Maryland BASS Federation Standing Rules

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2011 Standing Rules - Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. AMENDMENT OF STANDING RULES
II. DISTRIBUTION OF THE STANDING RULES
III. MEMBERSHIP
    A. AFFILIATION
    B. DUES
    C. REGIONAL PLACEMENT
    D. MEMBERSHIP MAILING LISTS
    E. OFFENSES AND PENALTIES
IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD OPERATIONS
    A. ELECTIONS
    B. DISTRIBUTION OF PAPERWORK
    C. INTERNET ACCESS
    D. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS
V.  MISCELLANEOUS FINANCIAL
    A. PAYMENT PROCEDURES
    B. TAX STATUS
    C. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
    D. INSURANCE POLICY
    E. CHECK REGISTER
    F. M.A.R.C.
VI. YOUTH
    A. CLUB REGISTRATION
    B. TRAVEL EXPENSES
    C. PUBLICATIONS
    D. TOURNAMENTS
VII. AWARDS
    A. AWARDS PROGRAM
    B. AWARDS PACKET
    C. "YOUTH CLUB OF THE YEAR"
    D. NATIONAL AWARDS
    E. "CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION"
    F. "MAN OF THE YEAR"
VIII. PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE
    A. DATE
    B. GUESTS
    C. 50/50 RAFFLE
IX. PUBLICATIONS
    A. FEDERATION NEWSLETTER
    B. "INCORPORATION"
X. WEBSITE
XI. MBFN TOURNAMENT RULES
    A. TOURNAMENT STAFF
    B. TOURNAMENT FOLDER
    C. CANCELLATION POLICY AND DELAYED STARTS
    D. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY
    E. PRACTICE AND COMPETITION
    F. PAPERWORK
    G. REGISTRATION
    H. TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES
    I. SAFETY
    J. SPORTSMANSHIP
    K. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT
    L. FISHING METHOD RESTRICTIONS
    M. BOAT AND MOTOR REGULATIONS
    N. SCORING
    O. PROTEST PROCEDURES
    P. RULES COMMITTEE
    Q. RULES VIOLATIONS AND APPEALS COMMITTEE
    R. DATES AND TOURNAMENT SITES
    S. QUALIFYING FOR THE STATE TEAM AND THE BASSMASTER CLASSIC
XII. NATIONAL FEDERATION TOURNAMENTS (B.A.S.S.)
    A. MID-ATLANTIC DIVISIONAL TOURNAMENT
    B. NATIONAL FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP




Maryland Bass Chapter State Federation, Inc.

2011 Standing Rules


Section I: AMENDMENT OF STANDING RULES:

The Standing Rules of this Federation were adopted by rule of the majority. At    
any meeting of the Board of President's or any Executive Board meeting where
the chapters have representation by their Region Director, standing rules may
be suspended, modified, or rescinded by a 2/3 vote, with a quorum present,
without the delay incident to giving previous written notice.

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Section II: DISTRIBUTION OF THE STANDING RULES:

A copy updated through the previous calendar year will be distributed to all
Club Presidents and Board Members at the President's Conference each year.
(New clubs will get a copy along with a set of the bylaws as they become
chartered.)

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Section III: MEMBERSHIP:

A. AFFILIATION:

1. Clubs having less than 100% affiliation with BASS will have sixty days to
   rectify the situation. A club would be in "forfeiture of membership status"
   until rectified. The club must notify the membership chairman as to any
   dropped members

2. That each case of putting a club in "forfeiture of membership" status and
   subsequent appeal should be handled on an individual basis.

3. The cut-off date for club affiliation is July 1st for next year's
   tournaments.

4. Established that MBFN rosters and B.A.S.S. rosters must match club
   membership (expiration dates now included on rosters.)

B. DUES:

1. Club affiliation dues are $50/club; Member dues are $20/member.

2. That membership dues are not transferable from an affiliated club to a
   non-affiliated club for the purpose of obtaining new MBFN affiliation.

C. REGIONAL PLACEMENT:

1. A club will not be assigned to a region until after the federation has
   received their charter from B.A.S.S. At which time the Executive board will
   review the roster for determination as to which region they are to be placed
   into. Assignment of clubs will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

2. Procedure for clubs requesting to move chapter clubs memberships from one
   region to another the following must be done:

   a. contact the region director in the region the club currently resides in.

   b. then contact the region director in the region that they are requesting
      to change to

   c. a letter or by person must come forth before the executive board with the
      request.

   d. decisions to be made between the two region directors that this matter
      would involve.

D. MEMBERSHIP MAILING LISTS:

That our membership mailing list will only be considered to be given out to
organizations, which are non-profit, and that the Executive Board feels will
benefit the members of the Maryland Bass Federation Nation. Also these
organizations must guarantee that this list only be used for the purposes
decided by them and the Maryland Bass Federation and will not be given out to
others.

E. OFFENSES AND PENALTIES:

Each region is to administer the appropriate step and keep record of any club
affected. In addition, the Regional Directors are to inform the MBFN Secretary
for the official records. The Secretary will inform all appropriate people.
(i.e. Membership Chair and Tournament Director)

5-Step Plan (from 1st offense)

1. Infraction Penalties:

   a. Minor:
      1st Offense
         (Financial Offense and Non-Penalty Working Offense)
            - Pay a fine to be determined at time of offense.
         (Other Non-Financial Offenses)
            - Work one MBFN event.
      2nd Offense -- Pay a fine and work one MBFN event.
      3rd Offense -- Move to 1st offense for major offenses

   b. Major:
      1st Offense -- Work two MBFN Events
      2nd Offense -- "Non-Affiliated" for the year (except RSQT if there is a
         tournament)
      3rd Offense and thereafter - "Non-Affiliated" for the year (including RSQT
         if there is a tournament) and must work two MBFN events.

