CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I — NAME This organization’s name will be the MIDWEST BASS ANGLERS, INC. hereinafter be known as M.B.A. ARTICLE II — INCORPORATION This organization will be incorporated under and in compliance with the laws of the state of Missouri. It is organized as NOT FOR PROFIT organization and will carry the objectives or purposes to the bass fishing as a major sport for the deaf / hard of hearing bass anglers.
Section 1: The purpose or objectives
will be limited to the bass fishing as a major sport for the deaf / hard
of hearing bass anglers.
Section 2: To promote, develop and encourage the skills in bass-fishing techniques and ideas through the tournaments and by providing fellowship, sportsmanship and friendly exchange of bass-catching methods. Section 3: To promote and uphold the legal enforcement and the codes of existing regulations of the state of Missouri Conservation Department and Water Patrol Department, and the offer our moral support and encouragement to these respective departments. Section 4: To promote and encourage the youths to fishing and a love for this great recreation. Section 5: No part of the organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any person having a personal and private interest in the activities of the organization. For purposes of this requirement, it is not necessary that net earnings be actually distributed, since even undistributed earnings benefit members, if reflected by a decrease in membership dues or an increase in the services the club makes available to its members without a corresponding increase in dues or other fees paid for club support. However, fixed fee payments to members who bring new members into the club are not an inurement of the club's net earnings, if the payments are reasonable compensation for performance of a necessary administrative service. ARTICLE IV — NATIONAL AFFILIATION Section 1: This organization will meet all of its obligations as an affiliate member of the National Bass Association of the Deaf, Inc. (N.B.A.D.) and will pay a prescribed annual due to each organization. Section 2: This organization will abide by and honor the regulations of N.B.A.D.’s Constitution and Bylaws that may govern the affiliate members.
Section 1: The number of the members will be at least six members. Section 2: Any deaf / hard of hearing resident may become an active member upon a payment of a membership due. Section 3: The eligibility of the membership, other than being deaf / hard of hearing and a payment of the membership due will be governed by the bylaws. ARTICLE VI — OFFICERS The officers will be consisted of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They will be elected and have such duties and powers as provided for by the Bylaws and the Tournament Rules. ARTICLE VII — MEETINGS It will have the regular meetings to carry out its objectives as provided for by the Constitution, Article III and the frequency of the meetings as provided for by the Bylaws, Article VIII. ARTICLE VIII — DISSOLUTION In the event of a dissolution, the assets, after clearing the outstanding debts will not be distributed among the members, officers or any private persons, except that it will be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation that is being owed. After all tangible assets are being disposed of, all assets will be distributed equally among the nonprofit organizations under Section 501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Exemption under 501 (c) (4) is recognized as of February 26, 2002 by I.R.S. ARTICLE IX — AMENDMENTS Amendments to the Constitution will be made in writing and will be mailed to the Secretary; the Secretary will make a copy of the same for its record and mail it to the Law Committee chair for the further actions and be seconded during the last meeting of the year to be voted upon by two-thirds (2/3) of the majority votes by the members on current roll call present for passages. Whenever an amendment is passed, an updated copy of Constitution will be submitted to each member during the first meeting of the year.
For any procedures that are not being covered in the Constitution and Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised will be the recognized authority in any question that may arise.
