These policy statements are a compilation of Policies/Rules/Regulations (referred to throughout as “policy” or “policies”) which have been enacted by the WFA Board over time and which are still effective. Unless otherwise stated, dates show the effective date of Board meeting action. Any policy listed may be changed by a simple majority of the total Board (e.g., if there are 9 board members in existence, but only 6 board members present at the meeting, five board members would still need to affirm the policy change for it to pass). Amended 05/08/24
Board Meetings
Board meetings will be held at least once a quarter. The meeting location and time will be determined at the end of the previous board meeting. The membership will be notified of time and place of pending meetings. 10/31/93 Amended 05/08/24
Board meetings may be recorded to aid in capturing the meeting minutes. 01/18/92
All club records will be stored electronically by the secretary at the board’s discretion. 05/01/10
WFA Secretary will forward Mewsletter copies only, and no other documents until further notice, to the Archives of Falconry in Boise, ID. 9/01/09
The Secretary will provide each new Board Member a copy of the bylaws and policies. 05/04/02 Amended 05/08/24
Any regular member shall be allowed to attend any board meeting except for executive sessions. Executive sessions shall be limited to elected members of the WFA board, and shall be held only when the subjects to be discussed include the membership status of an individual or are proprietary in nature. 2/03/96
Non-WFA members shall be allowed to attend board meetings only when specifically invited by a board member to do so, and with the approval of the board. The presiding officer may expel any person who is disrupting the meeting. 05/01/10
While it is the intent of the board to encourage member attendance and participation, it shall be the responsibility of the presiding officer to make certain that only Board Members be allowed to vote during the meeting. 2/03/96
It is the responsibility of the presiding officer to make certain that member input is solicited. 02/03/96
Rules of Order
Authority and guide for proper conduct of Board meetings shall be Robert's Rules of Order. 02/09/08
A summary as applied to WFA Board proceedings is as follows:
In-Person Meetings and Virtual Meetings 2/9/08 Amended 05/08/24
The President, or in the President’s absence, the Vice-President, calls the meeting to order.
The presiding officer will cover a pre-established agenda.
Items not on the agenda may be addressed during the meeting.
During discussion of agenda items, persons wishing to speak must be recognized and given the floor by the presiding officer prior to speaking.
Only the presiding officer may take the floor back from the speaker.
The presiding officer must make every effort to allow all to speak on a subject. Priority will be given first to Board Members, second to Committee members or appointees, third to members in good standing, and last to guests. Exceptions may be made in the case of a committee member or guest invited to speak on a specific subject germane to the agenda.
Any Board Member (except the presiding officer) may, upon gaining the floor, enter a motion on any item.
The presiding officer may not enter motions but, if sensing the need for a motion, he/she may call for a motion from among the other board members. 5/01/10
Motions must be seconded by another Board Member in order to proceed.
Lack of a second to a motion kills the motion. It is up to the presiding officer to determine that there is a lack of a second.
Once a motion has a second, it may be voted upon straightaway or there may be additional discussion. The presiding officer will make that determination.
Only the presiding officer may call for a vote.
The presiding officer may vote only in the event that his/her vote is needed to break a tie, or would otherwise directly affect the outcome. 5/01/10
Sometimes additional discussion is needed for clarification of a motion. This may result in another motion to amend the first motion.
Motions to amend original motions must have a second to proceed.
Once a second has been given to a motion to amend a motion, it must be voted on after discussion.
A motion that amends an original motion must be voted on before the original motion can be voted on.
If the presiding officer decides that enough discussion on an item has been allowed for, he/she may stop discussion and call for a vote.
To pass a motion must receive more than 50% of the vote. A quorum is required per the by-laws. A quorum is achieved by two-thirds of current board members being present during the vote. In the case of a number of board members indivisible by three, a quorum is achieved by rounding up to the nearest whole number of persons (e.g. in the case of eight board members six would need to be present to establish a quorum, and in the case of five board members, four would need to be present). Amended 05/08/24
Action items may be given by the presiding officer without a motion or a second.
Taking a break for lunch does not necessarily require a motion. Adjourning the meeting does require a motion, second, and vote.
Email Meetings 5/01/10
Any Board Member may submit a motion via email sent to all Board Members and the secretary.
All email motions must be seconded. The first person submitting the second will be the “second of record”.
The presiding officer will call for a vote on the item via email. They may vote only if that vote is needed to break a tie or will otherwise directly affect the outcome.
