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Bylaws (Amended January 31st, 2010) |
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1)
Name
a)
The
name of this organization shall be White River Bass Masters (“WRBM”).
2)
Purpose
and Objective
a)
Unite
anglers with common interests and causes.
b)
To
promote, organize and conduct local bass tournaments in a manner consistent
with the format and rules of the national bass organization(s) to which the
WRBM is affiliated.
c)
To
provide, assist and facilitate bass club members with access to a national bass
organization(s) including their respective tournaments.
d)
To
preserve and further the sport of bass angling by actively becoming engaged in
the areas of environment, pollution and youth participation.
3)
Membership
a)
The
chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six (6) members
b)
Members
must be at least 16 years of age.
c)
Members
must be in and maintain a membership of The Bass Federation (“TBF”) and the
Indiana Bass Federation (“IBF”) throughout the calendar year. Any Member that qualifies for and wants to
participate in Indiana Bass Federation Nation (“IBFN”) Top 8 must also maintain
an active membership in B.A.S.S.
d)
Membership
dues shall be collected annually and are broken down as such: State Fee: $10;
TBF/FLW: $50; WRBM: $35.
e)
New
Members are always welcome provided the WRBM maintains a healthy ratio of
boaters to non-boaters.
f)
There
could be additional requirements for membership as dictated by TBF, IBF and/or
IBFN. Updates will be posted on the WRBM
website (www.whiteriverbass.com), on the
message board or you may request information from the Officers.
g)
Your
membership may be revoked at any time for club violations.
h)
If
a Member elects to leave the club or is removed from the club for any reason
and at any time, any currently paid dues are non-refundable.
4)
Officers
a)
The
Officers of the Chapter (“Officers”) shall consist of:
i)
President - one-year term
ii)
Vice
President – one-year term
iii)
Secretary/Treasurer
– one-year term
iv)
Tournament
Director – one-year term
b)
Ad-hoc
positions may be filled on a case-by-case basis and serve a one-year term as
deemed necessary by the Officers. Ad-hoc
positions may include, but are not limited to:
i)
Assistant
Tournament Director(s)
ii)
Tournament
Administrator
iii)
Website
Administrator
iv)
Photographer
v)
Fundraiser(s)
c)
At
each Term’s end, if nominations are not made for a replacement, the Incumbent
Officer will have the option of serving another one-year term.
d)
The
Officers will ensure that a complete membership roster will be submitted to the
TBF, IBF and IBFN on a yearly basis.
e)
The
Officers will ensure that the WRBM will belong to, support, stay compliant and
relay all pertinent information from the TBF, IBF and IBFN in the interest of
WRBM Members.
f)
The
Tournament Director is responsible for all tournament permits and
correspondence with DNR and property managers.
5)
General
a)
All
rules of the WRBM, including By-Laws, “Tournament Reminder” and “Tournament
Rules” are superseded by all state, federal, DNR and/or local laws,
restrictions or guidelines.
b)
No
alcoholic beverages or illegal substances will be permitted before or during
any club sponsored activities.
6)
Tournament
Overview
a)
The
WRBM schedule will comprise of seven (7) regular season tournaments and a
classic tournament. All Members in good
standing will be eligible to fish the Classic (see 3c).
b)
Entry
for each tournament will be $25 (“Classic and End of the Year Fund”: $7 for the
Classic Fund, $1 for the Big Bass of the year trophy, $1 for the Angler of the
Year Travel Trophy and $1 for Biggest Stringer of the year trophy) with an
optional $10 Big Bass Pot.
i)
Any
monetary year-end prize fund left from the Big Bass, AOY Travel Trophy or
Biggest Stringer trophy will be paid to the respective winner.
ii)
If
a Member misses a regular season tournament and wishes to fish the Classic, the
Member will be required to pay $10 per tournament missed to compensate the
“Classic and End of the Year Fund”. This
will be in addition to normal Classic entry fees.
c)
Officers may fish the
entire tournament schedule including the Classic. However, Tournament Directors
will always weigh-in last and have another Member weigh their catch.
d)
Anglers are expected to
exhibit high sportsmanship and boating safety standards and be courteous to people
on and off the water at all times.
Remember, you represent WRBM and all its members.
e)
NON-BOATERS
i)
If you enter a
tournament as a non-boater, you are expected to pay the boater $20.00 for cost
of operating the boat for the day for any tournaments within 50 miles of 465
loop. This will be documented on the Tournament Reminder.
ii)
If you enter a
tournament as a non-boater, you are expected to pay the boater $30.00 for cost
of operating the boat for the day with the owner for any tournaments outside 50
miles of 465 loop. This will be documented on the Tournament Reminder.
iii)
If there are any boat ramp
and/or park fees, these should be split in half between boater and non-boater.
iv)
Any additional monies
will be a "gentleman's agreement" between the boater and non-boater.
f)
BOATERS
i)
If you enter a
tournament as a boater, you will fish out of your boat and have the right to
man the trolling motor the entire tournament. However, respectful and sporting
treatment to your non-boaters by allowing fair fishing opportunities is mandatory
and subject to protest procedures.
ii)
In the event that you do
not draw a partner, you may fish out of your boat alone.
g)
No two (2) anglers shall
fish a tournament together more than once in a season until everybody has
fished with each other once.
