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 panels decision will be reversed. An organization dismissed for violating M.B.I. rules may not be reinstated for at least (1) one year from it's 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. Annual Membership costs are $100 per organization.  If only five teams fish the M.B.I. tournament, then the membership donation is $120 per ogranization.
B. Each Organization will be responsible to make their donation to that years 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:
 Meeting Chairperson
 Tournament Director
 (8) Tournament Chairpersons
 (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 a 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 a 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 that 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 will be responsible to see that each of their team members are 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 effect 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.

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 it's 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, 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 years 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 3:00p.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 1-75 & 1-94, and cannot be the lake that was just fished or navigable waters.

SECTION 5: ANNUAL M.B.I. TOURNAMENT AWARDS

A. Each years wining team of eight anglers will receive an award for their exceptional efforts. This award will remain the same form year to year to maintain consistency. Only the date/year and name of lake will change each year.
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.