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NIAGARA FRONTIER REGIONAL CAMERA CLUBS
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
REVISED May 2008

INTRODUCTION

The Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Clubs was established to be a unique bi-national photographic organization whose members include both amateur and professional photographers. The purpose of Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Clubs is to help its members improve their photographic skills through lectures, workshops, conventions and competitions.

This Constitution and By-Laws are hereby established for the Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Clubs.

Constitution
Article 1 - Name
Article 2 - Objectives
Article 3 - Membership
Article 4 - Board of Directors
Article 5 - Meetings
Article 6 - Fiscal Year
Article 7 - Dissolution
Article 8 - Amendments to the Constitution

Bylaws
Clause 1 - Duties of Membership
Clause 2 - Service Chairs and Coordinates
Clause 3 - Committees
Clause 4 - Elections
Clause 5 - Quorum and Voting
Clause 6 - Finance
Clause 7 - Signing Authority
Clause 8 - Auditor
Clause 9 - Liability
Clause 10 - Duties of the Members of the Board
Clause 11 - Duties of Appointed Service Chairs and Coordinates
Clause 12 - Rules of Order
Clause 13 - Amendments
Clause 14 - Standing Rules

Standing Rules
Standing Rule 1 - Duties of the Fall Seminar Chair
Standing Rule 2 - NFRCC Competitions

Standing Rule 5 - Guidelines for selecting the winners of the service awards for The NFRCC: The Stork Trophy, the Joe Bertuca Award and the Dorothy Sharpe Award

CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1 - NAME
The name of this organization shall be NIAGARA FRONTIER REGIONAL CAMERA CLUBS hereinafter referred to as NFRCC.

ARTICLE 2 - OBJECTIVES

  1. The objectives of this organization shall be:
    1. To promote interest in various photographic media throughout the Niagara Frontier region;
    2. To provide educational programs in various photographic media throughout the Niagara Frontier region;
    3. To enhance the photographic activities of member clubs; and
    4. To foster participation in international photographic salons, exhibitions and competitions.
  2. These objectives will be advanced by holding photographic conventions at which our club members and other interested persons may learn how to enhance their skills in the many aspects of photography. Other programs may be held to also provide educational opportunities in photography, such as one-day seminars or other programs.

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

Any photographic club in the Niagara Frontier region, and surrounding area, interested in the art and/or science of photography may apply for membership in writing to the Recording/Corresponding Secretary of the NFRCC. The Secretary shall present the request to the Board at a regular meeting. Upon approval of the Board and payment of the prescribed fees, the club shall become a full member of the organization.

ARTICLE 4 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The affairs of the NFRCC shall be legislated and administered by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall be comprised of:
    1. THE ELECTED OFFICERS OF THE NFRCC:
      • President
      • Vice-President
      • Recording/Corresponding Secretary
      • Treasurers: American/Canadian
      (The duties of these Officers shall be given in the By-Laws.)
    2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
      1. The Elected Officers of NFRCC and the Immediate Past President shall constitute the Executive Committee and shall have the authority and power to conduct affairs of the NFRCC between meetings of the Board.
      2. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any Executive vacancy should one occur, for the remainder of the uncompleted term.
    3. CLUB REPRESENTATIVES
      1. Each affiliated club shall select one of its members to serve on the Board.
      2. Should a vacancy occur, the affected club should appoint a new representative to fill this post.

ARTICLE 5 – MEETINGS

  1. The NFRCC Board shall hold at least four meetings in the fiscal year. The proposed dates of these regular meetings shall be scheduled by the President and approved by the Board at the last meeting of the previous fiscal year.
  2. In the event of cancellation of a regular meeting all Elected Officers and member clubs shall be informed of the new date for the meeting by the Secretary.
  3. Special meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the President.

ARTICLE 6 - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year shall be from September 1st of one calendar year to August 31st of the following calendar year.

