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2008 By-Laws
Article I Name and Object:
This association will be known as the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Youth Association, and will at all times be operated and conducted as a non-profit association in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
Article II Relationship to Parent Association:
All of the proceedings of this Association will be in harmony with the policies, activities, and rules of the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association. This association will also act in harmony with the policies and activities and follow the by-laws of the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association.
Article III Officers:
The officers of the Association will be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Social Director(s).
ANY OFFICER MISSING MORE THAN ONE MEETING, WITH AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, WILL HAVE THEIR OFFICE TERMINATED AND NEW ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD.

The President will:
• Call and preside at all meetings
• Chair the Youth Show (All officers will also serve on this committee)
• Keep advisor informed

The Vice President will:
• Assume the duties of the President when the President is absent
• Keep a log of attendance at meetings, which will be brought to each show (The presiding officer shall take attendance
when the VP is absent.)
• Obtain a list of youth, whose “Letter of Intent” and sponsorships were in by the June 1st deadline (from the advisors)
and keep track of those youths’ fundraisers on this list
• Bring the World Show and Congress “lists” to each show
• Give the Advisors a list of youth who have fulfilled their Youth World requirements at the show prior to the Cap Gun
Show
• Give the Advisors a list of youth who have fulfilled their Congress requirements by July 31st &/or the last day of the circuit falling on this weekend.
• Request youth membership list from WQHA membership contact person and post at the first two WQHA approved shows of the year.

The Secretary will:
• Take minutes of meetings
• Give or E-mail a copy of the minutes to the Reporter and Advisors within two weeks of the meeting
• Be responsible for special mailings
• Post a copy of the minutes from each meeting at the next show’s entry booth

The Treasurer will:
• Keep track of finances, which will all go through the WQHA Treasurer, and get start-up money for events from WQHA Treasurer
• Prepare a yearly statement with the WQHA Treasurer
• Will purchase a picture of both World and NYATT teams for submission in the newsletter and scrapbook

The State Reporter will:
• Prepare news for the WQHA Newsletter and The Wisconsin Horsemen’s News each month of publication, reporting on current and past events
• Reporter MUST E-Mail copy to the advisor prior to sending copy to publications for approval and any additions/corrections needed
• Be timely and adhere to publication deadlines
• Will send special event pictures and copy to the Quarter Horse Journal for possible publication

