CONSTITUTION & BY -LAWS NATIONAL PIGEON ASSOCIATION, INC.

ARTICLE I

Section 1: The name of the organization shall be the NATIONAL PIGEON ASSOCIATION, INC.

ARTICLE II

Section 1: The purpose of this organization shall be to foster and create greater interest in the breeding and improvement of all recognized breeds and varieties of domestic pigeons.

Section 2: To better acquaint individuals with the adaptability of pigeon raising. Correct the false impression that domestic pigeons carry communicable diseases and educate the public regarding the pleasure and profits derived from pigeon keeping.

Section 3: To sponsor annually the NPA Grand National, Regional, District and State pigeon shows, for the purpose of bringing together master displays of all breeds and varieties of standard-bred pigeons, where they may compete with one another for coveted honors and enable all concerned to observe the progress made in the science of breeding.

Section 4: To compile, publish and distribute informative literature on the various branches of the pigeon industry that may assist others in acquiring practical knowledge that will enable them to raise pigeons successfully.

Section 5: To issue seamless leg bands for all breeds and varieties of pigeons. These bands shall bear the initials NPA and the year in which they are issued. They shall be of such style and design and sold at such price, as may be established from year to year by the Board of Directors.

Section 6: To ratify, maintain and provide all standards by which pigeons are judged at the Grand National and other pigeon shows held under NPA rules, where ribbons, money or other awards are offered. To publish, in book form, if so desired, a National Standard of Perfection containing the complete standard description of all breeds and varieties of pigeons recognized by the National Pigeon Association. The price of the book shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 7: To do each and every thing that may seem necessary, suitable and proper for the accomplishment, protection and maintenance of any of the purposes herein set forth or which, at any time, may appear conducive or expedient for the development of the pigeon industry and the protection and benefit of the National Pigeon Association and its members.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

  Section 1: Any individual,  family or  organization interested in  domestic pigeons and the development 

of the pigeon industry, that agrees to abide by this Constitution and. By-Laws is eligible for membership.  

Memberships  are  divided   into  four  seperate  classes;  vis.,  Family  Annual  Members,  Senior  Annual 

Members,  Junior  Annual Members  and Affiliated  Organization Members.    All present life memberships 

shall be honored.  No Life Memberships will be sold. The only new Life Memberships allowed will be voted 

on by the BOD for recognition of extraordinary service to the NPA.  (Revised NPA GN 2008)

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP FEE AND DUES

Section 1: Senior Annual Members: The membership fee for any individual over eighteen years of age shall be $20.00 which includes current year’s dues. Annual dues thereafter shall be $20.00 per year.

Section 2: Junior Annual Members: The membership fee for any boy or girl under eighteen years of age shall be $5.00 which includes the current year’s dues. Annual dues thereafter shall be $5.00 per year until the member reaches eighteen years of age. Dues thereafter shall be $20.00 per year, the same as for a Senior member.

Section 3: Organization Members: The membership fee and dues for any pigeon club or organization shall be $20.00 and annual dues thereafter shall be $20.00 per year.

Section 4: Family Annual Members: The membership fee for any family of same household shall be $25.00 which includes the current year’s dues. Annual dues thereafter shall be $25.00 per year.

Section 5: Dues Payable: All annual dues become due and payable on October 1, of each year. Due notice thereof, with a statement for the amount due shall be sent to each member by the Secretary. All annual dues must be paid before the following December 31st, or membership automatically ceases. Any member in arrears for dues shall not be entitled to hold office or vote in the biannual election of the National Pigeon Association or receive literature and other benefits that the association has to offer.

Section 6: The amount of membership fee and dues for any class membership as herein stated may be changed at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 7: Contributing Members - Dues for a contributing member shall be $25.00 or more, the amount in excess of regular $20.00 dues to be reserved for use in the district of which member resides.

ARTICLE V  MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

Section 1: All applications for membership of whatever class must be sent to the Secretary in writing, bear the signature of the applicant, and be accompanied by the regular fee. No application shall be accepted or approved unless the fee accompanies the application.

ARTICLE VI VOTING PRIVILEGE

Section 1: Each Life and Senior Member and Family Memberships in good standing, shall be entitled to one vote in biannual elections and all regular special meetings of the Association. Junior members and Organization Members shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges that the Association has to offer, but shall have no vote in the Association's affairs. There shall be no voting by proxy.

