Charter & By-Laws for Ross County Bass Anglers
Revised February 7, 2024
Article 1
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1: Name
This organization shall be called the "Ross County Bass Anglers and in may be referred to as RCBA in following sections.
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport and to offer our state conservation department: organized moral and political support, encouragement to promote full adherence to all conservation codes, and to demand adequate water standards. In addition, the chapter will seek to detect, report, and call public and political attention to any polluter’s crime. As a goal, the chapter will try to improve its members' skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas and to promote and encourage a passion for bass fishing. In addition, this chapter will seek to function as a dynamic and effective link to promote this great sport.
Article II
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Number of Members
A. The club's membership shall not exceed a total of 36 active members. This membership may be altered by amendment.
Section 2: Requirements for Membership
To become a club member a person shall:
A. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
B. Attend a minimum of two meetings and participate in one club tournament to be eligible before going to a club vote.
C. It should be considered by club membership that a balanced ratio of boaters and non-boat owners would be achieved by acceptance of the proposed member.
D. If a non-boat owner is proposed for membership and elected as set forth in Article II, section 2, and his/her membership puts the boater/non-boater ratio out of balance, then this member must accept that he/she would be the first member out of any club fishing event until balance is regained.
E. Probationary members may be removed from chapter membership during this period as described in article IV (removal from membership).
F. Full membership will be awarded after the member's probationary period with discussion and majority vote of those present.
G. A chapter member must be at least 16 years of age with parental consent and waiver.
H. Fish caught during the probation period will count towards club standings once accepted into the club.
Section 3: Membership Dues
A. New membership fees will be prorated based on number of events left during that calendar year. Example: Dues are $75. There are 6 of 12 events left on the schedule. Therefore the new members dues are $37.50 for that year.
B. New membership fees are due prior to fishing their first event. In the event a prospective member does not pass a majority vote, the unused portion of their dues is to be refunded.
C. Upon acceptance in the local chapter, all monies are non-refundable.
D. Existing members are to pay their dues by the March club meeting at $75.00 dollars per year.
E. Dues of the President, Vice President, Treasure, and Secretary will be rendered by the RCBA club.
F. Members who are delinquent in payment of dues will not be eligible for any club tournaments, awards, or voting rights until such time as the member's dues are current. Delinquent members shall be subject to removal from the chapter if the dues are in arrears by 60 days or more (see Article V- removal from membership).
Article III
OFFICERS, ELECTIONS VACANCIES AND ELIGIBILITY
Section 1: Officers and Their Duties
The officers shall consist of:
A. PRESIDENT: Presides over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and be ex-officio member of all committees, supervise all club functions and represent the club at any other official business. Under the revised by-laws the club president will pay his own applicable dues but will be reimbursed for travel expenses (fuel only) to attend approved business when representing RCBA.
B. VICE-PRESIDENT: Act as a program chairperson, assist the president in his/her duties and preside in the absence of the president. He/she will call to order and maintain order during regular meetings and functions. Presides as the Tournament Director at club tournaments.
C. TREASURER: Maintains accurate financial records and presents current balance and expenditures at each regular meeting. He/she will collect dues and tournament fees at each regular meeting and present a list of all members delinquent in payment of dues and fees.
D. SECRETARY: Maintains accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called by the club president. He/she will also assist in all secretarial needs of all officers and committees. Past minutes of monthly meetings should be typed and reviewed at each club meeting.
D. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE: The purpose of the tournament committee is to plan, organize, keep records of, and operate all chapter tournaments. Committee will draft and enforce all tournament rules and investigate all protest(s) concerning tournaments and make recommendations to Board of Directors. The committee will have sole discretion / authority to cancel or postpone any tournament that he or she deems unsafe to fish.
E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The board of directors will consist of four members: the President, vice-president, secretary/ and treasurer. The board will decide all protests and will rule on all violations of the tournament rules and by-laws of the chapter when appropriately received. The purpose of the board shall be to protect our natural environment from harmful change. The board will document and report to the proper authorities, violations of local, state, and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances, and other regulatory devices. The board will take political action to protect our environment, and take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the life giving waters of America. The board shall also organize and institute the environmental projects of the chapter
Section 2: Elections
A. Nominations of officers for the preceding year will take place at the regular membership meeting during the month of October. Nomination of officers shall be held separately in order listed by Article III, section 1.
B. The election of officers shall be held annually at the regular membership meeting during the month of November. This meeting to be a closed meeting to members only and the use of a ballot box for confidentiality purposes. Election shall be by a simple majority of the members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order listed by Article III, section 1. E
C. A member may be nominated for multiple offices but may actually only hold one office in any given year with one exception. Being on Tournament Committee and holding an officer position is allowed.
