Club Bylaws

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE LEESVILLE BASSMASTERS OF WAKE COUNTY

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1: NAME

This club shall be called the Leesville Bassmasters of Wake County.

SECTION 2: PURPOSE

The goal of the club is 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 promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards and legal enforcement of existing regulatory standards, to improve our skill as Bass Anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert Bass catching techniques and ideas, and a love for this great recreation.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: MEMBERSHIP

The Leesville Bassmasters Club shall not exceed twenty-five (25) members with no more than 40% as non-boaters.

SECTION 2: REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP

To become a Member, a person shall:

·         (a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in becoming a member.

·         (b) Fish with a Club member that is in good standing.

·         (c) Be recommended by a Club member at a regular meeting.

·         (d) Be voted on by the membership present at a regularly scheduled meeting. Any member may ask that the vote be by secret ballot. The vote must be affirmative by at least 90% of the membership present and in good standing.

·         (e) Full membership shall then be awarded when membership dues are paid and the club secretary has been provided the following information:

§  Member Name,

§  Spouse (if any) Name,

§  Street Address,

§  E Mail Address (if available),

§  Phone Number(s).

(f) The membership dues shall be as follows:

o   $10 monthly dues maybe paid in advance or by the 1^st Thursday of each month;

o   $35 annual dues are collected at the January meeting from each member on the club roster as of November 31of each year.

o   $New members are required to pay $35 annual dues on the 1^st Thursday of the month after they are affirmed as a member of the club. 

o   A member in good standing shall not owe the club treasury $20 or more on the 1^st Thursday of any month.

It is the individual club member’s responsibility to pay dues prior to the club tournament via mail if he/she is unable to be present at the club meeting on the 1st Thursday of any given month .The receipts must be in the possession of the club treasurer prior to the forthcoming club tournament.  

(g) The club treasury shall not be drawn down below $500. Accruals will occur annually to assure the payout of tournament prize monies for the forthcoming year. Accruals are in addition to the required $500 minimum treasury balance.  Adjustment to monthly dues and/or annual fees to ensure a $500 minimum balance after paying tournament prize monies may be required in order to meet these requirements. Decisions on such adjustments will be reviewed quarterly based upon the treasurer’s report.

(h) If the club membership drops below six (6) persons or fewer AND a motion to dissolve the club is approved by a majority of the members in good standing, the club treasury shall be liquidated by disbursing all remaining monies to members that are in good standing on the first Thursday of the next month after the membership drops below six persons. 

 

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES & ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 1: OFFICERS & THEIR DUTIES

The officers of the Club shall consist of:

President:

Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and direct all committee functions. Supervise all Club functions. Sign contracts on behalf of the club.  Have signature authority on the Club checking and savings accounts.

In the absence of the Club President, any other club officer may preside over the meeting.

Secretary:

Maintain reports and correspondence as required.

Treasurer:

Maintain accurate financial records of income and disbursement funds. Provide quarterly financial projection at the Jan, April, July, and October meetings.  The Treasurer shall have signature authority on all of the club’s banking accounts.

Tournament Directors:

Two (2) tournament co-directors shall be elected and be responsible for:

(1) Site selection and scheduling of 12 weekend tournaments between February 1 and November 31 of each year. Tournaments shall not be scheduled for weekends that occur immediately before or after a federally recognized holiday. 

(2) The Tournament Directors are responsible for measuring and weighing fish, and for accurately recording and posting the results of each tournament.

SECTION 2: ELECTIONS

The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of December. Election shall be by a simple majority of the members in good standing and present. Election of each office shall be held separately in the order listed in ARTICLE III, SECTION I.

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY OF VOTE

Each member in good standing is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are permitted and may be submitted to any member of the Club.  Proxy votes must be announced to the club members prior to a vote.

SECTION 4: TERM OF OFFICE

The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on January 1, 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 and an election shall be held to fill the un-expired term of the individual vacating the office.

SECTION 6: ELIGIBILITY FOR HOLDING OFFICE

To be eligible for an office, a member must:

(a) Have been a member for no less than six (6) months.

(b) These conditions of eligibility may be waived under special circumstances upon consultation with the Club Officers and agreement by the club membership.

