CONSTITUTION,

BYLAWS, AND

TOURNAMENT RULES

Nov. 08 - Oct. 09

EVERGLADES BASSMASTERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article I - Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
This chapter shall be known as the Everglades Bassmasters of South Florida.

Section 2: Purpose
The purpose and reason for this chapter is to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport, to offer conservation departments an organized moral and political support. We will promote full adherence to conservation codes and regulatory standards; and will report any detected polluter calling public attention to their offense. In addition, we will strive to improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas, and to encourage youth fishing and a love for this wholesome recreation. As a club, we will try to function as a dynamic and effective link with other clubs and organizations embracing the principles and purposes of conservation.

Article II - Membership
Section 1: Number of Members
Membership is an authorized maximum of fifty (50) members. A "Candidate for Membership" list will be established and maintained by the secretary, whereby candidates will be reviewed in a chronological sequence based upon their date of application for membership. Such individuals shall be considered at regular club meetings only when the roll of active members is reduced to less than fifty (50).

Section 2: Requirements for Membership
To be eligible to become a member of the Everglades Bassmasters of South Florida, the candidate must:
Be recommended by a current member in a regular monthly meeting and voted upon at a succeeding meeting.
Must be sixteen (16) years of age or older.
Voluntarily express a genuine interest in bass fishing and club membership.
Acceptance will have the consideration of the Executive Committee to maintain at least 3/4 majority of boat owner members.
Will be voted on by the membership at which time the President shall notify the applicant of his membership.
After having met the preceding requirements, the prospective new member shall have his membership application and dues in order at the meeting. A majority vote shall serve to admit a new member.
Pay the treasurer an initiation, annual dues and lunker fund fees.
New members will be awarded a membership package that includes hat, shirt, bylaws and tournament rules.

Section 3: Membership Dues
Membership dues shall be paid as outlined in this schedule:
Annual dues to the Everglades Bassmasters of South Florida will be $30.00 and a $12.00 Fee for the Grand Lunker fund, a total of $42.00 is payable at the November meeting for the forthcoming year. All new members shall pay an initiation fee of $30.00. For new members who join in June to October the first annual dues payment will be reduced to $15.00. The $30.00 reinstatement fee shall be waived for any life member.
All dues shall be paid to the treasurer who will be responsible for keeping records thereof.
Any member who has paid dues for ten (10) consecutive years is considered a life member and shall be relieved of paying any additional annual dues. This shall not include the Grand Lunker Fee of $12.00, which must be paid prior to the first tournament fished. Date of club entry shall determine number of years of full year's membership dues paid.
As of November 2007, any member who whishes to join the Federation Nation must pay the applicable dues and membership fees to enjoy the benefits of this association. (Further information will be forthcoming for this designation)

Section 4: Expulsion of Members
Members may be removed from the club in the following ways:
Failure to pay yearly dues by the January monthly meeting. The Executive Committee shall grant exception to this, when circumstances warrant.
Any formal protest concerning activities or acts of a member that could lead to expulsion must first be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee who must call an emergency meeting to review the protest. Should the Executive Committee feel the charges warranted, it must be brought before the general membership in the next scheduled meeting and a general vote of expulsion taken. A vote of at least 3/4 of the members present is required for expulsion.
Failure to show up for a scheduled tournament in which he is registered to fish shall be just cause for review by the Executive Committee, which could lead to expulsion.

In the event a member should be removed or resign from the club, dues and tournament fees already paid are non-refundable.
Failure of a member to participate in three consecutive events (meetings and/or tournaments) will be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee by the secretary to consider expulsion of said member.

Article III - Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility
Section 1: Officers and Their Duties

President - The President is the chief executive officer of the club. He shall preside over all club meetings and all other club functions except fishing tournaments. The president has signature approval of the club checking account. The President is responsible to appoint all non-elected committee chairmen by the December club meeting and notify the membership of the appointees.

Vice-President and Program Chairman - The Vice-President and Program Chairman are responsible to assume the duties of the President in his absence. He is also responsible to assist the President as required and is responsible as chairman of the monthly club meeting programs. Such items as guest speakers, films, etc. fall into this realm. There shall be a minimum of 6 per year. He is allowed to spend $50.00 or more for programs with Executive Committee approval. He is also responsible for the welcoming of new members, being sure they receive a new membership packet and have an understanding of the bylaws, tournament rules, etc.