ARTICLE 7 – DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this organization the Board shall donate all remaining assets to an organization which best meets the objectives stated in Article 2 of this Constitution.

ARTICLE 8 - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

  1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed to the Board in writing by any member club with club approval.
  2. All amendments must be presented to the member clubs for their consideration at least one month before the meeting at which such changes or amendment will be considered. The member clubs must have the opportunity to reconsider these amendments after the Board has considered them.
  3. Final action on any proposed changes to the Constitution can only be taken at the regular meeting after the changes were first considered. Amendments to the Constitution require a 2/3-majority vote by the Board.
  4. Upon ratification at the next regular meeting of the Board following presentation, the amendments will take effect immediately.

BY-LAWS

CLAUSE 1: DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIP

  1. After the Board has accepted a club into membership in the NFRCC, the club shall be responsible for the following:
    1. Keeping the payment of its annual dues up to date. (See Clause 7 of the By-Laws.)
    2. Making sure that the Club is represented at as many meetings of the Board as possible, and that regional activities and information are being communicated to the club
    3. Promoting attendance at regional photographic activities, such as the Fall Seminar and the Convention.
  2. A member club may be suspended for cause. Notice of the proposed action must be sent to the member clubs at least one month prior to the regular meeting at which this action shall be considered. The action for suspension shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order for Trial of Members of Societies. A member club may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the other member clubs. A suspended club may apply for reinstatement after a period of one year.

CLAUSE 2: SERVICE CHAIRS AND COORDINATORS

  1. The Chair of each service shall be appointed by the Executive Committee for approval by the Board, except for the Seminar Chair who shall be the Vice-President.
  2. Service Chairs
    1. Convention Chair
    2. Slide Competition Chair
    3. Publicity Chairs US/CDN
    4. Seminar Chair
  3. The Convention Chair shall appoint the following Coordinators who shall be directly responsible to the Convention Chair.
    1. Hotel Accommodation
    2. Audio-Visual
    3. Registrar
    4. Print Coordinator
    5. The Slide Chair shall be responsible to the Convention Chair regarding convention salons and judging.
  4. Each Service Chair may appoint those persons necessary to efficiently and economically perform the duties of that service.
  5. Each Service Chair shall be directly responsible to the President.
  6. The duties of each Service Chair are given in Clause 11 of these By-Laws.

CLAUSE 3: COMMITTEES

  1. SPECIAL COMMITTEES -
    May be appointed by the President with Board approval with automatic discharge when the task is completed.
  2. BY-LAWS COMMITTEE
    The Constitution and By-Laws are to be reviewed at least once every 5 years by a committee to be appointed by the Executive Committee with the approval of the Board.
  3. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
    1. The Nominating Committee will be appointed annually by the Executive Committee.
    2. The Committee should be comprised of four persons with equal representation from both countries.

CLAUSE 4: ELECTIONS

  1. The Nominating Committee shall become active in November of the calendar year prior to the Convention. At the third regular meeting, a single slate of Officers is to be presented to Board, and then sent to each member club for consideration. At the fourth regular meeting, the slate will be presented to the Board for the final vote. The entire slate of Officers and appointments of the Service Chairs will be presented at the Banquet during the Photographic Convention.
  2. Terms of Office: No member may be elected to the same position on the Board for more than two consecutive one-year terms, with the exception of the Treasurers and the Recording/Corresponding Secretary.
  3. When the Nominating Chair presents the slate to the Board for the final vote and there is only a single slate of officers, the Secretary shall cast one vote for all.
  4. If there is more than one person running for an office, then the Secretary will prepare one ballot for each member club.
  5. Should the Office of the President become vacant the Vice-President shall fill the office for the remainder of the term.
  6. The Executive Committee shall fill any other Executive vacancy should one occur, for the uncompleted term. Replacement of a Club Representative is to be the responsibility of the affected member club.

