By Laws
Texas Association of Bass Clubs
ARTICLE I - Name and
Purpose.
Section 1:
Name
This Organization shall be called the Texas Association of Bass Clubs, hereafter
referred to as TABC.
Section 2: Purpose
To stimulate public awareness of the necessity of preserving the public waters
of the State of Texas and it's related recreational areas; to promote better
fishing waters through lake management and research; to assist in pollution
control and increase public awareness of its necessity; to promote water safety;
and to encourage youth participation in the sport of
fishing.
ARTICLE II Membership
Section 1: Club
Membership
Any club situated in the state of Texas or in the Republic of Mexico, which is
dedicated to bass fishing and agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of
and dedicate itself to the principles of TABC, may apply and become a member of
TABC provided it meets the following
qualifications:
· If applying club has more than twenty (20) members, it must
affiliate with a minimum of twenty (20) members through the club.
· If applying club has twenty (20) members or less then said club must
affiliate with 100% of its membership through the
club.
Section 2: Affiliate Membership
Any person/individual who agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of TABC and pay his/her annual dues shall be an affiliated member of TABC.
Section 3: Annual Dues
A club must compensate TABC for each individual member's dues, which may be collected at its own discretion. The Annual dues for individual club members and affiliated members is twenty dollars ($20) for individuals and thirty dollars ($30) for a family membership per calendar year. A Lifetime Membership is offered to individuals for a one time fee of $250.
Section 4: Late Dues
Annual dues
of active members, as provided by these By Laws, are due on May 1st of each
year. Dues paid after May 31st will incur a 20% late fee.
Section 5: Removal of Members
Any affiliate member or member club may be removed from membership by majority vote by the Board present at a TABC meeting, whenever in its judgment the best interest of TABC will be served.
ARTICLE III Directors
Section 1 - Number
A Regional Director shall be elected from each Region and Directors at Large (up
to a maximum of 8) shall be elected from across the entire state.
Section 2 - Nominations
Each Region shall select nominees to the ballot for Regional Directors and
Directors at Large. The incumbent Regional Director shall forward nominations
to the TABC Secretary by November 15th. The Board shall have the
responsibility for selecting nominees for any Region failing to do so. The
selection shall be with the advice of the incumbent Regional Director.
Section 3 - Voting Rights
Each club delegate shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote for the Director from
the Region in which his/her club resides, and shall be entitled to vote for one
Director at Large from any TABC region.
Section 4 - Elections
The TABC Secretary shall mail ballots to member clubs by December 1st.
The club delegate shall forward the votes to the Regional Director post marked
not later than January 31st. The Regional Director shall present
the votes for Regional Director and Director at Large to the Board. The ballots
shall be canvassed and the results announced at the
annual meeting in February.
Section 5 - Terms of Office
Regional Directors and Directors at Large term of office shall be one (1) year
or until the next annual meeting
Section 6 - Removal
Removal of a Director (Regional or at Large) shall be by a unanimous vote of the
remaining Directors, for cause, failure to attend 50% of all scheduled or called
meetings per year, or bring disgrace to TABC. A Director may give his vote, by
proxy in writing, to any TABC member who attends a Board meeting to insure that
Director is represented at the Board. In this case, the absence will not count
against the Director.
Section 7 - Quorum
A simple majority of the Board in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
Section 8 - Vacancies
In the event of a position becoming vacant, the Board will fill the unexpired
term of the individual vacating the position.
Section 9
- Eligibility
Each individual nominated for election to any position will be required to be a
current dues paying member of
TABC.
ARTICLE IV – Officers and
Appointed Positions
Section 1 - President and Vice President
The officers of TABC will consist of a President and a Vice
President.
Section 2 -
Election
The President and Vice President will be elected by a majority vote of the Board
in attendance at the Annual Meeting.
Section 3 – Secretary
and Treasurer
The President will appoint a Secretary, Treasurer, and any other position he
feels is necessary, with the approval of the Board.
Section 4 - Terms of
Office
The term of office of any Officer of TABC shall be one (1) year, but nothing
herein shall prevent the re-election or appointment of any officer.
Section 5 - Removal
Removal of an Officer shall be by unanimous vote of the remaining Board members,
for cause, failure to attend 50% of all scheduled or called meetings per year,
or bring disgrace to TABC.
Section 6 -
Quorum
A simple majority of the Board in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
Section 7 - Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, the Board will fill the unexpired
term of the individual vacating the office.
Section 9 -
Eligibility
Each individual nominated for election or appointed to any office will be
required to be a current dues paying member of TABC.
ARTICLE V – Board of
Directors
Section 1 – Board Members
Board members are the TABC Officers, Regional Directors, Directors at Large, Treasurer, Secretary, and any other appointed position.
ARTICLE VI - Duties of Board
Members
Section 1 -
President
The President will preside at all meetings, shall appoint such committees as may
be deemed necessary, or he/she may be authorized to appoint by resolution duly
adopted, to assist in the management of the affairs of TABC, and shall appoint
chairpersons of such committees. The President shall present a proposed budget
during the Annual Meeting of the Board in February. When a tie vote exists on
the Board, the President will cast the deciding vote.
