Panhandle Bass Club
Constitution and By-Laws

Founded May, 2002
Revised 10/08//03

Charter Members:

Mack Cramer, Fred Raby, Wally Cassiano, Don Yahnke , and Rich Cornelius

Article 1

Section 1. This club shall be called the Panhandle Bass Club.

Section 2. Purpose: To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport; to offer our state conservation department our organized and political support and encouragement, to promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards, to detect and report the polluter and to call attention to his crime; to improve our skills as bass anglers through fellowship of friendly exchange of bass catching techniques and ideas.

Article II Membership:

Section 1. Membership requirements.
To become an active member, a person shall

1. Express an interest in membership, by completing a member profile and signing the participation agreement stating that he is willing to share information on where and how he catches fish. He further agrees to abide by all club rules and constitution.

2. Potential member must be nominated by a member in good standing and MUST BE PERSONALLY KNOWN TO THE MEMBER SO NOMINATING . He will then fish as a guest prior to being voted on for membership. A guest will be paired with the first boat out to have an empty seat.
3. Full membership will be awarded upon prospective member receiving 100% affirmative vote and payment of dues and ordering of a shirt and hat. Vote will be by secret ballot.
4. Potential members must own a boat, said boat shall be in working order,
(i.e.- bow & stern lights, aerated live wells, kill switch, etc. ). Each member
shall be required to utilize their boat and participate in at least eight(8) of the
previous (12) tournaments in order to be eligible for the fish-off.

Section 2. Removal of membership
1. A member may be removed from membership for failure to meet membership requirements.
2. Violation of club rules
3. Violation of state laws
4. Removal of a member will be subject to an E-Board review, recommendation to the membership for removal, and a majority vote of the members present.
5. A member must fish at least one tournament a quarter and attend one meeting a quarter to remain a member in good standings.

Section 3. Dues

1. Dues are payable at the October meeting for the following year. Any member that has not paid his dues by the October meeting will be removed from membership and must reapply for membership under Article 2.
2. Membership dues will be $40.00 per year.
3. Dues will be prorated on a quarterly basis for joining members.
4. Membership shall be limited to 25 members, a waiting list will be
maintained by the club secretary.

Article III

Section I. Officers and Elections.
a. President: Presides over all meeting and directs all official business; appoints and directs all committee functions, serves as the head of the E-Board { except the Tournament Committee}, supervises all club functions, initiates any changes to the constitution and by-laws or new rules. Signs checks as an alternate with the treasurer.
b. Secretary: Maintains accurate minutes of all meetings and reads those minutes to the membership at the beginning of each meeting, publishes monthly newsletter, maintains an accurate record of point standings, publishes a membership roster & maintains attendance records.
c. Tournament Director : Serves as chairman of the Tournament Committee, performs duties as tournament director in accordance with Tournament Rules.
d. Treasurer: Maintains accurate financial records & reports at each meeting, collects all monies due the club. Due's, fees etc. Provides an accurate report of treasury. Provides payout's of tournament winnings and handles the bank account.
e. Sergeant at Arms/Asst. Tournament Director: Maintains order at all club functions. Assists TD as needed in set up, break down of scales, and weigh in. Fills in at the absence of the TD.

Section 2. E-Board

a. The E-Board will consist of elected officers.

Section 3. Negligence, Removal from office.

a. Any officer or board member found negligent in the performance of assigned duties, by the E-Board, shall be removed from office and suspended from club membership for a period of time agreed upon by the E-Board.

Section 4. Elections

a. A nominating committee chaired by the President and two active members will submit a slate of nominations at the September meeting. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the September meeting.
b. The election of officers shall be annually at the regular October meeting. Elections shall be a simple majority vote of members present.

Section 5. Term of Office

a. The term of office is one year , beginning the first day of November and ending the last day of October.

Section 6. Vacancy of Office. In the event of an office vacancy, nominations shall be asked for and election held at the next meeting to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term.

Section 7. Eligibility for Office.
a. All active club members are eligible to hold office.

Article IV

Section 1. Amending the Constitution and By-Laws.

a. The constitution and by-laws, tournament rules and fish off rules may be amended at the regular October meeting by a majority vote of those members present, provided notice of the proposed amendments have been presented to the membership via the September newsletter prior to the October vote
b. By special request of any active member in good standing, any proposed change which is reviewed by the E-Board and receives a 100% affirmative vote, then can be presented at the next scheduled meeting to introduce as a change to the constitution and / or by-laws and tournament rules. This would be a special circumstance or emergency measure which would be in the clubs best interest.

Article V

Section 1. Meetings, Parliamentary Procedures.

a. Meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month.
b. Meetings will be conducted according to parliamentary procedure.

Article VI

Section 1. Tournaments
a. Tournament sights will be selected by the E-Board and chaired by the
Tournament Director. Every consideration will be given to follow the
Pensacola Hawg Hunter tournament schedule.
b. Club tournaments will be conducted according to tournament rules.
c. Tournaments will be held the weekend following the club meeting.
d. The competitive fishing year will run from November through October with the fish-off being the last tournament of the competitive year.

Article VII SOP (standard operating procedure)

This section will be known as SOP (standard operating procedures) section. This will govern situations not covered in the constitution and bylaws. These may be changed at any time with a majority vote.

1. Start of the tournament will be announced by the tournament director.
2. Weigh-in will begin after all boats are out of the water.
3. The annual fish-off will be voted in after the tournament schedule is set based on nominations from the members under the following conditions: Any nomination shall be less than a ten hour drive, nominations shall include information on the fishery, accommodations, and any information pertinent to that site.
Nominations will be discussed and voted on in December.