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ARTICLE 1

 Club Name:

 The organization shall be known as the Dallas Telco Bass Club, hereinafter referred to as the DTBC, or the Club.

 ARTICLE 2

 Club Objectives: 

  1. To promote and maintain a high standard of sportsmanship, water safety, ecology and social relationships.

  1. To promote more successful fishing by providing data and information to the club membership through an exchange of ideas and methods.

  1. To be a totally non-profit organization.

  1. To conduct fishing tournaments for the benefit of the DTBC membership with the purpose of stimulating interest in, and to promote healthy competition between club members and the Club as a unit and other bass clubs of a like nature.

 ARTICLE 3

 Order of Club Business: 

  1. So far as they are not inconsistent with this constitution, Robert's Rules of Order shall be the standard of Parliamentary Practice. Business meetings shall be conducted using the format:

    1. Call to order

    2. Reading of the minutes

    3. Treasurer's report

    4. Old business

    5. New business

    6. Announcements/Drawings

    7. Adjournment

  1. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President, or by another member of the Club, so long as their request has been forwarded to an elected official of the Club and approved by the Club President, or his/her appointee, in the event of his/her absence. The membership will be contacted of such meetings as expeditiously as possible via telephone, email, or club website.

  1. The members present at any club meeting shall constitute a quorum of that meeting.

  1. A majority of the members of the Executive Board must be present at such meetings to constitute a quorum. Meetings of the Executive Board members shall be called only as is necessary to properly conduct affairs of the Club outside of normal club meetings.

  1. All dues will be retained for Club operating expenses. Moneys not used throughout the year will be added to the Classic pot.

ARTICLE 4

 Club Membership: 

  1. Membership in the DTBC is open to all interested parties complying with DTBC rules.

  2. Annual Membership dues shall be $25.00, annually. No pro-rated or otherwise discounted dues will be allowed at any time throughout the year.

  1. DTBC memberships are effective December 1st through November 30th, annually.

  2. Monthly Club meetings will be held at the Tournament weigh-in site, following weigh-in.

  1. Each paid member shall have voting privileges on all decision-making processes in all general meetings, excluding the annual meeting. In the October monthly meeting, only Classic qualified members shall have voting privileges on matters related to the Classic tournament. At the annual meeting, only Classic qualified members shall have voting privileges. All member votes shall count as one (1) vote and must be cast by the paid members present at the meeting, as no proxy voting is permitted.

  2.  The DTBC will hold one Annual meeting at the site of the Classic Tournament. Meeting objectives include:

    1.      Elect Club Officers. 

    2.      Discuss and revise the DTBC By-Laws and Tournament Rules as voted upon. 

    3.      Select the December tournament lake.

ARTICLE 5  

Election of Club Officials:

 a.       Elections of Club officials shall occur during the annual meeting, annually.

 b.      Elected officials terms will be from annual meeting to the next annual meeting. Newly elected officials will assume office immediately after election is completed.

ARTICLE 6

Positions and Duties of Club Officials comprising the Executive Board:

 a.       The officers of the DTBC shall consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and Tournament Director, hereinafter, referred to as the Executive Board, Board or officers. Club officers shall be elected for a one-year term.

 b.      If one, or more, vacancies should occur within the elected positions the vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the term by an eligible club member who has been recommended by the club membership, and voted upon, or who volunteers for the position and subsequently has been voted upon by the membership.

 c.       The duties of the PRESIDENT shall be as follows:

 1.      Preside at all scheduled, special or Executive Board meetings and chair club functions.

 2.      The President will cast his/her vote on all Club matters ONLY to break a tie.

 3.      Coordinate all special functions, special events, special tournaments and club activities involving video films, speakers or other forms of beneficial information for the entertainment of club members present at meetings.

 d.      The duties of the SECRETARY shall be as follows:

 1.      Transcribe minutes of the Club scheduled, special and Executive Board meetings.

 2.      Make newsletters, tournament results, Club documents, etc. available via the official Club website. Maintain website as required.

 e.       The duties of the TREASURER shall be as follows:

 1.      Collect all membership dues from members.

 2.      Maintain club funds and keep a current record of all collections and dispersals. The Executive Board shall audit the Club records at least once per year.

 3.      Pay all duly authorized expenses incurred by the Club.

 4.      Ensure any expense(s) exceeding One Hundred ($100.00) has been properly approved by the Club membership; that being a majority vote of those members present at scheduled or special meetings for that purpose.

 5.      Make available to the Executive Board and the membership the ledger of the Club account, to be audited annually, by three (3) appointed members in good standing, having been appointed by the existing President at the annual meeting.

 6.      Ensure that all withdrawals of any moneys from the club account bear properly authorized signatures shown on the club account.

 f.       The duties of the TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR shall be as follows:

 1.      Establish Tournament Headquarters and start and weigh-in time for club tournaments.

 2.      Establish tournament check-in, weigh-in and late arrival procedures, including, but not limited to: information as to check-in sites, “holding” areas on the lake prior to tournament start, time that all fish must be weighed. Livewells will be checked by the Tournament Director or his/her representative.

