Constitution / By-Laws of the All-American Anglers
Article I - Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of this club shall be called the All-American Anglers of Killeen Texas.
Section 2. The motto of this club will be “Friendship thru Fishing” and will support our sport by promoting conservation, youth in fishing, education and a courteous attitude to the public, and its waters.
Article II - Membership
Section 1. This club shall begin with and maintain at least six members 16 years or older.
Section 2. All members must express a genuine interest in membership; become a member of B.A.S.S.; be recommended by 2 club members; attend the club meeting prior to the club tournament. New members shall be on probation for a period of 2 club functions (meeting or tournament). After the probation period has ended member shall be approved by a 100% vote of membership in attendance at the next scheduled club meeting.
Section 3. Requirements for junior membership
To become a junior member of an adult chapter, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be under 16 years of age.
*Junior members are not required to pay national membership dues and are not entitled to the benefits of a regular member. The acceptance of junior members will not affect a club’s liability insurance policy. Junior members are not covered by the accidental death and dismemberment policy. Junior members may not hold office in an adult club nor may they be voting members. At age 16, junior members may continue membership by joining the club as a regular member. Junior membership ceases on a person’s 17th birthday.
Section 4. All memberships will expire on December 31.
Section 5. Honorary memberships will be granted only by the Board of Directors (BOD).
Article III – Officers, Elections and Eligibility to Hold Office
Section 1. The officers of the club shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Tournament Director (TD) with appointed officers as Conservation and youth directors.
Section 2. An open election will be held at the regular December club meeting to elect the 5 officials who will make up the BOD for the oncoming year. These elected officials will be installed at the December meeting and shall take office on January 1st every year.
Section 3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership and shall be assisted by the other officers. Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure shall be observed at all times to cover procedures not specified in the Constitution.
Section 4. The BOD shall be responsible for the general affairs of the club and as specifically directed within this Constitution. Their decisions shall be binding and final, except that they shall not abridge the right to petition. The BOD must approve all expenditures of the Club’s funds.
Section 5. All elected officials shall be allowed to serve only two (2) consecutive terms in the same office unless voted on by membership to continue further.
Section 6. No member shall be eligible to be nominated for an officer or director position unless he has been a member in good standing for at least 1 year and all dues are current.
Section 7. Should the President be unable to attend a meeting, the Vice President shall preside in his absence. In case an officer or director leaves the club permanently, the President shall call a special election to fill the un-expired term. Any absence of an elected official for more than two (2) months without special circumstance shall be considered a permanent change and the office must be relinquished. Should he return, he may be eligible to run for office at the next election.
Section 8. Regular meetings shall, normally, be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The President may call special meetings.
Article IV- Membership Dues
Section 1. The dues for regular members will be $58.00 annually.
B.A.S.S. Federation Nation dues – $18.00 State / $20.00 National
Club dues - $20.00
Section 2. Requirements for Affiliation
(a) Approval of Chapter Charter by B.A.S.S.
(b) Update B.A.S.S. with chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current B.A.S.S. roster at year’s end.
(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur.
(d) Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership.
(e) Must affiliate with State Federation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation-sponsored tournaments or events.
Section 3. Dues will be paid at the December meeting. Failure to pay annual dues by the December meeting will cause member to be ineligible to fish the January tournament. New members’ “club dues” shall be pro rated according to month they join the club.
Section 4. Failure to reinstate dues prior to the February meeting will be reason for striking an individual from the membership list.
Article V – Tournament Guidelines
Section 1. Rules for the tournaments will be based on "Club Policies and Procedures". These "Club Policies and Procedures" will be set by the BOD and approved by a 2/3 majority of members present at Novembers scheduled club meeting.
Section 2. All tournaments shall be based upon a draw system. Awards / 5$ Pot will be presented to the member with the most weight for that tournament. Cash Award may be given for “Big Bass” of the tournament when members throw in $ for that cash pot.
Section 3. At the end of the calendar year, the six (6) members who earned the most points for the year shall be recognized at a special function of the club in December, at this function the "Top 6" shall be presented a plaque recognizing their accomplishments. An additional prize may be awarded at the discretion of the BOD.
Section 4. The club may sponsor the "Top 6" or their alternates to state level tournaments each year. The Top 6 members may petition the board at any time to represent the club in any state level sanctioned tournament. Any sponsorship or participation in the name of All-American Anglers must be approved by the BOD prior to fishing such a tournament.
Section 5. Additional tournaments may be held during the year. The BOD shall handle dates, times and details of additional tournaments.
Section 6. At the December meeting, all lakes within a 50 mile radius will be eligible for draw. Every monthly meeting, 2 lakes (primary / alternate) will be drawn and the club will fish the primary lake the following Saturday.
Section 7. There will be no “paper tournaments”. Any tournament fished on a “slot lake” will be fished in accordance with the TP&W regulations.