Secretary - The secretary is responsible to carry out the following duties:
· Maintain accurate minutes of all club meetings.
· Maintain correspondence for the club as required.
· Post notice as required for non-regular club events.
· Maintain club bylaws and tournament rules and have copies available at club monthly meetings. Additional copies will be available for $1.00 apiece.
· Keep records of all proposed bylaw and tournament rule changes.
· Maintain a roll of members present at club meetings and tournaments.
· Distribute club publications in a folder by the end of the January meeting such as Constitution, Bylaws, and Tournament Rules and a current membership list.

Treasurer - The treasurer is responsible to carry out the following duties:
Maintain accurate financial club records and report on them at each club meeting.
Manage all financial responsibilities of the club.
Has signature approval on club checking account, (along with the President's signature). Dual signatures are required.
Prepare an annual report for presentation at the November meeting subject to approval by the Executive Committee.

Tournament Chairman - The Tournament Chairman is responsible to carry out the following duties:
Propose a yearlong schedule (November to October), including our two-day tournaments, by the December meeting for approval by the membership. Upon approval of said schedule, it will then be sent to the proper agency for application of yearlong permits.
A 100% vote of the members present is required to approve the tournament locations at the December meeting.
Fishing sites voted in by the December meeting may be reviewed for change and voted on again no less than one (1) month prior to the tournament date.
Serve as chairman to the tournament committee and appoint four (4) committee members.
Organize and manage all club-fishing tournaments.
Serve as primary contact for all club relationships with others concerning fishing tournaments.
Maintain and endorse club tournament rules and regulations.
Administer club tournament awards and prizes.
Maintain a club record of all club tournament participants.
Interpretation of tournament rules is the responsibility of the tournament committee.
11 Right to declare off limit tournament fishing areas due to safety, law, and circumstances affecting
competitive balance.

F. Member at Large - The member at large is responsible to carry out the following duties:
1 Keeping track of all clubs equipment. (i.e. scales, banners, club clothing etc.)

G. The Executive Committee - The Executive Committee shall be composed of the following six (6)
Members: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Chairman and a member at
large. The committee shall have the power to make advisory decisions as required in all club matters.
The Executive Committee shall audit the treasurer's book no less than every six (6) months. Any
interpretation as to the exact meaning of these bylaws as herein adopted shall be the exclusive
responsibility of the majority of the Executive Committee. An estimate of any necessary legal fees
will be obtained and approved by the Executive Committee before such obligation is incurred. The
Executive Committee shall meet monthly on all club issues; said monthly meeting to be comprised of
Executive Committee officers only; except for other members or guests deemed prudent to topics at
hand under authorization of president.

Section 2: Non-Elected Posts
The following appointed offices are to be maintained. Each officer may appoint a committee if required.

H. Historian - (Appointed by President) this committee head shall keep accurate written records, which are to include all results of monthly club tournaments showing all pertinent
information on how the top three attained their success. He shall also preserve the events of the club and its members.

I. Publicity Chairman - (Appointed by President) this committee head shall maintain contact with local news media to present the clubs accomplishments and maintain the group's
public image, and will give monthly reports.

J. Environmental Chairman - (Appointed by President) this committee head shall be responsible to monitor environmental conditions as a public problem and serve the objectives as it
affects our area and sections of Florida. A monthly report shall be given to the general members.

K. Safety Committee - (Appointed by President) this committee head shall be responsible to insure that all boat equipment used in club sanctioned functions meet all safety
requirements. Any violation is to be reported to the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Elections
The election of club officers shall be accomplished as follows:
A nominating committee shall be appointed in the August meeting to report and present a slate of candidates at the September meeting. Floor nominations are open until the point of vote.
Nomination of candidates ..............September meeting
Election of Officers........................October meeting
Installation of officers....................November meeting
The order of election shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Chairman, and a member-at-large. Elections shall be decided by a simple majority of those members present at the regular October meeting. All voting shall be by secret paper ballot, unless any officer is running unopposed. In this case, a simple majority hand vote by all members present is acceptable for election. The nominating committee shall run the election of new officers and supervise the vote counting. Elected officers are expected to attend all regular club meetings or events unless excused for reasonable cause. In the event of any office being vacated and not provided for in our bylaws, an election will be held to fill the vacancy at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Section 4: Term of Office
All elected officers shall serve from November installation to the next November, at which time the newly elected officers will assume their respected office.

Section 5: Qualification for Office
To qualify for any elected office a member must be:
A member in good standing.
A member for one calendar year.
Exception to the above can be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present for any member showing the
willingness and capability to hold an officers position.

Section 6: Eligibility to Vote
Each member in good standing is entitled to one (1) vote. Proxy or absentee votes are not allowed.