 3.      Ensure the scales, Tournament Sheets and all other tournament weigh-in equipment are available at each tournament and that all equipment is in good working order.

 4.      Ensure all tournament weigh-in information is properly and accurately logged into the tournament records. Should the Tournament Director be unavailable to perform these duties, he/she must designate a member of the club to act in his/her absence.

 5.      The Tournament Director will make the final decision on the use of the alternate lake.

 ARTICLE 7

 Executive Board

 a.      The Executive Board shall consist of four (4) officers elected by the club membership.

 b.     Final interpretation of the DTBC By-laws rests with the Executive Board.

 c.      The Executive Board will make final decision on all matters of the DTBC where a decision can not be agreed upon by the general membership, or time restraints require it.

 ARTICLE 8

 Club Tournaments

 a.      The DTBC regular scheduled tournament season shall run from December 1st through October 31st, annually. There will be no regular tournament during November.

 b.     All regular scheduled monthly club tournaments will be held on the first Saturday of each month, unless the tournament is otherwise rescheduled due to conflicting holiday dates, inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

 c.   Start time for all regular scheduled tournaments will be 30 minutes before official sunrise unless a special start time is voted on by the Club membership prior to the tournament or the Tournament Director revises the start time due to safety concerns. The Tournament Director will determine weigh-in times for all Club Tournaments, announce the official time and determine a establish check-in procedure for all tournaments.

 d.     All lakes contained within a one hundred fifty (150) mile radius of Dallas will be eligible for tournament fishing. There shall be no travel limit for the Classic tournament.

 e.      Teams will be allowed to weigh in a combined maximum of 5 fish. Any team possessing more than the tournament limit at any time during the day will have their catch for the day disqualified. A sixth fish may be temporarily retained during the act of culling. Teams that check in after the posted weigh-in time will have their weight zeroed.

  • From the TP&W handbook: Fish caught and immediately released are not considered to be in your possession. Any fish not immediately released that are retained by using any type of holding device such as stringer, cooler, livewell, or bucket are considered in your possession and must adhere to established protected length and bag limits.

 f.     Regular monthly scheduled tournament fees will be as follows:

 1.      Tournament fee: $50.00 per boat

2.      Big Bass fee (optional): $10.00 per boat

 g.     Regular monthly scheduled tournament awards:

 1st place:          pays 100% of pot                    (for 1 – 5 teams)

1st place:          pays 70% of pot                      (for 6 – 10 teams)

2nd place:         pays 30% of pot                      (for 6 – 10 teams)       

1st place:          pays 50% of pot                      (for 11 – 15 teams)

2nd place:         pays 30% of pot                      (for 11 – 15 teams)

3rd place:          pays 20% of pot                      (for 11 – 15 teams)

1st place:          pays 45% of pot                      (for 16+ teams)

2nd place:         pays 30% of pot                      (for 16+ teams)

3rd place:          pays 15% of pot                      (for 16+ teams)

4th place:          pays 10% of pot                      (for 16+ teams)

 h.       All ties for any paid position will be handled by adding the moneys for that, and the next position together, then dividing the money equally between both parties.  In the event of any unpaid place, the moneys for that place will revert back to the DTBC club funds.

 i.       The largest bass of each tournament will receive 100% of the Big Bass pot, if the angler paid the optional Big Bass Fee. In the event of a tie for the Big Bass pot, the pot will be split evenly.

 j.     The method of tournament lake selection will be as follows: At the Annual meeting, eligible members will submit a list of 12 lakes. The 11 lakes receiving the most nominations will be selected for monthly tournaments; the twelfth lake will be the Alternate. The Club Officers will create the schedule using the chosen lakes. No lake may be fished more than twice per year, except for the November Classic.

k.       A "Classic" tournament will be held for all paid club members attaining qualifying status during the regular scheduled tournament season. In order to qualify for the Classic tournament, members must participate in a minimum of six (6) DTBC monthly tournaments.

l.   The Classic tournament date, tournament hours, tournament lake or combination of lakes, traveling distance, off-limits, tournament fees and tournament awards will be established at the October tournament by those members qualifying to compete in the Classic tournament by manner of voting. All votes must be cast by the members present at the meeting.  No proxy voting is permitted.

m.      The manner of voting for the lake/s will be as follows: Each eligible participant will cast a ballot for his/her choice of one (1) lake or a combination of lakes that could be fished in the same area, on the same weekend.  All ballots will be counted and the lake/lakes receiving the most votes will be the lake that is fished for the “Classic” tournament.

 ARTICLE 9

 Termination of Membership:

 a.      Any member may be terminated from membership for any one of the following reasons:

 1.     Drunk or under the influence of a controlled substance.

2.     Unsafe acts that endangering the lives of other persons during club functions.

3.     Dishonest acts (cheating).

4.     Actions deemed to be detrimental to the honesty and integrity of the DTBC.

 b.     The Executive Board will rule on all actions taken against any member's eligibility.

 c.      All appeals shall be presented to the Executive Board. The Board will then review the appeal, and their subsequent decision, at the next regular scheduled meeting with the membership.

