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Bylaws for Bass Anglers of Michiana

a B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Chapter

ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

This chapter shall be called the:

BASS Anglers of Michiana (BAM)

Granger, Indiana, 46530

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 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 youth fishing and a love for this great recreation. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the state BASS Federation Nation, embracing the principles and purposes of BASSฎ.

ARTICLE II – Membership

Section 1: Number of Members: The chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six 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 a member of the Indiana BASS Federation Nation.

(d) Be recommended by two members at a regular monthly meeting.

(e) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by secret ballot and affirmation shall be two-thirds of the members present.

(f) Be 18 years of age.

Section 3: Membership Dues

The membership dues shall be $60 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the chapter, $30 of which shall be for Federation Nation dues and $10 of which shall be for the Indiana BASS Federation dues and $20 of which shall be Chapter dues. BASS membership dues are also required at the current rate. (See ARTICLE VI, Section 1 for state affiliation requirements.)

Section 4: 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/Tournament Director: 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 your chapter and the BASS Federation and the state BASS

Federation chapter.

(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.

Section 2: Elections

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

Section 3: Eligibility of Vote

Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.

Section 4: Term of Office

The term of office is for two years, which shall begin on January 1 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 by the club President 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 one year. (One years’ 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 five members: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and immediate past-president.

(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 rule on all tournament rules infractions, chapter bylaws violations and all protests

when appropriately received.

(4) The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.

ARTICLE V – Removal of Membership

Section 1: Removal of Membership

Members may be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:

(a) Failure to pay dues.

(b) Any action that 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 BASS-sponsored events, including disqualification for

use of drugs or alcohol.

Note: Military deployment exempt.

ARTICLE VI – Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation

(a) Approval of chapter charter by BASS.

(b) Update BASS with chapter membership roster once each year. Annual update cycle begins each year on Nov. 1.

(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted online to BASS as they

occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)

(d) Maintain 100% BASS membership.

(e) Must affiliate with the Indiana Federation Nation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the Indiana 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 tournament(s) and any other Federation Nation-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.

We, the undersigned charter members, do hereby agree to the above bylaws and the commencement of the chapter on this

the 14TH day of Feb., 2010

John E. Leader – President

Ken Holder – Vice President

Eric Kloss – Treasurer

Brian Souza – Secretary