 Model Appaloosa Sporthorse Association |
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1.1 The name of this non-affiliated, independent, non-profit organization shall be MApSHA: The Model Appaloosa Sporthorse Association. 1.2 The principal contact addresses for this organization shall be: Michelle Iacona mapsha1@winning.com Vice-President and Youth Administrator Sharon Currie irelandsrose@dublin.com Secretary Jennie M. vanyaser@tellmeimcute.com |
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2.1 This organization is formed exclusively for purposes of education and entertainment, and not for the private gain of any person or persons. 2.2 This organization has a specific and primary purpose to enable its members to learn as much as possible about the real Appaloosa Sporthorse breed(s), by applying real-life information to/in the model horse world. The Registry, Photo Show Series and other activities provided by MApSHA will all support this core purpose. 2.3 This organization will have the ability to establish, modify, and/or dissolve private, non-profit educational and social facilities for those interested in the Appaloosa Sporthorse breed(s), particularly within the model horse world, as well as public informational web pages, a registry of members’ horses, a photo show series, and educational newsletters. 2.4 Under the rights bestowed in the U.S. Constitution it is understood that this organization has a right to publicize, publish, promote, teach, research, and explore any and all material which may present or otherwise bear upon its beliefs, philosophy, and interests, so long as said material does not itself in some way infringe on the laws of the land in which this organization is based (the laws of the United States of America). 2.5 As an unaffiliated, independent, non-government-recognized, non tax exempt organization, we accept that we have no power to apply for and/or receive grants, accept bequests and/or to establish any sort of endowment fund. Nor do we, as a group, currently hold deeds to any communal property. |
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3.1 No part of any proceeds ever collected by this organization shall be distributed among private members of said organization, except in a case in which a member is in desperate need (confronting a terminal illness, has an immediate family member confronting a terminal illness, a child of a member requires financial assistance for survival, a member is faced with potential homelessness and/or starvation, etc.). Under such circumstances, need must be determined unanimously by the organization entire, including all members, as well as those in the leadership of this organization, and there will be complete transparency and accountability insofar as on what the funds will be/are spent. It is understood that the member receiving any such funds will be responsible for any taxes incurred by the received funds, and that the organization itself, and/or its leadership will not be held responsible for such once these funds have been received by the party in question. It is also understood that those members of the organization contributing to such a fund will not be eligible for any exemptions on their tax returns. Since we are a non-governmentally-recognized association, we are not considered a charitable institution recognized officially for tax exemption. Money contributed to a private fund for a member in dire need is considered the same as a private gift to a friend or family member, not a charitable donation. 3.2 We will maintain a Classifieds section in our newsletter and in our online Ezine. Any sales, trades, swaps, etc., which occur due to such listings will be understood to be private transactions between the two parties involved. While we will do our best to maintain listings with trustworthy parties, MApSHA members should be aware that the leadership of MApSHA is in no way responsible for any difficulties which members may encounter when attempting to make purchases, trade, swap, etc., with those who have Classified ads featured in MApSHA publications. Caveat emptor: Buyer beware! 3.3 Classified Ad space will be provided free of charge and will be understood to exist solely for the private transactions of MApSHA members and guests. Youth Members of MApSHA, as defined later in these ByLaws, may not maintain Classified Ads, EXCEPT for S/D listings. 3.4 Any MApSHA member who routinely enters Classified Ads and routinely DOES NOT meet their obligations will have said ad revoked from all MApSHA publications immediately and without warning. |
| 4.1 The period of duration of this organization shall be perpetual. |
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5.1 Upon dissolution of this organization, any funds received during the existence of said organization will immediately be turned over to charities approved of during the existence of the organization. Such charities will not include members of this organization, even if in dire need, as such has previously been defined as not being an issue of charity in Article 3.1 of these ByLaws. 5.2 Members, officers, and founders of this organization shall have no personal liability for the debts of the organization or its members. |
