BARREL MOUTHBarrel Mouth Bass Club of Columbus, Ga.

Laws and By Laws

Head Quarters

615 Veterans Parkway

Columbus, Georgia 31901

(706) 327-0555

1

BARREL MOUTHSection 1 – Name

Name: This club shall be called the Barrel Mouth Bass Club of Columbus, Ga.

Section 11 – Purpose

Purpose: To improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and support community youth bass

fishing as a love for this great sport.

Section 111 – Membership

Membership: Requirement for membership eligibility. To become a club member a person shall:

Voluntary express a genuine interest in membership. Be at least 18 years of age, unless the club grants special consideration. Be recommended by one member at a regular meeting. Attend and participate in one meeting and associated tournament. All members will pay a non-refundable annual fee of $150.00 in which $75.00 must be

paid by the 15th of April. Dues must be paid in full by June 15th in order to fish the remainder of the tournament

season.

New Members

The club has the right allow or now allow new member into the club New members must be voted on by the club prior to being allowed to join the club, and if there is

3 no votes against him or her joining then he or she won’t be allowed to join. Only members that are considered by the club as to be on the same skill level as the club

members will be allowed to join. Guys that are considered to be ADVANCED ANGLERS will not be allowed to join. Example (if our club tournament winners normally average between 6-12 pounds to win, and a new person wanting to join average 15 -20 pounds then he is considered ADVANCED).

Non-Membership:

May fish only two tournaments with the club. Fee for 1st tournament will be at regular club entry fee. Fee for 2nd tournament will be twice the club entry fee in which half will go to the club treasury.

i.e. $ 30.00 goes club treasury, $30.00 goes toward tournament. It does not matter which boater the non-member fishes with for the two tournaments.

2

BARREL MOUTH Individual must join the club in order to fish with the club a third time. Deadline to join the club is 30 June.

Non-Boaters:

1. You must have a boat to Join the club

Section 1V – Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility

The officers of the club shall consist of: President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business, appoint and direct all

committee functions, and supervise all club functions. Vice President: Act as Director of special events, assists the President in his duties, and

presides in the absence of the President. Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called by the

President. Treasurer: Collect and disperse all monies. Maintain accurate financial records and

report at each meeting. The President and Vice President shall share the duties of the treasury if a treasurer is not elected.

Section V – Elections

Elections: The election of officers shall be held bi-annual at a regular meeting during the month of November. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order listed in Section 1V.

Eligibility of vote: Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.

Term of office: Term of office is for two years, which shall begin on the first day of January, and end on the last day of December, or until the successor assumes office.

Vacancies: In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for, and an election will be held to fill the remaining term of the individual vacating the office.

Eligibility for holding office: To be eligible for an office a member must:

Have been a member for six months Have attended at least 75 percent of club functions during a 12 month period. Have shown an active interest in all club functions.

Section V1 – Standing Committees

3

BARREL MOUTH

Standing Committees: All Standing Committees will serve for two years or until a new

committee is appointed. The terms of the committee members will coincide with that of the

President. Each committee shall elect a chairman. The Board of Directors functions as the

directive body which guides the general membership. The Board discusses and decides the club’s

courses of action on all business and other items which require decisions and do not require a

vote of the general membership by the constitution and by- laws. Decisions of the Board are

presented to the membership and are final unless challenged by a member. If challenged, a vote

of the membership decides the issue. Use of the Board avoids long,

12 heated membership arguments during regular meetings, thus allowing more time for

pleasurable things like movies, guest speakers, etc. A word of caution for members of the Board

---considerable time and effort are required to do the job of the Board properly. If the Board

doesn’t conscientiously guide the club, then you’re back to attempting to run the club during

general membership meetings where frustration reigns.

Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of five members; President,

Vice President, Tournament Director, Secretary, and Treasurer.

1. The President will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

2. The Vice President will stand-in in the absence of the President.

3. The Secretary will record the minutes of those meeting.

4. The Board will decide all tournament schedules, decide all protest, and rule on all violations of

the tournament rules and By-Laws of the Club when appropriately received.

5. The Board will develop agendas for the monthly meeting.

6. The Board will meet each December, before the regular Club meeting, to select tournament dates

and locations.

Other committees formed shall fall under the terms of standing committees.

Tournament Committee – The number of members to serve on this committee shall be

determined by the Board. The purpose of the committee shall be to plan, organize and

Operate tournaments other than AOY club tournaments. The committee shall be responsible

for the solicitation of contestants, collection of fees, awards, proper conduct, procedures and

qualifications and other matters properly relating to the orderly conduct of all Tournament Rules.

4

BARREL MOUTH Youth Activities Committee – The number of members to serve on this committee shall be

determined by the Board. The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement

an annual statewide youth activities program; to introduce young fishermen to the goals of the

BMBC; to give them a better basis for respect of our natural heritage, an appreciation of the basic

rules of honesty, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship; and to give them an introduction to

(the sheer joy) of bass fishing.

