By Laws

ARTICLE I-Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

This chapter will be called the Blue Ridge Bassmasters of Oak Ridge, TN.

Section 2: Purpose

Our stated purposes are to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport, to offer our state conservation department our organized moral 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 of this great recreation.

Article II - Membership

Section 1: Number of Members

The chapter shall begin with and maintain at least (6) six members. The chapter shall at all times maintain (100%) one hundred percent membership with F.L.W.

Section 2: Requirement for Membership

To become a chapter member, a person shall:

(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

(b) Be a member of F.L.W. (see ARTICLE VII for affiliation requirements.)

(d) Be voted on by the membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot and by affirmation by (80%) eighty percent of club members.

Minors requesting membership into this chapter must be accompanied by a legally responsible parent, relative, or legal guardian of at least 18 years of age or older as a permanent fishing partner or be

Section 2: Requirement for Membership cont:

accompanied by a legally responsible fishing partner of 18 years of age or older that shall assume full responsibility for the minor, and be the minor’s permanent fishing partner. The responsible partner shall apply and receive a full membership status per ARTICLE II Section 2 before the minor is eligible for member-ship. If the minor’s partner resigns, is expelled, or leaves the chapter for reasons known or unknown before the minor attains 18 years of age the minor’s membership shall automatically be void.

Section 3: Membership Dues

A ($10.00) ten-dollar initiation fee is due upon acceptance or reacceptance into the chapter. The fee is not refundable.

(b) The Membership dues shall be ($46.00) forty-six dollars annually, payable upon being voted into the chapter. ($15.00) Fifteen-dollars of this shall be for National Federation dues and ($7.00) seven-dollars of this shall be for the State Federation dues. This ($22.00) twenty-two dollars will be due on or before the December meeting each year to continue membership through the following year. ($24.00) Twenty-four dollars of this shall go for annual membership dues of the Blue Ridge Bassmasters. The annual club dues shall be paid before the conclusion of the January meeting each year. This will continue your membership in good standing for the following year. New members annual dues will be assessed at the rate of ($2.00) two dollars per month on a pro-rated basis if joining after June 1st. The club dues shall not exceed ($24.00) twenty-four dollars for any year and will be used solely for the expense of Blue Ridge Bassmasters state team to fish the State Federation Tournament. These dues are not refundable.

Section 4: Guest of Members

Any person that fishes any regular chapter tournament that is not interested in membership into the chapter may fish with a member provided:

(a) That an individual guest may not fish more than (2) two chapter tournaments per year. If the guest is a minor this rule will be waived; however, Article II Section 2(e) shall apply.

Section 5: Meetings of Members

The membership shall hold regular meetings at pre-established times.

ARTICLE III - Removal Of Membership

A member may be removed from the membership role of Blue Ridge Bassmasters by the Board of Directors for the following infractions:

(a) Failure to pay dues

(b) Any action that would reflect dishonor and/or disgrace on this chapter of the Blue Ridge Bassmasters and/or F.L.W.

(d) Disqualification for any reason while participating in a F.L.W. sponsored event.

ARTICLE IV - Chapter Meetings

Section 1: Conduct

(a) No smoking will be permitted at any indoor chapter functions.

(b) Language shall be kept at high moral standards

(c) Housekeeping will be maintained at all chapter functions. Each member will assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the area.

Section 2: Scheduled Meetings

(a) All regular meetings shall be held on the first Monday of each month or the next Monday after a holiday.

(b) The regularly held meeting will officially begin at (seven) 7:00 p.m.

(c) The meeting date, time, and/or place may be deferred, cancelled, or moved due to the availability of the meeting place, adverse weather conditions, holidays, etc. for the convenience of the majority of Blue Ridge Bassmaster members.

Section 3: Emergency Meetings

(a) Any member may call an emergency meeting, but he or she must have the verbal approval of such meetings by the Board of Directors.

(b) The Board of Directors shall determine the place, date, and time of the emergency meeting.

ARTICLE V - Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility

Section 1: Officers and Their Duties

The Officers of the Blue Ridge Bassmasters, a Tennessee F.L.W. Federation Chapter shall consist of:

(a) President: whose duties entail, presiding over all meetings and all official chapter business. He or she will also be an ex-officio member of all chapter committees. The President shall supervise all club functions.

(b) Vice-President: will act as program chairperson, assist the President in his or her duties and preside in the absence of the President.