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6.1 All direction for MApSHA shall be from the leadership of MApSHA, which shall be defined as: The President, Vice-President, and Secretary. The leadership of MApSHA supersedes and can override any and all other offices and officers which might be created in future, as well as the general membership of MApSHA. The leadership of MApSHA shall hold office in perpetuity. The leadership of MApSHA is empowered to remove any member from membership roles for cause as stated in these bylaws. 6.2 The primary authoritative spokesperson for the direction of MApSHA shall be known as the President. The office of President shall be a life-long position, or until such time as this organization is dissolved by the President. The President shall preside over meetings of the remaining leadership of MApSHA (Vice-President and Secretary). The President may choose a representative to act as a proxy in matters of public relations, or in matters where he/she feels they are too involved emotionally or otherwise to make a fair decision, should he or she so choose. 6.3 The President will be responsible for all registries entered to MApSHA. The President has the ability to make decisions with finality as to whether or not particular individuals (and/or their models) will or will not be accepted into this organization, on a case by case basis. 6.4 If at any time, a member of the leadership of MApSHA may be proven incapable of making decisions, due to mental or emotional circumstances beyond their control (such as an incapacitating mental disorder, emotional disorder, or a combination of any of the above, including circumstances in which such incapacity has been brought about due to a physical problem), they will be asked to step down either for an interim period pre-decided by the leadership of MApSHA or permanently, dependent upon the severity of the condition and the possible duration of said condition. In the event that the President is forced to step down, the option of becoming President and maintaining this organization will fall upon the Vice-President. 6.5 A member of the leadership of MApSHA is as responsible to the keeping of these By-Laws, if not even more so, as any other member of this organization. Any member of the Leadership, and/or the President, will be dealt with in the same manner as anyone else breaking the codes put forth herein. |
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7.1 Members of the Model Appaloosa Sporthorse Association shall consist of those persons who are interested in the Appaloosa Sporthorse breed(s), collect model horses, and have entered their horses to be registered and joined the MApSHA Update Newsletter as an expression of both. It is understood that by having registered said models with MApSHA and joining the MApSHA Update Newsletter mailing list, the registrant has the intent to participate in MApSHA Photo Shows, and any other activities offered. By registering a model horse or horses with MApSHA, the registrant expresses their intent to be an active, and involved member of MApSHA as defined later in these ByLaws. 7.2 Youth Members of MApSHA shall consist of those persons under the age of 18 who have entered model horses to be registered and joined the MApSHA Update Newsletter mailing list. Youth Members shall be allowed participation in most activities sponsored by MApSHA. Youth Members will have access to any communities maintained by MApSHA, and may choose to participate in EITHER the adult or youth division of the MApSHA photo show series (but not both!). Contact information nor any other personal information of any kind pertaining to Youth Members will be shared with the community of MApSHA, online or elsewhere, only with the explicit written permission of the Youth Member, and the implied consent of their parents. In the event that this organization creates an online community, Youth Members will be paired by the Youth Administrator with an adult member of MApSHA who will act as their chaperone during all community events and will be responsible for their behavior at all said events. Youth Members are responsible for reading and understanding these ByLaws and obeying them just as are all members of MApSHA. 7.3 Membership shall not be denied to any member at any of the previously described levels, based upon sexual orientation, gender, race, color, place of national origin, creed (unless said creed is in some way racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, heterophobic, etc.), or physical/mental/emotional disability. 7.4 All Members, at all previously described levels, are presumed to have read and understood these By-Laws, as well as any other documentation released in future pertaining to policy or procedures which are by reference hereby included in and made a part of these By-Laws, and that the member/applicant agrees to abide by the same. 7.5 Any Member, at any of the previously described levels, who violates the code of ethics of MApSHA or otherwise puts MApSHA, its members, and/or its leadership in a disreputable light may be removed from the membership by the Leadership of MApSHA. Such removal may be appealed in writing within 30 days of removal to the President. Notice of appeal will be distributed to the Leadership of MApSHA within ten days of receipt. 