ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the society shall be California Bass Anglers of the Silent Society, hereinafter called Cal BASS. It shall be a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of California.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

This society is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

Upon the winding up and dissolution of the society, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the society, the remaining assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the society shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any of its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the society shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes.

No substantial part of the activities of the society shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the society shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the society shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Eligibility for membership:
The society shall maintain at least 6 members. To become a member a person shall be at least semi-fluent with American Sign Language. To remain a member the member shall be current with society dues, maintain a good attitude towards other members and at all times be respectful. Members are expected to help with fundraising for the society. Membership is renewed March 1st annually.

SECTION 2. Annual Dues:
A membership fee of $10 individual or $15 per family is required to become a member of Cal BASS. Any individual or family can enroll at any time. Events shall be open to only Cal BASS members except for any other event that Cal BASS is not hosting but a sponsor to that event.

Membership fees will assist with the purchase of office supplies, maintaining the web site, postage, Deaf Youth Fishing program, and the development and founding of a fishing library for youth,etc.

SECTION 3. Code of Conduct: 
Members are expected to represent the society in an ethical and positive manner at all times. Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to: unsafe boat operation, lack of courtesy, poor sportsmanship, and failure to obey State boating and fishing regulations.

SECTION 4. Rights of Members:
Each member shall be eligible to appoint one voting representative to cast the member’s vote in association elections.

SECTION 5. Non-members:
Non-members have no rights to vote and voice in the meeting except for announcements.

ARTICLE IV. Deaf Youth Fishing Program

SECTION 1. Eligibility:
Deaf Youth Fishing Program is open to all Deaf, Child of Deaf Adult (CODA) and Hard of Hearing (HOH) youth between the ages of three (3) and fifteen (15) years old unless otherwise noted. All programs are opened to Cal BASS members only.

SECTION 2. Educational:
We shall provide instructional courses emphasizing fishing regulation knowledge, identification of local aquatic ecosystems, ethical land and water use, conservation, hatchery programs, and restoration projects. The course shall incorporates visual, written and tactile learning methods through the use of literature, graphics, videos, angler challenges, and plenty of hands-on activities.

SECTION 3. Events:
Program shall be hosted no less than two (2) times per year based on variety of educational events as stated in article iv, section 2. Ratio of adult to children will be 1:4. No person under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or any other drugs, to the extent of being considered publicly intoxicated, or incapacitated shall enter or remain upon or within land or water administered by the Deaf Youth Fishing program.

SECTION 4. Place:
Place shall be safe and appropriate for youth. The event may be cancelled or postponed due to bad weather, flood, or unsafe areas which will be determined by the executive board officers.

SECTION 5. Supplies:
Rod library shall be open for Cal BASS and public for purpose of education. Cal BASS shall provide bait and tackle for youth if needed.

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. Government:
ExecutiveBoard of Cal BASS shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. There will be no less than three (3) executive board positions. Each executive board position will be created and assigned by the majority of executive board. Each executive position has no time limitation, and must be flexible according to the needs. Any member may ask for any position, or nominate someone else. All positions shall be filled by Cal BASS members only.

SECTION 2. Duties:
All board members and chairpersons are expected to attend all general and board meetings. Any valid reason will be excused. All board members shall be involved with all Deaf Youth Fishing programs if possible.

All positions below have a wide range of duties, not limited to items listed.

President - Provides the members with leadership and oversees the society meetings. Maintains the bylaws and interprets their meaning for the society members. Appoints and oversees committee chairmen and society representatives. Work with outsiders such as sponsors and donations. Votes as needed to break a tie on the society matters.

Vice-President - Takes over when the Largemouth is unavailable. Assists Largemouth in setting up the society’s meeting agenda. Appoints and oversees officers and committee chairpersons. Work with duties pertaining to auctions. Interprets the bylaws & host event guidelines if needed.

Secretary/Board Advisory - Handles society correspondence, contacting the State and tax forms. Handles the paperwork and maintains bylaws. Records minutes at society meetings. Work with outsiders such as sponsors and donations.

Treasurer - Keep Webmaster updated. Responsible for receiving, accounting and disbursement of society funds. Submits report to members in the meeting. Submits a written year-end report showing monies collected and paid out for the season.

Chairperson(s) – Responsible for planning and conducting the event in accordance with Cal BASS bylaws. May appoint additional committee members to assist with such duties as he/she deems appropriate. Share planning information and email correspondences with Smallmouth. Make flyers and responsible for advertisements to the public.

SECTION 3. Vacancies:
In case of death, inability to serve, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become President. The Cal BASS Board shall fill all other vacancies.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

SECTION 1. Place and Date:
Meetings place and date shall be determined by executive board.

SECTION 2. Notice:
Meetings shall be held upon seven (7) days’ notice by first class postal mail or three (3) days’ notice delivered personally or by electronic mail. Contents of notice of meetings shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting if possible. The purpose of any meeting need not be specified in the notice.

SECTION 3. Quorum:
A quorum shall consist of a majority of Executive Board for Executive Board meetings. A quorum shall consist at least fifteen of members for General meetings.

SECTION 4. General:
Regular meetings of general shall be held a minimum of one (1) times per calendar year which it shall be occur sometime in March every year.

SECTION 5. Conduct:
Meetings shall be presided over by the Largemouth or if in his or her absence, the Smallmouth shall take over at the meeting. If both are not present, the meeting shall be cancelled.
Meetings are not required to be governed by Roberts' Rules of Order but will be used if needed insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict with these Bylaws.

SECTION 6. Request for Events and/or Funds:
Host Event Guidelines must be abided. Request Event Form shall be filled and signed before submit to Largemouth.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

The bylaws may be amended when necessary by two-thirds majority of the executive board. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Redeye to be sent out with regular board announcements.

CERTIFICATION

These bylaws were approved at a meeting of the executive board of officers by a two-thirds majority vote on February 28, 2007.