ARTICLE VII  REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Section 1: The annual meeting of the National Pigeon Association for a report of the President, Secretary Treasurer and other officers, and the transaction of any and all other business that may be just and proper, shall be held in conjunction with the National Pigeon Show & Convention.

Section 2: A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be called at any time the President, at the written request of six or more Board Members. Only Board Members shall be permitted to attend board meetings unless by unanimous consent of all Board Members present.

ARTICLE VIII QUORUM

Section 1: Twenty-five or more members shall constitute a quorum at any annual meeting of the Association members. Six members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of that body.

ARTICLE IX  REGIONS AND DISTRICTS

Section 1: The United States ad Canada shall be divided into regions and eight districts. The Eastern Region shall include all States and Provinces east of the Mississippi river and the Western Region all states and provinces west of the Mississippi River; and these regions to be divided into Districts as follows:

District 1 - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and the provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

District 2 - Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Bermuda.

District 3 - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and the province of Ontario.

District 4 – Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia.

District 5 - Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and the province of Manitoba.

District 6 – Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

District 7 -  Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

District 8 – California, Hawaii, and Mexico.

District 9 – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina.

District 10 – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washing and the provinces of British Columbia and the Yukon.

ARTICLE X OFFICERS

Section 1: The elective officers of the National Pigeon Association shall consist of a President, Eastern Vice President from the Eastern Region, Western Vice President from the Western Region, and one Director from each of the eight districts, comprising the two regions, and Election Commissioner. The President, the Eastern and Western Vice Presidents and the ten directors from the ten districts shall constitute the Board of Directors of thirteen members.

Section 2: Executive Committee: the Executive Committee of three members shall consist of the President; Eastern Vice President and Western Vice President to serve in this capacity during their elective terms of office.

Section 3: Standard Revision Committee: the Standard Revision Committee to be chosen by the Board of Directors shall consist of five capable and efficient pigeon judges and breeders with at least one member experienced in writing and editing manuscript and technical forms and expressions.

Section 4: Committee on Credentials and Review: The Committee on Credentials and Review shall consist of three members to be appointed by the President far enough in advance of the annual convention to allow the committee sufficient time to make a through canvass of all election ballots as designed under the Duties of Committee on Credentials and Review.

Section 5: Other committees: There may be as many other committees as the President and Board of Directors may deem prudent or necessary for the transaction to discharge of specific duties that may be deemed for the best interest of the National Pigeon Association. The duties of each committee shall be outlined in detail by the President at the time the appointment is made; and due record thereof entered in the Secretary minutes.

ARTICLE XI ELECTION YEARS

Section 1: The election of officers shall take place once in every two years. Election years shall be considered as un-even: vis. 2001,2003,2005,2007.

ARTICLE XII  METHODS OF ELECTION

Section 1: The NPA President shall appoint three past presidents of the Association who shall constitute a nominating committee. This committee, at the annual convention in January of election years, shall nominate two candidates for each elective office with the exception of election commissioner. Before such nominations are made, however, the nominating committee shall interview each prospective candidate, explain the duties of the office for which the person is being considered, and ascertain if the party is willing and able to serve. No person shall be nominated who for lack of time, or any other reason is unwilling to assure the committee that if elected, he/she will discharge the duties of the office to the best of his ability. Inactive officers are of no value to the organization. After the nominations have been submitted by the committee at the annual meeting, any member in good standing shall have the privilege of making additional nominations from the floor, providing the party nominated has been previously interviewed and is willing to discharge the duties that the office entails.

Section 2: The Election Commissioner: The Election Commissioner shall be nominated from the floor of the convention and elected by a majority vote of the members present. No Election Commissioner shall succeed himself.

Section 3: The Secretary-Treasurer: The Secretary-Treasurer shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. This vote shall take place when the Board convenes at the annual National Show & Convention held in the year between the biannual elections. At the request of a director any candidate for the office may be called before the Board of Directors for interview and pledge himself, if appointed to abide by these By-Laws, in every detail, in the conduct of his office.

Section 4: Eligibility, No person shall be eligible for any office who bas not been a member of the National Pigeon Association for two full years or more, with dues paid in full and in good standing during that period. If otherwise nominated the nominee shall not appear on the election ballot or be acceptable as a candidate.

Section 5: The biannual election shall be by mail ballot conducted by the Election Commissioner, as outlined under Officers Duties, and the results certified by the Committee on Credentials and Review, at the annual convention following the election.

