SOUTHERN RODEO

ASSOCIATION, INC.

BYLAWS & RULES

REVISED EDITION

Effective November 1, 2007

PO Box 669

Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524

(919) 963-2599

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

NAME:  The name of this corporation shall be the Southern Rodeo Association, Incorporated.  This corporation may be referred to hereinafter as “SRA”.

LOCATION:  The principle office for the transaction of the business of the corporation will be located in the State of North Carolina unless just cause is shown and approved by the Board of Directors that it should be moved.

PURPOSE:  The purpose for which this corporation is formed shall be to promote rodeo as a sport and profession, striving at all times to insure honesty, integrity and fairness to both the contestant and producers; to create an amicable relationship among stock contractors, producers, and contestants; and to organize, sanction, and advertise rodeos being sponsored for the mutual protection and benefit of those involved according with this organizations standards.

DEDICATION OF ASSETS:  The properties and assets of the corporation are irrevocably dedicated to educational, research, charitable and scientific purposes.  No part of the net earnings, properties or assets of the corporation during the operation or upon the dissolution or otherwise shall inure to the benefit of any private person or individual, or any director, officer or other member of this corporation.  In the event the objectives of this corporation are frustrated or cannot be accomplished, or on liquidation or dissolution of the corporation, all properties, assets and obligations of the corporation shall be distributed and paid over to an organization dedicated to charitable purposes, as specified in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), which are as closely related to the original objectives of this corporation as is practicable.

NONPARTISAN ACTIVITIES:  This corporation is formed under the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act and shall be nonprofit and nonpartisan.  No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall consist of the publication or dissemination of materials with the purpose of attempting to influence legislation, nor shall the corporation participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office or for or against any cause or measure being submitted to the people for a vote.

FUTHERANCE OF PURPOSES:  The corporation shall not, except in an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in the furtherance of the stated purposes.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP:  There shall be five (5) classes of membership in the corporation:  Senior Members, Junior Members, Lifetime Members, Honorary Members and Associate Members.  The Board of Directors shall be solely responsible for determining the criteria for admission as a member of the corporation and all other requirements governing membership in the corporation.  The Board of Directors may terminate or suspend a membership upon written resignation of the member, failure of the member to pay the annual membership dues or for such other reasons as the Board of Directors shall determine and apply on a nondiscriminatory basis.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS:  The officers will consist of a President, a Vice President and a Secretary/Treasurer.  There may be one or more Vice Presidents.  Officers may be chosen from among the members of the Board of Directors or from among the general membership of the corporation.  One person may hold two or more offices, except that neither the Secretary nor the Treasurer shall at the same time serve as President or Board of Director.  The President and Vice Presidents shall be chosen by a vote of the members of the corporation and shall serve for two (2) year terms or until a successor shall be duly elected.  The Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.  The Junior Board of Directors may appoint officers with respect to the business of the junior rodeo and activities, but such officers shall have no power to conduct the affairs of the corporation.

PRESIDENT:  The President shall be the general manager and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at all meetings of the members.  The President shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.  The President shall have a vote only in the case of a tied vote between the Board of Directors.

VICE PRESIDENTS:  In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents, if any Vice President is then in office, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, or if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  If the office of Vice President is vacant, the duties of the President shall devolve to the person appointed by the Board of Directors.

SECRETARY:  The Secretary of the corporation shall keep a book of minutes at the principal office of all meetings of the Board of Directors.  The book of minutes shall contain the time and place of meetings, the names of those present and the proceedings thereof.  The Secretary shall give notice of all the meetings of the Board of Directors and mail the minutes of each meeting to all Board of Directors following the meeting.  The Secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation in safe custody.  The Secretary will maintain membership records.  The SRA mailing list will be for office use only and is not to be given to any individual for any reason.  The Secretary shall have other powers and perform other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws.  The Board of Directors shall be empowered to employ an Executive Secretary and/or other such personnel as may from time to time be required for proper functioning of the corporation.  Such personnel will serve at the pleasure and under the discretion of the Board of Directors at a salary established by contract between the Board of Directors and such personnel.

TREASURER:  The Treasurer shall keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital and retained earnings and such other information as necessary for the operation of the corporation.  The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Board of Director.  The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.  The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors and shall periodically render to the President and Board of Directors a report of the financial condition of the corporation.  The Treasurer shall have other powers and perform other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws.

