Constitution & By-Laws of the Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association
2013

Article I-Name and Objectives
1) This organization shall be a division of the Quarter Horse Association of Nebraska. It shall be named the Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association, which name shall be abbreviated hereafter as NQHYA.
2) The objectives and purposes of the NQHYA shall be as follows:
a) To improve and promote the American Quarter Horse breed.
b) To establish a means whereby its members may work in conjunction with, and qualify as members of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association, hereafter referred to as AQHYA Youth.
c) To improve and develop the capabilities of youth, both individually and through group participation, in the care, safety, training, handling and exhibiting of the American Quarter Horse.
d) T o encourage high moral character, scholarship, leadership, community interest and sportsmanship among its members.

Article II-Youth Activities Committee
1) This association shall be under the guidance of the Chairman of the Youth Activities Committee of the Quarter Horse Association of Nebraska, Inc., hereafter referred to as NQHA.
2) The Youth Activities Committee shall assist its Chairman and the Youth of this Association in the activities of this Association. The Chairman of the Youth Activities Committee shall be designated as the Youth Advisor. There may also be a designated Assistant Youth Advisor.
3) At the annual meeting of this association the NQHYA Board of Directors shall prepare and deliver to the President of NQHA a list of those adult members it recommends for the appointment to the Youth Activities Committee for the ensuing year.

Article III-Membership and Dues
1) Membership shall consist of youth 18 years and under. The age of an individual on January 1 of that year shall be maintained throughout the entire year.
2) Annual membership dues shall be in such amounts as the NQHYA Board of Directors shall determine in advance.
3) Membership dues shall be payable on January 1 of each year.
4) To be eligible to vote, a youth must have been a member for 30 days immediately prior to any such vote.

Article IV-Business Affairs
1) The affairs of this association shall be governed by a Board of Directors of thirteen persons consisting of the President, Vice President, and eleven additional Directors who shall be elected by written ballot. Each Director shall be elected for a two-year term from each district by members residing in such district who are present at the annual meeting.
2) The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors and NQHYA Advisor shall appoint a member from the same District or Districts when a vacancy is left by the election of officers.
3) The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint a member from the same District to fill the unexpired term of any Officer who has been removed from office.
4) Seven Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business to come before the Board.
5) The district boundary lines of this association, as well as Director representation shall conform to the by-laws of NQHA.
6) All activities and proceedings of this association shall be consistent with the policies and activities of AQHYA and NQHYA Constitution. By-laws and Rules and Regulations of such association, shall govern all matters not covered by these By-laws.

Article V-Meetings
1) The annual meeting of this association shall be held on the same date and at the same place as the annual meeting of NQHA.
2) The annual meeting shall be held to elect Directors and Officers of the association for the ensuing year and to transact such other business as may be properly be brought before the meeting. An agenda setting forth the topics to be discussed at the annual meeting shall be E-mailed to each NQHYA officer and director and to the Chairman and each member of the Youth Activities Committee at least 10 days before such meeting. A specialty mailing will be available if no E-mail is available.
3) The Board of Directors of this association shall hold a minimum of two meetings per year at which a quorum is present. Such meetings shall be called by the President or may be called by 7 Directors.
4) All meetings of this association shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

