Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association

Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association History

Oregon is divided into 11 districts with each district having its own officers. The chairmen of the districts serve on the board with the state officers and serve all members. Each year in April the state association has a convention at the fairgrounds at Rickreall. Members come from all over Oregon and from neighboring states to visit and share their music. The third week end in May the state association holds an old time fiddle contest at the Chemeketa Community College in Salem where fiddlers compete for the championship of different age divisions.

The Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association has a variety of members - the fiddle being the primary instrument. Every fiddler wants to have back up so many of our members are guitar players, along with the banjo, bass, piano, accordion, mandolin, harmonica and those members who do vocals.

The typical jam starts on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 after a filling potluck. The first 20 minutes or so of the jam, all the musicians gather on the stage and jam the old favorites such as: Red Wing, Snow Deer, Maggie, Just Because, Faded Love, Jesse James, Red River Valley, You are my Sunshine, Coming Round the Mountain, Boil them Cabbages Down, etc. Then each musician has his or her time for usually two tunes - fiddle, or other instrument or a vocalist.

There are many different styles of fiddling most of them coming from the individual fiddler. The typical old time style may include hoedowns, waltzes, cowboy songs and many of the old tunes. The contest fiddler will play may play the tunes above or he or she may play tunes that have become popular for contests - some times called “Texas Style or Progressive Style.” There are many other styles: Celtic, Scottish, Irish, etc.

Fiddling knows no age limitation. You don’t have to be old, to be an old time fiddler.

Each month the members receive the Hoedowner which gives the news from the 11 districts - what happened last month and what is going to happen next month, results of contests, future meetings, and other news in general.

Every week-end somewhere in Oregon fiddlers gather in grange halls, senior centers, or where ever they can play music together. The public is invited to come to listen to the fiddle music. Other times members of the Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers Association can be heard at county fairs, in parades, in schools, at weddings and funerals, in nursing homes, at camp outs, picnics, and where ever they are invited.

OREGON OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED
REVISED APRIL 12, 2008

ARTICLE I  NAME
OREGON OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED

ARTICLE II PURPOSE
To perpetuate and promote Old Time Fiddling and Old Time music. To encourage everyone, especially young people, to play the fiddle and appreciate Old Time Fiddling and Old Time music. To provide regular times and places to meet to play this kind of music.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.   Eligibility:
Anyone, who is in agreement with the purposes of our organization is eligible for membership.

Section 2.     Classes of membership:
a. Charter members.
b. In-state members.
c. Out-of-state members.
d. Lifetime members
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
Section 1.     Election of:
President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer must be elected by secret ballot if two (2) or more names are placed in nomination for an office. If three (3) or more names are nominated for an office and one (1) does not receive the majority of the votes, the two (2) receiving the most shall be voted on again.

Section 2.     Term of office:
The term of office for each President and Vice-President elected State and District officer shall be one (1) year but not more than two (2) consecutive years except for secretary - treasurer who shall be exempt from the two (2) consecutive term limitation.

Section 3.     Succession of officers:
In the event that the President vacates the office, the Vice-President shall succeed for the balance of the term. In the event that any other elected officer vacates that office, the President will have the power to appoint a successor, with the approval of the Executive Board, until the next bi-annual meeting.

Section 4.     Executive Board:
The Executive Board will act as a nominating committee and shall submit names for each office. The members may nominate from the floor if the nominee is present, or with written consent that his or her name be placed in nomination.

Section 5.     Qualifications to serve as an officer:
a. Shall be a member for at least one (1) year prior to taking office in July.
b. Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
c. Must be a resident of the state of Oregon.

Section 6.     Restriction:
Only one (1) person in a household may hold a State or District office at the same time.
Exception (2) people in a household may hold office in the same district by authorization of the State Executive Board.

Section 7.     Beginning term of office:
State and District officers will take office on July 1st following the election.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
Section 1.     State Meetings:
The President shall preside at all State meetings, assisted by the Vice-President whenever necessary. The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall:
a.    Take minutes of all State meetings.
b.    Keep an accurate account of all monies received.
c.    Keep an accurate account of  all business transactions.
d.    Give a full account at the annual business meetings.
e.    Give a written itemized financial report to each district.
f.    Along with input from the Finance Committee (appointed by the President) prepare a budget annually for the next fiscal year and present to the Executive board for their approval at the summer quarterly meeting.  In the event no budget has been prepared the previous budget will be in effect.  As needed the Secretary should forewarn the Board of potential shortfalls.
g.    State and District Officers, because they are expected to attend all State Meetings will be reimbursed for mileage at the rate of thirty five cents (35 cents) per mile.  State to reimburse State Officers, District to reimburse District Officers.

Section. 2.     District Meetings:
Duties of District Officers shall be similar to those of  State Officers, but on the District level. Each District Secretary-Treasurer will furnish a written itemized financial report to the State Secretary-Treasurer. Districts will hold business meetings at least four (4) times each year.
A quorum, consisting of thirteen (13) voting members, must be present to conduct business.

Section 3.     Special Meetings:
The President and/or Executive Board may call a Special Meeting, time and place of which shall be published in THE HOEDOWNER, thirty (30) days prior to such Special Meeting.
Section 4.     Notice of Annual Meeting:
Notice of annual meeting shall be published in THE HOEDOWNER at least thirty (30) days prior to that meeting.
Section 5.     Eligibility to vote:
a. Must be eighteen (1 years of age or older.
b. Must be a resident of the state of Oregon.
c. Must be a current member of the O.O.T.F.A, INC.

Section 6.     Quorum:
A quorum for the regular state business meeting or for a special state meeting shall be
fifty-five (55) members.

Section 7.     Special Meetings, District:
Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or twenty percent (20%) of the District membership. Whoever calls such special meeting shall be responsible for notifying district membership, both as to time and place, thirty (30) days prior to such meeting, and twenty percent (20%) of the district membership must be present at that meeting to conduct business.

ARTICLE VI EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1.     Executive Board:
Consists of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and all District Chairpersons or
Designated representatives.

Section 2.     Meetings of Executive Board:
Executive Board meetings shall be held quarterly each year and the State President shall be the presiding officer..
ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES
Section 1.     Standing Committees:
The Executive Board shall be a permanent standing committee.

Section 2.     Appointed Committees:
The President shall appoint all necessary special committees and shall be an ex-officio
member of each appointed committee.  Special committees shall report to the president.
This section shall apply to chairpersons at district level.

Section 3.     District Committees:
The District Chairman shall appoint on the District level.

ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1.     Robert’s Rules of Order:
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the sole authority for all business conducted on state and district levels.

Section 2.     Parliamentarian:
Shall be appointed by the President with the Executive Board approval and shall have final precedence.

ARTICLE IX DISSOLUTION

Section 1.     This organization is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the internal Revenue Code.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law) or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).”
“Upon the dissolution of this corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future tax code), or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.”

ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Section 1.     These BY-LAWS may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members at any one of the two regular state meetings, or at any special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 2.     Notice of intent to amend:
Any proposal to amend these BY-LAWS must be advertised in our monthly publication, THE HOEDOWNER,  thirty (30) days prior to any one of the two regular meetings, or  special meeting called for the purpose of amending these BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1.     To the fullest extent permitted by laws, the Association shall indemnify and hold harmless all past, present, and future directors and officers as identified and defined in these bylaws, and in its discretion and in accordance with laws, may indemnify and hold harmless any agent or employee of this Association and from all liabilities, expenses, and counsel fees reasonably incurred in connection with all claims, demands, causes of action, and other legal proceedings to which they may be subjected by reason of any alleged or actual action or inaction in the performance of the duties of such director, officer, employee or agent on behalf of the Association.
ARTICLE XII REVISIONS SUPERSEDE PREVIOUS BY-LAWS
The adoption of these BY-LAWS shall serve to void and replace all previous BY-LAWS, of
O.O.T.F.A. INC.

STANDING RULES
These Standing Rules may be amended by a simple majority vote.
I. After the Hall rent is deducted, each District shall pay to the State Treasurer twenty percent (20%) of all
monies taken in by the Districts.  All other expenses shall be paid from the balance.

II. All monies from membership dues monies received by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association, Inc.
and O.O.T.F.A, INC. functions shall be retained by the State Association.

III. The State President shall appoint THE HOEDOWNER editor annually and each district chairperson
shall appoint a reporter who shall report monthly activities in district to the editor.

IV.  Instrument electrical amplifications, drums, woodwind instruments (except harmonica) and brass
instruments are not permitted.

V. Procedures for recalling state and district officers.
1. To recall a state officer of the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association, Inc., 50% (fifty percent) of all voting members in each district must sign a petition requesting recall and this petition shall be presented to the State Executive Board for final action.
2. To recall a District officer of the O.O.T.F.A.. INC.,  51 % (fifty one percent) of all voting members in the district must sign a petition requesting recall and this petition will be presented to the State Executive Board for final action.

