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MeBRA Bylaws
MAINE BARREL RACING ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
REVISED 2005
ARTICLE I
NAME: THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION WILL BE MAINE BARREL RACING ASSOCIATION.
FOUNDED: OCTOBER 17, 1977
OBJECTIVE-PURPOSE:
THE OBJECT-PURPOSE OF THE MEBRA SHALL BE TO PROMOTE BARREL RACING AS A SPORT, STRIVING AT ALL TIMES TO INSURE HONESTY AND FAIRNESS TO CONTESTANTS AND MEMBERS; TO CREATE AN AMICABLE RELATIONSHIP AMONG CONTESTANTS, MEMBERS AND SPECTATORS.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP: REGULAR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE OPEN TO ANY RELIABLE PERSON INTERESTED IN BARREL RACING IN RODEOS, JACKPOTS, OR HORSE SHOWS. ANYONE JOINING THIS ASSOCIATION WILL THEREBY BECOME SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND BYLAWS NOW IN FORCE, OR LATER ADOPTED AND ENFORCED, AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO EXPULSION FOR VIOLATION OF THE SAME. RULES AND BYLAWS SHALL BE ENFORCED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS: THE OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION WILL CONSIST OF A PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, AND TREASURER, WHO WILL BE ELECTED BY POPULAR VOTE HEREINAFTER PROVIDED. ELECTED FOR A 2 YEAR TERM.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL CONSIST OF AT LEAST FIVE (5) AND NOT MORE THAN SEVEN (7) MEMBERS. THE BOARD IS OPEN TO ANY MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING, AND ELECTED BY POPULAR VOTE, WHO WILL ABIDE BY THE RULES AND BY-LAWS AND HAVE THE GOOD OF THE MEBRA IN MIND. ELECTED FOR A 2 YEAR TERM.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIST OF ALL OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
CORRESPONDENT: APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT FOR UNDETERMINED TIME.
SHOW SECRETARY: APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT FOR UNDETERMINED TIME.
RING MASTER: APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT FOR UNDERTERMINED TIME.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES & FUNCTIONS
PRESIDENT: THE PRESIDENT WILL PRESIDE AS CHAIRMAN AT ALL REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS, AND PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS USUALLY ATTACHED TO THIS OFFICE.
VICE-PRESIDENT: THE VICE-PRESIDENT SHALL ASSUME THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS UNABLE TO ATTEND.
SECRETARY: DUTIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. THE SECRETARY WILL TAKE MINUTES OF ALL MEETINGS. THESE MINUTES WILL BE PRECISE AND ARE TO BE USED AS LAW IF ANY CONFUSION OR ARGUMENTS ARISE.
2. THE SECRETARY WILL HANDLE ALL MEMBERSHIPS OF NEW AND OLD MEMBERS. ALL MEMBERSHIP FEES WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY AND THEN FORWARDED TO THE TREASURER. BYLAWS WILL BE SENT TO ALL NEW MEMBERS. ALL CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING INVOICES AND CHECKS, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY. BILLS AND INVOICES WILL THEN BE FORWARDED TO THE TREASURER FOR PAYMENT.
3. THE SECRETARY WILL SEND OUT A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO ALL MEMBERS BY THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH. THESE NEWSLETTERS WILL INCLUDE ALL RECENT NEWS THAT HAS NOT BEEN SENT OUT. NEWS MAY NOT BE HELD OVER FOR THE NEXT NEWSLETTER. ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS FOR ARTICLES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
A. SHOW RESULTS (POINT STANDINGS FOR MEMBERS)
B. SHOW SCHEDULES
C. FEATURES ON CLUB MEMBERS (WITH THEIR APPROVAL)
D. SOLICIT NEWS FROM CLUB MEMBERS
E. TREASURER’S REPORT
F. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR SHOW(S)
TREASURER: DUTIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. THE TREASURER WILL ASSUME ALL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION. THE TREASURER WILL PROVIDE A MONTHLY REPORT TO THE SECRETARY FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NEWSLETTER.
2. THE TREASURER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING THE SHOW SECRETARY A CHECK FOR $300.00 PRIOR TO EACH SHOW.
3. THERE WILL BE AN ANNUAL AUDIT DONE ON THE BOOKS BY A MINIMUM OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE MEBRA AND THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSLETTER.
SHOW SECRETARY: DUTIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. THE SHOW SECRETARY IS IN CHARGE OF ORGANIZING DUTIES AT OUR SHOWS AS FOLLOWS:
A. TAKING ENTRIES
B. KEEPING TIMES
C. FIGURING JACKPOTS
2. THE SHOW SECRETARY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING SHOW PROGRAMS AND ENTRY FORMS TO THE SHOWS.
3. THE SHOW SECRETARY WILL BALANCE SHOW FUNDS FOLLOWING EACH SHOW AND DELIVER THE REPORT AND MONEY TO THE TREASURER PRIOR TO THE NEXT SHOW. AT THAT TIME, THE SHOW SECRETARY WILL RECEIVE A CHECK FOR $300.00 FROM THE TREASURER TO BE USED AT THE NEXT SHOW. A COPY OF THIS REPORT WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE SECRETARY FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NEWSLETTER.
4. THE SHOW SECRETARY IS REQUIRED TO BE PRESENT AT THE SHOW AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE THE START OF THE SHOW.
5. THE SHOW SECRETARY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING A COPY OF THE MEBRA BY-LAWS AT ALL MEBRA SHOWS AND TO SEE THAT THIS IS ANNOUNCED AT OUR SHOWS.
SHOW COMMITTEE: WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORDERING ALL TROPHIES AND RIBBONS AND SEEING THAT THEY GET TO THE SHOWS. THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE WE HAVE A RING MASTER, SHOW SECRETARY, AND ANNOUNCER AT EACH SHOW.
RING MASTER: THE RING MASTER WILL ACT AS JUDGE AT ALL MEBRA SHOWS.
1. WATCH EACH CONTESTANT TO MAKE SURE THE CORRECT PATTERN HAS BEEN EXECUTED.
2. KEEP TRACK OF THE OFFICIAL TIMES.
3. HELP WITH THE RING WORK AS NEEDED.
THE DECISION OF THE RING MASTER WILL BE FINAL!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL MAKE FINAL DECISIONS ON ANY DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN OFFICERS ON ASSOCIATION POLICY. TO BE A DIRECTOR, YOU MUST BE A PAID UP MEMBER, BE ELECTED BY POPULAR VOTE, AND HOLD THE TERM FOR 2 YEARS.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF THE OFFICERS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THIS COMMITTEE WILL EXECUTE AND ENFORCE ALL RULES AND POLICIES OF THE MEBRA. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS THE AUTHORITY AND WILL REPLACE ANY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER DURING THEIR 2 YEAR YERM IF THEY SHOULD MISS MORE THAN (2) MEETINGS WITHOUT JUST CAUSE, OR FOR ANY OTHER VALID REASONS. (IT IS EACH COMMITTEE MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO LET THE PRESIDENT KNOW, BY A PHONE CALL, WHAT THEIR REASONING IS FOR NOT MAKING A MEETING).
THE VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, AND TREASURER WILL HAVE VOTING RIGHTS AT ALL MEETINGS INCLUDING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS. THE PRESIDENT WILL RETAIN THE TIE BREAKING VOTE. THE SHOW SECRETARY AND RING MASTER WILL BE INVITED TO ALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS, BUT AS APPOINTED POSITIONS, WILL BE UNABLE TO VOTE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR A MEMBER OF THE BOARD CANNOT FILL THESE FUNCTIONS AND RETAIN THEIR VOTE. A POSTCARD WILL BE SENT TEN DAYS PRIOR TO EACH MEETING TO THE SHOW SECRETARY, RING MASTER AND ALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: ALL OFFICERS WILL BE ELECTED BY POPULAR VOTE. THE OFFICERS WILL HOLD OFFICE FOR TWO (2) YEARS CONCURRENTLY UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFIED. ANY OFFICER WHO MISSES TWO (2) SCHEDULED MEETINGS, WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL REASON, WILL AUTOMATICALLY RELINQUISH THEIR POSITION. REPLACEMENT WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (IT IS EACH OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO LET THE PRESIDENT KNOW, BY A PHONE CALL, WHAT THEIR REASONING IS FOR NOT MAKING A MEETING).
ELECTION PROCEDURES:
1. ELIGIBILITY: IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS AN OFFICER, A PERSON MUST BE PAID UP IN DUES AND BE A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING FOR AT LEAST SIX (6) MONTHS.
2. THE CURRENT OFFICERS, UNLESS THEY WITHDRAW, ARE PLACED ON THE VOTING BALLOT ALONG WITH THE TOP NOMINEES.
3. ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NOMINATION AND ELECTION WILL BE HELD AT THE FEBRUARY MEETING. EACH ADULT MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING MAY CAST ONE (1) VOTE FOR NOMINEE OF THEIR CHOICE.
ARTICLE V
FISCAL YEAR: THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE FROM FEBRUARY TO FEBRUARY.