   * The MBFN Tournament Director and Regional Director will determine all work
     penalties.

   ** For all worked tournaments either 50% of the club or 8 members, which
      ever is the lesser of the two, must show up in order to count. For
      individuals who are from disbanded clubs that were or would have been on
      the the "5-Step Plan", the work penalties will follow them as individuals
      as long as they are in the MBFN or until the work penalties are
      fulfilled.

2. Infraction Definitions:

   a. Minor:
      - Clubs paying dues late (either region or MBFN)
      - Clubs not working an assigned (non-penalty) tournament.

   b. Major:
      -  Clubs not making 50% of regional meetings
      -  Clubs not complying with administered penalties
      -  Clubs violating the Bylaws
      -  Clubs showing conduct that puts the MBFN in bad light with BASS or in
         the public eye.

   * Any infractions not covered in this plan will be decided on by the
     appropriate region or by the MBFN Executive Board.

3. Accusations Against Members: The following is the procedure for handling
   allegations made against any MBFN member other than tournament rules
   violations or tournament protests (paragraphs 1,2, and 3 come from "Robert's
   Rules of Order"):

4. First Step: When members hear of misconduct by another member is to choose a
   committee to investigate the validity of the reports and to see if charges
   should be made. The members of this committee should be chosen for their
   integrity and good judgment. To establish such a committee requires that a
   resolution should be made (a motion in writing), seconded, discussed, and
   voted on. The resolution should avoid as much detail as possible to protect
   the parties, who may be innocent.

   a. All allegations shall be brought to the Executive Board,.by way of the
      region director. If the region director is one of the accused, then the
      highest ranking non-accused region officer will present the allegation.
      If all region officers are accused, then the allegation may be presented
      by any non-accused MBFN officer other than the accuser. The allegation
      must be in written form with the name of the accuser and the name of the
      defendant and reasonable cause for the action.

   b. The committee should be made up of nine members: a committee chair who is
      a member of the board; eight other members who are selected two from each
      region. None of the committee members can be the accused or the accuser.

   c. Once it is brought forth to the board in the new business portion of the
      meeting, the committee chair sets a date, not to exceed forty-five days,
      to have a closed committee session to address the matter. There will be
      no more discussion about the matter at any board meeting until a final
      conclusion of the allegations are completed.

5. Second Step: The committee should quietly conduct its investigation and
   make a sincere effort to get the facts. Any information collected is
   confidential. The committee should also talk with the accused to hear his or
   her side of the story. If the committee members find that the reports of
   misconduct are untrue, they should prepare a report and resolution clearing
   the accused. If they find substantial evidence that the report of
   misconduct is true, the next step is to report the findings and prefer
   charges.

   a. All evidence must be brought to the closed session and must be shared
      with the defendant with-in one week after said session so that each party
      involved has equal time to prepare their case.

   b. The committee will also have the right to consider the context of the
      accusation to determine if it is a malicious act toward the defendant.

6. Third Step: The investigating committee prepares several resolutions. The
   first resolution includes setting a date and time for the trial meeting. It
   states that member X is to appear to show why he or she should not be
   expelled from the organization; it also states the specific charges. A
   second resolution establishes the trial committee and it's members. The
   trial committee should have different members than the investigating
   committee*.

   a. The trial meeting date is not to exceed ninety days from the original
      date that the accusation was brought before the board.

   b. The makeup of the Trial Board:

      (1) The trial board will be the Executive Board of the MBFN. In the
      event that there are not at least seven eligible board members (see 2
      below and * above) then those remaining will choose members from
      membership to bring the total to seven. No more than one per region
      unless each region is represented and no more than two per region.

      (2) The person or persons who bring forth the allegation have no vote in
      the matter, nor do any of the accused.

   c. If the committee finds no evidence to support the allegation and
      determines it is just a malicious act then the board reserves the right
      to revoke the membership of the accuser.

   d. The decision of the this board will be final.

   e. The outcome of the hearing will be in written form and given to the
      region directors to have as public record of the matter.

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Section IV: EXECUTIVE BOARD OPERATIONS

A. ELECTIONS:

1. In order to accept officer election votes, they have to be by individual
   club member votes, not merely a club total vote.

2. "No return" of ballots sent to clubs indicates a vote of abstention (except
   for Bylaw changes)

3. To have the secretary record ballots by name on all motions to be voted on
   by the board.

4. In dealing with elections of officers for the Maryland Bass Federation
   Nation Executive Board there shall be an official ballot representative
   picked by each region director and this person cannot be a person listed on
   the ballot, plus a chairman of this committee appointed by the Maryland Bass
   Federation Nation President. These representatives will collect each clubs
   ballot in sealed envelopes for their region. On each sealed envelope shall
   have two signatures across the seal by the ballot representative and the
   region director and will then be placed in a larger envelope and sealed and
   will be brought to the December board meeting of each even year where at
   that time the chairperson will coordinate the counting of those votes with
   the region ballot representatives.

B. DISTRIBUTION OF PAPERWORK:

1. To have a rough draft of the board meeting minutes sent to all directors as
   soon as possible after the meeting.

2. The MBFN Treasurer's report and MBFN Secretaries minutes are to be given to
   Regional Directors for distribution to individual clubs.

3. To only send mailings to club presidents.

4. All of the MBFN officers should have a copy of the bylaws.

C. INTERNET ACCESS:

To have MBFN provide Internet access for the following positions:
Secretary/Membership Chairman; Federation Update Chairman; and Tournament Trail
Director.

D. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS:

The Executive Board meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00pm.

