Constitution and Bylaws of the
Northport Bass Club
Amended 11/07/07
 

Contents:

ARTICLE I  
 ARTICLE II 
ARTICLE III
ARTICLE IV  
 ARTICLE V 
ARTICLE VI
ARTICLE VII 
ARTICLE VIII
ARTICLE IX  
 ARTICLE X

Name and Purpose
Membership
Official Code Of Conduct
 Club Officers
Board of Directors
Meetings
Official Tournaments
Angler of the Year
End of Season "Classic"
Changes to Constitution and Bylaws

ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose

SECTION 1: Name

This organization shall be called the Northport Bass Club, hereafter referred to as N.B.C. or the Club.  The club will be affiliated with The Bass Federation, Inc. , Alabama Chapter, hereafter referred to as TBF, or The TBF.

SECTION 2: Purpose

1. Provide a forum where anglers can engage in the organized support, protection, education, conservation and encouragement of the sport of tournament bass fishing, and

2. Provide a means for visiting many of the premiere fishing locations located in Western Alabama, and

3. Provide a means by which club members can improve their angling skills and knowledge, and

4. Provide a forum to meet fellow anglers, and

5. Provide a family safe / family friendly environment for all anglers and their families at all club events and gatherings. See Article III.

ARTICLE II – Membership

SECTION 1: Eligibility

1. Prospective members should have the organizational skills necessary to host and officiate a tournament. See Article VII.

2. Membership to the club is open to all who have completed the necessary applications, paid required dues, and are approved by a majority vote of the Club’s Board of Directors, with the exceptions noted in Section 1.3.  Applicants over the age of 18 must be regular members, under the age of 16 must become Junior Members, Those of the age of 16 and 17 have the option of regular or junior membership. 

3.  In keeping with the founding philosophy of the Club, membership is not open to:  1) anglers that are currently or have some time in the past been professional or semi-professional bass anglers.  This includes individuals that have fished any of the professional or semi-professional bass circuits, been sponsored to fish in bass tournaments or that have guided for fee, and 2) any individual or group of individuals that have lost membership privileges from other bass clubs for tournament rule violations.

SECTION 2: Requirements of Membership

To remain a member in good standing, a person shall:

1. Pay annual membership dues as determined by the Board of Directors.  New members will pay dues upon being accepted for membership, and current members will pay dues prior to or at the annual organization meeting at the beginning of each tournament year.

2. Abide by all Club rules, official code of conduct and conduct themselves in a sportsman-like manner at all Club functions.

3. Regular club members are required to become a member of The Bass Federation (TBF, Inc.), Alabama Chapter.

4. Junior members under the age of 18 are permitted, but must fish with an active adult member, preferable with a parent or guardian.  Junior members are eligible for the Angler of the Year and can qualify for the Classic.

Junior members are NOT required to pay TBF dues and are not entitled to the benefits of a regular membership.  Individual junior members are NOT covered by the accidental death and dismemberment policy.  Junior members may not hold any office nor can they be voting members.  At age 16, junior members may choose to continue membership as an individual junior member or as a regular member.  All junior membership cease at the end of a tournament season in the year of a persons 18th birthday.

SECTION 3: Membership Dues

1. The membership dues shall be $35.00 annually for regular membership, $15.00 of which shall be for TBF National Federation Dues, $20.00 of which shall be club dues.   The cost for Junior members will be $10.00.

SECTION 4: Removal of Membership

Members that do not meet the requirements of membership may be recommended, by any member, for a judgment of “not in good standing”. Upon such recommendation, the Board of Directors will vote on whether the member in question’s status should be placed as “not in good standing”. Such members will be notified by a member of the board of his change in status. After a period of thirty days as a member “not in good standing” the Board of Directors may vote to dismiss the member in question.   If a member is dismissed no refunds of club dues will be issued and will be forfeited to the club.

SECTION 5: Guest

3. Guests will be limited to fishing three tournaments as a guest.  To continue to fish they must become a member.  In the event a Guest becomes a member all points received while fishing as a guest will be applied retroactively to their total Angler of the Year points and toward qualification for the Classic.  Regardless of points standings, Angler of the Year and Classic eligibility can only be awarded to an official club member. 