ARTICLE VI
RESIGNATION OF AN OFFICER: ANY OFFICER WISHING TO RESIGN, MUST SUBMIT A LETTER IN WRITING TO THE PRESIDENT ONE (1) MONTH IN ADVANCE, EXCEPT IN CASES OF EMERGENCY OR OTHER REASONABLE EXCUSE ACCEPTABLE TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, IN ORDER TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING IN THE ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE VII
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS: A MEETING WILL BE HELD IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MONTHS: FEBRUARY, APRIL, JULY, SEPTEMBER, AND NOVEMBER. A meeting will be held up to 5 a year. A notice must be given to the club 2 weeks prior. The annual meeting will be held in February NO MEETINGS SHALL BE HELD DURING HORSE SHOWS EXCEPT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW OF UPCOMING THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. NO VOTING TO BE DONE AT HORSE SHOWS. SPECIAL MEETINGS CAN BE HELD WITH A TWO (2) WEEK NOTICE. THE TIME AND PLACE OF ALL OUR MEETINGS WILL BE DESIGNATED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. RULES WILL BE MADE AND ENFORCED BY THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP. CHANGES TO BY-LAWS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO BE MADE AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING AND/OR THE FEBRUARY MEETING. A BY-LAW CHANGE MADE AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE REVISITED AT THE FEBRUARY MEETING. IT WILL STAND UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
EXECUTIVE MEETING: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING. OTHER MEETINGS CAN BE CALLED AS NECESSARY.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL RULES
ALL OFFICIAL MEETINGS AND FUNCTIONS OF THIS ASSOCIATION SHALL BE GOVERNED BY ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER.
ALL MEBRA MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS SHALL READ AND KNOW THE PREVAILING RULES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL RODEO, JAKCPOT, OR HORSE SHOW. FAILURE TO KNOW THE RULES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS AN EXCUSE FOR BREAKING ANY OF OUR RULES.
CLUB RULES WILL NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT A SPECIAL MEETING CALLED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND/OR PRIVILEGES
1. MEMBERSHIP FEES SHALL BE: $20.00 INDIVIDUAL $25.00 IMMEDIATE FAMILY** $ 5.00 EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER
** IMMEDIATE FAMILY IS DEFINED AS THREE (3) RELATIVES RESIDING IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD. EXAMPLE: HUSBAND AND WIFE, MOTHER AND 2 CHILDREN (UNDER 18), FATHER AND 2 CHILDREN (UNDER 18), ETC. (REVISED NOVEMBER 2002)
2. VOTING PRIVELEGES ARE FOR ANY MEMBER THAT IS 14 YEARS OR OLDER. (REVISED FEBRUARY 2004).
3. MEMBERSHIP WILL BE OPEN TO ANY RELIABLE PERSON INTERESTED IN CONTESTING IN BARREL RACING IN RODEOS, JACKPOTS, OR HORSE SHOWS, OR TO ANY PERSON INTERESTED IN ADVANCEMENT OF BARREL RACING.
4. PARTICIPATION IN ANY RODEO, JACKPOT, OR HORSE SHOW, MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF ANY GOVERNMENT OR SUBDIVISION THEREOF, AND THE MEBRA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE MEBRA FROM BEING BARRED FROM SUCH PARTICIPATION BY REASON OF SUCH LAW OR LAWS.
5. MEMBERS SHALL ALWAYS ENTER UNDER THE NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR MEBRA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION. MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMEMBERING THEIR OWN NUMBERS. IF YOU DO NOT USE THE NAMES AS SHOWN ON THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION WITH THEIR ASSIGNED NUMBER FOR THE ENTIRE SHOW SEASON, THE CLUB WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISAPPLIED POINTS. POINTS WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR ERRORS OF THIS TYPE.
INSURANCE
MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS, PARTICIPATING AND NON-PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL AND LIFE INSURANCE.
LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES
ANY MEBRA MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER MAY BE SUSPENDED FOR NINETY (90) DAYS OR EXPELLED FROM THE ASSOCIATION FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
A. FIGHTING IN AN ARENA OR ON SHOW GROUNDS.
B. ATTEMPTING TO FIX, BRIBE, OR INFLUENCE THE RING MASTER.
C. ENTERING THE ARENA UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR NARCOTICS.
D. DEROGATORY REMARKS CONDERNING THE MEBRA.
E. ALTERCATIONS OR QUARRELING WITH THE RING MASTER OR OFFICIALS.
F. ROWDYISM.
G. MISTREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK.
H. CHEATING OR ATTEMPTING TO CHEAT IN ANY WAY.
WARNING NOTICES
1. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING WARNINGS. THE FIRST BEING VERBAL, SECOND IN WRITING, AND THIRD SUSPENSION (DEPENDING ON SEVERITY OF CASE).
