By-Laws to the Constitution | Happy Hookers Fishing Club

HAPPY HOOKERS FISHING CLUB
“‘BY-LAWS”
I. MEMBERSHIP
A. MEMBERSHIP NOT TO EXCEED 30 MEMBERS.

B. ALL MEMBERS SHALL PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST 50% OF THE FISHING CONTESTS AND MEETINGS PER EACH 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. (SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE BOARD.)

C. ALL MEMBERS IN ARREARS WITH THEIR DUES ARE DROPPED FROM THE CLUB AND MUST PAY PAST DUES TO BE REINSTATED. IF THERE IS A WAITING LIST, THAT MEMBER’S NAME WILL BE PUT ON THE BOTTOM. (SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE BOARD.)

D. IF, AT ANY TIME, A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WISHES TO TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE CLUB OR RESIGN, HE MUST GIVE NOTICE TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. IF THAT MEMBER WISHES TO BE REINSTATED IN THE CLUB, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MAY REINSTATE THAT PERSON WITH PREFERENCE OVER OTHER APPLICANTS.

E. EVERY MEMBER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS ON FISHING TRIPS AND AT CLUB FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING MEETINGS, AND MAY BE EXPELLED FOR “UNSPORTSMANLIKE” CONDUCT BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD.

F. MEMBERS OF THE CLUB WILL PARTICIPATE AT AN EQUITABLE MINIMUM LEVEL, AS SET BY THE MEMBERSHIP, IN ALL FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES. LEVEL OF EXPECTED PARTICIPATION WILL BE SET BY THE MEMBERSHIP AND REVIEWED PER FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY.

G. ALL FUND-RAISING OBLIGATIONS MUST BE PAID WITHIN SIXTY(60) DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY, UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYMENT HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE FUND-RAISING CHAIR AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. MEMBERS DELINQUENT IN FUND-RAISING PAYMENT ARE INELIGIBLE FOR FISHING AWARDS.

II. DUES
A. TOTAL PAYMENT TO CLUB OF $100.00/YEAR, $50.00 OF WHICH ARE CLUB DUES TO BE PAID BY THE DECEMBER MEETING. THE REMAINING $50.00 IS MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE ANNUAL POINT PAYOUTS AND MUST BE PAID BY THE MARCH MEETING. (II.A Updated October 2008)

B. NEW MEMBERS’ FEES WILL BE PRO-RATED AT $3.00 PER MONTH FOR CLUB DUES AND MUST BE PAID IN FULL FOR THE YEAR WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER ACCEPTANCE BY THE BOARD. POINT MONEY IS PRO-RATED AT $5.00 PER REMAINING CONTEST AND MUST ALSO BE PAID WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER ACCEPTANCE BY THE BOARD.

C. MEMBERS NOT CURRENT ON DUES OR ANY OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACCUMULATING POINTS OR WINNING MONEY AT CLUB EVENTS, UNLESS A PRIOR ARRANGEMENT IS MADE WITH AND AGREED TO BY THE TREASURER AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

III. ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. BOARD MEETINGS SHALL CONVENE 30 MINUTES BEFORE REGULAR MEETINGS.
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS REGULAR MEETING
4. TREASURERS REPORT
5. CORRESPONDENCE
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. ADJOURNMENT

B. REGULAR MEETINGS
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
2. ATTENDANCE
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING
5. TREASURERS REPORT
6. CORRESPONDENCE
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
8. OLD BUSINESS
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. ADJOURNMENT

IV. AMENDMENTS
ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS MAY BE PROPOSED AT ANY REGULAR MEETING AND SECONDED. IT MUST BE READ AT THE NEXT 2 REGULAR MEETINGS AND VOTED ON AT THE THIRD MEETING AND APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE, OR IT MAY BE PASSED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF 2/3 VOTE OF THE ENTIRE CLUB MEMBERSHIP AT ANY ONE MEETING.

V. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. PRESIDENT
THE PRESIDENT SHALL PRESIDE AT ALL REGULAR MEETINGS. HE SHALL EXERCISE GENERAL SUPERVISION OVER THE AFFAIRS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CLUB AND OVERSEE AND INSURE ALL ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT. HE SHALL BE IN CHARGE OF AUDITING THE BOOKS. HE IS ALSO CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD.

B. RECORDING SECRETARY
THE RECORDING SECRETARY SHALL KEEP THE MINUTES OF ALL THE MEETINGS OF THE CLUB, WHICH SHALL BE AN ACCURATE AND OFFICIAL RECORD OF ALL BUSINESS TRANSACTED. THE RECORDING SECRETARY SHALL ALSO BE THE CUSTODIAN OF THE CLUB RECORDS AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CORRESPONDENCE. HE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING TRACK OF ATTENDANCE AT ALL CLUB FUNCTIONS HE MAY DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE TO RECORD INFORMATION FOR HIM.

C. TREASURER
THE TREASURER SHALL RECEIVE ALL CLUB FUNDS, KEEP THEM IN THE BANK OR DEPOSITORY AND PAY ALL DEBTS CONTRACTED BY THE CLUB. HE IS IN CHARGE OF THE MEMBERSHIP. HE SHALL ASSUME THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT IN HIS ABSENCE.

D. EXECUTIVE BOARD
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE CLUB SHALL CONSIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CLUB, 1 DIRECTOR, AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE FISHING COMMITTEE. THE DUTIES OF THE EXECTUTIVE BOARD SHALL BE TO CONSIDER, PROMOTE, AND TRANSACT THE BUSINESS OF THE CLUB, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP AS EXPRESSED BY VOTE AT REGULAR MEETINGS.

VI. COMMITTEES
A. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
THE MEMBERSHIP COMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WITH THE TREASURER AS THE HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE SHALL DECIDE ON:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS
2. EXPEL ALL DELINQUENT MEMBERS

B. FISHING COMMITTEE
THE FISHING COMMITTEE IS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 FISHING CONTESTS FOR THE CLUB DURING A TENURE OF ONE YEAR. THE CHAIRPERSON MAY APPOINT, AT HIS DESCRETION, A COMMITTEE TO HELP AT THESE CONTESTS. THE CLUB REIMBURSES ANY AND ALL EXPENSES INCURRED IN MAKING THESE ARRANGEMENTS, PROVIDING THEY APPLY DIRECTLY, SUCH AS PHONE CALLS, GAS, STAMPS, ETC. A RECEIPT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL REIMBURSEMENTS. THE BOARD CAN DISSAPPROVE THE FISHING COMMITTEE’S DECISION.

C. DINNER COMMITTEE
TO MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CLUB”S ANNUAL INSTALLATION DINNER. THE CHAIRPERSON SHALL SUBMIT A BUDGET TO THE MEMBERS FOR APPROVAL. THE DINNER SHALL BE HELD WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF DECEMBER.

D. PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION
FUNCTION: TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH CLUB MEMBER TO INCREASE HIS ABILITY TO CATCH FISH THROUGH PROGRAMS AND EVENTS, WHICH ARE ORIENTED TOWARDS INCREASING EACH CLUB MEMBER’S KNOWLEDGE OF FISH HABITS, STRUCTURE INTERPRETATION, FISHING TECHNIQUES AND THE USE OF FISHING AIDS. THESE PROGRAMS SHALL BE CONDUCTED AT THE END OF THE REGULAR MEETING, WHERE POSSIBLE, SO THAT THEY MAY REMAIN OPEN-ENDED.

VII. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FISHING CONTESTS
A. THE FISHING CHAIR PLANS ALL FISHING CONTESTS FROM
NOVEMBER 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31.

B. ALL MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING A FISHING CONTEST MUST PERSONALLY NOTIFY THE FISHING COMMITTEE, OR BOARD MEMBER. MEMBERS FAILING TO NOTIFY THE COMMITTEE WILL BE SUBJECT TO PAY ANY FEES APPLICABLE TO THE EVENT.

C. MEMBERS NOT CURRENT ON DUES OR ANY OTHER
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACCUMULATING POINTS OR WINNING MONEY AT CLUB EVENTS, UNLESS A PRIOR PAYMENT IS MADE WITH AND AGREED TO, BY THE TREASURER AND EXECUTIVE BOARD.

D. THE FISHING COMMITTEE SHALL DETERMINE ALL CATEGORIES FOR
FISH. ALL SPECIES OF GAME FISH LISTED IN THE BY-LAWS MAY BE ENTERED IN A CONTEST PROVIDING THEY SATISFY ANY APPLICABLE STATE GAME LAWS. WITH APPROVAL OF THE BOARD AND 30 DAY ADVANCE NOTICE, THE FISHING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN CAN CHOOSE THE SPECIES OF FISH THAT WILL QUALIFY FOR POINTS AND/OR MONEY AT ANY CONTEST. NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR UNSELECTED SPECIES. MASTER FISHERMAN AWARDS WILL QUALIFY (FOR AWARD PURPOSE ONLY) AT ALL CONTESTS.

E. ONE MUST BE A CLUB MEMBER IN ORDER TO FISH IN A CLUB
CONTEST. THE BOARD MUST APPROVE ANY EXCEPTION.

F. A MEMBER IS AWARDED 5 POINTS FOR EACH CONTEST IN WHICH A PERSON PARTICIPATES.

G. FISH CAUGHT BY EACH PERSON MUST BE ENTERED FOR THAT PERSON ONLY. ANY DEVIATION FROM THIS RULE IS SUBJ’ECT TO STRICT PUNITIVE ACTION BY THE BOARD.

H. IF A MEMBER BRINGS AN ILLEGAL FISH IN TO BE WEIGHED AT A CONTEST, THEN ALL THAT MEMBER’S FISH FOR THAT CONTEST ARE DISQUALIFIED. (ILLEGAL FISH AS DEFINED BY STATE LAW, WHICH INCLUDES LENGTHS AND LIMITS FOR A PARTICULAR LAKE.)

I. THE FISHING CHAIRMAN MUST HOLD CONTESTS ON AT LEAST 2 NEW LAKES WHERE THE CLUB HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY HELD A CONTEST.

REGULAR CONTESTS

ELIGIBLE SPECIES MIN. LENGTH _______________________________________
SUNFISH CRAPPIE l0” WALLEYE 16” LM BASS 14” SM BASS 13 ” ROCK BASS 9” NORTHERN 24″ PERCH 10” MUSKIE (HYB) BY LAW MUSKIE BY LAW SAUGER 14″ WHITE BASS 13″ CHANNEL CAT 15” STURGEON BY LAW RAINB TROUT 8” BROWN TROUT 6″ BROOK TROUT 6” LAKE TROUT 18′ FLATHEAD CAT 20” MIN. WEIGHT
7 1/2″ 7 OZ
10 OZ
16 OZ
16 OZ
12 OZ
12OZ
32 OZ
8 OZ
96 OZ
112 OZ
12.75 OZ
15 OZ
20 OZ
320 OZ
6 OZ
4 OZ
4 OZ
24 OZ
48 OZ

ANY FISH MEETING MINIMUM SIZE, LENGTH OR WEIGHT, WILL QUALIFY FOR POINTS AND MONEY IN CONTESTS. (VII.I Updated October 2008)

J. ROUGH FISH CONTEST
ALL SPECIES OF FISH ARE ELIGIBLE, INCLUDING ALL SPECIES OF ROUGH FISH. A MAXIMUM OF $15.00 WILL BE PAID TO THE LARGEST OF EACH SPECIES.

K. MEASUREMENT AND RELEASE OF FISH DURING CONTESTS

1. IF A MEMBER CHOOSES TO RELEASE A LENGTH FISH BEFORE CONTEST WEIGH-IN, HE MUST DO SO AFTER AN ACCURATE TAPE MEASUREMENT WITH AT LEAST ONE CLUB MEMBER WITNESSING.
2. THE WEIGHT AND SUBSEQUENT POINTS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE CHARTS IN THE APPENDIX.