Section 3: Eligibility to Vote
A. Each member current in dues is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted. Only members present at the meeting will vote for offices.
Section 4: Term of Office
A. The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on December 1 and end on the last meeting day of November or until the successor assumes office.
Section 5: Vacancies
A. In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the remaining term of the individual vacating the office.
B. In case of a presidential vacancy, the vice-president will assume the presidential position and a new vice-president will be nominated.
Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office
A. Must have been a member for at least 1 year.
B. Must have attended at least half of the chapter meetings and half of chapter functions.
C. Must have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.
Article IV
REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP/INACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Removal of Membership
A. A member may be dropped from the membership for any of the following reasons:
a. Failure to pay dues.
b. Any individual action/behavior, which would reflect dishonor and/or disgrace to the Ross County Bass Anglers.
c. Failure to attend 25% of the chapter meetings and 25% of the chapter functions during a 12-month period. (Excused for mitigating circumstances)
d. Gross disruption of club functions.
B. Removal shall be accomplished by a secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting and shall require a two-thirds vote of members present.
C. Any member removed from the chapter will be notified by mail unless present at the regular meeting. Appeals may be made to the board of directors for review.
Section 2: Inactive Membership
A. Any active club member that cannot continue participation in the clubs functions because of work, relocation, or personal reasons, must submit a letter to the club requesting to be put on inactive status. The club will vote on the request. There are no dues involved during inactive status; however, the member must be current in his/her dues when inactive status is requested.
B. Any inactive member that wants to be reactivated must attend a regular monthly meeting and express his/her desire to be reactivated. The club will vote on this request.
C. If a member is reactivated, he/she must pay dues to maintain active status.
D. Inactive status will be granted for the remainder of the season and (1) additional season.
Article V
TOURNAMENT STANDARDS
Section 1: Safety
A. All tournament competitors must observe safe boating conduct at all times.
B. Each tournament competitor is required to have a coast guard approved chest-type life preserver on during a tournament when the combustion engine is in operation.
C. No competitor will ride in an elevated fishing chair while the combustion engine is running and the boat is in motion.
D. Boats must be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher and must conform to the federal, state and local boating laws governing the waterway to be fished.
E. There is a 100 mile limit of travel to any event.
Section 2: Sportsmanship
A. Competitors in Ross County Bass Angler’s tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed sufficient cause for tournament disqualification.
B. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on the tournament waters.
C. No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are allowed in the boats or at the weigh-in during the tournaments.
D. A fifty yard rule between boats is in effect during all Ross County Bass Angler’s tournaments. This rule only applies to anchored boats with the trolling motor removed from the water.
Section 3: Tackle and Equipment
A. Only artificial lures may be used during tournaments. No "live bait" or "prepared bait" will be permitted with the exception of pork rind.
B. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional manner.
C. Trolling as a method of fishing is also prohibited.
D. Only one rod may be in use at one time.
Section 4: Boat and Operation Expense
A. Each participant shall retain the right to select the fishing waters for one-half of the tournament day(s).
B. All Participants will be paired for the tournaments at the meeting prior to the tournament.
C. Standard non-boater fee will be a minimum of $20.00 per day per tournament to be paid to the boater. Other incurred fees such as launching and parking will be split evenly between the boater and non-boater. Excessive boat travel should be negotiated between the boater and non-boater.
D. Non-boaters may ask for the operation of the trolling motor during the one-half of the tournament at the discretion of the boater. The operator has full control of the water and technique. The non-boater is responsible for any excessive damage to the boater's boat during the operation by the non-boater.
Article VI
TOURNAMENT RULES
Section 1: Tournament Rules
A. Only black bass will be weighed (Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Kentucky Bass).
B. The limit will be five fish per tournament (or whatever the specific slot limit is for the body of water being fished.)
C. Only bass which meet the 12” minimum length requirement (or whatever the specific slot limit is for the body of water being fished) on the longest straight line with mouth closed shall be presented for weigh-in. Bass presented for weigh-in which fail to measure the appropriate length shall not penalize a competitor.
D. Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered will be credited only at the discretion of the tournament committee.
E. All fish will be measured and weighed by a member of the tournament committee and witnessed by two other club members. No competitor shall measure or weigh his/her own fish.
F. The club secretary or treasurer will be responsible for recording the weights of each competitor’s fish. Each competitor is responsible for validating his/her own weight.
G. All ties will be broken in the following order by: number of fish, big bass, then flip of coin.
H. A minimum of 10 tournaments and a maximum of 14 tournaments will be scheduled each year. Only a member’s eight best events will be counted towards Mr. Bass and runner-up awards.
