Bylaws 2010

I. Organization

The Louisiana Junior Show Circuit (LJSC) is designed to allow junior livestock enthusiast to participate and compete at LJSC sanctioned shows. The LJSC members will accumulate points for exhibiting their swine, sheep, and goats at sanctioned shows throughout the show season.  Awards will be presented at the conclusion of the circuit to exhibitors who achieve top honors for swine, sheep, and goat in performance, showmanship, and participation.
Goals of the LJSC

• Allow junior exhibitors to participate and compete throughout the summer and receive awards for their hard work and dedication to the swine, sheep, and goat projects.
• Provide a learning experience for both junior members and their families by showing swine, sheep, and goats providing leadership, showing, cooperation, and presenting good sportsmanship.
• Provide support for the state and national swine, sheep, and goat breeders.
• Contribute assistance to the Louisiana swine, sheep, and goat programs.
• To promote the welfare of the Louisiana livestock industry.
• To provide opportunities for youth to acquire life skills such as: knowledge, responsibility, decision making, public speaking, and leadership.  These skills are obtained through hands-on education and practical behavior that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.

The LJSC is organized and managed by a group of volunteers.  To participate and receive awards in the Louisiana Junior Show Circuit, you must submit a membership form and a $10 per Species made payable to the LJSC.  This membership fee will automatically enroll you as a member in the Louisiana Junior Show Circuit.  No points will be accumulated until the membership fee is paid and the membership form is turned into the LJSC.  Forms will be available at each show and membership will be accepted at any time throughout the year.

II. LJSC Board

The Board’s duty will be to administer the general affairs of the LJSC.  A total of 9 members will comprise the board: three from each species (swine, sheep, and goat). They will be determined by a nomination and vote from the LJSC membership: one vote per family.  Executive members will be determined by a nomination and vote of the elected board members, which will include President, Vice- President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Each member will serve a two year term with no limit to how many terms can be served.  A board member that misses more than two meetings will be replaced.  There must be at least one member from each species and a total of five board members present for a quorum.  In order to vote a quorum must be met.

III. Membership

• Membership in the LJSC requires a $10 membership/species.
• Points will not begin to accumulate until you become a member of the LJSC.  Therefore, you must sign-up and pay dues before a show starts in order to accumulate points for that show.
• The LJSC is open to anyone from the age of 0-19 years of age from any state.  To earn points the exhibitor must be able to show by themselves without assistance unless they are physically challenged.

IV. Shows

• Points will only be accumulated at LJSC Sanctioned Shows.
• Shows must be registered with the LJSC in order to become sanctioned.  Sanctioned shows must abide by the following guidelines.
• Class size should try and be as equal in quantity and weight spread (appr. 10 to 15 lbs.) as possible to increase fairness of class accumulation points.
• Showmanship classes must be available to exhibitors in four arranged categories with champion and reserve winners selected in each category, all other participating exhibitors must also be provided in results (random order). An overall Champion and Reserve Champion Showman will be selected in each Species. Four division: 1) Novice – under 9yrs old competing for points,  2) Junior – 9 thru 11 years old,  3) Intermediate – 12 thru 14 years old, and 4) Senior – 15 and older.  Age as of Jan. 1, 2010 is age for showmanship.

Peewee showmanship under 9 yrs. Old not competing for points.

• Sanctioned shows will pay $1 per head to the LJSC for each animal (member and non-member entries) entered in their show. Payment must be made within 5 days of show.
• The LJSC does not want to dictate how each show is ran, but sanctioned shows must follow the LJSC guidelines to increase fairness of the LJSC point system. Failure to comply with the LJSC guidelines may result in not being sanctioned in future years.  Show committees are not responsible for LJSC point’s calculations.  Show manager will receive further information 30 days prior to the show.
• Each show manager will provide complete results to LJSC immediately following show.
• Each show manager must sign form that they have read and will adhere to the guidelines and bylaws set forth by the LJSC.  If a show is cancelled within 2 weeks from scheduled show date that show manager will be fined $100 and may result in not being a sanctioned show in future years.

V. Point Accumalation

Eligibility of points:

• Members must show in at least three LJSC SANCTIONED SHOWS to earn Year-End Awards.
• Animals must be entered and shown by the individual LJSC member for the points to be accumulated in the member’s name.  The only exception is if the exhibitor has more than one animal in the same class.  In this case, the animal must be shown by another member for points.
• Points will be kept on the top two animals for each species for each exhibitor at each approved show. (Example if an exhibitor show four pigs and three lambs then the only points that will count are the top two pig and top two lambs.  Membership in the LJSC requires a $10 membership/species.
• Will receive points for actual placing of each exhibitor. No bumping up if someone that places ahead of you is not a member you will receive points for your actual placing.

