Cabin Fever Bass Club Bylaws and Rules

BYLAWS

1.0
NAME OF CLUB:
The club shall be called "Cabin Fever Bass Club" of Waltham, MA 02453

2.0
PURPOSE:
To assemble in an organized fashion, a group of sportsmen/women who share a common interest and special admiration for the sport of bass fishing. To improve our skills as anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of bass catching techniques and ideas. To maintain a proper balance of congenial unity and competitive spirit. To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport and promote catch and release aspects of this great recreation. 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 these crimes. To promote and encourage youth fishing, community conservation and recreational activity and programs. To inspire the love and respect due to this tremendous natural resource of the black bass family.

3.0
MEMBERSHIP:
The number of members of the club will be determined by majority vote of the club's active members. Total membership may change based on the club's needs.Club Votes on to go to 20 boaters and 10 nonboaters but will be revisited when we reach the max of 30 members.(updated/2003)

4.0
REQUIREMENTS FOR CLUB MEMBERSHIP:
To become a club member a person shall:
A: Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
B: Be recommended by any active member at any meeting.
C: To be voted on by membership. Vote shall be done as a group by a show of hands or by secret ballot, to be determined by board members.
D: An active member's family (i.e.: brother, sister, parent, etc) has first preference over anyone who may be on a waiting list.
E: Members of Cabin Fever Bass club may be boaters or non-boaters. Non-boater membership is limited to a number less than the number of members who are boaters.
F: In the event of a prospective member not being known to any active club member, the board of directors may chose to hold an interview with that person.
G: Have a valid fishing license for all states in which the club will be holding tournaments in which said new member plans to fish.
H. Be a current member of FLWOUTDOORS.COM (updated 2006)

5.0
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
The amount of the annual dues for membership shall be determined by the clubs officers.
A: $30 initiation fee to join the club, and $30 for membership dues,$30 Federation dues and $15 National dues each year ($105 total first year then $75 each year after) to help pay for club costs (trophies, banquet, club trip, etc.). Additional tournament entry fees are required ($25 for tourney and optional $5 extra for big fish/lunker).(Updated 2004)
B: Dues which are not received by the August meeting, or the first tournament of the year, whichever is first, shall be considered delinquent and that member will be notified that he may be removed from the club. (Updated 2004)

6.0
OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES AND ELIGIIBILITY:
The officers and their duties shall consist of, but are not necessarily limited to the following.
A...President: Presides over all the meetings and directs all official business. He/she appoints members to committees and is an ex facto member of all committees. He/she will supervise all club functions and will have the last say in any club matters.
B...Vice President: Acts as a program chairman, assists the president in his duties and presides in the absence of the president.
C...Secretary: Maintains accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called for by the president. The secretary is also required to take attendance records and to send monthly minutes of meetings to all club members. He\she is also responsible for typing out tournament standings and results, also will preside over any meeting at which both the president and vice-president are not present.
D...Treasurer: Collect and distribute all monies, maintain accurate financial records and present a current balance report at each meeting. Prepare an annual audit for review by the board of directors. The treasurer and other officers handling club funds should be bonded.
E...Tournament Director: With two (2) committee members may enforce tournament rules and procedures, acquire permits from the Public Access Board of Massachusetts, or any other state in which Cabin Fever Bass Club intends to hold a tournament, for ramp and tournament use. Prepare a tournament schedule. Generally the Master at Arms and the Assistant to the Tournament Director are the committee members.
F...Official Club Weigh master: With one (1) assistant will be the person responsible for tournament weigh-ins.
G...Assistant Weigh master: Will assist the weigh master during any tournaments. He/she will take the place of the weigh master in case of absence.
H...Assistant to the Tournament Director: Will help the Tournament Director as need be. For example, help in acquiring permits, enforcing tournament rules, etc.
I..Assistant to the Secretary:Will help when needed to keep notes and minutes of meetings
J..Webmaster: Will take care of website(updating stats,pictures,info,etc..)
K..Assistant to the Treasurer:Will help treasurer when needed .
L..Federation Director:Will attend all federation director meetings(once a month on the third tuesday of each month)and present all federation news to club at C.F.B.C. regular meetings.
M...C.F.B.C. Board of Directors will consist of,President,Vice President and any other member holding a position in the club.Any matters which need to be discussed and/or club decisions being made by the Board Of Directors should be voted on by atleast 5 club officers making sure a fair vote is in order.
(Updated 2004)

