BYLAWS

February 9th, 2024

Article I: Organization

Section 1: MO-KAN Bassmasters is a non-profit organization that receives funding through paid memberships, tournament fees, fundraising, and donations.

Section 2: MO-KAN Bassmasters shall begin with and maintain at least 6 active members.

Article II: Club Purpose

Section 1: The MO-KAN Bassmasters bass fishing club was formed to meet the needs of the membership by providing a venue for each angler to improve his/her knowledge and angling skills specific to tournament bass fishing through; fellowship, competition, sharing of techniques and educational materials.

Article III: Requirements for Membership

Section 1:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older.
2. Must have active/paid B.A.S.S. membership.
3. Must become an active member of B.A.S.S. Nation (refer to Section 3 below).
4. Must become an active member of Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation (refer to Section 3 below).
5. Must be approved by 2/3rd of current club membership (If necessary, voting can be done by secret ballot, and any voting will take place following the prospective members first tournament with the club).

Section 2:

A member shall be removed and/or not admitted for any of the following reasons:

1. Failure to pay current membership dues.
2. Any conduct or action which reflects dishonor, negativity, and/or disgrace upon the club or its membership.
3. Disqualification for use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or unsafe boating practices during tournament hours.

Section 3: Yearly Club Dues

Total: $80.00

1. $30.00 goes to B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
2. $30.00 goes to Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
3. $20.00 goes to MO-KAN Bassmasters.
4. State all dues are to be paid no later than end of March or before first scheduled club tournament.
5. The club will hold the membership to a maximum of 30 members. A waiting list may be maintained of those requesting to be considered as openings become available.
6. All boaters must have boat registration and approved MO BASS liability insurance requirements currently at $300,000.

Section 4: Monthly Meetings

1. MO-KAN Bassmasters will hold their monthly meetings on the 1^st Tuesday of each month at a predetermined location voted on by current club membership, these meetings are currently held in the Conservation Room of the Bass Pro Shops in Independence, MO unless specified otherwise (typically, 7:00 pm start time).
2. At all times during the meeting, members shall present a positive, sportsman like attitude.
3. Any member(s) that are ejected from a meeting will not be allowed to fish the next club tournament.
4. Three violations of club or tournament rules will result in a one-year suspension from MO-KAN Bassmasters.
5. Only current, active members are allowed to vote at meetings.
6. Any change to the By-Laws will require two-thirds of the club members to be present with a two-thirds vote of approval. All other approvals for a club or tournaments actions will requires 100% Board Members approval with a simple majority of club member present.
7. Points will be and are awarded for attending activities sponsored by MO-KAN Bassmasters
8. 30 points per each monthly meeting.
9. 30 points per each tournament fished.
10. 30 points per each MO B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Tournament (Spring Fling, Summer Sizzler, Fall Classic).
11. 30 points per each day of participation for MO-KAN sponsored events.
12. 50 points per attendance at the annual year end banquet (December).

Article IV: Officers, Officer Duties, Election of Officers & Appointed Directors

Section 1: Officers/Officer Duties

1. President: The President shall preside over all club meetings, direct all official business on behalf of MO-KAN Bassmaster and its membership, supervise all club functions, and holds the authority to vote to break a “tie”.
2. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall assist the President upon request; assume the duties of President and/or Officer during his/her absence, and assume the office of President shall it be vacated.
3. Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain monthly club meeting minutes, distribute pertinent information amongst membership, and maintain all financial records pertaining to MO-KAN Bassmasters and its activities.
4. Tournament Director: The Tournament Director shall plan, organize, and operate all MO-KAN Bassmasters club tournaments, make decisions on tournament cancelations or delays due to weather or current water conditions that may put anglers at risk, and to report on tournament results and current member standings/points.
5. Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of the Club President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, & Tournament Director.
6. The Club President shall call all meetings of the Board members and preside at such meeting.
7. The Secretary/Treasurer shall record monthly meeting minutes and finances.
8. The Board of Directors, when appropriately received, shall decide all protests and rule on all violations of tournament rules and club by-laws.
9. The Board of Directors shall develop agendas for monthly meetings.
10. Tournament Committee: Tournament Committee is to be composed of a Tournament Director, AOY and a Non-Boater only for the planning/determining of tournaments schedule for the calendar year. Responsibilities include:
11. Determining the tournament schedule for the next calendar year.
12. Assisting in the set-up and take down of club scales at each club tournament.
13. Conduct live-well checks prior to tournament takeoff.
14. Bump, Measure, and assist with weigh-in.
15. Provide information/thoughts on current lake and weather conditions to the Tournament Director.

