MOUND CITY BASSMASTER’S BY-LAWS
Article 1 – Name and Purpose
Section 1 – Name
This chapter shall be called the Mound City Bassmasters of Moundsville, WV.
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 or 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 Federation (TBF) embracing the principles and purposes of the FLW Outdoors Organization.
Article II – Membership
Section 1 – Number of Members
The chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six charter members. During the chapter’s first six months of existence, total general membership shall not exceed 25 members. After six months, this number may be altered by amendment.
Section 2 – Requirements for Membership
To become a chapter member, a person will:
a. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
b. If the prospective member is not a member of FLW Outdoors, they must become one.
c. Be recommended by two members at a regular monthly meeting.
d. Be voted on by the membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot and affirmation must be unanimous.
e. Full membership shall then be awarded.
f. Must be 16 years of age with parent’s permission.
g. Special provisions for applicants who do not own a boat (non- boater ):
a. At the beginning of each year, only maximum of 33% of the membership can be non-boaters.
b. The club will maintain a waiting list for non-boaters wishing to join the club.
c. Non-boater applicants will be placed on the list when 33% allowance for non-boaters has been met.
d. Any non-boater member of the club that looses his membership for
any given reason will go to the end of the waiting list upon his request to rejoin the club again.
e. No new Non-boater will be accepted into the club as long as there is a maximum of 33% of members that are non-boaters.
Section 3: Membership Dues
The membership dues shall be determined by the membership and be payable upon being voted into the chapter. All members must have their club dues of $75.00 for the upcoming year paid by the first meeting in November. $15.00 of this fee shall be sent to the FLW Outdoors Organization for dues.
Article III – Officer, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility
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 ex officio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions.
b. Vice-President: Act as program chairman, assist the president in his 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 the chapter and the FLW Outdoors Organization and the West Virginia The Bass Federation (TBF).
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.
Section 2: Elections
The election of officers shall be held annually at the regular meeting during the month of November. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election of 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 1 and end of the last meeting day of November or until the successor assumes office. Original slate of officers shall serve until the last meeting day of the following November.
Section 5: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. The FLW Outdoors Organization headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.
Section 6: Eligibility of Holding Office
To be eligible to hold office a member must:
a. Have been a member for six months. (Six month requirement shall be waived during the first 12 months of chapter existence.)
b. Have attended at least ¾ of the chapter meetings and ¾ of chapter functions.
c. Have shown and active interest in all chapter functions.
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.
a. Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of Five members; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Immediate Past President.
1. The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meeting.
2. The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.
3. The board will decide all pretests and rule on all violations of the by-laws of the chapter when appropriately.
4. Develop agenda for the monthly meetings.
b. Youth Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement a Chapter Youth Project. The Youth Committee will also introduce young people to the goals of the FLW Outdoor Organization which give youth a basis for respect of our national heritage. An appreciation of the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship will also be taught and the committee will introduce the youth to the sheer joy of fishing.
c. Conservation Committee: The purpose of the committee shall be to protect our natural environment from harmful change and to document and report to the proper authorities and violations of local, state and federal anti-pollution committee will also take political action to improve our environment and take legal action where appropriate, and will form information and educational programs to bring public awareness to threats to our environment. The Conservation Committee will also take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the life-giving waters of
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 and investigate all protests concerning tournaments and make final decisions concerning these protests.
Article V – Removal of Membership
A member shall be dropped from the membership role for the following:
a. Failure to pay the next year’s dues by the November meeting.
b. Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on this chapter
c. Failure to attend 50% of the chapter meetings and 50% of chapter functions during a 12 month period, taking into account excuses acceptable to the Board of Directors
d. Maintain 100% FLW Outdoors membership.
Article VI – Affiliation
Requirements for Affiliation
a. Approval of Chapter Charter by FLW Outdoors.
b. Update FLW Outdoors with a chapter membership roster once a year, immediately following election of Chapter Officers and Directors.
c. Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to FLW Outdoors as they occur. The necessary forms are included in the FLW Outdoors Chapter Handbooks.
d. Maintain 100% FLW Outdoors membership.
e. Support State Federation conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership dues, attendance at meetings, etc; would be necessary in order for the chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournament(s) and any other federation sponsored tournaments or events.
Article VII
Method of Amending the Constitution and By-laws
The constitution and by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of the members present, provided notice of the amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.
Revised and approved 01/03/07
RFA