bylaws

THAT WHEREAS, on or about the 20^th day of June, 1974, Joe Chacon, Jr., representative of SAN ANTONIO BASS CLUB, R.B. "Doc" Tuggle and Al Pancoast, representatives of TRIPLE XXX BASS CLUB, and Russ Abbot, Paul Schmedicke, R.L. McQuatters, and Jack Lewis, representatives of MISSION CITY BASS CLUB, did gather to discuss and organize the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs;

And WHEREAS all concurred in the organization of said league for the purpose of establishing a community for the promotion of the mutual interests of the bass clubs in the San Antonio metropolitan area, of encouraging true comradeship between the metropolitan area bass clubs, of promoting participation by such bass clubs in environmental, conservation, and civic endeavors pertaining to and affecting bass clubs, including but no limited to the active participation by such clubs in the protection and development of the sport of bass fishing, and for the further purpose of establishing and organizing the annual San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs Tournament, formerly known as the City Bass Club Championship Tournament.

NOW THEREFORE, be it hereinafter known that we, the undersigned, hereinafter known as members of the SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN LEAGUE OF BASS CLUBS, do elect to have our functions governed by the following By-laws.

The San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs BY-Laws have been reviewed and revised by the 2005 Board of Trustees. Now and hereinafter do elect to have our functions and activities governed by the following By-Laws.

PREAMBLE
(1974 revised 3/16/2005)

The purpose of establishing a community for the promotion of the mutual interests of the bass clubs in the San Antonio metropolitan area, of encouraging true comradeship between the metropolitan area bass clubs, of promoting participation by such bass clubs in environmental, conservation, and civic endeavor pertaining to and effecting bass clubs, including but not limited to the active participation by such clubs in the protection and development of the sport of bass fishing, and strive to practice "live release" of all fish caught wherever possible; and for the further purpose of establishing and organizing the annual San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs Tournament.

ARTICLE I

MEMBERS - QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. The membership of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall consist of those organizations which actively further the sport of bass fishing and which have applied for and received membership acceptance from a majority of the Board of Trustees of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs.

VOTING RIGHTS

SECTION 2. Each member club, regardless of the number of its elected representatives, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 3. The Board of Trustees may, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the members of the Board, suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing and may, by a majority vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel any member who shall be in default in the payment of dues fixed by these By-Laws.

RESIGNATION

SECTION 4. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary, but such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other charges theretofore accrued and unpaid.

REINSTATEMENT

SECTION 5. Upon written request signed by a former member and filed with the Secretary, the Board of Trustees may, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members, reinstate such former member to membership on such terms as the Board of Trustees may deem appropriate.

DUES

SECTION 6. Annual membership dues payable to the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall not be less than $25.00 or more than $50.00. Subject thereto, the Board of Trustees shall determine, from time to time, by resolution, the dues to be assessed to its members.

PAYMENT OF DUES

SECTION 7. Dues shall be payable by the first meeting in January in each fiscal year. Dues of a new member shall be prorated from the first day of the month in which such new member is elected to membership for the remainder of the fiscal year of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs.

DEFAULT AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 8. When any member shall be in default in the payment of dues for a period of two months from the beginning of the fiscal year or period for which such dues become payable, its membership may thereupon be terminated by the Board of Trustees as heretofore provided by these By-Laws.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 9. Honorary Membership shall be used for outstanding cases, such as generous treatment to Metro by a person/organization. Honorary membership shall be limited to such an extent that it shall not be conferred indiscriminately, and the honorary Member shall be made to feel that he/she has, in fact, been honored. Honorary Members shall be elected by a majority of the Board of Trustees and shall have all the privileges of active members.

ARTICLE II

TRUSTEES DUTIES

SECTION 1. The business and affairs of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall be managed by its Board of Trustees.

NUMBER

SECTION 2. The Board of Trustees shall consist of as many trustees as number of member clubs, in good standing, in the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs. Each trustee shall be an agent for and shall function as a representative of a member club, and shall be chosen in a manner acceptable to his/her principal bass club. Each trustee elected or chosen shall hold office for one full year, except as hereinafter provided.