2. WITHIN A MONTH’S TIME, AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD WITH THE MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER PRESENT TO EVALUATE THE SEVERITY OF THE OFFENSE.
3. ANY MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER AND THEIR GUESTS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONDUCT IN THE VICINITY OF ANY MEBRA EVENT OR FUNCTION, TO MAKE FINANCIAL RESTITUTION FOR ANY LOSSES OR EXPENSES INVOLVED, AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION, IF NECESSARY, BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
4. A MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER UNDER SUSPENSION SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE OR COMPETE AT ANY MEBRA EVENT.
5. ANY CONTESTANT DAMAGING TIMER OR PROPERTY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE UNTIL PAYMENT IS MADE IN FULL.
6. ANY MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER DELIBERATELY ABUSING LIVESTOCK AT A MEBRA FUNCTION WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES AND TOTALLY DISQUALIFIED FROM ANY FURTHER EVENTS AT THAT FUNCTION.
7. DECISIONS OF THE RING MASTER WILL BE FINAL AND NO UNDUE PROTEST BY ANYONE WILL BE PERMITTED. ANY FURTHER PROTESTING OR ARGUING WITH THE ABOVE DECISION WILL MEAN A DISQUALIFICATION FROM FURTHER EVENTS AT THAT FUNCTION.
8. ANYONE ENCOURAGING BOYCOTTING OR MAJOR DISRUPTION OF ANY MEBRA SHOW IS SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION.
9. LAME HORSES – AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (AT LEAST THREE). ANY HORSE IN QUESTION OF BEING UNSOUND WILL BE DISMISSED FROM THE SHOW(S) UNTIL THE COMMITTEE FINDS THE HORSE TO BE SOUND, OR PENDING A VETERINARIAN CHECK.
10. PROPERLY FITTED EQUIPMENT MUST BE USED WITH NO VISIBLE DISCOMFORT TO THE HORSE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (AT LEAST THREE) WILL MAKE ALL DECISIONS ON APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT. AN EQUIPMENT CHECK MAY BE DONE AT ANY TIME.
ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE SUBJECT TO REINSTATEMENT FEES.
CONDUCT
ALL MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS WILL, AT ALL TIMES, CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER, UPHOLDING THE MEBRA PURPOSE, AND SHALL PRESENT THEMSELVES IN A NEAT, CLEAN, ORDERLY MANNER.
INJURY OF MEMBERS OR CONTESTANTS
THE MEBRA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE PERSON, PROPERTY, OR STOCK OF ANY OWNER, CONTESTANT, OR ASSISTANT. EACH PARTICIPANT, BY THE ACT OF PAYING THEIR MEMBERSHIP DUES OR ENTRY FEES, WAIVES ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE MEBRA FOR INJURIES THEY OR THEIR PROPERTY MAY SUSTAIN.
DRESS
1. WHEN CONTESTANT NUMBERS ARE FURNISHED, ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST WEAR THESE NUMBERS TO ENTER THE ARENA. PARTICIPANTS MUST WEAR THEIR NUMBERS IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE VISIBLE TO THE RING MASTER AND SPECTATORS.
2. WESTERN DRESS ATTIRE IS REQUIRED. NO T-SHIRTS, SWEATS OR RIDING SNEAKERS. JEANS ONLY – BLUE OR COLORED (REVISED NOVEMBER 2002). SHIRTS MUST BE TUCKED IN OR MUST TOUCH WAISTBAND OF JEANS WHEN STANDING (REVISED NOVEMBER 2002). SLINKIES WORN WITH VESTS WILL BE ALLOWED (NO COTTON TURTLENECKS (REVISED FEBRUARY 2003). WESTERN HATS MUST BE ON THE HEAD WHEN CROSSING THE STARTING LINE, AND CANNOT HIT THE GROUND IN THE ARENA. DELIBERATELY PUSHING OFF YOUR HAT COULD RESULT IN A PENALTY. IF A HAT FALLS BACK OFF YOUR HEAD BEFORE CROSSING THE STARTING LINE, OR IF A HAT HITS THE GROUND WHILE IN THE ARENA, A $5.00 FINE WILL BE ASSESSED. THIS FINE MUST BE PAID BEFORE THAT CONTESTANT CAN COMPETE IN ANY OTHER CLASS. PEE WEE RIDERS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE $5.00 FINE – INSTEAD, THEY WILL BE PENALIZED 5 SECONDS. HARD HATS/HELMETS WILL BE PERMITTED. THE RING MASTER’S DECISION IS FINAL!
