By Laws
Texas Association of Bass Clubs

 

Revised:  November 1, 2009



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 April 15th of each year. Dues paid after April 15th (must be postmarked by April 15th) will incur a $50 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 November 1st. The club delegate shall forward the votes to the Regional Director post marked not later than December 1.  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 via the TABC web page by December 31st.


 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. 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.

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 TABC and 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 April 15th 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:  November 1, 2009