CLAUSE 5: QUORUM AND VOTING

  1. Three elected officers, plus four member club representatives shall constitute a quorum.
  2. No business shall be conducted without a quorum.
  3. Voting shall be done by a show of hands with a simple majority vote of the Directors present, unless a written ballot is requested.
  4. A written ballot may be used at the request of Directors from two different member clubs. Ballots to be prepared by the Secretary.
  5. The Secretary will collect, tabulate and announce the results.
  6. A tie vote will be decided by the vote of the President or Presiding Officer.

CLAUSE 6: FINANCE

  1. The annual dues from each club shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Board.
    1. Annual dues shall be payable by September of each year.
    2. If unpaid by October 31, the club shall receive notification of arrears.
    3. If the dues are unpaid by December 31st, the Member Club may be subject to suspension according to Clause 1 of these By-Laws
  2. The cost of the NFRCC program booklets to the member clubs shall be determined by the Board, and is to be paid by October 31 by the member clubs.
  3. The Annual Treasurers' Reports are to be presented at the first regularly scheduled Board Meeting of the fiscal year.

CLAUSE 7: SIGNING AUTHORITY

  1. All checks of the NFRCC shall be signed by the Treasurer of the respective country.
  2. When the Executive Committee is not available, sums over $200 must have verbal approval from the President with written consent to follow.
  3. All other official documents shall be considered certified when signed by the President or a designated member of the Board.

CLAUSE 8: AUDITOR

An Auditor shall be appointed by the Board, to audit the accounts of the NFRCC annually, and submit a certified report to the Board by November of the current calendar year.

CLAUSE 9: LIABILITY

The NFRCC assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage to materials submitted for competition or display. Persons submitting materials do so at their own risk.

CLAUSE 10: DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

  1. PRESIDENT
    Shall:
    1. Assume the general supervision of the affairs of the NFRCC, subject to approval of the Board
    2. Chair all meetings of the NFRCC and of the Board.
    3. Be a spokesperson for the NFRCC.
    4. Appoint special Committees with Board' approval.
    5. Sign all official documents requiring his/her signature.
      (SeeClause 7)
    6. Be an ex-officio member of all Committees except the Nominating Committee.
    7. Chair the Banquet at the Photographic Convention, and present the new slate of Officers for the coming year.
  2. 2. VICE-PRESIDENT
    Shall:
    1. Exercise the functions of the President in his/her absence.
    2. Be responsible for such duties that the President and the Board may assign.
    3. Assume the Office of President should the office be vacated, for the remainder of the term.
    4. Assume the office of President at the end of his/her term as Vice-President.
    5. Chair the Fall Seminar. The responsibilities for the Seminar are detailed in a Standing Rule of the NFRCC.
    6. Be responsible for the Convention Trophies:
      1. Collect all trophies from the previous winners.
      2. Have trophies engraved for the current Convention presentations. The list of names for the trophies will be provided by the Board, prior to the Convention.
      3. Have the necessary Keeper awards made for the previous winners of the trophies.
  3. 3. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
    Shall:
    1. Act as advisor to the President.
    2. Be responsible for any such duties requested by the President and the Board
  4. RECORDING/CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
    Shall:
    1. Record and distribute a written record of all Board meetings to all members of the Board.
    2. Maintain records of all Board meetings and turn over all records pertaining to the office to his/her successor.
    3. Perform such duties as the President and Board may request
    4. Be responsible for all correspondence of the NFRCC.
  5. AMERICAN AND CANADIAN TREASURERS
    Shall:
    1. Be responsible for the recording of all receipts and disbursements for the NFRCC.
    2. Establish suitable bank accounts in chartered banks, trust companies, or credit unions.
    3. Prepare and sign all checks for the country involved.
    4. Sums above $200 require presidential vocal and written approval, when Executive Committee is not available. If payments were approved by a vote of the Board, this approval is not required.
    5. Have accompanying receipts or invoices to cover all checks issued.
    6. Have the books and vouchers available for the President and Executive Committee upon request.
    7. Have detailed reports to be presented at each Board meeting.
    8. Present the Annual Financial Report at the first Board Meeting of the fiscal year.
    9. Present the Treasurers' books to the Auditor for audit by September 30th.of the current year.
    10. Prepare an operating budget, to be presented at the first Board Meeting of the fiscal year.
  6. CLUB REPRESENTATIVES shall fulfill the duties given in Section 1 of Clause 1 of the By-Laws.