3. ONLY WESTERN SADDLES WILL BE ALLOWED (ADDED NOVEMBER 2001).
POINTS
POINTED SHOW: WILL BE THOSE THAT ARE RECOGNIZED BY MEBRA AS POINTED SHOWS.
POINT SYSTEM: POINTS WILL BE ACCUMULATED THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR FOR EACH CLASS RECOGNIZED AS A POINTED CLASS BY THE MEBRA. THE TOP TEN MEBRA MEMBERS CONTESTING IN A RECOGNIZED CLASS WILL RECEIVE POINTS ACCORIDNG TO THEIR TIMES (THE 4-D BARRELS AND 3-D POLES WILL BE POINTED ACCORDING TO NBHA RULES).
1ST PLACE - 11 POINTS 6TH PLACE - 5 POINTS 2ND PLACE - 9 POINTS 7TH PLACE - 4 POINTS 3RD PLACE - 8 POINTS 8TH PLACE - 3 POINTS 4TH PLACE - 7 POINTS 9TH PLACE - 2 POINTS 5TH PLACE - 6 POINTS 10TH PLACE - 1 POINT IN CASE OF A TIE, POINTS FOR THOSE PLACINGS WILL BE ADDED TOGETHER AND SPLIT EVENLY.
POINTS WILL BE ON HORSE AND RIDER COMBINATION ONLY. MEMBERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO POINT AS MANY HORSES AS THEY WISH.
THE HIGH POINT WINNER FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN THE MAINE BARRELS CLASS WILL CARRY THE AMERICAN FLAG IN ALL GRAND ENTRY PERFORMANCES OR PARADES. THE WINNERS OF THE JUNIOR, NOVICE, GREEN, 1D, 2D, AND 3D WILL CARRY THE REMAINDER OF THE FLAGS. IF THERE IS A PERSON WHO WON IN MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY, OR DOES NOT WISH TO DISPLAY A FLAG, THE RESERVE WINNER IN THAT CATEGORY WILL BE CHOSEN.
DIVISION CLASSES
WHEN DETERMINING POINTS IN A DIVISION CLASS, THE TOP TIME WILL STAND AS IT WAS AT THE SHOW, WHETHER IT BE A MEMBER OR A NON-MEMBER. THIS WILL DETERMINE THE TIME SPLIT IN ALL OTHER DIVISIONS. HOWEVER, IF THE TOP TIME WAS RUN BY A NON-MEMBER, THE MEMBER WITH THE FASTEST TIME WILL RECEIVE THE MOST POINTS FOR THE FIRST DIVISION (ADDED FEBRUARY 2005).
FUND RAISING
THE MEBRA MEMBER THAT COLLECTS THE MOST MONEY IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND FUND RAISING THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR WILL RECEIVE AN AWARD.
DONATIONS
A LIMIT OF $150.00 WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE YEARLY FOR DONATIONS (DEPENDENT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS). EACH INDIVIDUAL DONATION NOT TO EXCEED $50.00. ANY OTHER DONATIONS WILL BE DONE THROUGH FUND RAISERS.
METHODS OF SHOW SELECTIONS
1. SHOWS WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE FEBRUARY MEETING AS FOLLOWS:
A. SET FINAL CAP.
B. SET FAIR DATES.
C. VOTE ON SHOWS BY DATES – MAJORITY WINS.
EXAMPLE: CHARLESTON – 3 DATES AVAILABLE: MAY 1 & 2
MAY 9 & 10
MAY 21 & 22
D. VOTE ON ALL POSSIBLE SHOWS AS ABOVE.
E. BALLOT VOTE ON TOP SHOWS (IN THE CASE THAT 2 SHOWS COINCIDE). (A-E ADDED FEBRUARY 2002)
2. SHOWS RECEIVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES SHALL BE SELECTED AND POINTED. EACH MEMBER IS ALLOWED ONLY ONE VOTE.
3. MAJORITY OF MEMBERS PRESENT AT ANY SCHEDULED MEETING CAN DECIDE AND VOTE ON A SHOW DATE.
4. MORE THAN ONE SHOW CAN BE POINTED IF THEY ARE NOT WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS OF EACH OTHER AND THEY HAVE A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP PRESENT.
5. A TOTAL OF SIX (6) SHOWS WILL REPRESENT THE CORE OF THE SHOW SEASON, BUT MORE SHOWS MAY BE RUN IF THE MEMBERSHIP SO DESIRES, AND A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS ARE RECEIVED FOR THE SHOW, AND WE HAVE A ONE (1) MONTH NOTICE PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE SHOW.