The President of TABC is authorized to expend TABC funds for the use and benefit
of TABC with the limitation of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.), and is authorized
to create evidence of indebtedness of TABC up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.)
i.e., spend $500 and obligate another $500, for a total of $1000. Board
approval is required for expenditures in excess of these amounts.
Section 2 - Vice President
In the absence of the President the Vice President will assume the duties of the
President. The Vice President will work with the President, visit clubs to
spread the TABC story, and assist in coordinating statewide communications and
projects.
Section 3 – Secretary and Treasurer
The Secretary will keep complete minutes of all TABC meetings and handle
correspondence
The Treasurer
will manage membership business, maintain adequate management and financial
records, receive and be accountable for all monies due TABC and deposit funds in
the bank selected by the Board. The Treasurer shall submit a monthly report of
income and expenditures to the President.
Section 4 – Regional Directors and Directors at Large
Regional Directors and Directors at Large will work with the President and Vice
President. Regional Directors will represent TABC by visiting with clubs in
their respective region, and the Regional Directors and Directors at Large will
help coordinate statewide communication and projects. The Territories of TABC
are ratified and are part of the TABC Constitution.
Section 5 –
Board of Directors
The Board shall elect the Officers of TABC. The Board shall be responsible for
planning and conducting the regular business of TABC.
ARTICLE VII - Meetings
Section 1 - Business Meetings
The President shall call all business meetings of the Board at least four (4)
times a year. At least one (1) month in advance of these meetings, written
notice as to the date and location will be mailed or E-mailed to each Board
member.
a. The first meeting of each year will be the Annual Board Meeting in February.
Officers will be elected during this meeting. The location of the Annual Board
meeting shall rotate around the state at the discretion of the President. The
best Interest of TABC would be served if the location would insure Board
attendance.
b. The second
regular Board meeting may be held in May. The date and location shall be at the
Presidents discretion.
c. The third regular Board meeting may be held before the State Championship
Tournament. The date and location shall be at the Presidents discretion.
d. The fourth regular Board meeting may be held sometime during the fall of each
year. The date and location shall be at the discretion of the President.
Section 2 - Special Meetings
Special meetings of the TABC Board may be called by the President or upon
written request of two or more members of the Board. Such written request shall
state the purpose of the special meeting. The President at his discretion may
conduct Special Meetings via telephone conference call or, if a vote of the
Board is needed for business matters, via E-Mail with the Board member’s E-Mail
reply counted as their vote.
ARTICLE VIII - Distribution
of Earnings
No part of the net earnings of TABC shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributed to its members, the Board, or other private person(s), except that
TABC shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for
services rendered if funds are available and approved by the Board and to make
payments and distributions in furtherance of the objectives set forth in Article
I, Sect 2 hereof.
Article IX – The TABC
Scholarship Grant
Section 1 – About the Grant
a. Each year, TABC will set aside the sum of $1000 for this scholarship. Two grants shall be awarded for $500 to further the applicant’s education, assuming they meet the qualification requirements. The Board shall decide by majority vote whether to roll the unclaimed scholarship funds, if any, into the next calendar year, or use the funds for other club expenditures. This decision shall be made at the fall meeting.
b. Each applicant must review the scholarship qualifications and follow the instructions on the scholarship application form. The Board shall review all applications to determine eligibility, and if more than two applicants determine which two applicants shall receive the grant.
Section 2 - Scholarship Grant Qualifications
a. Applicant must be financially dependent on parent(s) who are a member of TABC
b. Parent(s) must be members of TABC for at least two consecutive calendar years.
c. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who is entering college or junior college; or who is a current college undergraduate; or who is entering or is currently enrolled in a trade school (auto mechanic, Beauty College, etc.).
d. Applicant must not be older than 23.
e. Applicant must complete and follow the instructions on the scholarship application form. Contact the TABC Treasurer for copies of the form.
Article X – State Tournament
Section 1 – Eligibility
Each year, TABC will sponsor a State Tournament among member clubs. The goal is to provide spirited competition. Therefore, clubs should send their very best fishermen. Participants must be members of the club they represent. Clubs who do not meet the following eligibility requirements may petition the Board for eligibility. To be eligible, a club must:
a. Be a member of TABC,
b. Pay TABC membership dues by May 31 of the current year,
c. Hold at least 6 documented club meetings during the previous year,
d. Hold at least 6 documented club tournaments during the previous year.
Section 2 – State Tournament information
a. The TABC State Tournament will be held the last weekend of September. Under unusual circumstances, the Board may choose another date.
b. The Board will determine the tournament site. The Board may elicit input from member clubs for location.
c. The tournament fee will be determined by the Board.
d. Tournament rules will be established by the Board.
e. The Board will appoint a Tournament Director.
ARTICLE XI
- Methods of Amending the By-Laws
Section 1 - Modifying By-Laws
A proposal to amend or repeal the By Laws of TABC shall be considered at any
regular Board meeting or special Board meeting. A majority vote of the Board in
attendance is required to recommend amending or repealing any section of the By
Laws. The Secretary will then distribute the proposal(s) to the member club
delegates for approval or disapproval.
Revised: May 20, 2007
