|
Chapter By-Laws
(Amended 12/19/2010)
Article I -- Name and Purpose
Section #1: Name
This chapter shall be called the Steel City Bassmasters
Section #2: Purpose
To organize local bass anglers with the idea of friendship,
cooperation, and fun competition through regular meetings,
tournaments, and other chapter related activities.
To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a sport.
To offer our state conservation department our organized
support and encouragement.
To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to
demand adequate water standards.
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 Illinois
State B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, embracing the principles and
purposes of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.
Article II -- Membership
Section #1: Number of
Members
In 1991, the board of directors determined that any increase
in the number of chapter members would be achieved on an individual
member basis, following the steps found in article II, section #2 of
the Chapter By-laws.
This decision was approved by the membership.
Section #2: Requirement
for Membership/Associate Membership
To become a chapter member or associate member, a person
shall:
a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
b) Be recommended by a chapter member or associate member.
c) After a 30-day waiting period and input from the
membership, the board will have final approval.
d.) Following approval, there will be a 1-year probationary period
during which the board of directors reserves the right to revoke an
individual’s membership according to Article V of the Chapter
By-Laws. An annual review of all new members will be conducted by
the board for this purpose.
Section #3: Membership
Dues
The club membership dues shall be $40.00 annually, payable no
later than the third month of the club year on the date of that
month's regularly scheduled chapter meeting.
The elected chapter President, Secretary/Treasurer, and the
Angler of the Year (from the previous year) are exempt from paying
membership dues.
National and State B.A.S.S. Federation Nation dues for
chapter elected officers and board members shall be paid by the
chapter. National and State B.A.S.S. Federation Nation dues for
8-Man Team members who are not chapter elected officers or board
members shall be paid by the chapter and charged against the 8-Man
Team fund.
Section #4: Associate
Membership
A chapter associate member will be hearby defined as an
individual who has the opportunity to participate in chapter
tournaments with no desire to become a full member in good standing.
An associate member shall have privileges as defined by the
chapter board of directors.
An associate membership fee of $40.00 will enable the
individual to participate in all chapter-sponsored tournaments. Any
new member joining the chapter after the halfway point of the
current tournament season will pay 50% of the membership dues.
Any member who competes as a registered professional
bass tournament fisherman may maintain their chapter membership but
will not be eligible to participate in club sponsored tournaments.
Article III -- Officers,
Board Members, Vacancies, and Eligibility
Section #1: Officers,
Board Members, 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 ex-officio member of all committees.
Supervise all club functions.
(b) Vice-president:
Act as program chairman.
Assist the president in his duties and preside in the absence
of the president.
(c) Secretary/Treasurer:
Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings
as called for by the chapter president.
Maintain regular liaison between the chapter and the Bass
Anglers Sportsman Society and the Illinois B.A.S.S. Chapter
Federation. Collect and
disburse all moneys.
Maintain accurate financial records and present a quarterly
financial report at general meetings.
Prepare an annual audit for review by the chapter board of
directors.
(d) Board Members (7):
Meet in conjunction with the elected officers.
Duties explained in article IV.
Six board positions will be elected by the general
membership. A seventh board position will be appointed by the
chapter president and approved by the board members. This appointed
position will serve the role of chapter webmaster with a term
lasting 1-year.
Section #2: Elections
Nominations for chapter offices and board positions will be
taken annually at a regular meeting held during the month of
November.
The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular
meeting during the month of December.
Election shall be by simple majority of members present.
Election for each office shall be held separately in the
order listed in article III, section #1.
All nominees for office or board positions shall be listed on
the ballot in alphabetical order for each position.
Election shall be by secret ballot from the general
membership.
Section #3: Eligibility
to Vote
Each club member is entitled to one vote.
Proxy votes are only permitted if the member voting notifies
the club secretary within one week of the election with his reason
for missing the election meeting and signing and dating his proxy
ballot.
Section #4: Term of
office
The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on
January1 and end on the last meeting date in December or until the
successor assumes office.
Section #5: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall
be called for at a scheduled board meeting.
A simple majority vote by secret ballot shall be taken at the
same meeting to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating
the office. Nominees
shall be current elected club officials, such as officers and board
members. Recommendation
will then be submitted to the general membership for approval.
