CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF
EVERGREEN BASS CLUB
Amended: February
7, 2006
Article I
Sec.
1 This
organization shall be known as the Evergreen Bass Club.
Sec. 2 To assist in the formation of other clubs that are engaged in similar objectives.
Sec. 3 To cooperate fully with other sportsmen’s organizations involved in the conservation of game fish, game birds and game animals.
Sec. 4 To assist wherever possible in making the game regulations more workable and equitable to all sportsmen.
Sec. 5 To observe all game laws and assist in the enforcement of laws wherever possible.
Sec. 5 To prevent pollution in all water in the State of Washington and to help clean up waters that are already polluted.
Article III Membership
Sec. 1 Membership is open to all bass, spiney ray, and warm water fishermen but will be limited to 30 family memberships.
Sec. 2 All applications will be in writing and signed by the applicant and sponsored by a member in good standing.
Sec. 3 All members must maintain membership in Washington Bass Federation/The Bass Federation and/or national affiliation.
Sec. 4 Honorary membership may be given to person(s) performing outstanding acts for which this Club is organized. These are subject to recommendations by Club members and approved by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 5 To remain in good standing, one adult family member must attend at least 50% of all Club functions. Excused absences will not be counted, however, the Board of Directors shall determine whether or not an excuse shall be accepted.
Sec. 5A Any member not attending five (5) consecutive Club functions shall be notified that they are no longer in good standing. If no response is received within ten (10) days, they shall be dropped from the rolls.
Sec. 6 All members must declare their home club at the beginning of each year or when joining another club.
Sec. 7 Any member not in good standing may not receive any yearend awards.
Sec. 8 Each November, every member starts with a clean slate for being a member in good standing.
Sec. 9 Tournament Director will verify that member is in good standing.
Article IV Fees and Dues
Sec. 1 The dues for membership shall be $50.00 per year, to include husband, wife and all children less than 16 years of age.
Sec. 2 Children of active members upon reaching the age of 16 may be in the family membership until they leave the home or upon reaching the age of 18. If there isn’t an opening at the time, they shall be first in line for the next opening, providing they meet all other membership requirements.
Sec. 3 The dues shall be due and payable on the first meeting in November each year.
Sec. 4 Any person paying dues after the December Club meeting will be assessed $25.00 late charge.
Article V Elections
Sec. 1 The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate past President, the Tournament Director and one elected Director so as to prevent a tie vote.
Sec. 2 Elections of officers shall be during the November meeting. Nominations will be taken during the October and November meetings. New officers will take office at the January meeting and assume all duties and responsibilities of their respective offices. A major vote of the members present will be needed to elect any officer. A family membership is entitled to two votes by the two adult members. Anyone under the age of 16 must have their own membership in order to be entitled to vote. Members must be present to vote.
Sec. 3 The elections of officers will be held at regular Club meetings. A notice will be sent to each member prior to any election. Only members in good standing shall be privileged to vote.
Sec. 4 Tournament dates and lakes will be voted on at the October meeting.
Article VI Officers
Sec. 1 The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors and shall perform other duties such as it pertains to the Office of President. The President shall designate and appoint committees.
Sec. 2 The Vice President shall assist the President and preside at all functions in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall handle all membership applications. The Vice President will be responsible for interviewing and briefing all prospective members and making sure they understand all Club rules, expenses and participation rules. Prospective members will be required to sign a statement to the effect and attend one monthly Club meeting before they are accepted as members of the Club.
Sec. 3 The Secretary shall keep a current record of all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors and to other similar organizations, assist the President in corresponding with any Club business and shall perform all other duties as usually pertains to the Office of Secretary.
Sec. 4 The Treasurer shall collect all dues and fees of the members and all other funds of the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies of the Club in such bank as selected by the Board of Directors and keep a current and continuing record of all deposits and withdrawals. The Treasurer shall pay all debts approved by the Board of Directors. The President and/or the Treasurer shall sign all checks. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties pertinent to the office.
Sec. 5 The Tournament Director shall be responsible for filling out tournament applications and applying said documents to the appropriate government agencies. The Tournament Director has the final say on all items concerning the operation, direction and cancellation of the tournament. This includes weather, speed and off limit locations. His/her duties also include:
§ Setting tournament start and stop times.
§ Establishing order of boat blasts off.
§ Boat checks for livewells and safety equipment.
§ Weighing in fish at tournaments.
§ Setting up Club tournament standing results on a tournament by tournament basis.
§ Awarding tournament and yearend awards.
§ Verify that members are in good standing.
§ Assess penalties i.e. dead fish, fish less than 10”, late arrival after stop time, etc.
If the Tournament Director knows he/she will be absence from a tournament, he/she will appoint another Club member to act in their behalf.
Sec. 6 The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate past President, Tournament Director and one elected Director. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and may act on any and all matters concerning the Club. The Board of Directors shall serve as the Tournament Rules Committee.
Sec. 7 The Board of Directors shall have the power to drop from the membership after a show cause hearing by the Board. The complaints must be given to the Board of Directors in writing. Complaints shall only be settled after hearing both sides of the complaint and results of the Board’s decision shall be given to both parties in writing, if so desired. Complaints pertaining to tournaments must be given to the Board of Directors prior to the next regular Club meeting. Any manner of cheating in a tournament will not be tolerated.
Sec. 8 In the event of the loss of the President, the Vice President will assume the Office of President and an election shall be held at the next Club meeting to fill the Office of Vice President.
Sec. 9 Any officer who plans to be absent from two consecutive meetings for any reason shall notify the Board of Directors so that an alternate may be designated to act in their absence.
Sec. 10 Only persons who are paid up in all dues and fees and who have been a member for one (1) year or more shall be eligible to hold office. The Board of Directors can waive this time period. Any member holding office in this Club cannot hold office in any other club of similar nature.
Article VII Meetings
Sec. 1 Meetings of the Evergreen Bass Club shall be held on a monthly basis. Normally the Club meeting shall be held the first Tuesday of the month. The Board of Directors shall meet as necessary on a date designated by the President.
Sec. 2 A majority of members in good standing shall constitute a quorum and may transact any and all business of the Club.
Sec. 3 Special meetings of the Club can be called by the President or upon written request of at least five (5) members. The Secretary shall notify all members as far in advance as reasonably possible. Only business pertaining to the special meeting will be conducted or considered.
Sec. 4 Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum for the Board of Directors and conduct all business normally conducted by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 5 Members shall not leave the business portion of the meeting to obtain refreshments.
Article VIII Changes
Sec. 1 This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by the majority of the members present at any meeting. Any proposed amendment(s) shall be presented to the membership prior to voting to allow ample time to fully understand said amendment(s). All rules shall be written exactly as amended.
Sec. 2 Any changes to Constitution and By-Laws or Tournament Rules becomes effective immediately after the approval of the changes at a Club meeting.
Article IX Conduct
Sec. 1 Any person displaying or using a weapon of any description at any Club function will be automatically expelled from the Club.
Article X Distribution of Assets
Sec. 1 In the event of dissolution, all assets and real property, if any, shall be distributed equally among all members in good standing at the time of dissolution and donated to each member’s own charity.