 ARTICLE 10

 Amendments to the DTBC Bylaws and Constitution

 a.       Changes or amendments to the DTBC Bylaws and Constitution will be performed by the existing Executive Board after the DTBC annual meeting in November, following open discussion by the DTBC membership. Amended, approved bylaws will be effective immediately following adoption.

 ARTICLE 11

 Club Dissolution

 a.       Upon dissolution of the Dallas Telco Bass Club and discontinuance of its activities, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to liquidate the assets of the organization and to discharge all existing indebtedness as soon as practical. The liquidated assets of the organization, after payment of all indebtedness, shall be donated to a charitable organization.

ADDENDUM

DALLAS TELCO BASS CLUB TOURNAMENT RULES

1.      All members of the Club will observe all Federal, State and local fish and game laws for all species of fish eligible for tournament weigh-ins.

 2.      All participants competing in DTBC tournaments must fish within the actual confines of the Tournament Lake accessible by boat.  No fishing from the bank, in waders, floats or in tailrace.

 3.      Fish species eligible for tournament weigh-ins are: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Kentucky Bass, Kentucky Spotted Bass, and Spotted Bass. Eligible species and size limits, slots, etc. shall be as prescribed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for each tournament lake.

 4.      Each team will be allowed to weigh in a combined maximum of 5 fish. Any team possessing more than the tournament limit at any time during the day will have their catch for the day disqualified. A sixth fish may be temporarily retained during the act of culling.

 5.      The Tournament Director, or his/her designate, will measure all fish at each tournament and will have the authority to disqualify any individual fish, or stringer of fish, for failure to follow any tournament rules. The “Golden Rule” is the official measuring stick of the DTBC. Any illegal fish (short or 'slot' fish, depending on state regulations) will be disqualified and will not count towards the angler's weight.

 6.      Fish must be kept in as good condition as the members' abilities and equipment will permit and fish are to be returned to the lake alive.  (Members are urged to promote the "Catch and Release" and "Share a Lunker" programs.) All fish weighed in at all DTBC Tournaments become the property of DTBC, except for trophy bass.  Members may plea to the Executive Board to retain such trophy bass for the purpose of measuring length, width and girth and to take photos necessary to obtain details to have a replica of the fish prepared. Upon completion of the measuring and photo sessions, the fish will be returned to the lake from which it came unless donated to the Texas ShareLunker program.

 7.      No frozen or iced fish will be weighed.  If a member weighs a dead fish, the member will be assessed a ˝ pound (0.5 lb.) penalty per each dead fish. The loss of penalty weight is conclusive and will not be added back to any total weights for the entire year.

 8.      Artificial type lures only may be used. (Pork rinds and strips are the only exception to this rule.) USE OF LIVE BAIT IS PROHIBITED.

 9.      Trolling is not permitted utilizing the main engine.

 10.  All DTBC Tournament participants must check-in at the Tournament Headquarters prior to the official start time. In the event of a late arrival, the angler must contact the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director will establish a meeting place to check the anglers’ livewell before Tournament fishing can legally begin. The Tournament Director shall have a DTBC Tournament Sheet that will include sign-in times before and after all tournaments at each Headquarters site.  It is the responsibility of each tournament angler to ensure his/her participation in the tournament is noted on this Tournament Sheet prior to start of  fishing and return to the headquarters site at the end of tournament.  This is a Safety issue and is the only method of determining if all DTBC tournament participants have returned to the weigh-in site.

 11.  Tournament Entry fees and Membership Fees shall be paid, if possible, prior to tournament start time. Members arriving at the tournament site after the official start time that are unable to pay entry/membership fees may pay the fees at the weigh-in or during tournament hours.

 12.  Trailering will be permitted, provided participants have checked in with the Tournament Director or delegate prior to the start of the Tournament. DTBC anglers may elect to either trailer or launch their boats at the Headquarters site anytime after checking in at Tournament Headquarters, but cannot start fishing until the official Tournament Start Time.

 13.  No fishing within fifty (50) feet of another Club boat, unless invited to move closer.

 14.  Only one (1) rod and reel may be used at one time. Retrieval of the bait on one rod and reel must be completed before using another rod and reel to cast another bait.

 15.  Protests may be filed verbally, or in writing, to any club officer no later than 30 minutes after the official weigh-in.

16.  A U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) must be worn, and securely fastened, anytime the boat is on plane. An operable kill switch is required if the boat was equipped with one from factory. It must be fastened to the driver at all times when underway with the main engine.

 17.  No more than two paid tournament participants per boat will be allowed during any DTBC tournament. The only exception to this rule is for an emergency condition due to a boat becoming unsafe.  The Tournament Director will make a judgment ruling in such cases. Non-tournament participants must be approved by the Tournament Director prior to launch.

 18.  Professional guides (except for Charter members of the DTBC) may not compete in club tournaments on the lakes they guide on if they have guided on the Tournament Lake within 30 days prior to the scheduled tournament date.  Guides shall not be used in the tournament, nor can they be used within 30 days prior to the tournament date on the Tournament Lake.

(DTBC Charter Members: James Cecil, Al Gray, Roger Kimble, Tom Dosier, Lee Rippy, Ron Holley).

19.  Tournament lakes will be off-limits at 6:00 pm the day before the tournament.