(c) Secretary: The Secretary will maintain accurate minutes of all called meetings of the Blue Ridge Bassmasters. He or she will also:

Section 1: Officers and Their Duties cont:

· maintain regular liaison between the chapter and the F.L.W. National and State Federations.

· compile all submitted rule changes for chapter review.

· maintain points for all chapter/club functions. The Tournament Director shall submit the tournament points on a monthly basis.

· appoint an assistant to help fulfill the duties of the office and to act as Secretary in his or her absence. The Board of Directors must accept this assistant before he or she may assume any duties of said office.

(d) Treasurer: The treasurer shall collect and disburse all monies. He or she will maintain accurate financial records and present a current balance report at each regular meeting.

· He or she must prepare an annual audit and submit this report to the Chapter Board of Directors.

· The treasurer will distribute any and all tournament payouts as directed by the Tournament Director at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting immediately following the official club points tournaments.

· The Treasurer shall appoint an assistant to help fulfill the duties of the office and to act as Treasurer in his or her absence. The Board of Directors must accept this assistant before he or she may assume any duties of said office.

The chapter may vote and require the Treasurer and / or any other officer handling chapter funds to be bonded.

(e) Tournament Director: He or she will have absolute authority over all chapter tournaments, and enforce all chapter tournament rules and by-laws as set forth by this chapter at all chapter sponsored tournaments; unless, otherwise specified by a vote, from a majority of the current active members present at said event. The Tournament Director shall:

· propose a tournament schedule to be approved by a majority vote of the chapter members present during the January meeting. Night tournaments shall be scheduled during the hot summer months.

· bear full responsibility for delivering all monies received for all tournaments to the Secretary or Treasurer.

· notify all possible member participants prior to each tournament by telephone or other means of any changes in the tournament schedule.

· shall maintain accurate records and fees paid for each chapter tournament.

· report tournament points monthly to the Secretary.

· report on all chapter sponsored tournaments at each regularly scheduled meeting.

· be official timekeeper during all chapter sponsored tournaments, and shall be responsible for starting and ending each chapter sponsored tournament.

· conduct all weigh-ins in an orderly and timely manner.

· measure any questionable fish, and assess appropriate penalties of same, in accordance with tournament rules. (Article IX)

· have absolute authority to inspect any participants boat at any

time, at any chapter sponsored tournament and to have

Tournament Director continued:

complete authority to disqualify any participants found in violation of Chapter tournament rules. (Article IX)

· appoint (2) two assistants to help fulfill the duties of the office and to act as Tournament Director in his or her absence. The Board of Directors must accept these assistants before they may assume any duties of said office. The assistants along with the President comprise the Tournament Committee. The President may vote on a tournament matters issue only when one or more of the Tournament Committee is absent.

· with the help of his assistants or anyone appointed by the Official Tournament Director be the only persons to weigh and or measure questionable fish.

· have the official responsibility of receipt, maintaining and keeping of the chapter’s tournament equipment, weigh-in scales, baskets, banners, and tables etc.

Chapter Chaplain: (if available) The Chapter Chaplains responsibilities are:

· to give invocation at all chapter functions.

· to suggest guidance in case of any possible confrontations or uncontrollable situations.

· to appoint an assistant to fulfill his or her duties in the event of an absence.

(g) Youth Director: The Youth Director will coordinate all Chapter youth activities and events.

Section 2: Elections

The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of December. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order as listed in Article III, Section 1. Election shall be

a simple majority of current active members present. Elections may be by secret ballot if deemed necessary by the presiding officer or by acclimation.

Section 3: Eligibility of Vote

Each member, excluding the President, is entitled to one vote. The President will vote only in the event of a tie. Proxy votes are not permitted.

Section 4: Term of Office

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

Section 5: Vacancies

In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for and an election held to fill the remaining term of the individual vacating the office. Tennessee Bass Federation headquarters shall be notified immediately of a change of officers.

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office

To be eligible for an office a member must:

(a) have been a member in good standing for six months. (Six-month requirement shall be waived during the first (12) twelve months of chapter existence).

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office cont:

have attended at least (75%) seventy-five percent of all chapter functions during the preceding (12) twelve months or (6) six to (11) eleven months for new members (including returning members who

have been absent for one or more years), or since the last election for returning members of the preceding year.

