E-mail or call one of our Officers if you cannot attend
one of our meetings.
Please read below for our club's by-laws & constition.
Club By-Laws
02 NOVEMBER 2004
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Membership is
open to any person sixteen (16) years or older. Persons
fishing tournaments as a boater must be eighteen (18)
years or older. Only those members with current paid
dues may participate in voting at club meetings or
fishing in point tournaments. All tournament
participants must have a valid state permit (Missouri).
2. BOAT AND MOTORS: All boats with electric
start motors must be equipped with an ignition kill
switch attached to the operator in some manner. All
boats must have a serviceable live-well and aeration
system. All boats must meet Coast Guard Safety
specifications in terms of engine size, running lights,
and floatation devices. All boats must be properly
registered.
3. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial lures
may be used. No live baits or prepared baits will be
used with the exception of pork strips, rinds, etc.
Only one rod may be used at a time.
4. TOURNAMENT RULES: Point tournaments.
a. Registration: All club members
participating must have a paid registration on file with
the club secretary no later than the club meting
preceding the tournament. The club officers will
consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Registration may be submitted in person at the meeting,
mailed to the secretary, or carried by another member.
b. Partner Drawings: Drawing of partners will
be held at the club meeting preceding the tournament.
The drawing will be boater first, non-boaters second.
No competitors will fish two (2) consecutive tournaments
with the same partner. No competitors will fish more
than three (3) tournaments in one season with the same
partner. In the case of more non-boaters than boaters,
any member prepaid but not drawn will be automatically
guaranteed a first draw for the next tournament. In the
case of more boaters than non-boaters, boaters without
drawn partners will be allowed to go without a partner.
This must be decided at the pre-tournament meeting and
cannot be changed after the meeting. Married couples
fishing night tournaments are allowed to fish together
and must register accordingly at the meeting prior to
the tournament. This will also count as part of the
tournaments members are allowed to fish together in one
season.
c. Protest Committee: Two (2) of the officers
of the club and the first boater drawn will constitute
the tournament protest committee. If boat number one is
being protested, then boat number two will become the
protest committee. If necessary, the descending order
of boats will be used until the protest committee can be
established. All protest must be lodged with a Club
Officer no later than 10 minutes after the Tournament
Director has closed the scales. Protest may be oral or
in writing. In no case will a protest be considered
after the 10-minute deadline. Any protest must be
resolved before the results are posted and before
payouts and awards are made.
d. Creel: Only Largemouth, Smallmouth and
Kentucky Bass will be weighed at the tournament. No
more than five (5) fish will be weighed in at the
tournament. At no time will a participant have more
than five (5) fish in his live well. A quarter (.25)
pound penalty will be deducted for any fish dead at the
weigh-in (dead fish may be weighed in). A penalty of
one ( 1 ) pound per fish will be assessed for any fish
that fails to meet the state legal limits (short fish
will not be weighed in).
e. Measurement: Measurement of fish will be
done using the official club golden rule (flat board).
A courtesy measurement may be requested anytime prior to
a member’s official weigh-in. A challenge to measure
any fish may be lodged by any tournament participant.
f. Weighing Fish: The weigh-in sequence will
be by the tournament sequence starting with boat number
one (1). Fish will be weighed as:
(1) Bigfish
(2) Total Catch
A member may request a re-weigh at the scales before his
fish are removed from the basket. After weigh-in, the
tournament committee will immediately return all live
fish to the water. In the event of ties, the big bass
will be weighed to break the tie.
g. Points: All tournaments will start on a
100-point base. Each position/place will decrease by
one (1) point. Fifty (50) points will be awarded for
participation for members who fish but do not weigh-in
fish. Total weight will be the only standard used for
placing. Two (2) points will be awarded as bonus points
for each fish released alive.
h. Boat Inspection: One-half hour prior to the
tournament start, all live-wells, safety accessories,
and other areas deemed necessary will be inspected at
the tournament site by the tournament director and the
tournament committee.
i. Permitted Fishing Locations: Fishing is
not permitted within fifty (50) yards of another
competitor’s boat. Fishing is not permitted within 100
yards of the launch site. Local lake restrictions will
be observed. Boats will not be removed from the lake
during the tournament. Tournament participants may fish
only while in their boat or in the boat in which they
drew as a partner.
j. Take Off: Take off will be in the sequence
in which boaters were drawn during the club meeting.