7.6 Youth Members shall be allowed access to the online community of MApSHA, should one again be created. However, they are expected to comport themselves as adults, socialize in those sections explicitly set aside for them, and not in those sections defined as explicitly for adult MApSHA members, and will be chaperoned at all times by an assigned adult MApSHA member, who will be responsible for their behavior while therein. Posts by Youth Members should contain their first name only, and it is preferred that while in the community they use a “screen name” instead! Real names, specific ages, and/or any other personal information pertaining to Youth Members shall only be posted in any public forum upheld and/or operated by this organization with the express written permission of the Youth Member, implying parental permission. 7.7 In matters where a vote of members needs to be called, only those holding adult membership status in MApSHA are eligible to vote, unless otherwise noted at the time at which the vote is called. |
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8.1 The Youth Administrator shall be an individual chosen by the President based upon an ability to communicate the ethics and principles of this organization to those under age 18, a willingness and eagerness to communicate said ethics and principles to those under age 18, an ability to exhibit discretion and good judgement when dealing with those under age 18, and a clear criminal record, not only with those under 18, but overall. 8.2 The Youth Administrator will be appointed by the current President and approved by a majority vote of the Leadership of MApSHA. 8.3 The Youth Administrator may be removed from office by the President if any of the following occur:
8.4 The Youth Administrator will hold dialogues with parents and/or guardians, if it becomes necessary, or with the appointed chaperones of Youth Members on a case-by-case basis and submit any required information to the President only. In the event that said parent and/or guardian or chaperone has not already entered into a dialogue with the President, the Youth Administrator will immediately facilitate such dialogue before furthering his/her own dialogue with said parent and/or guardian and/or the appointed chaperone of the Youth Member. 8.5 The Youth Administrator will maintain a discussion thread at any online communities created by and for this organization and manage the content therein, maintaining suitable material for those under the age of 18 and/or their families. 8.6 The Youth Administrator will be responsible for any photo shows and/or other special activities created/maintained exclusively for Youth Members. 8.7 The Youth Administrator will be responsible for maintaining, with certainty, that all personal information pertaining to any Youth Members of this organization remains completely private. 8.8 The Youth Administrator will work directly in concert with the current President. |
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9.1 The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and the Youth Administrator will meet annually during the first week of January to settle any outstanding matters of this organization, such as: appointment of the Youth Administrator and/or creation of/appointment to any other new offices which the leadership and/or President deem necessary to the fulfillment of the duties of this organization; announcement of any proposed amendments to these by-laws; and the settlement of issues of judgement (as described later in these ByLaws), and/or appeal of judgement. 9.2 Special meetings of the Leadership may be requested by the President. 9.3 All members of the Leadership of MApSHA must be physically present, or represented by proxy, at all annual and special meetings. Physically present is hereby defined to include not only the physical presence of a member of the leadership, but also as being in communication with the persons physically present by telephone or some equivalent means. 9.4 There shall be 3 types of votes possible concerning any proposals before this organization: affirmation, abstention, and negative. 9.5 All leadership members may cast one vote. Voting will be done by ballot. Voting by proxy is not allowed. In the event of an organization-wide vote, only adult MApSHA members in good standing may cast a vote. |
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10.1 Amendment to these by-laws may be proposed in writing and filed with the President by any three adult members of MApSHA. 10.2 Any amendment proposals must be received by the President by December 31st to be considered for that year’s annual meeting. At other times of the year, a special meeting may be called if deemed necessary. In either event, the President will have informed the Leadership and any other necessary parties of the proposed amendment within 10 days of receipt. The President will then respond to the parties submitting the proposed amendment acknowledging receipt of the proposed amendment within 5 days of receipt. The Leadership will examine and judge the proposed amendment to insure its passage would not weaken the proposed purposes of MApSHA. All decisions by the Leadership of MApSHA pertaining to any proposed amendments are final. 10.3 After the Leadership has ruled upon the proposed amendment the President shall notify the membership in writing of the accepted or denied amendment (s). |