COMPENSATION:  Officers may receive reasonable compensation for their services and reimbursement of expenses at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  This section shall not be construed to preclude any officer from serving the corporation in any other capacity as director, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving reasonable compensation for those services.  Compensation fixed by the Board of Directors shall not be made void merely because the person or persons receiving the compensation participated in the decision to pay such person, unless it was not just and reasonable as to the corporation at the time it was authorized, ratified or approved.

REMOVAL:  Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.  In the case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, the President shall have the authority to remove the officer.

VACANCIES:  A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or disability or any other cause shall be filled by a person chosen by the Board of Directors and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until new officers are elected as provided by these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of officers under any contract of employment.

RESIGNATION:  Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary of the corporation.  Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of notice of resignation or at any later time specified in the notice.  Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.  Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  There shall be a Board of Directors who shall be responsible for conducting the overall matters reserved to the Board of Directors of a non-profit corporation.  The legislative rule making and rule enforcement powers of the association will be vested in the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors will have supervision over the business and other affairs of the association, with power to make, adopt, amend, alter or interpret the rules and bylaws hereinafter specified.  A majority vote of all members of the Board of Directors will be required to alter or amend the rules and bylaws of the association.  The Board of Directors will enact and enforce such rules as it considers necessary in accomplishing the association’s intents and purposes.  It will be empowered to execute all contracts pertaining to the association.  Board of Directors shall serve for two (2) year terms or until a successor director shall be duly elected.  Each Board of Director will have one (1) vote.

COMPENSATION:  Board of Directors will serve without salary.  However, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, any director may be entitled to reasonable compensation for traveling expenses when attending meetings of the Board of Directors or when conducting official business of the association at the express request of the Board of Directors.  Compensation shall not exceed eight (8) cents per mile for travel and/or seven (7) dollars per time for other expenses.

NUMBER:  The corporation shall have a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of twelve (12) persons on the Board of Directors.  The number of authorized directors may be changed as provided by amendment of and as provided in these Bylaws.  No reduction in the number of authorized directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of the term of office for which such director was elected.  Directors may be re-elected to office for successive terms.

NOMINATIONS:  The Board of Directors shall nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors.  Not less than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall solicit from the members recommendations of nominees.  Nominations shall be announced to members by mail not less than thirty (30) days prior to the election.

REMOVAL:  A director may be removed from office by a majority vote of the other directors or by the Superior Court of the county having jurisdiction over any lawsuit brought by any director, or by the Attorney General or other official of the State of North Carolina having authority over the operation of non-stock corporations.  Cause for removal shall include fraudulent or dishonest acts, gross abuse of authority or discretion with reference to the corporation, conviction of a crime, or a breach of duty of loyalty as described in the North Carolina Non-profit Corporation Act.  A director may also be removed by a majority vote of other Board of Directors if absent from three (3) meetings in one (1) year.  The director will be given a fair chance to explain reason for absences to the other Board of Directors before dismissal is voted on.  A removed director may be barred from re-election for a period prescribed by the Board of Directors or the court.

VACANCIES:  Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.  Each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors and until a successor has been elected.  A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist in the event of the death, resignation, disability or removal of a director, or if the authorized number of directors is increased.

RESIGNATION:  Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the President, Secretary or Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become effective.  If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.

RESTRICTIONS:  Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, not more than forty-nine percent (49%) of the Board of Directors shall consist of “interested persons”.  For purposes of this section, “interested persons” means any person currently being compensated by the corporation for services rendered to it within the previous twelve (12) months, whether as a full or part-time officer or employee: or any brother, sister, ancestor, descendent, spouse, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law or father-in-law of a Officer or Board of Director.

ADVISORY DIRECTORS:  The Board of Directors may appoint not more than three (3) Advisory Board of Directors for a one (1) year term.  Advisory Board will not have a vote.

EVENT DIRECTORS:  There shall be a separate event director to represent each of the sanctioned contest events and one event director to represent the contract performers.  These directors will be elected by popular vote of membership who participate in the event each year in a manner hereinafter provided.  In the event of a tie, the board of directors will have the authority to select the event director.  An event director will not have the power to vote unless the matter directly concerns a rule change for their individual event.

JUNIOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  There shall be a Junior Board of Directors which shall have primary control of the activities related to the junior rodeo and junior members, subject to the ultimate jurisdiction of the Board of Directors.  In the event of a conflict between the Board of Directors and the Junior Board of Directors, the determination of the Board of Directors shall govern.  The Junior Board of Directors shall follow procedures as stated above in Article IV.  The Junior Board of Directors shall have no power to bind the corporation with respect to contracts, agreements or other arrangements with third parties.  The Junior Board of Directors shall have such authority as the Board of Directors shall grant them by written instrument.