To pass, a motion must have more than 50% of the vote. A quorum is required by the by-laws. The quorum will be achieved by the number of board members that respond to the original motion. This means that two-thirds of total board members must respond, but not that two-thirds must vote. Some board members may choose to respond indicating that they do not take a position, and that will add to the quorum. Amended 05/08/24
Once the vote is complete, the Secretary or the President will inform the Board of the results.
The Secretary or the President will keep and maintain records of all voting.
When complete, each vote will be announced by the Secretary or the President to the Board.
Elections
Not all Board positions need to be filled at any given time. The board will solicit interest in filling all positions, but will prioritize some over others. Article II Section 2 allows the Board to determine which positions to be filled. If there are no qualified candidates for an election, the Board needn’t hold an election for that position and may still continue to function. As participation has shrunken, this has become all the more important for WFA to continue its existence.
If there are vacancies, the Board shall prioritize the election/appointment of the Officers over the Directors.
Article III Section 2 lists the Officers as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director at Large. This means that the Director at Large is an Officer and not a Director despite the title. This leaves the regional directors as being the only “Directors.”
Article III Section 1B also allows the board to approve for one person to serve as both secretary and treasurer simultaneously. This means that the above priorities can be met with as few as four board members. 05/08/24
Affiliations
The WFA is affiliated with the following organizations:
- No affiliations right now
Current Committees
- Policy and Bylaw revision
Committees will be established on an as-needed basis at the discretion of the Board. 05/08/24
Events
The summer picnic will be held in July, and membership will be given notice of the time and location chosen by the Board or persons entrusted by the Board to make such decisions. Amended 05/08/24
There will be a disclaimer on all invitations and meet notices about alcohol consumption. 05/04/02
Auction items are to be limited to falconry-related items only. 8/01/98
The Vice President will rule on questions that arise regarding the “falconry-related” provision for auction items. 05/01/10
Donors shall not be reimbursed for donated items unless previously authorized by the board. 08/01/98
All sales and auction purchases at club events are considered final. 11/13/10
The spreadsheet of all member information will be printed out for every event. As members check in or pay fees, their information can be verified and kept up to date. 05/01/10
Honorary members shall not be charged any attendance fees for WFA-hosted events, including, but not limited to, picnics and meet banquets. (11/01/10)
Funds
WFA Treasurer will purchase CDs at the best available rates using general fund monies. Amended 05/08/24
Expense Reimbursement
Expenses incurred on behalf of the club require submission of reimbursement requests, with appropriate documentation, within 90 days of the date the expenses were incurred. 11/08/09
Extensions may be granted only if the request for an extended period is made within the applicable 90 days. 11/08/09
Expenses in excess of $500 require prior approval of the board, unless there was no way to obtain approval in advance. 05/01/10 Amended 05/08/24
Facility Inspections
The WFA adopts the following policies in order to perform facility inspections (02/05/11):
- The WFA will only co-ordinate inspections for the initial issuance of Washington State permits. Inspections due to falconers moving within the state or due to enforcement actions will not be performed by the WFA.
- Inspections are to only be initiated by request from the WDFW permitting office. This should not be construed to prevent the DAL from being proactive in assisting a falconer to become permitted as rapidly as possible by lining up a falconer to perform an inspection in advance of the official request (for example, if an apprentice or sponsor is in contact with the DAL and has informed the DAL that they are ready).
- When an inspection request is received, the DAL will contact the inspectee directly, and inform them that they have a choice to either be inspected by a falconer or by an enforcement agent from WDFW. The DAL should disclose in this communication that the enforcement agent may or may not be familiar with falconry husbandry, and that there may be a significant delay due to a lack of prioritization (historically delays of several months were common place).
- If the inspectee requests a falconer to do the inspection, then the DAL makes a request from WFA members who are master class or have several years of falconry experience at the general class level which are geographically convenient. If a suitable falconer cannot be located, the inspection will be referred back to the Department. In the event that a suitable falconer cannot travel to the inspection site, a virtual inspection can be conducted at the discretion of the DAL and with the approval of WDFW falconry coordinator.
- The DAL then follows up with the inspecting falconer to find out how the inspection went.
- In the event an inspection cannot be approved, the DAL should contact the inspectee and determine if corrective measures will be taken, and what the time frame for them to occur is. It is at the discretion of the WFA to determine if the inspection will be resolved or referred to the Department of Fish and Wildlife as an unapproved incomplete inspection.