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11.1 MApSHA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, creed (except as otherwise stated herein [7.3]), or physical/mental/emotional disability. 11.2 All personal/private information—including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and/or places of employment—pertaining to any and all members and/or officers of this organization shall remain confidential within this organization, except where expressed permission has been given to publicize said information; or in such case as an individual has been deemed by the Leadership to be a public threat (in which case confidential information may only be revealed to those authorities under whose jurisdiction the matter of conduct falls). 11.3 Members and/or officers of this organization shall respect the personal, individual Truths of all other members. While casual debate for purposes of education are not only allowed but, in fact, are encouraged, firestorms will not be tolerated. Such vehement, violent discussions will be settled with finality by the President. Repeated outbursts of this type may lead to probationary status and possible eventual removal from the membership of MApSHA. 11.4 All rules posted concerning registration, the photo show series, etc., on the MApSHA main or photo show series pages and included herein are the final rulings of the Leadership of MApSHA and adherence to them is absolutely and unquestioningly required. 11.5 By registering model horses with MApSHA and joining the MApSHA Update Newsletter, it is understood that members intend to become involved in MApSHA activities and serve as participants in said activities. Involvement and participation are VITAL for the survival of MApSHA. Involved, participatory membership is defined as follows: after having submitted models for registration and joining the MApSHA Update Newsletter, the member has submitted placings for all required MApSHA photo shows, has maintained a running dialogue where appropriate with the President regarding proposed activites, etc., for MApSHA members, and has participated in other activities as offered by MApSHA on a case by case basis. 11.6 MApSHA members will provide, to the best of their ability, accurate and true information regarding the models which they have registered, and accurate and true photo images of said models, as detailed in the rules of registration and photo showing with MApSHA listed herein and on the MApSHA main and photo show series pages. By registering a model with MApSHA it is implied that the model in question belongs to the registrant, or that they have the owner’s permission to register said model. Also, by registering a model with MApSHA, it is understood that the photos provided will be entered in the monthly photo show series, and may be used by the leadership of MApSHA for purposes of publicity/education, but only with full credit to the owner. 11.7 MApSHA members are expected to respect each other and the leadership of this organization. Troublemaking, firestorms, etc. WILL NOT be tolerated in any capacity. By registering models with MApSHA, it is implied that you accept the terms of these ByLaws and the decisions of the Leadership of MApSHA, and will adhere to same. |
12.1 Members at any of the previously described levels of membership, and/or officers, either elected or appointed, of this organization may be placed on a probationary level of membership if any of the following occur at any time, under any circumstances, and such has been proven by the Leadership of MApSHA:
12.2 The probationary period shall be no more nor no less than one year, either from the time of the commitment of the offence or from the first week of January to the first week of January of the following year, whichever period is of greater duration. 12.3 Probation shall be defined as: a period during which the offender may continue to receive the MApSHA Update Newsletter, the Sporty Spot Newsletter (if subscribed), and any other MApSHA correspondence, and must submit placings to all required MApSHA photo shows, but may not participate in any photo shows, whether of the regular photo show series or benefit shows. Members on probation may not submit points for the year during which they are on probation. In the event of the creation of a MApSHA online community, members on probation may not be allowed to post, dependent upon the nature and severity of their infringement of these ByLaws. 12.4 Following the duration of the probationary period, the individual on probation will enter a period of dialogue determined by the President before re-entering active participation in the activities of this organization. 12.5 Members at any of the previously described levels of membership, and or officers, either elected or appointed, of this organization may be removed from membership if any of the following occur at any time, under any circumstances, and such has been proven by the Leadership of MApSHA:
12.6 Anyone permanently removed from this organization shall remain so, with finality, unless deemed otherwise appropriate by the President. |
