REGION 4 VIRGINIA BASS
FEDERATION TOURNAMENT RULES AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1 AREA,
ADDRESS AND MEETING LOCATION
1.1 AREA.
The fourth region of the Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation shall be known as
a Region Four. Region Four shall include
the counties of
1.2 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS. The principal address of the Region shall be the residence of the Director, or such other address as he may select.
1.3 BUSINESS MEETING LOCATION. The business meetings of the Region shall be convened at sites selected by the director or he may elect to have a vote.
ARTICLE 2 PURPOSES AND GOALS OF THE REGION
2.1 PURPOSES. The Region is established to preserve and promote the sport of angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and redeye bass; to introduce youth to sport fishing; to conserve water and other natural resources; to work for an abundant, healthy and self-sustaining bass fishery wherever a natural potential exists; and to support the local, state and national agencies which conserve and manage the freshwater sport fishery and other associated natural resources.
2.2 GOALS. The region shall pursue the goals of: organizing and conducting competitive fishing events that adequately provide for the needs of the bass and the angler; establishing live release of bass to their habitat; promoting realistic conservation of natural resources and causing the adoption and enforcement of adequate water quality standards; supporting and cooperating with fishery management agencies for the future; encouraging youth involvement in sport fishing and leading the Chapters in organizing and conducting youth participation activities; promoting public awareness and efficient communications with the membership through a regularly published newsletter; gaining new members and Chapters to B.A.S.S. and the Federation; generating revenue sufficient to conduct the programs of the Region; reducing the hazards of boat operation and sport fishing; of supporting the nonprofit purposes and goals of B.A.S.S.; and other goals as may be established for the Chapters and the committees of the Region.
3.1 CONSTITUENCY, MEMBERS AND CHAPTERS
3.1-1 CONSTITUENCY. The constituency of The Region shall include persons who are Members of B.A.S.S. and National B.A.S.S. The interest of the constituent members shall, within the purposes and goals of the Region, be fully represented by the Region and its officials.
3.1-2 MEMBERS. The members of the Region are the members in good standing with B.A.S.S. Federation, and any of the Chapters of the region. B.A.S.S. membership shall not alone constitute eligibility to hold elected or appointed office in the Region. Only members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office in the Region.
3.1-3 CHAPTERS. The Chapters of the Region shall include only those Chapters duly chartered by B.A.S.S. and approved for membership in the Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation, Inc.
3.2 REGIONAL ORGANIZATION
3.2-1 REGIONAL DIRECTOR. The Region Four Director shall be elected by the Chapter Presidents no later than the fifteenth (15) day of November to a term of two years, which shall begin at the January meeting of the Board following the election. Region election shall be held in odd-numbered years. Mid-term vacancies shall be filled through special elections conducted as soon as practicable after they occur. The term
of office shall expire upon installation of his successor. The Regional Director shall hold only one official position while he remains the Regional Director. The Director shall be elected from among the members of the Region and at least complied with the 50% rule participation in the regional tournaments. He shall also have participated in other regional activities. He shall remain as a member in good standing of a Chapter throughout his tenure. Loss of good standing shall vacate the office of the Director and require that a special election be held to fill the incomplete term as soon as practicable. The duties of The Director shall include attendance at meetings of the Board and other functions of the Federation, attendance at meetings of, and working with the Region and its Committees on Region affairs, supporting the purposes and goals of the Federation, and any other duties, not in conflict with the Federation and Region Constitution and By-Laws as may be in the best interest of Chapters and their members.
3.2-2 REGION FOUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. The Assistant Director will serve in any of the capacities of the Director in his absence. He will be appointed by the Director and will continue to serve until relieved by a successor. He will be responsible for recording minutes of Region Four Presidents meetings and other meetings as designated by the Director. He will maintain an accurate roll call at each meeting and coordinate with the Tournament Director in determining the eligibility of Region members to fish Regional and State tournaments. he will keep records of formal motions submitted by any of the Region Four Presidents. He will perform other duties as specified by the Region Four Director.
3.2-3 REGION FOUR TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR. He will supervise the operation of Region Four Tournaments including, but not limited to: (1) effecting liaison with regulatory bodies having jurisdiction of tournament sites, (2) the inspection of boats, (3) the manner and order in which boats are flighted out, (4) the resolution of protests to include ruling on the interpretation of Tournament Rules in Article. (5) he will be responsible for reminding each Chapter of accepting responsibility for being the host Club. (6) he will coordinate with the Assistant Director in determining the eligibility Region members to fish Regional and State tournaments.
