ARTICLE 1: NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1: NAME
A.
This organization shall be known as the "MICHIGAN BASS INVITATIONAL" and may
also be referred to as the "M.B.I."
SECTION 2: PURPOSE
A.
To offer the eight eligible fishing organizations the opportunity to distinguish
themselves as the best anglers of their time by competition in this prestigious
event.
ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: REQUIREMENTS
A.
The maximum membership of this the "Michigan Bass Invitational is not exceed (8)
eight organizations.
B.
Each of the eight clubs must voluntarily express a genuine interest in
membership.
C.
Have a full understanding of the by-laws and agree to abide by them.
D.
Be voted and approved by a majority of attending representatives.
E.
Be present at annually scheduled meeting, to accept membership package.
SECTION 2: MAINTAINING MEMBERSHIP
A.
One member of each Club must attend the annual meeting as the clubs
representative. This meeting will have a 21 day notification as to the date
B.
Provide the Tournament Director a list of your organizations eight participating
anglers as well as their choice for Tournament Chairperson at least five (5)
days prior to the M.B.I. Tournament
C.
In order to be excused from the annual meeting, your club must contact the
meeting chair person or officer of the hosting organization prior to that
meeting in order to have that absence excused. Failure to comply will result in
an unexcused absence. An organization that receives an unexcused absence must
contact the meeting chairperson within 72 hours to maintain membership.
D.
Organizations violating any part of these by-laws will be reviewed by the Panel
of Representatives (Articles III Section 1). Any decision made by the panel will
be in the best interest of the M.B.I.
E.
Any decision made and carried out by the Panel of Representatives will be
reviewed at the next regular meeting of each club members. If the majority of
members present at the meetings disagree with the panel's decision then the
panel’s decision will be reversed. An organization dismissed for violating
M.B.I. rules may not be reinstated for at least (1) one year from its dismissal.
F.
No member of the eight M.B.I. organizations shall be actively engaged in the
operation of any type of function for profit that might reflect negatively on
the purpose of this club. He or she may, however, engage as a participant in
said function.
G.
No organization will be allowed to resign from the Michigan Bass Invitational
more than twice. Upon the 2nd resignation they will not be allowed to rejoin the
M.B.I. Exceptions only to be allowed by the current panel of representatives.
SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS
A. Regular membership donations are due by June 1st.
B.
Each Organization will be responsible to make their donation to that year’s
Tournament Chairperson by the due date for
the purchase of the M.B.I. awards.
C.
There is a (20) day grace period after dues expire. After (20) days an
organization must rejoin the M.B.I. There is a $10.00 late fee for any
organization making payment during this (20) day grace period
D.
After (20) days another organization will be offered the opportunity to join the
M.B.I. and will be chosen by first come first serve waiting list. Membership
will be excepted after an impromptu meeting attended by representatives of at
least a majority of the remaining organizations and approved by the panel of
representatives under (Articles II Section 1).
E.
If no other organization as placed their name on the waiting list or has and is
not willing to join the M.B.I. at that time, the organization that did not make
payment on time may make said payment and rejoin immediately.
ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS AND OFFICES
SECTION 1: PANEL OF OFFICERS
A.
The M.B.I. officers shall consist of the following positions:
o
Meeting Chairperson
o
Tournament Director
o
(8) Tournament Chairpersons
o
(8) Representatives
SECTION 2: DEFINITION OF OFFICERS
I
CHAIRPERSONS
I
REPRESENTATIVES
A.
MEETING CHAIRPERSON:
Shall be responsible for
scheduling, planing and the smooth operation of the pre-season meeting. This
officer must also see that all organizations will be in attendance or invite any
new organizations eligible to fill an opening made available by the loss of an
organization due to disqualification, resignation or lack of payment. This
officer is also responsible for keeping an accurate account of the minutes of
the meeting as well as providing each
representative with an up to date copy of the by-laws and tournament rules
including any changes made during the meeting.
B.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Shall be responsible for
sponsor solicitation and all fishing tournament permits and proper forms. Any
proposed changes in rules that affect this tournament shall be brought to the
attention of the panel of representatives during the pre-season meeting, or if
emergency requires brought to the attention of the panel of Tournament
Chairpersons the morning of the tournament. This officer shall also be
responsible for all of the equipment and manpower required to provide all M.B.I.
contestants with a professionally run tournament, as well as the purchase of the
eight M.B.I. awards.
