The NFSS 4th quarter 2004 board meeting was called to order on Monday, November 1, 2004. 

Discussions: 

2005 NCBS & GABS Judges: NFSS 4th Vice President, Martha Wigmore asked the board to consider naming the 2005 NCBS & GABS judges and voting on choices prior to the 2004 NCBS in Lansing. The vote was conducted and concluded on November 15. GABS Judge nominations: Dale Laird, Julie Duimstra, Cecil Gunby NCBS Judge Nominations: Julie Duimstra, Dale Laird, Martha Wigmore 

2005 NFSS Budget: NFSS Treasurer, Mark Phelps, informed the board that the figures submitted by each NFSS department showed that NFSS would realize a profit in 2004. As NFSS is a non-profit organization, the board began a discussion of budget revisions to reduce the amount of profit.

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Motion 2004-9: NFSS Treasurer, Mark Phelps, made a motion that the board accept the 2005 budget as listed below, with the stipulation that during the first quarter 2005 Board meeting it will be decided what to do with the excess profit of $2373.00.

INCOME
Bands: Bands - 15,000.00 Handling - 1,000.00  Insurance - 150.00 Total - 16,150.00	Journal: Advertising - 2,500.00	1st VP/Regional VP's: (none)
FinchShop: Sales- 3,250.00  Shipping - 750.00   Total - 4,000.00	Affiliations & Awards:  Affiliations - 1,250.00  Awards - 3,000.00  Total - 4,250.00	Advertising:  (none)
Membership: Dues- 23,770.00	4th VP/Judges Panel: Fees - 240.00	Misc: Savings Interest - 10.00
Afternoon of Aviculture Total - 1,210.00	Finch/Softbill Save: Dues- 150.00
TOTAL INCOME- 52,270.00

EXPENSES:
Bands: Bands - 11,000.00 Postage - 750.00  PayPal - 250.00 Misc. - 275.00 Total - 12,275.00	Membership: PayPal - 315.00 Materials - 235.00 Postage - 425.00 Total - 1,117.00	Affiliations & Awards: Awards - 2,500.00 Postage - 567.00 Misc. - 100.00 Total - 3,025.00
FinchShop: Item purchases - 1,400.00 Postage - 500.00 PayPal - 75.00 Misc. - 100.00 Total - 2,075.00	Journal:  Printing - 16,000.00 Editor's Fees - 1,200.00 Materials - 75.00 Postage - 7,425.00 Freight - 200.00 Mailing Service -2,100.00 Total - 27,000.00	Finch/Softbill Save: Materials - 150.00 Postage - 150.00 Total - 300.00
Advertising: Ads - $1,000.00	1st VP/Regional VP's:  Misc. - 1,000.00	4th VP/Judges Panel: Misc. - 200.00
Misc: Treasurer - 80.00 NCBS - 600.00 AFA - 525.00 Afternoon of Aviculture - 300.00 GABS- 400.00 Total - 1,905.00
TOTAL EXPENSES -  49,897.00
NET GAIN - 2,373.00

Motion Seconded by: Randy Taylor 

Motion Passed: 11 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-10: Zebra Finch Show Classifications 

NFSS Regional Vice President, Region 1, Chris Fairchild made a motion that a  committee be formed to look at the show classifications for the Zebra Finch. From the last show season there have been some concerns expressed with a few of the classifications for show entries. This will not include the standards - just the show classifications. 

Motion Seconded by: Patrick Vance 

Motion Passed: 8 Yes, 4 No, 0 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-11: Black Cheeked Zebra Finch Show Classification 

NFSS Regional Vice President, Region 6, Raspbery made a motion that the Black-Cheeked Zebra be separated to a class of its own. 

Motion Seconded by: Paula Hansen 

Motion Failed:3 Yes, 9 No, 0 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-12: Limitation on Judges Handbook Updates

NFSS 3rd Vice President, Randy Taylor made a motion that the NFSS Board of Directors limits future revisions/changes to the Judges Handbook (Standards) to once every two years during the third quarter of 'odd' years after careful research, discussion and approval so that any and all revisions shall be made to the written standard of perfection at one time. This revision work to follow the current process of making revisions and shall remain consistent with Article7, Paragraph Six of the NFSS By-Laws. 

