South Pasco Bassmasters Chapter By-Laws

Article I - NAME

Section 1
The Name of this bass fishing club shall be South Pasco Bassmasters. (a nonprofit organization)

Article II - PURPOSE

Section 1
Establish a bass fishing club 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 improve our skill as bass anglers through the fellowship of friendly exchange of bass catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing, and true respect for the environment. To function as an effective link with other chapters of the State FLW Chapter Federation. (Tournaments to be held according to the schedule developed by the tournament committee.)

Article III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

This club shall maintain at least ten members. There will be no maximum membership, except that at no time will a prospective non-boater is to be introduced for membership when his election to the club would cause the boater to non- boater ratio to exceed 50/50 minus one (i.e., there will always be one more boater than non-boaters in the chapter.

Section 2

Must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age.

Section 3

Must be or become a current member of the FLW National Federation and Florida Bass Federation.

Section 4

Must have a genuine interest in membership.

Section 5

Must pay all required dues. (Each regular monthly tournament is $30. There is another $5.00 optional fee each month for big bass. Open tournaments are to be governed by the Tournament Director and fees established at each one. Other annual dues as required by the FLW must be paid by December of each calendar for the following year. There is no refund to a member who elects to resign or dissolve their affiliation with the club.)

Section 6

Must be of good character and have a high regard for sportsmanship and courtesy toward others.

Section 7

Must be nominated by a chapter member at a regular monthly meeting. Another Chapter member shall second the nomination. Then the club membership shall vote by secret ballot and affirmation shall be by seventy majority of chapter membership during the regular scheduled meeting for the nomination to be successful.

Section 8

All regular meetings will be held in accordance with the following:

A. All regular club meetings will be held on the Tuesday just prior to the tournament of each month.

Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed.

B. Special meetings shall be held as required to conduct club business of an urgent or unusual nature that cannot be postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting. These meetings may be called with the consent of the Board of Directors.

C.Club meetings will be “Non-Smoking” events.

Article IV – OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES AND ELIGIBILITY

Section 1: Officers and their Duties

The officers of the club shall consist of:

A. PRESIDENT – Presides over all meetings and directs all official business. Appoints and acts as ex

officio member of all committees. Supervises all club functions.

B. VICE PRESIDENT – Acts as program chairman, assists the president in his/her duties and presides in the absence of the president.

C. SECRETARY – Maintains accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings.

D. TREASURER – Collects and disburses all monies. Maintains accurate financial records and presents a current balance report at each regular meeting. Balance reports shall be in writing and suitable for distribution to chapter members. Shall maintain an accurate account of all monies received and of all expenditures.

E. TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR – Supervises the tournament committee in the performance of their duties. Determines the order of finish and points awarded for each tournament. Maintains records of each tournament and overall point standings. Responsible for overall safety at each tournament.

Other than the President and Vice President offices, the remaining three positions must be filled by at least two members. Only one club member can hold two offices at the same time.

Section 2: Elections

The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of November. Nominations for new officers shall be presented to the club and the election shall be by simple majority of members present.

Section 3: Eligibility to Vote

Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted. Member who, for reasons beyond their control (i.e., military deployment), are absent from the meeting will be entitled to vote by absentee ballot for the election of officers for the following year.

Section 4: Term of Office

A. The term of office is for one year, which will begin on January 1^st and end on December 31^st.

B. To be an elected officer, must have been a member for six months and attended at least 3/4 of the chapter meetings and functions.

C. Any elected officer will be required to resign their position if all the requirements outlined in these bylaws are not met.

Section 5: Vacancies

In the event of an office becoming vacant prior to the end of the year, (other than the Presidents office), nominations will be accepted and an election held at the next regular meeting to fill the office being vacated. If the office of President is being vacated, that is to be filled by the Vice President. All other officers would be replaced by an election.

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office

A. Have been a member for six months at the time of nomination.

B. Have attended at least seventy-five percent of the chapter meetings and functions.

C. Have shown an active interest in all club functions.

Article V: Standing Committees

Section 1: Term of Office

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 chairperson of the committee. Each committee shall elect a chairperson.

Section 2: Description of Standing Committee

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE – The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize

and operate all club tournaments both regular and open tournaments.. The Tournament Director will be the

chairperson of this committee. There will be two additional members to appointed by the club

membership. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules that shall then be approved by the

general membership. The committee will:

A. Establish a list of tournament dates and sites.

B. Act as tournament officials at each chapter tournament. In this capacity, they will supervise blast off,

weigh-in and recording of weights.

C. Provide the membership a comprehensive point standing at the meeting subsequent to each tournament. This report shall include results from the last tournament and an overall standing for the year to date for each member. This report shall be in writing and be suitable for distribution to each chapter member.

D. Investigate all protests concerning tournaments and make recommendations to the club officers.

Article VI: Removal of Membership

A member shall be removed from the chapter roster by a seventy-five percent majority vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled club meeting for any of the following reasons. The vote shall be by secret ballot.

A. Failure to pay membership dues.

B. Any action that would reflect dishonor and disgrace on this chapter and/ or FLW.

Article VII: Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1: Amendments

The Bylaws may be amended only during the months of October and December at a regularly held club meeting. Adjustments will be decided by a two-thirds vote of the members present. Administrative or typographical errors may be corrected at any time. Region, State and National Federation regulation changes, which affect the chapter and bylaws, are included under “administrative changes.”

Section 2: Procedures

In writing, submit the proposed changes to the general club meeting in October and no later then November of each year. Clearly indicate to what article and section the amendment refers and a brief explanation of why the change is desired. The Bylaws may be amended at the last meeting of the year by a 2/3 vote of the members present at such meeting.

Article VII: Managing the Club

Section 1:

The Board of Directors, elected by the general membership, shall control and manage the affairs, finances and conduct of all club activities.

Section 2:

The Board of Directors shall consist of seven members; President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and four members who are elected by the general membership.

Article VIII - CHARTER

Section 1:

Support State Federation conservation and youth programs. Compliance with any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership dues, attendance at regional meetings, etc., would be necessary in order for the chapter to participate in State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other federation sponsored tournaments of events.

Section 2: