ARTICLE 1: CLUB AIM
The aim of the Jacksonville Bass Club shall be for the enjoyment, mastery and further skill of bass fishing through cooperative effort, trust and good fellowship, and to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreation.
ARTICLE 2: OFFICERS
A. THE CLUB SHALL HAVE SIX OFFICERS
1. President: Norm James
2. Vice-President: Jamie Simmons
3. Secretary: Kirk Hedrick
4. Treasurer: Robert Hansens
5. Tournament Chairman: John Allen
6. Chaplain: Loren Murwin
B. NOMINATIONS
1. Made one (1) month before the classic.
2. Election is held the same month as the classic, unless there is a vacancy.
C. TERMS
1. Officers will serve a one (1) year term.
2. Officers may only serve three (3) terms in a row in the same position.
3. The year will begin in June and will end with the classic, in the month of May.
D. RESPONSIBILITIES
1. PRESIDENT
a. Shall not vote on any nominations or club activity; with the exception of a tie vote.
b. Shall assist the other officers for the betterment of the club.
2. VICE-PRESIDENT
a. Shall take over the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.
b. Shall head a by-laws grievance committee with six (6) club members of his or her choice, per incident.
c. Shall arrange fund-raiser and special function committees.
d. Will purchase plaques or trophies.
e. Shall assist the other officers for the betterment of the club.
3. SECRETARY
a. Shall keep the minutes of the meeting.
b. Shall handle required club business.
c. Shall keep a list of members and their attendance at club functions.
d. Shall send a monthly newsletter to active members of the Jacksonville Bass Club.
e. Shall assist the other officers for the betterment of the club.
4. TREASURER
a. Shall keep a record of all transactions between club members and club checkbook.
b. Responsible for paying out the money at all club tournaments.
c. Responsible for providing at each club meeting a written monthly report of all financials, including total funds and progressive pot total. The secretary shall be provided a copy of the written monthly report at each meeting.
d. Shall provide internet access to himself, Tournament Chairman & President; who are also listed as check signers on the club account.
e. Shall assist the other officers for the betterment of the club.
5. TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN
a. Shall call the meetings to order.
b. Shall preside over the meetings.
c. Shall coordinate and pick tournament sites on previously selected date.
d. Shall coordinate pairings of boaters and non-boaters.
e. Shall keep a record of each tournament’s point standings.
f. Shall, with assistance, set up procedures on weighing and measuring fish at weigh-in.
g. Will select his/her committee members.
h. Shall assist the other officers for the betterment of the club.
6. CHAPLAIN
a. Shall open all club functions with a prayer.
b. Shall be in charge of the club flower fund and sending a card in the case of an illness, or flowers in the case of a death, of a club member’s immediate family.
c. Shall assist the other officers for the betterment of the club.
A. PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
1. “Jacksonville Bass Club” reserves the right to deny any person to fish a tournament for any reason deemed appropriate by the club. A majority vote by the members present shall be taken.
2. Shall attend four (4) club functions before being voted into the club.
3. Any points accumulated during the probation period will be recognized, if voted in.
B. DELINQUENT MEMBERS
1. Any club member delinquent in dues for three (3) months will be notified and dropped from the roll.
2. To be reinstated, the member must go through normal membership trial, with the exception of charter members.
C. MEMBERSHIP FEES
1. Membership fees shall be set at $40.00 a year; 25% of membership fees must be paid before fishing a tournament, the remainder of the fee will be paid quarterly.
2. Prospective members will pay ¼ of the annual dues upon fishing their 1st tournament. (Dues may be paid in full at any time).
D. TOURNAMENT FEES
1. Tournament entry fees will be set at $35.00, payable prior to the tournament.
2. The first $10.00 of each entry fee goes to the club, and the remaining money is prize money.
3. Payoff will be as follows:
a. 1 – 8 Participants: Pay 1st only @ 100%.
b. 9 – 16 Participants: Pay (2) places; 1st (60%) and 2nd (40%).
c. 17 Participants & Up: Pay (3) places; 1st (50%), 2nd (30%) and
3rd (20%).
d. Exceptions: When only one (1) person catches fish, then only 1st place is paid at 100%. If only two (2) people catch fish, the payout will be 1st: 60% and 2nd: 40%.
4. An optional “Big Bass Pot” is available for a fee of $5.00 per member per tournament. The person who catches the largest bass of the tournament, and has paid the fee, will win the pot at 100% payback.
