CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS FOR 2020
COCOA BASSMASTERS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
ARTICLE I – NAME AND OBJECTIVE
Section 1. Name
The official name for this chapter shall be: “THE COCOA BASSMASTERS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA”
Section 2. Objectives:
The objective of this chapter shall be to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport, 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 and legal enforcement of existing regulatory standards; to detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to this crime; to promote and encourage youth fishing and love for this great recreational sport.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Teams:
The membership of this Club shall not exceed twenty-five teams (25).
Teams are made up of 2 anglers per boat. An individual may fish as a team. However, the individual angler carries the full financial burden of Annual dues and individual tournament fees.
If a member of a team cannot make a tournament an alternate may fish in his place as a guest/alternate for up to (2) two tournaments. Any individual who fishes as a guest or alternate within the Cocoa Bassmaster’s can only fish twice as such and is required to join the club to participate in any further club functions.
Section 2. Requirements:
All anglers must be at least eighteen years of age.
All anglers must posses a valid FL Fishing License
Monthly meetings attendance is not mandatory, however strongly recommended. If there are extenuating circumstances, where neither angler can make a meeting, you must call in to an officer of the club during or prior to the meeting time or you will not be allowed to fish in that tournament. Tournament payouts, tournament location selection, etc. happen at the meeting and the meeting only.
Section 3. Dues and Fees
Annual team membership dues to The Cocoa Bassmaster’s of Central Florida are $50.00 per year.
Of the $50.00 membership dues, $40.00 goes to the Cocoa Bassmaster’s Club Fund, $10.00 goes to the annual Big Bass (both of which are paid out at year end)
The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain current membership records, with renewal dates, and members will be required to present evidence of annual membership renewal.
Any team delinquent in their dues will be automatically suspended and name removed from the roster. He will not be allowed to participate in any activity.
Teams suspended for nonpayment of dues may be reactivated as members upon full payment of annual dues.
ARTICLE III – OFFICERS
Section 1. Elected Officers
The officers of this Chapter shall be:
President, Vice President/Tournament Director and Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2. Duties
President:
The President of the Club shall be the authorized leader and shall preside at all Club meetings and Executive Committee meetings. He shall perform all other duties and exercise such other powers as are provided in the Constitution and by-laws or as are usually incident to the office of President. He shall also serve as the official Public Relations Representative.
Vice-president:
The Vice-president shall preside as President and Perform all necessary duties of the office in absence of the President. He shall also serve as a member of the Constitution and By-laws Committee and Rules Committee and perform the duties of Tournament Committee Chairman.
Secretary/Treasurer:
The Secretary/Treasurer shall record the minutes of all meetings and provide written minutes of the previous meeting at each regular meeting. He shall receive and disburse Club funds, administer the clubs’s bank account, and provide a financial statement at each meeting. He shall be authorized to rent and disburse funds for post office box and postage for the club. He shall pay all bills and tournament winnings by check following authorization by the club members. Bills of $25.00 or less may be paid without prior authorization when supported by an invoice. An officer’s signature is required on all checks. He shall also serve as a member of the Constitution and By-Laws and Rules
Section 3. Elections:
Elections of officers of the Club shall be held annually at the first regular meeting following the annual Classic Tournament. The officers shall be elected by separate ballot to serve for one year or until the next regular election. Elections shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present. Nominees must either be present at the election meeting for consent or have submitted written permission to have their names placed on a ballot. Newly elected officers shall share duties with the incumbent officers at the time of election. The incumbent shall administer the needed training to the newly elected officers and provide for a smooth transition of office.
Section 4. Vacancies:
Except for the office of President, if any office becomes vacant during the term, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to promptly appoint a successor to such office to serve for the remainder of the term. Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice-president will automatically become President, and the Executive Committee appoints a successor to the office of Vice-president for the remainder of the term. If, for any reason, the Vice-president does not fill the office of President, the remaining Members if the Executive Board shall appoint a member to serve as President Until the next regular election. Any outgoing officer will receive a $15.00 discount of his next year annual dues.
