Statement of Purpose

This association was created with the intent to preserve and propagate all varieties of ornamental/game/cage birds and animals. By doing so, we hope that future generations will be able to participate in the beauties of outdoor life. We hope to further educate our members and the general public with current information about the use of birds and animals for beauty and profit.

Constitution of the Michigan Bird and Game Breeders Association

Originally Adopted January 1st, 1990
Revised & Newly Adopted July 26th, 2025

This association was first organized on August 20th, 1983.
The founding fathers were: President Art Mills, Vice President Ken Lickly, Secretary/Treasurer Jan Lickly, and Directions Glen Partin, George Fullerton, Steve Redmond, and Gordon Shaefer.
Article I: Name
This organization shall be known as the “Michigan Bird and Game Breeders Association.”
Article II: Purpose
This organization serves the bird and game breeders of Michigan through:
  1. Promotion of preservation, propagation, and conservation of all species of bird, game, and farm animals.
  2. Sharing husbandry information and other education surrounding the proper care, propagation, preservation, and conservation of birds, game, and farm animals with its members and the general public.
  3. Providing assistance to its members in locating or relocating stock through the promotion of various markets to the general public.
  4. Sponsoring one or more annual show(s)/sale(s) for both members and the general public.
  5. Promotion of honesty and integrity among members regarding business practices, compliance with the law, and purity of breeding standards.
  6. Promotion of the above to the general public, including opportunities to take part in such activities.
  7. Cooperation and association with other organizations and groups endorsing our views and interests.
  8. Informing its membership of legislative proposals and the enactment of laws which might affect our interests.
Article III: Membership
  1. Membership shall be open to all persons, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, creed, or residency.
  2. Membership shall be limited to one year from the month of a newly-accepted or renewed application (for example: a membership accepted at any point in July expires July 31st of the next year).
  3. Membership classification shall be:
    1. “Single” – One individual person.
    2. “Family” – Any members sharing the same physical address.
    3. “Advisory” – Advisors to the Board, with no voting rights.
  4. In addition, memberships shall be classified as:
    1. “Digital” – Communications (including newsletters and member directory) delivered through digital mediums such as e-mail or website access.
    2. “Hard Copy” – Communications (including newsletters and member directory) delivered in paper copy through the postal service.
  5. Members may purchase hard copies of the current newsletters or member directory in person at swap meets or through any available online method, including contacting a board member to arrange mail delivery.
  6. Membership voting rights:
    1. A “single” membership shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
    2. A “family” membership shall be entitled to two (2) votes.
    3. An “advisory” membership shall be entitled to no voting rights, unless the member also acquires a “single” or “family” membership.
  7. The Board of Directors shall establish the following year’s annual dues at the first meeting of the current year.
Article IV: The Standing Rules of the Board of Directors
The Standing Rules of the Board of Directors shall govern internal operations of leadership and the associated duties. The Standing Rules shall be established, and reaffirmed annually, by the Board of Directors.
  1. Article IV(a): Definitions
    1. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of both Officers and Directors.
    2. Officers shall consist of: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor.
    3. Directors shall be elected at large from the membership, for the purpose of providing a broad base of membership representation.
  2. Article IV(b): Terms of Office
    1. Officer and Director terms shall begin and end at the first meeting of each calendar year.
    2. Officers shall be elected or appointed for a 1-year term.
    3. Officers shall serve a term of 1 year from the date of election, or until a replacement officer has been installed, whichever comes first.
    4. Directors shall be elected or appointed for a 2-year term
    5. Directors shall serve a term of 2 years from the date of election, or until a replacement officer has been installed, whichever comes first.
  3. Article IV(c): Impeachment and Removal
    1. Any Officer or Director failing to fulfill the duties required by their position on the Board shall be impeached and may be removed from office
      1. By 2/3 majority vote of Directors present at any official meeting in person or via digital proxy.
      2. By automatic resignation, for two (2) consecutive absences from Board meetings.
  4. Article IV(d): General Duties
    1. The Board shall create and/or affirm a calendar of events for the upcoming year.
    2. The Board shall hold at least two general membership meetings per year.
