Membership Handbook Code of Ethics

Table of Contents

Introduction
Articles of Incorporation
Bylaws
Code of Ethics
General Show Floor Rules
Show Facilities Standards
Administrative Show Rules
Exhibit and Judging Rules
Example Show Forms
Grading Standards
Membership

The following definitions and mandates have been adopted by the NIA Board of Directors to guide the general membership in conducting their collecting and dealing activities honorably, honestly and in a manner which will present a good image of the hobby to the public.

Definitions:

1. "Original Insulators" are defined as any device, that was originally manufactured with the intent to be utilized for separating and/or supporting conductors or to otherwise prevent the undesired flow of electricity.

2. "Commemorative Insulators" are insulators that are manufactured to commemorate a specific event, promotion, or other purpose. For example, this commemoration may be related to the insulator collecting hobby (as in connection with the NIA's National Show and Convention), or it may be related to the production of insulators for the telegraph/telephone industry (as in the case of the swirl colored McLaughlin CD 162 and VTS CD 102 insulators).

3. "Imitation Insulators" are ones that purport to be, but in fact are not, original insulators, commemorative insulators, or salesman samples. This category includes but is not limited to reproductions, copies, replicas, or counterfeits of original insulators, commemorative insulators or salesman samples.

4. "Altered Insulators" include original insulators, commemorative insulators or salesman samples which have been intentionally altered from their originally manufactured condition in a manner other than described under "Restored Insulators", below. This category includes, but is not limited to mechanical actions (i.e. sandblasting, grinding, embossing modifications, etc.), heating, cutting and re-gluing, irradiation, dying and painting, and non-factory carnival coating. Altered insulators are deemed to be objectionable to the best interests of the hobby.

5. "Restored Insulators" are original insulators, commemorative insulators or salesman samples, that at some point in time have been subjected to some type of physical damage such as chipping, bruising, or complete breakage, but have been repaired in some way to make them appear as near to their original factory intended appearance as possible. This may be accomplished by the use of various methods such as re-gluing, fill-in, fracture sealing, extensive tumbling, etc. Restored insulators are not required to be permanently marked as is the case with imitation insulators. The NIA does however require that any repair to an insulator be disclosed to a potential buyer. It is important to note that for an insulator to be deemed "restored", the repair must not enhance the insulator beyond what would have been its original factory intended appearance (i.e. removal of drip points or threads, change in color, etc.). To do so would make it an altered insulator.

6. "Salesman Samples" are models of insulators carried by salesmen, originally manufactured by insulator companies to promote the sale of their insulators to commercial customers. Salesman samples were often produced in a smaller scale for ease of transportation by the salesmen.

7. "Miniature Insulators" are scale reproductions or replicas of full size insulators, and are imitation insulators. Miniature insulators which were produced to commemorate a specific event, promotion, or other purpose, usually related to the insulator collecting hobby or telephone/telegraph industry, are commemorative insulators.

8. "Objectionable to the Best Interests of the Hobby" includes, but is not limited to, any action or item which is likely to cause financial damage and/or loss, ill will, or injury to collectors or organizations involved in the collecting of insulators and related items.  For example, a false or misleading representation of fact likely to cause confusion, and/or the possibility of the use of an insulator to commit fraud (either by the issuing party or through a subsequent party).

9. "NIA Approved" is a term reserved for use by the NIA Board of Directors pursuant to the authority granted to it in Article II, Sec. 11 of the NIA Bylaws.  Upon application to the Board of Directors, an NIA member may apply for use of the term "NIA Approved" in conjunction with the manufacture and sale of commemorative insulators.

10. "Manufactured in Accordance with NIA Guidelines" is a term reserved for use by the NIA Board of Directors pursuant to the authority granted to it in Article II, Sec. 11 of the NIA Bylaws.  Upon application to the Board of Directors, an NIA member may apply for use of the term in conjunction with the manufacture and sale of imitation insulators.  Use of this term means that those engaged in the manufacturing of this particular insulator, have agreed to mark the imitation in a manner acceptable to the NIA to minimize the possibility that the item may be mistaken for, or misrepresented as, an original insulator.

11. "Permanently Marked" is defined as an identifying letter, number, etc., or a combination thereof, that cannot be removed from an imitation or altered insulator without obvious and conspicuous damage to it. Ordinarily such a mark will be that of an impression (as opposed to an embossing which has the potential for removal). However, due to the diverse styles of insulators, the NIA reserves the right to determine what constitutes permanent marking on a case by case basis for imitation and altered insulators.

NIA Members:

1. Shall not make or manufacture any commemorative or imitation insulator, or related item without first clearing the design with the NIA to make certain that the item produced will not be objectionable to the best interests of the hobby.

2. Shall not make or manufacture, advertise, exhibit or introduce into the hobby for distribution (including buying, selling or trading), any imitation insulator which is not plainly and permanently marked "reproduction" with the calendar year in which such item was manufactured.  Where the physical size limitation of an insulator prohibits such a marking (as in the case of miniature imitation insulators), the calendar year will suffice.

3. Shall not make or manufacture, advertise, exhibit or introduce into the hobby for distribution (including buying, selling or trading), any imitation insulator or related item deemed by the NIA to be objectionable to the best interests of the hobby, unless pre-approved by the NIA for educational purposes.

4. Shall not make or manufacture, advertise, exhibit or introduce into the hobby for distribution (including buying, selling or trading), any altered insulator or related item which is not plainly and permanently marked "fake", unless pre-approved by the NIA for educational purposes.

5. Shall make every effort to comply with standards established by the NIA for accurate description of the type and condition of insulators.

6. Shall carry out trade and sale transactions expeditiously and fairly to the satisfaction of all parties involved.  The NIA recommends that transactions be completed to the satisfaction of all parties involved within 15 days.  This allows collectors to pursue "second opinions" if they so desire, as to the authenticity of a piece, (i.e. original, restored or imitation).  It also protects the seller by defining a time period of reasonable expectation for closure on a deal.  However, buyers and sellers are free to structure their own approval terms and conditions to govern their transactions.

7. Shall conduct their collecting activities in a lawful manner.

8. Shall refrain from inferring to the public that the NIA or its members condone any harmful or unlawful practices in the pursuit of the hobby.

9. Shall not knowingly misrepresent the rarity or value of insulators or related items they offer for sale or trade.

10. Shall not make public accusations to fellow collectors about the possible misconduct of any collector or club, and shall refer such matters to the NIA Board of Directors for investigation, and if necessary, arbitration.

11. Shall not use any NIA emblems, insignia or credentials in any manner detrimental to the interests of the NIA, and shall report to the NIA any such use by others.

12. Shall abide by all rules and policies established by the NIA and not be a disruptive or disturbing influence at any NIA meetings or insulator shows.

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Last updated February, 12 2000