Here are the proposed 2006 SCBBBC Bylaws I am submitting at the December Meeting. Thought I should put them up too so anyone could comment and provide feedback if needed.

Sonoma County Belly Boat BASS Club
Post Office Box 7143, Petaluma, California 94955

SCBBBC CLUB BYLAWS (Draft 9/7/05)

ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
This chapter shall be called the Sonoma County Belly Boat B.A.S.S. Club, Sonoma County, California.

Section 2: Purpose
To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. To offer our state conservation department our organized 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/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 your fishing and a love for this great recreation. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the State BASS Chapter Federation embracing the principles and purposes of BASS.

ARTICLE II – Membership
Section 1: Number of Members
This chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six (6) members.

Section 2: Requirement for Regular Membership
To become a chapter member, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be a member of BASS (See ARTICLE VI for affiliation requirements.)
(c) Be recommended by two members at a regular monthly meeting.
(d) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot and affirmation shall be unanimous.
(e) Be 16 years of age.

Section 3: Requirement for Junior Membership*
To become a junior member of an adult chapter, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be under 16 years of age.

*Junior members are not required to pay national membership due and are not entitled to the benefits of a regular member. The acceptance of junior members will not affect a club’s liability insurance policy. Junior members are not covered by the accidental death and dismemberment policy. Junior members may not hold office in an adult club nor may they be voting members. At age 16, junior members may continue membership by joining the club as a regular member. Junior membership ceases on a person’s 17th birthday.

Section 4: Membership Dues
The membership dues shall be $ 40.00 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the chapter, $ 15.00 of which shall be for Federation dues and $ 25.00 of which shall be for Chapter dues. BASS membership dues are also required at the current rate. (See ARTICLE VI, Section I for state affiliation requirements.)

Section 5: Meetings of Members
The membership shall hold regular meetings at pre-established times.

ARTICLE III – Officers, 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/her 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 BASS Federation Headquarters and the state BASS Federation.
(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. The chapter may vote that the treasurer and any other officer handling chapter funds must be bonded.
(e) Conservation Chairman: Serve as liaison between the chapter and state and national conservation/environmental agencies. Plan chapter conservation projects and attend all local and state conservation meetings/hearings.
(f) Youth Chairman: Organize all youth activities and programs. Coordinate Bassmaster CastingKids events and start a Junior Bassmaster Chapter when the chapter is ready for this sponsorship.

Section 2: Elections
The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of January. 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 to 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 January 1st, and end on the last meeting day of December or until the successor assumes office.

Section 5: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National BASS Headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office
To be eligible for an office a member must:
(a) Have been a member for six months. (Six months’ requirement waived during first 12 months of chapter existence.)
(b) Have attended at least 75% of the chapter meetings and 75% of chapter functions during a 12-month period.
(c) Have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.
(d) Maintain current BASS membership.

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 seven (7) members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and two (2) members elected at large by majority vote of the members present at the December regular meetings.
(1) The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.
(2) The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.
(3) The board will decide all protest and rule on all 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: The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement a Chapter Youth Project; to introduce young people to the goals of BASS; to give them a basis for respect of our national heritage, an appreciation of the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship; and to give them an introduction to the sheer joy of fishing.
(c) Conservation Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to protect our natural environment from harmful change; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of local, state and federal anti-pollutions laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and other regulatory devices; to take legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment; and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the live-giving waters of America.
(d) Tournament Committee: The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all Chapter tournaments. The Tournament committee will draft the tournament rules, which must then be approved by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules, investigate all protests concerning tournaments, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V – Removal of Membership
Section 1: Removal of Membership
A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:
(a) Failure to pay dues.
(b) Any action, which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the chapter and/or BASS.
(c) Failure to attend 50% of the chapter meetings and 50% of chapter functions during a 12-month period.
(d) Disqualification for any reason from participating in B.A.S.S.-sponsored events, including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.

ARTICLE VI – Affiliation
Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation
(a) Approval of Chapter Charter by BAS.
(b) Update BASS with chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current BASS roster at year’s end.
(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to BASS as they occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)
(d) Maintain 100% BASS Membership
(e) Must affiliate with State Federation and support its 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 for the chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournaments(s), and any other Federation-sponsored tournaments or events.

ARTICLE VII – Method of Amending the Bylaws
Section 1: Amending the Bylaws
The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds 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.

"When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Kid"

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