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Section V: MISCELLANEOUS FINANCIAL

A. PAYMENT PROCEDURES:

1. Checks for MBFN related affairs go through the MBFN Treasurer in order to
   provide a paper trail.

2. Checks will be mailed after an expense report with receipts has been turned
   in to the MBFN Treasurer.

B. TAX STATUS:

1. In order to maintain tax status, all but 10% of carryover money should be
   disbursed.

2. A letter received from the State of Maryland states that the MBFN is now
   legal as a non-profit tax exempt group.

C. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Under "no circumstances" would the MBFN assume any financial responsibility for
any club or member during any Federation sponsored activity.

D. INSURANCE POLICY:

To acquire an insurance policy insuring the assets of MBFN, plus the liability
in hired automobiles and non-owned automobiles.

E. CHECK REGISTER:

The President will receive a copy of the check register monthly to review.

F. M.A.R.C.:

The MBFN will make an annual donation to M.A.R.C.

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Section VI: YOUTH

A. CLUB REGISTRATION:

Youth clubs must register by December 31st.

B. TRAVEL EXPENSES:

That the MBFN pay all reasonable travel expenses for the CastingKids State
Champion Contestant and Jr. World Champion contestant, and one adult,
regardless of the payment from B.A.S.S. (participants must submit vouchers for
reimbursement).

C. PUBLICATIONS:

To provide each youth member with a copy of the update. Youths will also be
included in the directory.

D. TOURNAMENTS:

1. The chapter youth clubs will be allowed to send six (6) contestants from
   each club, three (3) from each age group, to the Jr. S.Q.T. Tournament.

2. The top twenty (20) youth anglers, ten (10) from each age group, from the Jr
   S.Q.T. shall advance to the Jr. World Championship Qualifier Tournament.

3. The Jr. State Team is made up of the top eight (8) anglers from the Jr.
   World Championship Qualifier Tournament, four (4) from each age group.
   Making this an eight (8) person State Team.

4. All Jr. State Qualifying tournaments will have a random draw for partners
   via the computer pairings system from now on.

5. The Jr. State Team will send a three (3)-member team, plus an alternate from
   each age category if necessary, to the Jr. Invitational Tournament each
   year.

6. The Maryland Jr. World Championship representatives shall be the top youth
   angler of each age group from the Jr. World Championship Qualifier
   Tournament.

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Section VII: AWARDS

A. AWARDS PROGRAM:

The MBFN will have an "Awards Program".

B. AWARDS PACKETS:

Awards packets are due to the MBFN by January 31st.

C. "YOUTH CLUB OF THE YEAR":

1. An award for "Youth Club of the Year" is added to the MBFN awards.

2. To add $100 to the award for MBFN "Youth Club of the Year".

D. NATIONAL AWARDS:

The chairman of the activity "winning a national award" should be the one
accepting the award.

E. "CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION":

To have printed "Certificates of Appreciation" available for future use of the
MBFN for all occasions.

F. "MAN OF THE YEAR":

The MBFN "Man of the Year" award is to be known as the MBFN "Butch Ward" Man of
the Year Award.

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Section VIII: PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE

A. DATE:

The President's Conference will be held the 2nd Sunday in March.

B. GUESTS:

Presidents may bring one guest to the President's Conference and they must be a
member of the club.

C. 50/50 RAFFLE: The President of the Federation will determine at each years
President's Conference where to allocate the other half of the 50/50 drawing
money.

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Section IX: PUBLICATIONS

A. FEDERATION NEWSLETTER:

1. The newsletter is to be known as the "Federation Update".

2. The MBFN Newsletter ad prices are to be set each year.

3. An annual issue of the "Federation Update" will distributed at the end of
   each year.

B. "INCORPORATION":

All literature representing the MBFN shall bear the appropriate designation of
"incorporated".

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Section X: WEBSITE

SET-UP AND ACCESS OF THE MESSAGE BOARD:

The following "guidelines" shall be added to the message Board on the web site
(www.mdbass.com). The Registration requirement shall be implemented as soon as
possible:

1. A new "MBF Members Only" section to be added to the Message Board.

2. The following messages to be added to the Message Board "Home Page" MD BASS
   Message Board:

   a. Please note: This Message Board is to be used primarily by MD B.A.S.S.
      Federation Nation members and sponsors for posting information regarding
      up-coming events, selling items, or getting information. It is not to be
      used for degrading the Federation or any of the Federation Officers,
      members or volunteers. Any postings that are vulgar, sexually explicit,
      degrading to the Federation or in any other way deemed inappropriate will
      be removed. Any MBFN member that is found to make any such post will be
      subject to discipline as outlined in the Standing Rules. If you are not a
      Federation member or Sponsor, permission to post advertisements,
      advertising materials, items or services should be obtained from the
      Webmaster prior to posting.

   b. "MBF Members Only" access requirements: To access the "Members Only"
      section of the Bulletin board you need to register with your Name, Bass#,
      and Club name. This information will be compared to the current MBFN
      membership roster before access will be allowed.

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Section XI: MARYLAND BASS FEDERATION NATION OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES

The following rules shall apply to all Maryland Bass Federation Nation (MBFN)
tournaments except:

1. Rules for special tournaments (not to include the SQT and Mr. Bass)
   may differ from those contained herein.

2. These rules may be changed by the MBFN immediately upon notice to its
   members; such notice may be published on the MBFN internet website at
   http://www.mdbass.com.

A. TOURNAMENT STAFF:

1. Mr. Bass:

   a. The Mr. Bass Tournament Director and Staff are the responsibility of the
      MBFN and will run the Mr. Bass Tournament.

   b. The host region will be required to supply 4 helpers for each day of the
      tournament. These people cannot fish in the tournament.

   c. If a region fails to provide such persons, it will be fined $50 per
      person per day.

2. SQT:

   a. All regions will be required to supply 1 helper for each day of the
      tournament. These people cannot fish in the tournament.

   b. If a region fails to provide such persons, it will be fined $50.00 per
      person per day.