CLAUSE 11: DUTIES OF APPOINTED SERVICE CHAIRS AND COORDINATORS

  1. CONVENTION CHAIR
    Shall:
    1. Be responsible for deciding upon the date, location and negotiation of tentative contract with the Hotel, to be approved by the Board.
    2. All business pertaining to the Convention.
    3. Coordination and correlation of all Convention services.
    4. Acquiring of suitable speakers for Convention and obtaining Jurors for the Competitions of the Convention.
    5. Negotiating Honorarium, providing accommodation, free Convention ticket, necessary requirements for the speakers.
    6. Preparing a budget, ticket price, to be presented to the Board for approval at the September meeting.
    7. Obtaining the necessary data to be used for flyers, tickets, programs.
    8. Acquiring a printer for printing of tickets, programs, flyers, comment sheets.
    9. Appointing the following coordinators who shall be responsible to the Convention Chair:
  2. HOTEL/ACCOMMODATION COORDINATOR
    Shall:
    1. Maintain and negotiate tentative contracts with consultation of the Convention Chair, for the Hotel where the Convention and general Board meetings will be held for the following season.
    2. Generally oversee and maintain responsibility for the accommodations of the Convention and general Board Meetings.
    3. Select banquet menu for the Convention.
  3. AUDIO/VISUAL COORDINATOR
    Shall:
    1. Be responsible for receiving, setting up and taking down of equipment for the speakers at the Convention.
    2. Obtain list of equipment requirements of the speakers from the Convention Chair and obtain necessary additional equipment from the Clubs.
    3. Form a working group of members from the Clubs.
  4. PRINT COORDINATOR
    Shall:
    1. Be responsible for the Print Salon and Print Exhibition at the Annual Photographic Convention.
    2. Obtain from the Convention Chair a list of jurors for the Print Salon at the Convention
    3. Maintain records of all Print Competitions.
    4. Keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements.
  5. REGISTRAR:
    Shall:
    1. Maintain records of tickets sold.
    2. Maintain ticket breakdown of various member Clubs and non-members.
    3. Maintain contact with non-members who have attended in the past to ensure their knowledge of the date/location of Convention.
    4. Oversee the smooth operation of the Registration Desk during the Convention.
    5. Ascertain that all checks and monies are sent to the appropriate Treasurer.
  6. PUBLICITY CHAIRS – American/Canadian
    Shall:
    1. Be responsible for publicity in each country for the Convention and Seminar and during the year as specified by the Board.
    2. Be responsible for the preparation and printing of the flyers upon consultation with the Convention and Seminar Chairs.
    3. If there is only one Publicity Chair he/she shall be responsible for the publicity in both countries.
  7. SLIDE COMPETITION CHAIR
    Shall:
    1. Be responsible for all Interclub Competitions sponsored by the Region.
    2. Maintain records for Interclub Slide Competitions, (McKellar and Golden Horseshoe).
    3. Arrange for shipping of Competition images to other clubs for judging and arranging for return shipping.
    4. Be responsible for Golden Horseshoe Competition and Slide Salon at the Photographic Convention. The Slide Competition Chair may appoint an Assistant for these duties.
    5. Be responsible for obtaining judges for all Interclub Competitions. Jurors for the Convention Competitions (Golden Horseshoe, Slide Salon) will be obtained by the Convention Chair.
    6. Maintain an accurate account of receipts and disbursements.
  8. SEMINAR CHAIR
    If the Board decides to hold a Seminar, then the Seminar Chair (the Vice-President of the NFRCC)
    Shall:
    1. Obtain appropriate speaker(s).
    2. Obtain a suitable location for seminar.
    3. Arrange for luncheon catering.
    4. Arrange that necessary equipment be available.
    5. Determine a ticket price with Board approval.
      (Details of the duties of the Seminar Chair are given in Standing Rule Number 1)
    9. HISTORIAN
    The Board shall appoint someone to serve as the Historian of the NFRCC.

CLAUSE 12: RULES OF ORDER

In any situation not covered by this Constitution, By-laws and any Standing Rules, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as the basis for procedural authority.
In any situation where the understanding of the Rules of Order differs between the U.S. and Canada, language which is clear to all members shall be used. For example, the motion to table has opposite meanings to Canadians and Americans and should not be used.

CLAUSE 13: AMENDMENTS

  1. Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed to the Board in writing by any member club with club approval.
  2. Any proposed changes to the By-Laws must be presented to the member clubs for their consideration at least one month before the regular meeting at which the changes will be considered.
  3. Amendments to the By-Laws require a majority vote by the Board.
  4. Upon ratification at the regular meeting of the Board the amendments will take effect immediately.

CLAUSE 14: STANDING RULES

  1. The Board may adopt Standing Rules, which will assist in the efficient operation of NFRCC activities. These Standing Rules may include, but are not limited to:
    1. Duties of the Fall Seminar Chair
    2. Rules and procedures for NFRCC Competitions
    3. Guidelines for selecting the winner of the Kodak Award for Photographic Excellence
    4. Guidelines for selecting the winners of the George S. Butt Awards for Club Print Excellence
    5. Guidelines for selecting the winners of the service awards for the NFRCC: The Stork Trophy, the Joe Bertuca Award and the Dorothy Sharpe Award.
  2. These Standing Rules may be amended or changed at any regular meeting of the Board, without previous notice, by a majority vote of the Board.

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NFRCC STANDING RULE NUMBER 1

Duties of the Fall Seminar Chair

  1. 1. Deciding upon the date, location and negotiation of a tentative contract with the hotel (including a luncheon if necessary), to be approved by the Board.
  2. All business pertaining to the Seminar, including regular reports to the Board on the progress of the Seminar plans.
  3. Co-ordination and correlation of all Seminar services.
  4. Acquiring a suitable speaker(s) for the Seminar.
  5. Negotiating the Honorarium, providing accommodation and necessary requirements for the speakers) including the communication with the Speaker regarding Seminar equipment needs.
  6. Preparing a budget, ticket price, to be presented to the Board for approval.
  7. Obtaining the necessary data to be used for tickets, flyers and Web site, including photographs and biographies.
  8. Chairing the Seminar.
  9. Appointing the following Coordinators who shall be responsible to the Seminar Chair:
    1. Audio Visual Chairperson
    2. Registrar

* * * * * * *

NFRCC STANDING RULE NUMBER 2
NFRCC COMPETITIONS

McKellar Competition

Four (4) times a year each Club submits (6) images from six (6) different makers. The Club with the highest total score at the end of the four (4) individual competitions is awarded the McKellar Trophy for that year. Each entry must be labeled with the number 01- 06, followed by the Club letter(s).

AM-Center - A Batavia - B Camera Rochester - R
Canyon - C Niagara Falls - N St. Catharines - S
Science Museum - SM South Towns - ST Twin Cities - T
Twin Tier - O Welland - W

Golden Horseshoe Competition

This is held once a year, usually at the convention. Each Club submits twenty (20) digital images on the following basis: Each Club must submit to the Slide Competition Chair the number and names of members in the Club who are competing in Club slide competitions (both traditional transparencies and/or digitally projected images) by January 1st.

