Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2012
President Dick Lefevre called the meeting to order. We met following the afternoon session of the State Fiddle Contest at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas.

Reports
Secretary Dave Brinkman read the minutes from the 2011 meeting. Motion by Warrie Means and seconded by Dick Enders to accept the minutes as read. Passed.

Nancy Haynes provided the Treasurer’s Report. There is $384 in Checking and $403 in savings. She has $150 in dues to deposit. Motion by Warrie Means and seconded by Dick Enders to accept the report. Passed.

Old Business
None

New Business
Darlene from the State Fair asked for recommendations for the future. There were no comments other than our unanimous appreciation for all the help the State Fair staff has provided. We are looking forward to the new building next year.

Motion by Warrie Means and seconded by Casey Whiteman to pay the $195 certification fee to the National Contest in Weiser. Passed.

We discussed the possibility of changing the contest to a one-day event. There was concern about the smaller number of contestants this year. No action taken, but we will continue discussion in the executive board this fall and possibly propose something at next year’s meeting.

Motion by Warrie Means and seconded by Dick Enders to have Casey talk to Vicki and see if there is some service we can provide to the Fair in the way of playing for some of their events. Passed.

Election of Officers
Motion by Casey Whiteman and seconded by Warrie Means to nominate Reid Buckley as President Elect. Seeing no other nominations, Warrie Means made a motion (second by Nancy Haynes) to cease nominations. Passed.

With this election, Casey Whiteman moves from President-Elect to President. President Casey Whiteman appointed Dave Brinkman as Secretary and Nancy Haynes as Treasurer.

Motion by Warrie Means and seconded by Dave Brinkman to adjourn. Passed.

Respectfully submitted,
Dave Brinkman, Secretary

Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2011

President Dick Lefevre called the meeting to order. We met following the afternoon session of the combined Rocky Mountain Regional/WOTFA contest at “The Venue” in Casper.

Secretary Dave Brinkman read the minutes from the 2010 meeting. Motion by Casey Whiteman and seconded by Ann Robinson to accept the minutes as read. Passed.

Dick Lefevre reported for Treasurer Nancy Haynes who was absent. There is $515.40 in checking and $402.06 in savings. Motion by Billy Browning and seconded by Warrie Means to accept the report. Passed.

Old Business

Motion by Casey Whiteman and seconded by Warrie Means to pay $350 for one judge. Passed.

New Business

Motion by Kelly Wells and second by Casey Whiteman to pay contest certification fee of $195 to National association. Passed.

Motion by Warrie Means and second by Billy Browning to amend the bylaws to establish an executive committee to take to help the President take care of business between annual meetings. The committee would be the elected officers, the appointed officers and the last three past presidents of WOTFA. Passed.

Ann Robinson reported she had asked District 2 to support the contest but had not gotten a response. Billy Browning will follow up with them.

Motion by Ann Robinson and seconded by Kelly Wells to change the late fee from $10 to $2. Passed.

Several ideas for next year’s contest location were discussed. These included Jackson, Cody, Riverton, Lander, and Douglas (State Fair). Motion by Kelly Wells and seconded by Dick Enders to have us check on State Fair as our first choice for next year. Passed. Warrie Means will check and report ASAP.

Casey Whiteman moved to adjourn. Passed.

Respectfully submitted, Dave Brinkman, Secretary WOTFA

Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 29, 2010

President Dick Enders called the meeting to order. Secretary Dave Brinkman read the minutes from the 2009 meeting. Motion from Casey Whiteman and seconded by Warrie Means to approve the minutes. Motion passed.

Treasurer Nancy Haynes reported $140 in the checking account and $796 in savings. Motion from Ann Robinson and seconded by Warrie to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion Passed.

Old Business
Dick Enders asked about the Conoco Phillips grant that we had gotten last year. Ed Capen reported that the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation had not applied for it this year, but will next year. He has been in contact with Conoco Phillips.

New Business
Motion from Ann Robinson and seconded by Kelly Wells to pay for one judge at this year’s contest. Motion passed.

Ed Capen reported that the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundationwill sponsor the contest again next year, and that it will be on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 and 29.

Cody Stadelmaier (national board member) reported on Weiser contest. • To play in Weiser at the certified contest you must be a member of the National Fiddle Association • There will be a Senior-Senior division at Weiser again.

Ann Robinson moved and Casey Whiteman seconded that we change our rules to reflect the Senior-Senior change at Weiser. This means that the winner of our Senior contest can play in either the Senior or Senior-Senior, depending on their age. We will not have a Senior-Senior division at our contest.

Casey Whiteman moved and Dick Lefevre seconded that we change our rules for Twin Fiddling to allow contestants to play a tune in twin that they play in their age division contest. Contestants will not be able to play a tune more than once in the Twin Fiddling Division. Since this is a little confusing, Casey and Ann will come up with exact wording for this and we will make the change in the rules.

New Officer Nominations

President Elect Casey Whiteman was nominated by Warrie Means. No further nominations, so Casey is elected by acclamation.

Dick Lefevre moves from President Elect to President. He will appoint Treasurer and Secretary.

Announcements
Warrie Means thanked Ed Capen and the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation for their work with the contest. Thank you to Prairie Grass Recording for donating the sound (Zieb and Joan Stetler).

WOTFA wishes to thank the current officers for their work for the fiddlers association: Dick Enders, Dick Lefevre, Dave Brinkman, and Nancy Haynes.

Cody Stadelmaier moved to adjourn. Casey Whiteman seconded. Motion Passed.

Respectfully submitted, Dave Brinkman, Secretary

Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 30, 2009

President Dick Enders called the meeting to order.

Secretary Dave Brinkman read the minutes from the 2008 meeting. Motion from Vicki Roseberry and seconded by Warrie Means to approve the minutes. Motion passed.

Treasurer Nancy Haynes reported $120 in the checking account and $759 in savings. Motion from Dick Lefevre and seconded by Warrie to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion Passed.

Old Business
Ann Robinson reported that the clarification on the rules form last year’s minutes have been incorporated into the contest this year.

Ed Capen reported that CWC did not have funding to video the contest this year. TCT is recording the contest. KTWO from Casper is here to do a news story.

New Business
Margie Johnson reported that District #2 does not have funds to contribute to support the state contest this year, but they hope contribute in the future. The number of members is down in that district. She asked for fiddlers willing to come to Cody to guest at their events to help get some interest going. She could pay $50. Jams are at Cassie’s in Cody. Contact Margie at 307 347-4832.

Motion from Ann Robinson and seconded by Warrie Means to pay for one judge at this year’s contest. Motion passed.

Motion from Ann Robinson and seconded by Dick Lefevre to delete reference to Senior-Senior division in our bylaws for the Weiser contest. Motion passed.

Margie Johnson expressed concern that the first prize money for the senior division had been cut from $150 to $75. Ann explained that this was done a couple of years ago when we approved a revision of the contest rules. This was done to equalize the prize money for Junior, Adult and Senior Division.

Motion by Dave Brinkman to add $25 to Junior, Adult and Senior Division to make first prize $100. Seconded by Dick Lefevre. Motion passed.

Nancy Haynes reported 108 names on the member list, but not many had paid dues.

Warrie thanked Ed Capen and the folks from Thermopolis for their work with the contest. Prairie Grass donated the sound (Zebe and Joan Stetler).

Cody Stadelmaier(national board member) reported on some changes at Weiser contest

• Senior Senior division deleted
• Only three judges instead of 5. High and low scores no longer thrown out.
• Twin Fiddle division added, with a limit of 25.
• Round robin in the last round.
• Clapping allowed between tunes.
• Weiser website
• Cody encouraged members to join the national association.

Workshops this evening in Guitar (Jacob Means) and fiddle (Nancy and Natalie Padilla). Motion by Warrie Means and second by Ann Robinson to adjourn. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,
Dave Brinkman, Secretary

Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2008

President Kelly Wells called the meeting to order.

Vice President Dick Enders, substituting for Secretary Dave Brinkman, read minutes from the last meeting held 5/12/07. Warrie Means moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Dick Enders seconded the motion which was then passed.

Treasurer Nancy Haynes reported that the Association bank balance when transferred from the Shoshoni bank on 4/18/07 totaled $835.16. Deposits of $262.34 and transfer of $372.55 to checking left a savings account balance on 4/23/08 of $724.95.

The checking account balance started at $230. $372.55 was transferred in from savings. $405 in checks were written ($350 to cover judge expense, $30 to President Wells for mailing expense, $25 taxes) leaving a checking account balance on 4/23/09 of $197.55.

Total of both balances on 4/23/09 = $922.50.

Ed Capen introduced Toddi Darlington, Secretary, Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, the financial sponsor of the contest.

Old Business:

Ann Robinson stated that the rules require the Association communicate with the group staging the contest regarding rule changes.