(d) maintain a current F.L.W. membership.

Article VI-Standing Committees

All standing committees will serve for one year or until a new committee is appointed. The terms of the committee members shall coincide with that of the President. A chairperson will head each committee.

Section 1: Club Committees

(a) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of the: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Director, and a minimum of (3) three chapter at-large members not currently holding office. The at-large members shall be elected by a simple majority vote.

· the president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

· The Secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.

· The Board will decide all protests and rule on all violations of tournament rules and bylaws of the chapter when appropriately received.

· The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.

(b) Youth Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be:

· to plan, organize and implement chapter youth projects.

· to introduce young people to the goals of F.L.W.

· to give them a basis for respect of our national heritage.

· to establish an appreciation for the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play, and good sportsmanship.

· to introduce them to the sheer joy of fishing.

(c) Tournament Committee: The Tournament Committee will consist of the Tournament Director (Chairperson), (2) two assistants, and the chapter President. The President may vote on a tournament issue only when one or more of the Tournament Committee is absent. The purpose of the Tournament Committee shall be:

· to plan, organize and operate all chapter tournaments.

· to keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules, investigate all protests concerning tournaments, and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning any protests or infractions of Tournament rules.

Article VII - Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation

(a) The Chapter charter must be accepted by Tennessee Bass Federation.

The Chapter must update Tennessee Bass Federation with a current roster by December (31) thirty‑first of each year.

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation cont:

Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to F.L.W. as they occur. (see Article II, Section 3 for dues requirements)

All members must maintain a (100%) one hundred percent F.L.W. membership.

(e) The Chapter will affiliate with the Tennessee Bass Federation and support its programs. In addition the chapter must meet all requirements of the Tennessee Bass Federation regarding, membership, dues, and attendance at all State Federation meetings, etc. that would be necessary for the chapter to participate in the State Federation tournaments as well as any other State Federation sponsored events.

Article VIII - Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1: Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended at the December and/or January meeting by a (2/3rds) two-thirds majority vote of the current active members present. Changes for the December meeting should be submitted through out the year to assure chapter members thorough review. Changes in Bylaws may be reviewed during any period upon the submission of a written proposal to the President. It will be at the Presidents or the Board of Directors discretion whether to bring the suggestion before the chapter membership for a vote at the next regular meeting.

Article IX - Tournament Rules

Section 1: Rules

The following rules shall apply to all chapter sponsored tournament events. These rules shall apply to all members, guests, and prospective members.

Section 1: Rules cont:

When the big motor is running, Life Jackets and kill switches must be worn at all times.

The only persons eligible to fish the regular chapter tournaments shall be members, and members with approved guest in accordance with Article II Section 4.

Total entry fees for an individual fishing a regular chapter tournament shall be ($25.00) twenty-five dollars. The fees shall be delegated as follows:

· (45%) forty-five percent to tournament payout

· (35%) thirty-five percent to club support

· (10%) ten percent to lunker

· (10%) ten percent to Classic Pot

Payback shall be one place for every (5) five boats after first place (e.g., 1-5 boats = 1 place; 6-10 boats = 2 places; 11-15 = 3 places; 16-20 boats = 4 places, etc.).

NOTE: If a contestant is fishing alone, he or she may pay an additional ($10) ten dollar fee per tournament to weigh (5) five fish for tournament weight. Only (3) three fish may be weighed for an individuals weight points at any single event. The additional ($10) ten dollar fee will be added to the tournament payout.

Eligible fish shall be: Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Kentucky (Spotted) bass of a minimum legal length of (12) twelve inches (measured with mouth closed using a Golden Rule) unless stated otherwise by respective State Regulations.

Each bass submitted for weighing at the weigh-in site that does not meet the minimum legal length shall be assessed a penalty at the rate of (1) one pound for each fish submitted. The total assessment of all illegal fish submitted shall be deducted form the total Boat Weight of legal fish.

Section 1: Rules cont:

A penalty for any boat returning late to the weigh-in site shall be assessed at the rate of (1) one pound per minute for the first (15) fifteen minutes and disqualification thereafter. All penalties shall be deducted (in addition to illegal bass) from the total Boat Weight.