REMOVAL

SECTION 3. Any trustee may be removed for cause, at a meeting of his/her principal bass club, by the affirmative vote of a majority of such club’s members present at such meeting and entitled to vote for the election of such trustee. If any vacancies occur in the Board of Trustees, whether by death, resignation, disqualification, or removal, the member club experiencing a loss of representation shall elect its successor trustee, and each successor trustee so chosen shall serve for the unexpired term of his/her predecessor in office.

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SECTION 4. The first meeting of each newly elected Board shall be held not later than the third week of January of each year, at a place designated by the Chairman, unless, by unanimous consent of the trustees then elected and serving, such time or place shall be changed by their declaration.

Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by the chairman on at least three days notice to each trustee, either personally, by mail, or by telephone. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairman whenever deemed necessary, in like manner and on like notice, and shall also be called on the written request of two San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs’ trustees. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting, need be specified in a notice except when such meeting has been called on the request of two trustees as heretofore provided.
At all meetings of the Board of Trustees the presence of a simple majority shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the trustees present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Trustees, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by these By-Laws. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the trustees, the trustees present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

ARTICLE III

NOTICES

SECTION 1. Whenever, under the provisions of these By-Laws, notice is required to be given to any trustee, and no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, it shall be construed to mean personal notice, but any such notice may be given in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to each trustee at such address as appears on the books of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs. Any notice required or permitted to be given by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be thus deposited in the U.S. Mail as aforesaid.

ARTICLE IV

ELECTED OFFICIALS OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The officers of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall be elected by the members of the Board of Trustees and shall be a Chairman, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. The Board of Trustees may also choose a Vice-Chairman and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and/or agents as needed.

The Board of Trustees shall elect, at a meeting called for the month of December from within the general membership of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs, a Chairman of the Board to serve for the ensuing year. During the Chairman’s tenure of office, voting privileges shall be limited to and shall be exercised solely in the event of a tie vote on any matter properly before the Board. The Chairman’s bass club should elect another trustee to replace the chairman as their representative.
The Board of Trustees, at its first meeting in the month of December of each year, shall elect a Secretary, a Treasurer, and other officers as aforesaid, to serve during its ensuing year.
Each officer of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall hold office for one year from the date of election or until a successor is chosen and qualified or until resignation or removal. In the event such officer has been removed from serving as trustee by his/her parent club, such removal will not be mandate to the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs to remove such individual from office, and he/she may continue to serve in such capacity at the will of the Board of Trustees. In the event of the removal of a trustee holding office, as aforesaid, such officer, if allowed to continue to serve by the Board of Trustees, will relinquish all voting rights on any San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs business. Further, in the event of a removal as aforesaid, the member club removing such trustee shall be allowed to select its successor representative and to appoint such representative on the Board, with all rights and privileges afforded to any other trustee. Nothing stated herein shall be construed to limit the Board of Trustees’ inherent power to remove any of its officers from office for cause, and an officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of the majority of the whole Board of Trustees. If any office becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Trustees.

CHAIRMAN

SECTION 2. The Chairman shall be the executive officer of the San Antonio Metropolitan league of Bass Clubs and shall preside at all meetings of trustees and shall have general and active management of the business and affairs of the League, including the power of appointment, subject to the will of the Board of Trustees. The Chairman shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, and shall perform other duties, as the Board of Trustees shall prescribe.

VICE-CHAIRMAN

SECTION 3. The Vice-Chairman, when elected, shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe of\r as the Chairman may from time to time delegate to him/her. During the absence of the Chairman from a meeting of the Board of Trustees, and with the concurrence of the Board, the Vice-Chairman shall serve as presiding officer.

SECRETARY

SECTION 4. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees and shall record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in the book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Board of Trustees and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees or the Chairman, under whose supervision the office shall be, and shall keep in safe custody the records of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs.

SECTION 5. Each Assistant Secretary(s), when elected or appointed, shall have such power and perform such duties as the Board of Trustees delegates.

TREASURER

SECTION 6. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements for the League and shall deposit all moneys in the name and to the credit of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the League as may be ordered by the Board of Trustees, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chairman and the Board of Trustees, at the regular meeting of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his/her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the League, and shall perform such duties as the Board of Trustees may prescribe.

SECTION 7. Each Assistant Treasure(s), when elected or appointed, shall have such power and perform such duties as the Board of Trustees delegates.

