Constitution and By-Laws:
CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE  1

DESCRIPTION

            This private organization shall be known as the Fort Polk Community Bassmasters.  The club is a non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting and instructing the sport and art of angling, and the preservation of the environment.

 ARTICLE  2

MEMBERSHIP

            Membership is voluntary and open to all persons, 16 years or older, regardless of race, creed, national origin, and sex or marital status.   Denial of membership and  / or expulsion from membership may occur when there is proof of ethical or legal misconduct, including but not exclusive of: unsportsman like conduct, violation of club, state, or federal laws, incidents concerning morals or a lack of integrity.  If a situation occurs which may involve denial / expulsion, the following must occur: all alleged facts will be presented to the President, in writing, by the accuser(s).  The President will review the statements and confront the accused, who, within ten normal working days, may provide a written statement and any proof necessary to prove innocence.  The President will call together a general membership meeting; present the written statement and any additional findings to the club for argument, discussion, and vote.  If the accused is apparently guilty of violations of the state or federal law, the matter may be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency for disposition.  As a condition of membership, members must read this constitution and By-laws.

ARTICLE  3

CLUB OFFICERS / ELECTIONS

             The elected club officers will consist of President, Vice President, and Secretary/ Treasurer.  The term of office is one year. 

             Elections are conducted each December.  The November newsletter is the minimum required means of notifying active club members of the elections.  Absentee Voting; if the president has in his possession a signed letter reflecting the vote of an absent member, it will be counted for a nominated candidate.  Individuals seeking nomination / renomination may inform the secretary for mention in the November newsletter.  The first day of office for the newly elected officers will be immediately following the vote.  In the event of a vacancy, the senior club officer will fulfill the duties of the vacancy until a special election can be scheduled and a new officer elected.

                                              ARTICLE  4ARTICLE  4

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

             The constitution and by-laws will be reviewed at the end of each year.  Any proposed changes will be considered and voted on at that time.  Once a decision has been reached the new constitution and by-laws will remain active for the entire following year.

The proposed changes will be sent out in the November newsletter to alert members who were not present at the meeting in which the changes were recommended.  Those members have until the December meeting to notify one of the club officers of their vote.  If no vote is heard from that member, the club will consider that member as abstaining. If the club accepts the proposed changes it will be changed in the constitution or by-laws for the following year.

 

                                                     ARTICLE  5

DISSOLUTION

             Dissolution of the club requires a response from all active members.  If dissolved, all club assets will be placed into one pot and a tournament will be held to distribute remaining funds.

                                                 ARTICLE  6ARTICLE  6
                    MEETINGS, QUORUMS, AND ACTIVITIES

            MEETINGS:  Conducted on the Thursday prior to the monthly tournaments.  (Tournaments are scheduled by a vote of the club members present).  The President, or President’s Designee, may call the club or individuals, to meetings for special purpose whenever required.  Format for regular meetings will include: new business, financial report, and / or other information required by the club officers or membership.

            QUORUMS:  The number of active member votes necessary to conduct business for the club, usually the majority, which may include votes of “in favor”, “not in favor”, and “abstain”.  If a majority of the active members of the club are not present at the time a vote is needed an absentee vote will be allowed.  These members will be notified in the monthly newsletter and will have the next club meeting to respond or they automatically abstain.  These votes are as follows:

             By-laws:  A majority of active club members.

             Constitution, Amendments to:  A majority of active members.

             Dissolution of the Club:  A vote or response is required from all active club members.

 

            ACTIVITIES:  Affiliation and Association:  When the club elects to become affiliated with, or join another organization, the rules of that organization will be attached to this Constitution as an addendum, if they are available.  If the rules of the club are more stringent than those of the organization joined or affiliated with, a vote will be required by the club to determine if changes are required.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE  I

RULE CHANGES

             The interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the club membership by a majority vote of active members.  If a majority of active members are not present at the time of recommended changes then the non-present members will be notified in the newsletter of the recommended change.  Those members have until the next meeting to vote on the change or will be considered abstaining.  The decision of the majority vote shall be final in all matters

 

ARTICLE  II

DESCRIPTION OF CLUB OFFICER FUNCTIONS

 

PRESIDENT:

 Presides at all meetings.  Represents, or designates attendees, for the club at related activities.  Overall in charge of club activities. Ensures the tournament site is safe and the club is allowed to hold a tournament at that site.  Ensure all equipment to conduct the tournament is at the tournament location.  Appoints optional positions as required, and weigh-master.  Serves as a member of the Tournament Committee.

 

VICE-PRESIDENT:

 Is the alternate for all President functions when the President is absent.  Conducts the boater / non-boater drawings.  Is the Public Relations director (and / or supervisor) disseminating club related activity information to many types of news media and affiliated or joined organizations.  Gathers information from various sources, which may be of interest to the club for publication in the “newsletter”.  Serves as a member of the Tournament Committee.  