BYLAWS ARTICLE I — NAME The name of this organization will be the MIDWEST BASS ANGLERS, INC. (M.B.A.) and this name will not be used for any other purposes without the authority of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE II — OBJECTIVES Section 1: This organization, the Midwest Bass Anglers, Inc., is controlled by the members, has no control over the internal affairs nor the finances of any nonprofit organization. Section 2: It will, in addition to the membership dues, be further financed through general contributions, social activities and any partial fees of the tournaments under the authority of the Board of Directors and the members may be needed from time to time for the stated purposes and objectives. ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP Section 1: Any deaf / hard of hearing bass anglers, who had attained the age of eighteen (18) years old and over, is eligible to apply for the membership. Section 2: Any application for membership will be presented by a member at a meeting before being accepted, and will be voted by the members for admittance. Section 3: Membership will not be limited by gender, race or religious affiliation, and will abide by the Constitution / Bylaws and Tournament Rules for a continuance as a member. Section 4: All members will have all rights and privileges upon a payment of membership due. ARTICLE IV — DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
Section 2: The annual membership due for a member will be $5.00 included N.B.A.D. quota fee payable prior to first tournament of the year. Section 3: A fine or payment of equal market value of this organization’s properties will be assessed against any member or members of any destruction beyond repairs, damage and/or alleged theft of said organization’s properties. Section 4: A refusal on members’ part of payment as provided for by Article IV, Section 3 (see above) will cause an action by the Board of Directors and a possible legal action, allowed by the laws of State of Missouri to recover the loss. ARTICLE V — ELECTION OF OFFICERS Section 1: The officers will be chosen and be elected by the members at the meeting during the last meeting of the year. Section 2: The term of the office will be two years and the officers will assume their offices, beginning at January 1st and ending at the end of the second (2nd) year terms of the office on December 31st. Section 3: After being elected to their
office, the new officers will be sworn in after the election by a member
of the Law Committee and will take the following pledge: Section 4: Any resignation officer will be made in writing to the President with a statement of reasons therefor. A vacancy of the office will be filled by an appointment of the President until an election by the members at the following meeting. A copy will be provided to the Secretary. Section 5: A resignation by the Secretary or the Treasurer will take effect only after all records, supplies, monies, funds and others are being accounted for. Any miscarriage of such funds and others that are in evident and not being recovered in a due time at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a proper legal action, allowed by the laws of State of Missouri will be taken upon and he or she will not be readmitted as member whatsoever. ARTICLE VI — DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1: President’s duties: A: To preside at all meetings of this organization
and at the Board of Directors. Section 2: Vice-President’s duties: Section 3: Secretary‘s duties: Section 4: Treasurers’ duties: ARTICLE VII — BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1: The duties of the Board of Directors will be at a times carry out the purposes. Section 2: It will have the general management of the affairs and will carry out the wishes of the members. Section 3: It will have the authority to investigate any irregularity and will at all times abide by the Constitution / Bylaws and Tournament Rules. Section 4: It will investigate any reports of misconduct of members, complaints and disagreements among the members and will try to resolve a problem. In case of persistence of a problem by a member or the members, it will have the authority to cause a suspension or being expelled from the organization and will make a full report to the general assembly of their decision. Section 5: No member of the Board of Directors will be a member of the Trustees and will assist by appointing a qualified member to assist to solve a problem that is being persistent on the financial irregularity. ARTICLE VIII — MEETINGS AND QUORUMS Section 1: The meetings will be announced by the President during the year. Section 2: The election will be held during the last meeting of the year. Section 3: Six members listed on the membership roll will constitute a quorum to start a meeting. Section 4: The meetings of the Board of Directors will be held whenever it is necessary and will meet in the event of non meeting due to a lack of the quorum or otherwise to carry out the necessity. Section 5: In the event of the absences of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary will control the meeting and the chair will appoint Secretary pro-tem with the consent of the members. Section 6: The motions being made at the meeting will be passed by the members present. Section 7: The meetings of the Tournament Committee will be governed by the Tournament Rules. Section 8: A meeting of the past and the newly elected officers will meet any time after the last meeting and prior to the end of the calendar year for a smooth and proper transition of the officers before the officers could assume their offices in the new year. Section 9: The order of business at all meetings will be as follows:
ARTICLE IX — THE COMMITTEES Section 1: The Trustee will be elected by the members and will audit the financial records during the last meeting per year. He or she will make a report at the meeting and will not be a member of the Board of Directors. Section 2: The Law Chairperson will be
appointed by the President with the consent of the members and will
have a broad of knowledge and being familiar with the Constitution/Bylaws
and the Tournament Rules. Their duties: Section 3: The Tournament Committee will
be consisted of three members including a Tournament Director. These
two members will be appointed by the Vice-President with the approval
of the members, and they will not be the members of the Board of Directors.