7.0
ELECTIONS:
The election of officers will be held annually at theJuly meeting. Elections shall be by simple majority vote of all members present. Elections for each officer shall be separately in order as listed in section 6.0. Newly elected officers will be sworn in immediately prior to the adjournment of the meeting.(Updated 2004)
7.1
Eligibility to vote: Each member is entitled to one (1) vote. Member must be in good standing at the time of elections.
7.2
Term of Office: The term of office is for one (1) year, which shall begin at the commencement of the January Meeting.
7.3
Vacancies of Office: In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office.
7.4
Removal from Office: Any officer may be removed at any time during the normal term of office due to misconduct or any other infraction of Article 9.0, following an investigation by the board of directors and a 2/3 majority vote by the membership.
7.5
Eligibility for Holding Office: To be eligible to hold office a member must:
A: Have been a member for 10 months
B: Have attended at least 3/4 of club meetings and club functions
C: Have shown an active interest in all club activities
D: Been in good standing at time of elections.

8.0
MEETINGS:
Regular monthly meetings shall be held on predetermined times each month and will be open to all officers and club members capable of attendance. Any club business may be discussed and voted upon, so attendance is strongly encouraged.
8.1
Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called to order by the officers at anytime during the month, after the proper notice is given to all members, to address critical issues or circumstances and will be conducted in the form of a regular monthly meeting excluding calls for new and old business and Treasurer's report.
8.2
Attendance: ALL members are strongly encouraged to attend meetings. All voting takes place at these meetings... if you wish a say in the business and future of the club, attend and vote. If you miss meetings it is your responsibility to be aware of possible rules additions or changes.

9.0
REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP:
Any of the following infractions of club bylaws will be grounds for removal from the club membership. No refunds of any matter will be allowed.

A: Failure to pay dues

B: Any action which would dishonor or disgrace this club or its members.(Updated 2004)

10.0
METHOD OF AMENDING BYLAWS:
The club constitution and bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by 2/3 vote by the membership present, provided written or verbal notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership body at least one (1) regular meeting prior to the vote.
10.1
Only under extenuating circumstances in which time is of the essence will prior notice as provided in article 10.0 be waived, allowing amendment to be proposed, discussed and voted on at the same meeting. A general consensus of approval must be displayed by the membership to enact this special amendment procedure

Cabin Fever Bass Club Tournament Rules and Procedures

11.0
TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE:
Club tournament committee will consist of the Tournament Director,President and Vice President. (Updated 2004)

12.0
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
Club tournament schedule and/or rescheduling will be prepared by the tournament committee, then submitted to the membership for changes then voted on.
12.1
A tentative tournament schedule will be worked on by the membership at the September meeting, submitted to the tournament director for permit acquisition, and resubmitted to the membership for approval at the soonest possible meeting.

13.0
TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION or POSTPONEMENT:
Tournament cancellation can only be done by the tournament committee with approval of the president.
13.1
A tournament may be cancelled, postponed or started later than scheduled due to weather or mishap, This determination is made by the tournament committee and is to be approved by the president.

14.0
TOURNAMENT PROCEEDURES:
Tournaments will begin at a scheduled start time of 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM, unless another time has been determined prior to the tournament date. All members must be made aware of the time change prior to the date of the tournament.
14.1
All tournaments will be started by a numbered draw, which will take place before launching.Wieghin will also be by numbered draw.
14.2
All boats and members will be at the tournament site within fifteen (15) minutes of the official starting time. (However, most are at the ramp 1/2 hour or more before start time, which is highly recommended.)
14.3
Boat drawing or assigned highest number in tournament starting draw will be the official starter for that tournament.
14.4
The starter will signal the first boat to depart, wait fifteen (15) seconds and then signal the next boat to depart and so on. There will be a fifteen (15) second wait between all departing boats.
14.5
There will be a "No Wake" zone from the launch to approximately fifteen (15) yards beyond the starting boat, so as not to swamp any other boat.
14.6
All boats MUST have a functioning aerated live well. A fish type bubbler is acceptable, the aerator must circulate and aerate and replace old with fresh water in your live well/cooler. All live wells will be checked before the start of all tournaments(update/2001). Any boat with a non-functioning live well will automatically be disqualified by the tournament committee.
14.7
All club tournaments end at 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm unless a time change has been approved. You must be at the boat launch site by tournament end time or you will lose one (1) pound of weight per minute late, or be disqualified if more than fifteen (15) minutes late.
14.8
Only artificial baits may be used at our tournaments. Pork is allowed. Any club member in possession of any live or dead bait will be disqualified by the tournament committee.
14.9
No tournament will begin without all members present at ramp area at scheduled start time (who are known to be present and fishing the tournament).
14.10
No boat shall fish will-in 50 yards of any anchored boat, or 25 yards of another fishing vessel. An anchored boat is defined as having the anchor in the water and the trolling motor out of the water.
14.11
No non-club member is allowed to fish from a club member's boat during a tournament, except during a "buddy" (open) tournament, or in an emergency. Any member caught with a non-member on his boat while participating in a regular club tournament shall be disqualified and be subject to removal from the club.
14.12
Anyone caught cheating (planting fish, sharing fish, etc.) will be removed from the club, no questions asked, and will further be subject to internet publicity concerning the matter.
14.13 under construction(new 2004)
Club Tournament Fee's(see hard copy of bylaws for more info)