Article IV Club Meetings
Section 1: Agenda for Monthly Meeting
Club meetings shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month of the year. Any deviation shall be handled as a regular meeting and notification so distributed. Any deviation is to be authorized by the Executive Committee.
Club meetings shall be conducted using "Robert's Rules of Order" as the guideline.
Each meeting will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Article V Changes to this Document
Changes to this document can only be made in the following manner:
A bylaw committee shall be formed at the regular August meeting. This committee shall consist of no less than five 5-club members in good standing. Recommended amendments shall be discussed at the regular September meeting during the committee report. The proposed amendments to the bylaws will be voted on at the regular October meeting. A 2/3 affirmative vote of membership present at that meeting is necessary to carry on the ballot for considering changes to an amendment. The newly amended bylaws will go into effect starting with the November meeting.
The bylaws and tournament rules can be changed at any regular meeting with 100% vote of attending members.

Article VI Annual Fishing Schedule, Points and Awards
The annual tournament schedule (tournament year) shall total twelve (12) monthly events consisting of ten (10) single day tournaments and two (2) 2-day tournaments. No 2-day tournament will be scheduled for the Mother's Day holiday weekend:

Place Points Place Points Place Points Place Points
First 35 Eleventh 25 Twenty-first 15 Thirty-first 5
Second 34 Twelfth 24 Twenty-second 14 Thirty-second 4
Third 33 Thirteenth 23 Twenty-third 13 Thirty-third 3
Fourth 32 Fourteenth 22 Twenty-fourth 12 Thirty-fourth 2
Fifth 31 Fifteenth 21 Twenty-fifth 11 Thirty-fifth 1
Sixth 30 Sixteenth 20 Twenty-sixth 10
Seventh 29 Seventeenth 19 Twenty-seventh 9
Eighth 28 Eighteenth 17 Twenty-eighth 8
Ninth 27 Nineteenth 16 Twenty-ninth 7
Tenth 26 Twentieth 15 Thirtieth 6

* Five (5) bonus points shall be awarded to each member who attends a monthly club meeting.

* Five (5) points shall be awarded to each member who fished, that does not weigh in any fish, at a monthly club tournament .

Point awarding and record keeping concerning points are the responsibility of the Tournament Chairman. Points shall be calculated beginning with the November tournament and ending with the following October tournament. All fish entered into these contests must be caught while fishing in club-sponsored tournament.

The top ten (10) tournament scores for each member are what will used to calculate their year end totals. The two (2) lowest tournament scores for each member will be dropped and not included in the year to date calculations.

* Five (5) bonus points shall be awarded to each member who fishes the entire twelve (12) tournaments scheduled in a year.

The Award of "Angler of the Year" shall be made at an annual awards function and shall consist of a plaque so inscribed. Places will be awarded based on total points accumulated during the tournament year. In addition, the following cash awards will be made:
First Place...........$150.00 and plaque
Second Place......$100.00 and plaque
Third Place..........$75.00 and plaque

An award is to be made at the annual awards function for the "Lunker of the Year" to the club member who has caught the largest bass of the year. The award shall consist of the following:
1. A plaque to honor the accomplishment.
2. A check in the amount of the total yearly lunker fees collected from club members during the current tournament year ($12.00 per member, per year, lifetime or regular). This Grand Lunker Fund will only be awarded to the member who weighs in the heaviest largemouth bass of 8 lbs. or larger taken during a scheduled tournament in the tournament year. In the event that no fish caught is 8 lbs. or larger during the tournament year, the fund shall be rolled over to the next year. In case of a tie, monies will be split between the anglers.
3. The honorary title of "Lunker Master" to be bestowed for the period of one (1) year. The winner of this title is to make the presentation and confer the same title on his successor at the next annual awards meeting.
Top ten for the year receives recognition.
A plaque will be awarded to the member voted to have done the most outstanding work for the club during the year.

A plaque and $100.00 will be awarded to the member weighing in the heaviest stringer during the regular tournament year.
A plaque and $100.00 will be awarded to the member who releases the most fish alive during a tournament year.
A plaque will be awarded to the top non-boater of the year. A non-boater is a fisherman that did not fish out of his own boat in any of the tournaments that year.

TOURNAMENT RULES

Participants and Eligibility - Participation in club tournaments will be open only to club members in good standing, whose dues, initiation fees, and tournament fees are paid. Guests may fish a tournament with a 2/3 affirmative vote of members present at the meeting preceding the tournament. Guests are not eligible for club prizes or awards. A limit of three (3) guests per boater, per year is set; however, in the event that a boater doesn't draw a non-boater then he may bring a guest. Such circumstances will not count towards the yearly limit of three guests. Declaration of intent to fish with another club member is to be viewed as equal to use of one (1) guest spot per occurrance. The drawing for partners will be held at the monthly meeting preceding each tournament. For 2-day events, a second drawing for partners will be made on the evening after the fist tournament day.

