FOREST CITY BASSMASTERS CLUB BY-LAWS
LONDON, ONTARIO
ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
This chapter shall be called the:
FOREST CITY BASSMASTERS
NAME OF CHAPTER
LONDON, ONTARIO
CITY STATE
Section 2: Purpose
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. 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 basscatching 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 B.A.S.S. Nation, embracing the principles and purposes of B.A.S.S.®.
ARTICLE II – Membership
Section 1: Number of Members
The chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six members.
Section 2: Requirement for Regular Membership
To become a chapter member, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be a member of B.A.S.S. (See ARTICLE VI for affiliation requirements.)
(c) Be a member of the state B.A.S.S. Nation.
(f) Be 16 years of age.
Section 3: Requirements for Junior Membership*
To become a junior member of an adult chapter, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be under 16 years of age.
*Junior members are not required to pay national membership dues and are not entitled to the benefits of a regular member. The acceptance of junior members will not affect a club’s liability insurance policy. Junior members may not hold office in an adult club nor may they be voting members. At age 16, junior members may continue membership by joining the club as a regular member. Junior membership ceases on a person’s 16th birthday.
Section 4: Membership Dues
The membership dues shall be $75 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the chapter, $32(USD) of which is BASS dues, $12 of which shall be for Ontario Bass Nation (OBN) dues and the remainder of which shall be for chapter dues. B.A.S.S. membership dues are also required at the current rate. (See ARTICLE VI, Section 1 for state affiliation requirements.)
Section 5: Meetings of Members
The membership shall hold regular meetings at preestablished times. (Generally last Tuesday of every month at 7 pm – some exceptions)
ARTICLE III – Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility
Officers shall conduct the affairs of the Chapter in a manner consistent with these Bylaws. The State B.A.S.S. Nation Board of Directors is required to be comprised of members who are free to serve the State and its members without a conflict of interest. Any State Board Member or State Officer, or an employee of any other B.A.S.S. federation type organization will not be permitted to hold an office within the B.A.S.S. Nation at any level.
Section 1: 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 program chairman, assist the president in his/
her duties and preside in the absence of the president.
(c) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called for by the chapter president. Maintain regular liaison between your chapter and the B.A.S.S. Nation and the state B.A.S.S. Nation chapter.
(d) Treasurer: Collect and disburse all monies. Maintain accurate financial records and present a current balance report at each regular meeting. Prepare an annual audit for review by the chapter board of directors. The chapter may vote that the treasurer and any other officer handling chapter funds must be bonded.
(e) Conservation Chairman: Serve as liaison between the chapter and state and national conservation/environmental agencies. Plan chapter conservation projects and attend all local and state conservation meetings/hearings.
(f) Youth Chairman (if needed): Organize all youth activities and programs. Coordinate youth events and start a Junior Bassmaster Chapter when the chapter is ready for this sponsorship.
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 the 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 DECEMBER 4TH 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 unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National B.A.S.S. headquarters 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. (Six months’ requirement waived during first 12 monthsof chapter existence.)
(b) Have attended at least 50% of the chapter meetings and 50% of chapter functions during a 12 month period.
(c) Have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.
(d) Maintain current B.A.S.S. 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 members: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, immediate past president and two members elected at large by majority vote of the members present at the December regular meetings.
(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 these meetings.
(3) The board will rule on all tournament rules infractions, chapter bylaws violations and all protests when appropriately received.
(4) The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.
(b) Youth Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement a chapter youth project; to introduce young people to the goals of B.A.S.S.; to give them a basis of respect for our national heritage and 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.
(c) Conservation Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to protect our natural environment from harmful change; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of
local, state and federal antipollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and other regulatory devices; to take legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational
programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment; and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the lifegiving waters of America.
(d) Tournament Committee: The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all chapter tournaments. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules, which must then be approved by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules, investigate all protests concerning tournaments and make recommendations to the board of directors.
ARTICLE V – Removal of Membership
Section 1: Removal of Membership
Members may be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:
(a) Failure to pay dues.
(b) Any action that would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the chapter and/or B.A.S.S. Nation.
(c) Disqualification for any reason from participating in B.A.S.S.sponsored events, including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.
Note: Military deployment exempt.
ARTICLE VI – Affiliation
Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation
(a) Approval of chapter charter by B.A.S.S..
(b) Update B.A.S.S. with chapter membership roster once each year. Annual update cycle begins each year on Nov. 1.
(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted online to B.A.S.S. as they occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)
(d) Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership.
(e) Must affiliate with the state Nation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the state establishes for chapters, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the chapter to participate in the state qualifying tournament(s) and any other Nation 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 charter members, do hereby agree to the above bylaws and the commencement of the chapter on this the 25TH day of FEBRUARY 2014.