7)
Tournament
Rules
a)
Eligibility
i)
Boaters will be paired with
available non-boater club members by a blind draw for each tournament until all
non-boater club members have been paired with boaters. Excess boaters
will then be paired together or fish alone. Changing partners will be on
a case-by-case basis designated by the Tournament Director.
ii)
Boaters must have at all times proof
of insurance and sign any required waiver form prior to launch time. Current requirements are liability insurance
in the amount of $300,000 for each boat. Each boater must have in their
possession a copy of their watercraft liability insurance policy, or a
certificate of insurance showing the name of the insurance company, insured's
name, liability amount, description of watercraft, and policy effective
dates.
iii)
It will be each member's
responsibility to notify the drawn partner and the tournament director if they
are not going to attend a tournament.
iv)
If an angler shows up at the
tournament to fish and he/she has not been put into the draw, they will be
released last and may be asked to be the starter boat.
b)
Time of
Tournament
i)
Tournaments shall start at safe
daylight time and run for approximately eight (8) hours, exceptions may be made
for night tournaments and multi-day tournaments.
ii)
No contestants may fish until their
specific start number has been called out by the Starter Boat.
iii)
If
you are not launched and ready when your start number is called by the Starter
Boat, you will be skipped and you must wait until the full field is released
before you may leave the launch area.
iv)
The Tournament Director is required
to announce the official time and designated start / return area(s) prior to
start of the tournament. The Tournament
Director is the official time keeper. If
an official time is not announced, it is the responsibility of each contestant
to know what time it is and be back on time.
v)
Penalty for late start: None. If you launch after the field has been
released, you will be able to fish if you find another club member on the lake,
have your live well checked and declare if you are in the big bass pot.
vi)
A penalty of one (1) pound per
minute will be assessed for being late at the end of the tournament. If you are
more than ten (10) minutes late, your catch will not be eligible to be weighed
for that day, but you will still receive any “Show Points”. The only
exceptions to this rule are:
(1)
A Boater and/or co-angler assisting another
member in the tournament with a disabled boat.
They are required to make an effort to contact the Tournament Director
or any other member of the club to let them know that they are going to be late
and the circumstances.
(2)
If there is a co-angler present in
the disabled boat they will be granted the exemption from the rule. The Boater
and that experienced the mechanical problem will not be granted the exception.
c)
Fishing
Rules
i)
You must stay 50 yards away from a
tied or anchored tournament angler.
Anchored is considered to be anchored to the bottom and/or tied to an
object with the trolling motor up.
ii)
Only artificial baits may be used to
catch bass, with the exception of pork rind. Fish must be caught in a sporting
manner.
iii)
No trolling for fish allowed and
only one (1) rod can be used at a time per Member.
iv)
In the case of sight fishing, fish
must be caught in the mouth and not snagged.
v)
The Tournament Director and/or the
Tournament Reminder will announce any off limit areas, designated start/return
areas and whether the creel will be trailored or weighed from the water prior
to the tournament.
vi)
Anglers are required to stay in
their boat for the entire duration of a tournament except in the case of an
emergency. Fishing from the bank is not permitted.
vii)
There is to be no passing in a
marked idle zone at the beginning (release) of a tournament.
viii)
Penalty for violation of Fishing
Rules is subject to protest procedures up to
disqualification.
d)
Weigh In
i)
Limit shall be five (5) bass
(largemouth, smallmouth or
ii)
No fish will be weighed in until the
Tournament Director has announced that the scales are open.
iii)
Weight and length determined by club
equipment will be deemed as official. Members have the
option of using the official tournament rule for a “Courtesy Bump”. Once
fish is handed over to Tournament Director, the member has left the decision up
to the Tournament Director to determine whether or not the fish will
count. The Tournament Director has final
approval or disapproval of measured fish size and their word is final.
iv)
All bass must measure at least the
minimum size of bass for that lake/river. Where there is a question on
minimum size limits for each lake/river, the Tournament Director will make
every attempt to clarify before the start of the tournament. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to be
familiar with the creel limits and size limits of the body of water where the
tournament is being held.
v)
Length of a fish is measured with
mouth closed and the tail compressed to determine total length. If tail
touches line it counts.
vi)
Short fish will not be weighed. There
is a one (1) pound penalty per short fish. Members CANNOT have in their possession
substitute fish that would put them above the five (5) bass limit in
cooperation with Section d Rule i (above).
