DFW BASSMASTERS

Bylaws of the DFW Bassmasters 2010

ARTICLE I- Club Name

The club shall be known as the DFW Bassmasters. We are based out of the Dallas/ Fort Worth metro area in Northeast Texas. We are affiliated with the Texas Chapter of The Bass Federation (TBF), Inc.

ARTICLE II- Club Purpose

The general purposes of this nonprofit chapter club are:

(a) To facilitate the organized support, protection, education, and encouragement of sport fishing, youth, and conservation at all levels and to "partner" with other like minded groups to do the same.

(b) More particularly stated, purposes of the 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 right's 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 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 exchanges 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 like-minded groups.

(c) From time to time to sponsor fishing tournaments for the purpose of stimulating interest and to promote healthy competition between club members and between this club and other clubs of a like nature.

ARTICLE III- 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. Requirements 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 clubs purpose.
• (b) Become a member of The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF, Inc.) and The Texas State Federation and FLW
• (c) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot.
• (d) Be 16 years of age or older to be in an adult club.

Section 4. Membership Dues

The membership dues shall be $75 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the club, $15 of which shall go for TBF National Federation dues, $15 of which shall be for State Federation dues, $35 of which will go to FLW for Competitor membership and $10 which shall be for club dues. No pro-rations.

Section 5. Membership meetings

The membership shall hold regular meetings at pre established locations and times.

Section 6. Membership Duration

Membership shall be by calendar year.

Section 7. Any person that fishes any regular chapter club tournament that is not interested in membership into the chapter may fish with the invitation of a member.

ARTICLE IV- Officers

Section 1: 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 club functions during a 12 month period.
• (c) Have shown an active interest in all club functions.

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 of the club in good standing 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 Jan 1, and end on Dec 31st 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

• (a) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and be an ex-officio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions.
• (b) Vice President: Act as club programs chairman, and Tournament Director. Assist the president in his/her 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 club president. Collect and disperse all monies. Maintain accurate financial records and make sure it is posted on our web site.  Maintain regular liaison between the club and the TBF, Inc affiliated state Federation.
• (d) Club Conservation Director: Serve as liaison between the club and state and national conservation projects and attend all local and state conservation meetings/hearings.
• (e) Club Youth Director: Organize all youth activities and programs and start a Junior Angler's Club when the club is ready for this participation.

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 seven (7) members: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, Youth Director, and Conservation Director.

(2) The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.

(3) The board will decide all protest and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and bylaws of the club when appropriately received.

(4) The board will develop agendas for all 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) Conservation Committee: The Conservation Director shall chair this committee, its purpose shall be to protect our natural environment and resources from harm; to document and report to the proper authorities violation of local, state, and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances, or "other" incidences; to join in legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment of fisheries habitat; and to take a leadership role in repairing any harm that has been done to the waters of America. To work toward a responsible fisheries habitat and management agenda. The executive BOD shall have final authority over all committee decisions.
• (d) 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.

Section 1. Removal of Membership

A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons;

• (a) Failure to pay dues
• (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 meetings and 50% of club functions during a 12-month period.
• (d) Disqualification for any reason from participating in TBF, Inc. sponsored events, including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.

• (a) 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 felt necessary by the Board. Any action recommended by the Board and not specifically spelled out in this document shall require a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.

Any membership can be recalled by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership. At any time, for any reason.

ARTICLE VII - 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 and TBF, Inc Federation as they occur(see Article II, Section 4 for dues requirements)
• (d) Maintain 100% TBF, Inc. and FLW 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 tournament or events.

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 month prior to the vote.

Article VIIII- Tournament Rules

The following rules shall apply to all members, guests, and prospective members.

1. When your boat is on plane, life jackets and working kill switches must be worn. All other required safety devices will be required as well such as fire extinguisher, sounding device, etc.

2. The only persons eligible to fish the regular chapter tournaments shall be members and guests that were invited by a member.

