CONSTITUTION & BY LAWS

Revised:  February 26, 2011

 ARTICLE I:  NAME & PURPOSE

 Section 1.              NAME

This organization shall be called the Tennessee Bass Federation Inc.

Section 2.              PURPOSE

To form an organization to represent the interest of all local bass clubs, TBF, Inc./FLW chapters on a State Wide basis.

To offer our State Conservation Department and Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Conservation League our organized and political support and encouragement.

To promote full adherence to all Conservation Codes of existing regulatory standards

To take political action to improve our environment and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already occurred to the waters of our State.

To promote youth development programs on a State Wide as well as a local basis.

To conduct an annual Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. Championship Tournament

To conduct other tournaments as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable

To conduct any program or activity to promote the sport of bass fishing

ARTICLE II:  MEMBERSHIP

                SECTION 1:          REQUIREMENTS of MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. shall consist of the members of duly organized and THE Bass FEDERATION, INC./FLW affiliated local bass clubs.  To be qualified, the local bass club shall:

a.       Voluntarily express a genuine membership interest and have an initial roster of no less than six (6) members.

b.       Submit a roster of all members as well as a listing of club offices and submit an updated roster on a quarterly basis.

c.        Participate in at least one (1) activity of the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. each year.  Maintain 100% membership in THE Bass FEDERATION, INC./FLW

SECTION 2:          WITHDRAWAL of MEMBERSHIP

A club may be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:

a.       Failure to comply with Article II – Section 1.

b.       Upon the club’s written request.

c.        Failure to pay club dues.

SECTION 3:          MEMBERSHIP DUES

A.       TENNESSEE BASS FEDERATION, INC.:  Membership dues in the Tn Bass Federation is                       $10.00 per member per year with a MINIMUM of twelve (12) members ($120.00) and a   MAXIMUM of sixty five (65) members ($650.00).  Clubs renewing less than twelve (12) members must pay the full amount for twelve (12) at time of renewal.  Credit will be given toward additional members.  From each membership fee, $1.00 will be designated for use on YOUTH ACTIVITIES within the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc.

B.       THE Bass FEDERATIOIN, INC.:   Membership in THE Bass FEDERATION, INC. must be paid at the same time as the Tn Bass Federation renewal with a minimum of six 6) members per club.  The amount to be paid will be shown on the TBF Renewal Invoice and shall include both the TBF dues and FLW dues for the current year.  The amount of dues is established each year by THE Bass FEDERATION, INC.  All members of the Tn Bass Federation, Inc. must be a full dues paying member of both THE Bass FEDERATION, INC. which will include FLW OUTDOORS dues

C.    Dues renewal deadline is December 31^st of each year for both organizations.  Clubs renewing                            

later than December 31^st shall be considered “NOT IN GOOD STANDINGS” and will be

assessed a late penalty of $50.00 which shall be used equally for Youth Activities and     Conservation Activities within the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc.

D.  When the renewal and late fee from clubs is received, they will be allowed to participate in their    

respective State Divisional Tournament, provided they have met the requirements listed in Rule #  2 of the Official Rules and Regulations.

SECTION 4:          ASSIGNMENT to REGION and DIRECTORS

Upon acceptance into the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc., the Board of Directors will assign the new club to a Region and a Regional (Area) Director will be assigned to the new club as their primary contact with the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc..

ARTICLE III:  DIRECTORS

                SECTION 1:          BOARD of DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of all duly elected Officers & Directors (see Article IV).  The Board of Directors shall oversee the operation of the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. and report their actions to the membership.

SECTION 2:          ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

For the purpose of electing Directors, the State shall be divided into four (4) geographical regions.  The Regions shall be Region I – West (6 areas), Region II – Middle West (5 areas), Region III – Middle East (3 areas) and Region IV – East (4 areas).  Elections of Directors shall be as follows.  Each club within a region is assigned to an Area.  Each club within an Area may nominate a person to be the Region/Area director.  The Election of a Director for each area will be done only by a vote of the clubs within that area.  In case of ties, a run off vote will be taken.  Each club shall have a maximum of one (1) vote, the voting member must be present and under no circumstances will absentee or designated voting be allowed. 

                SECTION 3:          TERM of OFFICE

The term of office for each Director shall be for two (2) years, which shall begin on the day of the election and end when the successor assumes office.  All Directors shall be eligible to succeed themselves but no Director shall serve more than three (3) terms (two (2) years each) or six (6) years if the position is contested.  Election of Directors by Regions shall be Middle West and Middle East for a two year (2) term the West and East Regions for the next year for a two year(2) term.