ARTICLE IV: METHOD OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

SECTION 1: AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND TOURNAMENT RULES

The constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by quorum,of  at least 60% of the club members in good standing, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote. Tournament Rules may not be changed during the current season.

ARTICLE V: SUSPENSION and REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP

A member shall be dropped from the membership role for any of the following reasons:

They have not paid their annual dues by the end of the March meeting.

He/She owes the club $40 or more in monthly dues. 

Ninety percent (90%) of the eligible members voted to expel a member.  A member can be removed for any reason, no reason, good reason or bad reason. 

Members who are dropped from the roster but are later reinstated by the club membership will forfeit all tournament points accrued prior to the date of reinstatement for the tournament year.

SECTION 2: Suspension

Any person that is $20 or more and less than $40 in arrears for monthly dues will be deemed suspended and ineligible to actively participate in club activities (e.g.; tournaments, meetings, banquets, etc.).  Suspension shall be lifted as soon as the member’s financial account is current for both annual and monthly dues.  Monthly dues accumulate while a member is suspended.  Monthly dues are due and payable as if the suspension did not happen

ARTICLE VI:            TOURNAMENT RULES FOR THE LEESVILLE BASSMASTERS

1. SAFETY

(a)  Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by all competitors.

(b)  Each competitor is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life preserver while the boat is running on plane.

(c)  No alcoholic beverages are allowed during tournament hours.

(d)  The boat’s running lights must be on and fully operational before the boat will be permitted to blast off.

(e)  Failure to comply with any safety fule will result in the disqualification of the offender’s catch for the day on which the infraction occurred.

 

2. PAIRING OF COMPETITORS

(a)  Definition of a Bass Boat:.

  For tournament fishing, a bass boat shall:

1. Be no less than 17 feet in overall length; 2. Have an outboard motor not exceeding Coast Guard Regulations; 3. Have an outboard motor of 90hp or greater; 4. Have a working motor "kill switch"; 5. Have working navigation lights 6. Have a foot controlled, remote controlled or manual controlled bow mounted trolling motor; 7. Have a working live well of a size to maintain the limit catch of two anglers, and; 8. Have raised platforms or casting areas on the bow and stern, with or without seats.

 

(b)  In the case where there are more Non-Boaters than Boaters at a tournament:.

A club member who owns a non-qualified boat may use his boat singularly to permit another Non-Boater to fish with a qualified boat member. In a case where two or more Non-Boaters remain to be paired, the Non-Boater with the longest seniority in the club gets the final position.

(c)  Draw for tournament pairings.

The tournament pairings shall be assigned by the Tournament Directors by random drawing during the meeting closest to but preceding the tournament date. Boat owners will be paired with non boater owners whenever it is reasonably possible. In the event that two boaters are paired, the boat to be used will be selected by draw order or mutual agreement. Exceptions to pairings or the need for a specific pairing may be discussed with the tournament director(s). If the tournament director(s) determine that it is the best interest of the club to allow a specific pairing; they shall announce their decision prior to the random drawing. 

3. TOURNAMENT HOURS

(a) The Tournament Directors shall determine the starting time and the weigh-in time on tournament day or days.

(b) All contestants’ boats are to be in the water at the designated ramp location prior to the tournament starting time. 

(c) The contestant's boat drawing the "last to leave" position number will be responsible for timing the "ooze-off". The time interval will be approximately 10 to 15 seconds between boats or such time as is deemed necessary at the discretion of the last-to-leave boat for the next boat to safely blast off.  Blast off will occur as scheduled.  Late arrivals may leave the ramp at their convenience but they must make a reasonable attempt to notify one of the tournament participants of their departure from the designated ramp. 

(d) Each contestant is entitled to pick where he wants to fish, for one-half (1/2) of the scheduled tournament hours. 

(e) Each contestant shall be within the no wake zone at the designated ramp prior to the scheduled weigh in time. 

4. "DON'T KILL YOUR CATCH"

(a) All contestants will hold fish in the boat live-well until the Tournament Director calls the catch to the weigh-in.

(b) All fish weighed in alive must be released. (Exception: Trophy fish may be kept, determined on an individual basis.). 

5. TOURNAMENT WEIGH IN

(a) Catch is to be placed in a scale basket free of all encumbrances. The only exception being a "gut-hooked" fish with the hook remaining in the fish and all weights removed.