    3. The Board shall hold at least two Board Meetings per year.
    4. General Membership and Board Meetings may be held concurrently.
  5. Article IV(e): Specific Duties
    1. President
      1. Shall preside over all Association meetings.
      2. Shall provide leadership in fulfilling the purpose of the Association.
    2. Vice-President
      1. Shall assist and aid the President.
      2. May serve as Ex-Officio head on all Committees
      3. Succeeds the President in the event of vacancy
      4. Carries out Presidential duties in the President’s absence.
    3. Secretary
      1. Shall keep accurate minutes at all Association meetings.
      2. Shall keep accurate non-financial records for the Association.
      3. Shall correspond and relate notices as necessary, including an agenda for all meetings.
    4. Treasurer
      1. Shall pay all debits owed and authorized by the Board of Directors within 30 days, or as directed by the Board.
      2. Shall collect any and all dues.
      3. Shall compile membership information necessary for the preparation of the membership directory.
      4. Shall notify members of upcoming expirations of membership at the beginning of the month prior to expiration
    5. Editor
      1. Shall collect, compile, and distribute information for the membership newsletter(s).
      2. Shall receive compiled membership information from the Treasurer, and create a yearly membership directory for distribution to the members.
    6. Director
      1. Shall assist the Officers of the Association.
      2. Shall conduct an annual audit of the Association’s financial accounts and records.
      3. Shall conduct any other periodic financial audits they deem necessary for Association function.
      4. Shall elect a Directory Chairperson from among themselves.
      5. Shall elect a Resident Agent from among themselves.
    7. Directory Chairperson
      1. Shall decide the vote in the event of a tie.
      2. May serve as Ex-Officio on any committee in the Vice-President’s absence.
    8. Resident Agent
      1. Shall serve as the point of contact for any legal matters within the Association.
  6. Article IV(f): Committees
    1. Publishing Committee
      1. Publishes all periodicals and Directories.
      2. The Editor shall serve as Committee Chair
    2. Membership Committee
      1. Promotes services for the membership
    3. Sale Committee
      1. Promotes and coordinates sale/swap activities
    4. Elections Committee
      1. Conducts elections for Board Members.
      2. Shall be composed of three (3) Directors not currently standing for election or re-election.
    5. Program Committee
      1. Obtains potential speakers and/or programs for members and the general public.
    6. “Ad-Hoc” Committee
      1. May be held for any special need as it arises.
    7. Committee Members shall include any volunteer member of the Board of Directors allowed by the above.
  7. Article IV(g): Elections and Voting
    1. All elections shall be conducted by the Elections Committee.
    2. The Election Committee shall publish the procedure for the nomination and election of Officers and Directors.
    3. Election of the Officers and Directors shall take place at the first meeting of the current year, or as need arises.
    4. Vacancies through impeachment/removal, resignation, automatic resignation, or any other means shall be filled by appointment of a member in good standing, to serve until the next annual election meeting.
      1. Appointed Board members shall be required to fulfill all of the same duties, and are subject to all of the same rules as an Elected Board member would be.
    5. Votes for the Board may be cast in person or by proxy (for example written letter or digital attendance).
    6. Votes by Members must be cast in person.
    7. When a vote is called for at any meeting, all voting for it must take place within the span of that meeting.
    8. A Quorum shall be 50% of votes plus one Officer or Director.
  8. Article IV(h): Rights of Representation
    1. Each Officer and Director shall represent one (1) vote.
    2. The Directory Chairperson shall decide the question of a tie.
    3. Any Board member may abstain in the event of a conflict of interest.
    4. A meeting agenda shall be prepared and communicated to all Board members by the secretary prior to the associated Board meeting
    5. A member in good standing may request an opportunity to address the Board by contacting the Secretary or the Directory Chairperson.
    6. “Roberts Rule of Order” shall prevail for all Board and Membership meetings. (https://assembly.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/roberts_rules_simplified.pdf)
  9. Article IV(i): Amendments to the Standing Rules
    1. Amendments to the Standing Rules only require a quorum of Officers and Directors present at the meeting where the vote takes place.
    2. Three Members, in good standing, finding cause, may petition the Board of Directors for consideration or reconsideration to any Amendment.
Article V: Membership Regulations
  1. Members shall subscribe to an ethical code of conduct (see Article VI):
    1. In general behavior with regards to Association membership and related activities
    2. In breeding practices of owned animals