3.2-4 WEIGH MASTER. He is the Tournament Director’s right-hand man. (1) He is responsible for the setting up of the official scales, (2) the weighing and handling of fish, (3) help with inspection of boats, (4) he shall provide an inventory of tournament equipment and supplies annually in November to the Region Four Director, noting any repairs of replacements needed. (5) assist the Tournament Director as needed.
3.2-5 REGION FOUR TREASURER. The Region Four treasurer will be appointed by the Director and remain in that capacity until relieved by his successor. He will maintain an accurate record of expenditures and receipts of funds within the Region. He will provide a financial report periodically, but not less frequently than once each Region Four Presidents meeting. He shall present all books and financial records or documents annually in November, and on the occasion of the appointment of a new Treasurer, to a person or committee selected and appointed by the Region Four Director, for audit.
3.2-6 REGIONAL YOUTH DIRECTOR. The Region Four Youth Director will be appointed by the Director and remain in that capacity until relieved by his successor. He will represent the Region in all matters concerning youth activities.
3.2-7 REGION FOUR CHAPTER PRESIDENTS. Each Region Chapter President shall be elected in a manner set forth in their respective Chapters constitution and will act as a liaison between their respective Chapters and the Region. They will keep their Chapters informed of Regional and Federation business required. They shall attend each Region Four Presidents meetings and actively support the Region in their dealings with their Chapters and the Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation, Inc.
3.2-8 CHAPTERS. The Region shall assist the Federation in aiding any persons wanting to form new chapters by providing information and contact with organizing officials of B.A.S.S. Each new chapter shall be assigned to Region Four in consideration of its geographical location and its charter shall be delivered to the new chapter by the Director, following acceptance by Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation, Inc. The Director shall assist the Chapter in becoming a participant in the affairs of the Region.
3.2-9 CHAPTER PARTICIPATION AND A GOOD STANDING. A Chapter in good standing will support the goals and purpose of the Region. A Chapter in good standing is defined as one which has: (1) paid their Federation dues and updated their Chapter rosters by midnight, January 31; (2) participated in 50% of all regions meeting; (3) participated in 50% of all regions tournaments; (4) participated in 50% of all other regional activities approved by the majority of the Chapters in the Region. Chapters not in good standing shall not be eligible to participate in the activities of the Region. The Director shall submit a list to the Federation of those chapters not satisfied the 50% rules above in January of each year.
3.2-10 COMMITTEES. The Regional Director may appoint committees as necessary to carry out Regional projects. A committee to update the By-Laws shall be appointed at the Director discretion. the committee shall be chaired by the Assistant Director, and shall publish and distribute copies of the By-Laws to each Chapter President before the first tournament of the following year.
4.1 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. Amendments shall be submitted to the Director any time before a regular scheduled Region Four Presidents meeting for consideration. Motions must have a second before they may be considered and must be carried by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the meeting.
4.2 PROCEDURES. Proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Director. The change/proposal must include the article/section/paragraph, as it presently appears, the article/section paragraph as it would appear with the change entered a listing of other articles/sections/paragraphs affecting the change, and a discussion of the reasons for the change. Administrative and typographic errors may be corrected any time. Routine business may be conducted and functional motions voted upon and carried by a simple majority, rather than the two-thirds majority of Section 4.1 The Director shall establish the rules of order.
ARTICLE 5 BY-LAWS
5.1 REGION FUNDS. Region Four funds will be handled as described herein.
5.1-1 TREASURER RECEIVES ALL FUNDS. All funds received by Region four and its agents in behalf of the Region shall be turned over to the Treasurer for deposit to the appropriate account.
5.1-2 ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN FUNDS PROHIBITED. No donations, gifts, goods or services shall be accepted in the name of the Region, or by any agent of the Region, from any individual or organization found to be in conflict with the purpose and goals of the Region.
5.1-3 REVENUE GENERATION. Tournament and other events, sale of goods and services, and other business activities not in conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws, may be operated by the Region for the purpose of revenue generation in support of the Region and in advancement of its purpose and goals.
6.1 TOURNAMENT RULES. Region Four Tournaments will be conducted in accordance with these rules:
6.1-1 PURPOSE. Tournament rules provide equal opportunity for all participants to successfully apply their fishing skills and abilities, improve the safety of both participant and non-participant user of the tournament waters, and provide for proper handling of the fish.
6.1-2 INTERPRETATION. The tournament Rules are subject to interpretation only by the Tournament officials under the coordination and supervision of the Region Four Tournament Director. The Tournament Directors decision shall be final.