All Tournaments will be 5 fish limits including Fun/Team & Open Tournaments

CHEATERS WILL NOT BE A PART OF THIS CLUB!!!

15.0
BOATS AND BOAT SAFETY:
15.1
Boat must have proper state registration
15.2
Boat trailer must be properly registered.
15.3
All boats must have proper safety equipment.
15.4
All tournament contestants must have the proper fishing license for any state a tournament is fished in.
15.5
Boat must meet all Coast Guard requirements for a boat of its size.
15.6
All members who are boaters are required to present proof of a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance to cover the boat, prior to the use of that boat in any club tournament, and thereafter by the April meeting of each new year.
15.7
Members who are boaters may fish as a non-boater, if enough boats are entered in the tournament, but, may not opt out of the non-boater draw if they enter a tournament as a boater. Boaters with permanent non-boaters (such as those fishing with their wives) will be entered in any draw that takes place at the tournament site if their non-boater is a no-show.
15.8
Any infraction of sections 15.1 through 15.6 will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
15.9
Any infraction of the state boating and fishing laws is grounds for disqualification.
15.10
No drugs and/or alcohol are to be present in your boat during a club tournament.
15.11
If caught with drugs and/or alcohol during a tournament it will be recommended that violators be removed from the club.
15.12
If a member is on prescription drugs and is fishing a club tournament, it is the responsibility of that member to notify the tournament director in case of medical emergency that may arise during a tournament so that medical help can be summoned.
15.13
Some members have cell phones with them during tournaments. A list of members with cell phones will be available for every member for safety reasons.
15.14
All members are required to wear thier life vests when operating Big motor(updated 2004)


16.0
GENERAL TOURNAMENT RULES:
All members are expected to show good sportsmanship at all tournaments. All members fishing in club tournaments should be more courteous towards our own members when passing each other, or who is fishing, by slowing down so as not to cause any problems for any member.
16.1
Any person coming to the weigh-in with dying fish will weigh in first.
16.2
Weigh-ins will be by number drawn at the beginning of the tournament. Example: If you have #1 and left ramp first at the start of the tournament, then you will weigh in first, and so on.
16.3
All fish will be kept in the live well until it is that members turn to weigh-in.
16.4
Any member fishing at tournaments end and who is en route to the check in will be disqualified immediately. ALL fishing must stop at tournament end time.
16.5
Anyone wishing to continue fishing after tournament end time will first notify the tournament committee, and then they may continue to go back out and fish. This is so that we do not have to send 2 boats to search for you at tournament's end time.
16.6
When a participant has caught a sixth (6th) legal fish (12 inches in length unless otherwise pre-determined by club), he must stop fishing and cull (release) the smallest fish. There will be NO culling of dead fish.
16.7
No competitor's boat will be tied to any other boat for any reason other than an emergency.
16.8
Trolling is allowed only with the electric motor. There will be only one line per person in the water at all times.
16.9
The use of landing nets is allowed in all club tournaments, unless otherwise pre-determined by the tournament committee.
17
All members are required to wear thier life vests when operating Big motor(updated 2004)

17.0
PRE-TOURNAMENT PRACTICE:
There is no cutoff date for pre-tournament fishing, unless otherwise determined and discussed before practice begins.

18.0
OFFICIAL END OF TOURNAMENT:
A tournament will be declared official once tournament points and purses have been given out. No protests will be accepted after that time.