ARTICLE III - Official Code Of Conduct


SECTION 1: Membership Code of Conduct

Club Members are required to follow this Code at ANY club-sponsored event:

1. Any action by a member which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the club, State Federation, or TBF, will result in immediate recommendation to the Board of Directors for termination of membership.  No refunds of club dues will be issued in the event of termination of membership.
2. There will be NO swearing or use of foul or otherwise offensive language allowed under ANY circumstance. The club is a co-ed club and a family structured organization. Use of such language is strictly prohibited.

3. Alcoholic Beverages and illegal drugs will not be allowed at ANY club-sponsored event.

4. Tobacco use (e.g. "dipping", "chewing" and Smoking) is not permitted at any indoor function such as meetings or awards ceremonies. Members may use tobacco products outdoors or while fishing but MUST keep the environment safe and litter free while doing so.  

5. Heated arguments, fighting and scuffling will not be tolerated under any circumstance. Such acts will result in a review of standings and possible termination of club membership.

6. All Club sponsored functions will be scheduled for weekdays/nights and Saturdays.

Violation of any aspect of the official code of conduct will result in the Board of Directors reviewing membership status as outlined in Article II, Section 4.

ARTICLE IV– Club Officers

SECTION 1: Officers


Officers of the Club shall be:

1. President -- Shall preside over club at meetings, set the agenda, maintain order, and direct all official business. He shall appoint members to any unelected positions and committees and serve as an ex officio member of all committees.

2. Vice President – Shall assist the President in all of his duties and act for the president in his absence.   VP shall also be responsible for setting up and acquiring meeting guest and guest speakers if applicable.

3. Secretary – Shall maintain and distribute complete and accurate records including meeting minutes and tournament records as well as procure any needed tournament permits or meeting reservations.

4. Treasurer – Shall maintain club’s finances and checking account, and will be responsible for obtaining any tournament or Angler of the year trophies, plaques, etc.  At the end of season year, the Treasurer will make available a financial statement to all members.
SECTION 2: Elections

1. Election of Officers will occur annually at the beginning of the tournament year.   Forty-five days prior to elections the Board of Directors will accept nominations and confirm that nominees are willing to serve if elected.

2. Any member may accept and fill any two positions with the exception of President and Vice President.

3. Only Members in good standing from the previous year are allowed to vote.

4. The Board of Directors will determine which method of elections is most appropriate in a given year based on club circumstances:

a. Live Vote: If a well-attended organizational meeting is held at the beginning of the tournament year then a live vote may be conducted and Officers will be elected using a simple majority vote of the members present. Written and signed proxy votes will be permitted.
b. Web Based Vote: This can be conducted through email or a poll on the Club’s official website.

5. In the event an elected office becomes vacant the President will appoint a replacement to fulfill the remainder of the term.  If the President position is the one vacated, then the Vice-President will assume all Presidential duties and appoint a new Vice-President.

SECTION 3: Terms of Office

All elected officers will serve a term of one year. Newly elected officers will assume duties of their respective positions immediately following the annual elections.  There is no limitation on the number of times a member can be elected to an office.
 

ARTICLE V—Board of Directors

SECTION 1: Purpose

The Purpose of the Board of Directors (the Board) is to lay the necessary groundwork to establish the Club, ensure the longevity of the Club, ensure that the actions of members and officers of the Club are in line with the founding purpose of the Club, oversee all club business, including club finances, serve as a grievance committee, update, modify and approve changes to Club Bylaws as necessary, determine (with input from the membership during the annual organizational meeting) the tournament schedule, and determine annual dues and tournament fees.

SECTION 2: Members, Terms and Elections

Four members of the club shall sit on the Board. There is no term limit to a Board position. When a Board Vacancy becomes open, then the remaining members of the board shall elect a replacement member.

SECTION 3: Grievance Committee

The grievance committee shall resolve all disputes or conflicts arising because of interpretation of these bylaws by means of a simple majority vote. Additionally, the grievance committee shall accept petitions for specific exceptions to these bylaws on a case-by-case basis.   The grievance committee shall review all recommendations for termination of membership.  The ruling of the grievance committee is final and without appeal or recourse.

SECTION 4: Termination of Board of Directors Membership

Membership to the Board of Directors will terminate: 1) upon resignation by the board member, 2) upon failure to attend two or more required meetings in a calendar year, 3) upon recommendation of failure to meet the requirements for membership and 4) upon the Board receiving a request for a judgment of "not in good standing".  In the case of conditions 3 or 4, the removal is temporary while the remaining board members consider the case.  If the board member is judged to have failed to meet the requirements for membership or to be "not in good standing", then the removal from the Board becomes permanent; however, if the case is deemed without merit the member is reinstated to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI – Meetings

Section 1: Annual Organizational Meetings

The club president, in cooperation with the Board, will conduct an organizational meeting for the upcoming season concurrent with the annual awards meeting/pre-Classic meeting.  This meeting will be held the Saturday prior to the classic.  All current members and all members accepted for membership in the Club for the upcoming season are encouraged to attend.