Section 2: Election of Officers

1. Officers will serve a term of two years, or until a successor assumes office.
2. Nominations for vacant Officer/Director positions shall be made and voted upon by the membership.
3. March is the month for voting on club Officers ending a two-year term. Officers will assume office in April.

Section 3: Dismissal of an Officer

1. Any Officer of the Club may be dismissed and relieved of duties subject to a 2/3rd majority vote at any club, special, or emergency meeting for the following reasons:
2. Any action or conduct that would reflect negatively on the Club or its membership.
3. Misappropriation of funds.
4. Misconduct or violation of any club rule or by-law.

Section 4: Eligibility of Vote

1. Each member is entitled to one vote.
2. Board members must approve call-ins or face time may be used to count votes.

Section 5: Eligibility for Holding Office

1. Must have been an active member of MO-KAN Bassmasters for a minimum of one year.
2. Must have attended at least 75% of the monthly club meetings and at least 75% of any club sponsored function the previous year.
3. Must have shown an active interest in all Club functions.

Section 6: Vacancies

1. In the event of a position becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for and elections held to fill the vacancy of office.
2. National and State B.A.S.S. headquarters shall be notified immediately upon the charge of an Officer.

Article V: Standing Committees

1. All Standing committees will serve for one year or until a new committee has been appointed, terms of the committee will be one year from September 1 to August 31, the Director of each committee shall appoint its members.

Article VI: Affiliation

Section 1: Affiliation Requirements

1. Approval of Chapter Charter by B.A.S.S.
2. Update B.A.S.S. with Chapter Charter membership roster once each year upon receiving current B.A.S.S. roster at year’s end.
3. Name and addresses of new membership joining the Club during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur.
4. Maintain a 100% B.A.S.S. membership.
5. Must affiliate with Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation and support the State Federation conservation and youth programs, any additional requirements that the State B.A.S.S. Nation establishes for chapters, such as membership dues, attendance at meetings, etc., are necessary for the chapter to participate in the Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation qualifying tournaments and any other B.A.S.S. Nation sponsored events.

Article VII: Method of Amending the By-Laws and other Rules

1. This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended with a 2/3rds vote at any regular meeting with 2/3rds of the club membership present.

Tournament Rules

Article I: Schedule

1. Tournament dates, locations, and tournament hours will be picked by the Tournament Director and Tournament Committee (see Article IV, Section 1) and then voted on by club membership, tournament locations can be changed at the direction of the Tournament Director and the Tournament Committee and approved by a majority vote

Article II: Pairings

1. At the club meeting prior to the tournament a drawing for boat partners and boat position will be made, members wanting to fish the upcoming tournament but are unable to attend the pairings meeting shall notify any club member at least one hour prior to the drawing.
2. A non-boater can redraw if he/she draws a boater who they have already fished with during the current season.

Article III: Non-Boater/Guest

1. Potential members are required to fish one tournament prior to becoming a club member.
2. A boater without a non-boater may bring a non-member quest if approved by the Tournament Director prior to the tournament.
3. The non-boater is responsible for providing their own life vest and fishing tackle.
4. The non-boater is responsible for any and all damages they cause to the boater’s equipment or vessel.
5. Non-boaters are required to pay the boater/captain $30 for gas/oil expenses for a one-day tournament, or $50 for a two-day tournament, if pre-fishing for a tournament, gas costs should be discussed before getting on the water.
6. Non-boater gas/oil expense to be paid to the boater will be discussed and voted on prior to the first tournament each calendar year. The gas/oil expense may be revisited during the year based on fluctuation of gas prices.

