Bylaws

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE
FLORIDA BASS FEDERATION NATION
(January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009)

Article I – Name

This organization shall be known as the Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the FBFN).

Article II – Purpose

The FBFN’s purpose is to advocate for responsible resource management, community service, and stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. We support our State Conservation Department, by organizing moral support, political support, and encouragement. We connect youth with the outdoors and improve our skill as anglers through fellowship, supportive camaraderie and friendly exchange of expert techniques. We function as a dynamic and effective partner within the BASS Federation Nation (hereinafter referred to as the BFN) and its Chapters and members worldwide. We’re proud to represent the State of Florida and our communities while embracing the principles and purpose of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (hereinafter referred to as BASS).

Article III – Membership

Section 1: Members

1. The members of the FBFN are members in good standing with BASS and any of the Chapters in the FBFN.
2. The Chapters of the FBFN shall include all of the Chapters, Clubs, Associations, and any other organizations in the State of Florida, which have been duly chartered by the BFN and BASS.
3. Members in good standing shall only be eligible to hold office in the FBFN.
4. Eligibility for office shall also be conditioned upon satisfaction of all requirements and qualifications imposed in these Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 2: Membership Dues

1. For each Chapter there will be an annual membership fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per member.
2. It is recommended dues be paid to the FBFN on or before December 31st of the prior year.
3. Only those Chapters that have paid their dues will be eligible to participate in FBFN Qualifying Tournaments and other FBFN Sponsored Events.

Section 3: Active Membership Requirements

1. Each Chapter must meet and maintain their affiliation requirements as set forth by BASS and the BFN.
2. Each Chapter must have at least six (6) active members in order to be eligible to participate in the state qualifying tournaments.
3. It is recommended each Chapter conduct or participates in a minimum of one youth event annually.
4. It is recommended each Chapter conduct or participates in a minimum of one local or state Environmental Conservation function annually.
5. Each Chapter must meet the dues requirements outlined in Section 2, above, in order to be eligible for any FBFN Qualifying Tournaments and other FBFN Sponsored Events.
6. Chapters are required to provide the FBFN with a current membership roster and the name and address of it’s designee(s) in the event of each of the following:
   a. Application for affiliation.
   b. Renewal of membership in December of each year.
   c. Update of membership changes monthly as required.
7. Each Chapters individual membership shall be members in good standing with BASS and the BFN.

Section 4: Procedural Rules for Meetings
The rules set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the FBFN in all meetings in which they are applicable and not in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 5: Forfeiture of Membership

1. Any Chapter or individual member violating the Constitution and Bylaws of the FBFN or who are not in good standing with the FBFN, BFN, or BASS may be denied participation in FBFN sponsored activities by two-thirds vote, with a quorum present, of the Board of Directors.
2. The Board of Directors may consider such action to be in the best interests of the FBFN. For flagrant reasons the Board of Directors may recommend removal of a Chapter or individual from FBFN membership.

Section 6: Non-Discrimination

1. There shall be no discrimination in membership or participation in the activities of the FBFN by reason of race, creed, color, national origin or sex.

Article IV – Organization

Section 1: Regions (attached Exhibit “A”)
The FBFN shall consist of four (4) regions as established by the FBFN Board of Directors. The area of the regions of the FBFN shall include the following:

1. Northwest Region (18 Counties)
Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor

2. Northeast Region (17 Counties)
Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Columbia, Baker, Union, Bradford, Alachua, Putnam, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, and Flagler

3. Central Region (15 Counties)
Citrus, Marion, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Osceola, Indian River, Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas

4. Southern Region (17 Counties)
Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Glades, Desoto, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach, Broward, Collier, Monroe, and Miami-Dade

Section 2: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the following:

1. There shall be at least one Director for every two clubs in a Region, but shall not exceed one Director per club in a Region as referred to in Article IV, Section 1.
2. The immediate past President (providing he has served one full term in office.
3. The Executive Board is appointed by the President and consist of the following:
   a. Vice-President
   b. State Tournament Director
   c. Secretary
   d. Comptroller
   4. The four Regional Vice-Presidents elected by the Directors of each Region.
   5. The Special Directors appointed by the President:
   a. State Environmental Director
   b. State Youth Director
   c. Public Relations Director

Section 3: Meetings of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly. The President may call additional scheduled or special meetings.

