Bylaws

To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport, to offer our State Conservation Department our organized moral and political support. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards. To detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to his/her crime. 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 State Bass Chapter Federation.

Article II - Membership

Section 1 : Number of members

The club shall begin with and maintain at least 6 charter members, excluding family members. Membership shall not exceed 30 active members. A waiting list for membership shall not exceed 10 prospective members.

Section 2 : Mentor Program

The mentor program assists prospective members in learning club rules, policy and general information.

a. All prospective members will be assigned a mentor.

b. Mentors will be active club members who volunteer for the position.

c. Active members who recommend a prospective member will not be permitted to act as that person’s mentor.

d. In the case that no active members volunteer to mentor a prospective member, the responsibility falls to the club president.

e. Mentors will serve as a point of contact between the prospective member and the club.

f. Mentors will council their prospective members on club policy and acceptable behavior based on club member feedback.

g. After all normal club business is completed at a regular meeting, prospective members will be dismissed. The membership will then share their observations (good, bad or indifferent) of the prospective member and determine what feedback (if any) should be given to the prospective member.

h. Mentors will be responsible with giving the feedback to their prospective members before the next club event.

Section 3 : Requirements for membership eligibility

To become a Club member, a person shall:

a. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

b. Be a member of FLW

c. Be at least 18 years of age, unless special consideration is granted by the Club.

d. Attend and participate in 5 meetings and associated tournaments. A prospective member will be allowed to fish with his sponsoring member for the first tournament. Thereafter, his tournament partners will be selected through normal tournament drawings.

e. Pay a tournament entry fee of $25 for each tournament fished. (This makes the prospective member eligible for a trophy)

f. Fish at least 3 of the 5 tournaments as a non-boater, unless otherwise needed and determined by the Club. (Prospective members will not be allowed to fish by themselves.)

g. If the prospective member owns a boat in good working order and he plans to fish in the club as a boater, he must fish as boater for one of the five tournaments. An active member must fish with the prospective member as non-boater. Exceptions can be made, at the discretion of the BOD, for issues including but not limited to: scheduling conflict, mechanical difficulties with tow vehicle, trailer, boat or boat accessories.

h. Receive unanimous secret ballot affirmation from the Club membership as described in Article II, Section 4.

Section 4 : Voting process

Prospective members, upon completing the requirements of Article II, Section 3, will be eligible for membership affirmation by the club membership. The voting procedure will be conducted in the following manner:

a. All votes will be conducted in a serious and professional manner.

b. The prospective member will be dismissed from the meeting and leave the premises before the vote is held.

c. Members will discuss the prospective member. The prospective member’s mentor and those who fished with the prospective member will report to the membership .

d. Following discussion, the membership will vote by secret ballot on the membership of the prospective member.

e. When all ballots are cast, the club president will count all ballots. Two or more “no” votes will result in an immediate denial of membership. In the case of a single “no” vote, the president will declare this fact to the club. A 48-hour clock will then start. During the 48-hour window, the “no” voter has the option of rescinding his vote by contacting the president. If the single “no” vote is rescinded, the prospective member shall be allowed membership. If the “no” vote is not rescinded, the prospective member will be denied membership. In any case, the prospective member will not be informed of his membership until the 48-hour window has closed.

Section 5 : Membership dues

Each member shall pay $15 annually for National Federation dues. Following are options for paying Club dues.

Dues are based on the number of active members at the beginning of the calendar year.

a. If there are 10 or less members the annual dues will be $210 per member. If annual dues are not paid in full by the February meeting, the member must utilize one or a combination of the following methods—quarterly at the rate of $60 and/or monthly at the rate of $25.

b. If there are 11 to 15 members the annual dues will be $190 per member. If annual dues are not paid in full by the February meeting, the member must utilize one or a combination of the following methods—quarterly at the rate of $55 and/or monthly at the rate of $23.

c. If there are 10 or less members the annual dues will be $150 per member. If annual dues are not paid in full by the February meeting, the member must utilize one or a combination of the following methods—quarterly at the rate of $45 and/or monthly at the rate of $20.

Article III - 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. Appoint and direct all committee functions. Supervise all club functions.

b. Vice President: Act as Director of special events, 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. Collect and disperse all moneys. Maintain accurate financial records and report at each meeting. Maintain regular liaison between the Chapter and the National Federation and the Georgia Bass Chapter Federation.

d. Tournament Director: Conduct tournament drawing at regular monthly meetings. Determine tournament start times. Responsible for measuring, weighing and recording fish at the end of each tournament day. Responsible for knowing local length and slot limits. Levies penalties when applicable.

e. Assistant Tournament Director: Assist the Tournament Director in his duties. Act as Tournament Director in the Tournament Director’s absence.

f. Hotel Director: Arrange acceptable accommodations for the club in a timely manner when an overnight stay is required.

g. Past President: Acts as Second Assistant Tournament Director.

Section 2 : Elections

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 officer shall be held separately in order listed in ARTICLE III, Section 1.

Section 3: Eligibility of vote

Each member 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 the first day of January, 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 remaining term of the individual vacating the office. The Georgia Bass Chapter Federation shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.

Section 6: Eligibility for holding office

To be eligible for an office a member must:

a. Have been a member for six months.

b. Have attended at least 75% of the Chapter meetings and 75% of Chapter functions during a 12-month period.

c. Have shown an active interest in all Chapter functions.

d. Maintain current FLW membership.

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. Board of Directors: The board of directors will consist of seven (7) members: President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Tournament Director, Immediate Past-President, an Assistant Tournament Director and a Hotel Director elected at large by majority vote of the members present at the regular December meeting.

1. The President will call all meetings of the board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

2. The Secretary will record the minutes of those meetings.

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

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

5. The board will meet each January, before the regular Chapter meeting, to select tournament dates and a choice of locations. This schedule is to be voted on by the attending members at the regular January meeting.

b. Other committees formed shall fall under the terms of Article IV.

ARTICLE V-Removal of Membership

Section 1: Removal of membership

A member may be dropped from the membership role for the following:

a. Failure to pay dues.

b. Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on this Chapter and/or FLW

c. Failure to attend 50% of the Chapter meetings and 50% of the Chapter functions during a three (3) month period.

d. Disqualification for any reason from participating in FLW-sponsored events including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.

ARTICLE VI- Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for affiliation

a. Approval of Chapter Charter by the Georgia Bass Chapter Federation and The Bass Federation.

b. Update the Georgia Bass Chapter Federation with a Chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current Federation roster at year’s end.

c. Names and addresses of new members joining the Chapter during the year must be submitted to the Georgia Bass Chapter Federation as they occur.

d. Maintain 100% FLW membership.

e. Must affiliate with the Georgia Bass Chapter Federation. Any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for Chapters, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the Chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation-sponsored tournaments or events.

ARTICLE VII- Leaves of Absence

Section 1: Leave of Absence

A member shall be allowed to take leave from the club for a minimum of three (3) months. During this time, the member is exempt from paying chapter dues and attending club functions.

a. A member may take a leave of absence at any time with prior notification to the Board of Directors.

b. If a member on leave wishes a return to active status prior to the end of three consecutive months of leave, he must pay his back dues to the club.

c. A member on leave will be allowed to attend chapter meetings, but will not be permitted to vote.

Section 2: Medical Leave Of Absence

Medical leaves of absence will be considered by the Board of Directors on an individual basis.

ARTICLE VIII- Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1: Amending the bylaws

The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-third 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.