Club Bylaws

Puyallup Hawg Hunters

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Constitution & Bylaws
Tournament Rules
Award Criteria
9/10/24

Constitution & Bylaws
Changes in Green from 7/5/23

Article I Section I Name: Puyallup Hawg Hunters Bass Club of Puyallup, Washington.

Article I Section II Purpose: 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 attention to their crime. To improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas, to promote and encourage youth fishing, and a love for this great recreation. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other clubs embracing principles and purpose of the Washington B.A.S.S. Nation and Washington TBF.

Article I Section III Term of Existence: The term of existence shall be infinite or until such time as 100% of the membership vote to dissolve the club.

Article II Section I Number of Members: The club shall begin with and maintain at least six members, but not more than ten charter members. During the clubs first six months of existence, the total general membership (this means individual non-related club members) shall not exceed 25 members. After six months this may be altered by amendment. On 9/14/94 this was amended to 40 members. On 5/11/05 this was amended to 50 members. In August 2015 this was modified to 75 members.

Article II Section II Requirement for Membership: To become a member of this club a person must:

1. Express an interest in bass fishing. Become an associate member for a period of 6 months during which time 2 club meetings and 1 club function must be attended. (Club function - any pre-scheduled (10 days minimum prior notice) club activity other than a regular scheduled or special monthly meeting.) Notification of a club function may be given in written or verbal form. Successfully complete a boating safety course within 3 months of becoming an associate member.

2. Membership will then be affirmed by a majority vote at a general meeting.

3a. Membership level will be based on the members choice of affiliation. Whether they want to be B.A.S.S., TBF or Both. If the choose B.A.S.S. only, they follow 3b. If they choose TBF only, they follow 3c and 3d. If the member elects to be both, they must follow 3b, 3c, and 3d.

3b. Be a member of B.A.S.S. and WA B.A.S.S Nation. (See ARTICLE VI Section 1 for affiliation requirements.)3c. Be a member of The Bass Federation and WA TBF. (See ARTICLE VI Section 2 for affiliation requirements.)

3d. Be a member of FLW

4. Be a member of the state B.A.S.S. Nation.

5. A new member’s tournament points count towards the following years State Championship providing that all other membership requirements were met at the time of the event.

Article II Section II continued - Past Member Reinstatement:

1. Must have left the club in “good standing”.

2. Must meet the requirements of Section II, 2 and 3.

Article II Section III Membership Dues: The membership will be based on which affiliation the member would like to join. Dues initially payable upon being voted into the Club. When a member pays their annual dues, they must elect which affiliation they are joining for the year. Once that decision has be made and paid for, they are locked into that decision for the remainder of the year. You will not be able to adjust your affiliation afterwards until the following year.

If both TBF and B.A.S.S. are joined, the dues shall be $155 annually, $30 of which shall be for B.A.S.S. Nation dues, $25 of which shall be for Club dues, $30 of which shall be state dues, $50 of which shall be for TBF dues, and $20 of which shall go to WA TBF. B.A.S.S. membership dues are also required at the current rate. (See ARTICLE VI, Section 1 for BASS state affiliation requirements.) (See ARTICLE VI, Section 2 for TBF affiliation requirements). New member associate dues will be $130 until voted into the club.

If TBF only: Dues shall be $95 annually. $50 of which shall be for TBF dues, $20 of which shall go to WA TBF, and $25 shall go to the club. New member associate dues will be $70 until voted into the club.

If B.A.S.S. only: Dues shall be $85 annually. $30 of which shall be for B.A.S.S. Nation dues, $30 of which shall be state dues, and $25 of which shall be for Club dues. New member associate dues will be $60 until voted into the club.

The Club will pay 100% of the dues of the President and Secretary for TBF and BASS. Those 2 officer positions are required to be affiliated with TBF and BASS By-Laws. (Voted in 8/14/24)

Article II Section IV Late Dues: Members are required to pay their dues 2 weeks before their first tournament of the year. If dues are not paid by then, the member will have to fish as a Guest. No Points will be awarded and No Option Pots.

