Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association By-Laws

Pennsylania Professional Farriers Association By-Laws

This organization shall be the Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association, also known as PPFA.

SECTION II - Purpose

To organize farriers in the state of Pennsylvania and other interested parties in promoting the farrier industry; to inform the horseowner of the quality and standards of service to which he is entitled, as defined in the standards of conduct (Section XI of the By-Laws); to assist a farrier to further his skills; to work in the association with the American Farriers Association in promoting the farrier industry.

SECTION III - Membership

A standard application form must be submitted before membership can be granted.
Regular Member - shall be practicing horseshoers, past or present and paid current dues. Regular membership will include voting on all Association business and the ability to hold elected office, receiving all published newsletters, articles and special notices of the PPFA. In addition, a regular member will be able to use his Association membership in any and all forms of advertising for his personal business.
Associate Member - Associate membership will be awarded all membership privileges with the following exceptions: (a) they will not be able to hold elected office, and (b) they will not be entitled to a vote in Association business matters.
Honorary Member - Approved by majority vote of Executive Committee. May be nominated by any current paid member. In order to remain a member, the Executive Committee must renew said vote annually. Honorary members will not be entitled to a vote in Association business matters, pay no dues and may not hold an elected office.
All members shall be subject to the "Standards of Conduct" contained in Section VIII.

SECTION IV - Dues

The annual dues for Regular and Associate members will be set by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and notification to the members of the Association will be sent prior to the new fiscal year.
Dues will be payable in advance for any fiscal year beginning January 1 and will apply for the entire fiscal year (January 1 to December 31). New members shall pay for the entire year unless they join after October 1. In this case, dues will apply to the following fiscal year, starting January 1.
When a member fails to pay his dues within 90 days of initial acceptance or the beginning of the fiscal year (January 1), all membership privileges will be automatically canceled.

SECTION V - Finances

The elected officials will be responsible for maintaining a balanced budget within the resources of the Association.
All dispersal of funds will receive prior approval from one or more members of the Executive Committee.
Records of funds of the Association will be kept by the elected or appointed Treasurer on a monthly basis. A reading of the financial statement will be part of every regular business meeting. Quarterly financial reports will be published in the Association's newsletter.
If the Executive Secretary is appointed by the President, the Executive Secretary is authorized to establish and maintain a petty cash fund to cover incidental expenses. Accounting of this fund shall be to the Executive Committee through the President.

SECTION VI - Duties of the Executive Committee

This committee shall be composed of all elected officials and 4 regular members from the Association's membership.
It is the duty of this committee to insure the chapter works toward the goals of the PPFA as a whole.
It is the duty of the Executive Secretary to assist the President in performing all business management activities; to collect and receive all monies due the Association, draw checks on the Treasury for all necessary expenses incurred in the operation and affairs of the Association, maintain records of finances and transmit the same to the Executive Committee through the President.

SECTION VII - Duties of Officers

President

It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all PPFA meetings and those of the Executive Committee, appoint appropriate committees and conduct af fairs of the Association.
The President or his representative shall be the representative to the American Farriers Association Board of Directors meetings and attend all AFA sanctioned board meetings (hotel and transportation expenses shall be paid by the Association Treasury).
The President may or may not appoint an Executive Secretary to assist in administrative activities of the Association. The terms of office, remuneration, and program of work shall be governed by the Executive Committee.
It shall be the duty of the President to be responsible f or all disbursements.

Vice President
Regional

It shall be the duty of the Vice President to serve on the Executive Committee and attend all PPFA meetings and assist the President with Association affairs.
The Vice President shall assume, in the absence of an elected Secretary, all secretarial duties.
The Vice President shall take over the duties of the President in his absence or if he is no longer able to fulfill his responsibilities.
There are two Vice Presidents to help with Regions East and West.

Treasurer

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to attend all Association meetings and serve on the Executive Committee and attend all of its meetings, to make collections and disbursements and maintain records as provided for in the ByLaws.

Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend all PPFA meetings and serve on the Executive Committee and keep minutes of these meetings.
In lieu of an Executive Secretary, the Secretary will prepare and send meeting notices, inter-Association communications, special event notices, communications with other related associations and individuals, and to maintain the membership roster.
The elected Secretary will assume all duties of the Executive Secretary if one is not appointed by the President.

Executive Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Executive Secretary to assist the President in administrative activities of the Association.
In lieu of an elected Treasurer and/or Secretary the Executive Secretary will prepare and send meeting notices, inter-Association communications, special event notices, communications with other related associations and individuals, and maintain the membership roster. It shall be the duty of the Executive Secretary to attend all meetings of the Executive Committee. Also, the Executive Secretary shall be responsible for all collections and for keeping financial records for the Association.

SECTION VIII - Voting

1. only regular members with dues current are entitled to vote. Voting may be exercised only by being physically present or by absentee ballot.

SECTION IX - Elections

Elections for the offices of one (1) President, 2 (2) Vice Presidents, one (1) Treasurer, and four (4) Executive Committee members shall be held in June of each even numbered year. Their terms will run for a period of two years.
There shall be a thirty (30) day transition period following elections. This will give the newly elected officers time to become familiar with the inner workings of the PPFA.
All officers will be elected by a simple majority of the roster of regular members present. The slate of candidates will be assembled by nomination by the current membership.
Nominations and Absentee Ballots will be sent to the roster of regular members prior to the date of the election.
If a regular member has advanced knowledge that he will be unable to attend a voting meeting (regardless of whether it concerns officer elections or any other important Association matter), he may send or give another member an absentee ballot. It must be correctly filled out for the particular vote and signed by the member.

SECTION X - Amendments of By-Laws

The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Notification will be sent to the present membership roster of any changes made.

SECTION XI - Standards of Conduct

Being granted membership in the Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association is a singular honor, in that it recognizes the farrier's competency in the trade. It further assures the member's character and integrity in dealing with the animal, his owner, and others associated with the equine industry.

By accepting membership, the Farrier agrees to perform his service to the highest standards of skill and workmanship. The honor and dignity of the Farrier profession lies in acceptance of and adherence to a reasonable code of ethics set forth as a guide to practitioners of the art. The purpose of this code is far reaching because exemplary professional conduct not only enhances honor, dignity, and integrity, but enlarges the sphere of usefulness to society and promoted the science and art of the Farrier. This code is the foundation of the individual Farrier's efforts and the success of the Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association.

The principal objectives of the Farrier and his skills are to render service to society and to promote the general health and welfare of horses.
Once a professional Farrier has undertaken care of an animal, he must not neglect him and will render his service to the best of his ability. He should not hesitate to consult with others more skilled or particularly competent in the field, or to recommend consultation with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The Farrier shall render services in the matter of illness, diseased or injured horses only in the capacity of technician to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The Farrier should not employ his professional knowledge or skill nor dispose of his services in such a way as to compromise the free exercise of his judgement, skill, or integrity, which will cause a deterioration of the quality of service rendered or the professional image he portrays.
The Farrier should work continually to improve the knowledge and skill of his art, making available to his colleagues the benefit of his personal and professional attainments, and seeking, through consultation, assistance of others when it appears that the quality of public service may be bettered thereby.
The Farrier profession should safeguard the public and itself against practitioners deficient in moral character or professional competence. Farriers should observe and respect all civil laws, uphold the honor and dignity of the profession by practicing honestly, faithfully, punctually, and competently and accept this self-imposed discipline.
There shall be no consumption of alcoholic beverages during the course of a meeting in progress of the PPFA.
The responsibility of the Farrier profession extends not only to the animal being handled, but to the horse owner and horse lover as well. The enjoyment of the public, as well as the well-being of the animals themselves, deserve the Farrier's interest and participation in all allied nonprofessional activities and organizations which promote all aspects of the horse industry.

SECTION XII - Dissolution

All remaining funds shall be donated to research being done relative to the Farrier industry. Such donee to be chosen by the elected officers and members of the Executive Committee.
In the event of dissolution of, this organization, the closing of the treasury shall be the last official business performed by the PPFA.

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