WINTER HAVEN LUNKER LOVERS
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Section 1: Name
This chapter shall be called the WINTER HAVEN LUNKER LOVERS of WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA
Section 2: Purposes
To stimulate public awareness of Bass fishing as a major sport. To offer our state conservation department our organized moral and political support and encouragement. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards and legal enforcement of existing regulatory standards. To detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to his crime. To improve our skill as Bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert Bass catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing, and a love for this great recreation.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Number of Members
The chapter shall begin with at least six (6) but not more than ten (10) charter members. During the chapter's first six (6) months of existence, total general membership shall not exceed twenty-five (25) members. After six (6) months this number shall be limited to one hundred (100).
Section 2: Requirements for Membership
To become a chapter member, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be recommended by a member at a regular monthly meeting. The prospective member must be in attendance at this meeting.
(c) Be voted on by the membership. Prospective member shall not be present at voting.
(d) The prospective member must have fished previously with a member present at the meeting. This member must attest to the prospective member's fishing ability, sportsmanship and that the prospective member understands the club rules and obligations, both financial and otherwise.
(e) Types of membership: There shall be two classes of membership: regular and associate.
(1) Regular Membership - Regular members shall be required to participate in or attend a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the club activities and a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the regular meetings during the previous twelve (12) month period (or lesser tenure of membership) to be considered in good standing.
(2) Associate Membership - Associate membership shall be open only to persons who are not full-time Florida residents. Associate members are not required to meet the participation standards of regular members to be considered in good standing. All other requirements for membership are the same for associate members as they are for regular membership. Associate members shall pay appropriate dues at the first meeting they attend after arriving back in Florida or at such time as dues are payable by the general membership.
(f) Former Members: A chapter member who has allowed his membership to lapse for a period in excess of sixty (60) days, counting from the time membership dues are first due and payable each year, shall be considered a former member of the chapter. A former member may regain regular or associate membership status by being voted on by the general membership at a regular monthly meeting, with a simple majority necessary for election to membership.
(g) Minimum Age
(1) Minimum age requirement shall be eighteen (18) years of age.
(2) Members in good standing as a parent or legal guardian of a child sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age may petition the club for an exception to the minimum age requirement for the child. If the petition is granted, the parent or legal guardian must be present at all club functions that the child attends. In addition, a parent or legal guardian of a child sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age may petition the club for an exception to the minimum age requirement for the child provided that an aunt, uncle, or grandparent of the child is a member of the club and agrees to supervise the child at all club functions attended by the child. If the petition is granted, the relative who has agreed to supervise the child must be present at all club functions that the child attends. Petitions in these situations must include the name of the member who agrees to supervise the child. Petitions will be granted if approved by a simple majority of the members present at a club meeting.
(h) The Bass Federation Membership: Each member of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers shall join and maintain membership in The Florida Bass Federation. This requires membership in FLW Outdoors.
Section 3: Membership Dues
Annual chapter membership dues shall be due and payable on January 1.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES AND ELIGIBILITY
Section 1: Officers and Their Duties
(a) The officers of the chapter shall consist of:
(1) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and direct all committee functions. Supervise all club functions.
(2) Vice President for Activities: Organize club activities other than tournaments and fundraising, assist the president in his duties and preside in the absence of the president.
(3) Vice President for Fundraising: Supervise club fund raising activities, assist the president and vice president for activities in their duties and preside in the absence of both the president and vice president for activities.
(4) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all meetings and report at each meeting.
(5) Treasurer: Maintain accurate financial records, assist the president in conducting financial affairs, report at each meeting and make regular bank deposits of all chapter funds.
(6) Tournament Director: The tournament director shall be an officer of the club and be elected by the membership at the same time as other club officers. The tournament director will appoint the tournament committee and supervise all tournaments. The tournament director, with the participation of the tournament committee, will fairly interpret and enforce all tournament procedures and rules.
(b) All officers shall familiarize themselves with the Club's bylaws, rules, procedures and decisions of the membership. The officers are responsible for ensuring that all actions taken conform to the Club's bylaws, rules, procedures and decisions of the membership.
(c) No officer has the authority to change or modify any bylaw, rule, procedure or decision of the membership except the tournament director who, with the participation of the tournament committee, may modify tournament rules or procedures for a particular tournament for reasons of safety or unique situations at the tournament launch/weigh-in site.
Section 2: Elections
The elections of officers shall be held annually at the first regular meeting during the month of November. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in the order listed in Article III, Section 1.
Section 3: Eligibility to Vote.
Each member is entitled to one (1) vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.
Section 4: Term of office
The term of office is for one (1) year, which shall begin on January 1, and end on the last day of December, or until a successor assumes office.
Section 5: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the un-expired term of the individual vacating the office.
Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office
To be eligible for an office a member must:
(a) Have been a member for at least six (6) months.
(b) Be a member in good standing.
(c) Have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.
ARTICLE IV - METHOD OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1: Amending the Constitution and By-laws
The constitution and by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one (1) regular meeting prior to the vote.
ARTICLE V - REGULAR MEETINGS
Section 1: Regular Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held bi-monthly on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Tuesday of the month. A quorum shall consist of the members present.
ARTICLE VI - REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Removal from Membership
A member may be dropped from the membership roll for the following:
(a) Any member failing to pay dues by March 1 shall be dropped from the membership roll by the officers.
(b) Any member who brings dishonor and disgrace to this club or whose behavior is detrimental to the club may be removed from membership in the club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present and voting at a regular meeting.
(c) Failure to attend fifty percent (50%) of the chapter meetings and fifty percent (50%) of chapter functions during a twelve (12) month period by a regular member may result in removal from the membership roll by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a regular meeting.
(d) All of the above shall be subject to prior review by the chapter officers.
ARTICLE VII - RESTRICTIONS ON MOTIONS
Section 1: Changes in Tournament Rules/Procedures
Motions for changes in tournament rules or procedures will be made only in the months of November or December. The vote on such motions will take place at a subsequent meeting after all members have been notified by mail or other means of the proposed change(s), but no later than the first meeting in January. Changes necessitated by changes in or discovery of Federal, State or local laws or regulations are not subject to the provision of this section.
Section 2: Reconsideration of Motions Adopted or Rejected
Matters considered by and voted on by the Club cannot be brought again to the floor for a period of one year except as follows. The Club officers, by unanimous vote of the officers, may declare that a decision made on certain matters within the last year is eligible for reconsideration. The vote on motions pertaining to these matters will be taken at the meeting immediately following their making and adopted by a vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of those members present and voting.
Last Revision 11/17/2009