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES:  The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office, designate one or more committees, each consisting of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have all the authority of the Board of Directors allowable under the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act, except that no committee, regardless of the resolution of the Board of Directors, may fill vacancies on the Board of Directors; fix compensation of the directors or committees; amend, repeal or adopt bylaws or resolutions of the Board of Directors; appoint any other committees; expend corporate funds to support a nominee for director after there are more people nominated for director that can be elected; approve any transaction to which the corporation is a party and one or more directors have a material financial interest, between the corporation and one or more of its directors or between the corporation and any person in which one or more of its directors have a material financial interest.

MEETINGS AND ACTIONS OF COMMITTEES:  Meetings and action of committees shall be governed by and held in the same manner as Board of Director meetings.  Notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to any and all alternate members, if any, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee.  Minutes shall be kept of each committee meeting and shall be filed with the corporate records.  The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of theses bylaws and the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS:  Meetings of the Board of Directors, whether the Board of Directors or the Junior Board of Directors, shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order and/or as herein stated in this article.  Meetings shall be held at any place within or without the State of North Carolina.  In the absence of a designation, meetings shall be held at the principle office of the corporation.  Any duly called special meeting may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as the directors participating in the meeting constitute a quorum and can hear one another.  The Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting in January of each year for the purpose of organization, election of directors, election of officers, and the transaction of other business.  The Board of Directors reserves the option of amending, adding or deleting any rule at any time they deem necessary by majority vote of board members present at meeting.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose shall be called at any time by the President or, if the President is absent or unable or refuses to act, by any Vice President or by any three (3) directors.  A notice, either oral or written, shall be given to the Secretary or the President by any officer or Board of Director that will be unable to attend a meeting no later than two (2) days prior to the meeting.  Failure to comply will result in a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fine.

NOTICE OF MEETING:  Notice of the time and place of meetings shall be delivered personally, by telephone or sent to each director by first-class mail or by other form of written communication.  If notice is delivered by first-class mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least ten (10) days prior to the time of the holding of the meeting.  If notice is delivered personally or by telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered at least five (5) days prior to the time of the meeting.  Notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director or to a person in the director’s office who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate the notice to the director.  Notices need not specify the purpose of the meeting.  If the bylaws or rules are to be amended, a minimum of ten (10) days notice must be given, stating the purpose of this meeting.

PROXY VOTE:  Using Roberts Rules of Order, the only way a proxy vote can be used is when the subject to be voted on has been given to board members in writing, prior to the meeting.  All proxies must be mailed to office before the board meeting.

ACTION WITHOUT MEETING:  Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors at any annual or special meeting pursuant to these bylaws or the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors individually or collectively consent in writing to the action.  Written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors.

NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT:  Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given, unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours.  If adjournment is for more than twenty-four (24) hours, notice of the time and place shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.

QUORUM AND MAJORITY ACTION:  Five directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Every act or decision done or made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board, unless such act is in violation of the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or the provisions of the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act.  If at anytime the Board of Directors and officers cannot agree as to the management of the corporations affairs, so that its activities can no longer be conducted advantageously or so that the inability to agree creates a danger that its properties, activities, or business will be impaired or lost, the Board of Directors, or if the Board of Directors cannot agree, the court in the county in which the corporation’s principle office is located having jurisdiction over the corporation, shall appoint an impartial provisional director.  The provisional director shall serve only for as long as an impasse exists.

ADJOURNMENT:  A quorum of the directors may adjourn any meeting of the Board of Directors to meet again at a stated day and hour; provided, however, that in the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present at any Board of Directors meeting may adjourn, from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII

ELECTION:  Any member of the association nominated for office must be a member in good standing in order to qualify for election and must not have been fined or suspended during a three (3) year period immediately preceding nomination.  The President, Vice Presidents, Board of Directors and Event Directors shall be elected by the members of the corporation at a meeting of the members.  If any member so demands or if the presiding officer so directs, the election of directors by the members shall be by ballot; otherwise, the election shall be by voice vote.  In lieu of a member meeting, the Board of Directors may mail to the membership a ballot with the nominated directors.  A blank will be allowed for members to write-in a President, Vice President and Board of Directors of their choice not listed on the ballot.  A blank shall be provided for the election of Event Directors for each sanctioned contest event and a director for contract performers.  The members will cast one vote for each of the offices and/or number of directors to be elected and return the ballot to the Board of Directors within the time specified on the ballot.  Ballots must be signed by the voting member and include membership number.  The number of persons equal to the number of persons to be elected who receive the highest number of votes shall be deemed to be elected.  The Board of Directors will certify the results of the election.  The Junior SRA officers and Board of Directors shall be elected in the same manner as above stated. 