Article III - Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility:
Officers shall conduct the affairs of the Club in a manner consistent with these Bylaws. To protect the Club, B.A.S.S. Nation and TBF members, and B.A.S.S. and TBF, Club Officers may not hold positions higher than the club level within any other B.A.S.S. Nation-type or TBF organizations. In addition, the State B.A.S.S. Nation and TBF Board of Directors are required to be comprised of members who are free to serve the State and its members without a conflict of interest. B.A.S.S. Nation and TBF State Board Members and Officers are not permitted to hold positions within any other B.A.S.S. Nation-type or TBF organizations. Any State Board Member or State Officer, or an employee of any other B.A.S.S. Nation-type or TBF organization will not be permitted to hold an office within the B.A.S.S. Nation or TBF at any level.

Article III Section I Positions & Duties:

The officers of the club shall consist of:

1. President: Presides over all meetings and directs all official business. Appoints and directs all committee functions. Supervises all club functions.

2. Secretary: Maintains accurate minutes of all meetings. Maintains regular liaison between other clubs and the State Federation.

3. Tournament Director: Presides over all tournaments and their functions.

4. Treasurer: Maintains accurate financial records. Presents the financial report at each meeting.

5. Vice President: In the absence of the President assumes the Presidents duties.

Article III Section II Elections: The elections of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of September. Elections shall be done by write-in ballot. Election into office shall require a simple majority of members present. Election for each office shall be held separately in the order listed in Article III Section I.

Article III Section III Term of Office: The term of office is one year, which begins on October 1 and ends on the last meeting of September or until the successor assumes office. The original slate of officers shall serve until the last meeting day of the following September

Article III Section IV Vacancies: In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office.

Article III Section V Eligibility for Holding Office: To be eligible for an office a member must:

1. Have been a member for six months. (Six months requirement waived during the first twelve months of the club.)

2. Have attended at least 3/4 of the club meetings and 3/4 of the club functions.

3. Maintain current B.A.S.S. membership or TBF or both (depending on the members choice).

Article IV Section I Amending the Constitution and By-Laws: The constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by 2/3 vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.

Article V Section I Removal of Membership: A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following:

1. Failure to pay dues.

2. Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace to the club.

3. Failure to attend 50% of the club meetings and 50% of the club functions during a 12 month period, unless prior notification of absence intent is presented to a club officer and absence is authorized. Acceptable reasons for excusal shall be limited to work commitment, other higher level BASS or TBF business or activity, illness, immediate family illness, injury or emergency and/or situations beyond members reasonable control. Final determination of excusal acceptability will be made by a majority vote of club officers. If unable to determine a majority vote, a third party club member (charter member if available) shall be selected by the club president to resolve the vote.

4. Any member who qualifies to fish a B.A.S.S. Nation or TBF tournament from the Puyallup Hawg Hunters Club must fish for the Hawg Hunters (no other club to which they belong) or relinquish their membership in the Puyallup Hawg Hunters Bass Club.

5. Failure for a second time to pay launch, camping or other agreed upon fees at an event where special arrangements were made for the entire club.

Article VI Affiliation:

Section I: Requirements for BASS Affiliation

(a) Approval of Club charter by B.A.S.S..

(b) Update B.A.S.S. with Club membership roster once each year. Annual update cycle begins each year on Nov. 1.

(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the Club during the year must be submitted online to B.A.S.S. as they occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)

(d) Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership.

(e) Must affiliate with the state Nation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the state establishes for Clubs, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the Club to participate in the state qualifying tournament(s) and any other Nation-sponsored tournaments or events.

Section II: Requirements for TBF Affiliation

(a) Certification of Club Bylaws by TBF, Inc.

(b) Update TBF, Inc. with club membership roster once each year before years end.