Article IV: Tournament Fees

1. $50.00 per member ($5.00 is for Big Bass pot each event).
2. All entry fees must be paid in full before the morning of the tournament, entries will be accepted at the ramp only if prior arrangements are made via the Secretary/Treasurer or a $20.00 late penalty will be applied.
3. Non-boaters are required to pay the boater/captain for gas/oil expense as voted on by the club in Article III – 5 above.

Article V: Tournament Procedures

Section 1: Procedures

1. Live-well, kill switches, and aerators will be checked by a member of the Tournament Committee prior to the start of the tournament.
2. The boater will operate his boat in a safe and professional manner.
3. Life vests must be worn while the engine is running above idle speed.
4. Kill switch must be connected to the boat operator when engine is above idle speed.
5. All boats must check in no later than the prescribed time, later than 10 minutes will result in the disqualification of your catch.
6. The last boat number will send off contestants at take-off.

7. If only one member weighs in a legal fish they collect both first place and big bass money. The remaining prize moneys goes to the next schedule club tournament.
8. If no member catches a legal fish, then all tournament fees go to the next club tournament. The tournament fee for increase prize moneys will be $50 for same repeat participants and $100 for new signup.
9. All Missouri Water Patrol Laws and Missouri Department of Conservation Rules will be upheld and applied.
10. No illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages shall be consumed prior to launch, during tournament hours, and until checks have been handed out.

Section 2: Tournament Off-Limits

1. Anywhere on tournament waters designated as no-fishing by state, federal, and local agencies.
2. No fishing within 50 yards of a fellow competitor that is anchored.
3. No fishing within the take-off boundaries as determined by the Tournament Director.

Section 3: Scoring

1. All contestants will weigh their legal fish with the Tournament Director.
2. Only largemouth, Kentucky, smallmouth, and mean-mouth bass are legal and will be weighed.
3. Only the largest five (5) fish will be weighed, and only five (5) fish are allowed in the live-well at any time.
4. All contestants may cull, except when state regulated No-Cull rules apply. In Missouri, the No-Cull period is July and August. A dead fish cannot be culled and replaced with alive one, it must be weighed in.
5. The Tournament Director will weigh one (1) fish per contestant for Big Bass, contestant must choose fish to we weighed.
6. The Tournament Director reserves the right to verify all fish measurements brought to the scales.
7. Any frozen, iced, or otherwise mangled bass presented for weigh-in will result in immediate disqualification.
8. Dead fish penalties:
   1. 1 dead fish (minus 4oz) .25lbs
   2. 2 dead fish (minus 10oz) .62lbs
   3. 3 dead fish (minus 18oz) 1.12lbs
   4. 4 dead fish (minus 28oz) 1.75lbs
   5. 5 dead fish (minus 40oz) 2.5lbs
9. Any Big Bass that is deceased will reflect the dead fish penalty of minus 4oz (.25lbs).
10. The Golden Rule Tournament Ruler is the official measuring tool for each tournament.
11. All contestants are responsible for the care of their own fish.
12. There will be a one (1) pound penalty for each short fish, and the loss of that fish to your total catch.
13. One courtesy bump is allowed prior to the official weigh-in with permission of the Tournament Director.

Section 4: Ties

1. Ties for overall weight will be broken by the following: (in order)
   1. Most fish
   2. Heaviest Fish
   3. Flip of a coin
2. Ties for overall Big Bass will be broken by the following: (in order)
   1. Most fish
   2. Heaviest Overall Bag
   3. Flip of a coin

Section 5: Protests

1. All protests must be filed within 15 minutes of the tournament scales closing or before the money has been awarded or distributed

Section 6: Check-In Late Penalty

1. One (1) pound per minute, up to ten (10) minutes, after ten minutes your catch is disqualified, no exceptions.
2. All contestants must check-in with appointed tournament officials.
3. All contestants must be inside the designated off-limits by the end of stated tournament hours.

