Section 1. NAME

This organization shall be called the Tennessee Federation Nation Inc., hereafter referred to as TFN.

Section 2. PURPOSE

To form an organization to represent the interest of local B.A.S.S. chapters on a State Wide basis.

To offer our State Conservation Department and Wildlife Resources Agency our organized and political support and encouragement.

To promote full adherence to all Conservation Codes of existing regulatory standards.

To take political action to improve our environment and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already occurred to the waters of our State.

To promote youth development programs on a State Wide as well as a local basis.

To conduct an annual TFN Championship Tournament. And a team championship

To conduct other tournaments as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable.

To conduct any program or activity to promote the sport of bass fishing.

SECTION 1: REQUIREMENTS of MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the TFN shall consist of the members of duly organized and B.A.S.S. affiliated local bass clubs. To be qualified, the local bass club shall:

a. Voluntarily express a genuine membership interest and have an initial roster of no less than six (6) members.

b. Submit a roster of all members as well as a listing of club offices and submit an updated roster on a quarterly basis.

c. Participate in at least one (1) activity of the TFN each year. Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership.

SECTION 2: WITHDRAWAL of MEMBERSHIP

A club may be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:

a. Failure to comply with Article II – Section 1.

b. Upon their written request.

c. Failure to pay dues.

SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP DUES

Dues are $11.00 per member per year. Clubs who fail to pay their dues by January 31^st shall be considered “NOT IN GOOD STANDING” and shall incur an additional penalty of $100.00. When this $100.00 late penalty and the proper amount of club dues are paid, the club shall be considered “IN GOOD STANDING” and allowed to participate in one of the State Tournaments, provided they have met the requirements listed in Rule # 2 of the Official Rules and Regulations. From each membership fee, $1.00 will be designated for use on CASTING KIDS ACTIVITIES, to include both Casting Kids and Junior Bass Clubs, with in the Tennessee Federation Nation, Inc. Must do at least one casting kids event per year.

SECTION 4: ASSIGNMENT to REGION and DIRECTORS

Upon acceptance into the TFN, the Board of Directors will assign the new club to a Region and a Regional (Area) Director will be there contact. TNF.

SECTION 1: BOARD of DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of all duly elected Officers & Directors (see Article IV). The Board of Directors shall oversee the operation of the TFN and report their actions to the membership.

SECTION 2: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

For the purpose of electing Directors, the State shall be divided into three (3) geographical regions. The Regions shall be Region I – West ,Region II – Middle, Region III – East. Elections of Directors shall be as follows. Each club within a region Each club within an Area may nominate a person to be the Regional director. The Election of a Director for each region will be done only by a vote of the clubs within that region. In case of ties, a run off vote will be taken. Each club shall have a maximum of one (1) vote, the voting member for a club will submit the vote by mail or via internet 15 days before meeting. Any club wishing to vote on officers or director’s must be present to vote.

SECTION 3: TERM of OFFICE

The term of office for each Director shall be for one (1) year, which shall begin on the day of the election and end when the successor assumes office. All Directors shall be eligible to succeed themselves. Election of Directors by Regions shall be every year.

SECTION 4: VACANICES

If an office of one of the Directors should become vacant, the remaining Directors shall appoint a person from the same Region as Director to serve the unexpired term of the departing Director.

Section 5: ELIGIBILITY

Any member of a local club in good standing with the TFN shall be eligible to hold the office of Director.

SECTION 6: REMOVAL of DIRECTOR OR DIRECTORS

Any Director may be removed from office for the following reasons:

A. Negligence of duties.

The removal shall be by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors present and voting, provided that any Director or Directors accused of violation of Article III – Section 6 – a, shall not be eligible to vote. A called meeting shall be held, notice to be provided to the Board of Directors a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance. Any Director or Directors accused of a violation of Article III – Section 6 – a, shall have an opportunity to answer the charges prior to a vote being taken.

SECTION 7: DUTIES

The duties of each Regional Director are to hold an Area meeting with all clubs assigned to him ( meeting is mandatory attendance for his clubs). He /she is also expected to remain in contact on a quarterly basis with each club and relate any items of interest that pertain to the TFN. If the President sees fit, he may add to these duties when necessary. Any non compliance of these duties shall be considered negligence of duties.

SECTION 1: OFFICERS and DUTIES

The Officers of the TFN shall consist of:

a. President:

Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and direct all committee functions. Supervise all TFN functions. The President shall not vote on any item presented to the TFN except in case of a tie vote. In case of a tie vote, the President shall vote to break the tie.

b. Vice President:

Assist the President in his duties and preside in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall also serve as the coordinator between the Federation and the host club/clubs in organizing and planning the State Tournaments.

c. Secretary:

Maintain accurate minutes of all TFN meetings and to assist the President in his duties.

d. Treasurer:

Maintain accurate financial records and assist the President in his duties. Must also submit a detailed item by item print out to each club yearly.

e. Editor:

Has editorial responsibility for the TFN official newsletter/newsletters and web page.

SECTION 2: METHOD of DETERMING CANDIATES

a. Only current members of the federation for past two (2) years.

b. Nominations for candidates for each office can be taken from the floor with the exceptions be the office of Editor, youth director which shall be appointed by the President.

SECTION 3: ELECTION

The election of officers shall be held at the Annual Meeting. Elections shall be by majority of voting delegates present. If a run off election is needed, it will be held immediately following the original vote between the two (2) candidates receiving the largest number of votes. Election for each office shall be held separately in the order listed in Article IV – Section 1. The newly elected President shall preside over the elections of the remaining officers. Each club present shall have one (1) vote, present and registered with the Secretary and under no circumstances will absentee or designated voting be allowed for officers.

SECTION 4: TERM of OFFICE

The term of office is for (1) year, which shall begin on January 1^st after the election and continue until a successor assumes office. Officers may succeed themselves.

SECTION 5: VACANCIES

If the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the duties of President. In the event of any other office becoming vacant, the President shall appoint someone to fill the un-expired term (see Article IV – Section 6).

SECTION 6: REMOVAL of OFFICERS

See Article III – Section 6 and change Director to Officer.

The Constitution and By Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Federation. Regular meetings include the Annual meeting. All proposed changes/amendments must be turned into the Federation Secretary at least (60) days in advance of a regular meeting. The Federation Secretary will notify each Officer, Director and Club of the proposed change/amendment at least (45) days in advance of the regular meeting. At the regular meeting, each club will be allowed one (1) vote per club. A 2/3rds vote will be required to pass a change/amendment to the Constitution and By Laws.

“ROBERTS RULES of ORDER” shall be used to conduct the meeting and votes on changes or amendments to the Constitution and By Laws.

The Tournament Rules and Regulations are an official part of the Constitution and Bylaws.