6. SHOW LISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE DATE OF THE FUN DAY.
7. THE PRESIDENT WILL APPOINT, FOR EACH SHOW, A MEMBER WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE MEBRA RULES ARE FOLLOWED, THAT THE PROPER REPORTS ARE SUBMITTED BY THE SECRETARY, AND THAT FINANCIAL MATTERS FOR THE CLUB ARE PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF.
THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES WOULD APPLY:
A. ASSURE THAT THE PROPER FORMS AND RULES ARE AVAILABLE (RESPONSIBLE PARTY – SHOW SECRETARY).
B. ASSURE THAT THE BARRELS ARE SET UP CORRECTLY (RESPONSIBLE PARTY – RING MASTER).
C. ASSURE THAT THE TIMES ARE RECORDED PROPERLY (RESPONSIBLE PARTY – SHOW SECRETARY).
D. ASSURE THAT A DOLLAR ($1) OF EACH ENTRY FEE IS KEPT FOR THE CLUB, WITH THE REST OF THE MONEY PUT INTO THE JACKPOT FOR THAT CLASS. THE JACKPOT MONEY WOULD BE SPLIT ACCORDING TO MEBRA PAYOUT SHEETS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 4-D BARRELS AND 3-D POLES, WHICH WILL BE PAID ACCORDING TO NBHA PAYOUT SHEETS (ANOTHER EXCEPTION WILL BE THAT THE 4-D BARRELS WILL HAVE AN ENTRY FEE OF $10.00, WITH ONLY $5.00 GOING BACK INTO PAYOUTS, AND $5.00 TO THE CLUB FOR THE PURCHASE OF SADDLES FOR THE THREE DIVISIONS) (ONLY THREE DIVISIONS ARE POINTED FOR YEAR ENDS). (REVISED NOVEMBER 2004). 2-D MAINE BARRELS WILL BE PAID 40%, 30%, 20%, 10% FOR THE 1ST DIVISION, AND ACCORDING TO NBHA RULES (NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN THE 2ND DIVISION (RESPONSIBLE PARTY – SHOW SECRETARY).
8. EACH MEMBER HAS THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:
A. SEE THAT THE MEBRA RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT.
B. CONTACT AS MANY PRODUCERS AND SHOW COMMITTEES AS POSSIBLE TO ASK FOR AN APPROVED BARREL RACE AT THEIR SHOW.
C. FIVE MEMBERS MUST BE PRESENT TO POINT THE SHOW.
D. READ THE RULES AND BE FAMILIAR WITH THEM.
E. PROMOTE MEMBERSHIP.
YEAR END AWARDS
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR YEAR END AWARDS, A MEMBER MUST GET AT LEAST A $30 SPONSOR OR MAKE A $30 DONATION TO THE ASSOCIATION BEFORE THE APRIL MEETING. FOR THOSE BECOMING MEMBERS DURING THE SHOW SEASON, THEY WOULD HAVE 30 DAYS TO EITHER GET A SPONSOR OR PAY THE DONATION. A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY REQUIRED TO GET ONE SPONSOR OF $30 OR PAY THE $30 DONATION. (REVISED NOVEMBER 2004). A MEMBER MUST PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST 50% OF THE SHOWS FOR THAT SEASON IN THAT SPECIFIC CLASS. THERE WILL BE FOUR (4) PLACES AWARDED AT THE END OF THE YEAR IN MEBRA BARRELS (POINTS ARE ONLY GIVEN AS A ONE DIVISION CLASS), JUNIOR BARRELS, NOVICE/GREEN BARRELS, SENIOR POLES, JUNIOR POLES, AND NOVICE/GREEN POLES. THREE (3) PLACES WILL BE AWARDED IN THE 4-D BARRELS (POINTS ARE ONLY GIVEN AS IF IT WERE A 3-D CLASS, WITH A 1 SECOND SPLIT BETWEEN DIVISIONS) (REVISED FEBRUARY 2005), AND THREE PLACES WILL BE AWARDED IN THE 3-D POLES. TWO (2) PLACES WILL BE AWARDED IN PEE WEE BARRELS, PEE WEE POLES, AND THE VERSATILITY CLASS.
IN CASE OF A TIE FOR YEAR END, THE MONEY FOR THE PLACES THAT ARE TIED WILL BE COMBINED AND SPLIT EVENLY TOWARDS A YEAR END AWARD. IF THE TIE IS FOR 2ND PLACE, A THIRD PLACE AWARD WILL NOT BE GIVEN, AS IT WOULD BE FILLED IF THE TIE WAS BROKEN. THE NEXT AWARD GIVEN WOULD BE FOURTH PLACE (ADDED FEBRUARY 2001).
EACH OFFICER (PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER) SHALL RECEIVE A FREE ONE-YEAR MEMBERSHIP AFTER COMPLETING A FULL (TWO-YEAR) TERM.