Social Director(s) will:
• Research possible activities for youth members at each show (movies, bowling, go-carts, volleyball, etc.)
• Organize and inform youth about activities available at each show
• Coordinate and oversee promotion of upcoming events and fundraisers
These positions are for a one-year period. Officers will be elected at the State Show meeting for the following year. If there is a vacant position left at the end of the State Show meeting, it will be open for nominations and voted on at the annual meeting. If an officer needs to be replaced, youth will be nominated from the floor. Attending adults will tabulate the votes. After a youth has been elected, a form will be signed by the youth and his/her parent(s). The form will solidify the commitment of the youth to the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Youth Association's needs.
Wisconsin Quarter Horse Youth Association Officer Contract:
We understand our commitment to this association and agree to assist in all WQHYA needs.
Youth Officer:________________________ Date: ______________
Parent(s):_________________________________________
There is a mandatory meeting for all outgoing officers, incoming officers, and advisors prior to the annual meeting to facilitate a smooth transition of officers.
Article IV Youth Advisors:
WQHYA shall have a Youth Advisor(s) to:
• Oversee activities and offer suggestions
• New advisor(s) need to fill out the AQHA Youth Advisor Form, have it signed by the WQHA President, and send it
to AQHA
• Be in charge of World Show entries/stalls and Congress entries (If the advisor cannot attend the World or Congress, he/she shall appoint a qualified representative to takeover his/her responsibilities.)
• Receive and keep track of the Letters of Intent and Sponsorship Forms received by the June 1st deadline
• Give a list of members who submitted a Letter of Intent (for the Youth World Show and/or Congress NYATT to the WQHA Point Chairperson and Vice President as soon as possible after the June 1st deadline.
Members interested in camping at the AQHYA World Show need to get an AQHYA World Show RV Reservation Form, which must be sent/postmarked on June 1st to AQHA. Forms must be given to the Youth Advisor prior to June 1st to ensure a place.
The association shall also have a Point Chairperson who will:
• Keep track of the qualifying points for the World and Congress Teams
The association shall have an Assistant Youth Advisor who will:
• Assist the advisor with World and Congress entries/stalls
• Assist with meetings, fund raisers, etc.
These positions shall be for a one-year period. The WQHA Board must approve the Advisor appointees.
Article V Meetings:
The annual meeting shall be held on Saturday of the Annual WQHA Banquet and Awards Convention. At this meeting by-laws may be revised and AQHYA Leadership Conference delegates shall be discussed and must be determined by April 1st. There is a mandatory meeting for all outgoing officers, incoming officers, and advisors prior to the annual meeting to facilitate a smooth transition of officers.
• Other general meetings will be conducted at horse shows
• The President may call special meetings; however, the general membership must be informed of these meetings.
• All members in good standing may vote at any meeting.
• Meeting times will be announced at the shows and will generally be 45 minutes after the last youth class after the first day of a split combined show day
Article VI Amendment of By-Laws:
• By-laws may be amended by a majority vote at the annual meeting or may be amended at regular or special meetings by a two-thirds vote if all members are notified of the proposed changes and meeting a minimum of two weeks prior to the meeting.
Article VII Sportsmanship and Booster Awards:
• Sportsmanship/Booster Awards shall be awarded to the youth with the most votes by the membership at the annual meeting.
• The winner of the Sportsmanship/Booster Awards will be recognized at the Annual WQHA Banquet and Awards Convention and will receive a traveling trophy and certificate. Following the banquet, the trophy will be given to the Advisor for engraving purposes and returned to the winners. The winner must return the traveling trophy to the Advisor prior to the next award banquet.
Definitions: Sportsmanship Award: - Youth vote for another youth they feel sets a good example, is a team player, not a sore winner or sore loser. Booster Award: Youth vote for another youth they feel encourages others, motivates, inspires youth to do their best and helps youth when needed, gives other youth a shoulder to cry on.
Article VIII AQHYA World Team Requirements and Qualifications:
1. Members must be in good standing. All WQHA dues must be paid before points will be kept. The advisor must receive a Letter of Intent and 4 sponsorships per team no later than June 1st of the current year. Only residents of Wisconsin are eligible or bordering states--IF they have received an approved “Hardship Change of Affiliation” from AQHA.
2. A minimum of 4 sponsorships per team, per team member must be sent with a letter of intent to the advisor by June 1st of the current year. Additional sponsorships will be accepted at any time. A contest will be held to see which youth can obtain the most sponsorships by noon on the first day of the Youth Benefit Show. The top-two youth will show free at the Youth Benefit Show!
3. All members of the World team must work a minimum of four hours at the Youth Benefit Show to receive any reimbursement! Exceptions to this rule will be considered, discussed with the advisors, and voted on by the youth board. Only one set of requirements is needed, other than sponsorships—4 per team. When working, youth are responsible for signing in and out on a form provided by the Advisor or Vice President.
4. All members of the World team must work a minimum of six hours at the All-Novice/Open Show to receive any reimbursement. Members may obtain a minimum of $100.00 of sponsorships for the All-Novice/Open Show in lieu of working the six hours. Members are responsible for signing in and WORKING at the Youth Benefit and All-Novice shows. Any youth that does not work their full time period will be brought up to the youth board and advisors and may have credit for the requirement revoked! A family member may work in place of a member. All members are expected to help with any additional fundraisers! When working, youth are responsible for signing in and out on a form provided by the Advisor or Vice President.
5. Members must be present and sign in at three WQHYA meetings prior to the Cap Gun Circuit to receive reimbursement!
6. Qualifying shows run from the first WQHA approved show through the show prior to the Cap Gun Circuit.