Article VI-Officers
1) The officers of this association shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Reporter to be elected by written ballot by the newly elected Board of Directors at the annual meeting.
2) All officers shall be elected for a term of one year and shall assume their offices upon election shall hold same until their successors are elected.
3) The offices of the Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.
4) NO person shall be elected President until he or she has served as a Director for at least one year.
5) The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and the advice and approval of the Youth Activities Advisor. The president shall call meetings, preside over these meetings and shall appoint any committee deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the association. The President shall also send meeting notices and agendas to all Youth, Parents, and Advisors.
6) The President of the Youth Association and the Chairman of the Youth Committee (NQHYA Advisor) will be ex-official members of the NQHA Board. They will have no voting privileges. Their presence will not be counted for a quorum.
7) The President shall not vote on any matter brought before the board for any decision except for the election of officers, to resolve a tie vote or to amend the by-laws.
8) The Vice President shall, in the absence or inability of the President to act, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President and shall perform such other duties, as the President shall form time to time prescribe. The Vice President shall set the work schedule for the 6-Day Run and oversee that everyone is in attendance.
9) The Vice President may vote on any matter brought before the Board for decision.
10) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the membership and the Board of Directors meetings and furnish copies of such minutes to the President of the Association, Youth Activities Advisor, the NE Magazine and the NE web site. The secretary will be in charge of sign-up sheets at meetings (attendance) and keeping current e-mail addresses for members.
11) The Treasurer shall be in charge of fund-raising and keeping a current roster of all members of the Association. All funds of the association shall be deposited in an association account in a band approved by the NQHA Board of Directors. No funds shall be withdrawn from the association account without the prior approval of the Youth Activities Advisor. Such approval shall be documented. All financial records of the association shall be reviewed annually by a certified public accountant.
12) The Reporter(s) shall report all association activities to the NE. Quarter Horse News, the American Quarter Horse Journal, the NE. website and any other news publications deemed appropriate. The Reporter(s) shall also be in charge of keeping qualifying points.
13) All vacancies in the elective offices of the association shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired term of such office.

Article VII-Liability
This association and the Quarter Horse Association of Nebraska, Inc., being nonprofit organizations, shall not be responsible for loss due to accident, theft, or otherwise, sustained by any member, visitor, or guest.

Article VIII-Rules and Regulations
This association may adopt rules and regulations concerning shows and classes, points, awards, show fees, clinics and complaints, provided however, that such Rules and Regulations shall be consistent with the Official Handbook of the American Quarter Horse Association.

Article IX-Amendments
1) This constitution and By-Laws and the Rules and Regulations may be amended only by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting by a quorum of Directors present at the meeting. Amendments shall be for the ensuing years only and shall not be effective to change any provision or rule in force in the year the amendment is adopted. Any proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to each NQHYA Director and to the Chairman and each member of the Youth Activities Committee at least ten days before the annual meeting at which it is to be considered.
2) These amended By-Laws and any amendments thereto must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Quarter Horse Association of Nebraska, Inc.
3) All amendments of these By-Laws must also be filed with and approved by the American Quarter Horse Youth Association.

YOUTH WORLD SHOW TEAM QUALIFYING RULES
• A youth Letter of Intent must be purchased. It is $10.00 per horse per child. Additional horses per child will be $5.00.. LOI may be purchased from the Youth Advisor
• All youth qualifiers must submit a Letter of Intent before points will be tallied.
• All youth must fulfill associated requirements to be a part of the World Team.
• All youth qualifiers must be Nebraska residents. A youth is considered a NE. resident if their parents are residing in Nebraska and have proof of residency.
• Hardship class: If a class scheduled at the Youth World Show has not been held at NE. qualifying shows, individuals may volunteer or be invited to join the NE. Youth Team.

POINTS COUNT AS FOLLOWS:
(9 OR MORE HORSES IN A CLASS)
• 9 points-1st place, 8 points-2nd place, 7points-3rd place, 6 points-4th place, 5 points-5th place, 4 point-6th place. 3 points-7th place, 2 points – 8th place, 1 point – 9th place. In addition any national points awarded will also be added. For example, in at 10 horse class = 1st place – 9 state points +_2 national points for a total of 11, 2nd place = 8 state points + 1 national point for a total of 9,etc.
• When there are less than 9horses, 1st place starts with the amount of horses in the class. i.e. 4 horses, the 1st place gets 4 points, etc.
• We will take the best 8 out of 14 (number may vary from year to year) shows for points. That leaves you with 6 scores to drop (number may vary). The top 6 point earners will qualify for the Youth World Show.
• In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker will be counting the number of horses that each individual has beaten in the show pen. If there is still a tie, then the youth that is the oldest shall go.