I. All bass must be returned to the same body of water in which they were caught with one exception; see Article VI, section 2, rule C. Fish other than bass (catfish, crappie, walleye, etc) may be kept as long as they meet legal requirements for that body of water.
J. Each competitor shall check in with a member of the tournament committee no later than 10 minutes prior to the starting time. Competitors will receive official time, weigh-in time, take off location, and off limits rules. If a member is late to the launch, he/she must locate another member of the club to validate their empty live well prior to starting to fish.
K. No member shall leave the launch area until all members are present in the water and/or tournament committee member gives the official start command.
L. If a non-boater is scheduled to fish in a chapter tournament and does not show up on the morning of that tournament, he/she is responsible for the $20 non-boater fee to be paid to the boater at the next club function. (Special circumstances to be reviewed by the board of directors).
M. If the member notifies the other member or the president 48 hours prior to the tournament, the above penalties will not apply.
N. During any event that there is no fish weighed in, then all entry fee money that was designated for the event will be forwarded to the next paying event for each angler with the exception of $1.00 that goes to the 10 pound fund. If this is the last event of the season, all money will be refunded to event anglers.
O. In the event that only one fisherman weighs in fish, the 2nd place payout will be awarded to that fisherman.
P. Culling of a dead fish is not permitted in any event.
Section 2: Tournament Scoring Point System
A. Awards are given each tournament for most weight caught and biggest bass.
B. Tournament scoring is based on actual weight (not bonus points) less deductions for dead fish.
C. There will be a deduction of (-.20) pounds for each dead fish weighed in.
D. An angler is awarded a bonus of .1 per each fish weighed in alive. However, bonus points only count towards year-end total in determining Mr. Bass award and are not used to determine individual event winners.
E. Any member catching a largemouth bass 5+ pounds, smallmouth 4+ pounds, or spotted bass 3+ pounds is allowed to keep this trophy bass without penalty.
F. Any competitor not checked in by the established time shall be considered late and accessed penalties as follows:
a. 1st Occurrence: Loss of 1 ounce per minute late.
b. 2nd Occurrence: Loss of 4 ounces per minute late.
c. 3rd Occurrence: Loss of one pound per minute late.
d. Any competitor more than fifteen minutes late at the close of the tournament will lose all credit for the days catch.
G. Physical health issues or mechanical breakdown of the boat or gasoline motor are the only exception to the above and must be validated to the point it meets the tournament committee’s discretion. All disputes will be settled by the tournament committee and all decisions are final.
Section 3: Tournament Reports
A. The club secretary or treasurer will provide current point standing reports at each monthly club meeting.
Section 4: RCBA Awards
A. All points (including bonus points) will be accumulated and respective awards will be presented for Mr. Bass, Runner-up, winner of each event and big bass for each event at the annual chapter awards banquet.
B. The club points champion for the year receives the following: $250 and a large Mr. Bass trophy.
C. The second place finisher will receive $100 and runner up plaque.
D. Lunker awards (plaques) will be awarded to individuals who weigh in a large mouth weighing 5+ pounds, smallmouth 4+ pounds and/or a spotted bass 3+ pounds. Fish must be caught during a club point’s event.
Section 5: Tournament Fees and Payouts
A. Entry fee to each event is $15.00. Fees need to be submitted to the club treasurer prior to competing in each event.
B. A one dollar skunk fee shall be accessed to each competitor that does not weigh in any fish per each event.
C. All skunk fees will be applied towards the 10 pound pot.
D. Event payouts will be based on the annual budget presented by the club Treasurer prior to first tournament.
Section 6: 10 Pound Pot
A. The $1 fee and skunk fees accumulates in the 10 pound pot and is paid at end of the season.
B. Multiple anglers can qualify for the 10 pound pot per event.
C. If at the end of the year there are multiple qualifiers, the pot is split.
D. Monies not awarded at year end will go into the club’s general fund. No carry over.
Section 7: Tournament of Champions
The following criteria was developed for a year end event:
- The top 35% of members and tournament winners will qualify for event.
- Your top 8 individual tournaments will determine the scoring for the “35% Anglers”.
- The Tournament of Champion from previous year will qualify the angler for next year’s event.
- $15 entry fee along with club funding $150 with Plaques for Winner and Big Bass for the event.
- Blind draw for lake and the anglers take off number.
- It will be a one day tourney on the lake chosen by the blind draw.
Article VII
METHOD OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION BY-LAWS
Section 1: The constitution and by-laws of the Ross County Bass Anglers may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present provided that written notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.
Article VIII
AFFILIATION
Section 1: Affiliations
- By majority vote, RCBA has decided to decertify with OBC and any of its affiliates. By means of a majority vote, RCBA can elect to recertify with a sanctioning body at the time of the annual election of officers.