  1. Clubs with:
    1. Fewer than 10 competing members may submit up to 3 images per member;
    2. Between 10 and 19 competing members may submit up to 2 images per member;
    3. Between 20 and 29 competing members may submit up to 2 images from 5 different members, with the rest at 1 image per member;
    4. More than 30 competing members will submit 20 images from 20 different makers.
  2. Clubs which violate the method of submission by competing membership numbers will be penalized by a four (4) point penalty per each slide in violation. These penalties are subtracted from the total score of the 20 slides submitted.
  3. The Club with the highest score for the 20 images will be awarded the Golden Horseshoe Trophy for that year.
  4. Images entered in the Golden Horseshoe must be numbered in the same way as the McKellar Competition: the numbers 01 to 20, followed by the Club letter(s)

SALONS

Print and Slide Salons are held in conjunction with the photographic conventions:

  1. Color Projected Images:
    1. Pictorial Division – 2 images
    2. Nature Division – 2 images which follow the basic rules of the NFRCC for Nature entries.
    3. Wildlife Division – 1 (one) image of pure wildlife. The First place winner will be awarded the Diane Payton-Majumdar Trophy. Open only to NFRCC club members.
  2. Prints: Color and Monochrome Divisions – See RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR NFRCC COMPETITIONS, Part 8 - Awards.

GEORGE S. BUTT COMPETITION

Only NFRCC members may assign their Salon print entries for inclusion in their Club’s entry. A member of more than one Club need not assign all entries to the same Club. The ten (10) highest scoring prints by AT LEAST five (5) different makers will be the official Club entry. The highest scoring monochrome and color entries will each be awarded a George S. Butt Trophy. Please see STANDING RULE NUMBER 4: Guidelines for selecting the winners of the George S. Butt Awards for Club Print Excellence, to follow.


RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR NFRCC COMPETITIONS

  1. Projected images must be labeled in accordance with the guidelines set up by the chairman of the competition.
  2. Prints must bear the title, the maker’s name and address, the Club name (if relevant) and an arrow indicating the orientation of the photo.
  3. Club entries to the McKellar or Golden Horseshoe competitions must be submitted in duplicate on the forms provided; digital images are to be numbered to correspond to the entry form.
    1. A digital image may be entered just once in the McKellar and just once in the Golden Horseshoe. An image that is essentially the same as one already entered may not be submitted subsequently. A penalty of four points will follow a violation of this rule.
    2. Any projected image or print that won an award or an honorable mention ribbon at a salon may not be re-entered in subsequent salons.
  4. Photographs must be the work of the maker and not the product of a workshop or class or set up, with or without an instructor’s assistance. Competitions are open to projected images or prints that have been computer enhanced or computer manipulated (digital). Digital photos must be based on or composed from original optically or photographically generated images. Projected images or prints are not to be totally computer-generated. All components (photo-based) must be created by the photographer – no clip art or purchased software images.
    1. THE MAXIMUM SIZE FOR COMPETITION PRINTS SHALL BE 320 square inches, including mat, not to exceed 30 inches in width or 24 inches in height.
    2. THE MINIMUM SIZE FOR COMPETITION PRINTS SHALL BE 80 square inches, excluding mat
  5. Digitally enhanced images will be accepted as other images, in the appropriate subject category.
    (Revised 2004)
  6. Only a paid member of an NFRCC affiliated Club is eligible to enter the McKellar and Golden Horseshoe Competitions. Those with memberships in more than one affiliated club may have slides submitted by each of the clubs subject to Rule 3a.
  7. Judging:
    1. A three-judge panel from outside the region will judge all competitions.
    2. Judges will be informed that the McKellar and Golden Horseshoe are open (i.e., to include portraiture, landscape, nature, waterscape, photojournalism, architecture, travel, etc.).
    3. There will be no preview of slides before judging the McKellar and Golden Horseshoe Competitions
    4. Imagess will be judged on the basis of their quality within the context of the competition using a scale of 4 to 10: 10-Superior, 8-Above Average, 6-Average, 4-Below Average.
      (Revised 2008)
  8. Awards:
    1. There must be a minimum of 15 entries in a category in the Print and Slide Salons in order for awards to be given.
    2. Honorable mention will be awarded to about 25% of the top scoring entries. The split shall be made in the full point separation that gives the number of honorable mentions closest to 25% of the number of entries.
    3. A trophy will be awarded on the basis of the cumulative scores in each of the McKellar and the Golden Horseshoe Competitions.
    4. Comparing the number of honorable mention awards will break any tie. If a tie still exists, the club with the most scores of 30 will be the winner. If it is still not decided, then successively lower scores are to be compared until the tie is broken. If this does not resolve the situation, it is declared a tie.
      (Revised 2002)
  9. Dates - McKellar and Golden Horseshoe submission dates are to be printed in the NFRCC directory. They will coincide, when possible, with a regular board meeting date. No late entries or makeups will be allo
  10. A copy of these rules will be distributed to each of the affiliateclubs at the start of each NFRCC year.