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION:  The corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act, indemnify each of its agents against expenses, costs, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that any such person is or was an agent of the corporation. 

DEFINITIONS:  “Agent” shall include the directors and officers of the corporation and any employee or other agent serving at the request of the Board of Directors or officers.  “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action of proceedings, whether, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.  “Expenses and costs” include, without limitation, attorney fees and any other expenses or costs of establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.

SCOPE OF INDEMNIFICATION:  Expenses and costs incurred in defending any proceeding may be advanced by this corporation before the final disposition of the proceeding on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay the amount of the advance unless it shall be determined ultimately that the agent is entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Article.  The Board of Directors may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent arising out of the agent’s status as an agent, whether or not this corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against the liability under the provision of this Article.  Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than agents of this corporation may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION:  Except to the extent that an agent has been successful on the merits in defense of an action and is indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith, any indemnification under this Article shall be made only if authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification is proper because the agent has met the standards, if any, set forth in the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act.  The determination shall be made by a majority vote of a quorum of directors who are not parties to the proceedings with respect to which indemnification is sought, or by the court in which the proceeding is or was pending.

ARTICLE IX

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF CORPORATE RECORDS:  The corporation shall keep at its principle office the original or a copy of the bylaws, as amended to date, accounting books, and minutes of proceedings of Board of Directors which shall be open to inspection by the directors and the State Corporation Commission, or any officer thereof, at all reasonable times during office hours.  Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, financial statements, records and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the corporation.  This inspection by a director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  Copies of annual financial statements, including income statements and balance sheets, of the corporation shall be kept on file in the principle office of the corporation for twelve (12) months.

EVIDENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS:  All checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of, or payable to, the corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by the person or persons and in the manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS:  The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by these bylaws, may authorize any director, officer, or agent to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of, or on behalf of, the corporation, and this authority may be general or confined to specific instances.  Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS:  New bylaws may be adopted, or these bylaws may be amended or repealed, at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the directors present at the meeting.

HUMANE RULES

1.     A veterinarian shall be in attendance, or reasonably available, at every rodeo and will examine, treat, or recommend disposal of any injured animal after its removal from the arena.  Should destruction of an animal be recommended, such destruction will take place as soon as possible, and shall be carried out by the most humane means possible.

2.     A conveyance of a type on which injured animals may be easily placed without causing additional injury must be made available at all rodeos to remove injured animals from the arena.

3.     A pen, corral, or truck bed shall be prepared with an adequate bed of straw or other appropriate bedding laid down for comfort to receive injured animals removed from the arena.

4.     Chutes, corrals, mangers, etc. must be so constructed as to prevent injury to stock.  All areas in which stock is kept and the arena shall be free of rocks, holes, and obstacles.  The judges will determine the safe condition of the above with all maintenance and repair expense borne by the owner of the chutes, corrals, mangers, etc.

5.     No stock belonging to either contestant or stock contractor should be confined to vehicles beyond a period of twenty-eight (28) hours without being unloaded, properly fed and watered; however, when animals are carried in conveyances in which they do have proper food, water, space, and opportunity to rest, the provision for unloading shall not apply.

6.     Any individual deliberately abusing stock in the arena, regardless of whether the abuse occurs during a qualified or unqualified run, shall be disqualified from that rodeo and fined a minimum of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

7.     Any member tampering with competition livestock will be disqualified for the remainder of that particular rodeo and may be fined by the Board of Directors.

8.      Arena help may be fired and/or contestant may be disqualified for any mistreatment of stock.

9.     No contract performer will abuse rodeo stock or animals used in their acts in any way.

10. Use of fireworks on any animals will be prohibited.

11. Standard battery-operated, livestock prods may be used in moderation, when necessary, on appropriate areas of the animal’s body (i.e. neck, chest, shoulders, and hips).  No other electrical devices may be used.  Prods such as pointed sticks are not allowed.  Excessive prodding and whipping of livestock with non-electrical stock prods shall not be allowed.  Stock Contractors shall be responsible for arena help adhering to this rule.

12. Animals will be inspected and objectionable ones eliminated before drawing.

13. No sick or injured animals, whether discovered before or after the draw, will be permitted to be used in competition.

14. If an animal is injured in the process of contesting in the timed events, the contestant shall not receive another head during that go-round.

15. Timed event cattle will not be loaded in the release chute more than two (2) minutes before the beginning of that event.

16. Calf ropers will be disqualified in that event for that go-round of rodeo and fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for deliberate dragging or jerking down of the calf after roping. 

17. In the Calf Roping, contestants must adjust the neck rope and reins in a manner that will prevent horse from dragging calf.  If a horse turns its tail to the calf and drags the calf after roper has dismounted, field judge may stop the horse and disqualify the roper.  The judge must notify the secretary of reason for disqualification and/or fine, and the secretary will report the same on result sheet.

18. Unintentional dragging of calf over ten (10) feet will not result in disqualification.  However, roper will be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for first offense and fifty dollars ($50.00) for all subsequent offenses.

19. Calves must be strong, in good health and weigh no less than two hundred (200) pounds and not more than two hundred seventy-five (275) pounds.  Steers used in the steer wrestling will weigh no less than four hundred (400) pounds and not more than seven hundred (700) pound.  Steers used in the team roping will have a maximum weight of seven hundred (700) pounds.    There will be an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for infraction of this rule. 

20. Minimum weight limit for bulls used in the bull riding will be one thousand (1000) pounds.

21. Hazer must not hit the steer in the face before catch is made or render any assistance to contestant while he is working steer.  Failure to observe this rule will disqualify contestant.

22. On a known turn back animal, contestants will have the privilege of selecting one person to go into the arena as far as the score line to prevent the animal from turning back.  That person must not come in physical contact with the animal or throw any foreign objects at the animal under penalty of disqualification of contestant.

23. Stock that becomes excessively excited so that it gets down in the chute repeatedly, tries to jump out of the chute, or in any way appears in danger of injuring itself should be released from the chute.

HUMANE EQUIPMENT RULES

1.     All horse flank straps are to be provided with protective lining and shall be of the quick release type.  Flank straps are to be fastened onto the animal so that the protective lining portion covers the belly and both flanks and shall be kept in good repair.  No tacks, spiders or foreign objects shall be allowed on flanks.  Bull flanks will be made of a soft ply cotton or include a protective lining.

2.     Equipment must meet the following humane specifications as well as those found in the event rules:

A.   A leather covered hair pad must be on the entire underside of the bareback rigging next to the animal and extend a minimum of four (4) inches from the back of the rigging.  Pads must be loose (can be attached to rigging, but not permanently, so that rigging may be moved to a new area on pad for protection to horse if rigging has broken down the contents of the pad), kept in good repair and be not smaller than a minimum of fifteen (15) inches or larger than a maximum of twenty-five (25) inches.  Stock contractors will have the right to furnish pads (pads to be no thicker than standard hair pad or larger than twenty-five (25) inches).

B.    Saddle Bronc Riding is to be done with plain halter, one rein and saddle.  Bucking rein may only be attached to halter under penalty of disqualification.

C.   Bull Riding is to be done with one hand and loose rope.  No knots or hitches, to prevent rope from coming off of bull when rider leaves bull, will be permitted.

D.   In Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, contestants will be disqualified for riding with locked rowels or rowels that will lock during ride.  Judges will be responsible for inspecting rowels and enforcing this rule.

E.    In Calf Roping, contestant must adjust the neck rope and reins in a manner that will prevent horse from dragging calf.  If a horse turns his tail to the calf and drags the calf after roper has dismounted, field judge may stop the horse and disqualify the roper.

3.     There will be no exposed wire in any of the whips used on horses in the arena.

MEMBERSHIP

1.     Membership dues shall be designated annually.  Membership will be valid from November 1^st through October 31^st of the following year, unless otherwise deemed necessary by Board of Directors for any given year.  When membership application and dues are received and processed in the SRA office, each member shall be issued a membership card and rulebook.  Membership will also include a subscription to the official news publication of the SRA.

2.     Dues are payable during the month of November.

3.     Membership shall be open to any person of good character and reputation interested in officiating, performing or competing in rodeos or to any person interested in the advancement of rodeo, providing their application is accepted.

4.     Any person becoming a member of this association will, by act of seeking membership and payment of dues, indicate that they will comply with the rules and bylaws of the association.

5.     Each member shall, at the time of joining the association, sign a statement relieving the association, stock contractors, rodeo committees, and all others of liability in case of injury.  Said statement to be standard and furnished by the association.  Members less than eighteen (18) years of age must have said release signed by their parent or legal guardian and notarized.

6.     Each member of the association releases to the association the right to use their name, photograph, biography, and/or all other information pertinent to rodeo publicity and promotion.  Such materials are to be used only for the good of the association and will not involve resale or commercial endorsement.