Tournament Location - A tournament schedule should be drawn up and voted on by the December meeting of the tournament year. Any changes to this schedule, or tournament location, must be made by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the members present no less than one month prior to the proposed change. If, at any time, conditions for a tournament location are deemed unsafe by the tournament director, an alternate location can be voted on by the board members.

Pre-Tournament Practice - Participants in club tournaments will be allowed to fish tournament waters at any time.

Safety - Safe motoring conduct must be observed at all times by all participants. Each participant is required to use U.S. Coast Guard approved safety equipment. Each member must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved safety vest of chest type life jacket when gas powered engines are in operation, and the boat is on plane. All boats must be equipped with a kill switch to be used when the gas-powered engine is in operation. Participants violating this rule will be disqualified from the tournament.

Sportsmanship - Sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and obedience of all speed and no wake signs are expected from each participant.

Tackle and Equipment - Only artificial lures may be used. No "LIVE BAIT" or "PREPARED BAIT" will be permitted. However, pork or pork-type strips, rinds, etc. may be used. Only flipping sticks, casting, spinning, spin casting, or fly rods may be used. Reels are limited to open and closed face spinning, baitcasting (includes "flipping reels") and fly reels. Only one rod may be used at a time. Other rigged rods may be in the boat for substitute purposes. Electronic depth finders, chart recorders, and LCD recorders are permitted. Position identification devices and communication devices are permitted.

7. Boat and Motor - Fishing boats may be used that are 15 feet or more in length. Any motor may be used that is 35 horsepower or larger. A smaller additional gasoline or electric motor may be used to maneuver the boat while casting. However, "TROLLING" as a method of fishing is prohibited. No "BARGES" or similar cumbersome craft may be used. A contestant may use his own boat or motor or may rent either or both. The non-boat member will pay the boat owner to help defray his cost - a minimum of $30.00 dollars (per full day) and $15.00 for the second day of a two-day tournament. The non-boater must notify the boater within 24 hours prior to the tournament if at all possible when he has to cancel. If no attempt is made then the non-boater must pay the $30.00. The boat used will belong to the member signing up for "BOAT USE", his partner will be the member signing "NO BOAT". In the event two "BOAT USE" members fish together due to unforeseen circumstances, boat used will be determined by mutual consent of the members concerned or "BOAT USE" members may fish alone.

8. Permitted Fishing Locations - Fishing is permitted any place on tournament waters', except those
waters' designated off limits by Tournament Director. No boat shall be removed from tournament
waters during designated fishing time except at Lake Headquarters. No fishing is permitted within 100
feet of another competitor's anchored boat. If a competitor's anchored boat is fishing in a canal, ditch,
or river, competitors may fish on the opposite side of the bank.

9. Lake Headquarters - Lake Headquarters shall be where boats are launched. All fishermen must start and end the tournament day at this point. The official weigh-in station shall also be at the boat launch or assigned weigh-in area.

10. What Will Happen to Fish - All live fish brought to the scale by contestants will be released alive. Dead fish will be disposed of at the clubs discretion.

11. Tournament Fishing Hours - Fishing hours will be safe daylight, as determined by the tournament director, until 3 PM on regular monthly tournaments and 1 PM on Sundays for two-day tournaments or as state regulatory agencies deem necessary. The tournament director has the authority to designate one (1) tournament of the year as an afternoon start. Any tournament time changes must be made known to members no less than one month prior to the proposed time change.

12. Late Penalty - Participants who are not in the official docking on time shall be penalized 1/2 pound
for each minute they are late with a maximum of 15 pounds (per tournament). Boat and motor trouble
and other problems will not be an excuse for tardiness. In no case shall a tardy contestant be allowed to
make up lost time. Each contestant will be given ample time to proceed directly from the dock to the
weigh-in station.

