Sun Country Bassmasters - Bylaws and Rules
Club Bylaws
Last Updated 03/13/2007
CLUB CHAPTER: SUN COUNTRY BASSMASTERS
CITY: NORCO
STATE: CA
ZIP CODE: 92860
STATE AFFILIATION: CALIFORNIA
PHONE: (951) 805-3756
EMAIL: administrator@suncountrybassmasters.org
ARTICLE I - Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
This TBF affiliated chapter club shall be called the Sun Country Bassmasters
of Norco/Corona, California.
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 likeminded groups to do
the same. The chapter club is comprised of a group of anglers who are dedicated
to the sport of catch-and-release bass fishing, sportsmanship and camaraderie.
(b) More particularly stated, purposes of the chapter club 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;
" 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 encourage, facilitate and promote youth fishing activities and education
and a love for this great recreation;
" 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 likeminded 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 club's purpose.
(b) Become a member of The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF,Inc) and its home state
federation-approved industry partners (FLW).
(c) Be recommended by one regular member at a regular monthly meeting.
(d) Be voted on by membership, upon having completed participation in two regular
meetings and two club tournaments. Acceptance shall be by majority vote.
(e) Be 16 years of age or older to be in an adult club.
Section 3: Membership Dues
The membership initiation fee shall be $ 35, payable upon being voted into the club, $15 of which shall be for TBF National Federation dues, $ 15 of which shall be for club dues and $5 of which shall be for State Federation dues.
Ongoing monthly membership dues are as follows:
" $15 - Tournament
" $15 - Club Dues
" $2 - Optional Lunker Pot
" $6 - Big Fish
" $2 - Awards
Section 5: Membership meetings
The chapter club shall hold regular meetings at pre-established locations and
times. Currently the meetings are scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month
and are held at Sizzler Restaurant located at 1750 Hamner Ave., Norco, Ca. 92860.
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, or during the duration of their club term for those
with less than 12 months' tenure;
(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 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 6.
Section 3: Eligibility to 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 each office is for one year, which shall begin at the December meeting date, and end on the last meeting day of November 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 exofficio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions.
(b) Vice President: Act as Club Programs chairman, assist Club Weigh Master,
assist the President in their duties, and preside in absence of the President.
(c) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings
as called for by the Chapter Club President, maintain accurate records of meeting
attendance, and maintain and compile Club point standings.
(d) Treasurer: Collect and disburse all monies and 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. Maintain regular
liaison between the club and the TBF, Inc. affiliated state Federation. The
club may vote that the treasurer and any other officer handling club funds must
be bonded.
(e) Tournament Director: Coordinate lake availability, limits and restrictions,
determine tournament hours (including start and stop times), document and communicate
tournament logistics and regulations, and coordinate team pairings. Also is
responsible for obtaining lake permits and any applicable variance requests,
along with the submission of the Club's annual Department of Fish and Game permit.
Responsible for compiling and submitting Department of Fish and Game catch records.
(f) Weigh Master: Responsible for the accurate measuring and weighing of all
tournament fish, and communicating the official weights and number of fish to
the Secretary (or other board member acting on the Secretary's behalf). Also
required to maintain and transport the weigh scale and equipment to each tournament
weigh-in location.
(g) Safety Director: Responsibilities include boat/livewell checks prior to
tournament launch, to include all Coast Guard regulations and requirements,
and determine conditions are suitable for launch. Also determines if launch
requires use of boat lighting until first fishing stop.
(h) Club Youth Director: Organize any youth activities and programs
(i) Web Master: Responsible for designing and maintaining the Club's web site,
and acting as liaison between the hosting company and Club.
.
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 nine
(9) members:
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Director, Weigh
Master, Safety Director, Youth Director and Web Master.
(1) The president will call and preside over any Board of Directors' meetings.
(2) The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings (whenever possible).
(3) The board will decide all protests and rule on all violations of the tournament
rules and bylaws of the club when appropriately received.
(4) 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) 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 more than three consecutive months in arrears.
(b) Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the club, state
federation or TBF,Inc.
(c) Failure to attend 50% of the club functions during a 12-month period, AND
fails to remain a member in good standing.
(d) 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
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 deemed necessary by the Board. Any action recommended by the Board and not specifically outlined in this document shall require a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Membership recall
Any member 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.
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 thirteenth day
of March, 2007.
Tournament Rules
All club boaters are responsible for and MUST have the following aboard: