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| FishTails |
Open Letter From Don Rucks:
[December 1, 2005]
An Open Letter to B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation Members:
Let's set the record straight.
A lot has been said about B.A.S.S. and a group that calls itself "The Bass Federation, Inc." (TBF), over
the past two weeks. Unfortunately, a lot of it has been misconstrued. Hopefully, this letter will clarify our position
on the B.A.S.S. Federation and the relationship between B.A.S.S. and our B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation members.
Part of the blame for the miscommunication is ours. Too often we've relied upon others to carry our message to
you. That message has obviously been distorted or gone undelivered. From this point forward, we will work with
you and your state leadership, and together we will communicate more effectively and more often.
With that said, I'd like to address several questions and issues that have recently come up regarding B.A.S.S.
and the B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation. We want to help you maintain an uninterrupted relationship with B.A.S.S. without
missing any of the benefits we offer.
We Support The B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation - Completely!
I want you to know first and foremost that B.A.S.S. is behind the Federation programs 100 percent. Though
B.A.S.S. does not, has never and does not desire to own the Federation, you are our grass roots, our heritage and
a big part of our future. You do great things for conservation, youth and many other important initiatives within
your community. We want to continue to help you with those efforts. They're important to B.A.S.S. and important
to the sport of bass fishing.
Together we can make the Federation bigger, better and stronger than ever before. That means great things for conservation,
for youth, for our sport, for B.A.S.S. and for you. Our long-term commitment is to grow the Federation in each
state - not just nationally or regionally. As the Federation grows, so will the benefits you receive as a Federation
member.
Your Benefits And Positions Are Secure
B.A.S.S. is keeping its promises to you.
The Federation National Championship will be held in January. The Federation will send six anglers to the 2006
CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Each state will send two young anglers to the CastingKids National Semifinals. Federation
members can feel secure in knowing that B.A.S.S. will deliver on all of its commitments. We hope to make this Federation
National Championship our best and most successful yet.
Six of those talented Federation anglers will move on to the Classic - the Super Bowl of bass fishing. Two young
anglers from each state will also be headed to Classic week as competitors in the Junior Bassmaster World Championship
where they'll be joined by 12 CastingKids finalists. These young people will have experiences to make memories
that will last a lifetime.
Seven Who Broke The Rules
On November 1, 2005, B.A.S.S. announced a $5 increase in annual membership dues to $20 for 2006. Previously,
Federation members were paying $15 annually for the benefits of Federation membership (detailed below).
In response, claiming they were "representing" the interests of all 50,000 Federation members, six Divisional
Representatives (the TBF, Inc.) and their secretary suggested and requested that state presidents refuse to pay
the dues increase, ignore the dues increase from BASS and send their membership roster and dues to the states directly
- "NOT to BASS." Recently, TBF, Inc., claimed that B.A.S.S. requested that the states receive the dues.
This is not true, although several states have taken it upon themselves to collect national dues along with state
dues.
The TBF Inc.'s instruction to the State Federation leadership was in violation of their duties and responsibilities
and constitutes a misappropriation of these funds and an abuse of their authority.
The Presidents Advisory Board (now known as the TBF) was created by the B.A.S.S. Federation in 2002 to "operate
at the discretion of B.A.S.S." and was to have "no financial responsibility." Furthermore, the Board's
members were to "serve at the discretion of B.A.S.S." and "Any Board member that becomes disruptive,
uncooperative, unproductive, unsupportive, or continually fails to participate, in the sole discretion of the Federation
Director, may be denied participation in meetings and functions." The complete document creating the Board
is attached.
On November 18, 2005, B.A.S.S. revoked the membership of these seven individuals. These individuals will not be
allowed to hold office within the Federation.
Don't Put A $5 Price Tag On Your Fishing Future
It costs $20 to be a member of the Federation. Here's what B.A.S.S. provides for that money:
(1) A subscription to B.A.S.S. Times, the retail value of which is $24;
(2) Eligibility to compete in state tournaments, the prestigious B.A.S.S. Divisional Tournaments and the Federation
Championship for cash awards and six Bassmaster Classic berths;
(3) An insurance program which gives you $1 million liability coverage for sanctioned club events and $9,000 accidental
death and dismemberment coverage 24 hours per day, seven days a week;
(4) Priority entry in the Bassmaster Tour and Elite Series events as an amateur;
(5) Federation-guaranteed Bassmaster Tour slots reserved for state champions;
(6) Federation-guaranteed non-boater slots for the Majors and Bassmaster Elite Series;
(7) Early entry (two weeks) in the Bassmaster Tour as boaters or non-boaters;
(8) Priority entry in the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series;
(9) Federation fundraiser - three total slots for the Bassmaster Tour;
(10) Sponsorship programs from premier partners available exclusively to members;
(11) Free CastingKids kits to host youth events;
(12) $54,000 CastingKids travel assistance to state contenders advancing to B.A.S.S. national events;
(13) The opportunity to send young anglers to the Junior Bassmaster World Championship;
(14) Conservation Workshops that educate and provide guidance for anglers and conservation personnel on initiatives
within each Federation state; and
(15) State and federal level support from B.A.S.S.' Conservation Department.
Next Steps
A number of those who call themselves Federation "leaders" are trying to force you into a decision
you do not have to make. TBF, Inc., would like to pull you away from B.A.S.S. and follow them down an uncertain
road.
There may very well be a shakeup in the Federation, but that disruption will be caused by TBF, Inc., not B.A.S.S.
I can assure you that we will have Federations in every state where one currently exists, and that in a relatively
short time, these Federation programs will be stronger and more vibrant and more effective on behalf of bass fishing
than ever before.
They may ask you to choose between B.A.S.S. and TBF, Inc. Before you make that decision, I urge you to consider
what you and any other Federation members who follow the TBF, Inc., will be giving up. By staying with B.A.S.S.,
you will keep your B.A.S.S. benefits - all of them, including Classic berths, CastingKids programs, Junior Bassmaster
World Championship berths, insurance policies, B.A.S.S. Times subscriptions and everything else. What's more, you'll
continue to be a part of the most prestigious grass roots fishing organization in the world, including the friendly
fellowship and spirited camaraderie that comes from fishing in a B.A.S.S.-affiliated club.
Many B.A.S.S. state and club presidents have expressed concern that their club or state might fall below membership
requirements or that they might have trouble collecting the full amount of dues from each member on time. Fifteen
dollars of the $20 in dues required of each member must be received by B.A.S.S. on or before December 31, 2005,
in keeping with our traditional re-affiliation procedures. The additional $5 dues increase must be received by
B.A.S.S. on or before March 31, 2006.
Please understand, if you and your club wish to remain affiliated with B.A.S.S. and the B.A.S.S. Federation, we
will work closely with you to take care of any details or difficulties in maintaining your charter - both adult
and youth clubs. We'll assist you in bringing your youth and adult chapters within affiliation requirements.
If you have any questions or concerns, just give our Federation National Office a call at 1-877-BASS-USA.
In closing, I think B.A.S.S.' tradition, history, legacy and the bright future of the Federation will show you
the way. We've enjoyed a 35-year partnership that will continue to flourish. As Ray Scott says, "Take pride
in the patch!" It shows that you're a cut above other bass anglers and vitally concerned with fishing's future.
Together we can do great things.
Sincerely,
Don Rucks
General Manager |
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