ARTICLE V

GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHECKS

SECTION 1. All checks or demand for money of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of trustees may from time to time designate.

FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 2. The fiscal year of the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs shall begin on the first day of December and end on the thirtieth day of November in each year.

ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed by majority vote at any meeting of the Board of Trustees at which a quorum is present.

SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN LEAGUE OF BASS CLUBS
GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR
ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN LEAGUE OF BASS CLUBS TOURNAMENT
(1986 revised 3/16/2005)

1. Normally, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees will appoint a Metro League member to serve as Tournament Chairman. This individual may, if he/she so desires, select one or more persons to assist. Should the Chairman of the Board choose not to appoint a Tournament Chairman, the responsibility for aspects of the Tournament shall fall upon the Board of Trustees as a group.

3. The site of the Tournament will be determined by majority vote of the members of the Board of Trustees. Site selection should be completed as early as possible in the year to allow adequate time for contact with proprietors of potential Tournament headquarters.

4. The Tournament fee will be determined by majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

5. Any member in good standing of a current Metro League member club is eligible to compete in the Tournament.

6. When required, judges will be appointed from among the members of the Board of Trustees by the Tournament Chairman or, it no Tournament Chairman, by majority of the Board. 8. Awards, in the form of trophies or plaques, will be awarded to:

The club having the heaviest combined stringer weight of its top 8 fishermen for the two days of the Tournament.
The individual weighing in the single heaviest bass.
The individual weighing in the heaviest two-day total stringer weight.

7. Actual weighing of the fish both days will be done by the Board of Trustees or its designee.

8. Scales will be verified for accuracy prior to their use.

9. Measurement of fish will be determined according to Texas State law.

10. The Tournament Chairman will be the official timer for the tournament. In his/her absence, or if no Tournament Chairman is appointed, the Chairman of the Board will serve in this capacity.

11. A meal may be served after the Saturday weigh-in. The price of the meal will be determined by the Board of Trustees.

12. Duties for the Tournament, which will be assigned to member clubs by lot at a regular business meeting preceding the tournament.

13. A letter detailing the Tournament rules shall be established and published to all Trustees within a minimum 30 days prior to the Tournament.

14. After the completion of the Tournament, the Tournament Chairman, or if not Tournament Chairman appointed, the Chairman of the Board is required to present a written after action statement to the Board of Directors to include Tournament results and financial obligations.

SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN LEAGUE OF BASS CLUBS
General Rules and Guidelines for Tournament of Champions
(1986 revised 3/16/2005)

1. A Chairman may be elected by the Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs Board of Trustees to serve as designee on behalf of the Board of Trustees to organize and manage the Tournament of Champions. The Chairman is required to keep the Metro Chairman informed of current status.

2. The Tournament of Champions may be held in conjunction with the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs Tournament or as otherwise voted by the Trustees. After the dates have been set, no change may be made unless thirty (30) days prior notice is given to all member clubs of the League.

3. The site of the Tournament of Champions will be determined by majority vote of the members of the Board of Trustees. Site selection should be completed as early as possible in the year to allow adequate time for contact with proprietors of potential Tournament headquarters.

4. All entries into the TOC, MUST qualify as a TOC entry. In order to be qualified to fish the TOC, you must have won any division i.e., Men’s Division – Ladies Division – Junior Division – Big Bass for any given year within a club that is an existing member or a past member of Metro. If you have NOT won a division within a club that is a present or past member of Metro, you will not be allowed to enter the TOC. METRO clubs must submit list of persons who qualify and plan to fish the TOC. The officers of Metro will verify that clubs are present or past members of METRO and qualify for the TOC.

5. When required, judges will be appointed from among the members of the Board of Trustees by the Chairman.

6. Trophies or plaques will be awarded:

The individual weighing in the heaviest stringer in his/her/junior division.
The individual weighing in the single heaviest bass.

Side Money Pot: Entry Fee $35.00 per person. 100% Pay Back; Pay Back Heavy Stringer ($25.00) (3 Places 50%, 30%, 20%) Pay Back TOC Big Bass ($10.00) (3 Places 50%, 30%, 20%).

7. Actual weighing of fish both days will be done by the Board of Trustees or their assigns.

8. Scales will be verified for accuracy prior to their use.

9. Measurement of fish will be determined according to state law.

10. The Chairman will be the official timer for the tournament. In his absence, the Chairman of the Board will serve in this capacity.

