A South Florida Bass Fishing Club
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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
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Mission Statement
Our purpose is to improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of techniques and ideas. We pledge full adherence to all the conservation codes and regulatory standards. We offer our organized moral and political support to our state conservation department, and do all in our power to maintain adequate water standards.
Article 1 - Constitution
Section A
This organization shall be known henceforth as, "South Florida Bass Pros?" voted unanimously on the 4th day of October 1977.
The South Florida Bass Pros? Is a non-profit organization. Any dues collected as stated in said by laws will be used for purchasing food, peripherals and awards for the end of the year function and any other items for the club or its members that is agreed upon by a majority vote of members present at a meeting.
Section B
The fiscal year will start in September and end in August. Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month and a fishing tournament will be held the following Saturday or Saturday and Sunday.
Section C
The meeting day and/or location may be changed one month in advance by a vote of 75% of the members present at the meeting. The tournament day and/or location may be changed at the meeting prior to the tournament (4 days) by 75% of the members present at the meeting. It is the responsibility of an officer of the club to notify any members that are affected by either change.
Article 2 - Prospective Members
Section A
New members must voluntarily express an interest in club membership and must have attained an age of at least 18 years old.
Section B
New members must be recommended by an active member at a regular monthly meeting.
Section C
After acceptance as a prospective member, the individual will face a 60 to 90 day probation period. During this time the prospective member must attend two meetings and fish in two club tournaments.
Section D
Voting in of a new member will be conducted by a secret ballot of the club members present at the time of the vote. An affirmative acceptance into the club will consist of no more than two negative votes being cast. The votes will be tallied with no less than two members in attendance as witnesses.
Article 3 - Membership / Dues
Section A
Maximum membership shall not exceed thirty active members. A list of inactive members and prospective new members will be kept by the Sergeant at Arms. If the club reaches 30 maximum members, any inactive member wanting to become an active member will be on a wait list until there are less than thirty active members.
Section B
If an active member takes a leave of absence and wishes to remain on the club roster, membership dues must be current during his leave.
Section C
If an active member resigns (in good standing) from the club and later would like to rejoin, he does so without having to fulfill new member obligations. A vote with the same requirements as a new member applies. If any points were accumulated prior to resignation they will be reinstated upon active return to the club.
Section D
A member may be dismissed from the club's roster for failure to pay
membership fees for three months or failure to attend 50% of the clubs functions. The club's roster will be reviewed every three months beginning August 1, of the current year to determine if there are any offenders. The member must be contacted by the President or sponsoring member and will no longer be a member.
Section E
Dismissal for any reason must be passed by an affirmative vote of 75% of the club members present.
Section F
Club dues are $10.00 per month and will be paid to the treasurer in the form of check or money order.
Section G
Any special assessments deemed necessary by a club member must receive 75% affirmative vote by the members present at the meeting.
Section H
All deposits on motel rooms for any club tournament or function will be paid to the motel by the club member.
Article 4 - Tournaments / Scoring System
Section A
Tournament fees shall consist of $10.00 per month and they will be paid by members fishing the tournament. Only active members are allowed to participate in club tournaments. All tournament monies will be paid to the permitting officer in the form of cash. Tournament monies will be paid out at the tournament. No winner will receive payment if any dues are owed. If a club member is 3 months or more behind in club dues he will not be allowed to fish the tournament.
Section B
One hundred percent of all tournament fees will be paid out as prize money each month and will be distributed as follows:
1st Place 50%
2nd Place 30%
3rd Place 20%
Largest Fish Side Pot
Section C
A tournament committee will consist of at least three volunteer members who have not been on a tournament committee for at least one year. The tournament committee will serve for a four-month period and will select their four tournament locations two meetings prior to the last scheduled tournament. The club will approve the committee’s selections by a majority vote.
Section D
Only one two day tournament (home or away) may be held during a committee's four month period.
Section E
All two-day tournaments will be conducted on the same basis as a one-day tournament. (i.e., prize money will be the same, only one 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place and only one large fish.)