Section 5. Eligibility for Office:
Be a member ion good standing for at least six months.
Show an active interest in all club functions.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the three Club officers as set forth in the by-laws. The President shall act as chairman of the Committee. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Club between Club meetings and make recommendations to the Club membership. It shall constitute Club authority in deciding matters of policy not otherwise described. It shall also have the authority to cancel a tournament in the event of unsafe conditions or any other emergency. It shall have the authority to call an emergency meeting at any time deemed necessary by most of the Committee members. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL AUTOMATICALLY BE CONSIDERED MEMBERS OF ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMITTEES OF THIS CLUB.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
All proposed amendments of this Constitution and by-laws will be submitted
to the Executive Committee in writing by the first meeting in November and
voted on at the first meeting in December. Changes thereafter will not be entertained except those considered by the Executive committee to be of an emergency nature. A notice of proposed amendments shall be presented to the Membership-at-large at least one meeting prior to voting. Verbal amendments from the floor to any proposed amendments shall follow the same procedure as the original proposed amendments.
ARTICLE VI – REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP
Any member shall be dropped from the membership roll of the Club for the following reasons.
Performing any action that would reflect dishonor and disgrace upon this Club. Continually disrupting the meetings.
Multiple or continuous safety infractions displaying disregard for safety of other anglers.
The recommendation to have a member removed may be presented to the Executive Committee by any member in good standing along with the necessary justification for the recommendation. A majority vote of the Executive Committee is required to bring the propose action before the membership for a vote. Action to remove a member may only be presented to the membership by the Executive committee. The affected member and the Club membership must be notified of the proposed action at least one Club meeting prior to the vote. A two-thirds vote of the members present is required to remove a member from the role.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES AND DUTIES
Section 1. Committees
The following are standing committees in the Club:
Executive Committee & Tournament Committee
Section 2. Duties
The tournament Committee shall:
Conduct the tournament start ad weigh-in times
Keep all records concerning the tournaments
Award all trophies and prizes (except the Classic Prizes) Enforce all tournament rules and regulations. Any appeal of a ruling shall be submitted in writing to the Tournament Committee for a final decision.
The duties of all appointed Committees, other than outlined herein, shall be prepared by the Executive Committee, and submitted to the general membership for approval by vote.
ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings:
Regular club meetings shall be held at 7:00 PM on the (3rd) Wednesday evening preceding the (3rd) Saturday of each month, unless otherwise noted by the
schedule.
Section 2. Order of Business:
The order of business in the Chapter meetings shall include the following:
Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting Financial Report
Old and New Business
Draw for following months location
ARTICLE IX – TOURNAMENT AND ACTIVITIES
The Tournament Rules established and accepted by this Club shall govern
all Cocoa Bassmaster tournaments. No contradiction between Article
IX rules and the Constitution and By-laws shall exist. If such a contradiction does
become evident, the Constitution and By-laws shall prevail.
ARTICLE X – STATUS
The Chapter may be deactivated at any time by a three-fourths vote of the total
Membership. If deactivation should occur, the Executive committee shall automatically become the Trustee of the assets of the Chapter. All funds in the
Treasury, after payment of all debts, shall be donated to a non-profit organization as shall be specified by a majority vote of the Executive Organization.
ARTICLE XI – FUND RAISING
During the year the Club may engage in fund raising activities.
The Club shall use all monies earned through these efforts in the following
manner:
90% to be applied to the Club Fund
10% to be donated to charity, environmental/conservation groups or youth angler programs. Donations shall be decided by majority vote of the club membership.
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLVEMENT OF A TEAM
In the event that a one member of a team does not want to or cannot finish out the year the remaining member will be allowed to utilize a guest (however not more than 2 tournaments) or bring a new member with the payment of annual dues (pro-rated) after 6th tournament. In the event both members want to continue fishing but with new partners, all points will be split 50/50 per team, new members will pay annual dues (pro-rated) after the 6th tournament. As far as the “classic” separated team members would be responsible for making every tournament to ensure possibility for qualifying for the classic.