NAFA North American Falconers Association

Appointments of NAFA Members to the various committees of our organization are made by the NAFA President based upon Board recommendations, the Member volunteering his/her time and talents and the suitability of the volunteer Member to a particular committee. Only NAFA Members may serve on committees, however committees often seek the advice and input of others when gathering information or developing strategies.

NAFA Committees are where much of the work of NAFA gets done. The committee then reports its findings and recommendations to the NAFA President and Vice President who, in turn, reports those findings and recommendations to the NAFA Board of Directors for consideration. It is not uncommon for an issue or matter of concern to be referred to a committee for research and development of a "staff" recommendation.

• Abatement Committee
• Conservation Committee
  • Passage Peregrine Take Sub-Committee
  • CITES TAC Sub Committee
  • APHIS TAC Sub Committee
• Eagle Committee
• Editorial Advisory Committee
• Ethics Committee
• Fundraising Committee
• Legal Team
• Strategic Planning Committee
  • Future Meets Working Group
• Technical Advisory Committee
  • APHIS TAC Sub Committee

Abatement Committee: (Standing Committee)  

• The Bird Abatement Committee’s function is to inform the NAFA board of important developments within the abatement industry, as well as to assist the board in the development of falconry-related policy and position statements that may overlap with or affect bird abatement activities

Committee Members

Chair – Adam Chavez, Director
Member – Stuart Rossell
Member – Brad Felger
Member – Mark Adams
Member – Joe Kosakowski, Director
Member – Nricco Massimo

Executive Committee: (Standing Committee)  

• Develop and publish NAFA Board and Membership Meeting Schedule.
• Develop all NAFA Board and Membership Meeting agendas and present agendas to the NAFA Board of Directors for approval, addition, or amendment.
• Ensure that all materials necessary and appropriate for Board review in support of each Agenda are provided to the NAFA Board along with the proposed Agenda at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting.
• When appropriate, develop preliminary policy to present to the NAFA Board of Directors for consideration and possible inclusion as an agenda item.
• Develop initial strategic planning documents for presentation to the NAFA Board of Directors.
• Ensure that all Committees are timely staffed, resourced, and appropriately monitored to effect the Committees' purpose and NAFA Mission.
• Address all other issues that are not properly within the purview of existing NAFA Committees, as directed by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Chair – President –Martin Geleynse
Member – Vice President – Heath Garner
Member – Director-at-Large –Corey Roelke
Member – Southeastern Director/Board Chair –Tyler Rankin
Member – General Counsel – James H. Maynard, Esq.
Member – Treasurer – April Rice
Member – Corresponding Secretary – Joan Marie
Member – Public Information Officer –Dani Mitchell

• Advise, Edit, and Monitor content of NAFA publications to ensure that all content is in accordance with editorial policies established by the NAFA board, and in keeping with our Constitution and By Laws, in the spirit of improving, aiding, and encouraging competency in the art and practice of falconry, as well as camaraderie among practitioners.

Member – Dan Milner (Editor / Graphic Designer)
Member – Crystal Westermeier
Member – Rebecca O'Connor
Member – Heath Garner

• Receive and assess information regarding state and federal falconry regulations and make recommendations accordingly.
• Develop guidance documents relative to falconry to assist members, state agencies and/or state and local falconry clubs/organizations.
• Communicate with federal and state regulatory agencies regarding falconry regulations or issues.
• Assess potential impact on falconry from proposed regulations and communicate those assessments to the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.
• Provide information and assistance of a technical nature to state agencies, state clubs and NAFA members upon request.
• Provide research regarding regulations, state and local laws or regulations to the NAFA President, other NAFA Officers, the Board of Directors and others as required or requested.
• Coordinate response to Federal Register notices with the NAFA President and provide technical advice regarding the proposed changes relative to falconry regulations, including but not limited to changes to international treaties.
• Coordinate with international organizations and provide research and information upon request.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept notified, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations, via the NAFA President.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Chair – Steve Hein
Member – Scott McNeff
Member – Larry Dickerson
Member – Scott Keniston
Member – Jeff Broadbent
Member – Ron Kumetz
Member – Paul Domski

Based on requests from NAFA members, an ad hoc committee was formed. President Cecchini created the NAFA CITES Subcommittee, and placed it under the long standing Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). This subcommittee will develop an action plan which can be shared with the NAFA membership and will include:

US Pet Passport Issuance for temporary out of country travel (principally between Canada and US) with falconry birds for hunting trips. The action plan will address:

• how to simplify the process
• how to speed up the process of acquiring permits/passports
• how to make actual crossing quicker and less confusing
• provide a plan on how the USFWS can adopt the new recommendations
• recommendations to the USFWS CITES office to more easily and effectively manage CITES
• export permits for raptor breeders, including recommendations for short-term interim relief on exporting captive-bred falconry birds

Chair – Dan Pike
Member – Martin Geleynse
Member – Ron Kumetz
Member – Mark Williams

APHIS TAC Sub Committee


With more and more emphasis on interstate, intrastate and international travel, importation and exportation of animals, NAFA finds it imperative to monitor regulatory and potential regulatory actions by the USDA / APHIS and provide reviews and recommendations regarding the potential impact of existing and new regulations on falconry. Newly enacted regulations under the Animal Welfare Act are potentially and increasingly encroaching on activity of falconers.

Committee Members:
Chair – Arnaud Van Wettere
Member – Dan Pike
NARBA – Lance Christensen
Member –Bill Ferrier

• Provide research and information on conservation issues regarding falconry and birds of prey and prey base.
• Be the avenue for NAFA's continued involvement in the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and other organizations by attending national meetings as necessary as well as attending national meetings (as appropriate) of other organizations involved in conservation concerning raptors and other species which may impact falconry.
• Provide conservation related information regarding wild take of raptors for use in falconry.
• Recommend modifications/actions to various Acts, Treaties, rules and/or regulations that will ensure continued wild take of birds of prey for use in falconry.
• Provide research and information and formulate Federal Register response to DEA’s regarding passage peregrine take as well as other DEA’s effecting falconry, falconry related issues and conservation of birds of prey and prey base.
• Monitor the impact of treaties with Native American Tribes as well as international treaties such as CITES.
• Assess modifications to the Endangered Species Act and assess impact on falconry, birds of prey or other conservation issues of interest or concern to NAFA.
• Provide research and recommendations to state agencies, state clubs and or NAFA members who have conservation questions, bird of prey population study requests, etc.
• Monitor propagation regulations and proposed modifications to insure compatibility with sound conservation principles.
• Monitor and gather information from anti-hunting groups or anti-falconry groups and report findings to the NAFA President.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept notified, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations, via the NAFA President.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Committee Members

Chair –Robin Radcliffe
Member – Alistair Frank
Member – Jennifer Coulson
Member –Meagan Duffy-Yates
Member –Brian Milsap
Member –Matt Reidy
Member –Tim Gallagher
Member –Heath Garner

Member – Andrew Bullen
Member – Martin Geleynse
Member –Heath Garner
Member –Matt Reidy
Member –Jeff Redig

• To review regulations, CITES, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act to ensure current and future use of eagles in falconry.
• As appropriate, research potential conflicts in regulations between the various states and federal regulations.
• Make recommendations for regulatory modifications regarding eagles in coordination with the Technical Advisory Committee.
• Ensure conservation recommendations and guidance regarding eagles is adhered to. Recommend modifications to various Acts, Treaties, rules and/or regulations that will ensure continued wild take of eagles for use in falconry.
• Coordinate with various state and federal agencies relative to use of eagles in falconry.
• As appropriate, required or requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors, develop policy and or ethics regarding eagle use in falconry.
• Assist in providing technical guidance to weathering area personnel or others regarding eagles and handling of eagles in emergency situations during NAFA meets.
• Coordinate with the Conservation Committee, information regarding use of eagles for falconry.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept notified, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations, via the NAFA President.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Chair – Carter Wilford
Member – Mike Barker
Member – Jason Reid
Member – Jack Hubley
Member – Tom Boulton 

• To develop recommendations related to standards of conduct and activities that will help to ensure a high level of ethics in North American falconry.
• Review the NAFA Code of Ethics for possible updating if appropriate.
• Recommend By-laws changes related to ethical behavior, if appropriate.
• Provide input on any matter of ethics that may come before the Board where a perspective outside of the Board's might prove valuable.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept notified, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations, via the NAFA President.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Committee Members