VI. Two (2) signatures shall be required on all checks. Only one (1) person per household may sign
checks.

VII. Any member or spouse who has been a paid up member for five (5) years and who reaches the age of
seventy (70) shall be eligible for a LIFETIME membership.
VIII.  Dues:
1. Charter members and lifetime members are not required to pay dues.
2. Charter members and lifetime members will not receive THE HOEDOWNER except with
payment of annual dues.
3. All other members shall pay twenty  ($20.00) dollars , annual membership dues, payable on
January 1st of each year. This includes an individual, a couple or a family, if that couple or
that family lives at one address.
4.  Dues shall not be prorated except for new members.

IX. Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association State Convention shall be held annually in either March or
April.  In addition, a second business meeting shall be held in either August or September in
conjunction with the fall Quarterly Board Meeting on the East side of the mountains.
X.  The official Oregon State Fiddle Contest shall be held annually in May or June.
XI.  The President shall appoint an individual or committee to audit state and district books which shall be
be closed as of June 30th of each year and submitted by September 15th each year to an independent
auditor.

XII.  Districts which have problems concerning members can bring them before the Executive Board for
final disposition and each case to be reviewed and ruled upon individually.
XIII. Division of State into Districts:
1. Oregon is divided into eleven (11) Districts,
2. Each District has twenty-five (25) or more members and its own officers.
3. Any new District must have a minimum of twenty-five (25) members and be approved by the State Executive Board.
4. Members may hold District office and vote in District meetings only in the District in which they reside.
5. The counties comprising each District are as follows:
District 1. Klamath
District 1E. Lake County
District 2. Baker, Grant (except S. half), Morrow, Wallowa, Umatilla & Union.
District 3. Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Jefferson, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler.
District 4. Douglas (southern part), Jackson and Josephine.
District 5 Coos, Curry, Douglas (western part), and Lane (western part).
District 6. Lane (eastern part), Linn and Benton.
District 7. Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah and Washington.
District 8. Lincoln, Marion, Polk, Tillamook and Yamhill.
District 9. Grant (S.W. Corner), Harney and Malheur.
District 10 Douglas County - Canyonville North

XIV. Official State Fiddle Contest Rules

1.    National Fiddlers’ Certification and Advisory Council certifies qualified local, regional and state contests. Through certification, contests are recognized for their adherence to National Rules, standards for judging and desire to produce a quality fiddling event. First Place winners from a Certified Contest receive paid entry to National Contest, an evening showcase performance at the National Contest and year-long recognition in the National Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame. Oregon State Fiddle Contest is a certified contest.

2.    Oregon State Fiddle Contest has nine (9) divisions:
1. CHAMPIONSHIP (Open)        No age limit.
2. SENIOR-SENIOR            Seventy (70) years of age or older.
3. SENIOR                Sixty (60) through sixty-nine (69) years of age.
4. ADULT                Thirty seven (37) through fifty-nine (59) years of age.
5. YOUNG ADULT            Eighteen (1 through thirty-six (36) years of age.
6. JUNIOR                Thirteen (13) through seventeen (17) years of age.
7. JUNIOR-JUNIOR            Nine (9) through twelve (12) years of age.
8. PEE-WEE                Under nine (9) years of age.
9. TWIN FIDDLING            No age limit

3.    Championship Division:
a.   Anyone who feels qualified may be a Championship Division contestant.
b.  Any Championship Division winner who wins three (3) consecutive years shall not be eligible to enter a fourth (4th) year. He/she may choose to sit out the fourth (4th) year or serve as a contest judge before competing again as a Championship Division contestant.

4.    All Divisions:
a.    Being a First Place winner in any division, except twin fiddling, of a certified contest entitles winners to participate in the certified contest at the National Oldtime Fiddle Contest held in Weiser, Idaho, the third full week in June.
b.    O.O.T.F.A. will pay the registration fee for a state winner entering the certified contest.

5.    General Oregon State Fiddle Contest Rules:
a.  Contestants in the Oregon Old Time Fiddle Contest shall:
1). Have resided in Oregon continuously for six (6) months prior to contest day.
2) Hold a current valid individual O.O.T.F.A. membership card prior to entering the contest.
3). Qualify for competition by payment of entry fee as established by the Contest Committee.
4). Be eligible to enter one (1) division only, and/or Twin Fiddling Division.
b.  A drawing will be held before each round for order of appearance.
c.  Contestants at each appearance must play: first, a hoedown; second a waltz; third a tune
of their choice other than a hoedown or waltz. No tune shall be played more than once
by a contestant during all his/her appearances. Total playing time shall be limited to no
more than four (4) minutes for each round.

