REVISION DATE:
BY-LAWS OF THE SOUTH SHORE BASSMASTERS
ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. - Name
The chapter shall be called South Shore Bassmasters.
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 crime. To improve our skills 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 Chapter Federation, embracing the principles and purposes of BASS Anglers Sportsman Society.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
The total general membership shall not exceed 25 members with the exception that all current (1993) members will be and father in the general membership.
Section 2.
(a.) Requirement for Membership - To become a chapter member, a person shall:
Must attend 2 consecutive meetings.
(b.) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(c.) Be required to be a bass member prior to being voted into the chapter.
(d.) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by show of hands and affirmation must be a majority.
(e.) Be required to have access to an acceptable boat for use in tournaments. May be nullified by simple majority vote of membership present.
(f.) The club shall maintain a 70/30 ratio of boaters to non-boaters.
(g.) Members joining SSB must be of legal age to fishTBF/FLW.
(h.) Be sponsored by a SSBM member.
i.) Full Membership shall then be awarded and membership credentials presented.
(j.) When a new candidate is voted into the club, they will be on probation for 1 year.
During the first year the Board of Directors can remove the member by a simple Majority vote. After first year of membership the new member will be awarded full membership.
Section 3. Requirement of Members- A member shall : (reserved)
Section 4. Membership Dues
(a.) Annual membership dues shall be set by the board of directors at the November meeting. The dues will be applied towards Mass BASS Federation and TBF/FLW dues, and club expenses. The lunker pool money shall be collected with the dues. This will be $20 dollars. $10 for lunker smallmouth and $10 for lunker largemouth.
(b.) A partial payment of 50% shall be paid by the November meeting. Payment will be applied towards Federation dues and the club budget.
(c.) A 2nd part of the dues shall be paid at the April meeting.
(d.) New members must pay full membership dues, even if joined the club in mid season.
(e.) No member will fish a tournament if dues are not current.
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: assist the president in his duties and preside in the absence of the president. Perform all duties necessary to run the club tournament trail in addition to following instructions in Article X.
(c.) SECRETARY: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called by the chapter president. Maintain regular liaison between chapter and bass Angler Sportsman Society. Handle all correspondence pertaining to the chapter.
(d.) TREASURER: Collect and disburse all Moines. 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.
(e) FEDERATION DIRECTOR: To attend the monthly federation meetings and report back to the club all federation news and events. If the director votes at the federation meetings he will do so in the club best interest. The director will receive $25 for going to the each federation meeting. This is for gas.
Section 2.
The election of fficers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of October. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in 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 president's term of office shall run for two(2) years. All other office terms for one year, which shall begin on November 1 and end on the last meeting day of October or until the successor assumes office.
Section 5. Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National bass headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.
Section 6. Eligibility of Holding Office
To be eligible for an office a member must:
(a.) Have been a member in good standing for six months.
(b.) Have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.
Section 7. A member can hold only one (1) office at a time.
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.
(a.) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of five members: President, Vice President/tournament director, Secretary, Treasurer and Federation Director.
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 decide all protests and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and by-laws of the chapter when appropriately received.
4. Develop agenda for the monthly meetings.
(b.) Tournament Committee:
The tournament Committee will comprised of one elected director, one member appointed by the president and the president. (The sole purpose of the president being on the committee is for a tie breaker vote). The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all chapter tournaments. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules which must then be approved by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules and investigate all protest concerning tournaments and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V - REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP
A member shall be dropped from the membership role for the following:
(a.) Failure to pay dues.
(b.) Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on this chapter.
(c.) If.member.is.suspended.from.Mass.Bass.orfromTBF/FLW.The member. will be be suspended from the club for the length of the suspension from the above. Organizations.
The member must reapply for reinstatement to the club.
If any fines are applied to the club do to the actions of the member they must reimburse the club before any vote to reinstate that member.
(d.) If members do not have their dues paid before January 31 they shall be automatically dropped from the clubs membership. Exclusion from this shall be a catastrophic event. The member must notify the clubs President.
If a member is in danger of removal from the club it will be so noted in the newsletter prior to dismissal.
ARTICLE VI - AFFILIATION
Section 1. Requirements for Affiliation
(a.) Approval of chapter charter by Massbass and TBF.
(b.) Update Massbass with a chapter membership roster once each year, immediately following election of chapter officers and directors.
(c.) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to bass as they occur. The necessary forms are included in the bass Chapter Handbook.
(d.) Maintain 100% bass membership.
(e.) support state Federation 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 in order for the chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournaments and any other federation sponsored tournaments or events.