 

SECRETARY / TREASURER: 

Takes and maintains minutes of meetings.  Provides results of tournaments and optional competitions in a monthly “newsletter” to the membership.  Maintains roster of the membership.  Provides necessary forms.  Publishes and disseminates the club Newsletter.  Documents tournament results, gathers statistics.  Maintains bank account for the club.  Provides a financial report at meetings.  Collects money from club activities.  Maintains rosters for dues required from members.  Insures affiliated or joined organizations receive monies due.  Distributes prize money, according to the club payout matrix.  Arranges for audit with two club members annually and when departing the office prematurely.  Club Tournaments entry fees are paid by club.  Serves as a member of the Tournament Committee.

 

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

 

AFFILIATIONS: 

This club is affiliated with the B.A.S.S National Federation effective 11 November 2008.

This club is affiliated with the Louisiana B.A.S.S State Federation effective 11 November 2008.

 

DUES:

The money required for an individual to be a member of the club.

 

Club Dues:

$12.00 annually, payable in the anniversary month of the club member.

 

B.A.S.S. National Federation Dues(optional):

$30.00 annually, payable in November provides the club insurance.

 

Louisiana B.A.S.S. State Federation Dues(optional):

$25.00 annually, payable in November, allows participation in state tournaments.

 

Tournament Entry Fee:

$25.00, of which 20% ($4.00) will go to the club’s account.

 

Big Bass (optional):

$5.00, 100% payback for the largest bass of a tournament.

 

Annual Big Bass (optional):

$12.00 annually, 100% payback, paid in a lump sum for the largest bass caught by an active, paid up member during the year from January through November.  The prize will be awarded at the club banquet. In the event of a tie, the pot will be evenly divided.

 

POINTS:

Points will be used as the means of determining the clubs “Angler of the year” Point scoring is based on the tournament year.  The tournament year is defined as Calendar Year from January through December.

 

Angler of the Year Points:  Based on the placement in each tournament of the year.  Scoring will be a 1-point per ounce system (example 10.00lbs = 160 points).  Total points from all tournaments will determine “Angler of the Year”.  In case of a tie for “Angler of the Year” the biggest bass caught throughout the year will break the tie.

 

Sportsman of the Year:  Will be determined by a Club Vote on who is the most deserving member to receive the Sportsman of the Year Honors. Voting will be done prior to the Club Championship in December. 

 

END OF THE YEAR POINTS FOR TOP TWO ANGLERS: 

Announced after the last tournament of the year.  Top two anglers for the club are determined by adding the points of an angler as determined by the point system discussed in the POINTS paragraph.  These top anglers will have their entry fees paid for the upcoming State Qualifying Tournaments. In the event that either or both of these anglers decline to go to either State Qualifying Tournaments the club will maintain those moneys in the club account.

 

ANGLER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Angler of the year will be paid $700. Paid from the club funds.

 

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Sportsman of the year will be paid $300. Paid from the club funds.

 

SECRETARY / TREASURER TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES: 

All club tournament entry fees for the Secretary / Treasurer will be paid out of the club account. This entry fee will be included in the tournament pay out.

 

ABSENTEE VOTE: 

An absentee vote is when a member is unable to make the meeting, however, wants to vote.  He/She must submit a signed document stating this and the way he/she wants to vote.  Of the active offices must receive the vote in writing (letter or e-mail).

 

 

ARTICLE IV

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

 

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULING:

The fishing year is from January through December each calendar year.  Every attempt will be made to schedule at least 10 tournaments a year.  The club will only fish Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn.   The Club will fish Toledo Bend in the months of Jan, Mar, May, July, Sep, and Nov.  The Club will Fish Sam Rayburn in the months of Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, and Oct.  The date and launch site for each tournament will be decided by the majority vote of members in attendance at the meeting preceding the next month’s tournament.  This schedule will be updated and published in the monthly newsletter and updated annually.   The club will not fish on federal holidays.  If the date of a tournament must be changed it will be done so by the majority vote of members in attendance. 

 

PARTICIPATION / ELIGBILITY: 

Open to members of Fort Polk Community Bassmasters who are 16 years of age or older and a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.  Members must be paid in full on club dues and entry fees prior to fishing a tournament.  Any person entering the tournament that is under 18 years of age must have the signature of parent or legal guardian on the entry form.

 

Non-Boater guests

Will be required to pay the entry fee and arrange to split expenses with the boater.  Guest will be allowed to fish one tournament under the guest ruling.

 

Boater guest

Will be required to pay the entry fee only.  Guest will be allowed to fish one tournament under the guest ruling. Boater guest must participate in boater/non-boater paring.

 

PARTNER PAIRING: 

All partner pairings will occur at the launch site prior to each tournament.  Club members may not fish together two consecutive tournaments.  Boaters who register as boaters are guaranteed boat use at that tournament.  Boat expenses are at the discretion of the boat owner and must be discussed prior to launch.  These expenses should not be excessive and if the non-boater deems them to be excessive he / she must notify the tournament officials prior to launch at which time the tournament official will determine whether a new partner pairing should occur.  The boater also has the right to notify tournament officials prior to launch should the non-boater refuse to pay.  The non-boater has the right to fish his/her fishing locations half of the tournament day.  Failure of the boater to concur with the non-boaters request or operate the boat in a manner to unfairly handicap his partner is grounds for disqualification and must be turned into a tournament official  writing within 15 minutes after check-in time.  If a member attends partner pairing and can not fish because of a bonifide emergency, his / her money will be refunded.  If the person is a boater, and had a non-boater partner, the non-boater will be paired with the next drawn boater.

