By Laws

Table of Contents

ARTICLE 1. Organization Overview
ARTICLE 2. Mission and Objectives
ARTICLE 3. Affiliates Rights and Obligations
ARTICLE 4. Code of Conduct & Ethics
ARTICLE 5. Exhibitions & Competitions
ARTICLE 6. Sanctions and Enforcement
ARTICLE 7. Amendments and Dissolution
ARTICLE 8: Termination of Affiliate Membership
ARTICLE 9: Affiliate Responsibilities
ARTICLE 10: Affiliate Rights
ARTICLE 11: Freedom of Expression
ARTICLE 12: Ethics and Misconduct
ARTICLE 13: Due Process
ARTICLE 14: Disciplinary Action
ARTICLE 15: Governance Structure and Responsibilities
ARTICLE 16: Board of Directors – Composition, Duties & Structure
ARTICLE 17: General Assemblies

ARTICLE 1. Organization Overview

The American Federation of Ornithology (A.F.O.) is a registered not-for-profit corporation organized in compliance with the Florida Division of Corporations. It was founded in Miami on June 25, 2015, to unite and support ornithological institutions and individuals. It operates under a 12-month fiscal year, the year ends on December 31st.

ARTICLE 2. Mission and Objectives

A.F.O. aims to:

  • Promote bird conservation and ethical breeding practices.
  • Support scientific knowledge and education about birds.
  • Foster collaboration among ornithology groups nationally and internationally.
  • Establish and uphold standards for exhibitions and competitions.
  • Provide resources such as leg bands and publications to affiliates.
  • Organize and oversee bird exhibitions and competitions.
  • Maintain a registry of breeders and ring distribution.
  • Operate a College of Judges - National Bird Judges Association (NBJA) for qualified judging in exhibitions.

ARTICLE 3. Affiliates Rights and Obligations

Active Affiliates have full rights, voting power, and members of their club are eligible to hold office.

Requirements to join are:

  • Submit a completed application with organizational information.
  • Have at least 5 members.
  • Use only C.O.M. approved leg bands.
  • Maintain communication via email.
  • Promote ornithology in their region.

Affiliates may:

  • Participate in General Assemblies.
  • Use A.F.O. services and resources.
  • Propose topics for discussion.
  • Access financial and operational records.
  • Request special meetings with sufficient affiliate support.

Affiliates must:

  • Follow A.F.O. rules and decisions.
  • Pay dues on time.
  • Designate one delegate for representation.
  • Notify A.F.O. of public events and maintain coordination.
  • Use email for all communications with A.F.O.

Membership may be terminated for:

  • Non-payment of dues.
  • Voluntary resignation or dissolution.
  • Expulsion by the General Assembly for rule violations.

ARTICLE 4. Code of Conduct & Ethics

Members and delegates must act with integrity, respect, and fairness. Violations include dishonesty, unethical behavior, spreading misinformation, and unsportsmanlike conduct. Disciplinary actions range from warnings to expulsion, following a due process reviewed by the Ethics Committee and Board.

ARTICLE 5. Exhibitions & Competitions

A.F.O. may organize regional, national, and international bird shows. The National Bird Judges Association (NBJA) ensures integrity in judging. Unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., tampering with birds or rings) is strictly prohibited and will result in sanctions.

ARTICLE 6. Sanctions and Enforcement

If the A.F.O. Board imposes sanctions on someone for Affiliates must apply A.F.O.-imposed sanctions to their members. If they fail to do so, their privileges may be suspended. The General Assembly makes final decisions on unresolved disciplinary matters.

ARTICLE 7. Amendments and Dissolution

Changes must be approved by the Board and/or General Assembly. If dissolved, A.F.O. assets will go to a non-profit public-interest organization approved by the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 8: Termination of Affiliate Membership

An Affiliate’s membership may be terminated for non-payment of dues, voluntary resignation or dissolution, or expulsion for non-compliance.

ARTICLE 9: Affiliate Responsibilities

Affiliates must:

  1. Comply with rules and decisions.
  2. Pay dues by June 30.
  3. Submit resignation in writing if all dues are paid.
  4. Support and promote the A.F.O.
  5. Appoint two delegates.
  6. Follow delegate conduct guidelines.
  7. Avoid scheduling conflicts with A.F.O. events.
  8. Notify A.F.O. of upcoming events.
  9. Maintain active email communication.