7.     Each member will cooperate when called upon by an official of the association to help represent the association’s interest in the endorsement of rules or in any matter of official business.

JUNIOR MEMBERS

1.     Membership dues and requirements for junior members shall be designated by the Junior Board of Directors, under the ultimate jurisdiction of the Board of Directors.

2.     Junior members will be allowed to enter and compete at SRA rodeos; however, any money won at those rodeos will not be counted as points.  Only money earned at junior rodeos will count as points for the junior association.

3.     The association shall offer a free first year membership to junior members that have aged out of the Junior SRA.  This offer shall only be valid within a period of two (2) years from the last year the junior member was eligible to compete in Junior SRA.  Proof of junior membership must be presented in order to qualify for a free membership.

GOLD CARD MEMBERS

An SRA member will be entitled to apply for a Gold Card membership upon reaching the age of fifty (50) years old and they must have been an SRA member for ten (10) consecutive years including the year prior to applying for Gold Card.  A copy of driver’s license or birth certificate will be required for proof of age.  In order to receive the news publication and other mailings, Gold Card members must pay designated annual subscription fee.  Members can apply for Gold Card only by sending application and required documents to the SRA office.

LIFETIME AND HONORARY MEMBERS

The Board of Directors shall be empowered to issue honorary memberships and to grant a maximum of two (2) lifetime memberships per year.  Both memberships shall entitle the bearers to all rights and privileges of full membership.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Annual associate memberships are twenty-five dollars ($25.00).  Such membership is a non-competing membership.

PERMITS

1.     Permits may be issued to non-members for contest in any of the standard rodeo events.

2.     A one rodeo permit shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per rodeo.  One year permits shall be one-half the cost of a full membership.

3.     Permits may not be purchased by any person who held an SRA membership card the prior year.

4.     Permits are not transferable to any other person.

5.     Acceptance of permits will be optional and limitations may be in any event.  It is recommended that permits be accepted in the rough stock events at all rodeos.

6.     Permit holders must participate in the performance or slack as needed by the rodeo secretary.

7.     Points will not be awarded for money earned by a permit holder.

8.     Permit holders will, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner upholding the rules and bylaws of the association and present themselves in neat and clean western attire.

9.     All rules and regulations governing the conduct and suspension of members will apply to permit holders.

10. In order to obtain a one year permit, a contestant must submit to the association office or rodeo secretary a completed application and permit dues.  Release waiver must have notarized signature of parent or legal guardian if applicant is less than eighteen (18) years of age.

11. If contestant is purchasing a one rodeo permit, they must present the rodeo secretary with proof of age and sign a release waiver.  If contestant is less than eighteen (18) years of age a parent or legal guardian must sign the release waiver.

LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES

1.     All SRA members and permit holders shall read and know the prevailing rules of the SRA and of each individual rodeo.  Failure to know the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.

2.     Any member entering or participating in an SRA rodeo on an expired membership card or allowing anyone to use their card will be fined and/or suspended.

3.     Any contestant failing to meet financial obligation to any approved rodeo is subject to suspension until such obligations are met.

4.     A person on the suspended list shall not be allowed to participate, contest, or hold any official position or perform any duty at an SRA rodeo. 

5.     Any member may be fined and/or suspended for any of the following offenses:

A.   Fighting or quarreling in the arena.

B.    Attempting to fix, bribe, threaten, influence or coerce the judge in or out of the arena at any time between the opening and closing dates of the rodeo.  Violation of this rule will be reported in writing to the Board of Directors by the judge.

C.   Non-payment of entry fees.

D.   Conduct or speech of any kind that is detrimental to the best intentions of the SRA or sport of rodeo.

E.    Failure to abide by any or all rules of the association.

F.    Bad checks related to SRA rodeo activities.

G.   Non-payment of hotel and/or other lodging bills incurred simultaneously while participating in or attendance of an approved rodeo.

H.   Entering the arena under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, drugs or other hallucinatory substances.

I.       Anyone not repaying an overpayment after being notified by the SRA office that an error was made by a rodeo secretary will be fined a minimum of fifty dollars ($50.00).  Rodeo secretary not repaying an underpayment after being notified by the SRA office that an error was made will be fined.

J.      Misusing membership card, contestant number or pass for gaining entry for others at or to an SRA rodeo will be fined one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).

6.     A rodeo official violating any rule or making decision which does not comply with the SRA rulebook will be suspended and/or fined.