Note: Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively
to the Tournament Director or his designee at a tournament. In the event of a
rule violation, the Tournament Director may impose such sanctions, as he deems
appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, and forfeiture of
prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments.
The decision of the Tournament Director or his designee shall be final in all
matters.

B. TOURNAMENT FOLDER:

The Tournament Director will maintain a file pertaining to State Federation
Tournaments.

C. CANCELLATION POLICY AND DELAYED STARTS:

1. If the Tournament Director cancels a regularly scheduled tournament for any
   reason, it shall be rescheduled by the Tournament Director and approved by
   the Executive Board.

2. In the event of a delayed start, all tournaments will keep the same weigh-in
   time.

D. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY:

1. Tournaments are open only to current members of the MBFN who are 16 years of
   age or older. Proof of age to the satisfaction of tournament officials is
   the responsibility of potential competitor. Any candidate for competition
   who, in the judgment of the Tournament Director, is disabled in such a
   manner as to unfairly hinder his partner or endanger the safety and
   well-being of his partner or himself shall not be eligible.

2  Eligibility will be limited to those chapters who have actively affiliated
   with the MBFN prior to July 1st of the year preceding the tournament and who
   are in "good standing" with the MBFN in accordance with State Bylaws.

3. If a club's affiliation is not up to par by the entry deadline date of a
   tournament, they are pulled from that tournament and cannot fish any other
   tournament until the club in back to being 100% affiliated.

4. Observers can be either members or non-members, but they must be at least 16
   years of age.

Note: A letter from BASS on qualifying members for state teams. Two exceptions
to "home rule".

   (a) No one can fish for two states in an attempt to qualify for two
   different state teams.

   (b) States cannot use buddy or team tournaments as qualifiers. They must use
   "solo" or "blind draw" tournaments where there is an unbiased observer in
   each boat.

5. Mr. Bass:

   a. Each eligible chapter is allowed to send a designated Mr. Bass
      representative. In the event the chapter's Mr. Bass is unable to fish the
      tournament, an alternate may be appointed or selected by the chapter.
      However, only one name may be submitted for the Mr. Bass Tournament.

   b. Each contestant is required to provide a boat for use during the
      tournament.

   c. Each chapter is required to provide an observer for both days (it doesn't
      have to be the same person both days) that should provide their own PFD.
      The Tournament Director or his/her staff will not provide an observer for
      any reason. If the contestant does not have an observer, he/she will not
      fish the tournament.

6. SQT: Entry Qualification: All club members in "good standing" may fish
   the SQT.

E. PRACTICE AND COMPETITION:

1. During regular season events, there will be no off limits or official
   practice day.

2. During the tournament and any official practice days, a competitor may not
   have the assistance or advice of anyone for the purposes of locating or
   catching bass, nor enter the tournament waters with anyone who has been on
   the tournament waters during the off-limits period including, but not
   limited to, a professional guide, state or federal wildlife agency employee,
   or any other person deemed an "expert" on these tournament waters by the
   Tournament Director, unless they are a competitor in the tournament.

3. During two-day tournaments, contestants or observers may not be on
   tournament waters outside of the tournament hours except to return to a
   launch site or with approval of the Tournament Director (especially to show
   a friend spots learned during the first day of the tournament).

4. No competitor may buy or barter a fishing location from any other competitor
   for use during any competition day.

5. During the official competition days of the tournament, a competitor may not
   use a CB radio, a VHF marine-band radio, a cellular phone, or any other type
   of communication device for the purpose of locating or catching fish.
   Competitors are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone only in the
   event of an emergency. If so equipped, competitors may listen to the
   marine-band weather information.

6. A designated tournament official must be granted access to the competitor's
   boat at any time during the official practice or competition days. Failure
   to grant such access may result in immediate disqualification.

7. Each competitor agrees to report to the Tournament Director any violation or
   infraction of any tournament rules. Failure to report violations, or
   suggestions to another competitor that he or she should violate these rules,
   or false verification of weigh-in forms will be cause for disqualification.

F. PAPERWORK:

1. Waiver and release: A properly completed and signed official entry form and
   the entry fee must be received by the MBFN Tournament Director or his
   designee on or before the entry fee deadline date. The Tournament Director
   reserves the right to discontinue acceptance of applications prior to
   deadline and also the right to extend the acceptance date. Entry fees will
   only be refunded if proper notification is made to the MBFN Tournament
   Department prior to the entry fee deadline date. While a sponsor may pay
   the entry fee, competitors agree to use any and all official products
   provided by the MBFN.

2. Insurance:

   a. During the official practice and competition days of any MBFN tournament,
      no competitor may operate a boat unless that contestant has documented
      proof of a minimum of $100,000 boating liability insurance covering the
      boat being used in the tournament. Proof of said insurance must be with
      the boat being used and must cover the competitors using that boat.
      Random checks will be conducted and any competitor who does not have
      proof of in-force said insurance may be disqualified.

   b. Any boat operated by a non-boater owner must have a letter from the boat
      owner granting him/her permission to use the boat and a copy of the boat
      owner's insurance policy confirming coverage.

   c. Any homeowner policies used for insurance purposes must cover the boat on
      the water.

   d. At least $5,000 medical coverage is highly recommended.

3. Ramp Fee: The contestants are responsible for paying ramp fees on tournament
   days.

4. Lunker Pool:

   a. Mr. Bass: There will be an optional $10.00 per contestant lunker pool
      for the entire tournament.

   b. SQT: There will be an optional $10.00 per contestant lunker pool for
      each tournament of the series of three.

5. Awards:

   a. Mr. Bass: $100.00 is given away each day to a random observer.

   b. SQT: An award plaque will be presented to the top eight (11) finishers
      of the final point standings after the 3rd tournament. Note: [Except for
	  the 2011 state team, for which there will be nine (9); two (2) team
	  members are already on the team from the 2010 Trail] A one (1) in ten
     (10) payout will be presented to the top finishers of the 3rd tournament
	 in the series.

