2010 UTAH B.A.S.S. FEDERATION NATION BY-LAWS (view as PDF)

ARTICLE I: NAME and PURPOSE

SECTION 1: This organization shall be called the Utah B.A.S.S. Federation Nation (UTBFN).

SECTION 2: Purpose
- To stimulate bass fishing as a major sport.
- To offer our state conservation department our organized moral and political support and encouragement as deemed necessary by the UTBFN Board of Directors.
- To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water quality standards.
- To improve our skills as anglers through the friendly exchange of techniques and ideas.
- To promote and encourage youth fishing.
- To function as a dynamic and effective link between bass clubs within the organization and the principles and purposes of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: Bass Clubs
- All clubs in good standing with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society are eligible for membership in the UTBFN and will be invited to participate in all events and activities.
- To become a Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society (B.A.S.S.)Club
o Have either applied for membership or be a club in good standing with B.A.S.S.
o Provide a list of elected officers and representatives to the UTBFN secretary/ treasurer no later than 1 April of the current calendar year.
o Adhere to any dues schedule as prescribed by the UTBFN Board of Directors.

SECTION 2: Membership and dues requirements to be in good standing of the UTBFN
- To become a member in good standing with the UTBFN the requirements are as follow:
o UTBFN dues of $20 (per member) must be submitted to the UTBFN Secretary/Treasurer no later than 1 April of the current calendar year.
o B.A.S.S. National dues of $30 (per member) must be submitted to the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation no later than 1 April of the current calendar year.
o BASSMASTER magazine subscription shall be current through any events (state, local or national) that the member is participating in or representing the UTBFN.
- UTBFN State Team Requirements
o A member must be in good standing to be a member of the UTBFN State Team and for participating at the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Divisional Tournament.
o A member must be in good standing no later than 1 April of the current calendar year to be eligible for state team consideration at the current year’s qualification tournament(s).
o A member must be in good standing to represent the UTBFN at the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship Tournament.
NOTE: Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis as deemed appropriate by the UTBFN Board of Directors.
o The State Team Captain shall be decided upon by members of the state team, in the event that an agreeable candidate cannot be decided upon, than the UTBFN President will decide whom he State Team Captain will be.

ARTICLE III UTBFN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1: The UTBFN Board of Directors
- The UTBFN Board of Directors shall consist of the following:
o One elected representative from each of the member chapters.
o The UTBFN President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.

SECTION 2: Term of Office
- Shall be for one (1) calendar year beginning December 1.
- All Board of Directors may serve more than one consecutive term in the same office.

SECTION 3: Officers and Chapter Representatives Duties
- President
o To preside over all UTBFN meetings and direct all official business of the UTBFN.
o To participate in all B.A.S.S. Federation Nation meetings when possible and to further the goals of all the BA.S.S. Federation Nation Chapters.
o To appoint a Conservation, Tournament and Youth Director from the UTBFN membership.
- Vice President
o Presides in the absence of the president and assist the President in his duties.
- Secretary
o Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings.
o Maintain regular liaison between member’s chapters and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
o Provide the minutes of UTBFN meetings to all club representatives and for posting on the UTBFN website.
- Treasurer
o Collect and disburse all UTBFN monies.
o Maintain accurate records and present a current financial report at each regular meeting.
o Provide a detailed end of year financial report/audit no later than 31 December of each year or as requested by the UTBFN President.
- Club Representatives
o Attend all regular and special meetings as called by the UTBFN President.
o To provide accurate written minutes of all regular and special meetings to their respective club.

SECTION 4: Voting
- Each member of the UTBFN Board of Directors, except the President (see below) is entitled to one vote.
- The President will vote only in case of a tie.
- A simple majority vote is required for a UTBFN By-Law change.
- All votes for Federation Officer Positions shall be by secret ballot.
- All other votes shall be by roll-call unless in the opinion of the President this particular vote because of a sensitive nature should best be addressed by the secret ballot method.

SECTION 5: Vacancies
- If a UTBFN office becomes vacant, nominations shall be requested and an election held for determining on whom will fill the vacant position for the remaining of the unexpired term.
- When a clubs representative to the UTBFN Board of Directors vacates their office, that member chapter shall elect a new representative to serve on the UTBFN Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV ELGIBLILITY FOR HOLDING OFFICE

SECTION 1: Club Representatives
- Must be a member in good standings of the UTBFN.
- Must be a member of an active affiliated member chapter of the UTBFN.

SECTION 2: Offices of President, Vice President and Secretary and Treasurer (must meet 1 of the 3 criteria’s listed below).
- Must have served one year on the Board of Directors.
- Have actively participated in a major project of the UTBFN.
- Demonstrated active interest in the efforts of the UTBFN.

ARTICLE V ELECTIONS

SECTION 1: Nominations
- Nominations for the UTBFN Officer positions shall be accepted during 1-30 November of the current calendar year.

SECTION 2: Elections
- Elections shall be held at the regular December UTFBN meeting.

SECTION 3: Voting
- Voting shall be by a simple majority of the UTBFN Board of Directors.

SECTION 4: Attendance
- A minimum of 2/3 of the Board must be present.

ARTICLE VI: REMOVAL FROM THE UTBFN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1: Federation Officers
- Any member of the UTBFN Board of Directors who can show just cause why a current federation officer is not qualified to execute the duties of that office, can ask the UTBFN Board of Directors for that officers removal.
- A 2/3 majority vote of the UTBFN Board of Directors will be required for removal.

SECTION 2: Member Chapter Representative
- If the UTBFN Board of Directors can show just cause why a club representative should be removed, they may request that the club elect a new representative.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

SECTION 1: Meeting Requirements
- The UTBFN Board of Directors shall meet quarterly (if needed).
o The UTBFN meetings shall be open to all UTBFN and B.A.S.S. members and the public, unless the UTBFN President deems it necessary for the meeting to be closed.
o 50% of the UTBFN Board of Directors must be present to constitute a quorum.
o Special meetings may be called as needed by the UTBFN President; 72 hour prior notice either written or verbal, is required to the UTBFN Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII: BY-LAWS

SECTION 1: Proposing Changes
- Proposed changes to the BY-LAWS may be presented at any regular meeting of the UTBFN Board of Directors.
- Proposed changes shall be submitted in writing.

SECTION 2: Voting of Proposed Changes
- Voting on proposed BY-LAW changes will occur at the next adjacent UTBFN meeting.

ARTICLE IX: UTBFN FUNDING

SECTION 1: Source of UTBFN Funds
- Funds for support and maintenance of the UTBFN may be derived from possible periodic funding from B.A.S.S.
- Funds raised by projects sponsored by the UTBFN.
- Sponsor provided donations and associated contracted programs, fund raisers and proceeds from tournaments.

SECTION 2: Outside Funding
- Under no circumstances may the UTBFN accept monetary assistance from individuals, businesses, corporations or government agencies if there is evidence that the goals of these entities are contrary to the primary goals of the UTBFN.

SECTION 3: UTBFN State Team and National Championship Contender Funding
- The UTBFN will support and fund the UTBFN State Team to attend the Western Divisional Tournament with money garnered from sponsor donations, fund raisers and proceeds raised from tournaments.
- The UTBFN will support and fund the UTBFN National Championship contender to attend the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship with money garnered from sponsor donations, fund raisers and proceeds raised from tournaments.
- The monetary amount of funding provided to the UTBFN State Team and the B.A.S.S. National Championship contender will be reasonable and prudent as determined by the UTBFN Board of Directors.