Section 4: Location of Meetings
The FBFN shall conduct the State Board Meeting, held quarterly, at a central location within the State of Florida, in the Central Region, as described in Article IV, Section 1.

Section 5: Principle Office
The principle office and business address of the FBFN shall be the designated by the FBFN President.

Section 6: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the FBFN shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

Article V – Officers, Elections, and Terms of Offices

Section 1: Officers
The Officers of the FBFN shall be as follows:

1. President, who shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
2. Vice-President
3. State Tournament Director
4. Secretary
5. Comptroller

Section 2: Elections and Terms of Office
Directors:

1. The Chapters in each region shall be asked to nominate prospective members for the Board of Directors in September of each year.
2. The Chapters in each region will then have the opportunity to vote for the nominated member at the Regional meeting held sometime between October and November of each year.
3. The affiliated Chapters in the respective Regions shall elect the Directors that represent them at their annual Regional Meeting. Every Chapter present at the Regional Meeting will have the opportunity to vote for the Directors in their Region. Voting will be limited to two votes per Chapter provided two or more delegates are nominated. The individual receiving the majority of the votes in each region will be installed in office at the first meeting in January of the following year.
4. Directors shall be elected to a term of two years beginning in January following the election.
5. The Directors from each Region shall be elected in alternate years to provide continuity within the Board of Directors. In the event a vacancy occurs within an elected term, the Regional Vice-President should appoint a Director to fill the rest of that Directors term, with the concurrence of the other Directors from the Region.
6. In the event that an insufficient number of nominations are received, the Board of Directors will select a sufficient number of Directors to maintain the required balance from the membership at large.

The President:

1. The Board of Directors shall elect the President of the FBFN.
2. A person elected President shall have served at least one year as a member of the Board of Directors.
3. The term of office of the President shall be for two (2) years beginning in January following the election.
4. A person elected as President shall be restricted to two consecutive terms.
5. In the event a vacancy occurs in the Office of President, the Board of Directors shall elect a new President to fill the rest of the term, from those meeting the necessary requirements above.

The Vice-President, State Tournament Director, Secretary, Comptroller, State Youth Director, State Environmental Director, and Public Relations Director:

1. Shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
2. Their term of office shall be for one (1) year beginning in January.
3. These offices shall be considered staff functions and are non-voting positions.
4. Any voting Director who is offered and accepts a staff position other than Regional Vice-President will vacate their directorship by resignation.
5. In the event a vacancy occurs within these offices, the President shall appoint, with the approval of the Board of Directors, a replacement to fill the unexpired term of office.
6. Persons appointed to these offices need not be Directors.

Regional Vice-Presidents:

1. Persons elected or appointed as Regional Vice-Presidents will have served at least one (1) term as a Director.
2. Shall be elected by the Directors of each Region on or before December 1 or else the President will appoint a Vice-President of the Region.
3. Their term shall be for one (1) year beginning in January.
4. Regional Vice-Presidents are not considered a staff position and has voting rights regardless if the President has to appoint an individual to the position.

Section 3: Voting

1. In elections conducted by the Board of Directors, each Director and Regional Vice-President is entitled to one vote.
2. Elections of the President shall be by secret written ballot.
3. All decisions of the Board of Directors shall be by majority vote of a quorum of the Directors present at any regularly scheduled meeting. A quorum shall consist of 65% of the directors.
4. The President shall only vote in case of a tie.

Article VI – Duties of the Officers

Section 1: Duties of the President

1. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Board and special meetings of the FBFN;
2. Direct all official business of the FBFN;
3. Supervise all FBFN activities; appoint all committee chairmen; be the official representative of the FBFN;
4. Delegate such duties as may be appropriate to better serve the FBFN;
5. Serve as liaison to the BFN and BASS.

Section 2: Duties of the Vice-President

1. The Vice-President shall assist the President upon request.
2. Preside in the absence of the President.
3. Assume the responsibilities of the office of the President should it become vacated and until the Board of Directors elects a replacement to fill the unexpired term.

Section 3: Duties of the Secretary

1. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all Board of Directors meetings and the official records of the FBFN.
2. Maintain the official correspondence of the FBFN; maintain in good order and submit the appropriate documents necessary for the FBFN to remain in compliance with the regulations of the Florida Department of State – Division of Corporations;
3. Perform other duties as directed by the President.

