| Charter & Bylaws |
CHARTER
THE CRABTOWNE BASSMASTERS OF ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND IS A CHAPTER OF THE MARYLAND B.A.S.S. FEDERATION AND
AFFILIATED WITH THE BASS ANGLERS SPORTSMAN SOCIETY (B.A.S.S.). THIS CHARTER AND ITS BYLAWS REPRESENT THE DESIRES
OF THE MEMBERSHIP.
PURPOSE: To provide members an opportunity to fish in a competitive, yet friendly environment, to gain a more knowledgeable
proficiency of bass angling, to promote good sportsmanship among chapter members, and too promote environmental
protection and awareness.
GOALS: To help each chapter member become a more successful bass angler, to give chapter members an opportunity to fish
more often at a moderate cost, to preserve and improve our natural resources, and to establish a communication link with the
bass fishing community.
********************************************************* Voted & Revised on January 8, 2008 ****************************************************************
BYLAWS / ARTICLES:
1. Membership
2. Meetings
3. Code of Conduct
4. Officers
5. Tournament Fishing
- Summary
- Drawing / Pairing
- Cancellations / Late Requests to Fish
- Tournament Rules
- Points System
6. Standing Rules
7. Bylaw Changes
8. General Information
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ARTICLE 1 – Membership
Dues
All members are required to be ‘members in good standing’ with B.A.S.S.
Club members are required to pay annual Maryland B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation and B.A.S.S. dues of $20.00 and $20.00
respectively, as well as Club dues of $25.00.
Total annual dues: $65.00
Dues will cover yearly membership from December 1st thru November 30th. All membership dues must be paid in full by
December 31st.
New member dues are payable immediately, and will be prorated based on the number of months remaining.
New Members
Any person desiring membership must be sponsored by a current club member, become a member in good standing of
B.A.S.S., and be accepted by the general membership by vote.
Two (2) or more "no" votes will prevent membership into the club.
Potential new members must participate in a minimum of 3 functions, including at least one tournament before they can be
voted in as a new member.
Number of Members
Club membership shall be limited to twenty (20) members, consisting of at least 60% boat owners. (See Boater/Non-Boater
ratio chart in the “General Information” section.)
Attire
Club members are required to purchase a club hat. Members are also encouraged to purchase a club shirt. Where practical to
do so, club hats should be worn during tournaments. At a minimum and where practical, members are required to wear club
hats during ooze-off and during weigh-in.
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ARTICLE 2 – Meetings
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Mayo Police Station at 7:00 pm.
Attendance at meetings is expected. If you are unable to attend a meeting, you are required to notify a club officer.
A quorum is required at club meetings to conduct club business. A quorum is defined as over 50% of club membership,
including one (1) club officer.
Meetings shall be conducted in an orderly manner.
Should any member miss 50% of club functions (meetings/events/tournaments) for a calendar year, they will be brought
before the club for review and possible revocation of membership. The member under review will not be present during the
review discussion.
If a member who is scheduled to represent the club at an MBF meeting fails to notify a Club Officer in a timely manner that they
will not make the meeting, they will be assessed a $25 fine.
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ARTICLE 3 – Code of Conduct
Club members should be of good character. A club member who does not have or maintain good character, or who conducts
himself in such a manner as to bring discredit on this Club, or participates in a club tournament in an illegal, unsafe, or
unsportsmanlike manner, will be brought before the club members at the next meeting for review of membership status. The
club will vote by ‘majority vote’ on the status of the individual’s membership. The member under review will not be present
during the review discussion.
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ARTICLE 4 – Officers / Duties
Election of Club officers shall be held annually, on the second Tuesday in December. A simple majority vote of members
present is required to elect such officers. Nominations for Club officers should be made at the November meeting.
Term of duty starts January 1st and concludes December 31st. New officers will assume duties starting with the meeting
following the elections.
President
This position provides the Chapter with leadership and oversees the Chapter meetings. He presides over nominations and
the election of new officers. The President will also oversee the procurement of plaques, trophies, and other club
merchandise. He is also responsible for ensuring representation is present for MBF meetings. He may vote on club matters
at the discretion of the club members. He will also maintain club records & property.