Article VI: Tournament Payback

Section 1: Funds

1. Payback per the payout schedule.
2. 100% payback for Big Bass.
3. If no member catches a legal fish, then all tournament fees, including Big Bass pot, will go to the next club tournament. The tournament fee for increase prize moneys will be $50 for same repeat participants and $100 for new signup.

Section 2: Payout

1. 1 to 5 members fish, pays 1 place.
2. 6 to 10 members fish, pays 2 places.
3. 11 to 15 members fish, pays 3 places.
4. 16 or more members fish pays 4 places.

Payout Schedule

Members Fishing	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	BB	Club
5	100.00	X	X	X	25.00	125.00
6	81.00	50.00	X	X	30.00	139.00
7	95.00	57.00	X	X	35.00	163.00
8	108.00	65.00	X	X	40.00	187.00
9	125.00	75.00	X	X	45.00	205.00
10	135.00	81.00	X	X	50.00	234.00
11	149.00	89.00	59.00	X	55.00	198.00
12	162.00	97.00	65.00	X	60.00	216.00
13	176.00	105.00	70.00	X	65.00	234.00
14	189.00	113.00	76.00	X	70.00	252.00
15	202.00	122.00	81.00	X	75.00	270.00
16	206.00	126.00	84.00	51.00	80.00	253.00
17	219.00	134.00	89.00	55.00	85.00	268.00
18	232.00	142.00	95.00	58.00	90.00	283.00
19	245.00	150.00	100.00	61.00	95.00	299.00
20	257.00	158.00	105.00	64.00	100.00	316.00
21	270.00	166.00	111.00	68.00	105.00	330.00
22	283.00	174.00	116.00	71.00	110.00	346.00
23	296.00	182.00	121.00	74.00	115.00	362.00
24	309.00	192.00	136.00	77.00	120.00	378.00
25	322.00	197.00	132.00	80.00	125.00	394.00
26	339.00	211.00	140.00	82.00	130.00	398.00
27	352.00	219.00	146.00	85.00	135.00	413.00
28	365.00	227.00	151.00	88.00	140.00	429.00
29	378.00	235.00	157.00	91.00	145.00	444.00
30	391.00	243.00	162.00	95.00	150.00	459.00

Article VII: Boat Operation

1. If the boater feels there is a safety issue with the non-boater, then they can disallow the non-boater from steering the trolling motor.
2. No angler shall operate the trolling motor in any manner so as to be unsafe or to handicap and/or place their partner at a disadvantage to fish the water.

Article VIII: Boat, Motor, & Equipment

Section 1: Boats and Motors

1. Any boat 17’ feet or longer, powered by at least 75hp and be in compliance to U.S. Coast Guard approval.
2. Each boat must have a functional kill switch, bilge pump, and aerated live well system.
3. No boats powered by an engine greater than U.S. Coast Guard approval will be allowed.

Section 2: Fishing Tackle & Equipment

1. Only artificial lures and pork style bait are allowed.
2. No live bait.
3. All bass must be caught alive on rod and reel.
4. Only one rod and reel may be used at one time.
5. Use of net is allowed.
6. All fishing tackle and practices will be in compliance to Mo BASS Nation requirements and State fishing game laws.

Article IX: A.O.Y. Scoring System

Section 1: Number of Tournaments

1. Points for places at a tournament: 50-1^st, 49-2^nd, 48-3^rd, 47-4^th, 46-5^th, 45-6^th, etc., plus weight of the fish you caught that tournament.
2. A member in good standing will be scored for the best six out of total number of season tournaments fished.
3. The top 10-12 anglers in total points from their best 6 tournaments fished, plus individual club points, will be invited to represent MO-KAN Bassmasters at the Missouri State Federation Tournament at the end of October every year.
4. Places 1-5 or 6 will be considered boaters, places 6-10 or 12 will be considered non-boaters (co-anglers).
5.  For a member compete in the Missouri State Tournament “as a boater”, the member must have competed in 75% of the club tournaments as a boater.

Article X: Amending Tournament Rules

1. The tournament rules may be temporally amended for a currently schedule tournament at any regular club meeting by the Tournament Director and or President approval and with a majority vote of the members present.