G. REGISTRATION:

1. Each competitor must register in person with official MBFN staff at the time
   and place designated. Failure to register in person during the prescribed
   hours shall result in being disqualified from participating in the
   tournament. In tournaments with observers, each contestant must have their
   observer sign in each morning to insure that everyone is accounted for and
   that they are qualified to fish. A "Pre-tournament Meeting" will be held
   the morning of the event.

2. Pairing of Competitors: Two competitors (or competitor/observer for Mr.
   Bass) will be assigned to each boat. The Tournament Director will determine
   the method of pairing partners. No contestants or observers will be paired
   from the same club. In two competitors per boat type tournaments an
   announcement of your fishing partner shall be made by United States Mail to
   both partners (unless you choose to be contacted electronically), posted on
   the MBFN website and posted at the "Pre-tournament Meeting" on the morning
   of the event. This meeting must be attended by at least one of the
   competitors. It shall be the responsibility of each partner to appear at a
   mutually agreed upon location with sufficient time remaining to check out at
   the official checkpoint and start on time. Tournament officials shall have
   no responsibility for finding missing partners. The Tournament Director, at
   his sole discretion, may reassign partners prior to the morning take-off. It
   is suggested that a minimum of 30 minutes is required for preparation to
   depart to the check-out point.

H. TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES:

1. Official Checkpoint:

   a. There shall be only one official point for check-out in the morning and
      check-in in the afternoon. These points shall be designated at the
      "pre-tournament" meeting.

   b. Prior to each day's start, each boat will be given an inspection check by
      a tournament official, and will be given a number, which must remain with
      the boat. This number must be displayed upon the request of tournament
      officials.

   c. At the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in
      full conformity with all rules set forth by the Tournament Director.

   d. At check-in, all boats shall identify themselves by means of the numbers
      described in "part b" above and proceed immediately to the designated
      weigh-in area. Partners must stay together, and numbers must be turned in
      at check-in.

   e. The boater and non-boater must leave from and return to official
      checkpoints by boat. After proper recognition at the check-in point,
      competitors will be allowed ample time to proceed to the weigh-in site;
      however, all fishing must cease upon check-in. They must remain together
      at all times, in sight of each other and each other's catch, under the
      conditions cited above, in order for their catch of that day to be scored
      in the tournament. A competitor must not allow any bass caught by him to
      be counted on the score of another competitor. In such a case, both
      competitors shall be disqualified from this tournament and from all
      future tournaments conducted by the MBFN. Note: As needed, when
	  directed by the Tournament Director to use a trailered weigh-in, the
	  partners are able to separate to allow for boats to be pulled from the
	  water.

   f. A competitor who does not catch any fish can sign-off at the registration
      table and will not have to accompany his partner through the rest of the
      weigh-in.

   g. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the
      "Pre-tournament Meeting". It is the angler's responsibility to confirm
      check-in times each day on the daily pairings.

   h. In all two-day tournaments, the second day's launch sequence will be
      the reverse of the first day (i.e., the last boat the first day will be
      the first boat on the second day. If more than one flight is required,
      the flights and contestants will be reversed.)

   i. Mr. Bass: Failure to Check In: For any contestant that fails to check-in
      at the official checkpoint, his/her chapter shall not be allowed to fish
      the following year's Mr. Bass tournament.

2. Fishing and Boating Considerations:

   a. "Boater/Non-boater" type tournaments:

      (1) SQT: A full discussion must be held between the two partners, prior
      to the morning departure, as to the schedule of boat operation. This
      schedule must permit each partner equal time to fish from the front of
      the boat, to operate the trolling motor, so as to afford each partner the
      opportunity to fish their selected waters an equal amount of time. If a
      contestant waives the above rights, they shall retain the right to select
      the fishing waters for one-half of the tournament day.

      (2) Mr. Bass: It is at the sole discretion of the boat captain-angler
      whether or not the observer in the boat is allowed to fish. Observers
      can be either members or non-members, but they must be at least 16 years
      of age.

Note: In view of the expense involved in operation and maintaining a boat, it
is suggested that the non-boater (but not an observer) assume at least half the
cost of gas and oil for the competition.

   b. Competitors must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat
      more accessible to fishing waters.

   c. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament days.

   d. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: The boater and non-boater must remain in the boat
      at all times except in case of dire emergency. In such an emergency, they
      may be removed from their boat to either a boat operated by other
      competitors or a rescue boat designated by the Tournament Director. In
      the event of a needed restroom break, contestants are allowed to leave
      the boat upon which all fishing must cease until partners are back
      together in the boat. If a competitor violates any of the above
      conditions to contact a tournament official by phone or other means or to
      report an emergency or breakdown, both competitors must cease fishing at
      this point, and their catch must be verified by a tournament official in
      order to be counted in the tournament. If after the emergency situation
      is resolved by tournament officials and enough time is left for the
      competitors to resume fishing, a "restart" will be allowed and the
      competitors will continue and their catch will be counted. This applies
      only to dire emergency situations as determined by the Tournament
      Director or his designee.

   e. Towing boats on trailers during tournament hours is prohibited, except by
      the direction of tournament officials.

   f. Posted speed limits must be observed and all boats must be operated in a
      safe manner.

   g. All angling must be done from the boat.

3. Permitted Fishing Locations:

   a. Tournament waters shall be established by the Tournament Director for
      each tournament. Each competitor must obtain this information from the
      MBFN Tournament Department. Any water within these boundaries posted
      "Off-Limits" or "No Fishing" by state or federal agencies as well as the
      live-bass-release area established by the Tournament Director will be
      "off-limits" and will be announced at the "pre-tournament" meeting. Only
      that water open to all public fishing will be considered tournament
      waters.

   b. Fishing on the tournament waters is permitted anywhere except within 25
      yards of any other contestant's boat. No such boat shall permit selected
      contestants to fish with-in the 25 yard circle claimed by him to the
      exclusion of any other contestant. In order to have a claimed area, the
      trolling motor must be up and the boat must be anchored or tied to a
      fixed object.

