No Limits Bass Club - Club By-Laws

Club Rules & Bylaws

Chapter Club Name; No Limits Bass Club

CITY: Tyler

STATE: Texas

ZIP: 75703

State Affiliation: Texas

Phone:

Email:

ARTICLE I . Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

This TBF affiliated chapter club shall be called the

No Limits Bass Club

Tyler, Texas

Section 2: Purpose

a) The general purpose of the chapter club shall be to facilitate the organized support, protection, education and encouragement of sport-fishing, youth and conservation at all levels and to partner with other like minded groups to do the same.

b) More particularly stated, purposes of the corporation include the following; to establish and maintain an organization for the support of sport fishing, and all related recreational and educational fishing, youth and conservation activities conducted in a safe manner. To stimulate the public awareness of angling as a major sport. To educate the public upon the positive economic impact of angling at the national, state and local levels. To offer our state fish and wildlife agencies our organized, conservation feedback, input, political and legislative support and assistance. To promote full adherence to conservation codes, clean water standards, and industry accepted practices which impact the sport of fishing. To support and demand adequate water quality standards, fisheries habitat and fisheries resource management.

c) To protect and guard anglers rights and demand unfettered, responsible access to all public waters and facilities, built, supported or otherwise funded in whole or in part by public funds. To detect and report polluters or violators of fish and wildlife conservation laws and to expose violators or polluters publicly and focus political or legal attention upon such violations. To work to improve our skills as anglers through fellowship and camaraderie of friendly exchange of fish- catching techniques. To teach and promote safe boating and on the water practices. Our chapter will function as a dynamic and effective link with our affiliated State Federation and other like-minded groups.

ARTICLE II Membership

Section 1: Minimum Number of Members

The club shall begin with and maintain at a minimum at least six members that are at least 16 years of age or older.

Section 2: Requirement for Regular Membership

To become a chapter club member, a person shall:

a) Voluntarily express a true interest in becoming a member and supporting the clubs purpose.

b) Become a member of The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF,Inc) and its home state federation approved industry partners.

c) Be recommended by two members at a regular monthly meeting.

d) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot.

e) Be 16 years of age or older to be in an adult club.

Section 3: Requirements for Individual Junior Membership

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

a) Voluntarily express a true interest in becoming a member and supporting the clubs purpose.

b) Be less than 18 years of age.

*Individual junior members, who are not a member of a junior club, are not required to pay membership dues and are not entitled to the benefits of a regular membership. The inclusion of individual junior members will not affect a clubs liability insurance policy. Individual junior members are not covered by the accidental death and dismemberment policy. Individual junior members may not hold any office in a regular adult club nor can they be voting members. At age 16, individual junior members may choose to continue membership as an individual junior member or by joining the regular club as a regular member. All individual junior membership ceases on a persons 18th birthday.

Section 4: Membership Dues

The membership dues shall be $80 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the club, $15 of which shall be for TBF National Federation dues, $50 of which shall be for club dues and $15 of which shall be for State Federation dues.

Section 5: Membership meetings

The membership shall hold regular meetings at pre-established locations and times.

ARTICLE III Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility To Hold Office

Section 1: Eligibility for Holding Office

To be eligible for an office a member must:

a) Have been a member for six months. (Waived for new club start-up.)

b) Have attended at least 75% of the chapter meetings and 75% of club functions during a 12 month period. (Waived for new club start-up)

c) Have shown an active interest in all club functions.

Section 2: Elections

The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of January.

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 of the club in good standing 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. The state TBF, Inc. affiliated Federation shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.

Section 6: 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 club programs chairman, and Tournament Director. 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 club president. Maintain regular liaison between the club and the TBF, Inc. affiliated state 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 Club Board of Directors.

e) Club Conservation Director: Serve as liaison between the club and state and national conservation agencies. Plan club conservation projects and attend all local and state conservation meetings/hearings.