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13.1 New members to MApSHA who have not previously registered models may submit registrations at any time. 13.2 Existing MApSHA members should submit further registrations only during the Registration Windows defined below:
13.3 To be registered as an Appaloosa Sporthorse, a model must exhibit the following:
13.4 To be registered as an Improvement Stallion or Improvement Mare, a model must exhibit the following:
13.5 To register a model, it is required that the applicant copy/paste the application form provided on the MApSHA main into an email and fill in all required fields as completely as possible. All registrations are subject to photo approval, and a photo MUST be submitted with the registration form for a horse to be registered. There will be no exceptions. Photos submitted with registrations will be entered as halter photos in the MApSHA Photo Show Series. 13.6 At present, MApSHA will NOT register Grand Champions or other flocked or haired models UNLESS the model is a CM which has been rehaired. Nine times out of ten "factory hair" just won't cut it. :) MApSHA also will not register plush horses. If an applicant feels they have a Grand Champion or other flocked or factory-haired horse that might make the cut, they may feel free to send it in. The President/Registrar will review it and let the applicant know within 24-48 hours (during the registration windows listed above) unless something drastic happens to prevent a quick response. The decision of the President/Registrar in such matters is final. 13.7 When submitting all registrations, there MUST be a foaling date listed on ALL horses, even if they are non-aging. This does not mean tell the President/Registrar the AGE of the horse, this means all applicants MUST provide a YEAR OF BIRTH in the space provided on the application form. 13.8 Applicants MUST include a model number if one is at all available. If it is an off-brand horse (or if it has been CMed by someone and the applicant has NO idea what it was to begin with), the President/Registrar will develop a number from the given information, combined with the photo of the horse. 13.9 All submitted photos must be no larger than 350 x 350 (all other photos will be immediately deleted without notice) and in .jpg or .gif format (other formats will be deleted without notice), and must not contain any spaces in the name of the file (ex. Doc Holiday or Doc_Holiday should be DocHoliday; otherwise, the file will be deleted without notice). 13.10 All approved registrations receive their registration numbers and a link gif with code for their webpages. In addition, the model horse will be eligible for all of the services provided by MApSHA: free link to the applicant’s stable pages, free s/d listings through the MApSHA newsletter, The Sporty Spot (published in January, April, July, and November), entry in the MApSHA regular yearly photo show series, year end point awards (if points are submitted at year-end by the applicant), etc. 13.11 Limit of five registrations per email. If an application email is sent containing more than five models’ registrations, only the first five will be reviewed. 13.12 Foals bred by foundation stallions or out of foundation mares are automatically eligible for registration. 13.13 To be considered for foundation status, a horse must either have a) exemplary bloodlines, b) exemplary performance or bloodstock records, or c) exemplary color/conformation. The Foundation Stud/Dam books are now closed at 20 horses each. |
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14.1 MApSHA will sponsor a regular yearly online photo show series, with shows occurring in April, July, and November, and a Championship Show in January. These shows will be for MApSHA members only. Entry to the halter divisions of these shows shall be automatic with registration. 14.2 All shows in the Regular Online Photo Show Series shall be free to enter. 14.3 Benefit shows may occur at intervals during the year. In the event of such, all proceeds earned shall either a) be used to fund a MApSHA activity or award pre-determined by the entirety of the membership of this organization, b) be turned over to a MApSHA member who has been determined to be in need, as described in section 3.1 of these ByLaws, or c) be donated to a charity pre-approved by the entirety of the membership of this organization. In the event that the Benefit Show is being held by a MApSHA volunteer, the party hosting will be responsible for making absolutely certain the funds in question are turned in to the President. In the event that such funds are not submitted in a timely and responsible fashion, the hosting party may be placed on probation as described in sections 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, and 12.4 of these ByLaws. 14.4 Entry windows for Performance photos for the Regular Online Photo Show Series shall be posted on the MApSHA Photo Show Series main page (https://www.angelfire.com/me4/mapshaps) and should be followed exactly. 