Section 2: Attendance

Attendance at club meetings shall not be mandatory for the membership at large. When necessary, attendance may be mandatory for Officers and the Board.

ARTICLE VII – Official Tournaments

SECTION 1: Schedule

There shall be a series of Official Tournaments (AKA “Hosted Tournaments”) per year followed by a grand finale or "classic" style tournament.  The Board will determine, with the input from the general membership, and post the official schedule no later than January 30th or 5 business days after the current year's organizational meeting (if the Annual Organizational Meetings cannot be held before January 30th).

A “Host” Member will be selected for each tournament and is responsible for determining specifics of the tournament.

Section 2: Hosts

Subsection A: How Hosts are Chosen

1. At the beginning of each tournament year a random drawing will occur to determine who will Host each official tournament.

2. Every member in good standing must participate in the drawing.

3. Procedure of the drawing:

a. All members’ names will be put into a hat or similar container no more than once if the club membership exceeds 10 members.
b. A members name will be drawn to determine who will Host each tournament.
c. The member's name does not return to the container.
d. No member may host more than 2 tournaments per year.
f. The President of the club will host the Finale "Classic" style Tournament.

Subsection B: Responsibilities of the Hosts:

Tournament Organization: 

  • The club will provide to each host, upon their request, a detailed written plan on how to host a tournament.

    • Hosts can, but are not obligated to, follow this plan.  The Host is responsible for planning the particulars of his/her assigned Official Tournament including:

  • Launch: The launch site will be chosen at the time of schedule.   If launch site becomes unusable or inaccessible then the host will determine an alternate launch site.
     

  • Rules Enforcement: Tournament Director will ensure all rules are enforced.  In the event of a rule violation the Tournament Director will bring the violation to the attention of the Grievance Committee for final interpretation and decision.

    2. Rules Variations: Certain variables are set by the Host of Official tournaments, including:

    a. Size Limits: The Host determines the minimum size limit that will be accepted at his particular tournament. Size limits must be consistent with size and slot limit regulations of the tournament site.

    b. Tournament Time: The Host determines starting and weigh in time including inclement weather delays. The total fishing time cannot exceed 10 hours per day and will end no later than 3:00 pm.   The Tournament Host may shorten a tournament by up to 1 hour (i.e. end at 2:00 pm) to accommodate other tournaments or extreme hot or cold weather conditions.   The Board of Directors may postpone a scheduled tournament 18 hours in advance for NOAA lake wind advisories or NOAA forecast of severe weather conditions (Moderate - Severe Risk). Any tournament postponed due to severe weather will be scheduled for the following Saturday, unless that weekend is a holiday weekend.  In cases involving holiday weekends, the tournament will be rescheduled for the Saturday of the first non-holiday weekend following the original tournament date.

    c. Safe Light/ Safe Blast off: The host will determine when Safe Daylight has been reached and when blast off will occur in the event of bad weather (such as fog).

    d. Start Format: BLAST OFF: Members may launch at other sites and motor to the official launch site, but must inform the tournament director in advance of their intention.  Any member launching at a remote site will be subject to a mandatory live well check.  All members must start from the same location and may not leave until the tournament director tells them to "go". Lineup will be determined by number drawn prior to the launch. 

    e. On-time return: Before blast off the host will designate a position or marker (usually a buoy or landmark) that all boats must be within to avoid being late.

    f.  Weigh-in versus trailering:  The host will determine if contestants must weigh in fish prior to trailering their boat.  If sufficient dock space is not available, boats may be trailered prior to weighing of fish.

    Section 3: Hosted Tournament Format

    1. Tournaments will be one day in duration.  

    2. Tournaments are partner format.  

    Non-Boater members receive first shot at open seats over Guest.
    a. Singles are allowed.
    b. Teams may not consist of no more than two persons.
    c. Partners may be changed at any time in-between tournaments.
    d. Partner shuffling during a tournament is not allowed.
    e. All team members within a boat contribute to the boats total catch.

    3. Guests are invited and welcome to participate.    Guest may only fish if all other non-boater members have secured a boat.   Guest must be teamed with an active member.

