By-Laws
Revised 2023
1. NAME:
This association shall be known as:
“New Brunswick Sportfishing Association”
Referred to as The Association “New Brunswick Sportfishing Association Tournament Bass Anglers”
2. MEMBERSHIP:
A. Membership shall be open to any person who is eligible to purchase a fishing license in the Province of New Brunswick.
B. A Corporate Membership shall be offered to any persons, organization, or business who provides financial support to our Association.
3. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP:
Application for membership shall be made through the online registration portal on the NBSFA web page by the applicant and membership fees ($50) are to be made to the treasurer.
4. DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS:
A. Acceptance of membership in the Association shall bind the member to abide by the provisions of the by-laws and regulations as may, from time to time, be established.
B. The annual dues of members shall be determined by the board of directors.
5. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
A. To work with the Government to format new regulations for the sport of tournament bass fishing.
B. To co-operate with other organizations in New Brunswick.
C. To increase benefits to the community.
D. Increase conservation participation by fishermen and organizations.
E. Standardize rules and ethics for tournament fishermen and organizers.
F. Help fund current studies on smallmouth bass in New Brunswick.
G. Increase safety.
H. When fish handling, minimize bass mortality at tournaments.
I. Promote hook and release.
J. Increase tournament participation.
K. Implement fair payout percentages for tournaments ie: 70/30.
L. Promote an annual New Brunswick Bass Championship.
M. To meet on a regular basis to discuss Association activities and to promote leadership, programs, and assistance to members.
6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
A. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted and managed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be made up of no less than five and no more than eight directors.
B. The directors shall be elected from among the full membership.
C. The members of the Board of Directors will appoint a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer from within their board.
D. The Board of Directors shall meet as required. The Chairman shall call the meeting of the Board of Directors.
E. There shall be an annual general meeting of members once a year.
F. The board of Directors may call for a special general meeting at any time.
G. The Board of Directors may create special committees for purposes determined by the Board of Directors.
H. Where the position of a Director becomes vacant, the Board may appoint a member as a Director until the annual meeting.
7. QUORUM:
A. No less than half of the members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. The Chairman and/or the Vice-Chairman must be present.
B. Corporate members shall not be entitled to vote.
C. A quorum at the annual meeting shall be one-tenth of the voting members of the Association.
8. VOTING:
A. Each member shall be entitled to one vote at an annual meeting.
B. The Chairman of a meeting shall only vote in the event of a tie.
9. DUTIES:
A. CHAIRMAN:
The Chairman shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and the annual general meeting. He shall act as ex-officio member of all committees, supervise all activities of the Association and carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
B. VICE-CHAIRMAN:
The Vice-Chairman shall carry out the duties of the Chairman in his absence, supervise all activities of the Association and carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
C. SECRETARY:
The secretary shall keep complete and accurate records and minutes of all meetings, be responsible for circulation of minutes of meetings, and keep books, paper and records of the Association. He shall also carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
D. TREASURER:
The Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds of the Association. He shall carefully account for all transactions and shall make full report of the same to the annual meeting and also to the meetings of the Board of Directors, or at any time upon demand. He shall also carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
E. DIRECTORS:
The Directors shall supervise all activities of the Association and carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
F. PAST CHAIRMAN:
The past Chairman shall assist the Chairman with his duties and carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
10. RULES OF ORDER:
Meetings of the Association shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order – Revised.
11. MINUTES:
A. All proceedings of duly constituted meetings of members will be recorded in the form of minutes.
B. Minutes will include all motions as tabled, name of mover and seconder and disposition.
C. Minutes will be circulated with the Notice of Meeting for the subsequent meeting or sooner.
12. REPORTING:
A. All committees will table a report annually to the membership at the annual general meeting.
B. The Board of Directors will table a report annually to the membership at the annual general meeting.
13. DISCLOSURE:
Members shall have the right to inspect the minutes, financial reports, and any other documents in the possession of the Association. Such inspections shall be done in the presence of two members of the Board of Directors. A written request must be provided by the member.
14. EXPULSION:
a. The Board of Directors may expel, for cause, any member in contradiction to the “Angler’s Code of Conduct”
b. The Anglers Code of Conduct is as follows:
The favorable public reputation of NBSFA as a sanctioning organization in the sport of bass fishing in NB, the integrity of its members and Board Of Directors (BOD), and the reputation of its media properties (Social Media, Facebook, Website etc.) are vital for both public image and for positive Sponsor feedback . Accordingly, it is an obligation of competitors to refrain from online or public comments that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers, or the NBSFA organization. Competitors are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question rules when necessary. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with NBSFA policies and rulings are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of the rules or specifically its volunteer officials. Public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of the NBSFA, NBSFA Volunteer BOD Members, or its sponsors shall be considered conduct unbecoming an NBSFA angler.
15. CREST/LOGO:
The Association crest/logo may be used by any member, provided, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, it is used in a dignified and proper manner. Only members may use the emblems.
16. REVENUES:
A. All revenues are to be banked to the account of the Association.
B. The Association bank account or accounts shall be kept in such bank as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine.
17. EXPENDITURES:
A. All payments of monies shall be made by cheque or draft and be documented by an approved invoice, expense report, or resolution of the Board of Directors.
B. Cheques shall be signed by two (2) authorized Directors of the Association as appointed by the Board.
C. Invoices shall be approved by the Board of Directors at a meeting.
18. YEAR:
The fiscal year of the Association shall terminate on the 31st day of January in each year. The membership year shall correspond to the fiscal year.
19. REMUNERATION:
No member of the Board shall receive any remuneration but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the business of the Association as determined by the Board of Directors.
20. TERMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION:
The Association shall be one which does not contemplate gain or profit to the members thereof nor the distribution of gains, profits or dividends to such members, and no part of the capital assets or earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of any of its members or any other private individuals. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, the Board shall dispose of such remaining assets of the Association to a Canadian charity or charities or other worthy organizations which the Board shall select.