7.     Any contestant damaging an electric timer will be responsible for the repair or replacement of the timer.

8.     Any person penning any personal horse in the bucking chutes or roping boxes will be fined fifty dollars ($50.00).

FINES AND SUSPENSIONS

1.     The President and the Board of Directors are empowered to levy fines, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00); and/or suspensions, not to exceed one (1) year for infraction of the association rules.

2.     All notices of fines and suspensions will be levied by the president who must have concurring opinions by at least three (3) other members of the Board of Directors.

3.     Notices of fines/suspensions levied by the Board of Directors will be made by certified mail.   

4.     Fines may be appealed to the Board of Directors provided that a cash bond in the amount of the fine is posted.  After the bond is posted, the person will not be banned from competing or participating in SRA rodeos while awaiting appeal hearing.  The bond will remain in custody of the SRA Secretary until the case is heard by the Board of Directors.

5.     The person desiring to appeal fine will be notified by registered mail of the date, time and place of the appeal hearing.

6.     At the time of the hearing, any portion of the bond necessary to pay whatever fine the Board of Directors may levy will be forfeited.  If the imposed fine is greater than the bond, the member will be banned from further competition or participation until the complete fine is paid.

7.     When a member is suspended by less than five (5) Board of Directors, he may appeal the decision to the entire Board of Directors and will be entitled to appear before the board.  However, he may not compete or participate in approved rodeos pending outcome of the appeal.

8.     All accusations resulting in fines or suspensions will be made in writing to the President and will become a part of the association’s permanent records.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The grieving member shall bring the subject matter of grievance to the attention of the Board of Directors in writing.  The letter shall set forth in full the subject matter of the dispute and the proposed action requested by the grievant.  The letter must be postmarked within seven (7) days after the last performance of the rodeo in which grieving member has grievance about.  The grieving member will be notified of the date and time of the board meeting in which the grievance will be discussed so that the grieving member and any other parties who are directly involved can be present at the board meeting.  If grievance letter is not postmarked within the seven (7) day time limit after rodeo in question, the grievance will be denied.

INJURY OF MEMBERS

1.     The SRA assumes no responsibility for injury or damage to the person, property, or stock of any owner, contestant, or assistant.  Each participant by the act of paying membership dues, permit fees, or entry fees waives all claims against the SRA for injuries they or their property may sustain.

2.     No person shall be allowed in the arena during a rodeo performance unless entered an event or unless they have signed a waiver releasing the management and producers from liability.  This rule is to be enforced by the arena director or rodeo judges.

PASSES

1.     All contestants who pay entry fees shall be entitled to admittance for themselves during all performances.  The contestant shall only be entitled to admittance for their immediate family or one additional person during the performance in which they compete, excluding the SFR.  All guests must accompany contestant when entering the rodeo grounds.  All officials and labor passes will be given at the discretion of management.

2.     All SRA Officers, Board of Directors and Event Directors shall be entitled to admittance for themselves and one additional person during all performances, excluding the SFR.

3.     The rodeo secretary will furnish a list of contestants and other personnel to be admitted to each rodeo to the person on the contestant gate.

4.     Any member and/or contestant misusing their membership card, contestant number, or pass for gaining entry for others at or to an SRA rodeo will be fined one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).  Habitual violators will be suspended and fined an amount deemed prudent and proper by the Board of Directors.

DRESS CODE

1.     Members will be presentable in western attire when competing in approved rodeos.  Appropriate long sleeve shirts (sleeves rolled down and tails tucked in) and western hats must be worn in the arena, the back of the bucking chutes and on rodeo grounds within fifty (50) feet of arena by all contestants or anyone in the arena one hour prior to and during a performance and slack. 

2.     Announcers are required to wear western hats and long sleeved shirts while on the announcer’s stand.  Timers and secretary must wear long sleeved shirts while on the announcer’s stand, but western hats are optional.

3.     When contestant numbers are furnished, all participants must wear these numbers to enter the arena and to receive their stock.  Anyone without a number may be excluded from the arena.  Participants must wear their numbers in a conspicuous place visible to the judges and spectators.

4.     Failure to comply with dress code will result in a fifty dollar ($50.00) fine.

5.     Consideration may be given to contestants opting to wear protective head gear or face mask.

GRAND ENTRY

1.     The SRA urges that all colors and grand entries be handled by competent horsemen and horses and that members ride in the grand entry if needed or requested to do so.

2.     Any contestant having a horse on the grounds who does not ride in the grand entry when asked to do so by the stock contractor or committee will be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00).  Judges will be responsible for enforcing this rule.  Rider may be excused by judge, with good reason.