Section 4: Duties of the Comptroller

1. The Comptroller shall examine and monitor all FBFN financial accounts and present written reports of those accounts at the Board of Directors meetings.
2. The Comptroller will receive and maintain all bank statements and other financial documents and will have internet access (view only) to each account so as to be able to monitor said accounts on a day-to-day basis.
3. The Comptroller will also receive and maintain paid expenses and receipts from the members of the Board of Directors.
4. The President should be notified immediately should the Comptroller note any discrepancy or irregularity in any account that is not satisfactorily explained.
5. The Comptroller will submit an annual report to the membership of each account at the first Board of Directors meeting of any new year.

Section 5: Duties of the Regional Directors

1. The duties of the Directors shall include, but not be limited to, attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors and other functions of the FBFN, representing the FBFN and Board of Directors as authorized by the Constitution and Bylaws, and representing their Regions before the Board of Directors.
2. Schedule meetings with Chapter Presidents or Chapter Representatives at least semi-annually (preferably quarterly). The purpose of these meeting shall be to convey the policies of the Board of Directors to the individual Chapters and to coordinate all functions of the FBFN within that Region.
3. The Director will promote and supervise all FBFN functions within their Region to include, but not be restricted to:
   a. Youth activities,
   b. Conservation activities,
   c. Fund raising activities,
   d. Public relations and tournament activities.
4. The Director will maintain contact with all affiliated Chapters within their Region.
5. The Board of Directors shall have the right at any time to remove any Director or Officer from office for cause by majority vote, with a quorum present of the Board of Directors, and after opportunity to be heard, whenever, in its judgment, the Board of Directors considers such action to be in the best interests of the FBFN.

Section 6: Duties of the Regional Vice-Presidents

1. The duties of the Regional Vice-Presidents shall include, but are not limited to, all the duties of the Regional Directors.
2. Additionally, they will insure that all Directors, within their Region, perform their assigned duties and act as liaison between the President and his Regional Directors.
3. Shall serve on the tournament committee chaired by the Tournament Director.

Section 7: Duties of the State Tournament Director

1. It will be the responsibility of the State Tournament Director to plan, organize and operate all tournaments of the FBFN.
2. The State Tournament Director will rule with final authority on proper conduct, procedures, qualifications and other matters relating to the orderly conduct of such tournaments.
3. Shall appoint a committee consisting of the Regional Tournament Directors to assist in the planning, organizing and operating all tournaments of the FBFN.
4. All tournaments shall be conducted within the spirit and letter of the current FBFN Tournament Rules as approved by the Board of Directors.

Article VII – Standing Committees
Section 1: Conservation Committee

1. There shall be a Conservation Committee consisting of one Director from each Region appointed by the Regional Vice-President and chaired by the State Conservation Director appointed by the President. The functions and goals of this committee shall be as follows:
   a. The purpose of the committee shall be to protect our national environment from harmful change; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of anti-pollution laws, statutes, and regulations; to take political actions to improve our environment; to take legal actions where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness to threats to our environment;
   b. To take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the life-giving waters of America.

Section 2: Youth Committee

1. There shall be a Youth Committee consisting of one Director from each Region appointed by the Regional Vice-President and chaired by the State Youth Director appointed by the President. The functions and goals of this committee shall be as follows:
   a. To introduce our youth to the goals of the BFN and the FBFN.
   b. To encourage member Chapters to sponsor a FBFN Junior Bassmaster Chapter;
   c. To give our youth a basis for respect of our natural heritage and an appreciation for the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play, and good sportsmanship;
   d. To give our youth an introduction the joy of fishing.
   e. Provide full financial status of youth account at each Board of Director’s meeting.

Section 3: Tournament Committee

1. There shall be a Tournament Committee consisting of the Regional Tournament Directors from each Region appointed by the Regional Vice-President and chaired by the State Tournament Director appointed by the President. The functions and goals of this committee shall be as follows:
   a. It will be the responsibility of the Tournament Committee to assist, plan, and organize all tournaments of the FBFN.
   b. The State Tournament Director will rule with final authority on proper conduct, procedures, and qualifications, and other matters relating too the orderly conduct of such tournaments.
   c. All tournaments shall be conducted within the spirit and the letter of the current FBFN Tournament Rules as approved by the Board of Directors.
   d. The State Tournament Director and the Tournament Committee shall conduct its affairs so that only honor, integrity, sportsmanship and the highest ideals of fair play will accrue to it.