 

DISQUALIFICATION:  Any ticketed violation of state or Federal laws will be an automatic disqualification from a tournament.

 

POLYGRAPH: 

Failure to take or pass a polygraph / voice test examination, if required, will result in immediate disqualification without recourse.

 

HOURS: 

Official fishing time shall be from safe light until 3 p.m. These times may be changed at the tournament site based on a majority vote of members fishing.

 

WEIGH-IN: 

All contestants must be at the check in point at 3 p.m. late arrivals will be assessed one pound per minute penalty up to 15 minutes and disqualified after 15 minutes.  The pounds and ounces on the scale will be used to determine place of finish, big bass, and points accrued during the tournament.  One pound will be deducted from the tournament weight for each short fish brought to the scales plus the loss of that fish. A four-ounce (4-oz.) penalty will be assessed per dead fish brought to the scales.  These penalties will be deducted from total weight prior to place of finish being determined. 

 

PAYOUT:

 Places will be paid based on the 2006 payout matrix.  The 2006 payout matrix was approved by the general membership in the January 2006 meeting.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT:

 

Eligibility:  

Any club member that has a total of 6 tournaments on record (4 of the tournaments must be physically fished and 2 may be paid for).  Any active duty member deployed during the year will be handled on a case by case basis as the exception to this rule.  (THIS ALSO INCLUDES CLUB OPENS FOR TOURNAMENTS FISHED.)

 

Format:

The club championship shall be a two-day event scheduled after the last tournament of the fishing year, but must be held prior to the new fishing year.  The lake, date, and launch location for the club championship must be within a 100-mile radius of Leesville, La.  The partner pairing and registration shall be conducted the same as all other club tournaments.  Nominations for the championship (date and location) and the end of the year banquette (date, time, and location) will taken at the August meeting and the voted on at the September meeting.

 

Entry Fee / Payout:

Entry fees will be $00.00 with a $20.00 ($10 each day) big bass fee (optional).  All money collected as entry fees for this tournament and the non-committed money left in the club account shall be divided among all participants in the championship, with the exception of $499.99 to start the next years club fund. Big bass will be paid each day of the tournament.

  

ARTICLE V

TOURNAMENT RULES

 

SAFETY:

Life jackets must be worn anytime the combustion engine is running and in gear outside of the no wake zone.  The Safety-stop switch cord must be attached to your person or life jacket.  All boats must have all U.S. Coast Guard required safety equipment, including working lights.  No overpowered boats, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs in the boat at any time.

 

PENALTIES: 

There will be one official check-in point.  If late for check-in, you will be penalized 1 pound per minute up to 15 minutes, then disqualified.  You will be penalized 4 ounces for a dead fish and 1 pound for a short fish and the loss of that fish.

 

LIMITS:

Only largemouth and spotted bass will be weighed.  The tournament limit is 5- fish, 14 inches minimum, measured on a flat board, unless lake limits are different.  Culling must be done immediately upon catching the 6^th fish.  If fishing a lake where a slot limit is enforced or the number of fish limits is less than five, the tournament official will brief that prior to the tournament and that rule is in affect for that tournament.

 

SPORTMANSHIP – Non-boaters are entitled to fish their waters half of the fishing day.  Operations of the boat are up to the boat owner but he / she must not operate the boat in a manner to unfairly handicap his partner.  This is grounds for disqualification.  Non-boaters should share part of the expenses of boat operation.

 

PROTEST – All protest must be in writing and presented to the club president or his designated representative within 15 minutes of official weigh in time.

 

PROTEST DECISIONS: club officers will decide upon any protests submitted.

 

ELIGIBILITY – Open only to members of Fort Polk Community Bassmasters who are 16 years of age or older and a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society Members must be paid in full on club and affiliation dues and registration fees prior to fishing in a tournament.  Any person entering the tournament that is under 18 years of age must have the signature of parent or legal guardian on the entry form.

 

TACKLE / EQUIPMENT – Only one rod / reel may be used at a time.  Maximum rod length is eight feet.  All others, including fly rods are prohibited.  Only artificial baits and accepted pork rinds may be used.  Live-wells / aerators should be sufficient to support two limits of fish.  Weigh master will ensure checks are accomplished.

 

PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS – Any legal tournament water except within 50 yards of an anchored contestant, and 25 yards of an unanchored contestant.  Any contestant that allows another contestant to fish within 50/25 yards of his or her boat has opened the waters to all contestants.

 

TIES – In the event of a tie for heavy stringer, big bass breaks the tie.  In the event of a tie for big bass, the big bass pot will be split.

 

CATCH AND RELEASE – All Fort Polk Community Bassmasters tournaments will be catch and release.  All fish that are alive will be returned to the lake.  Exception, a club member may keep one lunker fish per year as a trophy.

 

 This Constitution and By-Laws was voted on and approved by the general membership on December 10th, 2009.