" Contest officials will randomly draw playing order numbers for contestants for each round in each division. Playing order will be posted in the practice room as soon as possible." This is rule #3.

The 4 criteria for judging the contest did not get on the new score sheets.

It would be OK for the tally to be done by computer.

Kelly Wells appointed Ann Robinson to get the National score sheet.

New Business:

Ed Capen announced that the tentative date for the 2009 contest would be 5/30/2009, the weekend after Memorial Day. Ed said that the school wouldn’t sign a contract to ensure a specific weekend for the contest each year. Dick Enders noted that teachers who are still in school can’t come as early as the contest was held this year, and that other activities at this time of year compete with the contest for audience and participants.

Ed Capen stated that the National Contest in Weiser is okay with Wyoming holding their contest after Memorial Day if they get results sent to them by priority or e-mail immediately following the contest.

Ed Capen announced that the post-contest workshop was poorly subscribed.

Ed Capen reported that the Thermopolis Greater Learning Foundation wants Association members to help them solicit sponsorship for a very expensive contest. After a lengthy discussion, Ed said that he would provide Dick Enders with a letter soliciting sponsorships, which could then be distributed to the general members who would seek support for the contest from their own communities.

Ed said that since their FM radio system had not worked, that next year they would probably move the judges to the tally room. Ann Robinson noted that although some states don’t keep their judges out of sight of the stage, the National rules require sequestered judges. Kelly Wells added that the contest should strive for sequestered judges since that’s the rule. Ed noted that seating judges in the audience this year had seemed to be totally acceptable to the fiddlers when announced.

Warrie Means moved that the Association pay $350 to the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation to pay for one judge. Dick Enders seconded the motion which then passed.

Nancy Haynes announced that she has sufficient funds to pay for a judge without withdrawing more money. She also invited people to pay their dues, saying that if everyone paid, they wouldn’t have to touch the savings account this year.

Ed announced that CWC wanted to tape the contest in 2009. TCT planned to be at the contest the next day 4/25/08 to video tape the contest for internet distribution. Richard ___? offered to approach or find whomever directs KCWC/Wyoming Public Broadcasting Service.

Kelly Wells opened discussion of nominations for new officers.

Ann Robinson nominated Dick Lefevre for vice-President. Vicki Roseberry seconded the nomination. There were no further nominations and Nancy Haynes moved that nominations be closed, which was seconded by Cody Robinson and passed by acclamation.

President Wells asked if there was any further business.

Ed Capen announced that they were producing the contest on a year-to-year basis, and already had 3 judges for next year and had completed an application for funds for the 2009 contest.

Ann Robinson expressed thanks to the officers, and to out-going president Kelly Wells. Ed Capen thanked Ann Robinson for her help. Ann Robinson thanked the Contest Committee for doing such a nice job.

Ed Capen said he hoped for more unity between the two active Fiddle Association districts and the State Association. He said he thought District Two was considering withholding their support for the State Contest, although didn’t know why. Ann Robinson noted that District Four had doubled their support.

Warrie Means’ motion to adjourn was passed.

Respectfully submitted: David Brinkman,
Secretary (by Dick Lefevre)

Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2007

The annual meeting of Wyoming Old Time Fiddle Association was held in Thermopolis at the Hot Springs County High School Auditorium following the contest rounds on Saturday, May 12, 2007.

President Kelly Wells called the meeting to order.

Treasurer Nancy Haynes gave the treasurer’s report.

On April 18, 2007, $835.16 was moved from Atlantic Federal Credit Union to Big Horn FCU.

A release was obtained from Dessie Bebout and Joan Eisemann so their names were removed from the account at AFCU.

Account was closed at AFCU and $242.18 was moved to Big Horn.

$64. 84 was spent for award for Gayle Currah.

Dues income $20

Judges fee $350

$42.54 for newsletter expense to Kelly Wells

$690.95 is current balance

Minutes from 2006 were read by Dave Brinkman. Minutes approved.

Kelly Wells thanked Ann for the effort to update our contest rules.

Ann Robinson presented the “Rules Committee Proposals” from the Rules Committee (Dick Lefevre, Dick Enders, and Ann Robinson). The following items were considered by the WOTFA members.

A proposal to update the rules to current practice was explained by Ann. This proposal is not to make substantive changes. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Sam Haynes to approve this proposal. Proposal was passed.

Several substantive changes were brought forward.