Section 8. Any member may bring a guest to the following club functions (tournaments, Fund Raisers, and meetings). The only time a guest will not be permitted is during Regional or State functions. There will be no limit to the number of times a guest may attend such club functions.
Article VI – Method of Amending By-Laws
Section 1. Proposed changes / additions / amendments to this constitution may be voted upon by the membership at the November meeting. The amendment must receive at least 2/3 of votes of membership for two consecutive meetings to be adopted (November and December). Upon adoption amendments become effective immediately but in no case may they be considered retroactive. Proposed amendments may be presented to the membership from the floor as a motion or from the BOD. Discussion and debate shall be limited to twenty minutes.
Section 2. The bylaws and provisions of this constitution shall be observed and no changes shall be made until the next years voting month (November). Any misunderstandings or interpretations will be up to the BOD with the overall objective of doing what is in the best interest of the club and what is fair for all concerned.
Article VII – Jr. Bassmasters
Name and purpose
Section 1: Name
This chapter shall be called the ______________________ of ___________________________TX
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of our Junior BASS Club is to promote and encourage youth fishing through education of fishing ethics, sportsmanship, fishing techniques, and conservation of our natural resources. To fulfill all responsibilities we owe to our community, our state, and our society to help maintain natural fishing resources.
Membership
Section 1: Number of Members
The Chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six members.
Section 2: Requirements for Membership
To become a chapter member, a person shall:
A. expresses an interest in membership.
B. is 18 years old or younger.
Section 3: Membership Dues
The dues shall be $10.00 per member for BASS Federation Nation dues and $_________ for club dues each year. This entitles each Junior Member to a current issue of BASS Times, eligibility for the Junior World Championship and either renews or starts their BASS Youth membership which includes a Junior Bassmaster Magazine, the Master Angler Program, plus a patch, decal and their own personal membership wallet card.
Section 4: Meetings
The club shall hold regular meetings on the ____________ of each month.
Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility
Section 1: Officers and their duties
The officers of the club shall include:
a. PRESIDENT: Run all meetings and conduct all business with the guidance of an adult
BASS member.
b. VICE PRESIDENT: Run meetings if the president is not present and assist president in
any way possible.
c. SECRETARY: Take minutes of all meetings and take care of all correspondence and mail.
d. TREASURER: Collect, record, and disburse all money of the club.
Section 2: Elections
The elections of officers shall be held annually. Elections shall be by majority of members present. Elections for each officer shall be held separately in order listed in ARTICLE III, Section 1. Each member is entitled to one vote, proxy votes are not permitted.
Section 3: Term of Office
The term of office is for one year, which shall begin when elected, and ends with the next year’s election.
Section 4: Vacancies
In the event an office becomes vacant, an election shall take place to fill the position until the end of the term. If this happens, the BASS Federation must be notified of the change in officers.
Section 5: Eligibility for Holding Office
To be eligible for an office, a member must:
A. have been a member for six months.
B. has attended 75% of all club activities.
C. has paid club dues.
Removal of Membership
Section 1: Causes for Removal
A member shall be dropped from the club for the following reasons:
A. failure to pay dues.
B. failure to participate in 50% of club activities.
C. any action that would dishonor and/or disgrace the club or BASS.
Affiliation
Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation
a. Approval of Junior Club by BASS.
b. Update the membership roster which BASS will provide you once each year, usually in
October.
c. Name, address, and dues of new members must be sent to BASS as they join.
d. Should be sponsored by an adult BASS Federated club. If this is not possible, request
exception to policy from BASS.
e. Must affiliate with State Federation and support its conservation programs.
Method of Amending Bylaws
Section 1: Amending the Bylaws
The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a majority of the members present. Members must be notified of the amendment one week in advance prior to voting on it.
We, the undersigned charter members, do hereby agree to the above bylaws and the establishment of this chapter on the _______ day of ____________, 20_____.
Article VIII – Disciplinary Actions
Section 1. Should a member (s) including officers/directors, cause embarrassment or undue criticism to the club, or anything to offend this constitution, they may be cited to show cause before the BOD. The directors are to see that appropriate action, if any is to be taken. In extreme cases, as decided by the BOD, it shall be discussed in an open meeting of the club, and if it is the desire of at least 2/3 of the membership present, offender may be expelled from the club. Expulsive will be considered permanent until such member petitions to the BOD for reinstatement and receives a unanimous vote from the entire club membership.
Section 2. If any member, including officers/directors miss four (4) consecutive meetings they will be placed on inactive status and may not compete for any monetary awards unless past monies have been brought to date and current.
Section 3. During all club functions, all persons (including guests) are to conduct themselves in a courteous and sportsman-like manner.
We the undersigned charter members do hereby agree to the above bylaws and the commencement of the chapter on this day of:
Established 08/14/06
Updated / Approved 12/11/07