7. Points will be kept using the WQHA point system located under the shows contest rules of the WQHA by-laws.
8. A members 6 best WQHA approved shows (prior to the Cap Gun Circuit) will be used to select the AQHYA World Show Team, which is picked at the Cap Gun Circuit. The selection meeting will be held Saturday after the show at Cap Gun. Any member and one of his/her parents MUST be present at the meeting to be considered for the Youth World Team!
9. The top-two horse and rider combinations in each event will be asked to participate on the team. This is in addition to any national qualification. National qualifiers MUST show with their home state according to AQHYA rules.
10. Any classes not filled by the top-two horse/rider combinations will be filled using most points.
11. If a contestant leads in more than 2 events, the contestant will be asked to pick two events in which to compete.
12. If classes cannot be filled in this manner, contestants may be asked to compete in more than 2 events, determined by most points.
13. If a contestant takes more than one horse, he/she only completes one set of requirements and only receives one set of benefits.
14. Four World Show Delegates will be chosen at the annual meeting. Delegates attend the National Leadership Conference in Amarillo. Delegates vote on a variety of issues, including National Officers and Directors. If a delegate is unable to attend, an alternate will be chosen. AQHA must be notified of this change!
15. If a team member fails to complete his/her requirements or if a member does not compete in at least one event, he/she will not receive benefits for attending the show.
**Vacant team spots may be filled by any WQHYA member in good standing. If work and sponsorship requirements and letter of intent was not received the member will be responsible for all fees and expenses related to their team spot and will not receive WQHYA assistance. If competing for same spot youth will be chosen following point system stated above.**
Article IX AQHYA World Show Team Benefits:
• AQHYA World Show Team members will receive monetary compensation at the end of the year to help cover costs, provided all requirements listed above have been met!
• AQHYA World Team members are responsible for ordering their own team picture.
Article X Congress NYATT Requirements and Qualifications:
1. Members must be in good standing. All WQHA dues must be paid before points will be kept. The advisor must receive a Letter of lntent and 4 sponsorships per team no later than June 1st of the current year. Residents of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota are eligible for the WQHYA Congress team.
2. A minimum of 4 sponsorships per team, per team member must be sent with a letter of intent to the advisor by June 1st of the current year. Additional sponsorships will be accepted at any time. A contest will be held to see which youth can obtain the most sponsorships by noon on the first day of the Youth Benefit Show. The top-two youth will show free at the Youth Benefit Show!
3. All members of the Congress team must work a minimum of four hours at the Youth Benefit Show to receive any reimbursement! Exceptions to this rule will be considered, discussed with the advisors, and voted on by the youth board. Only one set of requirements is needed, other than sponsorships—4 per team. When working, youth are responsible for signing in and out on a form provided by the Advisor or Vice President.
4. All members of the Congress team must work a minimum of six hours at the All-Novice/Open Show to receive any reimbursement. Members may obtain a minimum of $100.00 of sponsorships for the All-Novice/Open Show in lieu of working the six hours. Members are responsible for signing in and WORKING at the Youth Benefit and All-Novice shows. Any youth that does not work their full time period will be brought up to the youth board and advisors and may have credit for the requirement revoked! A family member may work in place of a member. All members are expected to help with any additional fundraisers! When working, youth are responsible for signing in and out on a form provided by the Advisor or Vice President.
5. Members must be present and sign in at three WQHYA meetings prior to August 1st to be eligible for the Congress team.
6. Qualifying shows run from the first WQHA approved show through July 31st.
7. Points will be kept using the WQHA point system located under the shows contest rules of the WQHA by-laws.
8. A members 10 best WQHA approved shows (prior to the last WQHA show before July 31st) will be used to select the Congress Team, which is picked at the July Badger show. The selection meeting will be held Saturday after the show. Any member and one of his/her parents MUST be present at the meeting to be considered for the Congress team!
9. The top-two horse/rider combinations in each event will be asked to participate on the team.
10. Any classes not filled by the top-two horse/riders will be filled using numerical order of points.
11. If a contestant leads in more than one event, he/she will be asked to pick one event in which to compete.
12. If classes cannot be filled in this manner, contestants may be asked to go in more than one event, determined by most points.
13. If a contestant takes two horses, he/she only completes one set of requirements and only receives one set of benefits.
14. If a team member fails to complete his/her requirements or if a member does not compete in at least one event, he/she will not receive benefits for attending the show.
**Vacant team spots may be filled by any WQHYA member in good standing. If work and sponsorship requirements and letter of intent was not received the member will be responsible for all fees and expenses related to their team spot and will not receive WQHYA assistance. If competing for same spot youth will be chosen following point system stated above.**
Article XI Congress Team Benefits:
• Congress NYATT members will receive monetary compensation at the end of the year to help cover costs, provided all requirements listed above have been met!
• NYATT members are responsible for ordering their own team picture.
Article XII World and Congress Team Commitment:
• Representing Wisconsin on the World and Congress teams is an honor and privilege! Members will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and adhere to the AQHYA code of conduct.
• In accepting a position on a World or Congress team, members will make every effort to fulfill the honor of competing for said team. Members should be sure of their ability to compete in an event prior to accepting a team spot, so that all eligible members wishing to compete are given an opportunity!
• In accepting a position on the Congress Team, members are required to take part in the team picture and to attend the awards ceremony.