First Coast Christian Bass Club

Overview of Rules for Membership

July 6th, 2008

 

This bass club meets at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park (1140 Kingsley Ave.) on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00pm on the East side of the church. The members of the club come from many different churches and denominations around Northeast Florida.

 

By-Laws and Constitution Overview

 

  1. Article I Section B- Our purpose is to improve our skills as bass anglers through a Christian fellowship of friendly exchange of bass catching techniques and ideas.
  2. Article II Section B- Membership requirements-you must be 18 years of or older; or 16 years old with letter of permission from a parent and be sponsored by an active member (the National and State Federation part of the dues will be paid by the club up until the age of 18). You must be a member of National B.A.S.S., fish one tournament and attend one meeting, and then be voted in by a majority of the club membership. Once voted in your dues will be $77.00 a year.
  3. Article III- we have five club officers:
    1. President: Runs the meetings and oversees the membership of the club
    2. Tournament Chairman: Runs the meetings in the absence of the president and establishes the place, time, and date for all tournaments and enforces all the tournament rules (or his designee/committee in his absence)
    3. Secretary: Writes the minutes, newsletter, and takes care of all membership applications as well as maintains the roster with BASS.
    4. Treasurer: Receives and distributes all club money.
    5. Chaplain: Takes care of prayers before all tournaments and meetings and presents a devotional at the beginning of all meetings.
  4. Article III section B- officers are elected in October to begin in November of each year.
  5. Article III section D- members in good standing (attending most of the meetings and tournaments) are eligible to hold a club office.
  6. Article VI section A- entry fees for tournaments are $30.00 for each person.
    1. The payout is as follows:

                                                    i.     1 – 9 members fishing                        1st place (100%)

                                                  ii.     10 – 14 members fishing        1st place (60%)

2nd place (40%)

                                                iii.     15 or more members fishing  1st place (50%)

2nd place (30%)

3rd place (20%)

    1. There is also a big bass for each tournament, a big bass pot for the year, and a payout for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in points for the year. The entry fee is broken down into several funds that are designated in this section of the club constitution.
  1. Article VI section B(3)- at then end of the year there will be a Classic tournament for the top 10 points holders in the club. The payout will be for the top 3 places in this tournament. Monies set aside from entry fees and annual dues pay for this tournament.
  2. Article VI section C- you may bring a guest to a tournament provided there is room without bumping an active member. A guest pays no entry fee and can win no money. However, if he has intentions of joining the club, he will weigh in his fish for points. If he is voted in at the next schedule meeting, his points will be awarded retroactively.
  3. Article VII- a member can be terminated for displaying unsportsmanlike conduct. Drinking alcohol, under the influence of alcohol or drugs at a club function, or foul language is considered unsportsmanlike conduct. A two-thirds majority of club members is needed for termination.

 

Tournament Info and Rules Overview

 

  1. The draw for tournaments will normally take place the Tuesday or Wednesday prior to the tournament. All members will be called by the tournament director/committee after the draw. If a member has fished with the person he was drawn out with during the last 6 months, the member will be paired with someone else, if possible. Boaters who are not matched with a  non-boater will be paired with another boater. The tournament committee will let the boaters who were paired together know who was drawn out as the boater and who as the nonboater. However, if both approve a switch, it can be changed.
  2. Life jackets are mandatory anytime the boat is on a plane.
  3. Five fish limit for each tournament and a four ounce penalty (.25 lb) for dead fish.
  4. All non-boaters are expected to pay the boater’s entry fee of $30.00 to help defray the cost of gas. This is not a limit and can be adjusted according to the distance and actual gas used in the boat.
  5. The point system for the club and tournaments is as follows:
    • 1 point for attending the monthly meeting (except November)
    • 25 points for 1st place in the monthly tournament
    • 24 points for 2nd place, and so on. Anglers not weighing in fish will not be eligible for points based on their finishing position.
    • You will earn one extra point for each tournament fished
    • You may earn an extra point at all tournaments by wearing club colors during the tournament (hat, shirt, etc.) regardless of whether you weigh in any fish.
    • There are no points given for the classis meeting or tournament.
  1. Currently the club officers are:
    • President: Jerry Shawver
    • Tournament Chairman: Brandon Gulley
    • Secretary: Ross Roubos
    • Treasurer: Doug Apelian
    • Chaplain: Ken Casey