    4. To support openness and professionalism, winners MUST specifically share with the rest of the club the techniques used to win. This includes presenting specific lures for the club to visually inspect.

    5. Creel Limits, Size Limits and Tournament times will be set by the Tournament Hosts on a tournament-by-tournament basis (see above).

    6. Artificial Lures Only

    7. Trolling and jigger-poling (aka doodle-socking) are prohibited.

    8. Only one rod per contestant may be used at a time (i.e., you can have more than one rod in your boat, but can not use them simultaneously).

    9. Tournament Fees must be paid prior to fishing the tournament

    10. Every member has the right to inspect the live well of fellow members prior to blast off.

    11. Safety: Each team is responsible for their own safety. Participants are encouraged to wear life jackets and to use their kill switch.

    12. The Club, Club Officers, or Club Board of Directors shall not be held liable for any property damage and/or personal injury or loss, to include death, which may occur during a club tournament or function.

    13. If a team quits early, a note must be left on another contestant’s vehicle, or if phone service is available should contact the tournament host or another member.

    14. Penalties:

    a. 4 oz penalty for dead fish.
    b. 1 lb per minute penalty for being late to weigh in.
    c. Automatic disqualification occurs when a team is 15 minutes late to weigh in.
    d. Size Limit infraction will result in a penalty equal to the weight of the largest fish in your stringer.   Teams are allowed to ask the tournament director for a courtesy check (length measurement of one fish before weighing in) without penalty, except on waters where state law sets legal size limits.  However if you do not ask and a short fish is detected during weigh in you will be assessed the penalty. Limit one courtesy fish check per team per tournament.   In cases where state law sets legal size limits, any fish that might not be in compliance with state wildlife regulation MUST be returned to the water immediately.

    15. Only black bass species will be considered for weigh in.   This includes largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, red-eye bass, and shoal bass.

    16. Day Tournament times will typically run from Safe Daylight to 3:00 PM.       Any difference of times will be posted well in advance, except for this provided for by Article VII, Section 2, subsection B.b.

    17. Creel Limits --     Typically 5 fish per boat but may differ depending on tourney host (See par. 5 above)

    18. Aerated coolers may also be utilized for boats who do not possess a life sustaining live well. These aerated coolers must sustain the lives of the bass until weigh in and assure live release back into the wild.

    19. Fish can be contained in life sustaining "fish bags" filled with adequate water during weigh ins. Fish may not be placed on a stringer and kept outside of water for any amount of time that would harm their chances of survival.

    20. Each "of age" angler must show proof of a valid fishing license in order to participate and each boat operator must show proof of a boater's driving license upon membership. There are no exceptions!

    21. All boats must comply with existing State and Federal operation and safety laws and regulations.       All anglers must comply with all existing State and Federal Fish and Game laws and regulations.

    22.  In the event of a boat break down or being disabled one contestant may enter the boat of another competitor and proceed directly to the weigh-in.  The other contestant may remain with the boat without penalty.

    23.  In the event of a Tie in weight, the largest "big fish" will determine the winner.   If after big fish there is still a tie, winner will be determined by a flip of a coin.

    24.  Due to the fact that we consider certain lakes on river systems unique places to fish, we will not allow locking through to other lakes or other bodies of water.

    Section 4: Tournament Fees and Prizes

    1. Fees: $20 per boat. (Even if fishing solo)

    2. Of the $20 entry fees, $13 will go to the tournament payout, $5 will go to big fish, and $2 will be applied to the end of year "classic pot".

    3. Big Fish: 20% of pot regardless of number of entries in each event.

    4. Prize Format will be determined by number of boat entries in each event as outlined below:

    a. 8 entries and below - 1 place 100% tournament payout to first place winner.
    b. 9-15 entrees - 2 places 80% to first place winner, 20% to second place winner of tournament payout.
    c. 16 boats and greater- 3 places 50% to first place winner, 30% second place winner, 20% third place winner.

    5. All prizes will be awarded as a team and paid to the winning team.
     
    ARTICLE VIII – Angler of the Year

    Section 1: Points System

    1. Angler of the Year will be awarded based on the Club’s points system.   All points will be awarded equally to all team members.