1. Discussion on whether contestants should be required to register one hour before their division? Motion by Warrie Means to charge a late fee of $10 for those registering after Friday of the contest weekend. Second by Dick Enders. Motion passed.

2. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Gene Litton to allow random drawing for position by contest officials rather than contestants. Motion passed.

3. Motion by Gene Litton and 2nd by Warrie Means to adopt national rule for string breakage by fiddler or accompanist. Motion passed.

4. Motion by Margie Johnson and second by Roy Johnson to adopt the national rule to establish limit of two accompanists for Small Fry (Lil Tykes) and Junior Junior. Motion passed.

5. Discussion of a national rule to eliminate the use of contact mics and electric bass. No action. We will continue with allowing electric bass.

6. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Margie Johnson to adopt national judging criteria for old time fiddling ability, danceability, rhythm and timing, and tone quality. Motion passed.

7. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Gene Litton to adopt the national rule that contestants will be disqualified from the current contest and the next year for threatening or harassing a judge. Motion passed.

8. Motion by Margie Johnson and second by Roy Johnson to adopt the national rule prohibiting sheet music. Motion failed.

9. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Gene Litton to adopt national rule regarding procedure if a contestant wins a division for three consecutive years. Motion passed.

10. Motion by Gene Litton and second by Margie Johnson to clarify that playoffs occur only when there is a tie in the cumulative scores after the final round of any division. Motion passed.

11. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Margie Johnson to change the name of the Li’l Tykes to Small Fry to match the national contest. Motion passed

12. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Gene Litton to change the procedures for a protest to being three contestants (including accompanists), rather than three contestants in a division. Motion passed.

13. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Dick Enders to allow contestants to move back and forth between State and Age Group divisions. This follows the national rule. Motion passed.

Additional rules were discussed.

1. Motion by Roy Johnson and second by Gene Litton to change the senior division to just two rounds. Motion passed.

2. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Margie Johnson to have Small Fry continue with just one round, Novice change to just one round and Junior Junior change to two rounds. Motion passed.

3. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Janet Parrent to allow Twin Fiddle contestants to both be from out of state. Motion passed.

4. Motion by Warrie Means and second by Margie Johnson to eliminate the dress code suggestions. Motion failed.

President Kelly Wells asked about dates for the 2008 State Contest. Ed Capen reported that April 21-22 or May 19 weekend looked like possibilities. There are problems with the Mother’s Day weekend. The school calendar determines which dates are available. Ed was confident that a date in April or May could be found. Kelly suggested that the Thermopolis organizers need to be working two years in advance.

Motion by Ann Robinson and second by Dick Enders to adjourn. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted
Dave Brinkman, Secretary

GENERAL CONTEST RULES

1. The deadline for pre-registration is the Friday preceding the contest weekend. Any contestant whose registration is not received by that date will be assessed a late fee of $10.

2. All commercial recording rights are reserved and shall become the property of Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Wyoming Fiddlers Association. By registering for the contest, the contestant waives commercial recording rights.

3. Contest officials will randomly draw playing order numbers for contestants for each round in each division. Playing order will be posted in the practice room as soon as possible.

4. Contestants at each appearance must first play a hoedown; second, a waltz; and third, a tune of their choice other than a hoedown or waltz. (Twin Fiddle contestants at each appearance will play a waltz and a tune of their choice other than a waltz.) No tune shall be played more than once during all appearances of a contestant in each division, including a playoff round for a tie. Although no stopwatch will be used, contestants are asked to limit time on stage for any round (including the No Holds Barred and Twin Fiddle divisions) to five (5) minutes. Points will be deducted if the performance becomes too long, monotonous, or repetitious. Please note: a stopwatch is used at the national contest.

5. Contestants may play without accompanist or with not more than three accompanists, except for the Small Fry and Junior-Junior divisions, which are limited to two (2) accompanists. There is no accompanist limit for the No Holds Barred Division

6. Except for electric bass guitar, contact microphones and amplified instruments will not be permitted during any competition.

7. No trick or fancy fiddling is allowed during contestant appearances, except in the No Holds Barred Division.

8. Judging will be scored for old-time fiddling ability, danceability, rhythm and timing, and tone quality. All scores will be cumulative. Points will be deducted for any violations of the above rules, numbers 4-7 (inclusive).

In addition to the standard criteria for other divisions, for the Twin Fiddle Division, judges will also consider appropriateness of harmony, balance, coordination of parts and the musical effect of the twin fiddling. Twin Fiddling is defined as two fiddles playing in harmony.