6.1-3 TOURNAMENT DATES. Annually, No later than October dates and tournament sites will be chosen and approved by the Region Four Chapter Presidents in order to conduct Region Four Tournaments the following year. Each tournament will be one day in duration. Dates and sites, once approved, will not be changed without the express concurrence of the Region Chapter Presidents. If a vote is called, and it results in a tie, the Regional Director will vote to break the tie.
6.1-4 ENTRY FEES. Entry fees of $70.00 per team per tournament, are hereby established. This fee, once received by Tournament Officials, is non-refundable. A $5.00 fee will be withheld from each team entry fee to go towards the BIG FISH award. For more information on tournament payback see the (Tournament Pay Out Chart).
6.1-4(1) Tournament
Committee Entry Fees.
Tournament Committee up to 4 boats will fish with
No entry fee. Also, On out of town tournaments, 2
Rooms will be provided to the Tournament
Committee. Out of town tournaments are defined as
All but
5, 2002)
6.1-5 INSURANCE. All boat owners that are members of Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation Region Four must have no less than $100,000 Liability Insurance on their boat. In order to use their boat for Region Four Qualifying and Open events, proof of insurance must be provided upon request to Region Four Officers at each tournament. Penalty for not having boat insurance: WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO FISH ANY REGION FOUR TOURNAMENT UNTIL PROOF HAS BEEN PROVIDED.
6.1-6 REGISTRATION. Registration will be held before the start of every tournament at a designated place, at every Ramp. Also the day before a tournament, Only at away tournaments there will be a room at the host motel so you can pre-register.
6.1-7 ETHICS, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND PERSONAL CONDUCT. Participants shall observe high standards of ethics, sportsmanship and personal conduct. They shall obey all of the laws, and the authorities having jurisdiction in the tournament area. They shall keep themselves informed and aware of the rules, laws, and conditions applicable to the tournament. Drunkenness during competition and scoring activities is prohibited. No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted in competition boats during competition hours.
Competitors shall yield to inspection by Tournament Officials at any time during the tournament. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-8 TOURNAMENT WATERS. Tournament waters shall be defined as public waters, which are accessible by boat from the tournament headquarters. All fishing by participants shall be done from a boat on tournament water. All participants and competitions boats shall remain on tournament waters throughout the competition hours. Fishing on tournament waters shall not be permitted within 50 yards of another competitor's boat, which was first anchored. Any such boat shall have its trolling motor retracted from the water. No such anchored boat shall permit selected competitors to fish within the 50-yard circle claimed by him or her to the exclusion of any other competitor. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24. It is the responsibility of the anchored boat to make other competitors aware that he or she is anchored.
6.1-9 COMPETITION HOURS. Tournament hours are to be set by the club presidents at the tournament schedule meeting.
6.1-10 PRACTICE DAYS. No restrictions.
6.1-11 WEATHER CONDITIONS. Tournaments shall proceed as scheduled regardless of conditions, except that competition may be suspended or terminated by the Tournament Officials with the concurrence of the Tournament Director whenever weather conditions are found to be hazardous. Competitors shall not fish during a period of suspension or after termination of competition. Violators are subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-12 SAFETY AND INSPECTION. Safety shall be the concern of first priority to all participants. All competition equipment shall be presented for inspection before the beginning of competition and all participants shall yield to inspection upon the request of Tournament Officials during the entire tournament event, including scoring, award, award ceremonies, the protest period and during the deliberation of any protests that may be registered by the participants. Competition equipment found to be unsafe or unseaworthy by the Tournament Officials shall not be used in the tournament . Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-13 SAFETY EQUIPMENT. Participants shall, whenever their primary propulsion engine is in operation, wear a vest-type personal floatation device, which is approved by the United States Coast Guard. As well as using running lights in accordance with the boating laws which state running lights must be used on any vessel being used from the hours sunset to sunrise.
6.1-14 BOAT REQUIREMENTS. Each two- person team will supply a boat for their use during the tournament. The boat must have the following equipment: (1) All Standard Coast Guard safety equipment, (2) a properly aerated live-well, and (3) some type of ignition kill switch.
