CONSTITUTION   2012

UPDATED

REBEL BASS CLUB CONSTITUTION

(TWENTY FIRST REVISION) JANUARY 2013

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of the REBEL BASS CLUB shall be to promote:

• Fellowship through club sanctioned activities.
• The unselfish sharing of techniques and information that will be beneficial to all club members.
• Awareness and adherence to existing game and fish regulations and club rules.

ARTICLE II

PRINCIPLES

The club and its members, in pursuit of the purposes stated in Article I, shall ace in accordance with the following principle: All members shall, in good faith, fulfill the obligations stated in Article I of this constitution.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

The club shall begin with at least six members, but no more than twelve charter members. Total membership is not limited.

Charter members shall be afforded lifetime irrevocable membership as long as dues are kept current and they abide with this constitution and club tournament rules.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

A.)  Prospective members must fish at least one club tournament, attend at least one club meeting, read and agree to abide by the club By-Laws and Tournament rules of Rebel Bass Club prior to being eligible for membership. Exceptions:

1. Immediate family members of an active member are automatically eligible for membership.
2. Prospective members who do not live in the San Antonio Metroplex area do not have to attend at least one meeting to be eligible for membership.

B.)   After acceptance, membership shall be awarded and dues collected as per Article V.

C.)  Club members shall be allowed to go inactive if dues are kept current and the period of inactivity does not exceed six months. The member shall make a personal request to the membership committee to be inactive; this member shall be dropped from the club membership automatically.

D.)  A majority vote, at a club event, will be required to reinstate membership.

E.)   A club member may be a member of another bass club; however, said club member shall not compete against Rebel Bass Club in any fishing event. Rebel members fishing as a member of another bass club within the Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs will be construed as a conflict of interest; therefore, their Rebel membership must be relinquished. All members shall represent Rebel Bass Club to the fullest expectation of membership and in the best interest of the club.

F.)   For continuity purposes, a member must be an active participant for one full year before he/she is eligible to hold an elective office.

G.)  Rebel members are highly encouraged to participate in club sponsored charity events (i.e. Boysville). Charity events provide goodwill and support to activities, events, and persons who are less fortunate or who do not have access to fishing and outdoor activities.

H.)  Annually, Rebel Bass Club will hold a fundraising activity, normally the Rebel Open.  Fundraising activities provide financial support to Rebel Bass Club charities as well as support our active members. Active members are required to participate either as a paid competitor, event day volunteer, or through an individual cash sponsorship equal to their annual dues. Exceptions to this requirement must be submitted to the secretary and require executive committee approval.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP DUES

A.)  Annual dues shall be $60.00. Dues for new members shall be prorated on a quarterly basis for quarters remaining in the dues year and collected at the meeting of membership award. Dues for former members will be $60.00 with no prorating. Club officers dues will be waived for each term served. Club officers’ are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Tournament Director.

B.)   Annual dues shall be payable at the first scheduled meeting of the new calendar year and shall be paid to the club’s treasurer. Dues must be paid before the member fishes a tournament in order to receive points from that tournament.

ARTICLE VI

REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP

A.)  Any member may be subject to removal for cause.

B.)   Member or Members witnessing violations as listed below shall report violations to the membership committee for their investigation and further action.  The club shall rule on any action that would be deemed grounds for removal, and simple majority of membership vote at a regularly scheduled meeting will determine removal.

C.)  Causes for removal:

1. Failure to adhere to the stated purpose and principles of the club as per Article I and II.
2. Failure to pay club dues as per Article V.
3. Non-compliance with the club constitution and tournament rules.
4. Any member may be removed from club membership for un-sportsman like conduct or any action deemed detrimental or harmful to the best interest of the club.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

A.)   President

1. Presides over meetings.
2. Directs all official business and represents the club in official matters or functions.
3. Has the authority to sign club checks.
4. Ensures enforcement of the club constitution and tournament rules.
5. The impartiality required of the President precludes exercising the right to debate while presiding.
6. Refrain from voting except to break a tied vote.

B.)   Vice President

1. Assists the president and presides over meetings and official matters or functions in the absence of the president.
2. Shall be responsible for the quarterly publication (or more often) of the club’s newsletter or web site.

C.)  Secretary

1. Maintain accurate records of all meetings and handle club correspondence and report the same to club members at club meetings.
2. To establish and maintain the club directory to include:

1. Members Names
2. Members Address
3. Telephone Numbers
4. Email Addresses

1. Provide a copy of meeting minutes to all club members either by mail or postal service.
2. Maintain up to date Constitution and Tournament Rules.
3. Responsible for maintaining all historic club records and club property.

