Article 2. Purposes

Sec.	1	The objects and purposes for which this club is formed are and shall be to perpetuate warmwater fish in water adaptable to these fish
Sec.	2	To assist in the propagation of these fish by re-stocking and planting of suitable food in our lakes in accordance with current Game Department laws for the State of Washington
Sec.	3	To assist in the formation of other clubs having similar objectives
Sec.	4	To assist in the observance and enforcement of game laws
Sec.	5	To cooperate in fullest measure with other sportsman’s organizations interested in the conservation of game fish, game birds, and game animals
Sec.	6	To fight pollution in all waters of the State of Washington

Article 3. Membership

Sec.	1	The membership of this club shall be limited to warmwater anglers who shall be at least (18) years of age
Sec.	2	All applications for membership shall be in writing, signed by the applicant and accompanied with the paid dues
Sec.	3	Any person who shall have performed a conspicuous and outstanding act toward the purposes for which this club is organized, upon the recommendation of the board of directors, may be elected to honorary membership in the club

Article 4. Fees and Dues

Sec.	1	The annual dues for membership will be determined by a majority of voting members at any monthly meeting. Announcement of a proposed change in dues must be made 30 days prior to the vote, utilizing the Newsletter and/or Website. If no change is proposed for the following year, it shall remain at the previous year's rate. The annual dues shall entitle the holder thereof to all of the rights and privileges of the club, including the right to participate in all club activities
Sec.	2	The spouse of a member of this club, and all of their children and grandchildren under (18) years of age, shall be entitled to all of the rights and privileges of the club, provided however, that the said children shall not be entitled to vote in the said club
Sec.	3	The dues shall be payable on the first day of January of each year and said dues shall expire on the 31st day of December of each year
Sec.	4	A member whose dues have not been paid on or before the first day of March shall be automatically suspended and shall not be eligible to any rights or privileges of the club until same have been paid. For renewing members, all dues paid before March 1st shall receive a five-dollar early registration discount.

Article 5. Officers

Sec.	1	The officers of the club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and six (6) directors. The officers of the club, together with the immediate Past President, shall constitute a nomination committee whose duties shall be to nominate one candidate for each of the several offices of the club. At the August meeting, other nominations may be made from the floor.
Sec.	2	Election of officers shall be at the October meeting and a majority vote of the members present shall elect. All officers so elected shall hold office one year with the exception of the directors, who shall be elected for a term of two years. Two or more are to be elected at each annual election, provided however, that where a member has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the said board of directors, an election to fill this office shall be held at the October meeting.
Sec.	3	The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office of President of similar organizations. He shall designate and appoint appropriate board positions and committees.
Sec.	4	The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the club and of the board of directors. The secretary shall collect all dues of the members and forward to the Treasurer for deposit. The Treasurer shall collect all funds of said and deposit in such bank as may be selected by the board of directors and shall pay such bills of the club as are approved by the board of directors, provided however that all checks for the disbursement of funds of the club shall be signed by the President and/or Treasurer, and shall perform all such other duties as usually pertain to the office of the Treasurer.
Sec.	5	The board of directors shall constitute the advisory board and grievance committee for the club. When the club is not in session, all of the powers of the club shall be vested in the directors. Matters pertaining to policy, management, and administration of the affairs of the club shall be referred to the directors before being acted upon by the club.
Sec.	6	The board of directors shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, six (6) elected directors, and the immediate Past President. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum.
Sec.	7	The board of directors shall have the power to drop from membership of the club, any member, for any cause. The board shall also act as an investigating committee on all complaints that have been presented in writing over the complainant’s signature.
Sec.	8	Any vacancy occurring on the board of directors shall be filled by appointment of the President with the approval of the board. Said appointee shall serve until the next regular election.

Article 6. Meetings

Sec.	1	Meetings of the club shall be held monthly on the third (3) Thursday of the each month
Sec.	2	Fifteen members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Sec.	3	When not otherwise provided for, Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all business proceedings of the club.
Sec.	4	The annual election of officers and directors shall be held on the third (3) Thursday of October of each year with notice of said election to be provided in the September newsletter. Only paid members in good standing shall be privileged to vote at the said election.
Sec.	5	Special meeting of the board shall be called by the President upon written request of five (5) members in good standing, and the secretary shall contact the board at least three days before the said meeting. Only such business shall be transacted at said meeting as is set forth in said notice.

Article 7. Amendments

Sec.

This constitution and the by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any meeting, provided however, the proposed amendment has been presented in writing, published in the newsletter, and read at the preceding regular meeting.

Article 8. Club Equipment

Sec.	1	All equipment owned by Western Bass Club shall be used for official club functions only.
Sec.	2	The board shall be the sole judge of what constitutes an official club function.

Article 9. Club Trophies

Sec.

Trophies may be awarded to winners only at an official club function of the Western Bass Club. Cases in which this would impose a hardship may be applied to, and acted upon, by the board of directors.

Newsletter Guidelines

A disclaimer shall be printed in each newsletter disavowing any association and/or agreements with statements and opinions presented by individual members. I.E. “Views and opinions expressed by individual members do not necessarily reflect those views of the Western Bass Club.”
Any and all articles submitted for publication shall be done so by the first Thursday of each month for inclusion in that month’s newsletter. Any article submitted after the deadline will be considered for the next month’s newsletter if newsworthy and current.
Any article submitted for publication should refrain from any references that could be construed as racially or sexually biased.
Any article submitted for publication should deal with specific issues related to warmwater fishing, environmental, or outdoor-related activities.
Newsletter contributors should refrain from making political statements in reference to specific political candidates that can be construed as endorsements by the entire membership.

If the membership wishes to endorse specific issues, candidates, or causes, and have these endorsements published in the Western Bass Club newsletter, the specific issues should be submitted in writing before the club’s board of directors for discussion.
If the board deems the issue worthy of endorsement, they will submit the issues for discussion and affirmation by the general membership.
If the measure passes with a majority vote, the individual responsible for the original endorsement will author the document for publication.
Said document will include a statement which signifies that the noted document has the endorsement of the Western Bass Club.

The Managing Editor will have the authority to edit any and all submitted material for publication in regards to content, spelling, and/or grammatical errors and that which does not meet with the provisions contained herein as established by the Western Bass Club.