    2. Points will be awarded based on the results of each tournament (excluding the "Classic") as follows:

    a. Winning Stringer: 100-points. All other points to be based on the percentage of winning stringer rounded to the nearest point.  (example:   Winning stringer was 10 lbs and get 100 points, 2nd place was 8 lbs, so therefore will receive 80 points, 3rd place 6.36 lbs, will receive 64 points., 4th place 3.23 lbs will receive 32 points, etc. etc.)
    b. Each club member will receive 10 points for attending each club event regardless if fish are caught or not. 
    c. Points will be awarded to club members only. The following two scenarios will be used as guidelines for awarding points. If a club member has a guest, the full points will only be applied to the club member's record. In the event that 2 club members fish the same boat, equal amounts of points will be awarded to the pair (i.e. if a pair of members win, they both are awarded 100 points to their record).

    3. The lowest point total from one tournament will be dropped for each angler.

    4. The angler(s) who finish the year (excluding the classic) with the most points wins the coveted Angler of the Year title and braggin’ rights for entire year.

    5.     Club members can miss no more more than 3 scheduled tournaments to remain eligible for Angler of the Year.

    6.  If a member is unable to fish a tournament during the season, they may pay the entree fee for that tournament to the designated tournament director prior to the day of that tournament and not have it count against them in terms of Angler of the Year completion and for qualification for the Classic.  The Angler will only be rewarded 1 point for doing so, to help facilitate keeping track in the point system when an angler uses this option.  Members may use this option once during any calendar year.

    Section 2: Ties

    1. In the event of a tie, the applicable members have the option of declaring a tie if all parties mutually agree, otherwise

    2. A member who is tied in points at the end of a year has the right to challenge other applicable members to a fish-off.

    a. The fish-off will be conducted in Wildcat format at Lake Tuscaloosa. Lake Tuscaloosa is chosen due to its central location to West Alabama.
    b. Applicable members can choose a member of the club as his partner for the tournament.
    c. Fishing Solo is also allowed.

    Section 3: Prizes and Awards

    The Board will decide at the beginning of the year what prizes, if any, will be awarded Angler of the Year. 

    ARTICLE IX – End of Season "Classic"

    At the end of the season a "Classic" tournament will be held to reward the top anglers of the year.

     Section 1: Eligibility

     1. All members in good standings that fished at least 6 tournaments during the season are eligible to participate in the Classic.   The top 10 anglers as determined by the Angler of the Year Standings will be eligible.

    2.  The Board of Directors will determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd alternates for the Classic.  All members fishing 6 tournaments will be ranked by their finish in the Angler of the Year competition and that ranking will be used to determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd alternates.  If three alternates are not determined by this ranking then all members fishing 5 tournaments will be ranked and listed below those members fishing 4 tournaments and this ranking will be used to determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd alternates.  If necessary, this process proceeds through all members fishing 3, 2 and 1 tournaments until the 1st, 2nd and 3rd alternates are named.  If any eligible member cannot fish the Classic at the time of the Classic site drawing, then the next available alternate becomes eligible to fish.

    3.  In the event that two members tie for 10th place in the angler of the year, 1st Alternate for the Classic will be allowed to fish and form a team with one of the Classic-eligible members following the format outlined below.

    Section 2: Format

    1.  The Classic will be team/partner format.  

    2.  Teams may self-assemble.  The Board of Directors will randomly determine team membership for those eligible members unable to form teams.  For randomly determined teams, boaters will be designated as the member with higher Angler of the Year points standings.  At the discretion of the paired team they may use the non-boater's boat instead of the boater's, but boater will get first right to use his/her boat.  Each partner will receive the option of running the trolling motor for 50% of the time and may choose the fishing locations 50% of the time.

    3.  Payout:  First place:  The remaining money in the bank account after all expenses are paid minus $50 for big fish.  Second place:  The classic entry fee. 

    4.  Guest are not allowed to fish in the Classic.

    5.  The site of classic will be determined by random draw from lakes fished during the regular tournament season except that our one or two distant lakes per tournament season will not be included in the drawing.  Each lake name will be entered once. The drawing will be conducted during the annual awards meeting, which is to be held the Saturday evening prior to the Classic. The secretary will seal the drawn name, without determining or announcing the name of the lake, in an envelop which will remain sealed until 5 PM of the Friday before the Classic at which time the secretary or their designate will open the envelop and announce the classic site to all members."


     
    ARTICLE X – Changes to Constitution and Bylaws

    Any changes to the Constitution and Bylaws will be coordinated and approved by the Board of Directors and will remain in effect throughout the following tournament year. All changes must be presented to the membership at the annual organization meeting, if applicable, and posted on the club’s website.