c.    Contestants may choose to play without accompanists, or with no more than three (3)
accompanists.
d.  Any danceable tunes played in the Old Time Fiddle style are acceptable.
e.  Contact microphones and/or amplified instruments are not permitted
f.   No printed music or tablature of any kind will be allowed on stage during a contest.
g.  No “trick” or “fancy” fiddling is permitted during contestants’ appearances.
h.  Judging of all Divisions except Twin Fiddling will be scored for Old Time ability, dance
ability, rhythm, tone quality and time. All scores will be cumulative, and points will be
deducted for violations of above rules three (3) through eight ( inclusive.
j.   An additional fee, established by the Contest Committee must be paid at registration
time by all contestants who want total contest scores mailed to them.
k.   Any protest must be submitted to the Contest Committee within three (3) hours of a
protest occurrence.
l.    Five (5) judges will be selected by a Contest Committee appointed by O.O.T.F.A.
president.
k.  All committee and judges’ decisions are final.
l.  Judges will score all Divisions, using a standard scoring chart furnished by the Contest
Committee, except for the Twin Fiddling Division. The Twin Fiddling chart is covered
under Specific Contest Rules.
m.    O.O.T.F.A. Executive Board shall make all other decisions pertaining to Oregon State Fiddle Contest.
n.    Judges will use this scoring chart following in all Divisions except the Twin Fiddling Division.
1).  Oldtime ability
2).  Dance ability
3)  Tone quality
4).  Rhythm
5).  Time
In the first column is the description of the quality of the playing of the contestant, ranging from PERFECT to BELOW AVERAGE.  Judges should never give a score to any contestant lower than BELOW AVERAGE. In the second column is the point value to be given to each of the descriptions in column one. Judges are to use the “one total score” system.

PERFECT                    100
NEARLY PERFECT                  96
SUPERIOR                          92
OUTSTANDING                  88
EXCELLENT                        84
EXTREMELY GOOD              80
VERY, VERY GOOD              76
VERY GOOD                      72
GOOD                                68
BETTER THAN AVERAGE     64
AVERAGE                      60
BELOW AVERAGE                    56

o.    Any first place winner in any Division, except Championship (Open) Division and Twin Fiddling Division, who wins Oregon State Fiddle Contest for two (2) consecutive years shall not be eligible to enter a third (3rd) year. He/she may choose to compete in Championship Division, Twin Fiddling, serve as a judge for Oregon State Fiddle Contest, or sit out one year before competing again in his/her age division.
6.  Specific Oregon State Fiddle Contest Rules:
a. Twin Fiddling:  These rules are specific to Twin Fiddling only.
1). Division:  This is only one division and is open to all ages.
2). Limitations:  Contestants in this division may enter only once during each State
Contest.  Both contestants must be a member of O.O.T.F.A., and one of the
contestants must be a six (6) month resident of Oregon.
3). Tunes:  This contest is limited to playing only one(1) tune (a medley is
acceptable) by each team.  This division shall have only one (1) round, but if
judges score a tie, a different tune must be played by each team involved, other
than the tune played previously.
4).  Time:  Three (3) minutes playing time. Ten (10) points will be deducted from the
total score for every thirty (30) seconds, or portion thereof, which exceeds three
(3) minutes, ten (10) seconds.
5).  Accompanists:  Each team may have not more than three (3) accompanists, and
accompanists must not play melody.
a). Judging:  Judging shall be based on these categories following:
i.    Rhythm:  Judges should be able to detect an ordered, recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements in a tune’s flow of sound.
ii.    Time:  Judges should be able to detect a grouping of beats akin to rhythm, played at a proper, constant speed for the duration of most tune sections.
iii.    Difficulty and arrangement of tune:  An intricate tune requiring greater technique will score higher than a simple tune in this contest.
iv.    Appropriateness of harmony and manner in which each player compliments each other:  Harmony should be appropriate to the tune chords, and long passages of unison notes should be avoided.  Points will be deducted if one player plays alone for more than just a few notes.  Twin Fiddlers should use their bows to phrase similarly or in a manner which compliments their partner’s playing.
v.    Intonation and clarity of tone:  Notes should be clear, precise and in tune.  Points will be deducted for squeaks or scratchy tones.  Tastefulness in harmony notes will be considered in awarding points in this category.

XV.    Revisions Supersede All Previous Standing Rules.  Adoption of these Standing Rules shall serve to
void, replace and supersede all previous Standing Rules of O.O.T.F.A.