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) Executive Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of seven (7) members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and the Youth director and Conservation director.

a. The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

b. The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.

c. The board will decide all protests and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and bylaws of the club when appropriately received.

d. The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.

b) Youth Committee: The Youth director shall chair this committee, its purpose shall be to plan, organize and implement Club Youth Projects; to introduce young people to the purpose of the club and the state and national organization; to teach the youth 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, community service and the out of doors. The executive BOD shall have final authority over all committee decisions.

c) Conservation Committee: The Conservation Director shall chair this committee, its purpose shall be to protect our natural environment and resources from harm; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of local, state and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances or other incidences; to join in legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment or fisheries habitat; and to take a leadership role in repairing any harm that has been done to the waters of America. To work toward a responsible fisheries habitat and management agenda. The executive BOD shall have final authority over all committee decisions.

d) Tournament Committee: The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all Club fishing tournaments or special events. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules, which must then be ratified by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, waivers, enforce all tournament rules, and safe boating, or on the water rules and regulations, investigate all protests concerning tournaments, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V Disciplinary actions

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 club, state federation or TBF,Inc.

c) Disqualification for any reason from participating in TBF, Inc. sponsored events, including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.

Section 2: Actions other than removal of membership

a) These actions shall be recommended by the Executive Board of Directors and shall include but not be limited to reduction of membership status in lieu of removal, or any other action felt necessary by the Board. Any action recommended by the Board and not specifically spelled out in this document shall require a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 3: Membership recall

Any membership can be recalled by a 2\3 majority vote of the membership, at any time, for any reason.

ARTICLE VI Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation

a) Certification of Club Bylaws by TBF, Inc.

b) Update TBF, Inc. with club membership roster once each year before years end.

c) Names and addresses of new members joining the club during the year must be submitted to the state TBF, Inc. Federation as they occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 4 for dues requirements.)

d) Maintain 100% TBF, Inc. membership.

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

ARTICLE VII Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1: Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided written notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.

Sample:

We, the undersigned officers of the club as listed in Article III Section 6, do hereby agree with and certify that the attached bylaws have been ratified by the membership and the commencement of the club on this the __________ day of ______________, 20_____.

Signed;

President

Vice-President

Secretary

Treasurer

Youth Director

Conservation Director

Article VIII Tournament Rules

Tournament rules will be as follows but may be changed for individual tournaments with a majority vote:

1. All local, state, and federal regulations must be strictly adhered to.

2. Safe boating will be observed at all times. Each contestant must wear a properly fastened, properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard approved, personal flotation device and kill switch must be attached to driver anytime the boat is being propelled by the combustion motor.

3. The use of alcohol and/or non prescription drugs during tournament hours will result in disqualification.

4. Boats will be permitted to leave at 6 a.m. or “safe light”. “Safe light” is approximately 30 minutes before official sunrise, but may be later as affected by weather conditions. “Safe Light” will be determined by weigh-in official. Boats will not be allowed to leave before 6:00 a.m. regardless of light.

5. Tournament hours are from “safe light” departure to designated weigh in time. Evening tournament hours will be determined by vote at the meeting prior to tournaments.

6. Live well checks will be conducted prior to departure from tournament site.

7. Trailering will only be permitted if deemed necessary by tournament officials due to unsafe weather.

8. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, or Guadalupe bass will be weighed. The tournament limit is five (5) fish; any contestant who at any time during tournament hours has more than the limit in their possession, except for culling purposes, will be disqualified. Minimum length of Spotted and Guadalupe Bass is 12”.

9. All fish must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. Only artificial lures may be used. No live or cut bait allowed.

10.Only one rod may be used at a time.

11.Trolling with the combustion engine is prohibited.

12.Dead fish will be assessed a ½ pound penalty per dead fish.

13.Short fish will be disallowed with an additional one (1) pound penalty assessed.

14.Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters accessible by boat except any areas designated “off limits” or “no fishing”.

15.Fishing within twenty five (25) yards of another competitor’s boat is prohibited unless agreed upon by both anglers.

16.Late arrival to weigh in will result in forfeiture of that days catch.

17.All fish must be brought to the scales in a weigh in bag if you do not have one, then one will be made available.

18.All fish weighed will be returned to the tournament lake. Dead fish are to be removed from the weigh in site by competitor.

19.Tournament officials will make all rules interpretations. Protest must be made with in fifteen (15) minutes of weigh in –All decisions of the tournament officials are final.