Vice President
This position assumes a leadership role in the absence of the club president. He is also responsible for public relations for
the club, interviewing prospective new members, overseeing the treasurer reports and the submission of 'club news' to the
MBF.
Secretary / Treasurer
This position is responsible for the recording attendance during meetings, maintaining the club roster, recording meeting
minutes, distribution of club correspondence and the update of the By-laws. This position is also responsible for accounting
of club funds and the collection/distribution of club moneys.
Tournament Chairman
This position is responsible for scheduling all tournaments, administering the ooze-off, weighing, measuring, and recording
of fish. In the event a member cancels prior to a planned tournament, this position is responsible for rebalancing the ‘pairings’
as required. This position is also responsible for enforcing tournament fishing rules and overseeing tournament related
grievances.
Safety Officer
This position is responsible for caucusing with the President and Tournament Chairman regarding decisions to cancel,
postpone or “early call” tournaments due to inclement weather or other safety related matters. Also, at the 1st tournament or
earliest opportunity, conducts annual and spot safety inspections of boats used during club tournaments to include, but not
limited to, USCG regulated safety devices and requirements and current insurance coverage.
Historian
This position is responsible for picture taking, maintaining a yearly picture album of events and tournaments, as well as a brief
narrative of each occasion and reports and records of all tournaments and club events.
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ARTICLE 5 – Tournament Fishing
** Summary **
A ‘draft’ tournament schedule will be provided at the January meeting, and finalized at the February meeting. There will not be
an ‘entry fee’ for each tournament, but members are encouraged to participate in a $5 Lunker Pot. Tournament scoring will be
based on a ‘point system’ for position placed during each event. Mr. BASS will be based on attained cumulative points for the
year.
** Drawing and Pairing **
Drawing and pairing will occur at the regularly scheduled meeting immediately before the tournament date (i.e. Tournament
date: April 8th 06, the draw occurs at March meeting: March 14th).
Members who wish to ‘fish’ the tournament must declare their intentions (yes or no) at this time.
If a member cannot attend the meeting, their intentions must be conveyed prior to the meeting to a fellow club officer. Failure
to communicate intentions assumes the individual does not plan to fish.
Members who plan to fish in a tournament should declare their intentions as either ‘boater’ or ‘non-boater’ status.
Boaters will be drawn first, in order of ooze-off position. Non-Boaters will then be drawn in order, and matched to
a Boater (i.e. Boater #1 to Non-Boater #1, Boater #2 to Non-Boater #2, etc.).
If there are too many boaters, the first names drawn will go as boaters, and the remaining boaters will be added to the non-
boater draw.
Should a non-boater be paired with the same boater from the previous tournament, the non-boater will swap positions with
the next non-boater selected. Should the repeat pairing occur with the last non-boater selected, the non-boater will be
swapped with the previous non-boater.
** Boater Preference **
Should a ‘declared boater’ get selected as a ‘non-boater’ during a tournament draw, that boater will be guaranteed a boater
position in the following scheduled tournament.
The boater will participate in the ‘draw’ for the purposes of determining ‘ooze-off’ positioning.
** Guest Participation **
Guest will be permitted to fish in club tournaments.
Guests must be ‘declared’ at the meeting when the drawing and pairings occur. Should the draw result in a situation where a
member (boater or non-boater) does not have a partner, the guest would not be allowed to attend that tournament.
Should the tournament draw result in a Boater fishing alone, that Boater may be allowed to bring a guest to fish in the
tournament.
Guests who catch fish will be allowed to weigh-in, but their weight will not be tallied into the club standings for that
tournament
** Cancellations / Late Requests to Fish **
Any member unable to fish a tournament must notify his partner and the Tournament Chairman by 10:00 PM of the Wednesday
preceding the tournament. In the event any member fails to do so, he will still be responsible for his half of the costs for that
tournament.
If a member cancels, and it results in a Boater fishing alone, the amount is to be no more than $30.00 and payable to the Boater.
Last minute requests to ‘fish’ will be honored (as a non-boater only), provided the member does not make such requests
more than two times per year. Third requests will be denied.
** Rally Points & Caravanning **
Members are expected to meet at the ‘Rally Points’ and ‘caravan’ to the tournament location. In those cases where ‘doubling
back’ will result in extended driving time, members can meet at the tournament location.
