Champaign County Bass Club By Laws

 

Champaign County Bass Club
Constitution and By-Laws
Revised Jan. 1 2007

Article 1 – Name and Purpose

Section1: Name
This club shall be called The Champaign County Bass Club.

Section 2: Purpose
To improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas.

Article 2 – Membership

Section 1: Number of Members
Membership shall be limited to 36.

Section 2: Requirements for Membership
(A) All members must be a member of B.A.S.S. and posses a B.A.S.S. identification number.
(B) Dues for new members will be $45.00 the first year and $40.00 yearly thereafter. Yearly dues are to be paid at November meeting.
(C) Membership dues must be paid in full before fishing a tournament.
(D) All new members must be approved by three current officers.
(E) Members must be 18 years of age.
(F) Dropped or expired members may rejoin as new members.

Section 3 : Club Membership Shirt
After one full year as a member in good standing, new members will receive a club shirt.

Article 3 – Officers, Elections, Vacancies and Eligibility

Section 1: Officers and Their Duties
The officers of the Club shall consist of:
(A) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Supervise all club functions. Appoint necessary members to committees as deemed necessary.
(B) Vice President: Assist the president in his duties and preside in the absence of the president. He shall also serve as the tournament chairman. He shall appoint 3 (Three) non officers to serve on the tournament committee. He shall also appoint a weigh in master, and a weigh in helper.
(C) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all meetings, and takes care of all correspondence.
(D) Treasurer: Maintain accurate financial records and provide a financial report at each meeting. Collects all club monies, and issues checks for official club business.

Section 2: Elections
The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of November. Election shall be by person receiving the most votes of the members present. The new officers will assume office in December of the same year.

Section 3: Vacancies
(A) In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office.
(B) Should the office of the president become vacant, the vice president shall become president and the office of vice president shall be filled so provided for in (A) above.

Section 4: Eligibility for holding office
To be eligible for an office, a member must be in good standing with the club according to Section 2 of Article 2.

Section 5: Duties of Committees
(A) Tournament committee shall
(1) Conduct and officiate all club tournaments
(2) Set all tournament dates, locations, times, and fees
(3) Conduct big bass and most bass jackpot, assigning one person to collect monies at each tournament for said jackpots.

Article 4 – Method of amending the constitution

Section 1: Amending the Constitution and Bylaws.
A club quorum will consist of one – half (1/2) of club membership present at any regularly scheduled meeting. To amend the constitution and bylaws, one-half (1/2) of club members must be present and 51 percent of those members must approve the proposed changes.

Article 5 – Removal of Membership

Section 1: Removal of Membership
A member shall be removed from the membership roll for the following
(A) Failure to pay annual dues within 35 days of the due date.
(B) Cause any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on this club, subject to quorum vote of membership.

Article 6 – Meetings

Section 1: Time, Date, and Place of Meetings
(A) The regular monthly meetings of the Champaign Co. Bass Club shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at a designated meeting place.
(B) Membership will be notified of any changes necessary as to time, date, or place.

Article 7 - Tournament Rules
The tournament director and/or designee may cancel/reschedule any tournament event for in climate weather or other safety concerns. The number one priority for any club tournament or function is “SAFETY FIRST!”. The tournament director or designee will make every reasonable effort to notify club members in advance of any such occurrences. Should there be any member that has a concern regarding the club function cancellation or safety issue it is their responsibility to advice the club president and/or tournament director.

1.) Partners will be drawn at the meeting prior to the next tournament. To participate, you must:
a. Have all dues paid up
b. Have all boating fees paid up
c. Be present and/or represented at the meeting. You may call the tournament director or the president or call 653-7145 and leave a message
d. Any person not in the draw may still fish, and are eligible for prize money, however no points will be awarded.
*******NO EXCEPTIONS*******
Multi day tournaments will be considered separate tournaments. Non boaters who draw a bye will be awarded two points. There will be no redrawing of partners between days. The partner that is drawn will be the partner fished with throughout the event.

2.) A member who has drawn and finds he cannot fish will be excused by notifying the tournament director and his partner 48 hours in advance of the tournament.

3.) Non boaters shall pay a minimum of $25.00 to their partner each tournament day. Each partner has the right to fish at his chosen area 50 percent of the time as agreed before the tournament launch.

4.) Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait will be permitted (Pork Rinds may be used).

5.) All bass caught during the tournament shall be released **EXCEPTION** Trophy or dead bass with permission of the tournament committee.

6.) An ease – off start will be used until boats are in open water. Disqualification for the days catch will occur for being late past check – in time. Tournament committee will determine check – in time and make the final decision regarding check –in.

7.) The tournament committee will decide starting and check – in points.

8.) All fishing must be done from boats (NO tailoring of boats from one location to another is permitted.) You must stay 50 yards away from any other contestant who is anchored with his/her trolling motor up.

9.) All competitors must wear coast guard approved personal flotation devices anytime the combustion engine is running.

10.) Any protest must be presented to the tournament director or his designee within 30 minutes of check in time, same day. The tournament director or his designees shall meet immediately following the dispute and will meet with the parties involved. Should the grievance be irresolvable at this time, the tournament direction and committee shall obtain all the facts and information and issue a ruling during the next scheduled meeting. If fish are caught, they should be weighed in at the member’s option.

11.) The tournament committee’s decision will be final in all disputes.

12.) No alcoholic beverages or illegal substances will be permitted during the tournament hours.

13.) All electric start internal combustion engines shall be equipped with a kill switch that must be connected to the operator

14.) Any member violating club rules during any tournament shall be disqualified for the entire day.

15.) Tournament committee or designated helper will be the only persons handling bass during the weigh – in

16.) All bass will be measured with mouth closed and by fanning tail

17.) There will be no bass weighed in before the tournament committee or designees are present at scales. Weigh in should be conducted as speedily as possible. Persons responsible for weigh ins should have scales ready and as close to the water as possible.

18.) Tournament points are as follows:
a. Each live fish released – 1 Point
b. Each tenth of an ounce – 1 Point
c. Attending Tournament – 2 Points
d. 1 lb penalty for dead fish

19.) Any attempts to weigh in short bass will be penalized 16 points for each short bass from the yearly total. It is the responsibility of each fisherman to ensure that his catch meet minimum slot regulations. The tournament direction or designee will measure each fish at tournament weigh in.

20.) Creel limits and fish length will be determined by the location and state regulations of the lake fished. The tournament committee will advise each fisherman in attendance at the club meeting prior to the tournament of any regulation regarding limits/lengths. All tournament fishermen are advised that it is their responsibility to adhere to any state slot and creel limits.

21.) The final results for club standings will be determined by taking the total points accumulated in each tournament fished not to exceed seven (7) tournaments.

Article 8 – Awards
(A) The club member accumulation the most points during tournament year will be honored as Mr. Bass during the annual Christmas meeting. He will have his name inscribed on the club plaque with year and will receive a personal trophy.

(B) Club members placing 2nd – 6th will also receive a personalized shirt.

(C) Club members wishing to participate in state and regional B.A.S.S. Competitions will be asked by club president based on previous year’s tournament placement. I.E. 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, etc. Should 1st place finisher decline, next place in line would be asked and so forth.

Article 9 – Club Expenses

From time to time the club by quorum (article 4, section 3) may authorize payments deemed necessary for operation of the clubs activities. These payments will only be authorized if funds are available in the club’s treasury. The treasurer will report if funds are available before any vote is taken. Examples of expenses that could be authorized are rent, food purchase, purchase of weigh bags and other items necessary for the club operation. Expenses for hotels and accommodations to regional and state finalists may also be considered a reasonable club expense based on availability of club funds.