Legal bass shall be weighed for the computation of points on a (1/10) one tenth of a pound, (1) one point basis. Each participant shall not claim more bass then he or she actually caught. If more than (3) three bass are caught by an individual he or she may weigh the (3) three heaviest fish for individual points; but they will be allowed to count all of their fish toward the total boat weight. Each fisherman shall bring his or her fish to the scales in separate bags (or separated by tags) to obtain timely and accurate weight for point computation. Each dead fish will be assessed a (2/10) two-tenths of a pound penalty from the angler's total weight.

The member collecting the highest cumulative total of points for the year ending each December shall be awarded the title of Blue Ridge Bassmasters Angler of the Year and receive a cash bonus of ($100.00) one hundred dollars.

Blue Ridge Bassmasters will assume no responsibility for any participant, by-stander, participant’s or bystander’s property during or while preparing for a Blue Ridge Bassmasters sponsored tournament.

No participant shall be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or the influence of drugs preceding or during any club function.

No boat limit of bass shall exceed (6) six bass at any time. No person fishing a Blue Ridge Bassmasters event may weigh more than (5) five fish per tournament day. Culling at the ramp will not be allowed at any Blue Ridge Bassmasters sponsored tournament

Only artificial lures may be used and the possession and/or usage of live bait is illegal and strictly forbidden.

Trolling is illegal and strictly forbidden.

Section 1: Rules cont:

Participants may only fish from their respective boats, contestants must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.

Rods, cane poles, fiberglass poles, or flipping sticks (with or without reels attached) over (8) eight feet in length are illegal and are strictly prohibited.

The Tournament Director has the authority to determine legal and illegal fishing equipment and at his discretion, inspect live wells, storage lockers, and/or other suspected areas where illegal items may be found. Failure to comply with the Tournament Director’s request shall result in the automatic disqualification from the tournament with loss of all entry fees.

For the safety and well being of participants and/or bystanders and their properties the Tournament Director may at his discretion order an ease-off or implement other restrictions for leaving the launch site for the commencement of a tournament.

Respective State Regulations pertaining to sport fishing that are not covered in these tournament rules shall also apply.

Participants are to keep a (50) fifty-yard courtesy distance from other boats whose occupants are in the act of fishing.

No tournaments will be scheduled while the Team is preparing or participating in the Federation tournaments.

A tie shall be settled by mutual agreement or the flip of a coin by a Tournament Committee member.

In the event of a members entering an event after the official blast-off the member shall notify the presiding Tournament Director of his intentions toward the event by means of a written statement. This statement should be placed in or on the presiding Tournament

Section 1: Rules cont:

Director’s vehicle. This vehicle shall be marked for easy identification.

Permitted Fishing Locations: The Tournament Director and /or Tournament Committee shall establish tournament waters for each tournament.

Locking from one body of water to another shall be considered illegal, unless said waters are dictated to be tournament waters by the Tournament Director and/or the Tournament Committee.

Each year in April, the Blue Ridge Bassmasters shall have one draw tournament. This tournament shall be a normal club function subject to all rules and regulations as specified by the bylaws of Blue Ridge Bassmasters.

The draw for partners will be held on the first club meeting date preceding said tournament.
It shall be a random draw with each person willing to participate having his or her name placed in a receptacle and pulled one at a time. Pairings shall be: one with two, three with four, five with six, etc.
Each person shall have one half of the time available to fish from the front of the boat and use of the trolling motor.
If during the draw process two members are drawn that do not have a boat available, their names will be returned to the receptacle and the draw process will proceed.

Section 2: Protest Procedures

The protesting party officially informs the Tournament Director of the protest.

The protesting party must submit ($50.00) fifty dollars to the Tournament Director at the tournament site, for a polygraph test for the accused party. The protesting party will pay in full the entire cost of the test before said test takes place, when the price is set.

Section 2: Protest Procedures cont:

If any qualifying position is protested, the Tournament Director shall hold all monies until a final disposition has been reached.

The accused will submit to the polygraph test when the test can be mutually arranged.

The result of the polygraph test shall be agreed as fast and absolute.

Refusal to take the polygraph test shall result in disqualification for the tournament, loss of possible winnings and automatic expulsion from the chapter.

If the accused is found guilty by the polygraph or refuses to take said test, the chapter will reimburse the protester.

If the accused is found to be innocent by the polygraph test, the protester will publicly apologize to the accused and lose the money paid for the polygraph test.