(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the club during the year must be submitted to the state TBF, Inc. Federation as they occur. (See ARTICLE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)

(d) Maintain 100% TBF, Inc. membership.

(e) Maintain 100% FLW membership

(f) Must affiliate with a TBF affiliated State Federation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for clubs, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the club to participate in the State TBF, Inc. Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other TBF, Inc. sponsored tournaments or events.

Article VII Section I Dissolution: In the event of dissolution of this club the net assets are to be distributed 50/50 to Washington B.A.S.S. Nation and WA TBF for conservation projects.

Article VII Section I Dissolution: In the event of dissolution of this club the net assets are to be distributed to Washington B.A.S.S. Nation for conservation projects.

Article VIII Club Tournament Rules: All club tournaments shall be held in accordance with and subject to the Puyallup Hawg Hunters Tournament Rules.

Tournament Rules

1. GENERAL: A tournament committee appointed from the active membership will establish the dates, times and locations of all tournaments. All violations and/or discrepancies concerning the tournament rules, which are not clearly addressed herein, will be resolved by a final decision made by the club president and tournament director. The cost to fish a club tournament is $5.00 for club members. The cost for non club members is $10. Children 16 and under fish for free. Non club members must fish with a club member during club tournaments. All club tournament money pots are for club members only and their immediate family members ( Added October 2019).

2. SAFETY: Each contestant must practice safe boating conduct, and is required to have a coast guard approved chest life preserver. This preserver must be worn and zipped any time the combustion engine is operating. Each boat used in tournament competition will be equipped with an operating ignition kill switch, attached to the boats driver. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or intoxication on the part of any contestant during tournament hours will not be allowed. Violations of the above listed requirements will be grounds for immediate disqualification.

3. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT: Every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment. This consists of a properly charged fire extinguisher, horn or sounding device, throwable life preserver, for boats of sixteen feet or larger, flare type device where applicable, and a approved chest type life preserver for each person. Additionally, all boats must have a functioning live well, aerated to maintain a limit of bass for each contestant. Each boat shall have a contest banner displayed on the engine cowling during contest hours. It is the responsibility of all contestants to comply with the above stated requirements.

4. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: With the exception of pork baits, only artificial lures are allowed during tournaments. Absolutely no live baits will be permitted. Only one rod and reel combination are allowed in use at any one time. Other rods and reels may be in the boat ready for use. Trolling with the outboard engine is prohibited.

5. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Contestants may fish anywhere accessible by boat except areas designated as “off limits” or “no fishing” by the tournament director, local, state or federal officials. There will be a twenty-five yard buffer zone between all contestants’ boats. If a contestant wishes to fish and/or pass within that twenty-five yard zone they must obtain permission from the other boat operator. Once permission is granted to fish within that twenty-five yard zone no other contestant may be denied. There will also be a fifty-yard zone around an anchored boat. Contestants may not leave the boat to land fish. Contestants may not fish from shore, docks, float tubes, etc. during tournament hours. Contestants must leave and return to the official area specified with the tournament hours. Contestants ( boater and non boater ) that are not at the official area at the appointed time shall be penalized at the rate of one pound per minute. Any contestant fifteen minutes or more late shall lose all weight for the day (Exception: See Rule 6A below).

6. TOURNAMENT WEIGHING: Only largemouth and smallmouth bass will be weighed. The minimum size for each fish is twelve inches, mouth closed, tail fanned, on a flat board. In the event that the minimum size limit differs from the state law the state law ( including slot limits ) shall govern. Bass presented for weigh-in shorter than the minimum size shall be removed and a one-pound penalty deducted from the total weight. The limit shall be five fish, in total, unless otherwise dictated by state law. Contestants must immediately cull a fish upon boating a sixth fish. You may not cull a dead fish. Any fish that is placed in your livewell and dies must be kept as part of your limit, No contestant may have more than five fish in the live well. In the event of a breakdown or unusual circumstance another contestant may transport contestants and/or fish and the fish legally weighed. All uninjured bass must be released after the weigh in, to All uninjured bass will be released a minimum of 100 yards outside of the host marina in less than 40' of water depth after the weigh in, unless otherwise specified by tournament director.
( Updated 7/5/23 ).