The following exceptions will govern all MBFN tournaments at the following
locations:

1. Smallwood State Park: Off limits inside the no-wake zone to include all
   docks and bulkheads adjacent to the ramp area. And any posted restricted
   areas designated by DNR.

2. Dundee Creek Marina: All areas inside the no-wake zone at the ramp area,
   including the creek beside the ramp area. Any posted restricted areas
   designated by DNR.

I. SAFETY:

1. Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by competitors. During the
   official practice and competition, each competitor must wear a Coast
   Guard-approved chest-type life preserver. This preserver must be worn at all
   times the combustion engine is operating. This preserver must be strapped,
   snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the
   combustion engine is shut off. Violation of this rule shall be reason for
   disqualification.

2. Tournament officials have the right to delay, shorten or cancel the start of
   an official tournament day because of bad weather or other factors that
   would endanger the safety of the competitors. Tournament waters may also be
   restricted at any time because of bad weather.

3. The MBFN reserves the right to impose boat speed limits on any or all
   tournaments. Whether or not to impose a speed limit, the area covered by the
   speed limit and/or the actual speed limit imposed, shall be left exclusively
   to the discretion of the tournament director.

4. In the event of an emergency situation, competitors should call 911 first
   and then notify tournament officials. Competitors are allowed to leave the
   boat and seek safe shelter in bad weather where danger may be eminent.

5. Do not bring the boat to plane position until you are past the point
   designated by the Tournament staff.

J. SPORTSMANSHIP:

1. Competitors in MBFN tournaments are expected to follow high standards of
   sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these
   fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification.

2. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over-the-counter or
   prescribed by a licensed physician) by any competitor during the official
   practice or during the tournament will not be tolerated and shall be cause
   for automatic disqualification from this and all future MBFN tournaments.
   No alcoholic beverages or other stimulants or depressants, prescription or
   otherwise, shall be allowed in the boats during the official practice or
   competition days, or in the weigh-in area.

3. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to
   boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on
   tournament waters. Any act of a competitor which reflects unfavorably upon
   efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters and courtesy, shall
   be reason for disqualification.

4. All competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the
   various states within which they fish.

5. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other
   crimes involving moral turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably
   upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and
   compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for rejecting any
   application for participation and/or for disqualification. Any
   disqualification suspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding any
   tournament or fishing organization shall be grounds for rejecting any
   application for participation in a MBFN tournament and/or for
   disqualification from a MBFN tournament.

6. Dead fish may not be culled and must be delivered to the weigh-master for
   weighing and proper disposal.

7. Participants may be penalized for not showing up at a tournament without
   prior notice to the Tournament Director. Penalty in such a case will be
   forfeiture of the entry fee, show-up points, weight, and ineligibility for
   the next tournament.

8. Any individual that fails to show up for the second day of a two-day
   tournament without proper notification to the Tournament Director will be
   disqualified from next year's tournament.

K. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:

1. The use of grippers in landing bass is prohibited.

2. Only artificial lures may be used.

3. No "live bait" or "prepared bait" will be permitted during official practice
   and competition, with the exception of pork strips or rinds.

4. Only ONE casting, spin casting or spinning rod (8 foot maximum length from
   butt of handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. Other rigs
   as specified above may be in boat ready for use; however, only one is
   permitted in use at any given time.

L. FISHING METHOD RESTRICTIONS:

1. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner. Anyone
   guilty of snatching or snagging visible fish will have his or her catch
   disqualified. When visually fishing for bedding bass, to be counted as a
   legal fish all bass must be hooked inside the mouth and must be verified by
   your partner before being unhooked.

2. An electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering. However,
   trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited.

M. BOAT AND MOTOR REGULATIONS:

1. HORSEPOWER: MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER FOR ALL OUTBOARD MOTORBOATS USED IN OFFICIAL
   TOURNAMENT PRACTICE AND IN TOURNAMENT COMPETITION WILL BE 250 HP. Horsepower
   cannot exceed the limitations set by the U.S. Coast Guard. When required,
   each boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower-rating plate attached to
   the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must NOT
   exceed the rating specified on this plate nor the horsepower maximum set by
   MBFN. Each competitor agrees to submit, by his signature on the official
   entry form, the boat and outboard motor used in the tournament, to an
   inspection by factory-trained personnel, if there is any reason to suspect
   the horsepower is in excess of the rating. Normal maintenance of engines is
   allowed. Changing or altering standard factory parts of a competitor's
   engine to increase the horsepower over the factory horsepower rating is
   forbidden, and will result in disqualification. Falsifying information on
   entry forms or altering the horsepower-rating numbers on the engine is also
   cause for immediate disqualification from MBFN tournaments.

2. A boat equipped with "stick steering" may be used if the motor HP does not
   exceed the stick rating.

3. SAFETY FEATURES:

   a. All boats must be equipped with an approved type of operable ignition
      "kill" switch. This ignition-kill device must be attached to the driver's
      body any time the combustion engine is operating. Any time the combustion
      engine is operating and in gear there must be a driver in the driver's
      seat in full control of the boat.

   b. Fishing boats that are 16 feet or more in length may be used.

   c. Any raised platforms or decks cannot be higher than the gunnel of the
      boat.

   d. Standing on the outboard or seats while fishing is not allowed.

   e. All BLADDER tanks and any other type of AUXILIARY gas tanks that are not
      installed by the boat manufacturer are prohibited. Additional gas tanks
      that are factory options and installed by a manufacturer's authorized
      dealer are permitted. Boats that do not have factory-installed gas tanks
      are restricted to a maximum of 18 gallons of gasoline in tanks that meet
      U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Gas tanks must be properly secured or
      strapped in a boat.

   f. Every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment as well as
      a functional bilge pump and livewell space, properly aerated, to
      adequately maintain alive a limit catch of bass by both competitors using
      the boat. The MBFN recommends live-wells be maintained at full level and
      aerators on manual. Tournament officials shall have the sole
      responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is proper
      and adequate. Boaters must make a back seat available for non-boaters
      each competition day.