Year-end Awards:
The LJSC will present awards for the top ten market animals and the top five showmen in each species. In the event of a tie, the following tie-breakers will determine the placing:

• Number of Shows Attended
• Number of Animals Exhibited
• Coin Flip

VI. Point System:

Points will be awarded for actual placing of LJSC member. Example: 1st place non LJSC member, 2nd place LJSC member, next LJSC member place 5th. (6 -10 animals in class)  0 points given for first place, 40 points for second, 0 points for 3rd and 4th place, 25  points for 5th place and any other LJSC member in that class will receive 5points.

Market Points:
A member cannot show an animal they do not own for LJSC points. Only the top 5 animals must be place; the remaining LJSC members in that class will receive 5 points for participation. Members will receive points on their top two animals in each species.

Market Points will be determined by the following table:

** 5 points will be given to every animal from 6th place down.

The Grand Champion Animal will receive 30 points more than the first place animal in the largest class. The Reserve Champion Animal will receive 20 points more than the first place in the largest class. Example: Grand Champion Animal points receive – largest class in show had 11 animals so will receive 50 points + 30 points + plus points for winning your class (6 animals – 45pts) total of 125 pts.

Showmanship Points

** Anything past 9th place will receive 10 pts.

Division Champions will receive 10 extra points and Res. Division Champion will receive 5 extra points.
Division:
Novice Divisions – 9 years and under competing for points
Junior Divisions -  9 thru 11 years old
Intermediate Division – 12 thru 14 years old
Senior Division – 15 and older                                                                                                             

Grand Champion Showman will receive 40 extra points.
Reserve Champion will receive 30 extra points.
If you win Grand Champion Showman will receive 150 points. Reserve Champion will win at least 125 pts. -140 pts.

Rewards and Benefit Year-End Awards: 
 The LJSC will present awards to the top ten market animals and the top five showmen in each species.  In the event of a tie, the following tie-breakers will determine the placing: 1) Number of Shows Attended, 2) Number of Animals Exhibited,3) Coin Flip                                                              
The LJSC will maintain a website(http://ljsc.org) to keep its members up-to date on current events and points.
Animal Welfare Statement

Each animal exhibited at a LJSC sanctioned show shall, at all times, be treated humanely and with dignity, respect, and compassion. The standard by which conduct or treatment shall be measured is that a reasonable person informed and experienced in generally accepted livestock exhibition training procedures or veterinary standards, would determine cruel, abusive, or inhumane. (Show Manager has the final decision on disqualifying individuals who do not observe these standards).
LJSC Disclaimer of Responsibility of Show Participants:

1.) Show management is responsible for the condition of the show premises, including the arena and stalling areas, the conduct and competence of show employees, and other representatives; implementation of show activities and events; and other aspects of their show.
2.) LJSC does not assume or accept duty or responsibility for safety at a sanctioned show in regard to participants or any other third parties or for the livestock or other property thereof.
3.) As an express condition of the privilege to participate at LJSC sanctioned shows or events, each member of the LJSC, their families, third parties, and all participants assume the risks of participation, and release and discharge the LJSC, its officers, directors, representatives, and employees from any and all liability, whenever or however arising, as to personal injury, or property damage occurring as a result of participation in an event conducted by the sanctioned show on the show grounds thereof.

LJSC Disclaimer of Responsibility for Actions Taken by Board of Directors:

As an express condition of the privilege to participate at LJSC sanctioned shows or events, each member of the LJSC, their families and associates, agree to hold harmless the LJSC, its officers, directors, and employees from and against all claims, losses, demands, obligations, causes of action and law suits and all damages (including punitive and exemplary damages), liabilities (including strict liability), fines, penalties, judgments, costs (including settlement cost), and expenses associated therewith (including the payment of reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements) (hereafter electively called Damages) to the extent that damages arise out of:
1.) The failure of the member or his family or associates to comply with the terms and conditions of these rules and regulations
2.) Action taken by the LJSC, its officers, directors or employees involving the member or his or her family or associates
(3) Actions taken by the management of a sanctioned show toward the member or his or her family or associates

VII. Sponsors

PLATINUM Level Sponsors - $2500.00
DIAMOND Level Sponsors - $1000.00
GOLD Level Sponsors - $ 500.00
SILVER Level Sponsors - $250.00
BRONZE Level Sponsors - $ 100.00
Other Sponsors – under $100.00

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