This club shall be called Lowndes County Bassmasters of Valdosta, Georgia.

To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. To offer our state conservation department our organized moral and political support and encouragement. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards. To detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to his crime. to improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass-catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing, and a love for this great recreation. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the Georgia B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation embracing the principles and purposes of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.

The chapter shall maintain at least six members.

To become a member, a person shall:

(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

(b) Be a member of BASS

(c) Be recommended by two members at a regular monthly meeting.

(d) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by show of hands and affirmation must be unanimous.

(e) Be 16 years of age.

The membership dues shall be $30.00 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the chapter, $15.00 of which shall be for National Federation dues and $12.00 of which shall be for chapter dues. The other $3.00 goes back into the club.

BASS membership dues are also required at the current rate.

The membership shall hold regular meetings on the Wednesday after the monthly tournament, commencing at 6:30pm. The president for good and necessary reasons may call special meetings.

ARTICLE III - Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility

Section 1: Officers and their Duties

The officers of the chapter shall consist of:

(a) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and be an ex officio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions. Authorized to sign checks as an alternate to the Treasurer.

(b) Vice President: Act as program chairman, assist the president in his duties and preside in the absence of the president. Authorized to sign checks as an alternate to the Treasurer.

(c) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meeting as called for by the chapter president. Maintain regular liaison between the chapter and the BASS National Federation and the Georgia BASS Chapter Federation. Authorized to sign checks as an alternate to the Treasurer.

(d) Treasurer: Collect and disburse all moneys. Maintain accurate financial records and present a current balance report at each regular meeting. Prepare an annual audit for review by the Chapter Board of Directors. The chapter may vote that the treasurer and any other officer handling funds must be bonded.

The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of December. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order listed in ARTICLE III, Section 1.

Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.

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

In the event of an office becoming vacant, nomination shall be asked for and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National BASS headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.

To be eligible for an office a member must:

(a) Have been a member for six months.

(b) Have attended at least 75% of the chapter meetings and 75% of chapter functions during a 12 month period.

(c) Have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.

(d) Maintain current BASS membership.

Any officer or director found negligent in his/her performance of assigned duties may be removed from office and suspended from club membership for a period of time agreed upon by membership at a regular chapter meeting.

ARTICLE IV - Standing Committees

All standing committees will serve for one year or until a new committee is appointed. The terms of the committee members will coincide with that of the president. Each committee shall elect a chairman.

(a) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of seven (7) members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and two (2) members elected at large by majority vote of the members present at the December regular meeting.

(1) The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

(2) The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.

(3) The board will decide all protests and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and bylaws of the chapter when appropriately received.

(4) The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.

(b) Youth Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement a chapter Youth Project; to introduce young people to the goals of BASS; to give them a basis for respect of our national heritage, an appreciation of the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship, and to give them an introduction to the sheer joy of fishing.

(c) Conservation Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to protect our natural environment from harmful change; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of local, state and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and other regulatory devices; to take legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment; and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already bee done to the life-giving waters of America.

(d) Tournament Committee: The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all chapter tournaments. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules which must then be approved by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules and investigate all protests concerning tournaments and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

(e) Entertainment Committee: Plans and supervises all club functions of a social nature.

ARTICLE V - Removal of Membership

A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following:

(a) Failure to pay dues.

(b) Any action, which would reflect, dishonor and disgrace on this chapter and/or B.A.S.S.

(c) Failure to attend 50% of the chapter meetings and 50% of chapter functions during a 12 month period.

(d) Disqualification for any reason from participating in B.A.S.S. sponsored events including disqualification for use of drugs or alcohol.

(a) Approval of Chapter Charter by B.A.S.S.

(b) Update B.A.S.S. with a chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current B.A.S.S. roster at year’s end.

(c) Names and address of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur.

(d) Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership.

(e) Must affiliate with Georgia State Federation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the Georgia State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the chapter to participate in the Georgia State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation sponsored tournaments or events.

ARTICLE VII - Chapter Awards

Angler of the Year aware will be given at the end of the fishing year and will consist of Angler of the Year, First Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, Third Runner-Up, Fourth Runner-Up, Fifth Runner-Up, and Biggest Hawg Caught in Tournament Competition. Criteria for selection will be total weight of fish caught or points awarded at normal monthly tournaments. Trophies will be awarded at the end of year social function.

Section 2: Sportsman of the Year

Sportsman of the Year award will be determined by secret ballot (write-in) at the November meeting. Selection will be determined by two (2) ballots, second ballot will have top three (3) qualifiers from the first ballot. Trophy will be awarded at the end of year social function.

The club is not limited to fishing any lake, river, or body of water during the year, which runs from Jan 1 through the last day in December.

Tournament fees will consist of $20 entry fee with $5 of that going toward sponsoring the Top 6 Team. Big fish pot, which is optional, will be $10. All fees will be paid at the tournament site prior to the official start time.

ARTICLE IX - Method of Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of the members present, provided written notice of proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.

Bylaws approved by majority vote of membership present on January 05, 1999.

President – Edward Bennett

Vice-President – Eric Wills

Secretary – Tony Rosatti

Treasurer – David Baize

Attachments:

1. Board of Directors and Committee Membership

Attachment 1: Officers and Committee Members

Board of Directors

President - Edward Bennett

Vice-President - Eric Wills

Secretary - Tony Rosatti

Treasurer - David Baize

Imd Past President -

Member at Large - Carroll Suggs

Member at Large - Glen Mullinax

Youth Committee

Chairman - Carroll Suggs

Member - Gary Phillips

Member - Don Dewitt

Conservation Committee

Chairman - John Hoover

Member - Bob Kenny

Member - Carroll Suggs

Tournament Committee

Director - Gary Phillips

Weighmaster - Dave Leanord

Weighmaster - Jack Rozek

Weighmaster - Glen Mullinax

Entertainment Committee

Chairman- Carroll Suggs

Member- Steve Suggs

Member- Don Dewitt

Lowndes County Bassmasters