Breeding Co-Op
The WFA has joined the Cooperative Breeding project. 08/06/94
In order to administer and oversee the Washington Falconers Association Cooperative Breeding Program (Co-op), the WFA adopts the following policies (09/25/11):
Purpose of the Co-Op
The purpose of the Co-op is to establish and maintain a viable captive breeding population of native and non-native raptors. This is expected to require cooperation among multiple breeders for each of the species that are being maintained. The Co-op allows for the legal importation of individual raptors from approved species in order to establish the captive population and to increase its genetic diversity.
Co-op Membership
There are three classes of Co-op membership:
- Active Breeding Members consisting of licensed and experienced raptor propagators who have been approved by six affirmative votes of the WFA Board and a simple majority of the Active Breeding Members at the time of their admission. Active breeding members vote on the admission of new breeding members and other Co-op affairs.
- Inactive Breeding Members consist of active breeding members who are no longer actively participating in the Co-op. Inactive breeding members are not authorized to import raptors through the Co-op, cannot request that new species be added to the approved list, and cannot vote on Co-op affairs, including the admission of new members.
- Non-Breeding Members, consisting of licensed falconers and others with legal authorization to possess MBTA-protected birds of prey, who may receive Co-op raptors on long-term loan so that they can be exercised through falconry or other means in preparation for their use in the Co-op breeding program.
Admission of Breeders to the Co-op
Prior to admission to the WFA Raptor Breeders Co-op as a breeder:
1. The applicant will submit a brief biography discussing their experience with breeding raptors, which species of raptors they are interested in importing and/or working with, which national groups required by the WFA Conservation Co-op they are members of (the North American Falconry Association, the North American Raptor Breeders Association, or the American Falconry Conservancy) and any other items that may assist the existing co-op members and the WFA board in making a decision.
2. The biography will be distributed to the Active Breeding Members of the co-op and to the WFA board members for them to consider, along with contact information so that the breeders and the WFA board members can open a dialog with the applicant if they wish.
3. The active members of the co-op and the WFA Board will each separately vote on the admission of the applicant. Each body will evaluate whether they believe the applicant would be an asset towards the accomplishment of the goals of the co-op. No board motion is required for the approval vote to be called by the WFA board, and the presiding officer may cast a vote for approval. Approval is by a simple majority in of the breeders and by six affirmative votes by the WFA board.
4. The applicant will submit dues and an application to join the WFA.
5. The applicant will submit to the chair of the Co-op all the paperwork that is required by the USFWS to add a new member to the Co-op in the Federal Register. Once the paperwork is received, the Co-op permit coordinator and the president of the WFA will draft and jointly sign a letter to the USFWS indicating that the applicant has been approved and requesting that the applicant be added to the Co-op. This letter will accompany the paperwork that is submitted to the USFWS.
Admission of non-breeders to the Co-op
Anyone licensed to possess MBTA-protected raptors by the USFWS can become a non-breeding member of the co-op if they are working with an active breeding member to exercise co-op birds prior to their use in the breeding program.
Non-breeding members of the co-op who wish to become full-breeding members of the co-op must go through the full application and approval process.
Adding Species to the Co-op’s Approved Species List
Active Breeding Members may petition to have new species added to the list of species that the USFWS has approved for the Co-op to import. The Active Breeding Members of the co-op and the WFA Board will each separately vote on the addition of the new species. No board motion is required for the approval vote to be called by the presiding officer of the WFA board. Approval is by a simple majority in of the breeders and by six affirmative votes by the WFA board.
If the species is approved by both groups to be added to the Co-op’s list of approved species, then the Active Breeding Member(s) that petitioned to have the species added will work with the USFWS to complete the required paperwork to add the requested species.
Expulsion of members from the Co-op.
If any member of the Co-op has performed any activity that jeopardizes the continued existence of the Co-op – including, but not limited to, producing a hybrid from imported Co-op raptors or illegal wildlife activities – the Active Breeding Members and the WFA Board will each separately vote on the expulsion of the offending member. No board motion is required for the vote to be called by the WFA board, and the presiding officer may cast a vote for expulsion. Approval of the vote to expel is by a simple majority in of the breeders and by six affirmative votes by the WFA board.
If the vote to expel the breeder is approved, the permit coordinator and the executive officer of the WFA will draft and sign a letter to the USFWS indicating the offending member has been removed from the Co-op.
