CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS

Revised and approved (1/3/15) by the officers, board of directors and club members.

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1: Name

This Chapter shall be called the Denver Bassmasters of Denver, Colorado.

Section 2: Purpose

To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. To improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of bass catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing. To exemplify sportsmanship and ethics in all activities representing the Chapter and/or B.A.S.S. To function as a dynamic and effective Chapter of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. To be an active partner in the B.A.S.S. Federation and adhere to Federation philosophy. To participate as members of the Chapter in local and state Federation tournaments. To offer our State Conservation Department our organized moral and political support plus our personal resources. To maintain an awareness of all issues (political and social) affecting our rights as individuals to enjoy fishing as a sport. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes, and to demand adequate water standards and legal enforcement of existing regulatory standards. To detect and report any polluter, and call public attention to the crime.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Number of Members

The Chapter shall have a minimum of six (6) members. The total number of memberships shall be open. This number may be altered by amendment.

Section 2: Requirements for membership

To become a Chapter member, a person shall:

A. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

B. The prospective member will be given a complete set of Club Constitution and By-Laws, and tournament rules when he attends his first meeting. He will be told to read them over thoroughly. If he agrees to follow the rules, the prospective member will be admitted and welcome into the club upon payment of dues.

Section 3: Membership Dues

A. Treasurers records are open for inspection by any club member.

B. Annual dues are payable on or before the December club meeting. After that date, dues are considered to be in arrears.

C. Dues must be paid in full prior to participation in any tournament.

Section 4: Membership Revocation

Membership in the club may be revoked due to any actions by a member that adversely affect the Chapter. Revocation will be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority ballot vote of the members present at the meeting at which the motion for revocation is made. If the revocation is due to actions occurring during a tournament, forfeiture of any awards (cash/prize/trophy) for that tournament is automatic. Any prepaid dues to the Chapter are forfeited.

Section 5: Members Classification

A. Member: A member must meet the requirements for membership and be a member of the Bass Anglers sportsman Society.

B. Honrary Member: The person must be nominated by a member of the club and be approved by ninety (90)% of the Board Members present. The honorary membership shall be reviewed and updated by the February Board meeting yearly.

Privileges and responsibilities of an Honorary Member:

1. Does not pay membership dues.

2. Can participate in all club activities.

3. Can fish club tournaments, but cannot accumulate points or fish the Classic.

4. Is entitled to cash prizes and trophies.

5. Can participate in the Big Fish Contest.

6. Must abide by the Constitution and By-Laws.

7. Must abide by the tournament rules

8. Cannot vote on club issues.

9. Cannot hold office or chair a committee.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES AND ELIGIBILITY

Section 1: Officers and Their Duties

A. President: Preside over all meeting and direct all official business. Appoint and direct all committee chairmen. Supervise all club functions. Appoint a replacement for any elected vacancy.

B. Vice-President: Act as program chairman. Assist the President in his duties and preside in the absence of the President. Conduct raffles at club meetings when needed, to raise money for the club.

C. Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all Chapter Board and Club meeting, and make them available to the Club members. Maintain liaison between chapters, the Federation, and B.A.S.S. Collect annual membership dues, maintain all membership records, and be the custodian of all club records, reports, and official papers.

D. Treasurer: Maintain accurate financial records for the chapter and report the status at each Chapter meeting.

E. Executive Committee: This committee shall consist of all officers of the Chapter. It has the power to make emergency decisions for the Chapter if they are made by at least three (3) of the officers.

Section 2: Elections

Nominations for officers will be held at the October club meeting. The election of these officers will be held at the November club meeting. Each member is entitled to one vote.

Section 3: President Appointed Officers

A. Juniors Director: Manage and coordinate all aspects of the Denver Junior Bassmasters. This includes scheduling of dates, collecting dues, facilitating licenses, and or permits for private events.

B. Tournament Director: Will be responsible for all club sanctioned tournaments. Including permits, registration, fee collection, and partner pairing at meetings. Manage all communications related to tournaments including event details and reporting of results to membership. Maintain and enforce all tournament rules.

C. Conservation Director: Shall primary point of contact for the clubs conservation and habitat efforts. Maintain and build relationships with all entities that govern and direct the State of Colorado's fisheries. Facilitate and manage written proposals, estimates, funding, and event logistics. Work with Colorado Bass Nation when applicable on project funding and reimbursement.

Section 4: Term of Office

The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on January 1st, and end on the ,last day of December, or until the successor assumes office. Officers shall serve until the last meeting of the following December.

Section 5: Vacancies

A. If the office of the Presidency is vacated, the Vice-President will become President and appoint a new Vice-President.

B. If the office of the Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer is vacated, the President will appoint a new officer to fill out the unexpired term.

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office

To be eligible for an office, the individual must be a member in good standing.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Members of the Board shall consist of:

A. Officers of the Chapter

B. Six Directors at Large, each serving for a two (2) year term.

C. Tournament Director

D. Conservation Director

F. Juniors Director

Section 2: Operation and Purpose

The President of the Chapter will serve as Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors will conduct the routine Chapter business. The Secretary will read the minutes of each Board meeting at the following Club meeting or have them included in the newsletter. Decisions of the Board may be changed, modified, or amended by a two-third (2/3) vote of those members in attendance at the club meeting.

Section 3: Electing Directors at Large

A. Three (3) Directors at Large will be elected each year, each for a two (2) year term. Terms will commence on January 1. There will be a total of six (6) Directors at Large.

B. Nominations for Directors at Large will be held at the October club meeting. Election will be held at the November meeting.

C. The President will only vote to break a tie.

D. The President will appoint any vacancies, to serve out an unexpired term.

Section 4: Removal from the Board of Directors

Any Board member (including officers) who miss three (3) Board meetings during any twelve (12) month period, or two consecutive club meeting, without proper excuse, may be removed from that position and the President will appoint a new member to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE V: TOURNAMENTS

The Chapter shall utilize Colorado Bass Nation (CBN) tournament rules and regulations with the following exceptions; Nets for landing all fish are to be allowed, DBM will follow a co-angler (split) format as outlined in DBM Tournament Rules, Off-Limits period will follow DBM Tournament Rules. Enforcement and interpretation of these rules and regulations will be by the Tournament Director, and the tournament committee and compliance is mandatory. Copies of both CBN Tournament Rules and DBM Tournament Rules shall be made available to prospective club members prior to their acceptance in the Chapter.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

The Constitution and By-Laws can be amended at any time by a ninety (90)% vote of members present at a club meeting provided a notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.

INTERPRETATIONS: As used in this document the pronouns “He” and “His” refer to a specific individual or position, which might be “She” or “Her” in a given circumstance.