February 19, 2011 

I.  PURPOSE

1.  To support the sportsmanship of competitive bass fishing and to provide an organized arena for the same.
2.  To promote and encourage the sport of fishing, particularly with youth.
3.  To actively support and participate in conservation efforts involving environmental factors affecting the sport of bass     fishing. 

II.  AMENDING BY-LAWS

1.  Motions to amend the by-laws can be made by any member in good standing.
2.  Motions require a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at a meeting to be passed and incorporated in the by-laws. 

III.  MEMBERSHIP

1.  New perspective members must be sponsored by a current member of the club and must attend a minimum of one tournament or club function for the purpose of introduction, after which, the members will vote.
2.  Boater member applicants will be given priority for membership.
3.  Acceptance of non-boater members will be limited to 20% of the total roster.  This is intended to preclude problems associated with not having enough boat seats in tournaments for the non-boater member.
4.  A waiting list will be maintained for non-boaters in the order of those seeking membership.
5.  Honorary membership may be extended by the club to selected individuals upon nomination of that person and a two-thirds majority vote of members present at a posted meeting. 

IV. CLUB DUES AND TOUIRNAMENT PAYOUT 

1.  Club dues will be $15 per month ($10 dues, $5 Fish-off) for 12 months.  Members may pay their $15 each month or for the entire year ($180).
2.  Dues will be the same regardless of when during the season a new member joins the club.
3.  Member dues must be current (paid) for the month in which the tournament falls.
4.  Honorary members are not required to pay dues and are not eligible for any tournament payout except for the optional big fish pot.
5.  The payout for each tournament is determined by the number of members in the club.  The payout for all tournaments will be made at the end of the year (Dec.) at a club function.  No member is eligible to receive any payout at the end of the year if they owe any money.  Money will be deducted from the total dues pot at the end of the year to pay for trophies and the website.
6.  Each tournament payout will be split three ways:  50% - 1^st place, 30% - 2^nd place, 20% - 3^rd place.
7.  There will be an optional $5 big fish pot for each tournament paid at the end of that tournament. This money does not count toward the Club Champion award.
8.  Guest are welcome and are eligible to participate in the $5 big fish pot for that tournament. 

V.  CLUB OFFICIERS & DUTIES 

1.  There will be a minimum of three officers in the club.  Additional officers and/or special project coordinators may be elected or appointed at the discretion of the membership or officers.
     a.  President – Preside over all club meetings and direct the activities of all official Club business.  Direct the activities of other Club officers.
     b.  Tournament Director – Coordinate all tournament activities.  His decisions on the rules and the weights and length of all fish presented for weigh-in will be final.  To serve as president in his absence.
     c.  Secretary/Treasurer -   Maintain all the records and correspondence for the Club.  Collect and maintain all of the Club funds.  Report expenditures of the funds to the Club.  Fill in for any of the other Club officers as needed.

2.  Elections will be held annually after the last tournament of the current season and no later than prior to the first tournament of the new season.  New officers will assume their duties at the first club function following the election or in time to deal with any new business.  Outgoing officers will assist on any unfinished business. 

3.  Any Club member participating in more than one bass club will not be eligible to hold office if they are an officer in the other bass club. 

VI.  TOURNAMENTS 

1.  Tournament sites, dates, and times will be established by the membership.
2.  Members may bring a guest provided all other members have a boat ride.
3.  Starting positions for the boaters will be established prior to the tournament.
4.  Legal fish include Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass unless determined otherwise by the Club.
5.  The creel (size & number) will be the legal limits on the impoundment being fished.
6.  Fishing is permitted anywhere on the lake being fished reachable by boat from the blast off unless declared off limits by the Tournament Director.
7.  Use of live bait is not permitted unless voted on specifically by the members for a special tournament.
8.  All fish must be caught and landed from the boat.
9.  Travel and boat expenses shall be shared equally by both partners and reimbursement will be made at the tournament site.  No shows will be held responsible for one-half the expenses of the partner.
10.  Fishing a tournament is defined as putting your boat in the water and making at least one cast.
11.  Members who plan to be late for a tournament must give prior notification to one of the Club officers.   

 VII. AWARDS 

1.  The member winning the most money for the season, excluding the fish off, will be the Club Champion and will be awarded a trophy, and will have their name added to the Club Champion trophy on display at Hills Minnow Farm  store. 
2.  The member with the largest fish for the regular season, excluding the Fish Off, will receive a trophy, and will have their name added to the Club Lunker trophy on display at Hills Minnow Farm store.  Participation in the big fish pot for each tournament is not a requirement to win this trophy. 

VIII. REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP 

1.  A member may be dropped from membership for the following:
            a.  Failure to pay dues.
            b.  Failure to pay tournament fees.
            c.  Cheating in a tournament.
            d. Any action which could reflect dishonor and disgrace on the club.

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