Section V11 – Removal of Membership or Disqualification

Removal of Membership or Disqualification: A member may be dropped from the membership role or disqualified from a tournament event for the following;

Failure to pay dues Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the Club. Failure to attend 50 percent of the Club meetings and 50 percent of the Club functions

during a 12 month period. Disqualification for any reason from participating in Club sponsored events including

disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol. Failure to abide by the club By-Laws and or violate the club Official Rules.

Section V111 – Leaves of Absence

Leave of Absence: A member shall be allowed to take leave from the club for a maximum of

three months. During this time, the member is exempt from paying Club dues and attending club

functions.

A member may take a leave of absence at any time with prior notification to the Board of

Directors.

If a member on leave wishes a return to active status prior to the end of three consecutive

months of leave, he must pay his back dues to the club.

A member on leave will be allowed to attend Club meetings, but will not be permitted to

vote.

5

BARREL MOUTHMedical Leave of Absence: Medical leaves of absence will be considered by the Board of

Directors on an individual basis.

Section V111 – Method of Amending the By-Laws

Amending the By-Laws: The By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-third

vote of the members present, provided written notice of the proposed amendment has been

presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.

BARREL MOUTH BASS CLUB OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT and CLASSIC RULES

Rule 1

Rule change: The following rules will remain unchanged, unless changed by vote of the Board of Directors.

Rule 2

Tournament winners will be determined by the total pounds and ounces of largemouth and spotted bass caught during the tournament. Each contestant must keep his catch separate from that of his partner. All members are required to have their own weigh-in bag.

Rule 3

All largemouth must measure 14 inches, spotted bass and redeye bass must measure 12 inches in length. The weight master will measure the smallest fish in the creel of each participant to ensure the rule. The fish will be measured with mouth closed, and tail fanned pinch.

3a. Anyone bringing a short fish to the scale will lose their biggest fish, if 2 fish are brought to the scale him or her will lose their 2 biggest fish and so on.

3b. Anyone bringing a short fish to the scale and don’t have another fish to lose will simply get a zero and a warning. If the same situation happens a 2nd time him or her will fined $30.00 which will be due prior to the next scheduled tournament or suspended from the end of year Classic Tournament.

Rule 4

Any member bringing more than five fish to the scale will be culled down to five fish, starting with the largest fish. Only five fish are allowed at weigh-in. Member must determine big fish prior to weigh-in.

6

BARREL MOUTHRule 5

In the case of a tie, the member with the largest single fish will be the winner.

RULE 6

A club member must not allow any bass caught by him to be counted on the score of another member. In such a case, both members will be disqualified

Rule 7

The tournament headquarters will be at a location at the lake parking lot. All tournaments will start at the discretion of the tournament director. All Tournaments will start at the time determined by the tournament director and will end at the time determined by the tournament director, not to exceed 8 hours.

Rule 8

A member’s boat may not fish within 50 yards of another member’s boat without permission of the member in the area first.

Rule 9

A club member who returns late for weigh in will be penalized one pound for each minute from his days catch. After 15 minutes, he will be disqualified from the tournament. If a member takes time, during the tournament hours to assist another boater who is in distress and will not be able to meet weigh in time, it will be your responsibility to notify a member of the club to verify possession of a legal fish. Upon verification, the weight master will be notified of the member verifier and the fact that you were aiding a distressed boater and your fish will be weighed.

Rule 10

Tournament entry fees will be $30.00 per person, payable to the club secretary at the tournament meeting or blast-off site.

Rule 11

Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times. Caution and safety on morning blast-off must be observed. A lifesaving devise must be worn during blast-off.

Rule 12

Every boat must meet standard safety requirements.

Rule13

No one will participate in a tournament while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

7

BARREL MOUTHRule 14

Only artificial lures may be used.

Rule 15

Trolling or wading will not be permitted.

Rule 16

The interpretation and endorsement of the tournament rules shall be left exclusively to the Board of Directors, and their decisions will be final.

Rule 17

Fishing ten participants or less pays one place, eleven to fifteen pays two places, and sixteen or more pays three places.

Rule 18

Club members have no precedence for weighing dying fish at the weigh-in.

Rule 19

Wearing of the club uniform is mandatory at all club tournaments and events. The uniform may be removed after take-off, however must be worn again during the weigh-in of any club tournament. unless winter time clothes are worn over the uniform to keep warm or rain gear to keep dry.

Fishing The Classic

All members who have paid their dues in accordance with the By-Laws are eligible to fish the Classic.

The Classic is not considered one of the tournaments. The classic is a regular tournament payout event at $30.00 per member. Another payout from the club treasury will be determined after the cut-off of June 15 th for all

dues paid in full. The number of payouts/places that will be paid from the Treasury will be determined after the

cutoff date of June 15th. You must fish a certain number of local and away tournaments which will be put out to the

members at the beginning of each fishing season to be eligible to fish the classic. (ie If the club is scheduled to fish 18 tournaments for the year of which 11 is local and 7 is away then you must fish 5 local and 3 away to be eligible for the classic.)

8

BARREL MOUTH

9