ARTICLE XIII OFFICERS DUTIES

Duties of the President

Section 1: The President shall be the chief executive officer. He shall be Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He shall designate at the time and place of all meetings of the Board of Directors, appoint all committees with the exception of the Executive Committee and the Standard Revision Committee, and fill all vacancies in the office occurring between regular elections.

Section 2: The President shall exercise general supervision and leadership over the NPA to include supervising the voting of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. This is to include the conducting of votes taken when not at the annual convention. He shall report all decisions of importance in conducting of votes taken when not at the annual convention. He shall report all decisions of importance in the QUARTERLY REVIEW and other publications of note, upon completion of such vote. The President, in addition, shall promote the advancement of the NPA and the hobby in general.

Section 3: In the event of the death or resignation of the President, the Board of Directors, by a majority vote, shall elect one of the Vice Presidents to complete the unexpired term. This vote is to be conducted by the Election Commissioner.

Duties of the Vice-Presidents

Section 1: The two Vice Presidents will be responsible for NPA publicity and will assure that coverage is established on a regular basis in related newspapers, magazines and newsletters. The Vice Presidents shall solicit the assistance of all NPA officers and members to enhance, in the matter of publicity, the NPA image.

Section 2: Each Vice President shall report to the President on a regular basis the activity of their respective regions. This report is to include publicity, districts, state meets and their success as reported by the various directors in their regions.

Section 3: The Vice Presidents shall be responsible for membership growth, promotion and the sponsorship of the NPA convention in their respective regions, with the help and cooperation of the various District Directors.

Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer

Section 1: The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as custodian and business manager of the National Pigeon Association. He shall establish and maintain offices which shall be known as Association Headquarters, where anyone interested in pigeons may write for advice and information regarding various pigeon activities. It is the intent and meaning of this section to emphasize the importance of a permanent headquarters for the National Pigeon Association with a full-time secretary-treasurer, if the organization is to expand and revise the wording of this outline, "Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer", to meet conditions without any regular amendment to this Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 2: The Secretary- Treasurer shall conduct the general correspondence of the Association, keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the members and the Board of Directors, and have charge of all properties, books, papers and other records pertaining to his office. He shall keep a correct list of the names and addresses of all members and the dates of their election to membership. He shall compile and publish a complete membership list as of April 1 of each year and mail one copy to each Association member in good standing. An asterisk or some distinctive mark shall appear opposite the names of Life Members, Junior and Organization members to indicate the class of membership.

Section 3: The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive and be the custodian of all Association money, from whatever source and keep the same deposited in a bank approved by the Board of Directors. All payments or expenditures shall be made by a check drawn on Association funds and signed by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 4: The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep such books as are necessary, in which shall be entered an itemized account of all the amounts of money received and from what source; and all expenditures and for what purpose, and have these books and accounts open for inspection by any member of the board of directors.

Section 5: The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare and deliver to the Chairman of the Board of Directors on the first day of the convention a complete itemized report of the year's business, including canceled checks and vouchers, showing the financial condition of the Association for the year ending December 31st. This report after being reviewed by the Board of Directors shall be read at the annual meeting or convention of the members. The books of the Association, in which the records are kept, shall be brought to the convention for the information of the Directors or any finance committee that may be appointed to examine them.

Section 6: The Secretary-Treasurer shall order from the manufacturer and be the custodian and dispenser of all Association bands, keep strict account of the total number received from the manufacturer, and sold on order to individuals or distributors, as well as an accurate record of the serial numbers of all bands sold and the name and address of the purchaser. Band distributors or agents shall also keep complete records of the serial numbers of all bands sold, and the name and address of purchasers, and forward this information to the Secretary-Treasurer. All band orders must be for ten or more bands per size, in increments of five thereafter, and cash must accompany the order. No bands may be returned for a refundable, although they may be exchanged in the case an error was made in filling the order.

Section 7: The Secretary-Treasurer shall have general supervision of the Grand National Show and see to it that the NPA rules, regulations and agreements are strictly adhered to. Following the decision and announcement of the Board of Directors, at the annual convention, as to the place and date for holding the next Grand National Show, the Secretary shall cooperate with and assist the Host Club, that is to sponsor the show, in the completion of plans and arrangements and aid in every way possible in its conduct and management. In the event that the Host Club is unable to supply a show secretary to receive entries and handle other important details, the NPA Secretary may serve in this capacity.

