Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association, Inc.
Amendments to bylaws as recommended and provided by the Board of Directors at the October 20, 2011 board meeting.
Purpose
The Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association, known as the BWFA is dedicated to the art of farrier science through continuing education and technical and personal assistance to the farrier and his or her business. It is the intention of this association to make this education available by accepting members in an unbiased manner and ask that each member follow this pledge:
I will support the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association and farriery industry by barring discrimination and criticism in any way towards any individual, educator, school, organization, fellow member or working farrier. I will support those who are attempting to make the farriery trade his or her professional business.
This association shall organize farriers (horseshoers) and other interested parties for the promotion of interest in the art and science of the farrier’s role in the equine industry; to inform the public, and particularly the horse owner, of the quality and standard of service to which he is entitled (as defined in the Code of Ethics of the Bylaws); to assist those who desire to enter the farrier trade; to assist a farrier to further his or her skills; to assist farriers in operating a small business; to communicate with private and public organizations; and to cooperate with other related associations, groups, councils, boards or interested individuals or groups in the equine industry.
OFFICERS: All duties of the Officers are allocated by the Board of Directors. The Officers report to the Board of Directors through the Chairman of the Board, the President or Director. Officers do not have a vote at any board meetings. Officers are elected into the B.W.F.A. by all members of the B.W.F.A.
Officers Include:
President of the B.W.F.A. shall be a Certified Farrier and full-time working farrier or working full-time in the farrier industry with this being his or her main source of income. The president shall be elected to serve a fiv e (5) year term. The President is allowed to break any tie votes that come before the Board of Directors. The President cannot vote at any other time. The President can only serve a maximum of (2) consecutive terms.
Vice President of the B.W.F.A. shall be a Certified Farrier and will accept all duties laid down by the Board of Directors in the event of absence by the President. The Vice President shall be elected to serve a five (5) year term.
Secretary of the B.W.F.A. shall be a B.W.F.A. member. The Secretary shall be elected to serve a four (4) year term.
Treasurer of the B.W.F.A. shall be a B.W.F.A. member. The Treasurer shall be elected to serve a two (4) year term. The financial books are open to any member to view upon a written request directed to the Board of Directors.
Assistant Secretary: Delete Position
Assistant Treasurer: Delete Position
To Hold Office, the member shall be an active voting member and meet all qualifications for the office to which they have been elected. All Board Members and Officers will be required to have a bond of $5,000.00 not to exceed $10,000.00. All certified farrier members regardless of level can hold any association office.
Voting for officers shall be provided to the current dues paying general membership by a secret ballot system by mail and overseen by the Board of Directors.
Amended 1992: or at the Annual Convention
Voting Rights for all Members of the B.W.F.A. consists of one voting right to be used at elections of Officers and in making amendments to by laws or other matters of interest to the dues paying general membership. Only members in good standing by paying of annual dues are voting members.
Charter Members of the B.W.F.A. receive two votes each and original members of the B.W.F.A. will receive this same privilege. Original BFA members are also considered Lifetime Board Members.
Board of Directors are B.W.F.A. members voted in by B.W.F.A. members to design and execute the Bylaws and financial affairs of this association for four (4) year terms.
* All voting procedures from the current dues paying general membership are performed by secret ballot overseen by the Board of Directors.
Ammended 1992: or at the Annual Convention
* There will be no less than ten (10) Board of Director members and always an even number of members not to exceed twelve (12) members.
* All administrative duties are the responsibility of the Board of Directors of which the officers report through the Chairman of the Board, President or Director.
* The members of the Board of Directors can be Officers, Certified Farriers, farrier members, horse owner members and honorary members if elected during a general election process.
* A Board of Director member shall be appointed by Chairman of the Board, President or Director in case of a vacancy to continue the four (4) year term or appointed during terms with the Board of Directors approval. Members should be available for all meetings and be actively involved in all activities of the BWFA. In case of absence at meetings, the Board member is asked to allow another member to place his or her votes before the Board.
* Board approval is defined as: Any prospective board member or appointee must be approved by the existing board members by showing their intent in a formal letter to each board member and make a personal appearance before a board meeting to ensure their qualifications to hold a position. The individual must commit their active involvement, participation and leadership ability on behalf of the success and growth of the B.W.F.A. Each new board member will have access to view all past minutes and financial reports located at the Headquarters by request through the Chairman of the Board upon appointment or at board meetings.
* The Board of Director members must meet twice a year. The Chairman of the Board is responsible for contacting each member and securing a central location for a meeting. Any Board member not attending two (2) consecutive board meetings without a valid reason due to medical problems or death, are automatically removed from office.
* Any person desiring a position on the Board of Directors is asked to submit his or her nomination six months prior to election. These nominations will be announced to all members of the association for secret ballot voting by mail and overseen by the officers.
* It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to appoint and approve of person or persons to represent the B.W.F.A. as Director or Spokesperson for this association..
The Executive Director shall be a B.W.F.A. member who will represent this association to the best of his or her ability. The Director’s responsibility is to report to the Board of Directors whether in formal meeting, by letter or by full convention. This individual must devote 60% of their working time to promote this association and will be compensated for travel expenses and will be paid an annual salary decided upon by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as approved.
A Spokesperson shall be a B.W.F.A. member who will volunteer his or her services to represent this association to the best of his or her ability promoting membership, continuing education and all projects carried out by the association and be actively involved in B.W.F.A. events. This person reports to the Chairman of the Board, President or Executive Director and the B.W.F.A. Headquarters and should attend all business meetings as needed.
Amendment of the Bylaws shall be brought before the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will present the amendment, if valid, to the Chairman of the Board, President or Executive Director. The President or Executive Director will present the amendment to the voting body of the B.W.F.A. members. Bylaws shall be amended by no less than a majority vote. This is performed by the secret ballot system by mail.
Amended 1992: or at the Annual Convention
Grievances shall be brought before the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will present the grievance, if valid, to the Chairman of the Board, President or Executive Director.
Personal Background: Any member of the BWFA, Officer or Board Member should not be discriminated upon due to his or her past personal history. Only their performance as a member is relevant to this association.
Code of Ethics: Members of the B.W.F.A. shall exhibit a professional attitude through his or her knowledge of farrier science when in the presence of the general public and colleagues.
Excessive profanity and the intake of alcoholic beverages in any form at any and all functions of the B.W.F.A is prohibited.
Any conduct that endangers the life and safety of the members of the B.W.F.A. and the general public is strictly prohibited.
A member of the B.W.F.A. shall conduct his business honestly and fairly whether at a called business meeting or on the job.
Any member found in violation of any of these Bylaws shall be asked to resign or be removed from the membership of the B.W.F.A. forfeiting all paid dues to the B.W.F.A.
Please note: in addition
A Farrier is a self employed individual who is not bound under federal, state or other government agency in the U.S.
A membership is strictly voluntary by the person. We are not legally responsible for the members advertising or claims of skills.
We can listen to a complaint, but we do not exist to not take any government legal action against a member of any level of membership nor against any outside horse owner, individual, company, other farrier, etc.