Section 4: Special Committees
The President may form special committees for well-defined purposes.

1. Special committees shall not supersede or otherwise infringe upon the duties and responsibilities of the above Standing Committee’s.

Section 5: Special Projects

1. The President may appoint a member of the FBFN to research, design, create, and/or implement certain ad-hoc projects when it is determined that a committee is not required for the stated purpose (See Section 4).
2. The member will report directly to the President or whomever the President designates.
3. The designation given to such a position will not include the title “Director”.
4. This is not a staff position and any Director appointed to oversee a project does not forfeit or suspend his voting status.
5. In no case shall the member be authorized to expend FBFN funds or resources without prior approval.
6. Administrative and/or development costs may be approved by the President or Vice President but no capital outlays or permanent or fixed costs may be assumed without the Board of Directors approval.

Article VIII – Finances

Section 1: Florida BASS Federation Nation Income

1. Funds for the support and maintenance of the FBFN shall be derived from membership dues, sponsorships, and special projects to be sponsored by the FBFN.
2. Under no circumstances may the FBFN accept monetary assistance from individuals, businesses, corporations, or governmental agencies if there is prima-facie evidence that the goals of these entities are contrary to the primary goals of the FBFN.

Section 2: Florida BASS Federation Nation Expenditures

1. All incurred FBFN expenditures must have Board of Director approval except normal operating costs. Incurred expenditures are to be submitted to the Comptroller.
2. Periodically, the President shall propose and the Directors shall approve the allowable and maximum amount of reimbursable expenses for things like attending a Directors meeting, and other official FBFN business such as but not limited to the Bassmasters Classic and/or the BFN National Championships. Tournaments and their associated expenses shall be excluded.
3. The reasonable expenses of Board members shall be submitted to the Comptroller for payment.
4. Objection by any Board member shall require an action of the Board to pay the stated expense.
5. Only bank accounts specifically authorized by the Board of Directors shall be used to conduct FBFN business, including deposits, transfers and payments. The authorizing signatures for each account shall be confined to the President, Vice- President, and Comptroller, with no less than two signatures required for any checks.
   6. The State Youth Director will be responsible for all finances of the FBFN Youth Program and will provide a full accounting of it finances at quarterly state board meeting.

Section 3: Audits
The books and records of the FBFN may be audited by a Certified Public Accountant selected by the Board of Directors, if the Board so elects.

Article IX – Methods of Amending the Constitution and Bylaws

1. Any Chapter, Officer, or member of the Board of Directors of the FBFN may recommend an amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws.
2. All amendments shall be presented to the Board in writing at the January meeting or the first regular meeting of the year. The Board will vote on any amendments presented to the board in writing at the next board meeting. To enact any amendments at that meeting, two-thirds of the quorum of the Board of Directors present must vote for the proposal.
3. The Board will review and ratify the FBFN Constitution and Bylaws at the January or the first regular meeting of the year, as per Article X – Adoptoin.
4. All other amendments shall be presented to the Board of Directors in writing at least one regular board meeting prior to the vote. If the amendment is approved by the Board of Directors, it will not be affective until January of the following year.
5. An exception to paragraph 3 and 4 above. In the event an emergency is declared by the FBFN President and two-thirds (2/3) a majority of the Board present, the By-law change may be enacted prior to the following January Board of Director meeting.

Article X – Adoption

This Constitution and Bylaws shall become effective after adoption by two-thirds vote of the quorum of the Board of Directors present and approval by the BFN and the BASS.

Article XI – Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of the Florida BASS Federation Nation, Inc., all assets and liabilities shall be satisfied.

Exhibit “A” 
Regions of the Florida BASS Federation Nation

Northwest Region (18 Counties)
Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor

Northeast Region (17 Counties)
Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Columbia, Baker, Union, Bradford, Alachua, Putnam, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, and Flagler

Central Region (15 Counties)
Citrus, Marion, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Osceola, Indian River, Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas

Southern Region (17 Counties)
Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Glades, Desoto, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach, Broward, Collier, Monroe, and Miami-Dade