6A. In the event of a breakdown or unusual circumstance another contestant may transport contestants and/or fish and the fish legally weighed. The late penalty, at the Tournament Director's discretion, will not apply to a contestant providing assistance to another contestant in the event of a breakdown or unusual circumstance but will apply to the contestant with the breakdown or unusual circumstance.

7. TOURNAMENT SCORING: The tournament standings will be determined by the weight in pounds and tenths of pounds for each contestants catch, less any applied penalties. A penalty of .4 pounds per dead fish shall be deducted from the total weight. A penalty of .4 pounds will also apply to a dead big fish and all options. Points will be awarded as follows: First place - 75 points, Second place – 74 points, etc. Contestants that participate but weigh no fish will be awarded 10 points. In cases of ties, the contestant with the biggest fish ( less any applied penalties ) will be determined the winner of the tie. Ties at the end the year will be determined by the highest total points for the year, if still tied then the highest total weight for the year, if still tied then the biggest fish of the year. Point standings will run from January 1^st through November 30^th. The highest total point score of the top five tournaments for a given year will be used to determine final standings. A member who officially represents the Puyallup Hawg Hunters Bass Club at the State BASS Federation meeting instead of fishing either day of a club tournament will receive the equivalent of first place points.

8. BOAT EXPENSE: In view of the large expense of operating and maintaining a bass boat, it is required that the non-boater share the expense of gas and oil for the competition day. A fee of $20 minimum will be paid to the boater prior to the launch on the first day of competition unless prior arrangements have been made between the boater and non-boater. Failure to pay this fee will result in the non-boater being disqualified for the tournament.

9. SPORTSMANSHIP: Any contestant, who displays poor sportsmanship, violates any tournament, state or lake fishing laws may be disqualified from the tournament.

10. Failure to pay agreed upon fees (launch, camping, etc.) at a tournament where special arrangements are made for the entire club will result in tournament disqualification for that event. Additionally a fine to be levied to the offending member or members equal to the omitted fees. The fine will need to be paid in full immediately in order to continue to participate in any club activities or events.

11. JAMBOREE: Using the Jamboree as a club tournament was voted back in July 2024.

12. TEAM DRAW TOURNAMENTS: Team draw tournaments were voted back in at the 7/12/24 club meeting. The team draw will only be scheduled on 1 of 3 bodies of water to minimize the travel concerns. These 3 bodies are Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, or Lake Tapps. The Team draw will be 1 of 7 tournaments per year. If you fish the team draw you have to enter the draw. No more choice. Only paid members can fish this event. Fishing with a family member is no longer an option from the past. In the case that there are more boaters than non-boaters, after the 1^st round of the draw has been completed the remaining boaters may reenter the 2^nd round of the draw if they don’t want to fish solo. When boaters are paired up from the 2^nd round, they will determine who’s boat to fish out of.

Award Criteria

Big Fish of the Year – Awarded to the member or associate member who catches the biggest fish at a club tournament.

Most Improved – Awarded to the member with the greatest positive point difference (must be greater than 0) between the current and immediately prior year (only the 5 highest tournaments count). At least 5 club tournaments must be fished in both years.

Angler of the Year – Awarded to the member or associate member that earns the most points in club tournaments
( only the 5 highest tournaments count ).

Rookie of the Year - Awarded to the member earning the most points in club tournaments having never fished 5 club tournaments in a prior calendar year. Highest 5 tournament results count (angler must fish 5 tournaments and never have fished 5 tournaments in a prior 2 calendar year to be eligible and has 3 years of eligibility which begins the day they become a club member beginning with the 2018 season).