Late entries will be added to the end of the field in
the order in which they register. Boats will be
released from the take off point by the last boat in the
draw.
k. Check-In: An official weigh-in site will be
announced at the tournament. Weigh-in time will be
announced at every tournament. Competitors who are not
at the weigh-in site at the specified time will be
penalized at the rate of one (1) pound for every minute
late. Any competitor later than ten (10) minutes will
be disqualified.
l. Entry Fees: The entry fee for point
tournaments will be $20.00. An optional $5.00 big bass
pot will be collected at each tournament. Additional
fees may be added to the entry fee to cover Corps Of
Engineer or launch fees. For all club draw tournaments,
a $10.00 late fee will be assessed in addition to the
normal entry fee for any club member who joins the
tournament after the pre-meeting. To be sure that a
member is registered prior to the cut off time mentioned
above, that member must attend the pre-meeting or
contact any club officer prior to the pre-meeting. Any
late entry fees so collected will be deposited into the
club general fund and will not be paid out as a
tournament award.
m. Tournament Committee: Each tournament will
have a tournament committee to assist the tournament
director. The tournament committee will consist of the
fisherman from boat number one (1) unless the tournament
director or secretary/treasurer are in that boat. In
that case the committee will be the first boat in the
sequence that does not contain one of those officers.
n. Tournament Payoff: Each fisherman’s entry
fee is twenty dollars ($20.00). Ninety percent of the
total entry fee will be paid back as prize money. One
hundred percent (100%) of the big bass pot will be
awarded to the fisherman who weighs in the heaviest
bass. If no fish are weighed in, then all fees will be
carried forward as entry fees for those who fish.
Refunds will be paid to those who cannot fish the next
tournament, or those fees may be carried forward to a
subsequent tournament as entry fees for that member.
See attached sheet for breakdown on payback. One place
in four will be paid. Members receiving a check for
payouts are not eligible to be placed in the draw for
free tournament entry fee or free big bass entry fee.
5. CLUB POINTS AND STANDINGS: Club standing
will be based on the best five (5) fished tournament
results. Points may be earned by placing in point
tournaments. Bonus points are awarded at the rate of
two (2) per live fish released at the tournament site.
Bonus points will not count toward tournament placing
but only toward the Angler Of The Year Award.
6. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: The club championship
will be a two-day tournament. Pairing will be
determined by a blind draw. There will be a re-draw for
day two immediately following the first day’s weigh-in.
All placing will be for double club points. A
participant must have fished a minimum of five club
point tournaments to be eligible for club championship
points.
7. CLUB ANNUAL AWARDS: The club will provide
appropriate recognition for the following annual awards:
a. Club Champion: The member who
accumulates the most points counting five (5)
tournaments and club championship results. He/she will
also receive a monetary award of 23.5% of all remaining
club funds at the end of the tournament year.
b. Angler Of The Year: The
angler accumulating the most bonus points during the
year. Angler Of The Year cannot be the same as the Club
Champion. He/she will also receive a monetary award of
20.0% of all remaining club funds at the end of the
tournament year.
c. Rookie Of The Year: Awarded
to a new club member each year who has not previously
fished in any organized tournament and who accumulates
the most points, participation points, and bonus points
for the current season. This individual must fish in
seven out of twelve months to be considered as a
rookie. If a person cannot fish seven out of twelve
months, their rookie status will be carried forward till
the next year. He/she will also receive a monetary
award of 17.5% of all remaining club funds at the end of
the tournament year.
d. Heaviest Stringer Of The Year:
Heaviest stringer weight for a one-day tournament
weighed in during any point tournament. The Club
Champion, Angler Of The Year, or the Big Bass Award
winner cannot win this award. He/she will also receive
a monetary award of 15% of all remaining club funds at
the end of the tournament year.
e. Big Bass Of The Year: Biggest
bass weighed in during any point tournament. He/she
will also receive a monetary award of 12.5% of all
remaining club funds at the end of the tournament year.
f. Annual Sportsman Award:
Recognizes one club member who has, over the past year,
put forth extraordinary effort to always promote safety,
camaraderie, conservation, and especially sportsmanship
during all club tournaments and events. Recipient to be
determined by secret ballot by members present at the
club meeting preceding the annual club banquet. Member
receiving the most votes will be the winner. In the
event of a tie on the first ballot, a second vote will
be conducted. He/she will also receive a monetary award
of 11.5% of all remaining club funds at the end of the
tournament year.
g. Free Draw: At the end of each
Club fishing season, any member who finishes in the top
ten (based on their Top 5 points and their Club
Championship points) and who is not the recipient of any
other annual Club award will be awarded one free
tournament entry fee for the following season.
8. OFFICERS: The following club officers will
be nominated in August, published in September, and
elected in October. Positions will run from 1 November
to 31 October.
President Vice President/Tournament
Director Secretary/Treasurer
Newsletter/Historian Promotional Publicity
Chairman
9. DUES: Dues will be $24.00 per year. Dues
will be due in November and will run through October of
each year. New members will be pro-rated at $2.00 per
month for the remainder of the current year. Renewing
membership will be $24.00 regardless of the month of
renewal. Refunds may be requested due to transfer of
members out of the area.