Section 8: The Secretary-Treasurer at all times, shall cooperate with and carry out all directives that the Board of Directors may make from time to time, but in no way assume or encroach upon the administrative duties of the elective officers.

Section 9: The salary or compensation of the Secretary-Treasurer, for services rendered, shall be determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, the amount to be fixed in advance at the time the appointment is made.

Section 10: The Secretary-Treasurer shall give such bond for: the faithful performance of his duties as may be required by the Board of Directors, but said bond to be paid by the Association and kept by the President.  

Duties and powers of the Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall have complete jurisdiction and control of all the National Pigeon Association affairs including money, shows, promotion, literature, activities and operations of every kind in which it may engage and make appropriations in advance for all expenditures of NPA funds, including the operation and maintenance of the Secretary's office. In the event the appropriations made by the Board at the annual convention are not sufficient for any specific purpose, additional appropriations may be made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 2: It shall decide, by a majority vote, the time and place of holding the Grand National Show and Convention, including the rules, regulations, expenditures and other arrangements under which it shall operate. It will decide in like manner the style, color, distribution and selling price of NPA bands and, if occasion demands, set as a trial body for the consideration and disposition of complaints that may be filed with the Secretary.

Section 3: The Board of Directors may suspend or expel a member for any discreditable act, dishonesty or other undesirable conduct that is considered harmful to the Association or the pigeon fancy, hobby or industry. In the event of a trial or bearing before the Board of Directors, both complainant and accused shall have the right to appear in person, with witnesses if so desired. The decision of the Board shall be final. Any person expelled from membership shall not be allowed to exhibit birds at the National Show for a period of three years or allowed to re-affiliate during that time. An expelled member may only be re-elected to membership by a three fourths vote of the Board of Directors.

Duties of the Executive Committee

Section 1: The Executive Committee as a matter of expediency, may act for and on behalf of the Board of Directors in the intervals between regular meeting. Any action taken by the Executive Committee shall remain effective until the next regular or special meeting of the Board, when it may be approved or rejected by a majority vote of the Directors. All decisions made by the Executive Committee must be a unanimous vote.

Duties of the Individual Directors

Section 1: A duly elected or appointed Director is the official representative of the National Pigeon Association in his district. He shall appoint a state or provincial Representative for each state or province in his district and encourage and promote membership campaigns, meetings and other activities of every nature that will create greater interest in domestic pigeons and the National Pigeon Association. He shall contact various clubs, and other show giving organizations in his district for the purpose of holding the NPA District Show and meet in connection therewith and decide the place and date where the show shall be held if a District Director fails to appoint a state or provincial representative in each state or province in his district within sixty days after assuming office, the President on his own initiative may make the appointment.

Duties of State Representatives

Section 1: The State Representative or Representatives shall represent the National Pigeon Association in his state. He shall encourage and promote the holding of one annual NPA sponsored pigeon show in his state and, in cooperation with the District Director, decide when and where the show shall be held and assist in arranging of all details. It also shall be his duty to contact as many pigeon fanciers as possible to create greater interest in pigeons and the National Pigeon Association in his state.

Duties of the Election Commissioner

Section 1: Following the annual convention where nominations of candidates are made, the Secretary shall burnish the Election Commissioner with a complete list of names and addresses of all candidates and for what offices nominated. The Election Commissioner shall prepare official ballots, to be designated, giving the names of the candidates and the office to be filled, together with complete information for the guidance of voters. Each ballot shall bear the following instructions: vis. "Mark with an X the candidate you wish to vote for. Vote only for one candidate for each office and only for Vice President and Director in your Region and District. Sign the ballot in ink and return to the Election Commissioner before August 1st. The only votes to be counted are those on official ballots that are properly marked and signed in ink. Ballots altered, mutilated or changed in any way or that arrive after August 1st shall be null and void."

Section 2: On the first day of July of election years the Election Commissioner shall mail one election ballot to each member in good standing - Life, Senior, Senior of Family membership and no other together with a return envelope marked "Ballot Enclosed" and addressed to the Election Commissioner. A complete list of eligible voting members, for election purposes, shall be furnished the Election Commissioner by the Secretary. Any member not receiving an election ballot before July 10th of election year may write the Election Commissioner requesting such ballot. Then another ballot, marked duplicate, shall be forwarded immediately.

