Club Bylaws

SUMMERVILLE BASSMASTERS

CONSTITUTION/BY-LAWS

Revised: October 1, 2022

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Name

This Chapter shall be called the Summerville Bassmasters, of Summerville, South Carolina.

Section 2. Purpose

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 the 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 youth fishing, and a love for this great recreation. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other Chapters and embrace the principles and purposes of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Number of Members

The Chapter shall begin with at least six but not more than ten charter members. Total general membership, active and inactive, shall not exceed seventy-five (75) members.

Section 2. Requirements for Membership

To become a Chapter member, an applicant shall:

(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

(b) Submit application, sponsored by two members, to any club officer.

(c) Pay all dues (Chapter, South Carolina Bass Federation, and B.A.S.S.) upon applying for membership. Should an applicant fail to become a Chapter member, Chapter dues will be refunded to the applicant.

(d) Serve a ninety (90) day probationary period, during which time the applicant will be an active member with all privileges except:

(1) Voting privileges.

(2) Eligibility to participate on a Chapter six-man team.

(3) Inclusion on the B.A.S.S. recognized Chapter roster.

(e) Be a member of BASS ANGLERS SPORTSMAN SOCIETY (B.A.S.S.) within ninety (90) days of applying for membership to SUMMERVILLE BASSMASTERS, and must show proof of B.A.S.S. membership prior to being awarded membership to SUMMERVILLE BASSMASTERS.

(f) Be awarded full membership to SUMMERVILLE BASSMASTERS at the end of the probationary period with approval by a secret ballot of 2/3’s vote of the members present.

Section 3. Membership Requirements for Six-Man Teams

Any club member who fails to meet the minimum attendance requirements as stated in the By-Laws will not be eligible to participate on any six-man team or in any State Federation Tournament. Special or unusual cases will be reviewed by the Board of Directors as prescribed in the existing By-Laws. For determination of the Six-man Team roster in cases of a points tie, total weight for the tournament year will decide.

Section 4. Membership Requirements for Banquet

Any club member who fails to meet the minimum attendance requirements as stated in the By-Laws will forfeit free admission to the Mr. Bass Banquet. Special or unusual cases will be reviewed by the Board of Directors as prescribed in the existing By-Laws.

Section 5. Membership Dues

Membership dues (in an amount determined by the general membership) shall be paid annually, no later than the September business meeting. Members whose dues are in arrears for more than sixty days shall relinquish membership. (Part-Year dues are to be prorated quarterly).

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES, AND ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. Officers and Their Duties

The officers of this Chapter shall consist of:

  1. President: Presides over all meetings and directs all official business. Appoints and directs all committee functions. Supervises all club functions. Updates By-Laws and Tournament Rules annually to reflect changes.

(b) Vice-President: Acts as program chairman, assists the president in his duties and presides in the absence of the President.

(c) Secretary: Maintains accurate minutes of all meetings. Maintains regular liaison between other Chapters and the B.A.S.S. National Headquarters.

(d) Treasurer: Maintains accurate financial records, reports financial status at monthly meeting, and substitutes for any missing officer.

(e) Tournament Chairman: Selects type, time and place for tournaments (tournament dates are finalized by a simple majority vote of members present at the November monthly business meeting, and can be amended only under established procedures). Supervises and directs all tournaments, ensuring compliance with club tournament rules.

(f) Safety Coordinator: Assists the Tournament Chairman in supervising tournament blast-off; conducts any required inspections of boats; advises the general membership in the maintenance and operation of boats as required to meet local, state, and federal regulations; and coordinates and directs search for any member missing at tournament weigh-in.

Section 2. Board of Directors Composition

The Board of Directors will be comprised as follows:

(a) The current President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Chairman, and Safety Coordinator.

(b) The last outgoing President.

(c) Any Charter Member who has maintained active membership.

Section 3. Board of Directors Responsibilities

The Board of Directors, as elected officials of this organization known as “The Summerville Bassmasters”, shall be the governing body of said organizationand shall be directly responsible for:

(a) Final approval of financial transactions to be made in the name of “Summerville Bassmasters”.

(b) Final approval of all club tournaments, including times, locations, type and other necessary information as provided by the Tournament Chairman and the club tournament rules.

(c) Final authority for the removal from office, any office holder who no longer meets eligibility requirements for maintaining office as specified in this constitution.

(d) Final authority for the removal from the general membership rolls, any member who no longer meets eligibility requirements for membership as specified in this constitution.

(e) Final approval and/or authority toward coordinating all other club functions.

(f) Final approval and/or authority for violations of rules and good sportsmanship.

Section 4. Elections

The election of officers shall be held annually at the regular business meeting during the month of September. Election shall be by a simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately, and in the order listed in Article III, Section 1.

Section 5. Eligibility to Vote

Each member (in good standing) is entitled to one vote. Proxy (absentee) votes are not allowed.

Section 6. Term of Office

The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on the first day of October and end on the last day of September, or until the successor assumes office.

Section 7. Eligibility to Hold Office

  1. Has been a member for at least six months (not including Probationary Period).
  1. Has attended at least 2/3s of Chapter meetings and 2/3s of Chapter functions (in good standing).
  1. Has shown an active interest in all Chapter functions.
  1. Does not hold Office in any other local Bass Club.

ARTICLE IV. METHOD OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION/BY-LAWS

The Constitution/By-Laws may be amended annually at the September business meeting by a 2/3’s vote of the members present, provided 2/3’s of the club members in good standing are present at the time of the vote, and the proposed amendment was presented to the membership by a member in good standing and seconded at the August business meeting.

ARTICLE V. REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP

A member may be dropped from the membership roll for any the following:

  1. Failure to pay dues.
  1. Failure to maintain membership in B.A.S.S.
  1. Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on this Chapter.
  1. Failure to attend 50% of the Chapter meetings and 50% of Chapter functions during the Club’s yearly schedule, as determined by the Board of directors unless a member is active-duty military or a charter member.
  1. Repeated incidence of inebriation during tournaments.
  1. Choosing to fish on another six-man team, when member qualifies (top six) for the SUMMERVILLE BASSMASTER’s six-man team.
  1. A Member should notify a member of the Board for any work, illness (surgery), or B.A.S.S. related absence. Such absence can be excused pertaining to (d) above and the requirements for holding Office.

ARTICAL VI. RIGHTS OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP TO CENSURE

The General Membership retains the right to overturn or censure the decision of any official, or body of officials, by a 2/3’s vote of the membership present at any regularly scheduled meeting provided a Quorum is present at the time of the vote.

ARTICLE VII. AFFILIATION

Section 1. Affiliation with Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.)

This Chapter will maintain 100% membership in B.A.S.S. and submit a membership roster to B.A.S.S. headquarters at least once a year. This roster must include names and complete addresses of all Chapter members.

Section 2. Affiliation with South Carolina Bass Federation

This Chapter will maintain affiliation with the South Carolina Bass Federation and pay annual dues as specified in order to remain eligible to participate in South Carolina Bass Federation tournaments and activities, including attendance of State Federation meetings by the President or a designated representative.

___Jim Rozelle___ October 1, 2022

President Date

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