In the event of a board vacancy, the president shall appoint
a replacement for the position.
Section #6: Eligibility
for Holding Office
To be eligible for an office, a member must:
(a) Be a member in good standing for a minimum of six months.
(b) Have attended at least 50% of the combined number of
chapter meetings and tournaments.
(c) Have shown an active interest in all chapter activities.
Section #7 –
Quorum
Quorum for
the
Quorum for
the
In the case
of poor attendance for a scheduled meeting or event, it is up to the
discretion of the president and/or board of directors to continue or
suspend voting on official business.
Article IV -- Board of
Directors
Section #1: Purpose
The purpose of the board of directors is to make decisions
and adopt policies which do not require a vote of the general
membership. The idea
with the highest priority shall always be the one that serves "the
entire membership".
Decisions of the board are presented to the membership and are final
unless challenged by a member.
If challenged, a vote by the membership decides the issue.
The board of directors will consist of the president,
vice-president, secretary/treasurer, and six members elected at
large by majority vote of the members present at the December
meeting.
Section #2 Duties
(a) The president will call all meetings of the board 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 chapter by-laws when appropriately
received.
(d) Develop an agenda for the monthly meetings.
(e) Develop a tournament schedule and locations for said tournaments
based on suggestions from the general membership.
(f) Assist in organization and proper management of chapter
tournaments, and act as tournament officials.
(g) Adopt policies and approve major purchases using club funds,
with the best interest of the entire club membership in mind.
Article V -- Removal of
Membership
A member shall be dropped from the membership ranks for the
following:
(a) Failure to pay dues
(b) Any action that would reflect dishonor or disgrace to the
chapter. This would include all rules violations, unsportsmanlike
actions, etc., as determined by the chapter board of directors.
Article VI --
Affiliation
Section #1: Requirements
for Affiliation
(a) Approval of chapter charter by B.A.S.S.
(b) Update national and state B.A.S.S. Federations with a chapter
membership roster immediately following election of chapter officers
and board of directors, and/or as needed throughout the year.
(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during
the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur.
(d) Maintain 80% B.A.S.S. membership.
(e) Support state federation
programs. Any additional
requirements that the state federation establishes for chapters,
such as membership dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be
necessary in order for the chapter to participate in state
qualifying tournaments, and any other federation sponsored
tournaments or events.
Article VII -- Method of
Amending the Chapter By-Laws
Section #1: Amending the
Chapter By-laws
The chapter by-laws may be amended at any regularly scheduled
meeting by a 2/3 vote of the members present, provided notice of the
proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one
regular meeting prior to the vote.
Section #2: Emergency
Exception to Section #1
The chapter membership recognizes that the chapter
by-laws cannot address every situation (especially in the realm of
fishing tournaments); therefore the chapter board of directors is
granted the power to amend the chapter by-laws only where it
recognizes that the by-laws are lacking in addressing a situation(s)
deemed to be detrimental to the best interest of the chapter
membership. Amending the
chapter by-laws by the board of directors shall require a 2/3 vote
of the nine member board as a whole.
Once amended the by-laws will stand until such time Section
#1 of this Article VII can be implemented at the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Once amended by the chapter board of directors,
the by-laws change will stand until such time Section #1 of this
Article VII can be implemented, and a vote of the membership be
taken (on the amended change) at the next scheduled meeting.
Article VIII --
Tournaments
Section #1: Tournament
Schedule
The chapter board of directors will develop a yearly
tournament schedule.
This schedule will be presented to the general membership for their
approval at the regularly scheduled November meeting.
After final approval of all dates and locations, the schedule
will stand unchanged.
The only criteria for cancellation or postponement of a scheduled
tournament will be safety or circumstances beyond our immediate
control. The board of directors will determine changes as situations
arise.
Section #2:
Tournament Eligibility
In order to participate in a chapter sponsored tournament, an
individual must:
(a) Have paid his membership dues in accordance with article
II, section #3 of the chapter by-laws.
(b) Have paid the tournament entry fee 15 minutes
prior to launch time.
Late entries will not be accepted unless one of the officers
(president, vice president or sec/treas) is contacted within two (2)
hours, plus or minus, of the launch time.
(c) Be
present at the official launch for livewell check.