Responsibility of members of the Co-op
All members of the Co-op are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the Co-op and that does not risk the continued existence of the Co-op.
Breeding members of the co-op must maintain their annual dues in the WFA and in one of the following organizations: North American Falconry Association, North American Raptor Breeders Association, or the American Falconry Conservancy. Breeding members of the co-op who do not maintain the required membership(s) will be deemed to be Inactive Breeding Members until such time as their membership(s) are brought current within the required organizations.
Membership Levels
WFA does not release members’ personal contact data outside the Association. 02/08/96
New members will be sent access to the WFA website upon sign-up. 05/01/10
Annual dues for associate membership is $20 per year. 11/05/11 Amended 05/08/24
Annual regular membership is free for the years 2025 and 2026. New apprentices are entitled to free membership in 2024. This is not intended to be a permanent change, but is instead intended to help WFA drum up membership. The regular membership fee in 2027 will revert to $20 unless this board decides differently before then. Amended 05/08/24
Membership for apprentices under the age of 18 is free. 05/01/10 (reiterates 2/4/95 policy, but eliminates the requirement of signature of higher class licensee.)
There will be no limit on the number of Honorary memberships in the club and all Honorary members will be approved by a three-quarter majority of the board. For a person to be nominated and hold an honorary membership the individual must be alive, an active falconer, and uniquely contributed to the sport of falconry in the state of Washington. Any nomination must be presented to the board in writing, documenting the rational for the nomination with enough time for the board to complete a full review of the nomination before consideration. (6/4/2025)
Honorary members: Tom Juelson, Steve Layman (also qualifies as Regular member), Jim Nelson (also qualifies as a Regular member 6/4/2025), Clifford Kellogg (also qualifies as a regular member 6/4/2025)
Awards
The WFA Lifetime Achievement Award will be for a lifetime of work that has substantially impacted falconry on a large scale. Very few of these would be awarded, perhaps one a year, but fewer would be likely. 11/13/10
The WFA Award for Service would be far more common and awarded for significant impact on falconry such as research, financial donations, conservation, writings, or other similar activity. It would require more than board service as an officer and board member, and such service should have an impact on falconry that is more than club-wide. Could be awarded to non falconers for such service as breeding or medicine. 11/13/10
Other Positions
Mewsletter Editor
Webmaster
Publications
Mewsletter
The Mewsletter is electronic and sent to all members. It is issued in the form of a newsletter and can contain officers' and directors' reports, articles, photos, and commentary from members. It will be posted on the WFA website in the Members Only section. 02/06/10 Amended 7/10/24
The Secretary will mail a printed copy of the Mewsletter(s) to those members who do not have an email address. 02/06/10 Amended 7/10/24
Advertising shall be limited to material that supports falconry, falconers, and raptor conservation. Specific advertising policies shall otherwise be left to each individual board. 05/01/10
Companies that donate items to be used in club events to generate operational funds will be given one fiscal year of free advertising. This advertisement will include ads in any Mewsletter published within the fiscal year and the advertisement as a club vendor on the WFA website. 07/9/25.
Each Mewsletter shall include the statement of purpose of the Washington Falconers
Association, as set forth in the Constitution, Article I, Section 2/ 06/01 Mewsletter
Each edition of the Mewsletter will be copyright-protected, in accordance with the Bylaws, with the © showing on the title page. 07/17/93
Alerts
Alerts are urgent information of interest to most falconers such as legislative actions or inspection news. Alerts will be sent to all licensed falconers in Washington who have a known email address. 02/06/10
Other interested entities may be forwarded an alert, such as legislative coordinators, NAFA, AFC, or other organizations. 05/01/10
Website
The WFA web-maven must get the approval of the President or 3 Board Members before any changes are made to the website. 08/06/05
All Mewsletters will be available on the website in the Members Only section. 05/01/10
All Journal articles will be available on the website in the Members Only section. 05/01/10
The website will also have the bylaws and policies available in the Members Only section. 5/01/10
WFA may use electronic/digital funds transfer, via the Website, for both the sale of saleable goods and membership renewals. 05/03/08
Website to be modified to enable membership renewal online. 2/07/09
Website to be modified to enable collection of potential sponsor/apprentice information on the online renewal forms (later expanded to mailed forms as well). 11/08/09
Each page of the website will be copyright-protected, in accordance with the Bylaws, with the © showing on the page. 07/17/93