At the conclusion of the weigh-in, members are expected to caravan from the tournament site.
** Tournament Rules **
Fish must be Largemouth and/or Smallmouth Bass. (covered by MBF and BASS rules)
Fish must be caught by rod and reel in designated tournament waters during the tournament time frame to count for weight.
(covered by MBF and BASS)
Fish must be the required length from the tip of the nose (mouth closed) to the end of the tail (swept). Measurements will be
made on the Club's keeper board with the Tournament Chairman making the final decision.
Any member at the time of the weigh-in, with a bass less than the state regulation requirement, loses their biggest fish for
the day of that tournament.
All fish must be weighed in on the Club scales (if available) to count for weight.
Members who are running late for muster or ooze-off should make every effort to notify club members of their expected
arrival time. Late members are not allowed to start tournament fishing until they have checked-in with a club member other
than their partner for that event.
There will be a 1 lb per minute late penalty for any member who is late for weigh-in. After 15 minutes, any late member loses
all weight for that tournament.
No more than the state legal limit of fish of bass species (largemouth/smallmouth bass) may be weighed in, or in any
members’ possession at any time during a tournament.
All fish must be caught on artificial lures. (covered by MBF and BASS rules)
No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will be consumed during the time frame of the tournament. (covered by MBF and BASS)
All club members must remain at the launch site until all present are ready to ooze-off and the tournament chairman has
announced a tournament starting and ending time.
Boats must leave the launch site in an orderly manner, in order of ‘Draw’ position. The last boat number drawn will designate
‘control’ for the ooze-off and maintain a 15 second interval between boats as they ooze-off.
Members will give other members, while fishing, ample fishing area and not infringe upon evident fishing site. A 25 yard
minimum behind the angler is a good rule of thumb.
At the conclusion of the tournament, once weigh-in is declared, the cleaning of boats ceases. All members are expected to
remain at launch site facility until weigh-in has concluded, all boats are loaded, and all members are ready to leave.
Any member leaving a tournament for an emergency prior to the weigh-in must inform another member before doing so, or
leave a note on one of the club member vehicles.
For each dead fished weighed in, the following penalties will be assessed: 1 dead fish – 4 ozs; 2 dead fish – 10 oz; 3 dead fish –
18 oz; 4 dead fish – 28 oz; 5 dead fish – 40 oz.
No culling of dead fish
Any fishing situation not covered by the rules within this document will be covered by the fishing rules of the Maryland Bass
Federation and B.A.S.S., as well as Local & State regulations.
Boaters are required to have a minimum of $100,000.00 liability boat insurance and a copy of the insurance policy on the boat.
** Points System **
Individual Tournaments
Starting at 20 points, each participant receives points in descending one (1) point increments based on the most weight caught.
Ties for weight share the average of the points for the range of the places they would have covered (i.e.: three way tie for
second - 19,18,17 would be 18 points for all three finishers.). This includes ties for participants who did not catch a fish. Their
places would start the next increment down from the last participant who weighed in a fish.
Bonus Points: Each participant receives two (2) bonus points for each five (5) pounds of fish caught per tournament day.
Mr. BASS
Total of placement points and bonus points for all tournaments fished during the year.
Tie will be broken by using the following order
a. Total weight
b. Number of fish
c. Largest fish
d. Highest number of lead finishes (most 1st, 2nds, etc.)
e. Coin Toss
** Lunker Pot **
Club tournaments will have an optional “Lunker Pot” for each tournament. The cost of participation is $5, payable on
tournament day. The member who catches the largest fish (by weight) of that tournament will be awarded 75% of the moneys
collected (rounded up to the next whole dollar). The remaining 25% will go towards an “end of year” fund that will be awarded
to the member who catches the largest fish (by weight) of the year. Ties for individual tournaments or “end of year” Lunker
will be split between the winners.
To be eligible for the ‘end of year’ cash award, members must fish at least 70% of the club tournaments and participate in the
‘Lunker Pot’ for every tournament that they fish.
The “Lunker Pot” will be administered by the Tournament Director. A Lunker Pot ‘statement’ will be provided for the
membership at each meeting.