ARTICLE 10: Affiliate Rights

Affiliates may:

  1. Vote and participate in assemblies.
  2. Propose agenda items.
  3. Use federation services.
  4. Review records.
  5. Request special meetings.
  6. Request A.F.O. support.
  7. Host Championships and Exhibitions.

ARTICLE 11: Freedom of Expression

Members have the right to free speech.

ARTICLE 12: Ethics and Misconduct

  • Violations may include:
  • Insults, dishonesty, misconduct
  • Restricting free speech
  • Misleading or damaging the A.F.O.
  • Election fraud or spreading false information
  • Sharing internal matters
  • Discussing politics or religion
  • Gambling
  • Altered plumage or physical tampering with a bird or cage at exhibitions
  • Bird ring falsification or tampering
  • Misleading judges at competitions

ARTICLE 13: Due Process

A person that is accused of a violation of the rules will be notified by either email or U.S.Mail and has 30 days to review and respond. If no response is received it will be interpreted as acceptance of the charges. Next, the Ethics Committee will issue a report and the Board will then impose temporary sanctions. Finally, the General Assembly will make a final decision and notify the accused and the related Affiliate of the outcome and whether there is any disciplinary action imposed.

ARTICLE 14: Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action may include: Reprimand, suspension (up to 36 months), disqualification, removal, expulsion, loss of awards, and/or public notice.

The Affiliate related to the accused must apply the disciplinary action determined by the A.F.O. within 90 days of an incident. Failure of the Affiliate to enforce an A.F.O. disciplinary action will result in a penalty to the Affiliate. Appeals will be reviewed by the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 15: Governance Structure and Responsibilities

  1. Governing Bodies:
  • General Assembly: Embodies the highest authority and includes affiliate representatives.
  • Board of Directors: Oversees operations and enforces policies. Organizes assemblies, approves affiliates, manages finances, oversees events, coordinates national/international events and activities. Handles daily functions. Reviews finances, monitors compliance, calls assemblies when needed.
  • Ethics and Discipline Committee: Investigates and recommends disciplinary actions related to any violation of the rules. Investigates ethics issues, submits rules for approval. The Ethics and Discipline Committee will consist of 3 members and 2 alternates. These members are appointed, when necessary, by the President. All serve voluntarily without pay.
  • Subcommittees: Support specific projects. All serve voluntarily without pay.
  • National Bird Judges Association (NBJA): Manages judges, training, evaluation and judge certification. All serve voluntarily without pay.

ARTICLE 16: Board of Directors – Composition, Duties & Structure

The Board of Directors will consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to 3 Voting Members. All serve voluntarily without pay. The positions for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected positions with a term of two years. A candidate must have 1 year of good standing, be of legal age, and have no sanctions in order to qualify. A candidate list will be provided to the General Assembly at least 25 days prior to the meeting via email to the Affiliates. A member of the board may be terminated due to affiliate ineligibility, sanctions, or resignation.

Duties of the Officers:

  1. President: Leads meetings, oversees operations, signs payments, enforces order.
  2. Secretary: Manages records and communication. Drafts official meeting minutes.
  3. Treasurer: Handles finances, reports, and accounts.
  4. Voting/Alternate Members: Participate in tasks, replace absentees.

Meeting Rules: The Board of Directors will meet, at minimum, quarterly and have a quorum with 3 members being present; absenteeism may trigger replacement.

Board Vacancies: If Board vacancies result in meetings without a quorum being attained, the General Assembly must be called in 30 days.

ARTICLE 17: General Assemblies

Active affiliates in good standing only are eligible to vote on matters presented to the General Assembly. Resolutions are considered passed by majority vote and are binding.

The General Assembly meets ordinarily yearly for reports and elections. As needed, an Extraordinary General Assembly may be called by the Board or by 35% of active Affiliates.

There is one vote per affiliate. Affiliates may not vote on any issue that may be deemed a conflict of interest.