C.
PANEL OF TOURNAMENT
CHAIRPERSONS: Shall consist of one member
of each organization designated by their organization to be their tournament
chairperson for the tournament day. He or she will be responsible for the
delivery of their teams roster to the Tournament Director at least (5) days
prior to the M.B.I. Tournament, discussing any rule changes, handling any
protests, assist with the weigh-in while verify the total weight of their team.
He or she will also be responsible to see that each of their team members is
aware of all tournament rules as well as any last minute changes.
D.
PANEL OF REPRESENTATIVES: Shall consist of one member
from each eligible organization chosen by their organization to represent their
organization during the pre-season meeting or any other non tournament meeting
that will affect the M.B.I. This officer shall be responsible for making all
decision for organization during the pre-season meeting. After which each
representative are required to inform organizations membership of any changes
and provide each of their members with an up to date copy of the by-laws,
Tournament Rules and address of all other M.B.I. organizations. Each
organizations representative must be present at the pre-season meeting to be
involved in the decision making process. No proxy or write-in vote will be
accepted.
SECTION 3: SELECTION OF OFFICERS
A.
Each Organization will chose their Representative and Chairperson they feel will
do the best job possible by a selection process of their choice, this is the
same for the hosting organization in choosing a Tournament Director as well as a
Meeting Chairperson.
SECTION 4: TERM OF OFFICERS
A.
Each officer's term is one year. At the end of each year, if an organization is
still in the M.B.I. they may keep the same M.B.I. officers or choose another
one.
ARTICLE 4: CONTESTANTS
SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY
A.
Must be an active member of your organization in good standing
B.
Must show an active interest in the M.B.I. and office.
C.
Must be one of their organizations top eight available anglers at that time and
gain this eligibility through competition in their organizations series of
tournaments.
ARTICLE 5: GENERAL
SECTION 1: AMENDING BY-LAWS AND TOURNAMENT RULES
A.
The amending of these by-laws can be done providing: Notice of proposed change
has been announced to the panel of representatives and discussed to its fullest
prior to any vote.
B.
Vote must be carried by a majority of representatives present.
C.
Any other general issues affecting this event and/or its appearance must be
approved by the majority of attending representatives at a pre-season meeting.
I.e. logos, sponsors or changes to any paperwork, etc.
D.
The number or eligible organizations for the M.B.I. is eight (8). this may only
be changed by a 2/3rd's vote by a majority attendance of representatives
SECTION 2: BANKING
A.
Michigan Bass Invitational is a non-profit event and, therefore, any banking
accounts are for the sole purpose to handle M.B.I. incurred expenses and not for
profitable ventures or investments.
SECTION 3: TOURNAMENTS
A.
Tournament rules and responsibility will be defined and voted on at each year’s
pre-season meeting.
B.
After adoption no changes can be made unless agreed upon by a majority of
representatives/ chairpersons that are present at an impromptu meeting or the
morning of the tournament.
C. The M.B.I. Tournament will be held each year on the third Sunday of September and the time will always be 7:00 am. (or safe light) until 3:00 p.m.
SECTION 4: LAKE SELECTION
A.
The winning team of the tournament must state the name of the lake to host the
invitational for the following year at that time. The lake must be within 100
miles of the intersection of I-75 & I-94, and cannot be the lake that was just
fished.
SECTION 5: ANNUAL M.B.I. TOURNAMENT AWARDS
A. Each Years winning team will receive an award for their exceptional efforts.This award will be cash.The winning club can keep the cash award or have plaques made for their club. If the winning clubs chooses to have the plaques made, it is their sole responsibly not the MBI.
B.
The M.B.I. Club Trophy will be presented following the presentation of team
awards for the organization to display till the next M.B.I. Tournament.
C.
It is the responsibility of each years winning organization to maintain the
M.B.I. Club Trophy as well as purchasing and attaching a brass plate with their
clubs name and year they won the event engraved on it. This plate must be the
same size as all the other plates on the trophy.