L. ANY GAME FISH ENTERED IN THE GARBAGE CONTEST MUST MEET THE CLUB MINIMUM LENGTH OR WEIGHT TO BE ELIGIBLE.

M. AT EACH CONTEST THE LARGEST FISH OF EACH SPECIE WILL BE
ASSIGNED POINTS BY DIVIDING THE TOTAL WEIGHT (IN OUNCES) BY THE FACTORS DESCRIBED IN “N”. THE FISH WITH THE MOST POINTS WILL WINTHE CONTEST TROPHY (SEE M.1) AND $40.00 AS “BEST FISH”. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS WILL BE THE ROUGH FISH CONTEST, WHEN THE WINNER WILL BE THE LARGEST FISH BY WEIGHT, REGARDLESS OF SPECIE.
1. A CONTEST TROPHY MAY BE ACCEPTED OR THE COST OF THE TROPHY WILL BE AWARDED TO CONTEST WINNERS.

N. POINT FACTORS
WEIGHT IN OUNCES MINUS WEIGHT MINIMUM IN OUNCES DIVIDED
BY THE POINT FACTOR: ie: WALLEYE AT 4 LB 9 OZ=
73 – 16= 57 : 1.60 = 35.625 POINTS

SPECIES MINIMUM OUNCES POINT FACTOR MASTER-lbs
————————————————————————————————————
SUNFISH * 7 0.18 1.00
PUMPKINSEED* 7 0.10 0.75
WARMOUTH* 7 0.10 0.75
GREEN SUNFISH* 7 0.02 0.50
LONGEAR SUNFISH* 7 0.18 1.00
ORANGESPOT SUNFISH 7 0.18 1.00
FLIER SUNFISH 7 0.02 0.50
CRAPPIE-W&B 10 0.20 1.25 WA.LLEYE 16 1.60 6.00
BASS (LM) 16 1.28 5.00
BASS (SM) 12 I.04 4.00
ROCK BASS 12 0.24 1.50
NORTHERN 32 2.24 9.00
PERCH 8 0 .24 1.25
MUSKIE (HYB) 96 2.88 15.00
MUSKIE 112 4.16 20.00
SAUGER 12.75 0.705 3.00
WHITE BASS 15 0.26 1.75
CHANNEL CAT 20 2.80 10.00
STURGEON-LK 320 3.20 30.00
RAINBOW TROUT-ST** 6 0.68 2.50
RAINBOW TROUT-LK** 20 2.16 8.00
BROWN TROUT-ST** 4 1.20 4.00
BROWN TROUT-LK** 8 2.40 8.00
BROOK TROUT-ST** 4 0.4 0 1.50
BROOK TROUT-LK** 10 1.08 4.00
LAKE TROUT 24 2.72 10.00
FLATHEAD CAT 48 7.04 25.00
COHO SALMON 16 7.00
KING SALMON 48 6.72 24.00

AWARDS GOING TO EXTRANEOUS SPECIES. (OTHER THAN BLUEGILL).
(**) ST=STREAM RUN LK=LAKE RUN (INCL. GREAT LKS.)

O. REGULAR CONTEST PRIZES
1. ONE SPECIE CONTEST: MAXIMUM $130 PLUS TROPHY
BEST FISH: $40 PLUS TROPHY
SINGLE FISH: 1ST – $15, 2ND – $12, 3RD – $10, 4TH – $8, 5TH – $5

2. TWO SPECIE CONTEST: MAXIMUM $160 PLUS TROPHY
BEST FISH: $40 PLUS TROPHY
SINGLE FISH: 1ST – $15, 2ND – $12, 3RD – $10, 4TH – $8

3. THREE SPECIE CONTEST: MAXIMUM $172 PLUS TROPHY
BEST FISH: $25 PLUS TROPHY
SINGLE FISH: 1ST – $15, 2ND – $10, 3RD – $8

4. FOUR OR MORE SPECIE CONTEST
BEST FISH: $25 PLUS TROPHY
SINGLE FISH: 1ST – $15, 2ND – $10

P. FISHERMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
AT EACH REGULAR CONTEST (TROPHY CONTESTS ONLY), EACH MEMBER MAY ENTER HIS THREE BEST POINT FISH, REGARDLESS OF SPECIES, IN THE “FISHERMAN OF THE YEAR” CONTEST. THE MEMBER WHO HAS ACCUMULATED THE MOST POINTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WILL BE AWARDED A TROPHY DESIGNATING HIM AS “FISHERMAN OF THE YEAR”.

