By Laws

Lowndes County Bassmasters

LOWNDES COUNTY BASSMASTERS

BY LAWS

AMENDED September 2007

ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1: Name

This club shall be called Lowndes County Bassmasters of Valdosta, Georgia.

Section 2: Purpose

To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. To offer our state conservation department our organized 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, and to promote and encourage youth fishing, and a love for this great sport. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the Georgia Bass Chapter Federation embracing the principles and purposes of The Bass Federation.

ARTICLE II – Membership

Section 1: Number of Members

The chapter shall maintain at least six members.

Section 2: Requirement for Membership

To become a member, a person shall:

(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

(b) Be a member of FLW

(d) Be 16 years of age.

(e) A new member may join the club at a tournament by paying the yearly dues and the tournament entry fee. If the initiate places they will be paid the appropriate prize regardless if they are affirmed into the club at the next meeting. To be a member and continue to fish, they must be voted in at the next meeting.

Section 3: Membership Dues

Membership dues are thirty-five dollars ($35) annually, fifteen dollars ($15) for National Federation dues, twelve dollars ($12) for State Federation dues, and eight dollars ($8) for the Lowndes County Bassmasters. Any member who solicits a sponsorship fee of one hundred dollars ($100) or more will be exempt from the thirty-five dollar ($35) annual membership dues.

FLW membership dues are also required at the current rate.

Section 4: Meetings of Members

The membership shall hold meetings on designated days after the monthly tournament, commencing at 6:30 pm. The President for good and necessary reasons may call special meetings as long as there is advance notice given to the membership.

ARTICLE III – Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility

Section 1: Officers and their Duties

The officers of this 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. Authorized to sign checks as an alternate to the Treasurer.

(b) Vice President: Act as program chairman, assists the president in his duties and presides in the absence of the president. Authorized to sign checks as an alternate to the Treasurer.

(c) Secretary/Treasurer: Maintain regular liaison between the chapter and TBF, Inc. and the Georgia B.A.S.S. Chapter Federations. Collect and disburse all moneys. 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 funds be bonded.

(d) Weigh Master: Shall plan, organize, and operate all chapter tournaments. Keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules and investigate all protests concerning tournaments and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

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 order listed in Article III, Section 1.

Section 3: Eligibility of Vote

Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy/Absentee votes are not permitted.

Section 4: Term of Office

The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on January 1^st and end the last day of December or until a successor assumes office.

Section 5: Vacancies

In the event of an office becoming vacant, nomination shall be asked for and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National and State Federations shall be notified immediately of the change of any officer.

Section 6: 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/or 75% of chapter functions during a 6 month period.

(d) Maintain current FLW membership.

Section 7: Negligence

Any officer or director found negligent in his/her performance of assigned duties may be removed from office and suspended from club membership for a period of time agreed upon by the membership at a regular chapter meeting.

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 the chapter officers, the immediate past-president, and two (2) members elected at large by majority vote of the members present at the December regular meeting.

(1) The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

(2) The Secretary will record minutes of these meetings.

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

(4) The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.

(b) Youth Committee: repealed. Entire membership will be responsible for implementing any functions throughout the year.

(c) Conservation Committee: repealed. Entire membership will be responsible for implementing any functions throughout the year.

(d) Tournament Committee: weigh master has replaced committee.

(e) Entertainment Committee: repealed. Entire membership will be responsible for implementing any functions throughout the year.

ARTICLE V – Removal of Membership

Section 1: Removal of Membership

A member can be dropped from the membership roll for the following:

(a) Failure to pay dues.

(b) Any action, which would reflect, dishonor or disgrace this chapter, TBF Inc., and/or FLW.

(d) Disqualification for any reason from participating in FLW sponsored events including disqualifications for use of drugs or alcohol.

ARTICLE VI – Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation

(a) Approval of Chapter Charter by the TBF, Inc.

(b) Update TBF, Inc. with a chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current TBF, Inc. roster at year’s end.

(d) Maintain 100% FLW membership.

(e) Must affiliate with Georgia State Federation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the Georgia State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership dues, attendance of meetings, etc., would be necessary for the chapter to participate in the Georgia State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation sponsored tournaments or events.

ARTICLE VII – Chapter Awards

Section 1: Angler and Lunker of the Year

Angler of the year awards will be given at the end of the fishing year and will consist of Angler of the Year, 2^nd place, 3^rd place, 4^th place, 5^th place, 6^th place and Lunker of the Year caught in tournament competition. Awards will be presented at the end of the year social function. Criteria for selection will be the total weight system. Additional weight is awarded for attending club meetings (2 lbs.), functions (2 lbs.), and tournaments (2 lbs.). The additional weight awarded for fishing a tournament will not be deducted if the contestant leaves before the official check-in; however, the contestants is disqualified from the tournament.

Section 2: Sportsman of the Year

Sportsman of the year award will be determined by secret ballot (write-in) at the December meeting. Selection will be determined by two (2) ballots, second ballot will have top three (3) qualifiers from the first ballot. Trophy will be awarded at the end of the year social function.

ARTICLE VIII - Tournaments

Section 1: Location of Tournaments

The club is not limited to fishing any lake, river, or body of water during the year, which runs from Jan. 1^st through the last day of October. The tournament season for points will be from Jan. 1^st through October 31^st.

Section 2: Tournament Fee

Tournament fees will consist of $35 entry fee of which $5 will be for the Top 6 Team and $6.40 is used to operate the club. The remainder is paid out to the top three places. Big fish pot, which is optional, will be $10. All fees will be paid at the tournament site prior to the official start time. Late arrivals will pay an officer of the club before the contestant starts fishing and their boat live wells will be checked at that time.

ARTICLE IX – Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1: Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 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. Bylaws approved by the majority vote of membership present on October 16, 2008.

2009 Lowndes County Bassmaster Officers

President: Oscar Aguero

Vice-President: Danny Metcalf

Secretary/Treasurer: Raymond Upchurch

Weigh Master: Dave Leonard

Immediate Past President: Oscar Aguero

Member at Large: Ken Morey

Member at large: Jason Kotterman

Webmaster: Jim O’Connor