Constitution & By-Laws

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 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 must:

       a) be at least sixteen (16) years of age;

       b) be a member, in good standing, of B.A.S.S.;

       c) submit a membership application, sponsored by at least two (2) chapter members, and appropriate dues and fees;

       d) be voted on at a regular chapter meeting by the members present.  The applicant must be approved by unanimous vote;

  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 memberships 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), and dependent children and grandchildren under the age of eighteen (18) years.

  SECTION 4:  LIFE MEMBERSHIP

       Members may be recommended for lifetime membership.  Such recommendations shall be voted on by the members present at any regular chapter meeting and the vote must be unanimous.  The chapter shall pay BASS Federation Nation annual 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 United States shall retain full 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 busness;

             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) ELIGIBILITY 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 HOLDING OFFICE

             To be eligible to hold office, a chapter member must have been a member, in good standing, for at least one (1) 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 the 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 this section, 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 FOR 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 requirements 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;

                              (AS AMENDED 2007)