** Awards **
At the conclusion of the tournament season, awards will be presented to the members who achieve the following
accomplishments: Tournament Winner, Mr. Bass, Heavy Stringer and Lunker. The following is a description of each
accomplishment and the award to be issued:
Tournament Winner: Each member who wins an individual tournament will be provided with an engraved plate that indicates
the location, date and weight of the event. When required, the club will procure the perpetual plaque for its member(s).
Mr. Bass: The member who achieves the highest “point total” for the tournament season will be awarded a Mr. Bass plaque or
trophy, as well as a check in the amount of $100. Mr. Bass will also be awarded the Club’s perpetual plaque with an engraved
plate for safekeeping until it is handed off to the next year’s Mr. Bass. The club will pay the “entry fee” for the member who
fishes in the Mr. Bass tournament.
Heavy Stringer: The member who catches the largest “stringer” of the day for the tournament year (by weight) will be
awarded a plaque or trophy.
Lunker: The member who catches the largest (by weight) fish of the year will be awarded a plaque or trophy.
2nd & 3rd Place: A trophy or plaque will be awarded to the members who complete the tournament season in 2nd and 3rd
place. If the club has an active membership roster of 10 or less, only the 2nd place position will be awarded.
Awards will be administered by the previous years' tournament director.
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ARTICLE 6 – Standing Rules
All expenditures over $50.00 must be voted on and approved by club members prior to payment.
The club President is authorized to approve or incur expenses up to $50.
Non-boater and Boater will share expenses of fishing trips equally.
There will be a three (3) member grievance committee, made up of the President, Vice ¬President and Tournament Chairman,
that will decide appeals of club members toward any rule judgment against them. In the event that the grieving member is
one of the committee members, the secretary or treasurer will sit in on the committee in his place.
With a quorum (50% of membership) present, a simple majority vote of members present during regularly scheduled meeting
is required to elect officers and to conduct Club business.
Boats used for club tournaments must be approved by the membership.
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Article 7 – Changes to Bylaws
The Club Charter and Bylaws will be reviewed on a yearly basis.
Updates and changes will approved by a majority vote of the membership.
Proposed changes should be submitted for review during the in December meeting.
Final ratification by majority vote should occur no later than March of the following year.
Changes can be made during the year provided the President and the Vice President agree to ‘motion’ a
membership vote. A majority vote will ‘approve’ the changes/updates.
06/13/06 – Charter & Bylaws reviewed & revised
02/13/07 – Charter & Bylaws reviewed & revised
05/08/07 – Charter & Bylaws reviewed & revised
01/08/08 – Charter & Bylaws reviewed & revised
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General Information
Boaters / Non-Boater Ratios:
• 06 members = 4 boaters and 2 non-boaters
• 07 members = 5 boaters and 2 non-boaters
• 08 members = 5 boaters and 3 non-boaters
• 09 members = 6 boaters and 3 non-boaters
• 10 members = 6 boaters and 4 non-boaters
• 11 members = 7 boaters and 4 non-boaters
• 12 members = 8 boaters and 4 non-boaters
• 13 members = 8 boaters and 5 non-boaters
• 14 members = 9 boaters and 5 non-boaters
• 15 members = 9 boaters and 6 non-boaters
• 16 members = 10 boaters and 6 non-boaters
• 17 members = 11 boaters and 6 non-boaters
• 18 members = 11 boaters and 7 non-boaters
• 19 members = 12 boaters and 7 non-boaters
• 20 members = 12 boaters and 8 non-boaters
2007 Officers:
President: Steve Carman
Vice President: Jim Adair
Secretary/Treasurer: Gary Lyons
Safety Officer: Shawn Jones
Tournament Director: Jeff Casey
Historian: Denis Schanberger
Members during most recent Charter & Bylaws update:
Jim Adair
Rob Barth
Steve Carman
Jeff Casey
Aaron Drummond
Shawn Jones
Gary Lyons
Fred Matos
Glen Nemecek
Jim Pitt
Denis Schanberger
Roger Shirkey Sr.
Roger Shirkey Jr
Alan Thacker
Matt vanLeen
| Crabtowne Bassmasters Annapolis, Maryland |
