By Laws
ROD BENDERS BASS CLUB, INC.
CONSTITUTION
Article 1 - Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
This Chapter shall be called the Rod Benders Bass Club of Atlanta, Georgia.
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 crime. To improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas. To promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreational sport.
Article II - Membership
Section 1: Qualifications for Membership
Any person who is interested in the objective goals of Rod Benders Bass Club shall be considered a candidate for membership if:
a. voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership
b. recommended by one member at a regular monthly meeting
c. a resident of the State of Georgia and sixteen (16) years of age (minimum)
Section 2: Orientation
a. The prospective member shall fish with any club member that is not a relative of the candidate. The member has to be in good standing with the club to help determine the candidate's sportsmanship, conduct and prowess. This action shall take place prior to fishing any of the club's regular tournaments.
Section 3: Probation Period
a. The probationary period for a new member shall be sixty (60) days from the first meeting he attends.b. At the completion of probation period, full membership may be awarded to new member by a show of hands from the members present. Full membership will not be awarded if two (2) no votes are received. An explanation of a no vote is required.
Section 4: Membership Dues
a. The membership dues shall be $264.00 annually or $22.00 per month minimum. Membership dues shall be paid prior to fishing any tournaments.b. As a new candidate for membership, you are required to pay $125.00 initiation fees which covers jacket and cap.
Section 5: Duties
a. All members shall take part in the program as assigned, voted or volunteered to help promote and encourage fellowship among ourselves and others.
Article III - Meetings
Section 1: Procedures
a. The business of the club shall be transacted according to parliamentary law, as stated in Robert's Rules of Order, on the first Sunday of every month at 5:00 p.m. unless notified otherwise (per President discretion).1. Call to order
2. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
3. Treasurers report
4. Roll call/fifteen minutes after call to order
5. Introduction of guests
6. Report of permanent committees
7. Report of special committees
8. Unfinished business
9. New business
10. Program
11. Adjournment
Section 2: Location
a. One regular meeting shall be held each month beginning in January and ending in September/October (optional). The location of our meeting will be announced prior to adjournment.
Section 3: Special Meetings
a. Special meetings shall be called by the President or by the four remaining officers of the Executive Board.b. Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the club's business as stated in Article III, Section 1.
Section 4: Pairing
a. The pairing of partners shall be done at the meeting prior to the tournament by placing boater's name in a hat and having non-boaters draw.b. The same two members shall not fish together on two consecutive club tournaments.
c. A club member must either be at the meeting or inform the Tournament Director or an officer prior to the meeting to be allowed to pair for the following tournament.
d. If he is not present or has not contacted the Tournament Director, or an officer, he will not be paired. If he does show up for the tournament, he will be allowed to fish but he will not be eligible for the prize fund, points and weigh-in. Mess authorization is given by the Tournament Director, or officers in the absence of the Tournament Director.
Section 5: Voting
a. The government of this club shall be autonomous in form, and the right of administration shall be in the body itself. A majority vote of those present and voting during the business session shall be sufficient to pass any motion or resolution, unless otherwise specified in Article IX, Section 2.
Article IV - Officers
Section 1: Elections
a. The election of officers shall be held annually at the regular meeting during the month of September/October. Election should be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order listed in Article IV, Section 2. All officers shall take office immediately at the close of the session in which they are elected. All of the officers as described under Article IV, Section 2 shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2: Duties
a. President
1. Preside at all meetings.
2. Call special meetings at his discretion.
3. Appoint special committees that are not provided for.
4. Oversee the rules, regulations and By-Laws of the club.
5. Perform other such duties that are customary to the office of President.b. The Vice-President shall be an aide to the President, and in the absence or disability of the President, shall perform the duties of President. The Vice-President will assume the duties of the Secretary in the absence of the Secretary.
c. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings. Minutes shall be maintained for all regular and special meetings accurately.
d. The Treasurer shall collect and disburse all moneys. Maintain accurate financial records and present a current income and expense summary at each regular meeting, and sign checks for the expenditures of the club with other signatures required.
e. The Assistant Treasurer shall take over the duties of the treasurer in his/her absence.
f. The Tournament Director shall coordinate all fishing trips. Appoint two (2) weigh-in officials from club membership. He shall maintain a complete record of all points for tournaments and give the results at each meeting. See that each member abides by the basic tournament rules and see that fish which are to be released are handled properly and released quickly. Stress Catch and Release Program.