BARREL RACING 1. ALL BARRELS TO BE USED IN MEBRA BARREL RACING MUST BE REGULATION FIFTY-FIVE (55) GALLON SIZE. PADS MAY BE USED ON BARRELS. NO TIRES MAY BE USED ON OR AROUND THE BARRELS. BARRELS MUST BE AT LEAST TWO (2) COLORS; NO SOLID COLORED BARRELS.
2. WHEN MEASURING THE COURSE, THE THIRD BARREL WILL BE SET FIRST, A MINIMUM OF THIRTY (30) FEET FROM THE ARENA FENCE, WITH THE BALANCE OF THE COURSE DETERMINED BY THE LOCATION OF THE THIRD BARREL. THE FIRST TWO BARRELS WILL BE SET A MINIMUM OF FIFTEEN (15) FEET FROM THE FENCE IF THE ARENA SIZE PERMITS, THE SCORE LINE WILL BE 40’ FROM THE 1ST AND 2ND BARRELS. THERE WILL BE 70’ FROM 1ST TO 2ND BARREL, AND THE THIRD BARREL WILL BE 90’ FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE DISTANCE FROM THE 1ST AND 2ND BARRELS. IF THE ARENA SIZE DOES NOT PERMIT THIS, MEASUREMENTS IN PROPORTION WITH THE SIZE OF THE ARENA SHALL BE MARKED OFF. (REVISED NOVEMBER 2002).
3. A CONTESTANT WILL NOT BE DISQUALIFIED OR PENALIZED FOR TOUCHING A BARREL. IF A CONTESTANT KNOCKS THE BARREL OVER, THERE WILL BE A FIVE (5) SECOND PENALTY FOR EACH BARREL KNOCKED OVER. IN A DIVIISION CLASS (4-D BARRELS OR 2-D MAINE BARRELS, A KNOCKED BARREL WILL COUNT AS NO TIME).
4. A CONTESTANT MAY START EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT AND THEN RUN THE REMAINDER OF THE PATTERN ACCORDINGLY.
5. IF ALL BARRELS ARE STANDING WHEN CONTESTANT CROSSES THE SCORE LINE AFTER COMPLETING A QUALIFIED RUN, IT IS CONSIDERED A QUALIFIED RUN, EVEN IF A BARREL FALLS AFTER THEY HAVE CROSSED THE SCORE LINE.
6. THE RING MASTER WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE PRESENT DURING THE BARREL RACING TO SEE THAT A QUALIFIED CLOVERLEAF PATTERN IS RUN AND PROPER TIMING IS EXECUTED.
7. A CONTESTANT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED IF CROSSING THE SCORE LINE BEFORE COMPLETION OF A TRUE CLOVERLEAF PATTERN IS RUN.
POLE BENDING
1. THE POLE BENDING PATTERN IS TO BE RUN AROUND SIX (6) POLES. EACH POLE IS TO BE TWENTY-ONE (21) FEET APART, AND THE FIRST POLE IS TO BE TWENTY-ONE (21) FEET FROM THE STARTING LINE. POLES SHALL BE SET ON TOP OF THE GROUND, SIX (6) FEET IN HEIGHT, WITH NO BASE MORE THAN FOURTEEN (14) INCHES IN DIAMETER.
2. A HORSE MAY START EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT OF THE FIRST POLE AND THEN RUN THE REMAINDER OF THE PATTERN ACCORDINGLY.
3. KNOCKING OVER A POLE SHALL CARRY A FIVE (5) SECOND PENALTY (IN 3-D POLES, A KNOCKED POLE WILL BE A NO TIME). FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE COURSE SHALL CAUSE DISQUALIFICATION. A CONTESTANT MAY TOUCH A POLE WITH HIS/HER HAND IN POLE BENDING.
MEBRA NOVICE/GREEN DIVISION
A NOVICE RIDER OR GREEN HORSE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MEBRA, WILL BE A RIDER OR HORSE THAT IS IN THEIR FIRST OR SECOND YEAR OF BARRELS AND/OR POLES COMPETITION, OR A PERSON OR HORSE THAT HAS NOT COMPETED IN BARRELS AND/OR POLES CLASSES IN MORE THAN TWO SHOWS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR(S). AN APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY ANYONE COMPETING IN NOVICE/GREEN POLES OR BARRELS PRIOR TO ENTERING A NOVICE/GREEN CLASS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A SEASON. THIS APPLICATION WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL. WE HOPE THAT BY ADDING THIS DIVISION WE WILL AID THE MEBRA MEMBERS IN LEARNING WITHOUT THE PRESSURES OF OPEN COMPTITION. IF THEIR TIME IS WITHIN ONE SECOND IN BARRELS AND/OR TWO SECONDS IN POLES OF THE TOP TIME IN THE MAINE BARRELS/SENIOR POLES DIVISIONS IN THE FIRST THREE SHOWS THEY ATTEND, THEY WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR NOVICE/GREEN STATUS, BUT WILL RETAIN ALL POINTS EARNED. IF THEY TIME-OUT AFTER THE FIRST THREE SHOWS THEY ATTEND, THEY MAY REMAIN IN THE CLASS FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON, BUT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE IN THE CLASS AGAIN (A TWO YEAR LIMIT)(THREE (3) SHOWS EQUALS ONE (1) SEASON). NOVICE/GREEN CLASSES ARE OPEN TO MEBRA MEMBERS ONLY.