All tournament payouts will then be distributed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 3: The Blue Ridge Classic

All tournament rules of the Blue Ridge Bassmasters shall apply to the Blue Ridge Classic except as follows:

There shall be a ($30.00) entry fee per person

The Blue Ridge Classic shall be fished on a (100%) one hundred percent payback basis, with the Classic Pot added to the tournament fees. Payout will be (50%) fifty per cent to the (1st) first place boat; (30%) to the second place boat; and (20%) twenty per cent to the third place boat. In order to be eligible for the payout, each boat’s participants must have fished all regular club tournaments or have paid the (10%) ten per cent Classic Pot fee for each tournament missed.

Section 3: The Blue Ridge Classic cont:

The Classic payout shall be distributed at the next regularly scheduled chapter meeting.

There will be a separate optional lunker fee (the amount to be determined by the Tournament Director) available to any participant that wishes to compete for the lunker pot. The payout for Classic Lunker shall be disbursed at the tournament site after the conclusion of the Blue Ridge Classic Tournament.

The official start and end time as well as the date for the Blue Ridge Bassmasters Classic will be decided at the October meeting.

Selection of the Lake will be the Friday night prior to the tournament and will be on a draw basis. All area lakes will be entered in the draw for possible selection.

The Blue Ridge Classic may be fished by members of this chapter only, provided each participating member is in good standing from the following year.

Article X - Awarding of Points

Points will be awarded in the following manner:

1. 20 POINTS - For each attended regularly scheduled chapter meeting. Team may be represented by only one member and each member of the team will receive individual points.

2. 40 POINTS - For attending any special chapter function excluding emergency meetings. This will include but is not limited to wildcat tournaments, youth functions, fundraisers, and environmental projects. In order to receive designated

Article X - Awarding of Points cont:

function points for a wildcat tournament participants must be present and in the water at blast-off.

3. 30 POINTS - For attending each scheduled chapter tournament

4. ?? POINTS - All of the points for Blue Ridge Bassmaster chapter tournaments will be awarded at the rate of (1) one point per (1/10th) one tenth of fish weight. i.e. A (2.5 lb.) two and five tenths pound fish would equal (25) twenty five tenths and be awarded (25) twenty five points.

5. 40 POINTS - For attending the Blue Ridge Classic

Each member will drop one tournament and one club function. The Blue Ridge Bassmasters Classic may not be counted as a drop. A maximum of (25) activities will be counted for the yearly total of points. In the event that the total number of chapter functions is higher than (25) twenty-five, the first (24) twenty four will be counted and the Blue Ridge Classic will be treated as the (25th) twenty-fifth.

Article XI - State Federation Tournaments

Section 1: State Federation Qualifying

1. The State Qualifying team will consist of the top (6) six finishers from the previous year of club competition and participation.

2. Club standings will be determined (1st) first by total points, (2nd) second by total weight, (3rd) third by the total number of fish, and finally by lot. The State team positions 1,2,3 as boaters and 4,5,6 as nonboaters.

3. If a drop out should occur before the team have registered, the next ranking club member will advance one by one until the Team is filled.

4. If a drop out occurs after the team is registered; the next ranking club member will become eligible one by one as nonboaters after any empty boater positions are filled from within the team.

Section 2: State Federation Tournament

a. In the case of a dropout, after any empty boater positions on that Team have been filled from within the team, replacement will then be

selected from current active club members by rank from the previous years standings.

Section 3: State Tournament Expenses

1. Blue Ridge Bassmasters will pay for the tournament entry fees for a qualifying team and, if money allows, Blue Ridge Bassmasters will pay for lodging. The remaining money, which is not needed for club operating expenses, will be divided among all team members.

2. A State Tournament team member cannot receive over ($30.00) thirty dollars per day. The total sum of money (minus club operating expenses) will be divided equally between the team members for the number of days they are at the State Tournament. The money will be divided among the team members fishing that day.

Section 4: Team Qualification

To qualify to fish the State Federation Tournaments members must:

be a member at the time of the State Federation Tournament.

have been a chapter member for at least (6) six months

have participated in at least (80%) eighty percent of all club functions in the year of the afore mentioned tournaments. *

4. be in good standing with the chapter.

* The Board of Directors will review extenuating circumstances. If the Board deems the issues non-personal in nature, the circumstances will by default be reviewed by the club members present. A majority vote will determine if the member is allowed the privilege of representing the Blue Ridge Bassmasters on the State Federation Team.