10. DISQUALIFICATION: Any member endangering
life and limb by unsafe boating practices or found to
have cheated in any manner during a tournament may be
banned from participation for up to one calendar year by
a vote of the members. Any member found with alcoholic
beverages in the boat or under the influence of alcohol
during tournament will be disqualified on the spot.
11. NON-BOATER TIME: The non-boater will be
given the opportunity to select locations to fish for
one-half of the tournament time.
CONSTITUTION
1 NOVEMBER 2004
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1: NAME
This organization shall be known as Tri-County Bass
Club.
SECTION 2: PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to promote true
sportsmanship, competition, relaxation and the enjoyment
of bass fishing in our area; to improve our skills as
anglers through fellowship of friendly exchange of bass
catching techniques and ideas; to stimulate public
awareness of bass fishing as a major sport; and, to
offer our organized support to the Missouri State Game
and Fish Commission.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: NUMBERS OF MEMBERS
Membership shall be unlimited.
SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any person sixteen (16) years or
older. Any person fishing tournaments as a boater must
be eighteen (18) years or older.
SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Dues shall be twenty-four ($24.00) dollars per year.
Dues shall be due in November and will run through
October of the next year. New members shall be prorated
at two ($2.00) dollars per month for the remainder of
the current year. Renewing membership shall be
twenty-four ($24.00) dollars regardless of the month of
renewal. Refunds maybe requested due to transfer of a
member out of the area.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES AND ELIGIBILITY
SECTION 1: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
The officers of this organization shall consist of:
a. PRESIDENT: His duties shall be to
preside over the meeting and conduct all official
business.
b. VICE PRESIDENT: His duties shall be to assist
the president in his duties. He will run all club
tournaments, maintain the official club point standings,
propose a new tournament schedule for the following
year, d summit regatta applications for all club
tournaments. He will also make weather determination 24
hours prior to the tournament and at the tournament
site.
c. SECRETARY/TREASURER: His duties shall be to
record the minutes of the meetings, maintain the club
financial matters, purchase appropriate awards, present
an itemized financial statement at each regular club
meeting, maintain the club membership roster, and
prepare official correspondence.
d. NEWSLETTER/HISTORIAN: His duties shall be to
solicit articles for the newsletter, to publish and
distribute the newsletter, and maintain a historical
record of club activities.
e. PROMOTION/PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN: His duties shall
be to coordinate for guest speakers, to solicit and
manage club sponsors, to solicit newsletter
advertisement, to organize special events, and to
promote the club in the local news media.
SECTION 2: ELECTIONS
The election of officers shall be nominated in August,
published in September, and voted on in October.
Elections shall be a majority vote of members present.
Election for each office will be voted on by written
ballot and counted by the club sectary or
vice-president. Elections for each office shall be held
separately in order listed on the constitution.
SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE
Each member in good standing is entitled to vote for
each office or transaction of business. Proxy votes may
be taken in writing by the vice-president.
SECTION 4: TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office is for 1 (1) year, which shall begin
upon installation, or until a successor assumes the
office.
SECTION 5: VACANCIES
In the event an office becomes vacant, nominations shall
be asked for, and an election held to fill the unexpired
term of the office vacated. Should the office of the
President become vacant, the vice-president shall move
up to president and a new vice-president shall be
nominated and elected.
SECTION 6: ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to hold office, a member must:
a. Have been a member of good standing
for at least six (6) months.
b. Have shown an active interest in the club.
METHOD OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of
the members present at the club meeting. The amendment,
to become effective, must be presented in the newsletter
and voted on a second time at the meeting. Both votes
must receive a majority vote to pass and become
effective.
ARTICLE V
REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: REMOVAL FORM MEMBERSHIP
a. Failure to pay dues as set forth in Article II,
Sction III
b. Any action which reflects dishonor and disgrace
to the Tri-County Bass Club
c. Should a problem arise, the regular membership
shall hold a hearing and rule on continuation of such
person’s membership. The person in question shall be
allowed to attend this hearing.
d. An expelled member shall, at the next regular
meeting, have the right to appeal to the club any action
taken at the aforementioned hearing. The appeal shall
be voted on by secret ballot and ten (10) negative votes
will defeat his appeal.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
SECTION 1: REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings shall be held each Thursday prior to a
tournament. The location of the meeting will be
announced, and shall start at 6:30 PM (1830 hours).
SECTION 2: SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special
meetings may be called by the president or upon written
request from twenty five percent (25%) of the members.
SECTION 3: TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS
All transactions of business will be conducted at the
monthly club meeting. To conduct club business twenty
five percent (25%) of the club members must be present.
SECTION 4: EXECUTIVE QUORUM
Twenty
five percent (25%) of the active members shall
constitute a quorum to properly conduct club affairs.