Their duties: Section 6: Any more Committees that are not mentioned above will be appointed by the President and will abide by the Constitution/Bylaws and the Tournament Rules and will work with the Board of Directors. ARTICLE X — REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSE Section 1: This organization will reimburse the expenses of the Board of Directors and the Trustee for the automobile transportation from their home base to the meeting place and return for the business meetings if needed. It will follow a State of Missouri’s mileage reimbursement and will pay if the meeting is being held during breakfast ($3.00), lunch ($4.00) or dinner ($5.00) periods. Section 2: It will reimburse any officers and the committees for the expenses that are authorized and was the necessity and they will furnish the receipts of the purchases to get the reimbursements. ARTICLE XI — AMENDMENTS Section 1: Amendments to the Bylaws will be moved at the last meeting to be voted upon by two-thirds (2/3) of the majority votes by the members. Whenever an amendment is passed, an updated copy of Bylaws will be submitted to each member during the first meeting of the year. Written and Prepared by: Tom Eades and Dennis Bacon TOURNAMENT RULES A: The Tournament Committee will be consisted of a Tournament Director and two members appointed by the Vice President. B: The meetings of the Tournament Committee will be a decision of a Tournament Director as he or she sees whenever is necessary. C: The Tournament Committee's duties: 2. ELIGIBILITY AND COMPETITORS A: The schedule of tournaments will begin in February and end in October during the calendar year. B: A husband and wife as partners, will be allowed
to fish together in any tournament. A)
$50.00 for each regular tournament 1) $40.00 for purse each tournament. 2) $5.00 goes to club fund. 3) $5.00 goes to Classic Fund for 1st place Guaranteed. 4) Guaranteed $$$ first place for Classic. ($$$ from $5.00 per member each tournament - example, 10 boaters, 10 non-boaters - total 20 X $5.00 =$100.00 X 5 or more tournaments would be $500 or more). 5) How to qualify to fish for Classic. Must fish 5 time or more regular tournaments. B: Prior to the first regular tournament of the year, this club will put up $500.00 Big Bass from the general fund to start a lunker pot with a minimum weight of 5 pounds. After a lunker pot is awarded, it will put up another $500.00 to start a new lunker pot with a weight of one pound higher than the previous lunker pot. Any unclaimed amount after the tournaments at the end of the year will be expended for the Awards Dinner. C: Full $50.00 entry fee for Classic. ( No break down of entry fee like regular). 1) Classic prizes - 1st place - Guaranteed by total from $5.00 classic fund per member per tournament. 2) 2nd place - 50 % from Classic entry fee 3) 3rd place - 30 % from Classic entry fee 4) 4th place - 20 % from Classic entry fee 5) The members can send the entry fees before the tournament dates and not fish but will qualify for Classic. 4. SAFETY A: Observed at all times by the boat operators in all tournaments. B: Ten (10) or more horsepower motor will have a kill switch installed and must be in a workable condition. C: Required to wear a life jacket. It will be worn
at all times when the motor is running. Violation of this rule will be
a reason for disqualification. A: Expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these above fundamental principles may be deemed a cause for disqualification B: No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the boats. 6: OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT / DRAWING OF BOAT PARTNERS A: Only one-designated checkpoint, for check out and check-in - Announced by Tournament Committee. B: Before the drawing partners at a checkpoint area. 7. BOAT AND MOTOR A: Any fishing boat - 14 feet in length or larger
allowed. 8. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT A: Only artificial lures and pork rinds, strips,
formulas, etc. allowed. 9. FISHING REGULATIONS A: No fishing is permitted within 50 yards of the
buoys of any checkpoint (marina and/or the ramp area), and of another
competitor's boat which was first anchored at the location. A: Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Kentucky and Spotted
Bass allowed. 11. PENALTIES A penalty of three (3) ounces of each bass that failed to measure on the day of tournament only. 12. TIES A: In the event of a tie in the total weight of bass on a stringer, a winner to break a tie. The next tie breaker - 1) Heaviest bass, 2) length, 3) girth. B: In the event of a tie of these conditions above that still are being tied, the competitors will be declared as the "tied" winners. 13. AWARDS A: The awards fund and the lunker fund will be distributed
as follows: 2: IN CLASSIC TOURNAMENT: 1st place - 50% of total purse of awards fund B: The Tournament Committee will award the winners
of the monthly tournament competitions, the classic awards and the annual
awards during the Awards Dinner.
B: The Tournament Committee will hold a meeting; will investigate, and interview the parties involved and will make a ruling to settle the issues by a secret vote. 15. REQUIREMENTS / RESPONSIBILITIES A: All boat owners will be required to carry a boat insurance and will show the proof that they met the requirements to the Tournament Committee. B: This organization will not be held any responsibilities for any kind of loss, accidents, being hurt and eventuality, a loss of life. 16. CANCELLATIONS / POSTPONEMENTS The Tournament Committee and the Board of Directors will
decide to cancel, postpone or shorten the tournament competition in the
event of the hazardous weather conditions or any other circumstances beyond
their control. Amendments to the Tournament Rules will be moved at a last
meeting to be voted upon by the majority votes by the members. Whenever
an amendment is passed, and updated copy of Tournament Rules will be submitted
to each member during the first meeting of the year. |