By laws
TEXAS BASS FEDERATION
(TEXAS TBF)
Effective 6/1/2016
BY-LAWS DOCUMENT
ARTICLE 1 – Name and Purpose
Section 1 – Name
This organization shall be called “Texas TBF”, located in the State of Texas. The Federation is organized
exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(7) of the Internal
Revenue Code (IRC) and shall not act so as to impair its eligibility under this IRC section.
Section 2 – Purpose
The primary purpose of the Texas TBF, shall be to promote conservation of our natural resources, be involved with
youth incentives, and preserve and promote the sport of recreational and competitive bass fishing.
ARTICLE 2 – Membership
Section 1 – Requirements of Membership
a) Membership in the Texas TBF. shall be open to members of TBF, Inc. and meet one (1) of the following
requirements
1) Join an existing affiliated Chapter Club located in the State of Texas.
2) Form a new Chapter Club, which in turn, meets the requirements of TBF, Inc. and Texas TBF.
Section 2 – Denial of Membership
a) No person shall be denied membership in the Texas TBF, because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry,
handicap, age, or sex.
Section 3 – Membership Dues
a) Each member in the Texas TBF shall pay their annual dues to their respective affiliated Club, which in turn will
submit to Texas TBF. The annual due will include National TBF Dues (currently $15, FLW Dues (currently $35, and
Texas TBF Dues (currently $15). Please note that these are the current dues for 2016 and could change going forth.
ARTICLE 3 –Directors, Elections, Terms of Office, Vacancies, and Eligibility
Section 1 – Directors
a) The Texas TBF will be governed by a Board of Directors composed of five (5) members.
b) The Board of Directors is empowered to run the business of the Texas TBF.
Section 2 – Elections
a) Each year, usually at the Top 6 Tournament, elections will be held for Directors for the next 2 years. Each club
present at the meeting will be allowed 1 vote. In the event of a tie, any proxy votes cast will then be counted. If a tie
remains after the proxy votes are counted, we will use flip of a coin.
Section 3 – Terms of Office
a) Directors shall be elected for a two (2) year term of office.
Section 4 – Vacancies
a) Vacancies shall be filled for the rest of its term by a majority vote of the Chapters present at the next regular or
specially called meeting of the Federation.
Section 5 – Eligibility
a) Be a member in good standing of an active Chapter of the Texas TBF., for at least one (1) year prior to
nomination.
ARTICLE 4 – Committees
Section 1 – Standing Committees
a) The President shall from time to time appoint annually from the Federation membership Committee’s to review
1) Youth Activities.
2) Environmental / Conservation issues.
3) Tournaments.
4) Membership.
5) Review of By-Laws.
6) Any other special committees as needed.
ARTICLE 5 – Removal of Membership/Disciplinary Action
Section 1 – Removal of Membership
a) Those clubs and/or individuals who have not fulfilled their obligations to TBF, Inc. or Texas TBF, can be disciplined
or eliminated from the membership of the Texas TBF and will forfeit their dues paid. Obligations are as listed.
1) Voluntarily express a genuine membership interest and have or be on an initial roster of no less than six (6)
members.
2) Submit a complete and accurate roster of all members as well as a listing of club officers.
3) Pay annual dues as required.
4) Follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation.
5) Conduct in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to TBF National, Texas TBF, all affiliated sponsors, the
sport of fishing, and all efforts to promote the sport of fishing.
6) Violation of or failure to comply with any of the bylaws or standing rules for the Texas TBF.
7) Consumption and/or possession of any illegal or non-prescribed drug during a TBF sponsored event.
8) Suspension/disqualification from any fishing tournament or other fishing organization for convicted illegal
activities.
9) Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote the Texas TBF, youth,
conservation, safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules.
Section 2 – Disciplinary Action
a) In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined in Article 5 Section 1, the Board will notify an
existing member or Chapter that all Texas TBF rights and privileges are suspended until they are placed before the
Texas TBF at the next membership meeting for review to determine appropriate disciplinary action, consisting of but
not limited to the following.
1) Refusal of an application for membership.
2) Refusal of an application to compete.
3) Deny a confirmed application to compete by returning the entry fee (minus deposits).
4) Disqualify a contestant.