5. Any member sponsoring a prospective member is eligible to have one (1) club paid entry fee, with the exception of the classic tournament, when that prospective member is voted into the club. This includes any number of prospective members, the maximum number of tournaments that an angler can fish for free shall be one (1) tournament per year.
6. Any member or prospective member committed to fish a tournament is liable for the entry fees and will not be allowed to fish until all debts are current. This includes all club dues, as well as the entry fees.
7. In the event of a tie, the money and/or classic points will be combined with the next place, and divided between the two people.
8. Entry fees will not be refunded or carried over; the only exception would be the death of a family member.
ARTICLE 4: POINTS SYSTEM
A. (5) Points will be awarded for fishing the tournament; you will be allowed to buy two (2) tournaments per year for points.
B. (5) Points will be awarded for coming to the meeting.
C. After 10th place, each person who catches a legal fish gets one (1) point.
D. In the event of a tie in classic points, the member with the highest total weight of fish will take the higher spot; total number of fish will be a second tie-breaker.
Example: 1st: 21 Points, 2nd: 20 Points, 3rd: 19 Points.
Angler of the Year: The club shall recognize the angler of the year at the end of the year. Angler of the year will be the person who has accumulated the most tournament points (excludes meeting points) through the current points system in place for the club at this time. The angler of the year award will consist of a plaque or jacket and the following year’s entry fees paid for. Angler of the year will also be awarded 10% of the classic fund fished for at the end of the year.
ARTICLE 5: CLASSIC TOURNAMENT
A. The classic will be held in the month of May.
B. Tournament Chairman must notify members of date and location two (2) months prior to the classic.
C. All club members are eligible to fish the classic, provided their club dues are paid and they have (60) classic points. If the member is under the (60) classic points, the member may pay the difference to be able to fish the classic, provided the member has fished at least five (5) tournaments.
D. Base entry fee will be set at $100.00, then for every tournament a member fishes throughout the regular season, $5.00 will be deducted from the base fee.
ARTICLE 6: AGE REQUIREMENTS AND CLUB COLORS
A. Club Secretary will keep a list of members present at each meeting. The minimum age for membership is 15 years of age. Any member under the age of 18 must have a letter of release from a parent or guardian, releasing Jacksonville Bass Club of all responsibilities.
B. The club hat and shirt colors are open.
ARTICLE 7: CHECK WRITING
A. Any club check written over $100.00 shall require two (2) of the three (3) authorized signatures.
B. Payment of winnings shall be payable at the end of the tournament at the ramp. If two (2) check signers are unavailable, then winnings shall be payable at the next meeting or may be mailed in a timely manner to participant. All payouts will be done by check.
ARTICLE 8: RULES OF CONDUCT
A. No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs allowed during club tournaments or meetings.
B. No one under the influence of alcohol will be allowed to fish a tournament or attend any club function.
C. Good sportsmanship rules will be observed.
D. If competitor has the trolling motor up and anchor out, you may not get within 50 yards of the competitor’s boat; unless the competitor allows you to do so.
E. No trolling.
F. No live bait.
G. No jigger fishing.
H. Only one (1) rod and reel in action at a time.
I. All boats must comply with U.S.C.G. requirements.
J. All members will wear life jackets or life vests anytime the boat is on plane, not when outboard is on.
K. The boater must not let his/her line or bait drift or float back past the center of the boat, as to interfere with the non-boater’s water; non-boater shall abide by the same rules for the boater.
L. If fishing in canals or narrow waterways, the boater should ask the non-boater if he/she would like to fish in the front of the boat, so as each would have equal chances.
M. It is every member’s responsibility to furnish their own life preserver, rain suit, rods, tackle, etc.
N. Any grievances will be submitted to the President, who will appoint a grievance committee to review the grievance. Grievance committee decisions are final.
O. Non-boaters will pay a minimum of $25.00 to boaters for fuel and other expenses, any additional costs will be discussed prior to the start of the tournament.
P. Proposed pairings of boaters and non-boaters will be held at the Thursday night meeting.
ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
A. By-laws are open for discussion once a year, on the next to the last month of the year.
B. Voting takes place on the next month.
C. If all club officers that are present agree that it is for the good of the club, the by-laws may be opened during the year, as needed; to be voted on by club members at the club meeting.