* * * * * * *
NFRCC STANDING RULE NUMBER 3

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING THE WINNER OF
THE KODAK AWARD FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EXCELLENCE

INTRODUCTION

In 1985, Leonard Cobb, who had presented many excellent programs at the NFRCC Conventions for many years approached Ray Sopczuk, who was then the Convention Chair, with a proposal. Len appreciated all of the support and acceptance he had received from the NFRCC and wanted to show how grateful he was for it. He offered to approach Kodak Canada and ask them for a monetary donation to be used by the NFRCC as it saw fit. The offer was accepted and after much consideration the Kodak Award for Photographic Excellence was established by the NFRCC Board. The first award was given in 1986.
The intent of this award is as follows:

  1. To present this award each year at the Regional Convention.
  2. To present this award each year to a different photographer in the NFRCC if possible.
  3. To present this award equally between American and Canadian members if possible.
  4. To use the information supplied by the clubs as a starting point for determining the winner. It is hoped that the selection of the committee will provide members who can use their knowledge of the nominee during the committee’s deliberations.
  5. The understanding that basing the winner on the nominee’s “awards only” creates in some cases a poor selection. For example:
    1. There is a much larger arena for a slide photographer to compete in as compared to a print photographer. Also it is a lot easier to duplicate and ship slides to various competitions than prints.
    2. A photographer may only compete for a short time choosing to demonstrate their ability in a different way. For example, they may use their skills to teach others or pursue publication of their work. Publication could include weddings, photographic or other magazine work, commercial photography for various clients, etc. Remember those who teach or do photographic programs are usually asked because of their photographic skills and knowledge.
    3. omeone who is new to photography may develop rapidly and would be placed at a disadvantage when compared to a photographer who has had years to compile their awards.
    4. The time frame, nominations in November, would permit the committee the time to seek additional information from the nominating club or the nominee if necessary.
    5. “It’s not how good the nominee is at compiling awards or preparing a resumé that should determine the winner, but how skilled they are in the field of photography that should make the difference.”
    6. “Remember for most of the regional members photography is only a hobby and we should try to keep it fun for all of them.”

GUIDELINES

The Kodak Award for Photographic Excellence is presented each year at the NFRCC Convention. The recipient of this award will be determined by a Committee set up each year by the NFRCC Executive and will consist of two members from Canada, two members from the United States, and the NFRCC President, who will serve as Chair.
Each Regional Club may nominate one of its members. Nominations must be received by the NFRCC President in November. The Committee will vote at a meeting held at the convenience of the members which may or may not be held in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Board and the winner will be announced at the Convention.
Each Club should supply the following information along with their nomination:

  • Club affiliation of the nominee
  • Nominee’s photographic background
  • Nominee’s photographic accomplishments
  • Rationale for the club’s nomination
  • No prints or slides will be accepted as part of the nomination.

