Guys and Gals Bass Club Bylaws 2024
Club decisions are made by club members. One member gets one vote, with equal voice. This club is not about professional fishing careers or winning large amounts of money. Tournaments are mainly for light-hearted competition. This club is a place to meet other couples and to share fishing knowledge and fishing experiences. The main thing we ask is that both peop
le want to fish and enjoy participating in a social and fun atmosphere. Membership dues will be reasonable and used solely for club business, such as yearly award dinners, trophies, prizes and club supplies. Club meetings are held once a month, as well as a club tournament. Twice annually we hold full weekend tournaments, to allow the members to socialize with one another. Bylaws Establishment:
A fishing club to be known as NWF GUYS AND GALS BASS CLUB is hereby established. Hereafter referred to as The Club in this document. The mailing address of the Club shall be as follows:
16 North Drive, Shalimar, FL 32579
email address: [email protected]
Any changes to these By-laws will be tabled to the beginning of the year unless it is agreed upon by the whole Club that something needs to be addressed sooner. MEMBERSHIP
1. Memberships are open to all couples (male/female). Boat operators must be Over age 18. DUES $25.00 yearly dues per person. ($50 per couple) (Dues will cover annual banquet, trophies and/or Awards, and miscellaneous drawings). CLUB EQUIPEMENT:
The Tournament Director will be responsible for providing scales for weigh-in. MEETINGS:
The Club will hold its regular meetings on the 1st Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Ruby Tuesday, Niceville, FL. (subject to change) January meetings will be held the second Monday of the month. ORDER OF BUSINESS:
The following shall comprise the order of business and meeting procedure at all regular meetings:
1. Call to order
2. Treasurer’s report
3. Public Relations Officer’s Report
4. Old business
5. New business
6. Adjournment
SCHEDULED CLUB TOURNAMENTS
1. The Club will hold 11 scheduled tournaments per year which will consist of 7 single day tournaments held on 4th Saturday of each month, and two 2-day tournaments scored independently, during the Spring and Fall on the 4th Saturday and Sunday of the selected month. The Club will work around tournaments dates that fall on Holiday weekends.
2. Tournament locations and dates will be chosen by club members in attendance at the monthly meeting for that month. The 2- day tournaments and locations that require more travel will be decided in advance to allow ample time for work and lodging arrangements.
3. The first tournament will be held in February, the last in October. January will be the annual Awards Banquet. ANNUAL AWARDS
To be eligible for annual awards, you must be members in good standing, having paid your annual dues. You must also participate in at least 50% of club tournaments for the year. Angling Couple of the Year:
Angling couple of the year will be determined based on the current tournament point system. The couple that accumulates highest total points throughout the tournament year will be recognized as the angling couple of the year. Per the club by-laws based on tournament participation a team member can fish without their partner 3 times and still be eligible to accumulate angling couples of the year points. Each couple will be allowed to drop their 3 lowest scores, for angling couple of the year points. If there is a tie, the winner will be determined by the team with the greatest total weight of fish caught for the year. Guys Big Fish/Gals Big Fish:
Each winner will be determined by the weight of the single largest fish caught by one gal and one guy during the tournament year. CLUB OFFICERS
The Club Officers shall consist of 5 elected posts:
* President * Secretary * Treasurer * Tournament Director * Public Relations Officer
The Officers are nominated and elected annually in January of each year by the membership by Secret ballot. Only members in good standing may vote or hold office. Officers are responsible for the Interpretation and enforcement of the By-laws and rules; invoking penalties when necessary. Officers
President
1. Shall preside over all meetings of The Club.
2. Shall enforce and interpret club rules along with other officers. Secretary
The Secretary shall record all proceedings and relevant information at all regular meetings. Treasurer
Bookkeeping: Responsible for the recording and collection of all monies paid in and out. Tournament Director
1. Shall record weights of all fish caught by each member at all tournaments and shall measure any questionable fish for legal length.
2. Shall declare the winners of each tournament.
3. Shall be responsible for informing members of all rules and regulations.
4. Shall procure fishing waivers for states that require them to tournament fish. Public Relations Officer
1. Shall promote public awareness of The Club and seek out potential new Members and sponsors.
2. Create newsletters, flyers or other media, to include The Club website, which promotes the Club and/or keeps members informed of Club events.