5) Place a member on probation for a set period of time.
6) A lifetime ban from the organization.
ARTICLE 6 – Motions and Voting
Section 1 – Motions
a) Any affiliated Chapter having voting rights may place motions before the membership by way of their
representative.
Section 2 – Voting
a) All eligible Chapter Presidents or their designees shall vote on all matters before the membership.
a) In case of a tie, we will flip a coin.
ARTICLE 7 – Definitions
Section 1 – Policies
a) Policies are principles, rules, and guidelines formulated or adopted by an organization to reach its long-term goals.
They are designed to influence and determine all major decisions and actions, and all activities take place within the
boundaries set by them. (Reference – BusinessDictionary.com/definition /policies-and-procedures.html)
Section 2 – Procedures
a) Procedures are the specific methods employed to express policies in action in day-to-day operations of the
organization. Together, policies and procedures ensure that a point of view held by the governing body of an
organization is translated into steps that result in an outcome compatible with that view. (Reference –
BusinessDictionary.com/definition/policies-and-procedures.html)
Section 3 – Standing Rules
a) A standing rule is a rule that relates to the details of the administration of a society and which can be adopted or
changed the same way as any other act of the deliberative assembly. Standing rules can be suspended by a majority
vote for the duration of the session, but not for longer. (Reference – Robert, Henry M. (2000). Robert’s Rules of
Order Newly Revised, 10th ed., p.18)
ARTICLE 8 – Will Codicil
Section 1 –
a) In the event that the Texas TBF ceases to exist as an organization, ALL monies in the general fund after all debts
have been paid, will be distributed to a non-profit organization to be determined at such time by the board.
POLICIES / STANDING RULES DOCUMENT
1. Robert’s Rules of Order will be followed (unless it is different from a Texas TBF By-law, Policies / Standing Rule or
Procedure).
2. The Board of Directors shall annually hold at least one (1) general Federation membership meetings each year to
conduct the business of the Federation.
3. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or by a majority vote of the Chapters
representative at any regular meeting.
4. The Texas TBF’s operating year shall be from November 1 to October 31.
5. If at all possible, all Board of Directors should attempt to participate in all of Texas TBF Federation regular
scheduled meetings.
6. The incumbent Board shall receive written nomination for the Director’s election from any active Chapter. Each
Chapter eligible to vote may submit one (1) vote per vacancy ( example: if five (5) vacancies exist the Chapter may
submit up to five (5) votes, with no more than one (1) vote per candidate.) The election shall be held, by secret
ballot, at the first Federation meeting of each new operating year, usually at the Top 6 event. Only Chapter
Presidents or delegates present may vote. In the event of a tie, we will use proxy votes for those that could not
attend meeting. All votes shall be opened, read aloud, tallied and reported to the Chapter President and delegates
immediately. If a tie exists after the proxy votes, we will flip a coin.
7. Any Director may be removed from office, for just cause by a two/thirds (2/3) vote of the board.
8. The amount of the dues will be determined by the Board of Directors at the first board meeting of the year.
9. Chapters not paying dues will lose all voting rights in Federation business, eligibility for the State Championship
that year, and eligibility for all other Federation activities.
10. The Board shall retain powers necessary for the efficient conductance of the Federations business when no
General Meeting is in progress.
11. All Directors present will be entitled to vote on all matters requiring vote before the Board, the President votes
only to break a tie.
12. A quorum must be present to vote on all matters requiring a vote. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the
Chapters representatives.
13. All bylaw change motions must be submitted in writing by a Chapter to the Federation Secretary at a general
Federation meeting under new business and must be seconded to proceed. If seconded, discussion will then take
place. Bylaw changes will then be voted on at the next scheduled membership meeting.
14. The Secretary will send out notice of any Bylaw motions to all chapter representatives a minimum of 30 days
prior to the meeting.
15. Each Chapter at a meeting for any Bylaw or Policies / Standing Rules motions will get one (1) vote, proxy votes
will be used only if a tie exists.
16. A 2/3 majority of votes will be required for any Bylaw motion to be passed.
17. The vote for a Bylaw or Policies / Standing Rules motion shall be a roll call vote.
18. All Policies / Standing Rules motions must be submitted in writing to the Federation Secretary at a general
Federation meeting under new business and must be seconded to proceed. If seconded, discussion will then take
place. A vote then may be taken.
