Oak Orchard River Bass Anglers
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
(2007)
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1: NAME
This chapter shall be called the Oak Orchard River Bass Anglers
SECTION 2: PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter shall be:
a) to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport;
b) to offer our state conservation department our organized moral
and political support and encouragement;
c) to promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to
demand adequate water standards and legal enforcement of
existing regulatory standards;
d) to detect and report any polluter and call public and political
attention to his crime:
e) to improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of
friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas;
f) to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great
recreation;
g) to function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of
the NY State BASS Federation Nation embracing the principles
and purposes of B.A.S.S.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: REGULAR MEMBERS
All regular members of this chapter must also be members in good
standing of both the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S. S.)
and the BASS Federation Nation. Total membership shall not exceed
forty (40) members. This number may be altered by amendment.
SECTION 2: REQUIREMENTS FOR REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
To become a regular chapter member an individual:
a) must be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
b) must be a member, in good standing, of B.A.S.S.
c) must submit a membership application, sponsored by at least
two (2)chapter members, with appropriate dues and fees.
d) must be voted on by the membership. The vote must be
unanimous.
SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP DUES
The membership dues shall be in an amount established by the
general membership and shall include annual Chapter dues and annual
BASS Federation Nation dues. Individual membership in the Bass
Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) is also required at the current
annual rate. An initiation fee, as determined by the general
membership, shall be charged to all new members. Family member-
ships are available at an additional cost, as determined by the general
membership, and such memberships shall include the individual
Chapter member, his or her spouse (significant other), dependent
children and grandchildren under the age of eighteen (18) years.
SECTION 4: LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Members may be recommended for lifetime membership. Such
recommendation shall be voted on by the members present at any
regular Chapter meeting and the vote must be unanimous. The
Chapter shall pay annual BASS Federation Nation dues of all lifetime
members.
SECTION 5: ARMED FORCES
Any Chapter member, in good standing, who is called into active
service with the Armed Forces of the
rights and privileges of Chapter membership. The Chapter shall
waive annual Chapter dues of the member during their active duty,
but shall pay that member's annual dues to the BASS Federation
Nation.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS, ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES
SECTION 1: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
The Officers of this chapter, and their duties, shall be:
a) PRESIDENT
The President shall:
1) preside over all meetings and direct all official business;
2) appoint and direct all committees and their functions;
3) supervise all Chapter functions;
b) VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall:
1) act as program chairman;
2) assist the President in his duties;
3) preside in the absence of the President;
4) assume the office of President, if vacated, until an
election can be held to fill the vacancy;
c) SECRETARY/TREASURER
The Secretary/Treasurer shall:
1) maintain accurate minutes of all meetings and report same at
all meetings;
2) maintain accurate financial records and report same at all
meetings;
3) arrange checking and savings accounts in such manner as to
require the signature of at least two (2) officers for
expenditure of Chapter funds;
4) maintain bank records and act as liaison between the
Chapter and the bank;
5) assume the office of President, should the offices of
President and Vice President both be vacated, until an
election can be held to fill the vacancy;
SECTION 2: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
a) NOMINATIONS
1) nominations shall be held annually prior to elections
being held;
b) ELECTIONS
1) elections shall be held annually;
2) election shall be by simple majority vote of the members
present;
3) election for each office shall be held separately, in the order
listed under Article III, Section 1.
c) ELIGIBLITY TO VOTE
Each Chapter member shall be entitled to one vote. Proxy votes
are not allowed. In the case of family memberships, the family
shall have one vote only and that vote may be cast only by the
individual in whose name the family membership is registered.
d) TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office for all officers shall be one calendar year.
e) VACANCIES
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be
asked and an election held to fill the remaining term of the
individual vacating office.
f) ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE
To be eligible to hold office, a Chapter member must have
been a member, in good standing, for at least one year and
shown an active interest in all Chapter functions. He shall
swear to abide by, and uphold, the Chapter's Constitution and
By-Laws and rules and regulations.
ARTICLE IV: AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
SECTION 1: AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any regular
Chapter meeting by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members
present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has
been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting
prior to the vote.
ARTICLE V: LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: AUTOMATIC LOSS
A Chapter member shall be automatically removed from
membership for failure to pay annual dues by December
31st of each year.
SECTION 2: DISCRETIONARY LOSS
A Chapter member may be removed from the membership
for the following reasons:
a) violation of the Chapter's Constitution and By-Laws and
rules and regulations;
b) any action which reflects dishonor and/or disgrace on the
Chapter.*
(*Removal of membership for any reason listed under section 2b,
shall occur only upon majority vote of the members present at a
regular Chapter meeting. The vote shall be by secret ballot and
the member to be voted on shall have the right to be heard before
the vote is taken.)
ARTICLE VI: AFFILIATION
SECTION 1: REQUIREMENTS OF AFFILIATION
a) approval of Chapter charter by B.A.S.S.
b) update B.A.S.S. with the Chapter membership roster
once each year upon receipt of current B.A.S.S. roster
at year's end;
c) names and addresses of new members joining the Chapter
during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur.
(See Article II, Section 3, for dues requirements)
d) maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership;
e) must affiliate with the State Federation and support its
conservation and youth programs. Any additional require-
ments that the State Federation establishes for Chapters, such
as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be
necessary for the Chapter to participate in the State Federation
qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation-sponsored
tournaments or events.