This information will provide the committee with a base to select the winner of the Kodak Award.


* * * * * * *
STANDING RULE NUMBER 4

Guidelines for selecting thewinners of the
George S. Butt Awards for Club Print Excellence
INTRODUCTION

While serving as the Convention Chair in 1985, Ray Sopczuk noticed that the NFRCC had the McKellar and Golden Horseshoe Competitions for slide photographers, there was no competition available for the print makers in the organization. He drafted some rules for a competition for color and monochrome prints. He decided to name these awards in honor of George S. Butt, a founder of the Niagara Falls Camera Club who worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, and presented many programs at the Conventions.
This proposal was presented to the NFRCC Board and was accepted, The first trophies were presented in 1986.

COMPETITION RULES

GEORGE S. BUTT AWARD FOR MONOCHROME PRINTS

GEORGE S. BUTT AWARD FOR COLOR PRINTS

  1. One award will be presented for monochrome prints and one for color prints to the club meeting the criteria that follows, and accumulates the highest score at the end of the NFRCC Print Salon competition.
  2. All NFRCC Print Salon competition rules will apply to the photographs entered. This will include size, number and eligibility. (NOTE: A print is not eligible for competition if it has received an award at a previous NFRCC Convention Salon.)
  3. All photographs are to be entered at the regular NFRCC Print Salon registration. Judging will be done in conjunction with the NFRCC Salon.
  4. In addition to the name and ticket number on the back of the print the exhibitor should include the name of the club to which the score will be applied. If the exhibitor is a member of more than one regional club he/she may divide the entries between the various clubs in any manner. ONLY ONE CLUB can be designated for each print entered and the exhibitor must be a member of that club. NOTE: Regardless of how the exhibitor divides his/her prints in this competition there can only be a MAXIMUM of FOUR color and FOUR monochrome prints entered for judging in the Print Salon and club competition combined – there is NO MINIMUM.
  5. The score received during the NFRCC Print Salon judging will be used for the individual competition and the club competition. If the exhibitor does not wish for the score to be used for the club competition he/she may do so by indicating the following on the back of the print: DO NOT USE FOR CLUB COMPETITION.
  6. The TEN PRINTS with the highest score entered by AT LEAST FIVE different makers will be added together to determine the winning club. NO MORE THAN THREE SCORES by any one maker can be used unless there is a tie. In the event of a tie score the next highest print submitted by any member of the tied clubs will be added to the club’s score; this process will continue until the tie is broken.
  7. The trophy awarded to the winning club will remain in the possession of that club until the next NFRCC club competition which is normally held at the Convention.


* * * * * * *

STANDING RULE NUMBER 5

Guidelines for selecting
the winners of the service awards for The NFRCC:
The Stork Trophy,
the Joe Bertuca Award
and the Dorothy Sharpe Award

The Stork Trophy is awarded to a current member of a Regional Club for outstanding service to the NFRCC.

  1. Each Regional Club is entitled to submit one name at the November meeting of the NFRCC Board.
  2. Each Regional Club is entitled to one vote.
  3. The vote shall be conducted by secret ballot and will consist of three names being listed in order of preference.
  4. The votes will be counted by two appointed scrutineers, one a member of the Executive, and one a club representative.
  5. Results will be given to the Convention Chair, who will arrange for engraving of the trophies.
  6. A score of 5 points will be allocated for each first place vote; 3 points for each second place vote; and 1 point for each third place vote.
  7. The candidate with the highest score shall be declared the winner of the Stork Trophy.
  8. The first runner up will receive the Joe Bertuca Award.
  9. The second runner up will receive the Dorothy Sharpe Award.
  10. The names of the winners shall be announced at the photographic convention.

Adopted by the NFRCC Board of Directors on May 4, 2008

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2009 Annual Fall Seminar
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