6.1-15 FISHING TACKLE. Shall be limited to casting, spinning, and spin-casting rods and reels, and artificial lures. Only one such rod and reel may be actually in use at one time. No live or dead bait is allowed. Animal skin (pork frogs, for example), fur and feathers may be used to dress artificial lures. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-16 FISHING METHODS. Trolling is prohibited. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-17 TEAMS. Teams will register themselves as a team at the first tournament of the year as Boater-captain/Non-boater. That team will accrue points in any Region 4 tournament as long as at least one member of that team fishes in the tournament under the registered team name (A team member may fish by himself in 1 tournament using the team name (must pay full entry fee) and use an alternate member for 1 tournament as long as the alternate is a Bass Federation Nation Region 4 member. (Points accrued can only go towards 1 team). The registered team must fish as a team in at least 3 of the 5 Region 4 tournaments for their points to count for annual standings. If both members of a team fish a tournament they must fish together in order for their points to count. Otherwise, the two pairings would be treated as new teams (unless it is being used as the 1 alternate) and neither new team would carry forward any points from the original team. No guests allowed to participate in tournaments. Point totals will be calculated as best 4 out of 5 tournaments. If a team fishes all 5 tournaments, 20 bonus points will be added to total points. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-18 EMERGENCY CONDITIONS DEFINED. Emergency conditions are those, which subject persons or property to imminent danger or which are deemed by the Tournament Officials to be of an emergency nature. Only under emergency conditions, or in cases where boats are disabled, may participants leave their boats. Under such conditions, they may ride in other boats and bring their fish to tournament headquarters for scoring, subject to all requirements otherwise applicable. They shall remain in sight of each other at all times until their fish are turned over to Tournament Officials. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-19 HANDLING OF FISH DURING COMPETITION. Competition boats will be equipped with a functional, adequately aerated live well. No stringers, ropes, or other devices, which would injure fish or subject them to unnecessary stress shall be used. Dead fish large enough for scoring shall be kept by participants and submitted for scoring. Fish too small for scoring shall be returned to the water immediately. No more fish than may be scored may be held in captivity at any time during competition hours. Fish shall not be mutilated or otherwise intentionally injured or mistreated. Swallowed single hooks shall be cut free of other tackle and left in place whether the fish is to be kept or released. Lures must be extracted in the least injurious manner available. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-20 HANDLING OF FISH DURING WEIGHING AND SCORING. Participants shall present all bass in their possession when they pass the check-in point for scoring by Tournament Officials. The practice of culling is prohibited at, on, or in view of the tournament site. Bass will be presented for scoring BEFORE participants load their boats on the trailer. Bass received by Tournament Officials for weigh-in and scoring shall not be touched again by the participant who caught them. All fish, dead or alive, shall be placed in containers SUPPLIED BY REGION 4, with water for transport to the scoring area. Water must be added to containers to reduce injury. All fish that are live after the competition or scoring procedure shall be returned to the water by Tournament
Officials, except that the request of governmental, educational, and research agencies may be honored, and trophy fish may be returned to the participant who caught them when they request them for mounting and display. Fish not judged by Tournament
Officials to be alive shall be protected from spoilage and disposed of as food, or otherwise in a manner, which complies with the law if, they are unfit for use as food. Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-21 SCORING. Competitors scores shall be the weight of bass they have caught and kept during the competition hours. Weight may be deducted from competitors scores by the Tournament Officials as a penalty under the provisions of Sections 6.1-25. Competitors may present, for weighing and scoring, no more than the legal limit of 6 BASS as determined by the CHAPTER PRESIDENTS. These fish shall be ALL14’S OR BETTER UNLESS THE LAKE IS A 12-INCH NO SLOT LAKE. IN THAT CASE TEAMS MAY HAVE ALL 12’S OR BETTER. Any dead fish is an 8-OUNCE PENALTY. Any undersized bass will result in a ONE-POUND PENALTY. Any bass, which appears mangled, mashed or mauled, will be credited only at the discretion of the weigh-in officials. Bringing more than 8 fish to the weigh-in is disqualification. ONE HUNDRED POINTS to first place and so on until all points used or teams did not have fish. Teams with no fish get 10 points below last place team with fish.Violators shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 6.1-24.
6.1-22 TIES. In case of a tie, the prize or points will be divided between the participants.
EXAMPLE: A tie
for first will include first and second place awards, and so on.
6.1-23 PROTESTS. Participants who suspect that the tournament rules
have been violated may file in WRITING with the Tournament Director within 15 minutes after that day’s weigh-in will protests be accepted. The Tournament committee will decide all protests. Decisions of Tournament Committee are final.
Tournament Committee at any tournament will be the Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, Tournament Director, and Weigh Master.
6.1-24 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES. Participants shall honor the letter and intent of the Tournament rules or they shall be judged to have violated them. All judgments are reserved to the Tournament Officials. All participants shall be presumed to be familiar with the tournament rules. Participants held by the Tournament Officials to have violated the principles of fairness, sportsmanship and ethical conduct explicitly or implicitly include in the tournament rules may be declared ineligible to compete in future tournament events. In such case, the incident shall be reported to the Region Four Director for action. Participants held by the Tournament Officials to be in violation of the tournament rules shall be penalized as provided in applicable sections of this Article.