13. Scoring - Scoring will be determined by the total weight of up to five (5) largemouth bass limit per
day, unless seasonal restrictions and/or limit size restrictions are in effect. Two (2) peacock bass may
be weighed in as part of the total five (5) fish limit. Participants will be allowed to fish either day of a
two-day tournament and receive appropriate points. Tournament winners will be determined by the
total weight accumulated during tournament fishing. During the tournament, each participant must
keep his fish in a separate livewell or be able to directly identify his fish from those of his partners. At
no time shall any participant have more than the State's legal limit. Periodic checks by the officials
will be made and any participant having more than the state's legal limit in his possession shall have
his fish culled down to the official limit. The largest fish shall be culled first. Each participant must
present his own catch to the weigh-in station. A participant's catch will not be weighed unless
presented for weigh in water filled bag. After fish have been handed to weigh-in officials, no person
except officials shall touch said fish. A bass will not be weighed or counted that is not at least twelve
(12) inches in length as measured on a flat board with the mouth closed, however any member can
request a (courtesy check) of fish near the minium size of twelve (12) inches. Participant must
specifically request "courtesy check" for each fish thought to be close to the minimum size of twelve
(12) inches. As a penalty, any under-sized fish will be weighed separately and subtracted from the total
approved weight. Any participant bringing more than the tournament limit five (5) fish to the weigh-in
station will have his fish culled down to the limit by the officials, and the largest fish will be culled as
a penalty. Any fish that appears mauled or mashed will be measured and credited only at the discretion
of weigh-in officials. All legal sized fish caught during the tournament must be weighed in (up to the
tournament limit).

14. Ties - All ties shall result in participants sharing the highest position. The next lowest participant shall retain his original position.

15. Participant Pair Off - Two participants will be assigned to each boat. The pairing of boater and non-boater shall be by random draw. No two participants shall fish together two consecutive tournaments. The drawing for partners will be held at the monthly meeting preceding each tournament. For 2-day events, a second drawing for partners will be made on the evening after the fist tournament day. Announcement of your fishing partner shall be made at least one evening prior to the tournament. Participants must advise a tournament committee member by the monthly meeting if they intend to fish that month's tournament; not advising committee of intention to fish will result in not fishing that month's tournament. The Tournament Director has the authority to waive this requirement and allow sign up on tournament day, but such a waiver is to be limited to one (1) use per year. Records to be kept by Tournament Director. It will be the responsibility of each boat partner to be at the departure dock on time for checkout. Partners shall meet at least 15 minutes before checkout time at the marina or assigned launch area. If participants are late or no show for checkout the tournament director will have participant explain reason at next monthly meeting. A participant must not allow any fish caught by him to be counted on the score of another participant. In such a case, both participants will be disqualified from this tournament. Any cancellation will have to be reported both to the committee and the fishing partner. In the case of a last minute cancellation, emergency, or prior agreement, three men may fish out of one boat on a voluntary basis with the approval of the tournament chairman. A member may fish alone if his partner fails to show at the appointed time or if two "BOAT USE" members are drawn as partners. Boaters are to take into consideration fishing with their drawn partners as the number one consideration, after boat security.

16. Cost of Tournament - 1-Day event: tournament fee will be $30.00 for each angler. Tournament fee is broken down to $3.00 club maintenance, $22.00 prize money and $5.00 for daily lunker to be paid out to the member catching the largest bass. 2-Day event: tournament fee will be $40.00 for each angler (full payment is due whether you fish one or two days of a two-day tournament.) Tournament fee is broken down to $3.00 club maintenance, $27.00 prize money, $5.00 for day 1 lunker, and $5.00 for day 2 lunker. Tournament fees for each board member are as follows: 1- day is $15.00; 2-day is $20.00. All tournament fees should be paid and collected at the monthly meeting before each scheduled tournament or the day of the tournament.

17. Departure - Participants leaving before weigh-in must notify the tournament committee, or in the case of an emergency, leave a note on the auto of a remaining member.

18. Awards - Tournament winners (1st through 3rd) will receive the following payouts:
Tournament payback is less $3.00 club maintenance and daily lunker of $5.00 per angler.
1st Place 50% of prize monies
2nd Place 30% of prize monies
3rd Place 20% of prize monies

19. Additional Rulings - The tournament chairman, his committee, and the executive board members present shall rule upon any situation not covered by these rules. Their decision shall be final for that situation.

20. Rules Compliance - Any member that does not comply with the above tournament rules is subject to dismissal from the club based on the recommendation of the executive committee.

21. Alcohol - No alcoholic beverages allowed on-board the boat by either boater or non-boater during tournament hours. This will be cause for disqualification from that tournament.

22. Blastoff - All starts for club tournaments will be done in sequential order (no shotgun starts). The order of the start will be decided by random draw.

23. Compliance of Laws - All local and state laws shall apply to club tournaments.

EVERGLADES BASSMASTERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA
The following have reviewed the revised Bylaws and Tournament Rules for the 2007-2008 tournament year:

President - Brett Darmody ________________________________________________________________

Vice-President - Dan Potts _____________________________________________________________

Secretary - John Roskos _____________________________________________________________

Treasurer - Bob Reeves _______________________________________________________________

Tournament Chairman - Leo DeVega ____________________________________________________

Member at Large --- Gene DeCandia