3. Total entry fee for each chapter tournament will be $25 and will be delegated as follows;

• (a) 1-15 entries winner will receive 35%, 2nd place will receive 20%, 3rd place will receive 10% and big bass will receive 15% 16-30 entries winner will receive 30%, 2nd place 20%, 3rd place 10%, 4th place 5%. Big bass will receive 10%, 2nd big bass 5%. 31-45 entries winner will receive 25%, 2nd place 18%, 3rd place 10%, 4th place 5%. 1st place big bass will receive 7%, 2nd big bass 5%, 3rd big bass 3%. The club will keep 20% for the treasury.

5. Each bass submitted for weigh in that is not considered a legal size limit bass will be penalized 1 pound.

6. Each bass that is dead will be penalized 1/2 pound.

7.A penalty for any boat returning late to the weigh-in site will be penalized 1 pound per minute for the first 15 minutes and disqualification thereafter. If your total weight falls below 0, you will receive show up points only. You will still qualify for big bass and winnings unless you are disqualified in which case you will receive show up points only. The 1 pound per minute rule will start with your smallest fish, so if you are 2 minutes late and have a 6 lb bass and a 3 lb bass, your 3 lb bass will be credited only 1 pound. If you are 5 minutes late, you will lose 3 lbs plus 2 lbs from your big bass in which case your big bass will only be 4 lbs.

8. Any person being in possession of more than the legal limit of bass will be disqualified. Once you catch 1 more than the limit, you must cull immediately. No culling of dead fish will be allowed.

9. Only artificial baits with the exception of pork rinds and strips allowed. No trolling with the outboard motor. Only 1 rod with lure in water at a time. No rods over 8 feet in length.

10. Trailering will be allowed however you must remain in the launch area of where you are launching until the official tournament start time.

11. Participants are to keep a 50 yard courtesy distance from another boat that is anchored, with the trolling motor in the up position.

12. Outboard motor shall not exceed the boats BIR Rating.

13. Liability insurance ($300,000) required for all DFW Bassmasters members who are boaters

14. All club tournaments are individual. You bring your boat, you use it. You bring a partner; he or she can fish with you. Any non-boater will be paired up with another boater. If all boaters are paired and an extra non-boater cant be paired he may not fish unless someone voluntarily allows that person to join them, in which case your fish must be marked as to know which fish belongs to who.

15. A tie will be settled by splitting monies evenly or by a flip of a coin for end of year final standings.

16. The tournament committee will create a tournament schedule as well as the locations, ramps, and times.

17. We will be using a points system for angler of the year and standings. Points will be as follows;

• (a) 1st place stringer 100 points plus weight, 2nd place 99 points plus weight, etc. If you fish and do not weigh fish you will get 60 points.
• (b) 10 points for each club meeting attended, each State TBF tournament fished, each TBF Junior State Tournament assisted, and each Kids Fishing event put on by the club assisted, act as an official in a club sponsored open tournament or fish in a club sponsored open tournament, or any other event approved by the officers of the club
• We will use your best 6 tournaments plus meeting, state tournament, youth event points, and bonus points for end of year standings.

19. Any protests must be done with the tournament director immediately following the weigh-in.

20. The decision of the tournament director regarding the protest is final.

ARTICLE X- State Federation Tournaments

1. The DFW Bassmasters will send as many members to the state tournament as allowed by the Texas TBF, Inc. We will use all of the remaining treasury at that time to support financially the Top 6 only in point standings from the previous year.

2. We will attempt to send 50% as boaters with the highest in rank having first choice to be a boater. In the event we have an odd number, we shall take that boat and we may or may not be able to use it.

3. All boaters will be required to have liability insurance in the amount required by the TBF, Inc.

4. All non- boaters will be required to bring your own life jacket.

5. We will send our highest ranked 6 to represent the club in a Top 6 tournament at the end of the year with the highest 3 having 1st choice as to be a boater. The club will use what is remaining at the end of the year minus $75 to support the team. We will use current year standings.

6. We will use the remaining $75 to pay the membership dues for the next year for the angler of the year.