6.1-24(1) Disqualification. The participants shall be disqualified from further competition in the
Tournament in progress and receive no credit for
that event.
6.1-24(2) Late Penalty. The participant shall be penalized by deductions of ONE POUND of his actual weight for each minute he is late for the first fifteen minutes. After 15 minutes, the participants shall be disqualified and no credit for actual weight shall be awarded. The penalty shall apply to the tournament currently in progress and will not be carried over to a subsequent tournament.
6.1-24(3) Undersized Fish Length Penalty. Any fish which does not meet the minimum acceptable length will be removed from the competitors catch and the competitor will be assessed a one pound penalty for each short fish deducted from the total weight of his remaining legal fish.
6.1-24(4) Illegal Fish Numbers. Violation of creel limit will result in disqualification from further
competition in the tournament in progress, and
violators will receive no credit for that event.
6.1-25 POLYGRAPH TESTS. Polygraph tests may be given in conjunction with Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation Region Four tournaments. These tests will be given at the discretion of the Tournament Director and/or the Region Director. Random Region Four polygraph tests shall be given in the following format:
6.1-25(1)Failure To Undergo Examination. Selected participants of Region Four Tournaments shall submit to Region Four polygraph examination
when directed by the Tournament Director and/or
the Region Director. Failure to submit to Region
Four polygraph examinations will result in
DISQUALIFICATION.
6.1-25 (2) Examination Conditions. Polygraph examination shall be given by a licensed Polygraph Examiner, and shall be given under conditions specified by the Polygraph Examiner.
6.1-25(3) Cooperation with Examiner. Selected
tournament participants shall abide by the
instructions given by the Polygraph Examiner
and cooperate in his efforts to give a thorough
and accurate exam.
6.1-25(4)Examination Site and Time. All Region Four polygraph examinations shall be given on site or in a designated area on the same day of the
tournament.
6.1-25(5) Results Handling. The results of the Region Four polygraph examination shall be scrutinized by the examiner and given to the Region and/or Tournament Director at the tournament or examination site.
6.1-25(6) Retesting. Retesting of selected participants will be done only at the discretion of the examiner. The retesting will be done at the same site, and on the same day as the previous test, and will be done by the same Polygraph Examiner. Any additional fees for the retesting will be the responsibility of the requesting participant.
6.1-25(7) Failure to Submit or Unsatisfactory Results. Failure to submit to examination by Region Four Polygraph Examiner or failure to attain a satisfactory result on a Region Four polygraph
examination shall be conclusive evidence of a
violation and subject to Article 6.1-24.
6.2 AWARDS
6.2-1 Tournament Awards. At each region 4 federation tournament, the
awards listed below will be presented.
90% of the entry money will be paid back on tournament day. 10% will be donated to the National Niemann Pick Disease Foundation. This tournament payout will remain in effect
so long as sponsorship monies will allow.
If sponsorship monies are not
obtained in future years, then the payback will revert back to: 80% of the
entry money will be paid back on tournament day. 20% is retained for operations of region 4.
6.2-1(1) Tournament Payout. Payout for tournament will be based on a percentage. (See payout scale.)
6.2-1(2) Big Fish. Big Fish money will come from the entry fee in the amount of $5.00 Per Boat, To be given to the team with the largest fish weighed. should a tie occur, the proceeds will be divided equally among the tied teams.
6.2-2 End of Year Awards. Following the last scheduled Region Four Tournament, the following awards will be presented:
6.2-2(1) Lunker. Lunker for the year-
trophy.
6.2-2(2) Top Team. Region Four Top
Team of the Year- Trophy.
6.2-2(3) Fall Classic Team. Following
the completion of the regions qualifying
tournaments, the top 10 Teams shall become
eligible to compete in the Fall Classic. In the
event that any of the top 10 teams do not
claim their position, it shall be offered to
other region competitors in the order of their
rank in the final standings until the positions
are filled. Anyone not claiming their
position shall forfeit all benefits and
privileges provided by the region. Benefits
and privileges to the top 10 teams provided
by the region shall include but not limited
to, paid entry into the Fall Classic. Providing that money is available, motel expenses for ten rooms for two nights, a hat, shirt, and jacket designating that he or she is a Region 4 Fall Classic qualifier will be granted to each qualifier.
6.2-2(4) Club Championship. Points will be accumulated by 3 designated teams from each club fishing Region 4 Federation tournaments. The 3 teams that are to represent the club will be determined by the club presidents at the beginning for the season. The 3 designated teams by each club will have their year ending points added together. This will be the clubs points. The club with the most points wins the club championship. The top finishing club for the year will receive paid entry to the following years Mr BASS and Six Man tournaments.