Section F
The selection method for pairing of members fishing a tournament is as follows: A draw will occur to determine which non-boater will be paired with which boater. Non-members will be the third person in a boat if applicable. Partners must change each month.
Section G
During pairings, if two boaters draw each other, either one or both may have the option of exercising the right to fish individually. This shall be known as the "BOATER GUARANTEE AMENDMENT". However, no person exercising this option may fish individually two months in succession. In the event of this amendment being evoked, this or these individuals will be paired first in the succeeding tournament.
Section H
In the event a boating member brings a guest to the club, he may not be required to enter the draw so that he may fish with his guest. The conditions to the above are:
1. No more than two times per calendar year for each member.
2. Only for local tournaments.
3. Only if member's boat is not needed for club members.
The guest's weight will not be counted toward monies or points. Prospective members and guests are eligible for side pot monies only. The club meeting and fishing tournament may count toward new membership qualifying requirements.
Section I
If a boater does not show up at the tournament site, a draw (which includes all 17' boats or greater) will occur to determine which boat the non-boater will fish from. If you are running late you must call your partner or another club member 30 minutes in advance to inform him. If you do not call anyone your partner does not have to wait for you.
Section J
If, at the meeting, a member is undecided as to whether he will fish or not; he must enter the draw as a non-boater.
Section K
A point system will be used to determine the best fisherman in the club each year. Total points will be based upon the best nine tournaments out of a possible eleven tournaments in a year for each member. First place finish will receive 30 points. Each subsequent place will be one less point than the one preceding place down to the bottom place finish regardless of the total number of club members fishing a tournament. When there is a tie for a place, the next place given should be the actual place (i.e., if two people tied for fifth place the next place should be seven and so forth).If a person does not weigh in a fish, a penalty of two points will be assessed below the last place finish.
The point system for Team Tournaments will be the same as for individual tournaments (i.e.: 1st place 30 for both, 2nd 29 for both and 3rd 28 for both).
Section L
All ties consisting of weight and/or points will be allowed with duplicate awards for position or prize money.
Examples:
1. Tie for first place-split first and second place money, second place receives third place money.
2. Tie for third place- split third place money
3. Tie for year-end awards-duplicate awards will be given.
Section M
All two-day tournaments will be fished as team tournaments. Only five fish per boat per day will be weighed in whether fishing alone or paired with another angler.
Section N
When a prospective member fishes in a team tournament during his qualification period his fish will be counted for that tournament. However no points will be awarded to said individual.
Section O
The tournament committee will designate the site of the tournament, the times of the tournament, and will be responsible to start the tournament.
Section P
Club members who are able to pre-fish a tournament site will be expected to share information with other members whenever possible.
Section Q
If a member shows up at the launch ramp with every intention of fishing the tournament and must leave before weigh in, he will earn last place points.
Section R TOURNAMENT RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
No alcoholic beverages of any type during tournament hours. Violators will be disqualified from the tournament. A two-time offender will be kicked out of the club.
No live bait of any type.
No contestant may leave the boat unless the reason does not pertain to fishing.
Only one rod per person in the water at any given time, and all fish must be caught on a rod and reel.
Legal club limit by each tournament contestant is five fish, with a minimum length of twelve inches measured from the nose to any point of the tail with the mouth closed and the tail squeezed. An four-ounce penalty will be assessed for each dead fish. Any person bringing short fish to the scales loses biggest fish of his catch.
Fish must be measured with the golden rule to determine if all fish brought to the weigh in meets the twelve-inch minimum. Measuring and weighing by our new 1/100 digital scale will be the responsibility of the weigh master and/or the assistant weigh master. The weigh master and the assistant weigh master will be elected at the August meeting for the up coming year.
A late penalty will be assessed to each tournament member who is late for weigh in. Such penalty will allow for a five-minute grace period. Official time will be kept and announced by the tournament committee. The penalty shall consist of the deduction of one point for each minute late, to a maximum deduction of fifteen points. Exceeding fifteen minutes late, after the grace period, will constitute as a no weigh in.
Members are responsible to weigh in their own fish.
The only allowable exception is equipment breakdown.
No fish may be received into a contestant's boat unless said person legitimately catches it during the tournament hours.