PEE WEE DIVISION
PEE WEE AGE WILL BE 10 AND UNDER AS OF JANUARY 1ST. A PEE WEE CAN BE LED OR RIDE ON THEIR OWN. A HORSE/PONY CAN BE RIDDEN MORE THAN ONCE IN PEE WEE BARRELS AND PEE WEE POLES ONLY. PEE WEE YEARS OF RIDING DO NOT COUNT TOWARD NOVICE YEAR LIMITS. LED RIDERS WILL BE PLACED AFTER RIDERS WHO COMPLETE THE COURSE ON THEIR OWN. ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT BY ANYONE ELSE WILL BE CONSIDERED AS BEING A LED RIDER.
TIE BREAKERS
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE AT A SHOW, THE MONEY FOR THE TWO POSITIONS WILL BE COMBINED AND THEN SPLIT EVENLY.
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO FIGURE THE POINTS FOR A SHOW, THE POINTS FOR THE TWO POSITIONS WILL BE COMBINED AND THEN SPLIT EVENLY.
IN CASE OF A TIE FOR YEAR END AWARDS, THE MONEY FOR THE PLACES THAT ARE TIED WILL BE COMBINED AND SPLIT EVENLY TOWARDS TWO YEAR END AWARDS FOR THAT PLACE THAT IS TIED.
(IF THE TIE IS FOR 2ND PLACE, TWO PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE 2ND PLACE. THE THIRD PLACE MONEY/POINTS/AWARD WOULD NOT BE GIVEN AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED IF THE TIE WAS BROKEN IN A RUN-OFF. THE NEXT AWARD GIVEN WOULD BE FOURTH PLACE).
TIMER FAILURE
IF THE TIMER FAILS AT ANY TIME DURING A PERSON’S RUN, THAT PERSON WILL BE GRANTED A RE-RUN AS LONG AS THEY HAVE STAYED ON COURSE UP TO THE POINT OF BEING NOTIFIED THAT THE TIMER HAS FAILED. THIS RULE PERTAINS TO A CLEAN RUN OR A RUN WHERE AN OBSTACLE HAS BEEN KNOCKED OVER.
IRS CLAUSE
(MANDATORY TO OUR BY-LAWS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN TAX EXEMPT STATUS)
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THESE ARTICLES, THE ASSOCIATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE PURPOSES AS SPECIFIED IN SECTIONS 501(C) (3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1954, AND SHALL NOT CARRY ON ANY ACTIVITIES NOT PERMITTED TO BE CARRIED ON BY AN ASSOCIATION EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER IRC SECTION 501(C) (3) OR CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS OF ANY SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL TAX LAWS.
NO PART OF THE NET EARNINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION WILL INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF ANY MEMBER, TRUSTEE, DIRECTOR, OR OFFICER OF THE ASSOCIATION, OR ANY PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL (EXCEPT THAT REASONABLE COMPENSATION MAY BE PAID FOR SERVICES RENDERED TO OR FOR THE ASSOCIATION), AND NO MEMBER, TRUSTEE, DIRECTOR, OR OFFICER OF THE ASSOCIATION OR ANY PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE ENTITLED TO SHARE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANY OF THE ASSETS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
NO SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE CARRYING ON PROPAGANDA, OR OTHERWISE ATTEMPTING, TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY IRC SECTION 501(H), AND DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN, OR INTERVENE IN (INCLUDING THE PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF STATEMENTS), ANY POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ON BEHALF OF ANY CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.
IN THE EVENT OF DISSOLUTION ALL OF THE REMAINING ASSETS AND PROPERTY OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL, AFTER NECESSARY EXPENSES THEREOF, BE DISTRIBUTED TO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION EXEMPT UNDER IRC SECTION 501(C) (3), OR CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS OF ANY SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL TAX LAWS, OR TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OR STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF A JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
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