Section 3: The Election Commissioner shall receive all ballots returned to him and hold them in trust unopened until the 10th day of August and on this date shall open and count the ballots at his residence in the presence of any candidate or officer of the Association who may wish to be present. The results of the election, giving the number of votes cast for each candidate shall be mailed immediately to all candidates, the present officers of the Association and the NPA membership. Leading journals and magazines are to be informed of the results, but not the vote counts.

Duties of the Standard Revision Committee

Section 1: The Standard Revision Committee shall have charge of all matters relating to the recognition of new breeds and varieties and corrections of proposed changes in the illustrations and text matter of all standards recognized and published by the National Pigeon Association. It is the intent that all recognized and active specialty clubs affiliated with the National Pigeon Association, shall be requested to submit standards and standard changes for their respective breeds and to work with the standard Revision Committee in their arrangement and publication. It is recommended that all acceptable standards be published in book form, to be known as the National Standard of Perfection.

Duties of the Committee on Credentials and Review

Section 1: The Committee on Credentials and Review shall canvass and verify the election ballots received by the Election Commissioner in the bi-annual election, certifying in writing the election of the successful candidates and report its findings to the President previous to the convening of the annual meeting. In case of a tie vote for any office, the winning candidate shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present at the annual convention.

ARTICLE XIV    NATIONAL CONVENTION

Section 1: The annual convention of the National Pigeon Association for the assemblage of officers and members and the transaction of business related to Association affairs shall be held in conjunction with the National Pigeon Show. The time and place of holding the convention and show shall be decided by the Board of Directors at each annual convention, one or more years in advance, the proper advance publicity may be given.

ARTICLE XV  NATIONAL PIGEON SHOW

Section 1: It shall be the privilege and purpose of the National Pigeon Association to hold a pigeon show and exhibition annually to be known as the Grand National Pigeon Show. This show may be held individually or in conjunction with other shows or exhibitions as may be deemed for the best interests of all concerned.

Section 2: Any established pigeon club or other organization that may wish to host the Grand National Pigeon Show shall comply with the following requirements, viz. Not later than June 1st of any calendar year (earlier if possible), a letter of invitation requesting the show for the following year shall be submitted to the Secretary of the National Pigeon Association. The Secretary shall immediately acknowledge the invitation and provide the applicant with a printed or typewritten form enumerating all requirements for holding the show including the size of the building and its location, lighting, heat, coops, personal, hotel accommodations and other details. If the prospective host club extending the invitation is willing to comply with the necessary requirements, a memorandum of agreement to this effect, signed by the host club President and Secretary as a guarantee of responsibility, shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the National Pigeon Association before December 1st.

Section 3: All properly executed invitations and agreements received by the Secretary from bona fide organizations not individuals before December 1st shall be submitted to the Board of Directors at the forthcoming meeting. The Directors shall consider all invitations and agreements carefully and by a majority vote of the Directors present, decide where and on what date the next Grand National Show shall be held and an announcement made before the convention adjourns. This action shall be considered of greatest importance.

Section 4: If for some unavoidable or prohibitive reason, the place and date for holding the next annual show and convention cannot be decided at the convention the Board of Directors may authorize the Secretary and Executive Committee to negotiate with other organizations in different parts of the country and obtain the best offers. The Executive Committee, by unanimous vote, shall decide if and where the show shall be hold and, in cooperation with the Secretary, be empowered to make all necessary arrangements.

ARTICLE XVI  NPA DISTRICT, STATE & SPECIALTY CLUB SHOWS

Section 1: In addition to the Grand National Show, annual NPA Regional, District & State shows shall be held in each region, district and state whenever possible. The District Director, in cooperation with his State Representatives, shall solicit offers from show giving organizations, decide on what officers and locations are best and assist in every way in making these shows a success. The District Director, in cooperation with the officers of that club, may designate Affiliated Specialty Club Shows as NPA sponsored.  

ARTICLE XVII  BANDING REQUIREMENTS

Section 1: Any pigeon club or other organization, as a prerequisite to NPA membership, must agree to purchase the seamless bands used by its members direct from the Secretary of the National Pigeon Association. Pigeons wearing any recognized seamless band may be exhibited at the Grand National Show.

ARTICLE XVIII  AWARDS

Section 1: The Hall of Fame Ward is the highest honor that may be awarded a supporter of the National Pigeon Association. It is reserved for those individuals that have dedicated a lifetime to supporting and promoting the National Pigeon Association and have done so in a manner that is extraordinary.

