CONSTITUTION OF THE
Section 1: This Chapter is
called the Benning Bass Club (BBC).
Section
2:
The BBC is established as a private organization (
a. Programs and activities will not prejudice or
discredit the military service or other agencies of the United States
Government.
b. The nature
and authorized function of the BBC, together with provisions for proper
disposition of residual assets and liabilities upon dissolution, are established
in the Constitution and Bylaws, charter, or articles of agreement.
Section
3:
The objective of the BBC is to establish an organization that fosters a
sense of fraternity among members and former members. Improve
our skills 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 link with other chapters embracing the principles and
purpose of Georgia Bass
Chapter Federation (GBCF).
Section 4: This constitution
supersedes all previous constitutions effective
Section
1:
The BBC is self-sustaining and will receive no financial assistance from
a non-appropriated fund instrumentality in the form of contributions, repairs,
services, dividends, or other donations of money or other assets.
Section
2:
The BBC is a financially self-sustaining non-governmental organization,
established and operated by individuals acting exclusively outside the scope of
any official capacity as officers, employees, or agents of the Government.
Section
3:
The property of the BBC shall consist of such articles as may properly
come into its possession. The Treasurer
will account for all non-expendable property.
Section
4:
The Recording Secretary will maintain a historical file consisting of
the following permanent records.
a.
Original Constitution with all current revisions.
b.
Original Bylaws with all current revisions.
c.
Records of approval of Constitution and Bylaws and all amendments
thereto.
d.
Current list of members.
e.
A copy of the last audit if required
Section
5:
All records of the BBC, excluding permanent files and the uncompleted
checkbook, will be kept on a calendar year basis, and held at least three (3)
years after which time they may be destroyed.
The checkbook is kept with related records when it is completed.
Section 6:
The Chapter will neither propagate extremist activities nor advocate
violence against other or the violent overthrow of the Government.
Section 7: The Chapter will
not seek to deprive an individual from their civil rights.
Section 1: Elected officers
of BBC are the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and
Treasurer.
Section 2: The President will
appoint chairpersons of each standing committee.
Section 3: Nominations,
elections, terms of office and duties are outlined in the Bylaws.
Section
4:
The BBC will be administered in accordance with this approved
Constitution and Bylaws and other applicable government and state directives
under the supervision of the Executive Committee.
Section
5:
The Executive Committee will consist of the elected officers and the
Tournament Director. The Executive
Committee shall carry out the purpose and objectives of the BBC by approving
the transaction of its routine business in accordance with the approved
Constitution and established policies and shall make and enforce such Bylaws as
are necessary for the government of the BBC. The
supervision and administration of the affairs of the BBC shall be vested in an
Executive Committee. They will discuss
and decide the club’s courses of action on all business and other items that
require decisions and do not require a vote of the general membership by the
Constitution and By Laws. Decisions of
the Executive Committee are presented to the membership and are final unless
challenged by a member. If challenged, a
vote of the membership shall decide the issue. The President appoints
the Tournament Director.
Section 6: Only elected
officers and the Tournament Director are voting members of the Executive
Committee.
Section 1: Membership in the
BBC is voluntary. The BBC shall begin
with at least 10 but no more than 25 charter members. Membership shall not be limited except as
determined by the general membership. Membership in the BBC shall be divided between
the following two classes:
a. Charter Membership: Charter membership shall be limited to those
individuals designated in the records of the club and who have been a member
since the clubs inception and no other member shall receive such a title of
designation. Charter membership shall
entitle the holder thereof to the title “Charter Member” and to the same rights
and privileges as a General Member.
b.
General Membership: General
membership shall entitle the holder thereof to the right to attend all general
and special meetings, the right to hold office, the right to participate in all
club functions and activities.
Section
2: There is no membership
discrimination based on race, color, gender, sex, religion, disability or
national origin. The use of male
pronouns in this document is a matter of convenience and in no way implies
intent to discriminate against women.
Section
3:
All members are required to read the Constitution and Bylaws as a
condition for membership.
Section 4: General Membership
shall be eligible to.
a.
Active duty and Retired military
b.
Active and retired DOD civilians
c. Discharged veterans with an honorable
characterization of service (DD 214 required).
d. Family members of the above.
Section
5:
To become a general member, a person must be a minimum of 16 years of
age and voluntarily express an interest in membership. Be recommended by a member at a meeting, have
high character, and be willing to ACCEPT
and PROMOTE the purpose of the club, described in Article
I. Participate in an orientation fishing
trip where the goals and objectives of the club are explained and affirmed by
the membership at the meeting following the application for membership. Purchase a club cap and shirt. All members in good standing must maintain a
current membership in FLW Outdoors and have paid both the current yearly dues
of the BBC, and The Bass Federation Inc (TBF).
Section 6: Members may resign by merely notifying (orally)
one of the elected officers. It is
requested that the member provide to the President, in writing, their reason(s)
for resigning. This will be presented to
the Executive Committee for consideration of club procedures and or possible
disciplinary action against other members.