N. SCORING:

1. After competitors check in at the official checkpoint they must present all
   legal fish in their possession to a tournament official to be counted,
   measured and weighed. Tournament standings, auxiliary awards and final
   winners shall be determined by the pound-and-ounce weight of each
   competitor's catch during the competition days of the tournament. Only when
   a boat's competitor's catch is counted, measured, weighed and verified by a
   tournament official may the competitor/competitors return to the boat.

2. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Redeye or Shoal bass will be weighed.

3. The limit for all competitors shall be a combination of 5 of the above
   species and varieties per day, unless otherwise specified by tournament
   officials. At no time shall a competitor have in his or her possession more
   than the tournament limit. Tournament officials will conduct checks for
   violations of this provision, and in the event a competitor has in his
   possession more than the above-described limits, tournament officials shall
   cull down to the limit described, beginning with the largest bass.

4. The official length for bass shall be determined by the Tournament Director
   and announced at the "Pre-tournament Meeting". In most cases it will be the
   longest state limit covering the tournament waters. Only bass as described
   above which measure the official length or more on the longest straight
   line, shall be weighed. Bass presented for weigh-in, which fail to measure
   the official length, shall result in a penalty of loss of largest bass plus
   the short fish, which penalty shall be deducted from the total score of the
   competitor.

5. Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise
   altered will be weighed and credited only at the discretion of tournament
   officials.

6. Bass must not be on a stringer at any time during the tournament.

7. DEAD FISH PENALTIES: For each legal, dead bass, presented to weigh-in
   officials, the competitor shall be penalized the following, to be deducted
   from their daily score: 1 dead fish - 4 oz., 2 dead fish - 10 oz., 3 dead
   fish - 18 oz., 4 dead fish - 28 oz., 5 dead fish - 40 oz. The Tournament
   Director or his designees shall have sole authority for assessing penalty
   points.

8. LATE PENALTY: Competitors who are not in the official checkpoint area as
   described in Rule 1 of "Tournament Procedures" at the appointed time shall
   be penalized at the rate of one pound per minute late to be deducted from
   the total weight of his catch that day. That weight will be deducted
   starting from the largest fish down. Any competitor more than 15 minutes
   late shall lose all credit for that day's catch. There shall be no excuse
   for tardiness, and in no case shall a competitor be allowed to make up "lost
   time."

9. TIE-BREAKERS:

   a. SQT: SQT individual tournaments will not have a tie breaker; ties will
	  result in competitors receiving equal points. To break a tie for
	  accumulated points at series completion:
	  
	  1. The highest number of legal fished weighed in the series.

	  2. The highest finish in the series.
	  
	  3. The largest stringer in the series.  

   b. Mr. Bass: Weight of the largest creel during the two competition days
      will break the tie.

10. Lunker Prize Money Tiebreakers: Prizes will be split between the anglers.

O. PROTEST PROCEDURES: Anyone who feels that he/she has witnessed an infraction
   of any tournament rule may submit protest. The protest will then comply with
   the following outline for action:

1. The person wishing to make protest should immediately notify the Tournament
   Director upon arrival at weigh-in. The protest must be submitted in writing
   within 15 minutes of the official end of the tournament weigh-in procedure.

2. The Tournament Director will then make a determination of the validity of
   the protest.

3. All such valid protest shall then be considered. The Tournament Director
   after consultation with the Rules Committee shall determine possible
   action.

4. The use of a polygraph test will be made available and put to use if deemed
   necessary.

P. RULE'S COMMITTEE:

1. The Rule's Committee shall consist of the Tournament Director as chairman, a
   representative from each region selected by the Region Director of that
   region.

2. All members of the Rule's Committee shall have a copy of, and be familiar
   with, the Tournament Rules.

Q. RULES VIOLATIONS AND APPEALS COMMITTEE:

An appeals committee will be established by the MBFN, which shall be comprised
of one BASS employee not affiliated with the Tournament Department, and two
anglers. Appeals must be sent in writing seven days from the date of ruling to
the Tournament Director. If a competitor admits to a rule violation, he/she
may not file an appeal of either the finding that he/she has violated the rules
or the penalty imposed for the violation. Decisions of the appeals committee
shall be final. Appeals of non-competition rulings will be handled as stated
in other sections of this document.

R. DATES AND TOURNAMENT SITES:

Mr. Bass and SQT dates will be formulated by the tournament committee, approved
by the Executive Board and voted on for approval by the Board of Presidents
(via regions - see MBFN Bylaws).

   a. Dates may be altered by the MBFN by petition of the site selection region
	  due to conflicts of tournaments, weather or conditions sufficiently
	  unsuitable to hold the tournament on the prescribed dates.

   b. The tournament site selection will rotate through the regions in the
      following order:

      (1) 2011 - Northern
      (2) 2012 - Southern
      (3) 2013 - Western
      (4) 2014 - Central
      (5) and so on

S. QUALIFYING FOR THE STATE TEAM AND THE PATHWAY TO THE BASSMASTER CLASSIC:

Requirements: (1) Membership with National B.A.S.S., (2) Membership with the
Maryland Bass Federation Nation, and (3) a member of a Maryland local Chapter
Bass club.

