The objectives of the Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club are to:

a. Foster fraternal spirit among fellow anglers.
b. Promote sound sportsmanship and conservation policies.
c. Provide an acceptable and uniform set of angling rules for Club members to use as guidelines.
d. Foster and promote fair and ethical angling among Club members.
e. Support game fish tagging programs as established by legislative government bodies.
f. Distribute game fish information to scientific government bodies for the furtherance of conservation.

SECTION 1. Application for membership in the Club shall be as follows:

a. The Board of Directors shall approve or disapprove membership applicants.

b. All applicants must be sponsored by a Club member. Sponsors of applicants seeking membership in the Club must escort their candidate to a minimum of one Club sponsored event. Applications shall not be submitted for the Board of Directors approval until this prerequisite is met.

c. Application forms may be obtained from the Club Secretary.

d. The sponsor shall submit completed application forms to the Membership Chairman.

e. The Membership Chairman shall present all completed applications to the Board of Directors for approval/disapproval at the monthly meeting. Application forms will be submitted in chronological order as received by the Membership Chairman.

f. Applicants will be notified by the Membership Chairman within 48 hours following the Board's meeting as pertains to their membership approval or disapproval.

g. If approved, the applicant will become a regular member of the Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club and Playground Area Boat Club upon payment of the required dues. (See ARTICLE VII - DUES )

SECTION 2. Members must have fulfilled 3 consecutive months as a paid Club member before being eligible to nominate an applicant for potential membership.

SECTION 3. Eligibility for regular membership with all privileges will be eighteen (18) years of age or over.

SECTION 4. Regular membership conveys all privileges except voting right to spouse and to children under age 18.

SECTION 5. Honorary membership may be awarded in exceptional cases by the majority vote of the Board of Directors in appreciation for services rendered to the Club. No dues will be assessed honorary members. The voting privilege is not granted to honorary members. Honorary membership will be reviewed annually at the first Board of Director's meeting following their induction.

SECTION 6. Membership may be terminated for any reason with a majority vote by a quorum of the Board of Directors at any regular meeting. Terminated members will be notified in writing by the President and prorated dues will be refunded.

SECTION 1. The management of the Club shall be vested in a twelve (12) member Board of Directors. A quorum of Directors must be physically present to conduct all Club business. A quorum consists of seven (7) members of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following:

President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Weigh master, Commodore, Vice Commodore, past President, and four elected members.

SECTION 2. Tenure for the below listed positions is as follows:

Past President = one (1) year

Four elected members:

Two (2) members = One (1) year

Two (2) members = Two (2) years

SECTION 3. Two of the four elected members shall be elected each year for a two (2) year term. If one (or both) of last year's members is elected to be an officer, or for any other reason cannot fulfill his second year, that position will be filled by a one (1) year newly elected member to keep the total Directors at twelve (12).

SECTION 4. If the past President is elected to any official position, a replacement member will be elected for one (1) year.

SECTION 5. The Board of Directors may utilize available personnel and funds required to administer and manage the needs of the Club.

SECTION 6. The following officers are authorized to administer all functions of the Treasurer in his/her absence:

President

Vice President

SECTION 1. The Fort Walton Beach Club Officers shall consist of the following:

President Vice President

Secretary Treasurer

SECTION 2. Nomination of future officers will be made by the nominating committee at the September Board of Directors meeting. The committee shall consist of a quorum from the Board of Directors physically present. Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the September General Membership meeting. Ballots shall contain the names of all nominees.

SECTION 3. Individuals must have fulfilled 8 consecutive months as a paid up Club member before being eligible to or become a member of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Election of officers will be by membership vote at the October General Membership or by absentee ballot if members are unable to attend. Absentee ballots will be made available by the Membership Chairman. Officers will assume their duties immediately following the annual awards banquet or no later than December 1st.

SECTION 5. The President shall preside over all formal meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors. He will appoint a chairperson of all committees and carry out the additional responsibilities assigned by these By Laws.

SECTION 6. During the absence or temporary incapacitation of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties and have the power vested in the President.

SECTION 7. The Secretary shall maintain all records of Board of Directors meetings, and other official business requiring his presence.

SECTION 8. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds. Any payment will be made by check only.

SECTION 9. The Treasurer shall submit an annual report to the Board of Directors and General membership at the November meetings each year. The report will reflect expenditures for the previous four (4) fiscal years. A proposed budget will be submitted for the forthcoming year which shall be approved by the Board of Directors no later than December Board meeting. The report shall include the same cost categories and be prepared in the same format as the previous annual reports.

SECTION 10. Officers and Directors shall be allowed a one hundred ($100) dollar expenditure of funds in a single transaction, which benefits the interest of the Club's activities. Expenditures in excess of one hundred ($100) dollars shall have a majority vote approval by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 11. Vacancies in any elective office may be filled by presidential appointment until the following membership meeting.

SECTION 12. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President who will be installed as President. The Vice President's office will then be assumed in accordance with Article V, Section 11, Page 4.

SECTION 1. The fiscal year of the Club shall end on thirty-one October and commence on one November.

SECTION 1. First time members will pay a $35 initiation fee. Dues for the remainder of the current fiscal year will be prorated on a monthly basis.  For example, if a member approved at the June Board of Directors meeting will pay a $35 initiation fee plus prorated dues of 5/12 of $150 for a total of 97.50.

SECTION 2. Dues are payable annually and are due on 1 November.

SECTION 3. An additional penalty fee of twenty-five ($25) dollars will be assessed to any continuing member wishing to renew his/her membership after midnight thirty-one (31) December. Mailed payments must be postmarked not later than midnight thirty-one (31) December to be eligible for the annual one hundred fifty ($150) dollar membership assessment.

SECTION 4. Dues paid by first time members after one (1) August will be prorated over the following year.

SECTION 5. Dues will be paid to the Treasurer by newly elected members within 30 days after being notified of their acceptance into the Club

SECTION 6. Previous members may return to the Club without paying the initiation fee at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. The president has the discretion to reimburse members that are transferred away for the unused months of paid dues.

SECTION 1. General membership meetings will be held at 7:30 P.M. the first Wednesday of each month.

SECTION 2. Informal weekly Club social functions will be held at 7:15 P.M. each Wednesday.

SECTION 3. The Board of Directors meeting will be held at 7:30 P.M. the Monday proceeding the first Wednesday of each month.

SECTION 1. Recommendations for changes to the Rules and By Laws of the Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club may be submitted in writing by paid up members at any time.

SECTION 2. Changes or additions to the Rules and By Laws throughout the year may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Such changes as may be made will be published in the Club newsletter and briefed at the General Membership meeting following the By Law change.