Motion Seconded by: Armando Lee

Motion Passed: 7 Yes, 5 No, 0 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-13: Removal of Daren Decoteau from the NFSS Judges Panel 

NFSS 4th Vice President, Martha Wigmore made a motion: Shall NFSS Panel 
Judge Daren Decoteau be removed from NFSS Judges Panel? 

Motion Seconded by: Darla Dandre 

Motion Passed: 10 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-14: NFSS Liaison Officer, Darla Dandre, made a motion to close the discussion on  "Section Points" for this Quarter. 

Motion Seconded by: Armando Lee

Motion Passed: 10 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-15: NFSS Liaison Officer, Darla Dandre, made a motion to close the discussion of  "adding classes to the NFSS classifications" for this quarter.

Motion Seconded by: Armando Lee

Motion Passed: 10 Yes, 1 No, 0 Abstain 

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Motion 2004-16: NFSS Band Secretary, Paula Hansen, made motion that Martha Wigmore provide al the Board Members an electronic copy of the Judges Handbook as soon as possible. 

Motion Seconded by: Raspbery 

Motion Failed: 3 Yes, 9 No, 0 Abstain 

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4th Qtr. 2004 NFSS Officers Reports

Report of NFSS Fourth Vice President and NFSS Judges Panel Director 

NFSS Judges Panel:

There are currently 25 members of the NFSS Judges Panel. At present there are no Apprentices, although we have had several promising inquiries this fall. NFSS members are encouraged to consider growing through the NFSS Apprentice program, working toward becoming an NFSS Panel Judge. It's the "best seat in the house"! At the 4th Qtr 2004 Board meeting, the NFSS Board will consider the removal of one NFSS judge who has not judged for NFSS for five years  and has not indicated interest in continuing on the NFSS Judges Panel.

2004 Shows: 

NFSS judges have been invited to over 45 affiliated shows this year, and early results show large entries (over 120) at several shows. Most other shows remain strong, with many new exhibitors!  NFSS shows remain a tremendous source of information and inspiration to our hobby. Thank you to al the work you are doing in putting on bird shows! You are the best!

Standards:

The General Standard - The NFSS Board made some last minute comments about the proposed General Standard, and these proposed changes will go back to the membership for comment. Watch for it in an upcoming issue of "The NFSS Journal." 

The Society Finch Standard - Conversations about the newer European and Japanese Society Finches now seen in American bird rooms and on the show bench have been rich! The dedicated Society Finch Revision Committee, co-chaired by Julie Duimstra and Clarence Culwell has accomplished the arduous task of describing the color and markings of the newer varieties, and their work continues! The Committee will also be reviewing and considering conformation issues as apart of their proposed revision. At this time, the place to address your input and questions is to either Co-chair of this talented committee. Julie and Clarence's contact information is published in "The NFSS Journal" and on the NFSS website in the listing for NFSS Panel of Judges.

Procedure for Establishing Standards:

A Board member raised concerns about the method in which NFSS Standards are developed.  The essence of NFSS Standard development and revision lies in the hands of experienced and knowledgeable NFSS members. No one individual, faction, or even Board of Directors controls the directions of our Standard development. Every proposal put forth, prepared by a devoted group of volunteers with input from the NFSS Fourth Vice President (who is also the NFSS Judges Panel Director), is set before the entire NFSS membership for review and  comment. Every comment is considered in light of the experience and vision of each Standard Committee, which also includes several NFSS Panel Judges. Only after extensive and recurrent membership review, the NFSS Board signs off on a proposed Standard. It has been an outstanding process for NFSS, producing several educational and valuable Standards for our judges and fanciers. I urge that NFSS make no changes in  this area.

NFSS Champion Bird Award: 

A Board member relayed concerns about whether NFSS' Champion Bird award is too difficult to earn. By way of background, an NFSS Champion Bird is a banded bird that has accumulated 50 or more NFSS points in its lifetime. NFSS has had 12 Champion Birds as follows: 

1991:

Kris Kroner - 82 pts - Normal Java Rice Bird 
Tom Rood - 56 pts- Dilute Society Finch 
Tom Rood - 52 pts- Normal Zebra Finch 

1994:

Gene & June Miller - 61 pts - Fawn Diamond Sparrow 

1995:

Gene & June Miller - 67 pts - Yellow-rumped Diamond Sparrow 
Ellen Buchanan - 52 pts - Normal Shaftail 

1996: 

Jacky Civitarese - 52 pts- European Starling 
Dale & Eileen Laird - 57 pts - Persa Touraco 
Dale & Eileen Laird - 57 pts - Normal Java Rice Bird 
Patrick Vance - 56 pts- Cinnamon Java Rice Bird 

1997:

Carolyn Belisle - 52 pts - Orange Headed Gouldian 

1999: 

Stephen Hoppin - 69 pts - Senegal Fire Finch

NFSS makes a $50.00 cash donation to a worthy avicultural cause on behalf of each Champion Bird, as selected by the bird's owner. 