11. A letter detailing the Tournament rules shall be established and published to all Trustees a minimum of 30 days prior to the Tournament.

12. At the completion of this Tournament, the Chairman is required to present an after action report to include final standings and financial obligations to the Board of Directors.

SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN LEAGUE OF BASS CLUBS
GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL

Metro Terminal Illness Freedom Fund (TIFF) Open Team Tournament.

(ADDED 3/16/2005)

This tournament will be an annual tournament to help Metro families diagnosed with a terminal illness.

2. This Tournament will be held annually on a weekend agreed upon by the Board of Trustees. After the dates have been set, no change may be made unless thirty (30) days prior notice is given to all member clubs of the League. This tournament should be scheduled for a Sunday each year, with an official pre-fish day on the Saturday, the day before the tournament.

4. The Tournament fee will be determined by majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

5. Any member in good standing of a current Metro League member club is eligible to compete in the Tournament.

6. When required, judges will be appointed from among the members of the Board of Trustees by the Tournament Chairman or, it no Tournament Chairman, by majority of the Board.

7. Cash prizes will be awarded with 1^st & 2^nd Place Teams guaranteed by METRO. Additional prizes according to number of entries will also be awarded.

8. Actual weighing of the fish both days will be done by the Board of Trustees or its designee.

9. Scales will be verified for accuracy prior to their use.

10. Measurement of fish will be determined according to Texas State law.

11. The Tournament Chairman will be the official timer for the tournament. In his/her absence, or if no Tournament Chairman is appointed, the Chairman of the Board will serve in this capacity.

12. Duties for the Tournament, which will be assigned to member clubs by lot at a regular business meeting preceding the tournament.

13. A letter detailing the Tournament rules shall be established and published to all Trustees within a minimum 30 days prior to the Tournament.

SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN LEAGUE OF BASS CLUBS
Guidelines for Annual Awards Ceremony
(As of June 1995)

1. Normally, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees will appoint a member of the Board to serve as Chairman of the Awards Ceremony Committee; this individual will select a number of persons to serve on this committee. Should the Chairman of the Board choose not to appoint a Committee Chairman, the duties outlined below will be carried out by the Board of Trustees.

2. The date for this annual function will be announced as early in the year as possible by the Awards Ceremony Committee Chairman. A prime consideration in date selection should be achievement of maximum attendance by Metro members.

3. While the format for the Annual Awards Ceremony is flexible, it should consist of, at a minimum, a formal presentation of end-of-year Metro awards, including, but not limited to, those awards listed in paragraph 4 below. Other activities, such as dinner, a dance, or a guest speaker, may be included as part of the Awards Ceremony at the discretion of the committee.

4. The Awards to be given out at the Annual metro Awards Ceremony are as follows:

For the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Cubs Tournament:
1. Plaque or trophy to the winning club, with engraved names of the top 8 members.
2. Plaque or trophy to the contestant weighing in the heaviest stringer.
3. Plaque or trophy to the contestant weighing in the heaviest bass.
4. Metro League Champion patches to all members of the winning club who were contestants.
For the Metro Tournament of Champions (if held):

Plaque or trophy to the contestant weighing in the heaviest stringer.
Plaque of trophy to the contestant weighing in the heaviest bass.
Other plaques or trophies, depending on the total number of contestants.

For the Metro City Championship Casting Tournament (if held):
1. Plaque or trophy, plus a patch, to each member of the winning team.
2. Individual plaques or trophies to winners in Men’s, Woman’s Intermediate, and Junior divisions.
For the Annual Boysville Tournament: **
1. Patches (or rockers) to all who participated.
2. Other pertinent plaques, trophies, or certificates.
Special metro Awards to Individuals, Groups, etc.
For the Metro Sportsperson of the Year: Plaque or trophy to the individual selected as the Sportsperson of the year.

5. Every effort should be made to publicize the actual Awards Ceremony and the names of all award recipients through local news media. ** Patches, plaques, trophies, etc., for the Boysville Tournament will be supplied by the Towne and Country Optimist Club.

Revised 3/16/05Voted and accepted by all clubs present at monthly Metro meeting