Q. FORMULA FOR ANNUAL POINT PAYOUT (DEDICATED $50.00)
TOTAL MONEY COLLECTED FOR ANNUAL POINT PAYOUT DIVIDED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS AWARDED TO ALL MEMBERS FOR THE YEAR = $ PER POINT. ie: A MEMBER’S PAYOFF WILL BE HIS ACCUMULATIVE POINTS FOR THE YEAR TIMES THE CONVERSION FACTOR.

R. FISHING CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES
1. SELECT WATERS AND DATES FOR ANNUAL CONTESTS. DATES TO
BE SELECTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE DECEMBER MEETING.
2. MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR ACCOMODATIONS, INCLUDING
CAMPING, IF APPLICABLE, AND DOCK SPACES.
3. DETERMINE AVAILABILITY OF BAIT SHOPS, DINING, AND
OTHER APPLICABLE SERVICES.
4. SET TIMES FOR CONTESTS.
5. ENSURE WEIGHING DEVICE IS MAINTAINED AND OPERABLE
FOR ALL CONTESTS.
6. PROVIDE A DETAILED MAP WITH DIRECTIONS TO WEIGH-IN
SITES OF CONTESTS.
7. IF POSSIBLE, PROVIDE A HYDROGRAPHIC CONTOUR MAP OF
CONTEST WATERS.
8. WEIGH AND/OR MEASURE FISH AT WEIGH-IN. THE CHAIR MAY
DESIGNATE A MEMBER TO ASSIST.

VIII. NEW MEMBERS
A. PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD BY THEIR SPONSOR CLUB MEMBER.

B. UPON ACCEPTANCE BY THE BOARD, THE NEW MEMBER SHALL BE GIVEN A COPY OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.

IX. ATTENDANCE
A. ALL MEMBERS ARE OBLIGATED TO NOTIFY A HAPPPY HOOKER MEMBER IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND A CLUB FUNCTION. MEMBERS NOT EXCUSED FROM AN EVENT INVOLVING FEES ARE OBLIGATED TO PAY SUCH FEES WITHIN 30 DAYS. (IX.A Updated October 2008)

B. A MEMBER IS AWARDED 5 POINTS FOR EACH MEETING IN WHICH A PERSON ATTENDS. THIS POINT TOTAL SHALL BE ALLOCATED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR POINT PAYOUT. MEETING ATTENDANCE POINTS ALLOCATED SHALL NOT COINT TWARD FISHERMAN OF THE YEAR POINT TOTAL. (IX.B Established October 2008)

X. MONEY
ANY FINANCIAL APPROPRIATIONS SHALL BE ACTED UPON BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

XI. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS AND VOTING
EVERY MEMBER IS OBLIGATED TO ACCEPT A NOMINATION FOR AN OFFICE IN THE CLUB WHEN HE IS NOMINATED EXCEPT IN EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU MUST VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER, 1 BOARD MEMBER, AND A CHAIRMAN FOR THE FISHING COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO HAVE A VALID BALLOT.

XII. COMMITTEES –GENERAL
ALL COMMITTEES MUST SUBMIT A BUDGET TO THE BOARD FOR EACH EVENT. IT MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN THE MEETING PRIOR TO THE EVENT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS REGULAR FISHING CONTEST PRIZES AUTOMATICALLY APPROVED IN THE BY-LAWS. ALL REIMBURSMENTS TO CLUB MEMBERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RECEIPT AND VOUCHER AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OR DESIGNEE OF THE BOARD.

Document Updated M. Ostendorf March 2009
Board Approved ___, 2009