Section 2: In order to be considered for the Hall of Fame Award the applicant must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1)  Active member in good standing of the National Pigeon Association for 10 or more contiguous years.

2)  Breeder and exhibitor of standard-bred pigeons for 10 continuous years.

Section 3:  At the beginning of each new term of office, the President shall appoint a committee of 3 current members of the Association that are previous recipients of the Hall of Fame Award to act as a recommendation committee. The committee shall receive all application, review them, decide which, if any of the applications are deserving of the wards, and make their recommendations to the Board of Directors at he National Convention. The Board of Directors shall have the final vote for approval or rejection of the candidates.

Section 4:  No more than three Hall of Fame Awards may be made in any one calendar year.

Section 1:  The Junior Merit Award is considered a junior version of the Hall of Fame Award. It is the highest award a junior member can receive and should be reserved for exceptional applications.

Section 2:  In order to be considered for the Junior Merit Award the applicant must meet all of the following minimum requirements.

1)  Active member in good standing of the National Pigeon Association for 3 or more contiguous years.

2)  Have a total of 50 or more entries in the NPA affiliated shows.

3)  Entered in the NPA Junior Meet and place in the top five in at least one category. 

4)  Published at least two articles of two hundred or more words on different subjects.

Section 3:  The NPA Junior Program Director shall review all applications for the Junior Merit Award and after careful consideration; make recommendations to the Board of Directors at the National Convention. The Board of Directors shall vote on which applicants, if any, receive the award

ARTICLE XIX  MASTER BREEDER CERTIFICATES

Section 1: The National Pigeon Association may issue Master Breeder Certificates to individuals whose skill and ability as breeders enable them to produce pigeons of outstanding quality of any given breed or variety, and win highest honors year after year at well known American Shows. To produce birds of uniform quality over a period of years that have helped to improve and advance the popularity of the breed shall be given full consideration. The quality of birds produced by a breeder and his show record should be an outstanding example in the art and science of breeding.

Section 2: The President shall appoint a committee of three members who shall make careful appraisal of the records submitted if the committee feels a nominee is worthy of recognition, his or her name shall be submitted to the NPA Board of Directors at the annual meet for their approval.

ARTICLE XX  MASTER JUDGE CERTIFICATES

Section 1: The National Pigeon Association offers the Mater Judge Award to recognize the diligent and sacrificial efforts of those that perform the service of judge at our pigeon shows. There are two forms of the wards, the Master All Breed Judge for those that are capable of judging all-breed shows and Individual Master Judge for those that are capable of judging a single breed of variety of pigeon. When applying for this award the applicant must specify which form of the award they are applying for.

Section 2:  In order to be considered for the Mater All Breed Judge Award the applicant must meet all of the following minimum requirements. 

1)  Judged more than one breed at three or more NPA Grand National Shows.

2)  Judged more than one breed at four or more NP A sanctioned meets i. e. State or District Meets.

3)  Active member in good standing of the National Pigeon Association for 5 or more contiguous years.

Section 3: In order to be considered for the Master Individual Judge Award the applicant must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1)    Specify which breed or variety of pigeon they are applying for.

2)    Judged the breed applying for at three or more NPA Grand National Pigeon Shows.

3)    Judged four sanctioned breed meets, not all in the same year, verified in writing by a senior specialty club officer -or- applicant holds Master Breeder Award from breed specialty club.

4)   Active member in good standing of the National Pigeon Association for 5 or more contiguous years.

Section 4: The President shall appoint a committee of three members who shall make careful appraisal of the applications submitted and if the committee feels a nominee is worthy of recognition, his or her name shall be submitted to the Board of Directors at the National Convention for their approval.

SCHOLARSHIP A WARD

Section 1: The NPA Scholarship program was established to recognize outstanding educational accomplishments made by exceptional young pigeon fanciers.

Section 2: Applications for the Scholarship award should include your current school status, activities you are involved in, pigeon related projects and/or accomplishments, and future plans in and out of pigeons.

Section 3: The NPA Junior Program Director shall review all applications for the Scholarship Award and after careful consideration; make recommendations to the Board of Directors at the National Convention. The Board of Directors shall vote on which applicant(s) receive the award.

Section 4: Funding for the Scholarship award is raised through the NPA Auction held during the Grand National Pigeon Show and Convention. One half of all proceeds for the auction go to the Scholarship Program and the other half goes into the NPA Junior Program operating funds.