Section 7: A member that was
in good standing will be reinstated without further qualifications, i.e.,
members who depart and are reassigned to
Section 1: The revenue
necessary to pursue the objectives described in Article I shall be derived from
revenue-producing activities when required, approved, and conducted under the
guidance and supervision of the Executive Committee, dues, and from voluntary
contributions. Dues, profits from the sales
of club packets, and profits from the monthly tournaments will be the primary
source of income for the club operations.
The Treasurer will inform the members of the BBC annually on the funding
scheme and breakdown of tournament entry fee funds.
Section 2: The club shall operate on a calendar year, 1
January ‑ 31 December. Personnel
desiring to continue membership will ensure their dues are paid to the
Treasurer no later than 31 January of each year. Dues for becoming a member of the club after
1 February will be assessed at the rate of 1/12th the annual dues
for each month thereafter through December.
Section 1: In order to
accomplish the objectives in Article I, the activities of the BBC will include:
a. Monthly tournaments.
b. Awards banquet.
c. Family Day fish fry.
d. Youth and Environmental functions.
e. Suitable publications to maintain
interest in BBC activities.
f.
Presentation of mementoes to visitors and members of the BBC and to
promote friendship
and continued interest in the BBC.
g. Correspondence, publicity, and activities to promote
awareness of the BBC.
h. The Georgia BASS Chapter
Federation Harry Hall Memorial Top
Six Tournament.
i. Other activities as are appropriate to the objectives of
the BBC.
Section
1:
Membership Meetings will be
conducted twice monthly at a time and place designated by the President. A quorum of at least 51 percent of the active,
dues paying members, are required for any issue called to a vote. A motion
will remain chaired until the member retracts his motion or until there is a
quorum of at least 40% of active members at a regular or special meeting; at
which time a vote will be conducted.
Section 2: Executive Committee Meetings will meet as
required as designated by the President.
A quorum is a majority of the voting members of the Committee. The vote of the majority of the quorum
present will govern. Any board member
can call a special meeting of the Executive Committee, with the approval of the Presidennt.
Section
3: Before
the closing of each meeting, the time and place of the next meeting shall be
designated by the President. In the
event of an emergency, or otherwise, a special meeting may be called by the
President. The Secretary shall notify
all members of the special meeting.
Section
4: Wherever
the term “members” is used throughout the Constitution and By Laws in
connection with voting at membership meetings, the term shall refer to Charter
and General members.
Section 5: Each member of the club in good standing shall be
entitled to vote at all meetings of the club.
The President may vote only in case of a tied ballot.
Section
6:
Robert Rules of Order (Revised
Edition) will act as a guideline for all meetings and club operations. The
President has the final authority to decide points of order.
Section
1:
This Constitution is effective upon adoption in a duly constituted
regular or special meeting of the General Membership and a majority vote of the
voting members present. This Constitution then supersedes all previous
constitutions and amendments except that it shall not affect officers elected
nor a specific agreements and contracts entered into under the terms of
previous constitutions until such terms of agreement or contracts have reached
their expiration date.
Section
2:
Notice of amendments to the Constitution must be made at the regular
meeting prior to presentation for a vote at a regular or special meeting of the
general membership.
Section 3: Amendments to the Constitution must be approved
by a majority of the members present and voting in a duly constituted regular
or special meeting of the General Membership
Section
4:
Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee
present and voting in a duly constituted meeting. A member desiring to propose an amendment
shall present the same in writing with his signature to the Executive
Committee. The Executive Committee shall
consider the amendment at its next meeting.
Section 1:
The insurance underwriters via membership in TBF insure the BBC. Members may also be held personally liable
for claims and legal actions that arise as a result of the activities of the
organization or one or more of its members acting on its behalf. The Chapter
shall ensure all State and jurisdictional laws are met. All members are required to sign a statement
acknowledging their individual personal liability in the event BBC assets are
insufficient to discharge all BBC liabilities.
Additionally, members that use a boat during any club tournament are
required to sign a statement acknowledging they maintain a minimum of $300,000
of watercraft liability insurance or a $100,000 with a $1,000,000 umbrella
insurance clause which is required by the GBCF, and maybe required to
produce documentation attesting to same.
Section
1: Upon
dissolution of the BBC by an affirmative vote of a majority of the General
Membership present, without any provision to meet again in the future, the
funds in the treasury at the time will be used to meet any outstanding debts,
liabilities, or obligations. The balance
will be disposed of as determined by the membership. This liquidation may result in a personal
liability on the part of individual members.
In the event that BBC liabilities exceed assets, individual members will
be personally liable for his pro rata shares of the outstanding liabilities.
This Constitution was approved by the
Membership at a regular meeting held on
27 Jan 2009___. In witness
whereof the following officers affix their signatures.
President ________________________________________
Vice
President ____________________________________
Secretary ________________________________________
Treasurer ________________________________________