(d) Have necessary coast guard approved safety equipment in
the boat at the time of launch.
(e) Members will be entitled to use guest passes, allowing them to
bring a non-member to a chapter event for the purpose of promoting
future membership to the club.
Details and stipulations of the guest passes shall be
reviewed and revised annually by the executive board, if necessary,
and approved by the general membership.
(f)
Not have
participated, past or present, as a registered professional bass
tournament fisherman.
(g) In the
case of invitational tournaments, the names and background of
non-member participants must be submitted to the board of directors
within one day of the start of the tournament by the sponsoring club
member. The board of
directors will have final approval on non-member participation in
order to ensure a fair field of tournament participants.
Section #3: Tournament
Rules
The list of official tournament rules will be reviewed
annually by the board of directors and presented to the membership
for the upcoming tournament season.
Any changes
in the official tournament rules will be as prescribed in Article
VII.
Tournament
Procedures, Policies, and Rules
·
All tournament rules will comply with the
respective state's laws and regulations concerning length limits,
fishable waters, etc., unless specified by the bass club in a
general membership vote.
·
The Steel City Bassmasters and its executive board
are not responsible for theft or injuries incurred during chapter
sponsored tournaments.
·
There are no age restrictions for tournament
participation.
·
During large participation tournaments and at the
discretion of the tournament committee, each boat will be assigned a
number that will determine the order in which boats will be
launched. At the discretion of the tournament director, the weigh-in
will also be conducted by boat number. This is done to reduce stress
on the fish and promote live release.
·
All fish presented alive will be released
immediately following the weigh-in.
·
Each contestant will be allowed to bring in the legal creel limit and
length limit of bass (as allowed by state regulations) to the
weigh-in on each tournament day.
·
Largest fish will break ties for total weight.
·
Ties for big fish will be broken by total weight
for that individual.
·
All protests must be made within 10-minutes of the
final weigh-in. These
protests must be made to one of the club officers or board members.
These individuals are the tournament committee and will
render a decision based on the facts presented.
All decisions made by the tournament committee are final.
The following tournament rules carry their own unique penalty, as
determined by the tournament committee.
1.
Dead fish carry a penalty of 2-ounces.
2.
Short fish will be discarded and a 1-pound penalty will be
assessed to the remainder of that day’s catch.
The following tournament rules carry a penalty of disqualification
from that day of competition, as determined by the tournament
committee.
3.
All
contestants are required to wear an approved personal floatation
device (life jacket) while their outboard motor is in operation.
4.
Every boat
must have, and use, a properly aerated livewell.
Stringers are strictly prohibited.
5.
Only artificial lures, with the exception of pork, may be
used. Only one casting,
spinning, spin casting, or fly rod may be used at a time.
Trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited.
All bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting
manner.
The following tournament rules carry a penalty of disqualification
from that day of competition, as determined by the tournament
committee. (continued)
6. It is prohibited for any participant to hire or use the services of licensed resort owners, managers, employees, or guides on the respective waters for the purpose of locating bass and/or fishing locations for a period of three days prior to each scheduled tournament. Use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices during tournament hours will be restricted to emergency use only. The use of cellular telephones and other electronic communication devices for the purpose of locating fish or gaining information on catching fish during tournament hours will be considered a violation of the tournament rules and will be dealt with accordingly.
7.
If our
launch facility/ramp is located inside a no-wake area that is shared
by a marked gasoline-supply marina, the area inside that no-wake
area will be considered off-limits to tournament fishing. This will
be the only off-limits area unless the board has developed specific
restrictions related to a venue.
8.
Transfer of fish from one
contestant to another for the purpose of enhancing tournament
standing is prohibited, resulting in a penalty of disqualification
and revocation of chapter membership as determined by the tournament
committee.
9
Contestants must arrive at the weigh-in within 15 minutes
following the scheduled tournament end.
Penalties for the following tournament rules will be determined
on-site by the tournament committee.
10.
All contestants will leave from and return to the launch site
by boat. Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited.
11.
All boats
must comply with State and Coast Guard regulations concerning
safety. This will include a functioning kill switch.
Failure to comply with these regulations will be at your own
risk.
12.
Each boat
owner must maintain a minimum of $100,000 worth of boat liability
insurance.
|