3.     At every SRA sanctioned rodeo held in the United States, the National Anthem will be played and the American flag presented.

POINT AWARDS

1.     SRA members will receive one (1) point for every dollar of prize money won.  Prize money will be added money and entry fees totaled less 7% sanction fee.

2.     The secretary/treasurer will keep an accurate tabulation and account of points earned by each member and a listing of said points will appear in each issue of the official publication of the association.

3.     The secretary/treasurer will credit and keep account of fractional parts of points earned.

4.     In the case of total point ties, contestants will be ranked in order of standings according to the highest fractions of points in excess of the whole point total.

5.     Points awarded to any member will be totaled for the year to determine the champion cowboy or cowgirl in each event.

6.     A contestant that is accredited points at an approved SRA rodeo must have been a member in good standing prior to competition in the rodeo for which they are to receive points.

7.     Should any city, county or state law prevent any contestant from competing for any reason, the SRA championship points for that contest will not be affected.

8.     The collective points awarded to any contestant will be used to determine the champion all around cowboy or cowgirl, but they must qualify by being entered and winning money in at least two (2) of the championship events.  However, if a team roper is allowed to enter twice and places twice at any single rodeo, only the team roping entry in which they win the most money will be counted toward the all around awards.  Points for All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl will count only for rodeos that offer all eight (8) mandatory events.

9.     In the team roping, if a contestant enters twice and places twice at any single rodeo, all monies won will count towards the team roping event championship.

10. The SRA will be responsible for all trophies awarded on the annual SRA point system.  The points are to be counted from November 1^st to October 31^st of each year or as Board of Directors deem necessary due to the date the SFR is to be held.  Points for the championship awards will include points earned at the SFR, with the exception of the all around rookie award.  The champions will be those accumulating the most points in each event and toward the all around at SRA rodeos, the SFR, and rodeos where SRA affiliation agreement exists.

11. The closing date of a rodeo will determine the fiscal year in which points will count.

12. If a rodeo occurs within the fiscal membership year, but after an early points cut-off date for SFR, points will be counted toward the following year’s point standings provided that the contestant renews their membership prior to November 1st of the new season.

13. In the event of a tie for a championship (excluding the all around championship), a “sudden death” go-round will be given to the tied contestants.  Such go-round will take place during or immediately following the last performance of the SFR. 

14. Anyone receiving an SRA year end or SFR championship award that does not attend the awards banquet may be fined fifty dollars ($50.00) which must be paid before recipient will be given the award.

15. Memorial awards may be presented by the donor of the award at the SRA banquet; however, no SRA championship award will be given as a memorial award.

16. Individual Rodeo Awards:  All around saddles, trophies or awards of any kind given at individual rodeos are to be awarded in accordance to the SRA point award system.  Novice points will not count toward all around awards.  The all around champion will be determined by the contestant having the most money won placing in two (2) or more events.  If no one placed in two (2) or more events, it is then determined by the contestant winning the most money in one event who competed in two or more events.

ROOKIE

The Rookie award is the sole responsibility of the event director.  This includes the selection of the recipient and any prizes awarded.

SRA FINALS RODEO

1.     The association may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, sanction and/or conduct a Southern Finals Rodeo.  The date and place of the finals will be determined by the Board of Directors.

2.     The President will, in the event of a finals rodeo, appoint from the membership a committee to formulate plans for the rodeo.

3.     Contestants will be qualified for the finals rodeo on the basis of championship point tabulation.  Contestants must compete in the event at three (3) SRA first sanctioned rodeos to be eligible to compete at the finals. 

4.     To qualify for the Southern Finals Rodeo, a contestant must be ranked in the Top Twelve in the point standings.  In addition, the committee will qualify a number of alternates sufficient to insure at least twelve contestants in each event.  The alternates will, on the basis of their relative point standings, be qualified to replace primary qualifiers, who, for whatever reason, cannot compete in the finals.

5.     Qualifying contestants will enter the finals during a designated two-day call in with designated call in hours of which notice shall be given in the SRA news publication.  If contestant does not call in their entry within that time period, the secretary will drop to the next available alternate.

6.     Entry fees must be received by the date designated by the secretary, or the next available alternate will be taken in their place.  

7.     Anyone contesting in the SFR as a partner to the top qualified contestants in team roping must have competed in the team roping event in at least three (3) SRA first-sanctioned rodeos during the current year as an SRA cardholder.  

8.     Added money in the team roping at the SFR will be twice that of other events, so payoff will be the same per contestant as the other events.