vii)
Dead fish will be weighed but a 1/2
pound penalty will be subtracted per dead fish. No fish will be weighed if the
fish appears mangled, mashed or stringer kept.
e)
Scoring
i)
The Angler of the Year
and Top8/State Tournament Team will be derived from a points system. Tournaments
are worth a maximum of 100 points. Points will be awarded in one (1) point
decreasing increments depending on place of finish. Additional Bonus points are added per pound of fish weighed
rounded up or down to the nearest pound. All anglers
not weighing a fish will receive 50 “Show Points”. The Classic and/or any WRBM
sponsored or co-sponsored OPEN tournament does NOT count towards season point
totals thus no points are awarded for participation.
ii)
Combining positions and
splitting awards will split all ties.
iii)
Point standings will be
posted on the WRBM website (www.whiteriverbass.com) following the tournaments
in a timely manner.
iv)
If only one (1) Member weighs in,
they will receive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Big Bass Prize Money. However, if no
member weighs in, everyone will receive their entry fee back minus the Classic
and End of Year Fund portion.
f)
Boating Rules
i)
All boats must have a
working “kill switch” for the combustion engine; aerated and fully operating
live wells with enough capacity to fully sustain two limits of healthy
bass. All participants must wear
lifejackets and have a properly functioning “kill switch” attached anytime the
combustion engine is running.
ii)
All boats must meet
safety regulations in force on the lake being fished and must be operated in
accordance with the boating regulations on the water being fished.
iii)
Any Member observed by
another Member breaking a law, restriction or rule may be subject to protest
procedures.
g)
Sportsmanship
i)
Anglers are expected to
exhibit high sportsmanship and boating safety standards and be courteous
to people on and off the water at all times. Remember, you represent WRBM and all its
members.
h)
Protest Procedures
i)
In
the event there is a protest, all protests must be made to the Tournament
Director as soon as possible and no later than 10 minutes after the close of
the scales. A committee made up of the
Officers of the club will rule on the protest.
Both parties of the protest will be given ample opportunity to speak on
their behalf and state their case. The decision
of the committee is final.
ii)
Members
wishing to protest must be present at the time the protest is filed and remain
until a decision is final.
iii)
In
the event an Officer is part of the protest, they will be replaced at that time
by another club member appointed by the Tournament Director so that the
committee may remain impartial to the protest.
iv)
Decisions
of the Committee may include, but not limited to: dismissal of protest, verbal
warning, and /or disqualification.
(1)
Dismissal
of Protest: Committee finds that protest is unfounded.
(2)
Verbal
Warning: Committee finds that protest is legit, gave competitive advantage but
was not malicious or intentional.
(3)
Disqualification:
Committee finds that protest is legit, gave competitive advantage and was
malicious or intentional.
(4)
Multiple
Verbal Warnings: Members receiving three (3) Verbal Warnings for the same
infraction at multiple tournaments will be viewed as malicious or
intentional. Member would then be
subject to Disqualification.
i)
Disqualification
i)
Any
Member disqualified for a tournament will not be eligible to weigh in their
fish to obtain points. The disqualified
Member will not be eligible for any applicable “Show Points”.
8)
Tournament Schedule
a)
The tournament schedule
will be comprised of lakes chosen by each member. All members will pick seven (7)
lakes to fish for that season. Members will be permitted one (1) vote per lake. A majority vote will determine the seven (7)
lakes fished based on the lakes chosen by all members. A hand vote will break
all ties at the Winter Meeting. Once the seven (7) lakes are chosen, the
months and dates will be voted on by the membership at the Winter Meeting.
Exemptions will be made if permit issues affect the tournament schedule. A lake
may not be fished in the same month in consecutive years.
i)
The classic lake will be
chosen by a separate, majority vote. This will take place at the annual winter
meeting.
9)
Restrictions
a)
The WRBM By-Laws may
only be amended with majority
of the present Membership vote at a “Regularly Scheduled Meeting” that is attended
by all the Officers. “Regularly
Scheduled Meetings” must be posted by an Officer on the WRBM website (www.whiteriverbass.com) for all
members to have the opportunity to attend.
10)
Additional
Information
a)
Sections
of the above WRBM By-Laws that relate to tournament rules may be copied into a
separated document to be used as “Tournament Rules”.
b)
“By-Laws”, “Tournament Rules”
and “Tournament Reminders” will be posted on the WRBM website (www.whiteriverbass.com) to assist Members with day-of-tournament
reminders, including local laws and costs.
It is every Members responsibility to be familiar with all applicable
rules and regulations.
c)
Additional
information can be found at: WRBM:
www.whiteriverbass.com The
Bass Federation (TBF – FLW):
www.bassfederation.com Indiana Bass
Federation (IBF – FLW):
www.indianabass.com The Indiana Bass
Federation Nation (IBFN – B.A.S.S.) -
www.ibfn.us |