14.5 Judging windows for the Regular Online Photo show Series will be posted on the MApSHA Photo Show Series main page and will be announced through the MApSHA Update Newsletter. All MApSHA members are expected to either submit placings during these windows or contact the President immediately with information as to why they cannot submit placings. A model is only eligible to compete in the Championship show at year-end if their owner has either judged all three required shows, or has at least contacted the President for each show explaining why they could not submit placings for the show(s) in question. 14.6 All Performance Entries MUST include a description of the activity being performed or they will be automatically disqualified. 14.7 All Performance Entries must be no larger than 350 x 350, be in the form of a .jpg or .gif (lowercase preferred), in full color, and have no spaces in the name (image names such as Doc Holiday or Doc_Holiday are not permitted). Otherwise, they will be automatically disqualified. 14.8 Cantering entries and/or galloping entries are ineligible for Showmanship classes and will be automatically disqualified. 14.9 All Performance Entries must include horse’s name, foaling date, class entered, and appropriate description. 14.10 Horses must place in the top three in a class to compete in the Championships at year-end. Qualifications will be as follows:
14.11 MApSHA Regular Online Photo Shows shall be judged by a panel of members and their guests. Placings will be submitted to the President during the judging windows posted on the MApSHA Photo Show Series main page and announced through the MApSHA Update Newsletter. The President, overseen by the Vice-President and Secretary, will then tabulate all placings submitted to formulate the final placings. All placings for all shows are final. |
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15.1 MApSHA members may tabulate the scores for each horse registered with MApSHA and submit these points at year-end to the President/Registrar or an appointed pointskeeper. These points will include a model’s showstring for that year (January 1st-December 31st), inclusive of all shows entered, rated according to the scale on the MApSHA main page (https://www.angelfire.com/my/MApSHA). MApSHA Shows will be worth double points; live shows are worth triple points, with the submission of a scanned NAN card (in jpg or gif format with a small file size). 15.2 MApSHA members who do not wish to submit points at year-end will have their points at MApSHA shows ONLY tabulated by the President/Registrar and/or an appointed pointskeeper in order to create accurate top ten listings for the benefit of those who DID submit points for the year. MApSHA members who have their points calculated in this manner may still be eligible for Register of Merit status or Legion of Merit status (as listed below), but will not be considered for The Phoenix Crest, Silver Medallion Sire or Dam, or Gold Medallion Sire or Dam. 15.3 Horses logging 500 points or more will be placed on the Legion of Merit list for that year, and receive a gif appropriate for display on the applicant’s webpages. Legion of Merit winners who would like to receive a full-color printed certificate may send in $1.00 and an SASE, including a note of request for a Legion of Merit certificate, and the horse's name. 15.4 Horses logging 100 points or more will be placed on the Register of Merit list for that year, and receive a gif appropriate for display on the applicant’s webpages. Register of Merit winners who would like to receive a full-color printed certificate may send in $1.00 and an SASE, including a note of request for a Register of Merit certificate, and the horse's name. 15.5 High Point Champion for the year also receives the Phoenix Crest gif . High Point Champion owners who would like to receive a full-color printed certificate may send in $1.00 and an SASE, including a note of request for a Phoenix Crest certificate, and the horse's name. 15.6 Classes eligible for the calculation of points are listed on the MApSHA main page. 15.7 All points should be submitted using the convenient points uploader, the link to which is supplied on the MApSHA main and must be received by midnight EST on the 31st of December each year. 15.8 MApSHA horses having sired or produced at least one ROM Get are eligible to be awarded the Silver Medallion Sire or Dam award, and will be counted within a top ten listing of sires and dams for the year in the MApSHA Yearbook. Silver Medallion Sires and Dams will receive a gif appropriate for display on the applicant’s webpages. Those wishing to receive a full-color printed certificate may send in $1.00 and an SASE, including a note of request for a Silver Medallion certificate, the horse’s name, and the names and point totals of that horse’s get/produce. 15.9 MApSHA horses having sired or produced at least two or more ROM Get, or one LOM Get, are eligible to be awarded the Gold Medallion Sire or Dam award, and will be counted within a top ten listing of sires and dams for the year in the MApSHA Yearbook. Gold Medallion Sires and Dams will receive a gif appropriate for display on the applicant’s webpages. Those wishing to receive a full-color printed certificate may send in $1.00 and an SASE, including a note of request for a Gold Medallion certificate, the horse’s name, and the names and point totals of that horse’s get/produce. |