    3. In care of owned animals
    4. In honest representation of owned birds and other animals for sale
    5. In the sale of owned stock
    6. In the acquisition of game, rare, and domestic birds and animals
    7. In business affairs so as to instill trust and satisfaction.
  2. Members found in violation of these codes of conduct may be asked:
    1. to remove animals from sale areas
    2. to vacate a given swap or sales event
  3. Members repeatedly found in violation of these codes of conduct may be at risk of Membership cancellation.
  4. The Association hereby reserves the right to cancel or refuse Membership to any person for noncompliance with the intended purpose of this Association, or for repeated misconduct regarding the Association’s Code of Ethics.
  5. A request for action to cancel or refuse Membership must be by written request of three (3) members in good standing, one Board member, or three (3) non-associated members of the general public within a six month period.
    1. Upon receiving such a request, the Board will contact the Member/applicant for an inquiry and/or hearing.
    2. A 2/3 vote of Board members present at the hearing shall be required to cancel or refuse Membership.
Article VI: Ethical Codes of Conduct
  1. Article VI(a): In breeding practices of owned animals
    1. Breeding animals should have appropriate access to feed, water, and housing.
  2. Article VI(b): In care of owned animals
    1. Animals at home facilities
      1. should have continuous access to water
      2. should have appropriate access to correct food for the species
      3. should have a clean, safe habitat
      4. should have adequate housing space for their species
      5. should have adequate shelter from inclement weather
      6. should be kept at or below the maximum housing density for their species
      7. should receive appropriate veterinary care as needed, including any vaccines, health testing, or certification required by state or federal law
      8. should be provided a humane death
    2. All animals should be handled with regards to their wellbeing and in such ways as to prevent injury or escape.
    3. All animals should be transported in ways that protect their welfare and ensure successful transport.
  3. Article VI(c): In honest representation
    1. Injuries or other physical problems should be disclosed before the point of sale.
    2. Breeds of animals should be accurate to the best of a member’s knowledge.
    3. Sex of animals for sale should be accurate if known. If sex cannot be determined, this information should be honestly represented.
    4. Age of animals should be accurate to the best of the Member’s knowledge and candidly given to a buyer.
  4. Article VI(d): In sales of owned stock
    1. Members should only offer for sale healthy, disease-free animals
    2. Animals presented for sale at MBGBA functions:
      1. should have continuous access to water and appropriate access to food
      2. should have appropriate caging size for their species with regards to their welfare
      3. should be presented in escape-proof caging that protects their welfare
      4. should be uninjured and free of disease and parasites
  5. Article VI(e): In animal acquisition
    1. Animals acquired by members should be acquired through legal means and in accordance with all state and federal regulations.
    2. Animals should be sourced from ethical breeders that adhere to similar codes of conduct, to the best of a Member’s knowledge.
    3. Animal should be acquired at an appropriate age, after weaning or other developmental milestones which ensure the animal will thrive after exchanging owners.
    4. Newly acquired animals should undergo quarantine from a Member’s current stock for at least 2 weeks, and preferably at least 30 days, to prevent the spread of disease and parasites. A veterinary health check is highly recommended during this time.
  6. Article VI(f): In business affairs
    1. Members are expected to accurately represent animals and products they sell, particularly at MBGBA events. This includes disclosing known ages, sexes, injuries, blood-relations, illnesses, and other such qualities that might affect the desirability of animals offered for sale.
    2. Members are expected to treat other members and the general public with civility when conducting business.
    3. Members are expected to conduct sales in accordance with all state and federal regulations. This includes providing or transferring any and all permit information required by law for legally-held game birds and animals.
Article VII: Amendments
  1. The Membership of the association hereby reserves the right to add, delete, or modify this Constitution by a simple majority vote of the full Membership.
  2. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Board for referral to the full Membership.
  3. Voting rights shall be extended to the full Membership on any amendment question by referendum.
  4. All changes to this Constitution become effective 10 days following publication to the Membership in the Association newsletter.

Montrose - September 12, 2026

Location: Montrose Orchard
12473 Seymour Road
Montrose, MI 48457

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