Chair – William Oakes

• To provide opportunities for interaction among North American diverse falconers.
• To promote a culture of inclusiveness and diversity within the falconry community.
• To encourage a network of practitioners who support women, youth, and under-represented falconers in their pursuit of falconry through education, promotion, and mentoring

Co-Chair – Raul Ducoing
Co-Chair – Michael Jones
Member – Jocelyn Barker
Member – Veonte Barnes
Member – Louise Engell
Member – Sabrina Serna, South Pacific Director
Member – Matt Mullenix
Member – Anne Price

• Provide legal counsel to the Board of Directors, the NAFA President and other officers.
• Provide legal insight and advice concerning the By-laws and Rules and Procedures of NAFA.
• Provide review of regulations (federal) and advice regarding response or modifications.
• Provide general advice and guidance on legal language in regulations and treaties.
• Provide legal interpretations and application of NAFA insurance. Provide legal interpretations of NAFA By-laws, petitions and voting issues as appropriate.
• Provide other input and advice regarding organizational matters of the Association as directed by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept notified, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations, via the NAFA President.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Chair: General Counsel – James Maynard Esq.
Associate General Counsel – Brian Clayton Esq.
Associate General Counsel – Brian Sheets Esq.

Finance Committee: (Standing Committee)  

Objectives  

• Provide an oversight role of the NAFA finances.
• Receive, coordinate and/or determine the Board of Director’s requirements for budget items.
• Coordinate with the Treasurer and ensure informal audits of NAFA’s finances are carried out annually and in an appropriate manner. Assist the Treasurer, as required or requested in development of the annual budget.
• In coordination with the Treasurer, develop and issue financial statements for Board meetings.
• Provide additional relative financial services, advice and coordination as directed by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept informed, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations.
• Provide recommendations to the Treasurer and the NAFA Board to improve NAFAs operational efficiencies, profitability, marketability and overall financial well-being.
• Receive and review Small Grant requests and make recommendations for disbursements to applicants based on available funding.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.
• The Finance Committee will consist of a Chairperson appointed by the NAFA President, the Treasurer and  regular Members appointed by the Chairperson or the President.
• Appointments to the Finance Committee will last for a period of three years or in the case of elected officers for their period of office (i.e. Treasurer).
• The Chairman of the Finance Committee, may, at his discretion consult other individuals to assist the Committee to provide for those situations when expertise or specialist advice beyond the experience of the Committee is needed.

Committee Members

• Conduct or cause to be conducted a survey of NAFA Directors and Officers and key NAFA stakeholders.
• Conduct strategic planning in three to five year planning stages to be approved by the Board.
• Submit to the Board periodic and timely reports and recommendations.
• Ensure planning goals and objectives are carried out.
• Seek funding as appropriate by developing and submitting, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.
  

Chair – Robert Huber
Vice Chair –Tyler Rankin
Member –Heath Garner
Member – Vacant
Member – Vacant

Diversifying Revenue Workgroup

General Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand existing and explore new sources of revenue.

Chair – Vacant
Member – Vacant

• Determine the next “host” state in a rotating schedule.
• Solicit and/or appoint a meet chairman (or co-chairmen).
• Advise the NAFA President and/or NAFA Board of Directors regarding the future meet.
• Coordinate and serve as liaison to the meet chairman and other meet committee members.
• Coordinate resolutions and make recommendations to resolve problems or issues at future meets.
• Serve as an “advance/interface team” for NAFA to provide onsite assistance to the meet chairman and/or meet committee as required or requested.
• Provide “past history” information and recommendation guidelines to the future meet chairman.
• Carry out other relative functions as directed by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.
• Develop and submit, via the Treasurer, a proposed budget for the Committees' activities for the upcoming fiscal year, such as long distance phone charges for telephonic committee meetings, etc.
• Ensure that the NAFA Board is kept notified, in a timely manner, of the Committees' activities and recommendations.
• Carry out other duties or functions as requested by the NAFA President and/or Board of Directors.

Chair – Corey Roelke
Member – Robert Huber