3. Arrange for photos to be taken at Club events and tournaments. Article I
In the event The Club disbands, all monies and/or property of The Club will be given to a charity that the members will vote on. Article II
Forfeiture of Membership
1. Use of illegal substances during any club event is automatic forfeiture of membership and loss of paid dues.
2. In the event a problem arises between members of the group, The Club officers reserve the right to deliberate and vote on penalties and/or continued membership. If a couple is asked to resign their membership, a percentage of yearly dues will be refunded. The yearly dues will be returned at a prorated amount. Article III
Regarding the Club money
All money deposited in The Club account is to be used strictly for Club business. No exceptions. It may be used for the annual banquet if adequate funds are available. Club Tournament Rules:
Section 1. Entry Requirements & Miscellaneous Rules
A. You must be a paid member of The Club prior to the tournament date. (see Membership potential new members)
B. You must have a valid fishing license for the tournament waters you intend to fish. In the event a club member cannot attend a tournament due to unforeseen circumstances, His/her partner, in good standing, can invite a family member, another club member, or fish solo (prior approval) up to three times per year total. Tournament fees will be the responsibility of club member. The member is responsible for paying any money won to their guest. In the event that a couple should need a substitute partner it is highly encouraged to ask another member, if available, or a youngster. Should a club member choose another club member, each member fishes for their own team. If the substitute is the same s*x, they must be less than 16 years old to count as a team member. The substitute will fish their own gender’s big fish contest. Fishing locations will be determined at the monthly meeting prior to the tournament date. Section 2. Fees
A. Entry Fee: $20.00 per boat (couple)
B. Big Fish: $10.00 per boat ($5 for guy’s & $5 for gal’s)
C. All entry fees must be paid in cash before launch. Section 3. Tournament Starting/Ending Rules
A. There shall be no restriction on pre-fishing. All live wells will be inspected prior to the beginning of the tournament. All boats must be launched at the tournament landing. All contestants may not begin fishing before the appointed start time.
1. When 6 (six) or more boats are in the tournament, Tournament Director will decide launch order. All contestants must end fishing and culling by the appointed end time.
1. Boat must be at appointed landing at the end time. Members arriving within fifteen minutes after end time will have 1/2 of total weight deducted. After fifteen minutes of end time, this will result in disqualification. Unfishable Waters.
1. Launch can be changed at site or by phone. Accountability
1.Should a team need to leave a tournament, contact the Tournament Director first. If unavailable, contact any other club officer. Section 4. Weigh-in
A. Weigh-in scales will be open at predetermined site as soon as scales can be set up. Each team will be limited to weigh-in 5 (five) total of largemouth, spotted or smallmouth per boat. Fish size will be lake rules as notified by Tournament Director. There will be a penalty of 4 ounces or 1/4 of a pound for each dead fish. Penalty for undersize fish is loss of that fish and deduction of 1 (one) pound from total weight of legal fish. In the event that a member of a team is having his or her only fish in the live well culled out, each team can weigh in a 6th fish separately for guys or girls’ big fish only. If a team leaves prior to weigh-in, they forfeit their entry fee, big fish fees, and tournament points. Section 5. Tournament Scoring Points
A. First Place 100
Second Place 99
Third Place 98
Fourth Place 97
Fifth Place 96
Sixth Place 95
Seventh Place 94
Eighth Place 93
Ninth Place 92
Tenth Place 91
Eleventh Place 90
Twelfth Place 89
If no fish caught but showed for tournament a team gets 1 point less that the last team placed
Section 6. Payout
A. Payouts will be based on the total number of entries paid. Tournament payout will be equal 100% of the entry fees, with 50% to First Place, 30% to Second, and 20% to Third. The Big Fish payout will equal 100% of the Big Fish entry fees for that tournament. If a tie, the winner will be decided by total team weight. If a tie occurs in a pay-out place (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) the tie will be decided by the largest fish weighed in of either team. In the event nobody places, or no fish weighed, that place money will be put into the club account. In the event no big fish is weighed in for the guy’s or gal’s big fish, that money will be rolled into the Club account. Section 7. Sportsmanship & Safety
A. Safety will be the first consideration during all Tournaments. All members must wear a Coast Guard Approved life vest when the boat is on plane. If the boat is equipped with a kill switch, it must be attached to the driver while boat is on plane. All State Fishing Regulations and Rules will be observed. Breaking of state or club rules, at the discretion of officers, may result in disqualification and loss of entry fees. Members will conduct themselves in true sportsman-like manner. Courtesy, safety, and ethics of the best behavior must be observed. Remember that you represent not only yourselves but also all tournament anglers and the sport of competitive fishing. Rude or insulting behavior will not be tolerated. Section 8. DISCLAIMER
The Club will not be responsible for any accidents or negligence of club members or guests. Section 9. ABOVE ALL ELSE HAVE FUN!!!!!!