Section 3: Vacancies
a. In the event an office becomes vacant, nominations shall be required, and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the vacant office. The member elected shall immediately assume responsibility for those duties, and hold office until the next regular election.
Section 4: Term of Office
a. The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on October 31 and end October 31 the following year.
Article V - Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees
These are specifically named in the By-Laws and are elected or appointed for a defined term to perform particular assignments of a permanent nature.
Section 2: Special Committees
Those which, when need arises, are elected (or appointed) in accordance with the vote of an assembly to render a particular service of temporary character. The committee may be selected for deliberation or investigation in the organization. The committee shall consist of odd numbers to prevent tie votes.
Article VI - Travel Expenses
Section 1: Late Withdrawal
The necessary preparation shall be made so that we start our tournaments on time. A member shall have 24 hours prior to date of tournament to inform the Executive Board (officer) or Tournament Director and, if at all possible, his partner that he will not fish. Otherwise, a twenty dollar ($22.00) penalty will be imposed, except in the case of an emergency as defined by the Executive Board.
Section 2: Expenses
Per diem rates for participants as non-boat owners and guest shall be as follows: 1. all trips $30.00Mileage is calculated from Interstate 285 to the boat ramp. Any trip for two (2) days or more must be worked out by boat owners and non-boat owner. Fees will not be valid if the non-boat owner pulls the boat to and from the lake. NOTE: On the second day of a two day event the non-boater shall pay the boater $10.00 for expenses.
Article VII - Tournament Rules
Section 1: Eligibility
Any boat in the water at starting time will be allowed to start, per the Tournament Director's direction. It is the responsibility of the boater and his partner to be at the ramp and ready to fish 15 minutes before starting time. There is no penalty for a late start if paired boater and non-boater are together. If a boater is left without a partner at starting time, he is not required to wait. The boater may check the ramp later, but this is not required. Should a non-boater be left without a partner at starting time, the Tournament Director will contact the boaters and arrange for the non-boater to fish three in a boat. No one leaves the lake unless everybody is accounted for. A $5.00 tournament fee shall be paid prior to launching boat per individual.Section 2: Safety
Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by all tournament competitors. Each competitor is required to wear a coast guard approved chest-type life preserver. This preserver must be worn any time the boat is above idle speed (5 mph). The preserver must be strapped, snapped, or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until competitor reaches his fishing location. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification.Section 3: Sportsmanship
Competitors in our tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification and/or suspension. Drunkenness by any competitor during the tournament will not be tolerated. This shall be cause for automatic disqualification for this and all future tournaments. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regards to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor which reflects unfavorably upon the club's effort to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy shall be reason for disqualification.Section 4: Tackle and Equipment
Only artificial lures may be used. No "live bait" will be permitted. The participant can use pork rinds, strips, etc. Only one casting, spin-casting or spinning rod and reel may be used at one time. All bass must be caught alive in a conventional fishing manner.Section 5: Fishing Restrictions
No participant shall fish within 50 yards of a marina gas pump or dock defined as start point. No boat shall fish within 50 yards of an anchored tournament boat. All fishing must be done from the boat. Contestant must not depart boat to land fish.Section 6: Penalties
a. Late penalty Any member arriving late for weigh-in will be penalized 10 ounces of his total weight for each minute he is late. Fish will not be weighed after 15 minutes.
b. Over allowed limit penalty Any member checking into the weigh-in station with more than the allowed lake limit of fish will be disqualified.