9. Any contestant who harasses or threatens a judge will be automatically eliminated for the current and following year’s contest.

10. Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the State Division must either judge the following year’s contest, or sit out the contest that year. Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Senior, Adult and Junior divisions will automatically move into the State Division. Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Junior-Junior or Small Fry divisions will automatically move into the next age division. This rule does not apply to the No Holds Barred or Twin Fiddle divisions. Any contestant winning first place in the Novice Division is not eligible to enter the Novice Division again.

11. In case of a tie in cumulative scores after the final round of any division, those contestants who are tied will play one (1) tune (hoedown, waltz or tune of choice) for the tie play-off. The contestant may not repeat a tune played in a previous round of the division.

12. Any protest must be signed by not less than three (3) contestants (accompanists qualify as contestants)and submitted in writing to the contest chairman and within three (3) hours of protest occurrence. The protest will be considered by the contest committee, which is comprised of Wyoming Fiddlers’ Association officers and the contest director.

13. All decisions of the judges and of the contest committee will be final.

14. Contestants ages 60 and over may enter both the Senior Division and the State Division. Contestants under age 60 may enter their age division, or the Novice Division, or the State Division. All contestants, regardless of their entry in any age division, the State Division or the Novice Division, may also enter the No Holds Barred Division and the Twin Fiddle Division.

15. If a contestant of any age wants to enter the State Division, rather than an age division, the contestant may do so. The contestant may move back to his/her age division in subsequent years.

16. Nine divisions are included in the contest:

State

Open to all ages

Residency Rule Applies

3 rounds

Senior

At least 60 years of age

Residency Rule Applies

2 rounds

Adult

18-59 years of age

Residency Rule Applies

2 rounds

Junior

13-17 years of age

Residency Rule Applies

2 rounds

Junior-Junior

9-12 years of age

Residency Rule Applies

2 rounds

Small Fry

Less than 9 years of age

Residency Rule Applies

1 round

Novice

Open to all ages

Residency Rule Applies

1 round

No Holds Barred

Open to all ages

No Residency Rule

2 rounds

Twin Fiddle

Open to all ages

No Residency Rule

2 rounds

All divisions with the exception of the No Holds Barred , Twin Fiddle and Novice divisions are certified, thus each first place winner in each division will be certified (with entry fees paid) to compete at the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest in June in Weiser, Idaho.

PLEASE NOTE: The national contest rule for the Senior Division is: Contestants must be at least 60 years of age. Contestants 70 years of age and over qualify to compete in the Senior-Senior Division at the national contest.

17. RESIDENCY RULE: In order to be eligible to enter the State Old-Time Fiddlers Contest, a contestant must have been a resident of the State of Wyoming for a period of one (1) year prior to the date of the contest. Excluded from this rule are those who have spent time during the year in another state or country while attending school, serving in the Armed Forces for our country, or on assignment by the contestant’s employer which would take the contestant out of Wyoming, provided that the state of Wyoming is the contestant’s established residence.

A contestant falsifying time of residency in the state of Wyoming shall be penalized in the following manner: Any title the contestant won the year the infraction occurred shall not be recognized. In addition, the contestant will not be eligible to compete in the State Championship Old-Time Fiddlers Contest the year following the year in which the infraction occurred.

GENERAL INFORMATION

PURPOSE: The original and continuing purpose of the Old-Time Fiddlers Contest is to help perpetuate the old-time fiddling of pioneering America; to help develop a more genuine audience appreciation, understanding and participation; to preserve the old-time fiddling tunes; to develop and encourage local, regional, and state old-time fiddlers’ jam sessions, contests and festivals; to permanently record and display the history, relics and mementos of past old-time fiddlers’ art; and to acknowledge the present-day old-time fiddlers who are helping to preserve the traditional expressions.

JUDGING: Judging will be done by three (3) qualified judges, judging from a remote location. No judge will be allowed to see any contestant or hear an introduction commentary. Contestants are identified to the judges by number only. The exceptions are the No Holds Barred and Twin Fiddle divisions, during which the judges are watching the contestants from in front of the stage.

DRESS: In keeping with the theme and purpose of the contest, dress of pioneer America is suggested. However, since western dress is customary in the community, it will be acceptable if “old-time” dress is not possible. Persons wearing beach wear, shorts or sun wear will definitely feel “out-of-place.”

GOVERNANCE: All questions, decisions and plans will be governed by the overall committee on the basis of our purpose.

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