It's a cool program, particularly the donation part, as NFSS has made some pretty special contributions over the year, including to a wildlife rehabilitation center and a university veterinary medicine program for a student focused on companion bird care. Does the existence of our Champion Bird program, or the Champion Exhibitor or Exhibitor of Excellence programs help draw new members? I don't believe it does, and I don't believe it ever will in the Finch and Softbill hobby as we know it. NFSS has been blessed with exhibitors and members who on-the-whole view our shows as not so much competition, but rather as recognition, education, inspiration, challenge and growth. And friendship! We smile a lot, and do a lot of patting on the back, but big spotlights maybe ain't much our style! < smile >

NFSS has ALWAYS had a geographically-dispersed membership. Shows have not been and are not close together in ANY region of the country. This is nothing new! It has always been the case that travel to other than the "local" bird show requires an overnight or otherwise "challenging" trip. Distance is no justification to lower the goal to achieve Champion Bird from how it was established. 

Birds are indeed fewer in many areas of the country, but many areas have shown a resurgent in finch and softbill support since 2000. Cherish the value of bird exhibiting and sharing, work to improve your stock and strengthen your bloodlines, and the rewards for your improvement and consistency will follow. 

Revised NFSS Show Classifications available for 2005:

NFSS has created a separate Section for Gouldians. Our revised Show Classifications, and corresponding Show Secretary Worksheets, are now available. Contact me for your copies for your 2005 shows! 

NFSS Junior Award; NFSS Novice Award: 

Please bring your children and young friends to our shows - with their birds! NFSS has a beautiful Best Junior in Show rosette! Have your local club order one today! And while you're at it, order those cherished Best Novice rosettes, too! 

Submitted by 
Martha Wigmore 
NFSS Fourth Vice President 
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4th Quarter Membership Report 

Single Memberships = 727 
Dual Memberships = 109 
Affiliated Memberships = 64 

Total Membership = 900 

Respectfully Submitted by 
Linda Hughes 
NFSS Membership Director 
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NFSS Band Sales as of 11/24/2004: 

September - 14 Pay Pa l/14 Mail in's - 423.70 
October - 9 PayPal / 15 Mail in's - 770.70 
November - 6 Pay Pal / 27 Mail in's - 730.80 

Paula Hansen 
NFSS Band Secretary 
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FinchShop Report

Sales for the FinchShop are ahead of the projected amount but the expenses are slightly ahead as well.  This quarter we added the Gouldian Finch Beeswax candle. Sales have been light but there are no upfront expenses so we are not losing anything from offering it. Sales of the Candler have been brisk and I am currently out of stock. I plan to hold of ordering them until the first of the year. The new judge Handbook has been printed in limited quantities and are available for shipping. We are down to half of the logo shirts and are almost sold out of the hats. I will be 
ordering shirts that are blue and tan hats for the next batch. Although XXL is not a listed size it is available on special order but there is an additional cost of $4. I am currently investigating a way to offer the Huntington Cage although shipping cost are posing some problems. FinchShop will receive $5 on each sale if we can figure a way to keep shipping reasonable. 

The table at the National Cage Bird Show produced about $175 worth of sales. Web sales remain intermittent but strong. 

I continue to seek out members' opinions of items that would be good for the FinchShop. We are exploring additional educational materials, like a CD full of stand alone PowerPoint slideshows. 

Anyone wanting to donate a presentation that they have done please contact me directly. 

In 2005, the FinchShop will continue to offer products that promote N.F.S.S. and/or provide education for the care of finches and softbills. Although we hope to generate some income for the association the above two goals are and will continue to be the focus of the FinchShop. 

Respectfully Submitted 
Robert Mehl 
FinchShop Manager

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