19.0
LEAVING WATER EARLY:
A member who has begun a tournament but decides to leave the tournament site due to weather, illness, mechanical problem or emergency, must first check out with another participating boat and member and will be eligible for participation points.
19.1
A member may choose to leave the water on their own, but must first check out with another boat and participating member of the tournament and confirm his catch if any. He may leave his fish with that boater for weigh-in only if that boater agrees to take the fish. If not then the person leaving must find someone else willing to take his fish or forfeit his catch. The possibility of having 15 fish in the live well exists and would put a burden on the boater that is accepting the 5 extra fish. It is suggested that the person leaving should ask a boater who is solo if he would take his fish, or to simply forfeit his catch for the day. If he finds someone to take his fish, his fish must be tagged to eliminate the possibility of the catches getting mixed up.
19.2
Once a boat has left the water during a tournament it may not re-enter the water. A boat is out of the water if it is on the trailer, car-topped, or loaded into or on a truck.
19.3
A boat is not considered out of the water if it is beached on shore. The boat in question must check in with another boat. The only two (2) reasons for being beached are to go to the bathroom or in case of any emergency.

20.0
LATE ARRIVALS:
If a tournament has started when you arrive you must check in with another boater (preferably a member of the tournament committee, but not a must) so as to verify the time you began and to have your live well checked, before you start fishing. You will not be allowed to make up lost time.

21.0
TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN:
All boats must be in the vicinity of the boat ramp at tournaments end time. You must be in sight of the boat ramp, not around the bend, and a tournament official must be able to see, and identify, your boat. See "tournament procedure" section 14.7 for more information.

21.1
LATE ARRIVALS:
Anyone arriving late to the check-in due to mechanical breakdown will not be penalized. Example: If you are towing another participant's boat and arrive late, neither boat will be penalized
21.2
If a tournament official does not see you near the boat ramp and one (1) minute past tournament end time, two (2) boats will be dispatched to look for you. The weigh-in will proceed according to plan. A protest will automatically be filed. When all 3 boats arrive they will be allowed to weigh in their catches. An investigation will follow as to why you were late and a determination will be made by the members of the board of directors that are present at that tournament. The protest will be resolved at the boat ramp. Once the points and purses are given out the tournament is official.
21.3
A late penalty of one (1) pound per minute late may be assessed. Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late is disqualified unless a determination of just cause is made by the directors present.

22.0
WEIGH-IN:
Any club member or participant bringing a dead fish shall be penalized four (4) ounces (or .25 pound) per dead fish. If the fish is moving while on the scale and later dies while being put back into the water, that member or participant will not be penalized. If you bring a dead fish you are planning on mounting to the scales you will be penalized for the dead fish. The official weigh master will be the sole person to determine if the fish is dead or alive.
22.1
All legal fish caught by a club member or participant will be weighed and measured.
22.2
A courtesy check of the length of one (1) bass will be made if requested before submitting your catch for weigh-in. Any short fish (less than 12 inches long) weighed in will result in a one (1) pound penalty per short fish.
22.3
All club member or participant's largest fish will be weighed and measured for a possible lunker award if needed. Also any dead fish will not be eligible for lunker.(updated/2003)
22.4
Any member, or participant, who attempts to weigh in a fish that he did not catch legally, will be disqualified immediately.
22.5
Any member who gives another member or participant a fish to weigh in shall be disqualified immediately, unless said fish is the marked fish of a contestant who left the water early and asked the member to have his/her fish weighed in for them..
22.6
In case of a tie by two or more members or participants, the tie will be broken by the following
A. Whoever caught the most fish
B. If a tie still exists, the weight of the largest fish caught by each contestant.
C. If a tie still exists, the length of each members lunker fish shall be used
D. If a tie still exists, the anglers involved will split the points and purses for two positions.
22.7 The weigh master, his assistants, the score keeper and the person getting his/her fish weighed should be the only people close to the scale.
22.8
The weight determined by the weigh master is the "official" weight.
22.9
If the weigh master needs assistance he will ask his assistant or a member of the tournament committee.
22.10
A member may not weigh in his own fish for an official weight.
22.11
Persons involved in a weigh-in may ask for a re-weigh by a tournament committee official.

23.0
PROTESTS:
All protests will be registered with the tournament committee before the weigh-in begins. An investigation will follow with a determination at the ramp. All protests will be resolved at the ramp.

24.0
DISQUALIFICATION:
If the tournament director or the tournament committee disqualifies a member at a tournament, that member has a right to appeal. In the case of an appeal that member will meet with the tournament committee and the members involved at the ramp to try to find a resolve for the matter. If there is a problem with the tournament committee not being able to find a resolve, we will have a club majority vote, less the member(s) involved in the matter. All matters will be resolved at the ramp.
24.1
Disqualification means loss of all points and prizes.