19. A simple majority of votes will be required for any Policies / Standing Rules motion to be passed.
20. Each Bylaw or Policies / Standing Rules motion can only be submitted once per calendar year by said chapter.
21. Procedures shall be a guideline for the Board of Directors, and shall be governed by such.
22. Reference Article 5, Section 2 a) Only a TBF member or Chapter may submit in writing to the board any and all
charges of violations committed by a member or chapter at any time. Charges must be detailed, dated, and signed.
23. Reference Article 5, Section 2 a) The Board will determine the disciplinary action to be taken against each charge
brought forth.
24. Reference Article 5, Section 2 a) The member or Chapter in violation shall be notified by the board of such
violation within 7 calendar days, in writing, by certified mail.
25. Reference Article 5, Section 2 a) A 2/3 majority of votes will be required for any disciplinary action motion to be
passed.
26. The President or his appointed committee shall select annually, the Federation event sites and dates.
27. A Chapter must appear on the Federation Roster the current year to be eligible for the State Championship.
Procedures
1. Meetings will be November, and possibly in the spring. The November meeting will be a general membership
meeting, where elections will be conducted.
2. All newly elected Directors shall assume office at the conclusion of the November general meeting.
3. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Board and general meetings of the Federation, direct all
official business, supervise all Federation activities, appoint and be ex-officio member of all standing and special
committees, be official representative of the Federation in relationship to other organizations, delegate such duties as
may be appropriate to better serve the Federation, and maintain liaison with the TBF, Inc.
4. The Vice-President shall assist the President upon request, preside in the absence of the President, and assume
the office of the President if it should be vacated. They shall attend National meetings if money is available as well as
when requested by the National TBF.
5. The Secretary/Treasurer/Webmaster shall record accurate minutes of all meetings. They will be responsible for
distribution of the minutes to all Chapters, as well as call meetings of the Federation and /or Board of Directors as
directed by the President. He shall receive and disburse all monies upon approval of the Board. Maintain accurate
financial records and present a current financial statement including but not limited to an income statement and
balance sheet at each scheduled membership meeting. The Treasurer shall prepare and submit an annual budget to
the membership for the beginning of each operating year, at the first general membership meeting of that year. He
shall also maintain the Texas TBF website. This position will be paid $100 per year to cover expenses such as Domain
renewals, Website hosting, postage, envelopes, etc.
6. The Conservation Director shall act as Texas TBF representative to the various local, state, and national
conservation issues and efforts.
7. The Youth Director shall run the annual youth qualifier tournament.
8. The President shall appoint another director to assume the duties of a vacant office until a successor is elected.
9. Annual dues from members shall be sent to the secretary/treasurer, made payable to the Texas TBF.
10. The President shall present event sites and dates to the membership at the appropriate time.
11. Directors will not be reimbursed for expenses unless approved by the board. Some expenses that may be
approved would be required permits, lodging and mileage (at current IRS rate) if a special meeting is called by the
Texas TBF, and any other documented federation related expenses that are approved by the board.
Offices
1. Registered Office. The registered office for the Texas TBF shall be the home residence or
domicile of the current sitting Secretary/Treasurer, or at the President of the Federation
home resident or domicile if the Secretary/Treasurer is incapacitated or has been removed
from office in accordance with these Bylaws. The registered office shall revert back to the
Secretary/Treasurer’s home residence or domicile upon him regaining capacity or upon
election of a new Secretary/ Treasurer.
Income and Dues
1. The Use of Funds. Funds for the support and maintenance of the Federation will be derived from
membership dues, fundraisers, assessments, special projects and donations. No donations or
financial assistance will be accepted from individuals, businesses, corporations or government
agencies if there is evidence that the goals of these entities are contrary to the goals of the
Federation.
2. Dues. Cost of dues will be considered on a yearly basis by the Executive Committee and
presented to the Board for consideration and a vote at the November Board meeting. They
payment of club annual dues will start November 1 each year for the next calendar year.
Individual membership dues will be paid to the member’s Club Secretary.
3. State Tournament Funding. State tournament revenue shall be used to fund state tournament
function solely.