(b) The Tournament Director will verify the size of any questionable fish by measuring its length. All Measurements will be on a "Golden Rule" with the fish's mouth closed and tail extended to the appropriate inch mark.

(c) Tournament standing shall be determined by the pound to the nearest 1/100th lb. Each angler will be permitted to weigh in five (5) fish or as permitted by State law. Of those five fish, two may be less than 14 inches but must 12 inches or over in length. In the event that lake size limits are more restrictive, then the local limit will apply. Winning shall be on the basis of total pounds minus any penalties as described in section 7 below.

(d) The weight of the catch will be read by a Tournament Director and witnessed by the contestant whose catch is being weighed.

6. TOURNAMENT SCORING

(a) The winner of each tournament will receive twenty (20) points + a 2 point bonus for winning. In case of a tie for 1st place, each competitor will receive the 2 point bonus.

(b) Each position down is worth one (1) point less. (2nd is 19, 3rd 18, etc.)

(c) A 1 point bonus will be given for big fish for each tournament.  If there is a tie for big fish, each competitor will receive the bonus point.

(d) Ties in position will receive the points for the highest position. (2 people tied for 2nd will receive 19 points each. The next position would receive points for 4th place.)

(e) Persons with zero (0) fish or negative weight due to penalties will receive zero (0) points.

(f) Persons not participating receive 0 points.

(g) The total points for the year shall consist of  the 10 highest tournaments finished.

(h) In the event that 2 competitors are tie for a position at the end of the year, the total net weight will break the tie, if at that point they are still tied, a coin toss will determine their final place.

7. PENALTIES

(a) Late for Weigh-in: Deduct 1 lb per minute for up to 15 minutes from each competitor's catch. Total catch shall be disqualified after 15 minutes.

(b) Short Fish: Penalty of one pound (1 lb) for each short fish and loss of fish.

(c) Over Creel: Loss of largest fish in the competitor’s creel..

(e) Dead Fish: Penalty loss of three tenths (.3) pounds per dead fish.

(f) Use of Live or Natural Bait:   The competitor’s total catch shall be disqualified.  Note:  Pork trailers are exempted.

(g) Penalties will be carried over from the 1st day to the 2nd day of all 2 day tournaments

8. ANNUAL MONEY TOURNAMENT

(a) The top six finishers in a year will be eligible for a money tournament in the following year.

(b)  If there is a tie for sixth place for entry into the annual money tournament, both members tied for sixth place will be permitted to fish, but only six places will be paid out.

(b) The location of the money tournament will be determined after the tournament directors determine the annual schedule. Each contestant will enter his choice of lake or river and a drawing will determine the location.

(c) The minimum balance in the club treasury shall not be reduced to less than $500 by disbursements associated with the “Money Tournament”.

(d) The prize money will be in the amount of $900 if that amount does not reduce the club treasury to below $500. 

(e) The money will be awarded to the winners as follows-

(1)   First place- $300

(2)   Second place- $200

(3)   Third place- $125

(4)   Fourth place- $100

(5)   Fifth place- $75

(6)   Sixth place- $50

(7)   Big Fish- $50

(f) The Club’s regular tournament will be conducted concurrently and all tournament rules are applicable.

9. METHOD OF CATCHING FISH

(a) A rod and reel must be used.

(b) Only artificial baits may be used..

(c) A net may be used to land a fish, but only if the fish is attached to the contestant’s reel line. Seine and casting nets may not be used under any circumstances.

10. GUESTS

When a Club member does not have a partner for a tournament, he may invite a guest to fish with him. The guest will not pay an entry fee and will not be eligible for any Club tournament benefits. The guest shall be required to observe all tournament rules.

11. EXPENSES

Expenses shall be shared with the boat and automobile owner on a 50/50 basis.

12. Annual Trophies and/or Prizes

Annual trophies and/or prizes will be awarded at the club’s annual party (typically in December).  Winners and rankings will be announced or posted prior to the annual party.

For individual tournament trophies only, the member may elect to receive a trophy OR have the cost of the trophy applied to their member dues (NO cash payout).  The member must state their election to the Treasurer or the member responsible for procuring the trophies prior to the production of the trophies.