25.0
TOURNAMENT POINT SCORING:
All tournaments will be determined by weight. All tournaments shall be worth 100 points for first place, 99 points for second, 98 for third and so on, all the way down to the last member who catches and weighs in fish. At that point, all participants who did not weigh in fish will receive half (1/2) the points of the last person who did weigh in fish. (Updated 2004)

26.0 Banquet (Updated 2004)
A annual banquet will be held each year. Place and time to be determined by club members.

27.0 Awards (Updated 2004)
The following awards will be given out each year.
A. Winner of each regular tournament will be awarded a trophy or plaque. Fun tournaments excluded.

B.Angler Of The Year. Angler of the year will be club member with highest number of points for the year. If a tie exists it will then go to most weight(to not include the drop tournament), then number of tournament wins and then number of fish. If a tie still exists there will be co-anglers of the year. A.O.Y will receive a plaque or trophy and $100.00 cash award.

C. Top Gun. Top Gun will be club member with the most weight for the season. It will include drop tournament but not the fun tournaments. If a tie exists it then will go to biggest fish. Top Gun will receive a $50.00 tackle pack or cash.

D. Big Bass. Big Bass will be club member who has the highest weighing bass for the season. If a tie exists it will then go to length. Big Bass will receive a plaque or trophy and $50.00 tackle pack or cash.

E. Big Stringer. Big Stringer will be club member who has the highest weighing bag of fish for one tournament. If a tie exists it will then go to the biggest fish. Big Stringer will receive a plaque or trophy and a $50.00 tackle pack or cash.

28.0 Excess Club Funds(Updated 2004)
At the end of each season the club will give 50% of excess club funds back to the members in some form of gift and 50% will go to the club members going to the state fish off. The club will have a $0 balance at the end of each season.

29.0 50/50 Raffle (Updated 2004)
The club agrees to hold a 50/50 raffle at each regular meeting. 50% will go to winner of raffle and 50% will go toward the state fish offs.

Boater and Non-Boater Etiquette

Non-boaters may not be aware of the responsibility of transporting a boat to and from the tournament site and the cost involved in retaining a boat through the course of a year. The following section will aid you in considering both aspects of owning a boat as well as utilizing it as a guest.

A: The non-boater may not be aware of the consuming effort it takes the boater in getting the rig (boat) ready for a tournament, cleaning and general upkeep of the rig. It would be the responsibility of the non-boater to give consideration to the boater. This could be in the form of cash, gas, coffee, lunch, etc. In addition the non-boater may consider going over to the boater's house and helping him/her prepare the rig (boats) for the day's trip, or meeting him somewhere to eliminate traveling time and expense for the boater. As always, the non-boater should respect the boater's property and belongings.

B: Along with the responsibility to the non-boater of being aware of making consideration of their end, there is as much responsibility of the boater to make such consideration be aware to the non-boater before any fishing begins. Let the non-boater know of any compensation that may be wanted, whatever form that may be, i.e.: x amount of dollars, lunch, tolls, gas, beverages, or whatever may be needed for the day. Or, if the boater doesn't desire anything from the non-boater in which case something should be mentioned before the day begins. The responsibility does not rely solely on the non-boater but the boater as well to communicate any desire for compensation. In addition it is recommended to the non-boater to make sure he is equipped with his own tackle, rain suit, fishing line, etc and not to expect the boater to supply the non-boater with his own gear leaving himself in short supply for the rest of the day. The non-boater should be fully prepared for the day's events for himself.

C: In addition, it would be a courtesy for all members to assist in getting boats in and out of the water. This would expedite the movement of machines to ensure that we are able to start the tournament or weigh-in on a timely basis and to not cause any ramp problems,also make sure everyone is out of the water at days/tournaments end to assure no one is in need of help before leaving the tournament site.

D:Nonboater's are to make sure whatever they bring with them on tournament day aboard another's boat,that at the end of the day they take with them,no boater should have to pick up his nonboater's used baits,old line,food wrappers,coke cans,weeds/leaves from fishing,etc..please make sure to leave your boater's boat the way you found it before stepping aboard.

These and all rules and procedures of the Cabin Fever Bass Club may be revised at any time to help alleviate any problems that may arise.
In the event that a rule's intent is not clear due to a typographical error of these online rules, the typo will be cured and the rule made clear again.