D.)  Treasurer

1. Maintain accurate financial records and reports financial statement at each meeting.
2. Has the authority to sign club checks.
3. Disburse club funds as ordered by a majority vote at a club meeting.
4. To maintain minimum balance of  $1,500.00 at all times in the bank.

E.)   Sergeant-at-arms

1. Maintain order at all club meetings and functions.

F.)   Membership Director  as per Article VIII  (A)

G.)  Tournament Director

1. Enforce club tournament rules.
2. To officiate at club tournament weigh-ins.
3. Maintain club tournament results and year to date standings.
4. Serve as safety officer for the club.
5. Have the first six tournaments of the year scheduled by the January meeting and the following six posted by the May meeting.

H.)  Entertainment and Fundraising Director as per Article VIII  (C)

ARTICLE VIII

STANDING COMMITTEES

A.)    Membership Committee

1. The membership committee shall consist of the members selected by the Membership Director.
2. The duties for the membership committee, under the direction of the membership director, shall be as follows:
   1. In charge of membership review per Article IV and Article VI.
   2. Promote the club purpose and actively solicit new members for consideration.
   3. To review, investigate and report all written grievances of the club members (other than a Tournament protest) to the full membership.

B.)     Tournament Committee:

1. The tournament committee shall consist of three members: the tournament director (elected as a club officer); the angler of the year from the previous year; and one member elected at large from and by the membership. If the angler of the year is elected tournament director, then two members shall be elected at large from and by the membership.
2. The duties of the tournament committee under the direction of the tournament director shall be as follows:
   1. Handle any and all disputes arising from tournament competitions.
   2. Have the power to determine at least three months in advance the lake, date, launch, launch sites, time and duration for the club tournaments.
   3. Tournament rules shall be established by the charter members and shall become a part of this constitution.
   4. Have the first six tournaments of the year scheduled by the January meeting and the following six posted by the May meeting.

C.)    Entertainment and Fundraising Committee:

1. The entertainment and fundraising committee shall consist of the members as selected by the Entertainment and Fundraising Director.
2. Duties of the entertainment and fundraising committee, under the direction of the director shall be as follows:
   1. To provide speakers and films
   2. To promote and organize events to generate funds for the club.
   3. To promote activities beneficial to the club spirit.

D.)    Executive Committee:

1. The executive board shall consist of the club officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Tournament Director) and members elected from the general membership. Membership participation on the executive board shall be based on one member at large per fifteen club members or fraction thereof.
2. The duties of the board shall be to provide oversight for the administration of club business and perform such other duties as are provided for by this constitution.

ARTICLE IX

ELECTIONS

The elections of officers shall be held at the regular meeting in the month of November. Elections shall be by simple majority of members present. Elections for each officer shall be held separately in order as listed in Article VII. Also, elected shall be representatives from the membership at large to serve on the executive committee.

ARTICLE X

ELIGIBILITY OF VOTE

Each member is entitled to one vote. The President must refrain from voting except to break a tied vote.

ARTICLE XI

TERM OF OFFICE

The term of office shall be for one year beginning on January 1^st and ending on December 31^st of each year.

ARTICLE XII

VACANCIES

In the event of an office becoming vacant, nomination shall be requested and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office.

ARTICLE XIII

CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS

All proposed changes to the constitution and tournament rules are to be submitted in writing at the January meeting of each year. The proposing member shall have the opportunity to offer explanation of the proposed amendment. No other discussion will be permitted until called for at the next monthly meeting. The proposed amendments shall be published in the meeting minutes and voted on at the following monthly meeting. Proposed changes shall commence with a motion from the floor duly seconded, which will be placed to the membership for discussion. At the close of discussion, the proposed change will be placed to vote and must carry a majority vote to amend the constitution or tournament rules. Any other proposed changes during the remainder of the year may be presented in writing at a regular meeting for review by the executive committee who will in turn decide whether or not the proposed amendment will be put to club for vote at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE XIV

As amendments are made, they will be added into a revised constitution and made available to the membership. The Secretary will be charged with the duty of retaining all previous versions of the constitution.

ARTICLE XV

DEFINITION

Any procedure or point not specifically defined in this constitution and by-laws will be ruled on by the majority vote of the club.