The 1st quarter NFSS Board Meeting began online February 1, 2005. 

During the meeting there was a lively discussion of numerous topics ranging from the disparity in population between the 8 different regions that make up the NFSS. The disparity ranges from 214 in Region 1 to 14 in Region 8. Further discussion will surely follow in upcoming meetings. 

Robert Mehl, acting Membership Director, opened discussion on the topic of expired memberships and that the current system allows a 60-day "grace" period resulting in an extra copy of the NFSS Journal being sent to those members whose membership has expired. This topic remains in the discussion phase. Robert discussed the work he has done to contact members of the NFSS whose memberships have expired, to encourage them to renew their membership, and if not, to hear from them firsthand the reasons for not wishing to renew their memberships. 

Robert also apprised the Board of changes he has made to the NFSS online Forum, including adding the NFSS logo and adding polls, which are designed to offer members an opportunity to voice their opinions. Great job, Robert! 

Further discussion centered on advertisement in the NFSS Journal. It was brought to our attention that some members have complained about the number of advertisements within the Journal and would prefer having more finch/softbill articles. If any member of the NFSS wishes to submit articles to be considered for publication in the NFSS Journal, please contact Harry Bryant, Acting Editor. 

The NFSS would appreciate firsthand accounts of members' breeding and exhibiting efforts. 

Harry Bryant oversaw the Board meeting, acting for our President, Sally Huntington, who is recovering from surgeries. The Board eagerly waits her return and wishes her a full recovery. 

The following are the motions made, seconded, and voted on during the 1st quarter Board meeting:

Motion 2005-01 (Passed)

Motion by Robert Mehl: "I make a motion.... Naming Shelley Ortman as Region 1 Vice President Pro-tem." The motion was seconded by Armando Lee. YES - 12, NO - zero. Motion passed.

Motion 2005-02 (Passed)

Patrick Vance motioned that the Board accepts Jim Heffernan as Executive Secretary Pro-tem. Seconded by Raspberry. YES - 11, NO - 1. Motion passed.

Motion 2005-03 (Passed)

Mark Phelps motioned "that we table the decision of what to do with the budget overage until next quarter to allow time to fully discuss this issue." Motion seconded by Darla Dandre. YES - 12, NO - zero. Motion passed.

Motion 2005-04 (Did Not Pass)

Darla Dandre motioned that the NFSS Youth Director would publish a separate NFSS Youth Journal. This motion would remove the pages within the NFSS Journal that pertain to the youth of the NFSS and publish a separate journal for said youth. Motion was seconded by Robert Mehl. YES - 5, NO - 6. Motion did not pass.

Motion 2005-05 (Passed)

Martha Wigmore made the motion "the recent decision by the NFSS Board to limit changes to 'The NFSS Judges Handbook and Official Standards' (Motion 2004-12) will be modified to restrict changes to the NFSS Show Classifications ONLY to once every two years during the third quarter of 'odd' years after careful research, discussion and approval. No specific timetable will be applied to any other proposed changes to the 'Handbook'". Motion seconded by Raspberry. YES - 6, NO - 5. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted

Patrick Vance
Region 3 VP
Acting Executive Secretary

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