Wisconsin Junior Poultry Association Bylaws

Article I.                  Name

The name of this 4-H Club or Group shall be Wisconsin Junior Poultry Association (WJPA). Originally established in 1996, and incorporated in 2021.

Article II.                Purpose

The purposes of this organization are:

(a) To promote and protect the standard-bred poultry industry in all its phases.

(b) To encourage and protect poultry shows as being the show window of our industry, an education for both breeder and public, and a means of interesting young future breeders in taking up poultry.

(c) To assist, encourage and help educate the junior poultry youth to the sound and practical value of standard-bred poultry, pure breeding and avian science.

Article III.              Membership

A WJPA member must be at least age 5 years through the next year following their graduation from high school not to extend beyond the age of 19 as of December 31 of the enrollment year.  Youth must be a Wisconsin resident.  Membership is open to any youth regardless of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental status.  There are no dues for membership, however annual registration is required. Membership and Fiscal year begins September 1 and expires August 31.

Article IV.              Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the meetings of the organization.

Article V.       Amendments

A simple majority of the total membership responses may amend the bylaws in a meeting or virtual vote, provided previous notice is given to the membership -or- 2/3 majority vote of the total membership at any regular scheduled meeting.

Article VI.             Youth Officers

Section 6.01 The officers of this organization shall be:

(a)     President

(b)     Vice-president

(c)     Secretary

(d)     Treasurer                

(e)     Historian

(f) Communications Director

Section 6.02 Qualification for officers include

Youth must be at least 12 years old and currently registered members of WJPA to be eligible to run for election for an officer position. Must have been a member of WJPA for at least 1 year to be eligible for nomination.

Section 6.03  Election of Officers

(a)    Call for nominations will open each summer, youth may self nominate themselves by submitting the nomination form to the Adult Advisor.

(b)    The officers shall be elected by virtual ballot each fall, distributed by the General Advisor.  New officers will take office at the completion of the WIPC Portage Show each year, or no later than October 1st.

(c)     All youth officers will hold a two year term. Offices of President, Secretary, and Historian will be elected in odd years; Vice President, Treasurer and Communications director will be elected in even years.

(d)    All currently registered members are eligible to vote.

(e)    Ties for election of office are to be broken by special vote of the outgoing WJPA Board.

(f)     Officers may be removed from office for conduct detrimental to the organization or delinquency of duties, by majority vote of Board members and Advisors present at a special meeting called for that purpose or 2/3 majority vote of a regularly scheduled meeting.

(g)    If an officer is unable to complete their term, a replacement for the remainder of the term may be appointed by majority vote of the WJPA Board.

Section 6.04 Duties of Officers

(a)    The president shall preside at all organizational meetings.  In the absence of the president, the vice president shall preside. 

(b)    Together, the president and vice president will be responsible for leading educational & recreational activities for the organization.

(c)    The secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the organization.  They will be responsible for all correspondence, email and maintaining active membership lists.

(d)    The treasurer shall receive and take care of all money belonging to the club and shall pay it out in collaboration with the General Advisor, and shall keep an accurate record of all money received and paid.  The Treasurer will be responsible for leading fundraising efforts for the organization.

(e)     The historian will keep historical records, files, and serve as organization photographer at events and activities.

(f)     The communications director will be responsible for maintenance and updates of the organization website and social media presence.

Article VII.           Club or Group/Committee Volunteer Leadership

(a)    The WJPA Board shall consist of Youth Officers and Adult Advisors.

(b)    The WJPA shall be under the direction of Youth Leadership working in partnership with local adult volunteer advisors. 

(c)    Volunteer leadership is open to all adults regardless of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental status. 

(d)    All adult volunteers are required to demonstrate support and assistance to WJPA activities prior to becoming a WJPA Advisor. 

(e)    There shall be such volunteer advisors as are needed to properly advise and assist in carrying on the various projects and in conducting the business of the organization, including but not limited to:

1. General Advisor shall oversee all general operations of the organization and guide youth officers in conducting business. Serves as National Youth Exhibition Poultry Association Liaison and ACE program facilitator for Wisconsin.

2. Awards Coordinator: Organizes awards criteria, application and awards process.

3. Showmanship Coordinator: Organizes showmanship competitions at WJPA sanctioned shows as requested.

4. Scholarship Coordinator: Organizes scholarship criteria, application and awards process.

5. Advisors at Large: Assist with educational, recreational, competitions and other activities as needed.

Article VIII.        Dissolution Clause

Upon dissolution of the association, any assets remaining shall be conveyed to a related youth development program as selected by the affirmative vote of the majority of association members entitled to vote.

Article IX.             Meetings

Section 9.01   Regular Meetings

(a)    There will be a minimum of two regular membership meetings per year of this organization typically held at WJPA Sanctioned shows at a time and location determined by the club youth and adult leadership team.

(b)    The Youth Board and Adult Advisors shall meet virtually each month.   

(c)    A majority of the elected officers of the organization will constitute a quorum.  A quorum must be present when business is transacted. 

Article X.               Additional Club Policies and Standing Rules

(a) None

Articles of Incorporation of  the Wisconsin Junior Poultry Association

The undersigned, a majority of whom are citizens of the United States, desiring to form a Non-Profit Corporation under the Non-Profit Corporation Law of Wisconsin, do hereby certify:

     First: The name of the Corporation shall be the Wisconsin Junior Poultry Association.

     Second: The place in this state where the principal office of the Corporation is to be located is the City of ____________________________________, ________________________ County.

     Third: Said corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

     Fourth: The names and addresses of the persons who are the initial trustees of the corporation are as follows:
Name ___________________________    Address_______________________

     Fifth: No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article Third hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
 
If reference to federal law in articles of incorporation imposes a limitation that is invalid in your state, you may wish to substitute the following for the last sentence of the preceding paragraph: "Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation."
 
      Sixth: Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
 
In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this day of ______________ 20_____.