c. Undersize fish penalty
Undersize fish will be determined by placing fish on an official measuring board, with mouth closed, sliding hand from head to tail. The tail may be twisted to the fisherman's best advantage. The fish will be disallowed if the tail does not reach the mark. The penalty for bringing an undersize fish to the weigh-in will be disqualification of your largest fish, or tournament points if the contestant has no other fish. Tournament Director cannot check fish prior to official weigh-in. Largest size limit on the lake applies to all species. If a lake has a slot limit or limit less than 12 inches, we will use the high number for minimum length. This applies to all species of fish to be weighed in.d. Ties will be resolved by:
1. Most fish
2. Most fish alive
3. Big fish
4. Cutting card (high card wins)Section 7: Culling
a. Each competitor is expected to keep his catch alive if possible, by use of properly aerated live wells. A member is not allowed to cull dead fish.b. For each legal bass weighed in and released alive, the competitor shall be awarded two additional ounces per fish to be scored as ordinary weight.
Section 8: Rule Infractions
The decision of the tournament committee will be final on any rule infraction having a penalty disqualification. All protests are to be lodged while at weigh-in to the Tournament Director.Section 9: Guests
Guests will be allowed to fish if there is a vacancy with a boat owner. Advance notice must be given to the Tournament Director or an officer of the Executive Board. A three (3) day notice is required for acceptance. If the guest is a boat owner, he will be expected to follow rules and regulations of Rod Benders Bass Club. He is also required to give a three (3) day notice for acceptance. Pairing will be done per Tournament Director.
Article VIII - Scoring
Section 1: Point System
a. 1 point for attending each meeting.
b. 1 point for answering roll call.
c. Most weigh points for fish.
d. Second heaviest weigh; points for fish.
e. Third heaviest weigh; points for fish.
f. 2 points for fishing tournament as a registered competitor; per Article VII, Section 1.One ounce of fish weigh will equal one point. Bonus points will be added as indicated in Article VII, Section 7(b).
Section 2: Trophies
a. Big Fish: The largest fish caught for the year weighing over five pounds.b. First Place: Total number of points accumulated throughout the season. This includes meeting points, tournament points, and fish points.
c. Second Place: The second highest number of points as described above in Article VIII, Section 2(b).
d. Third Place: The third highest number of points as described above in Article VIII, Section 2(b).
e. Four additional trophy categories will be distributed at the discretion of the standing committee in charge of the program.
Article IX - Dismissal
Section 1: Inactiveness
Membership dues shall be kept current. If dues are not paid,a. prior to the tournament, the member will not be eligible to fish in the tournament.
b. sixty (60) days after they become due he shall be declared suspended. If he remains delinquent at the end of ninety (90) days, his name shall be removed from the roll as a member. A thirty (30) day advance notice shall be sent to the suspended member prior to ninety (90) day grace period.
c. Leave of Absence Leave time is granted to any member in good standing. All dues must be current prior to leave. Leave time may not exceed six (6) months or till end of year in which leave was granted, whichever comes first. Exception to this rule will be approved by the Executive Board. Leave of absence must be submitted to the Executive Board in writing.
Section 2: Removal
A member shall be dropped from the membership role for the following:a. Failure to pay dues as outlined in Article II, Section 4(a).
b. Cheating in a club tournament.
c. Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the Rod Benders Bass Club.
d. Failure to attend 50% of the club's meetings and 50% of the club's functions, if the absentees are not work related.
e. All other reasons require 2/3 vote of the club members present at a regular meeting.
Article X - Amending the Constitution
Section 1: Method of Amending
The Constitution may be amended at a regular meeting if discussion takes place at the present meeting and voting occurs on the proposed amendment at the next regular meeting. A 2/3 vote of the voting members present will be required to change the By-Laws.Waiver of Liability: I hereby release all officers and members of the Rod Benders Bass Club from all claims of injury or damages resulting in participating in any of Rod Benders Bass Club tournament events.
Note: All boat owners using their boats in any Rod Benders Bass Club tournament event must be insured and carry at least the minimum liability coverage. Article XI - Confirmation