Through the Maryland Federation, you can qualify and be a member of our state
team to represent Maryland at the BASS Divisional Tournament. This is the first
step for a grassroots angler to participate in being an angler in the Bass
Master Classic. Ways to qualify for the state team are as follows:

Mr. Bass Tournament—State Team Captain (2 anglers) ($100 entry fee – no payout)
This is a statewide competition in which each first place finalist from each of
our official chapters is invited to compete against each other to determine the
"best of the best." The top two anglers from this two-day event advance to the
State Team and the overall winner is crowned Maryland's Mr. Bass and becomes
the captain of the State Team. In the event an angler chooses not to fish the
Divisional, the next place angler will be offered that State Team spot. First
place receives a boater position and second place a non-boater position.

S.Q.T. Tournament (10 anglers + an alternate*) ($150 entry fee – $100 total to
state team and $50 to final event and SQT tournament expenses) The SQT features
the top club anglers that qualified through either their club or regional
tournaments. This tournament is the last step in the progression of
competitions leading to the makeup of the State Team that will eventually lead
to the National Bass Master Classic! The top 10 competitors from this two-day
event will advance to the Maryland State Team. This completes the 12-man State
Team. In the event an angler chooses not to fish the Divisional, the next place
angler will be offered that State Team spot and so on down the list until the
spot is filled. The top one through five finishers receive a boater position;
the sixth through tenth finishers receive nonboater positions. Payout; last
tournament of the three will payout one in ten places.

* Alternate - There will be an alternate that will travel with the 12-man State
  Team. This alternate will be the ninth angler qualifying from the SQT. The
  President or designee will become the fourteenth member of the State Team.

From here the State Team will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Divisionals.

Buddy Trail ($100 entry fee per-boat) 80% payback after expenses. The circuit
is comprised of four tournaments and will have a 1 in 10 payout. The tournament
series is open to MBFN members and their immediate family members (spouse,
parent, sibling, child or grand-children) only.

Return to Table of Contents

Section XII: NATIONAL FEDERATION TOURNAMENTS (B.A.S.S.)

A. MID-ATLANTIC DIVISIONAL TOURNAMENT:

1. The state winner of the Mid-Atlantic Divisional will take the first $1200
   toward expenses. The MBFN will take 30% of the remaining amount, and the
   remaining 70% will be split equally among the team members. Also, it was
   amended to give the 13th  man an equal share of the 70% whether he fished or
   not. (i.e. 70% will be split among team members including the 13th man
   (Alternate).

2. To allow all team members to bring their boats unless restricted by the
   hosting state.

3. For the MBFN to pre-pay for rooms for the Mid-Atlantic Divisional in order
   to get the best price/selection.

4. The Tournament Committee shall be responsible for making annual
   recommendations to the Executive Board for the current year’s State Team
   allocated expenses for individual Boaters and Non-boaters. Recommendations
   are to be done at the first committee meeting, or as soon as the Divisional
   location is announced and a quorum can be held. Recommendations are to be
   based on location, gas, and miscellaneous accommodations.

5. If a member of the State Team has to back out of the Mid-Atlantic Divisional
   for any reason, the person that finished in the next spot in that venue will
   take his position and the vacant spot will be filled with the next place
   finisher from the same venue.

Example:  Mr. Bass:

                  1st Place - John
                  2nd Place - Todd
                  3rd Place - Jim
                  4th Place - Bill

If John cannot make the Mid-Atlantic Divisional, Todd would move into his spot,
as a boater and team captain, and the vacant spot would be filled by Jim. If
Jim is unable to go the spot will be offered to Bill as so on down the list of
the pertaining venue. This scenario is active up to and until the date in which
the State Teams names are submitted to B.A.S.S. After this time, this is
usually two weeks before the tournament, the State Team alternate (11th place
finisher at the SQT) will fill any spot vacated by a competitor, after all
lower finishers are moved up.

6. Upon the determination of the Executive Board, it will be determined the
   amount of monies that will be paid to the boater and non-boaters fishing in
   this tournament. Boater monies will be paid to: The Mr. Bass winner and the
   top five (5) finishers of the SQT.

7. The 2nd place finisher of the Mr. Bass tournament is the alternate boater.
   This contestant will be required to bring a boat to the tournament and
   therefore will also receive boater’s monies. Once the State Team is at the
   Mid-Atlantic Divisional, and only at this time, the contestant will only be
   entitled to use his boat if a fellow competitor boat breaks down and they
   are unable to find a replacement. If a boater cannot fish either day of the
   tournament, due to illness, disqualification, or any other reason, the
   replacement boater (2nd place Mr. Bass) will become the alternate boat. It
   is not required that the alternate boater lend his boat to another
   competitor unless he chooses to do so.

B. NATIONAL FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP:

To pay $1,000 for expenses over and above what is allocated for the angler that
goes to the "Nationals" for that current year and that it is retroactive for
the current "National Angler" candidate from the MBF. All receipts need to be
turned in for reimbursement.

Revised and Re-organized on 2/20/08

Updated: 3/02/08 - Sec.XI,G,3,b,(2) (last part after "... tournament" deleted)
         3/21/09 - Sec.XI,D,6 (re-written to reflect 80% rule)
         5/21/09 - Sec.XI,F,1 (part of sentence after "...acceptance date" deleted)
                 - Sec.XI,H,1,d (last sentence added)
         7/16/09 - [corrected two passed rule changes that didn't get written
                   earlier into the "Standing Rules"]
                 - Sec.XI,A,2,a (to read - "All regions .... 2 helpers...")
                 - Sec.XI,G,2 (to read - ".... partners (unless you choose to
                   be contacted electronically), ....")
		 2/17/11 - Section XI (re-written to reflect changes in the MBFN
				   tournament format and other changes)