ARTICLE VII - METHOD OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Amending the Constitution and By-Laws, Tournament rules.
By-laws changes are to be voted on at the November meeting by members present. The club will accept By-laws changes at the August through October meetings. At the October meeting the proposed changes shall be discussed with members present. At the November meeting the changes shall be voted on, needs 2/3 of members present to pass. Once a By-law has change it must stand for one year.Tournament rules can only be change prior to the start of the tournament year and not during the year.
ARTICLE VIII - STATE FISH OFF TEAM PAYMENT
The club shall provide funds to pay entry and expenses for the State Fish off Team members. Amount of funds to be recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority of members present at a scheduled meeting.
ARTICLE IX - BUDGET
Section 1. Establishing the Budget
(a.) The officers will establish a budget for the next year's business. The budget will address the following line items: Mass BASS Federation dues, The BASS Federation dues, Administrative Expenses, General Fund and Tournament Fund.
(b.) The budget will be voted on as a package by the members at the February meeting.
Approval by 2/3's of members present required for approval.
Section 2. Amending the Budget
The budget can be amended at any monthly meeting. Approval by 2/3's of members present required for amendment.
ARTICLE X - ESTABLISHING THE TOURNAMENT TRAIL
Section 1.
At the August meeting the tournament director will collect from each member a list of six(6)selected tournament sites for the next year's tournament trail. At the following meeting (September’s) the tournament director will present a listing of sites for the following fishing season, to the membership for approval, and/or revisions.
Section 2.
To avoid conflicts with the Federation Tournament Trail, specific dates for these sites are to be confirmed once the Federation trail has been established.
Section 3.
Once the dates are confirmed the tournament director will, apply for, and maintain all correspondence flatting to permit applications for the club tournament trail.
Tournament Rules
1. Rules and Changes: Great effort, study, and research have gone into the formulation of these rules. The following rules of this club will remain unchanged. Interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Board of Directors. The decision of the board shall be final in all matters.
2. Participation and Eligibility: Participation in the SSBM Tournament Trail is open to all SSBM cardholders who possess a valid MA fishing license, and who have not been disqualified from tournament fishing by SSBM. The Tournament Committee may refuse to accept any entry to any tournament held by the SSBM.
3. Pre-Tournament Practice: The tournament waters will be off limits to all SSBM members starting at 12:00 am on the Tuesday prior to the event. Not adhering to this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
4. Registration: Each angler must register in person with the Tournament Director prior to fishing the tournament. No boat shall enter the tournament until a full boat inspection has been completed by the Tournament Officials, which shall be done prior to the start of the event. Each boat is required to have an adequate weigh-in bag, and each competitor must transport the fish from the livewell to the weigh-in site in a bag.
5. Safety: The tournament committee has the right to delay or cancel the start of an official tournament day because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors. Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by all competitors. Each competitor is required to wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. This PFD must be strapped, snapped, or zippered securely any time the combustion engine is operating. Violation of this rule shall be cause for disqualification.
6. Sportsmanship: All competitors are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of the fundamental principles of good sportsmanship may be deemed cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on the tournament waters. A minimum of 25 yards will be observed between all tournament boats. Any act by a competitor which reflects unfavorably upon the club's effort to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy shall be cause for disqualification. Drunkenness of any competitor during the tournament will not be tolerated, and shall be cause for disqualification for this and all future SSBM events. No alcoholic beverages or any other depressants or stimulants shall be tolerated in the boats or at the weigh-in area at any time. Violation of these rules shall be cause for disqualification. All competitors must follow State Laws durning the tournament.
7. Tackle and equipment: Only artificial lures will be permitted. Live bait or prepared bait is not allowed, with the exception of pork strips, rinds, etc. Only one rod (maximum 8 foot in length from the butt or handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at one time. Other rods, as specified above, may be in the boat ready for use; however, only one is permitted to be in use at any given time. All bass must be caught alive, and in a sporting manner. Netting the fish for landing purposed is allowed. Violation of these rules shall be cause for disqualification.
8. Horsepower Regulations: Each boat must have a U.S.C.G. horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard motor must not exceed the rating specified on that plate. Any boat manufactured prior to
9. For the safety of all contestants: All motors over 25 horsepower will be equipped with an ignition kill switch which will be checked the morning of the tournament. This ignition kill device MUST be attached to the driver any time the combustion engine is operating. Fishing boats must be 14 feet or more in length. A small motor, gas of electric, may be used for maneuvering. Trolling is prohibited. Canoes, barges, or similar cumbersome craft will not be permitted. It has been determined that boats equipped with stick steering present greater than normal safety hazards. No boat equipped with stick steering will be permitted to be used during tournament hours by any competitor. The definition of stick steering shall be made by the Tournament Committee. Tiller steering is also not permitted. All boats must have a current registration.
10. Basic boat equipment: Every boat shall be expected to have all state required safety equipment. All boats must have a functional livewell that is properly aerated to adequately maintain alive a limit of bass caught by each competitor on the boat. Tournament officials shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is "proper and adequate". Each boater shall carry $300,000 liability insurance for their boats and have
Proof at the start of each season. (January).
11. Permitted fishing locations: Fishing on the tournament water is permitted anywhere except within 25 yards of another competitors boat which was first anchored. An anchored boat is defined as having the anchor in the water, and the trolling motor out of the water. No boat will be permitted to drop anchor when another competitor's boat is within 50 yards all angling must be done from a boat. Competitors wishing to change fish habitat by placing any object in the tournament water may do so if such action does not violate state or federal regulation. Contestants may not leave their boats to land fish. Contestants must leave and return to the official checkpoint by boat. Both competitors must remain in the boat at all times, except in case of dire emergency. A boat is allowed to be within 25 yards of another boat to give aid in case of emergency. Fishing is allowed near gas pumps where allowed by law. Violation of these rules shall be cause for disqualification.
12. Official checkpoint: There shall be only one official point for checkout in the morning and check in the afternoon. This point shall be designated at the tournament briefing. At the time of checkout, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformance with all rules set forth in this guideline. At the check in, all competitors shall proceed to the weigh in as soon as possible.
13. Scoring: Tournament awards and final winners shall be determined by the weight for the individuals catch. Only largemouth of smallmouth bass will be weighed. The limit aggregate shall be five of the above species and varieties per day. All competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the state in which the event will take place. At no time shall a competitor have in his possession more than the above described limits. Culling is permitted, but must be done immediately. The minimum length for bass shall be twelve inches with mouth and tail closed. If a competitor is uncertain whether a fish meets this size limit, he must state to the tournament director that he has a fish that needs to be length checked prior to the fish being transferred to the weigh in bag. Each fish being weighed in less than 12 inches not checked in the above manner will be disqualified, and there will be an additional 1 lb. penalty assessed to that angler's total weight. Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered will be weighed and credited only at the discretion of the tournament officials. Bass must not be stringed at any time during the tournament. It has been determined that stringing decreases the chances of bass survival.
14. Measuring devices: Due to the variance in measuring devices, a request to check your measuring device against the Official Measuring Device with no penalty to the contestant will be allowed.
15. Don't kill your catch: Each competitor is expected to keep his bass alive by use of a properly aerated livewell.
16. Penalty points: For each legal dead bass presented to the weigh in officials, the competitor will be penalized four ounces (.25 lb.) Of weight deducted from his daily score. The tournament officials shall have sole authority for assessing penalty points.
17. Late penalty: Competitors who are not in the official check point area as described in rule 12 at the appointed time shall be penalized at the rate of 1 lb. per minute, to be deducted from the total weight of his catch that day, including any weight to be counted toward a lunker award. There shall be no excuse for tardiness, and in no case shall a competitor be allowed to make up lost time. After proper recognition at the check in point, competitors will be allowed ample time to proceed to the weigh in site; however, all fishing must cease upon check in. After the tournament begins, fishing is prohibited except during tournament hours. Exact start and finish times will be announced at the tournament briefing. If a boat in distress signals for assistance, you must stop and render assistance, and if nothing else can be done, one member from the distressed boat may bag the fish and be taken to the weigh in. If any competitor is more than 15 minutes late, he will be disqualified from that event, and receive no points for participation.
18. Ties: In case of a tie for any place, the number of fish caught that day will be the determining factor to break the tie. A second tie breaker will be the weight of the largest fish.
19. Tournament management: None of the above rules shall prohibit a properly designated tournament official from approaching or boarding any competitor's boat at any time during the tournament hours.
20. Violations: All complaints or violations against any competitor must be reported to a tournament official prior to the presentation of awards. All violation complaints shall be ruled upon by the board of directors prior to the presentation of awards. If a member of the board of directors is absent from an event, a substitute must be named prior to the start of the tournament to maintain an odd number in the event of a vote.
21. Tournament Schedule, Angler of the year and Big Bass Pool will run from August till
The following July.
21. Special instructions: Special instructions may be in effect during any tournament when tournament officials deem it necessary.
23. If South Shore Bassmasters does not have a tournament rule that applies, then we
Will use the Massbass/FLW Tournament rules.