a discussion on items for FinchShop including shirts and pins. The consensus was for FinchShop to purchase pins with the NFSS logo on it as well as shirts, whether polo or t-shirts, also with the NFSS logo. It was announced that Laraine McGinnis donated 4 "Nature's Jewels" posters to the NFSS. Ginny Allen reported that she continues to work on the NFSS by-law revisions, and will continue to do so into 2004. There was much discussion on the 2004 NFSS budget, with strong interest in working with as balanced a budget as possible. Further information will be made available with time. Finally, there was discussion on NFSS sanctioned shows and Regional Shows. The following motions were made and voted upon: 

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Motion 2003-06: Martie Lauster motioned that "in addition to single year memberships at $30/individual, $35/dual, we add offerings as follows:

• 3 years at $85/single $99/dual
• 5 years at $140/single $165/dual
• Lifetime at $1500/single $1740/dual"

The motion was seconded by Ginny Allen.
Motion Passed: 10 YES, 1 NO

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Motion 2003-07: Motion 2003-07 Motion by Martha Wigmore "shall the NFSS accept the NCBS selection of Armando Lee as judge for the Finch and Softbill Division at NCBS 2004? Seconded by Ron Castaner. 
Motion Passed: 11 YES

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Motion 2003-08: Motion 2003-08 Motion by Martha Wigmore "Shall Laura Tinker be accepted to the NFSS Panel of Judges? Motion seconded by Martie Lauster. 
Motion Passed: 10 YES, 1 ABSTAINED

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Motion 2003-09: Motion 2003-09 Motion by Mark Phelps to accept the final draft of the 2004 budget, seconded by Martie Lauster. 
Motion Passed: 11 YES

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Respectfully submitted, 
Patrick Vance, NFSS Executive Secretary

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4th Qtr. 2003 NFSS Officers Reports

Membership Report

The following is the 4th Quarter, 2003, NFSS Membership Report:

Region	# Memberships	Dual Members	Total Members
1	147	17	164
2	145	23	168
3	149	19	168
4	70	15	85
5	35	3	38
6	133	18	151
7	9	0	9
8	9	0	9
TOTAL	697	95	792

These numbers reflect a modest increase of approximately 7%.

Respectfully submitted, 
Martie Lauster, NFSS Membership Director 

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FinchShop Report

Greetings, all. FinchShop sales continue at a steady pace. So far this year, the most popular items have been nestbox kits, CDs, note cards, nets, and Journal back issues. This past quarter videos have also been popular. Region I VP, Chris Fairchild, offered to investigate the cost of putting the Finch Husbandry video on DVD, something he has the equipment to do. More on that later.

The Baltimore Bird Fanciers Show & Mart in October was not a money-maker for us this year, but we broke even on the cost of the space due in large part to some private donations. However, one new member was signed up at the show.

As I review current inventory levels and prepare to do some purchasing for 2004, I will be investigating the cost of having some T-shirts silk-screened with the NFSS logo. Also, stock of gouldian pins is very low and I need to see if I can find a source for reproducing those at reasonable cost.

Respectfully submitted,
Sue Haberkorn, FinchShop Manager

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Treasurers Report

Again I start my report with apologies...

My business and personal lives, compounded by this being the middle of show season, has again interfered with my taking care of NFSS affairs in a timely fashion. I apologize to anyone affected by the slow processing of checks (hopefully none by more than a week), but also to the membership as a whole, as the 2004 budget and the 2002 audit are not complete by the assigned time of the 4th quarter board meeting. I assure you that both are in process and will be complete by the beginning of 2004.

Financially, things are as expected, other than the cost of the Census, which was not budgeted for in the 2003 budget. Not to worry, we had enough money to easily cover this additional expense.

For the Period 1/1/03 - 11/16/03:

CASH IN ACCOUNTS:

Cash in Accounts - $20,069.54 Income - $34,285.57 ($39,305.00 Budget) Expenses - $37,675.62 ($41,598.75 Budget) Total Loss - $3,390.05 ($2,293.75 Budget)

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Phelps, NFSS Treasurer

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Band Report

2003 Band Sales last 3 months: (November contains some 2004 orders too!)

Sept 2003:	13 mail-ins/19 pay pal	Sales: $349.70
Oct. 2003:	13 mail-ins/11 pay pal	Sales: $614.55
Nov. 2003: (as of 11/16/03)	17 mail-ins/13 pay pal	Sales: $1,815.60

Respectfully Submitted,
Paula Hansen, NFSS Band Secretary

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NFSS 2004 Budget
Submitted by Mark Phelps, NFSS Treasurer

INCOME:
Band Sales	10,271.00
Membership Sales	24,095.00
FinchShop	2,750.00
(Sales) (Shipping)	2,200.00 550.00
Affiliations	1,250.00
4th VP/ Judges Panel	250.00
Journal	2,500.00
Awards	2,500.00
Finch/Softbill Save	150.00
Advertising	0.00
1st VP/ Region VP's	0.00
Misc	1,315.00
Treasurer	15.00
NCBS	900.00
AFA	0.00
A of A	400.00
GABS	0.00
Total Income:	45,081.00
EXPENSES:
Bands	9,260.00
Paypal Materials Postage Misc.	134.00 7,789.00 1,061.00 276.00
Membership total:	1,084.00
Paypal Materials Postage	282.00 235.00 567.00
FinchShop total:	1731.00
Paypal Materials Postage  Misc.	61.00 850.00 550.00 270.00
Affiliations	325.00
Materials	195.00
Postage	130.00
4th VP/ Judges Panel	175.00
Journal	27,000.00
Printing	16,000.00
Salary	1,200.00
Materials	75.0075.00
Postage	7,425.00
Freight	200.00
Mailing Svc	2,100.00
Awards	2,500.00
Materials	2,200.00
Postage	250.00
Misc.	50.00
Finch/ Softbill Save	200.00
Materials	150.00
Postage	50.00
Advertising	475.00
1st VP/ Region VP's	1,000.00
Misc Expense	1,675.00
Treasurer	75.00
NCBS	400.00
AFA	400.00
A of A	400.00
GABS	400.00
Total Exp:	45,425.00
Net Loss:	344.00

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