                SECTION 4:          VACANICES

If an office of one of the Directors should become vacant, the remaining Directors shall appoint a person from the same Region/Area as Director to serve the un-expired term of the departing Director.

                Section 5:              ELIGIBILITY

Any member of a local club in good standing with the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. shall be eligible to hold the office of Director.

                SECTION 6:          REMOVAL of DIRECTOR OR DIRECTORS

                Any Director may be removed from office for the following reasons:

a.       Malfeasance of Office.

b.       Negligence of duties.

The removal shall be by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors present and voting, provided that any Director or Directors accused of violation of Article III – Section 6 – a or b, shall not be eligible to vote.  A called meeting shall be held, notice to be provided to the Board of Directors a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance.  Any Director or Directors accused of a violation of Article III – Section 6 – a or b shall have an opportunity to answer the charges prior to a vote being taken.

                SECTION 7:          DUTIES

The duties of each Regional Director are to hold an Area meeting during the month of March and August with all clubs assigned to him (both meetings are mandatory attendance for his clubs).  He /she is also expected to visit each club assigned to him/her once (1) during the year, to remain in contact on a quarterly basis with each club and relate any items of interest that pertain to the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. If the President sees fit, he may add to these duties when necessary.  Any non-compliance of these duties shall be considered negligence of duties.

ARTICLE IV:  OFFICERS

                SECTION 1:          OFFICERS and DUTIES

                The Officers of the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. shall consist of:

a.       President: 

Preside over all meetings and direct all official business.  Appoint and direct all committee functions.  Supervise all Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc.  The President shall not vote on any item presented to the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. except in case of a tie vote.  In case of a tie vote, the President shall vote to break the tie.

b.       Vice President:

Assist the President in his duties and preside in the absence of the President.  The Vice President shall also serve as the coordinator between the Federation and the host club/clubs in organizing and planning the State Divisional Tournaments.

c.        Secretary:

Maintain accurate minutes of all Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. meetings and to assist the President in his duties.

d.       Treasurer:

Maintain accurate financial records and assist the President in his duties.

e.       Editor:

Has editorial responsibility for the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. official newsletter/newsletters.

f.         Past President:

Advise the Board of Directors and to assist the President in his duties and shall also be THE Bass FEDERATION, INC./FLW National Awards Coordinator for the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc..

                SECTION 2:          METHOD of DETERMING CANDIATES

a.       Only current members of the Board of Directors and/or members who have served on the Board of Directors in the past five (5) years are eligible to hold office.

b.       Nominations for candidates for each office can be taken from the floor with the exceptions be the office of Editor, which shall be appointed by the President and the office of Past President, which is automatic.

SECTION 3:          ELECTION

The election of officers shall be held at the Annual Meeting.  Elections shall be by majority of voting delegates present.  If a run off election is needed, it will be held immediately following the original vote between the two (2) candidates receiving the largest number of votes.  Election for each office shall be held separately in the order listed in Article IV – Section 1.  The newly elected President shall preside over the elections of the remaining officers.  Each club present shall have one (1) vote, present and registered with the Secretary and under no circumstances will absentee or designated voting be allowed.

SECTION 4:          TERM of OFFICE

The term of office is for one (1) year, which shall begin on January 1^st after the election and continue until a successor assumes office.  Officers may succeed themselves.

SECTION 5:          VACANCIES

If the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the duties of President.  In the event of any other office becoming vacant, the President shall appoint someone to fill the un-expired term (see Article IV – Section 6).

SECTION 6:          REMOVAL of OFFICERS

See Article III – Section 6 and change Director to Officer.

ARTICLE V:  METHOD of AMENDING CONSTITUTION & BY LAWS

The Constitution and By Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc.  Regular meetings include the Annual meeting and any other meeting called by the President with at least sixty (60) days notice to the Officers, Directors and Clubs.  All proposed changes/amendments must be turned into the Federation Secretary at least forty-five (45) days in advance of a regular meeting.  The Tennessee Bass Federation, Inc. secretary will notify each Officer, Director and Club of the proposed change/amendment at least thirty (30) days in advance of the regular meeting.  At the regular meeting, each club will be allowed one (1) voting delegate per club (must be present).  A 2/3rds vote of the delegates present will be required to pass a change/amendment to the Constitution and By Laws. 

“ROBERTS RULES of ORDER” shall be used to conduct the meeting and votes on changes or amendments to the Constitution and By Laws.

ARTICLE VI:  TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS