Anglers BASS CLUB

ByLAWS

ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

This chapter shall be called the:

Anglers Bass Club

Val Verde County, Texas

Section 2: Purpose

The purpose of the Anglers Bass Club is to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport, To offer our state conservation department our organized moral and political support and encouragement, To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards, To detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to his/her crime, To improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass-catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreation, To function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the State B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation embracing the principles and purposes of B.A.S.S.

ARTICLE II – Membership

Section 1: Number of Members

The chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six members.

Section 2: Requirement for Regular Membership

To become a chapter member, a person shall:

(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

(b) Be a member of B.A.S.S. (See ARTICLE VI for affiliation requirements.)

(d) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot and affirmation shall be unanimous.

(e) Be 16 years of age.

Section 3: Requirements for Junior Membership*

To become a junior member of an adult chapter, a person shall:

(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

(b) Be under 16 years of age.

*Junior members are not required to pay national membership dues and are not entitled to the benefits of a regular member. The acceptance of junior members will not affect a club’s liability insurance policy. Junior members are not covered by the accidental death and dismemberment policy. Junior members may not hold office in an adult club nor may they be voting members. At age 16, junior members may continue membership by joining the club as a regular member. Junior membership ceases on a person’s 16th birthday.

Section 4: Membership Dues

The membership dues shall be $85.00/$35.00 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the chapter. The breakdown is as follows:

$30 for National Federation dues. (Optional)

$20 for State Federation dues. (Optional)

$20 for Club dues.

$15 for B.A.S.S. membership dues.

Dues are subject to change as the above agencies change their rates.

Section 5: Meetings of Members

The membership shall hold regular meetings at predetermined times and locations.

ARTICLE III – Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility

Section 1: Officers and their Duties

The officers of the chapter shall consist of:

(a) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and be an ex-officio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions.

(b) Vice President: Act as program chairman, assist the president in his/her duties and preside in the absence of the president.

(c) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called for by the chapter president. Maintain regular liaison between the chapter and the B.A.S.S Federation and the state B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation.

(d) Treasurer: Collect and disburse all monies. Maintain accurate financial records and present a current balance report at each regular meeting. Prepare an annual audit for review by the Chapter Board of Directors. The chapter may vote that the treasurer and any other officer handling chapter funds must be bonded.

(e) Conservation Chairman: Serve as liaison between the chapter and state and national conservation/environmental agencies. Plan chapter conservation projects and attend all local and state conservation meetings/hearings.

(f) Youth Chairman: Organize all youth activities and programs. Coordinate BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS® events and start a Junior Bassmaster Chapter when the chapter is ready for this sponsorship.

Section 2: Elections

The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of November. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order listed in ARTICLE III, Section 1.

Section 3: Eligibility of Vote

Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.

Section 4: Term of Office

The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on January 1st, and end on the last meeting day of December or until the successor assumes office.

Section 5: Vacancies

In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National B.A.S.S. Headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office

To be eligible for an office a member must:

(a) Have been a member for six months. (Six months’ requirement waived during first 12 months of chapter existence.)

(b) Have attended at least 75% of the chapter meetings and 75% of chapter functions during a 12-month period.

(d) Maintain current B.A.S.S. membership.

ARTICLE IV – Standing Committees

All Standing Committees will serve for one year or until a new committee is appointed. The terms of the committee members will coincide with that of the president. Each committee shall elect a chairman.

(a) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of seven (7) members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and two (2) members elected at large by majority vote of the members present at the November regular meetings.

(1) The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

(2) The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.

(3) The board will decide all protests and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and bylaws of the chapter when appropriately received.

(4) The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.

(b) Youth Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement a Chapter Youth Project; to introduce young people to the goals of B.A.S.S.; to give them a basis for respect of our national heritage, an appreciation of the basic rules for honesty, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship; and to give them an introduction to the sheer joy of fishing.

harmful change; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of local, state and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and other regulatory devices; to take legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment; and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the life-giving waters of America.

(d) Tournament Committee: The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all Chapter tournaments. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules, which must then be approved by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules, investigate all protests concerning tournaments, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V – Removal of Membership

Section 1: Removal of Membership

A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:

(a) Failure to pay dues.

(b) Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the chapter and/or B.A.S.S.

(d) Disqualification for any reason from participating in B.A.S.S.-sponsored events, including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.

ARTICLE VI – Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation

(a) Approval of Chapter Charter by B.A.S.S.

(b) Update B.A.S.S. with chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current B.A.S.S. roster at year’s end.

(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)

(d) Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership.

(e) Must affiliate with State Federation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation-sponsored tournaments or events.

ARTICLE VII – Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1: Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended every year at the January meeting by a two third vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendments has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.

We, the undersigned charter members, do hereby agree to the

above bylaws and the commencement of the chapter on this

the __________ day of ___________________, 20_______.

________________________________________________

Complete two copies and forward both to B.A.S.S. for

endorsement. One copy will be returned to the chapter

secretary.