Governance & Legal | National High School BBQ Association®

1️⃣ GOVERNANCE & LEGAL HUB

Governance & Legal

Last Updated: 12-17-2025

The National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®) is committed to transparency, educational integrity, and responsible governance. This section outlines our organizational structure, policies, and legal standards to provide clarity for schools, students, educators, sponsors, and partners nationwide.

Our goal is to promote youth barbecue education through fair competition, applied learning, and clear organizational independence.

This section includes:

• Organizational Governance

• Safe Harbor & Non-Affiliation Policy

• Trademark & Brand Use Guidelines

• Terms of Use

• Privacy Policy

• Code of Conduct

• Dispute Resolution

• Contact & Legal Notices

2️⃣ ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE

Organizational Governance

The National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®) is a national organization dedicated to advancing high school and middle school barbecue education and competition.

Governance Structure

• NHSBBQA® operates through a national governing body

• State High School BBQ Associations operate as independent state divisions

• Each state association follows national standards while maintaining local leadership

Independence

NHSBBQA® operates independently from unrelated organizations, schools, districts, or third parties unless expressly stated in writing.

Educational Mission

Our programs support:

• Career & Technical Education (CTE)

• Applied and project-based learning

• Leadership, teamwork, and life skills

• Safe and responsible live-fire cooking education

3️⃣ SAFE HARBOR & NON-AFFILIATION POLICY

Safe Harbor & Non-Affiliation Policy

Last Updated: [Insert Date]

The National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®) is an independent national organization. Unless expressly stated in a written agreement:

• NHSBBQA® is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or responsible for unrelated organizations using descriptive terms such as “high school BBQ,” “HS BBQ,” or similar phrases.

• Use of descriptive terminology alone does not imply sponsorship, endorsement, or continuity.

NHSBBQA® respects lawful descriptive and fair use while protecting its distinctive trademarks and organizational structure to prevent confusion.

4️⃣ TRADEMARK & BRAND USE GUIDELINES

Trademark & Brand Use Guidelines

NHSBBQA® protects its distinctive trademarks while respecting descriptive fair use.

Protected Marks Include:

• NHSBBQA®

• National High School BBQ Association®

• Official logos, seals, and branding elements

• National-to-state association naming architecture

Permitted Use

• Fair, descriptive references to barbecue activities

• Educational discussion without implication of affiliation

Prohibited Use

• Association-style branding suggesting affiliation

• Use of NHSBBQA® marks without written permission

• Misrepresentation of sponsorship or endorsement

Permission Requests

Requests for authorized use may be submitted via our Contact page.

5️⃣ TERMS OF USE

Terms of Use

By accessing this website, you agree to the following:

• Content is provided for educational and informational purposes

• No affiliation or endorsement is implied by site access

• Unauthorized use of trademarks is prohibited

• NHSBBQA® is not responsible for third-party content

• Governing law: State of Texas, United States

These terms may be updated periodically.

6️⃣ PRIVACY POLICY

Privacy Policy

NHSBBQA® respects the privacy of students, educators, families, and partners.

We:

• Do not sell personal data

• Collect only necessary information

• Use data for program administration and communication

• Follow student-focused privacy principles (FERPA- and COPPA-conscious)

Questions regarding privacy may be submitted via our Contact page.

7️⃣ CODE OF CONDUCT

Code of Conduct

Participants, educators, volunteers, and partners are expected to uphold:

• Sportsmanship and professionalism

• Safety and responsible conduct

• Respect for others

• Fair competition

• Integrity in representation

Violations may result in disciplinary action consistent with NHSBBQA® policies.

8️⃣ DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Dispute Resolution & Reporting

NHSBBQA® prefers resolution through good-faith communication.

Our Approach:

• Encourage direct clarification

• Review concerns internally

• Avoid public disputes where possible

• Escalate only when necessary

Concerns may be submitted through official contact channels.

9️⃣ CONTACT & LEGAL NOTICES

Contact & Legal Notices

For governance, trademark, or legal inquiries:

Email: Principal@HSBBQ.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 171, Smithville, Texas 7897

This page serves as the official contact point for all legal and policy-related matters.