Bell Helicopter Bass Club: By-Laws

By-Laws

Article I- Name and Purpose

Section 1: The name of this club is BELL HELICOPTER BASS CLUB.

Section 2: The club purpose is to provide organized competitive fishing tournaments and activities with high standards of sportsmanship designed for family participation.

Article II-Membership

Section 1: To become a member at least one person of any team must qualify with the following criteria.

A. Be a Bell Helicopter employee, retiree, or qualified vendor (with full badge privileges).

Section 2: Each member shall receive:

A. Tournament Rules

B. Club By- Laws

Section 3: Membership limits/restrictions of the Club - Unlimited membership.

Article III- Membership Dues

Section 1: The membership fee is Fifty ($50.00) dollars per year per boat/team.  Members who fish at least one tournament during the year shall have the same voting privileges as members defined in Article II, Section 1.  Immediate family members may fish out of separate boats but must pay membership fee in advance.  For rules purposes immediate family/family members are those defined in Bell Helicopter bereavement entitlements plus brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Section 2: Membership dues will be due before points can be accrued in a tournament.

Article IV- Meetings

Section 1: The monthly membership meeting has been canceled due to lack of participation. In the event meetings are to be held the following guidelines will apply.  The monthly membership meetings shall be held on the Tuesday preceding the scheduled tournament each month, unless otherwise specified. The meetings will start at 6PM at Bell Helicopter Plant 1 cafeteria in Hurst, Texas.

Section 2: The Board of Directors shall meet once per month prior to the regular membership meeting.

Section 3: Unless impractical or inconsistent with other provisions of these by-laws, all meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

Article V- By-Laws and Rule Changes

Section 1: All by-laws and rule changes must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. If suggested change is deemed by the Board of Directors to have enough merit, the subject will be brought before the voting membership for consideration. If approved by 60% of the voting members, the new change will take effect immediately following approval.

Article VI- Officers and Board of Directors (7 persons)

Section 1: The principle officers of the Club shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The officers of the Club in each year will be the members of the Board of Directors. In addition to the principle officers, three (3) members shall serve as Directors.

Section 2: Each officer will be elected by the General membership at the November meeting, and will assume their duties at the first meeting of the following year. Once elected, each officer shall hold office for one (1) year, unless he or she shall resign or be removed. The out-going officers shall relinquish all properties of the Club accumulated during their term of office.

Section 3: Two (2) directors will be elected by the General Membership at the monthly meeting in December. The third Director’s position is to be automatically filled by the out-going President. Once elected, each Director shall hold office for a year, unless he or she shall resign or be removed.

Section 4: In all elections each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Proxy votes are permitted for 2nd shift employees, only.

Section 5: The Board of Directors shall direct activities of the Club, and vote on all matters pertaining to the Club business. Board meetings will be chaired by the President or in his absence, the Vice President.

Section 6: Action taken by the Board of Directors shall be reported at each monthly meeting of the Club. Such action shall be deemed ratified unless objected to by any member- at which time a vote by members present shall be taken to either approve or reject such action.

Section 7: The Board of Directors, headed by the President, shall be responsible for procuring all awards and trophies.

Section 8: President - The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Club and shall preside at all meetings. Vice President - The Vice President in the absence of the President shall assume duties of the President and in addition, he shall assume the position of Tournament Director. Secretary - The Secretary shall attend all meetings and keep minutes of the meetings and shall prepare and keep all records of the Club. He/she shall further receive all applications for membership. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the Club and collecting dues. The Treasurer is responsible for Accounts.

Article VII- Finance

Section 1: All funds of the Bell Helicopter Bass Club shall be deposited in a bank, (River Bend National Bank) as designated by the Board of Directors. All disbursement of funds be by numbered checks drawn by the Treasurer and the President on dual signature checks.

Section 2: Any returned checks given by a member must be redeemed in cash before the member can fish another tournament. If the bank charges a fee for the returned check, the member will be responsible for that fee.

Article VIII- Expulsion

Section 1: Any member may be expelled from the Club by the Board of Directors for misconduct. If six (6) members separately submit a written complaint concerning a member of the Board of Directors within the calendar year, the member may be expelled from the Club by the Board of Directors. The member being challenged has the right to hear the complaint and make a written comment to the Board of Directors regarding the charge of misconduct. The Board of Directors may accept a request for verbal comment. The expelled member has no right to appeal the final decision of the board.

Article IX- Liability

Section 1: Neither Bell Helicopter Textron nor Bell Helicopter Bass Club will be liable or responsible in any way for accidents, injuries, loss of life, or loss due to theft or acts of nature, in connection with activities of the Bell Helicopter Bass Club.

Article II changed          Feb 2012

Article III changed        Feb 2012