Only largemouth Black Bass and Peacock Bass per state regulations will be allowed as an accepted species.
All fish brought to the weigh in must be transported in a plastic watertight bag supplied by the club and released from the bag.
Fly rods are allowed as a method of fishing.
Life vests must be worn while boats are on plane. A violation of this rule will result in disqualification from the tournament. If available, kill switches must be worn.
If a rule is broken and disqualification occurs, the disqualification will be only for the day of the broken rule.
Section S
As a conservation step, every attempt must be made to keep fish alive during the tournament and at the weigh in. No more than four weigh in bags will be out at one time. All live fish other than wall mounts will be released.
Section T
Non boaters are required to offer a minimum of $25.00 per day for home and $35.00 per day for away tournaments. It is then up to the boater's discretion if the amount is not enough or too much and will adjust the amount accordingly with the non-boater.
Section U
In the event that on the day of the tournament, the site is deemed unfishable, unsafe or unacceptable for any reason by the tournament committee, a vote will be taken by all members fishing said tournament to change tournament location and/or tournament date. A 75% vote of club members fishing will be required.
Article 5 - Awards
At year-end, awards will be given for the following:
First place - most points.
Second place - second most points.
Third place - third most points.
Fourth place - fourth most points.
Fifth place - fifth most points.
Largest fish caught at a tournament during the year.
Horse's Ass award voted by the members.
Nominations for special appreciation awards.
Article 6 - Club Officers
Section A The officers of the club shall consist of:
PRESIDENT
The President will preside over all meetings, direct all official business, and will supervise all club functions.
VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President will assist President and preside in absence of the President. The Vice President will secure the fishing exemptions and will fill out the fishing reports.
SECRETARY
The Secretary will maintain accurate minutes for all meetings and must report the minutes at all meetings.
TREASURER
The Treasurer will maintain accurate records of clubs finances, be responsible for club payments, and must give a financial report at all meetings.
SERGEANT AT ARMS
The Sergeant At Arms will maintain all tournament results and member standings. He is responsible for meeting attendance and the interpretation of the club by-laws.
Section B
There are no paid positions in this club. (i.e.: Treasurer and Sergeant At Arms will pay monthly dues and tournament fees.
Section C
A member may hold only one office at a time.
Section D
The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of August, with nomination for officers to be held in July. Voting will be 50% plus one affirmative of the members present. Each member is allowed one vote and no proxy votes are accepted.
Section E
To be eligible for any office a member must have been in the club for at least six months, attended at least 75% of all club functions, and show an active interest in all club activities.
Article 7 - By Law Changes
Section A
August is the month designated for all constitutional changes. The constitution may be amended at this time by 66% vote of the members present and voting. Ample time for discussion must be provide to the membership.
Section B
Proposed changes to the By-Laws must be submitted in writing. These changes may be submitted to the President anytime during the year or before the beginning of the August meeting.
LODGING AWAY TOURNAMENTS
TOURNAMENT SITES AND SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONS
LAKE ISTOKPOGA, LAKE JUNE-IN-WINTER
Best Western (Lake Placid)..................................... 863-465-3133
Ask for Fisherman's Row and Discount ................ 800-771-4013
LAKE KISSIMMEE
River Ranch..............................................................863-692-1321
Grape Hammock Fish Camp...................................863-692-1500
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
CLEWISTON - MOORE HAVEN
Angler’s Marina.......................................................800-741-3141
Roland Martin’s ..................................................... 800-473-6766
863-983-3151
LAKE PORT
Lake Port Lodge...................................................... 863-946-2020
OKEE-TANTIE
Flamingo Motel (Okeechobee City)..................... 863-763-6100
Pier Two Motel (Okeechobee City).......................863-763-8003
Holiday Inn Express (Okeechobee City) ...............863-357-3529
LAKE TAHO WEST
Holiday Inn Express (Backside Parking) ............... 407-239-8315
Quality Inn .............................................................407-846-4545
2050 E. Irlo Bronson Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Turnpike North to Exit #242
Take Hwy 192 West and the motel is 1 mile down on the left
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