My question and concern is about the bylaws. Specifically:

ARTICLE V – Removal of Membership
Section 1: Removal of Membership
A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:

c) Failure to attend 50% of the chapter meetings and 50% of chapter functions during a 12-month period.

For those of you that don't know, I was a member of the club from 94 until 98 or 99. That's when I started fishing boat tournaments and didn't have the time to fish everything I wanted to. I still have the same problem. I had to make some choices then which unfortunately did not let me continue with the club.

I asked the club president, William Perez I think, to rejoin in 2004 and again in 2005. I told him my intent was to be able to fish the Federation. I also told him I would not be able to fish any club events due to family, work, and my other tournaments. He said it was ok. I paid my membership both years.

I knew all along I could go out and join a Federation ghost club and pay less money. I would rather support my tournament roots than do that. I know I would not be fishing bass tournaments nor have had the success I've had if not for SCBBBC and all the members who helped me.

I saw the bylaws that John posted. Unfortunately, I never bothered to read them before. So this leads me to my current dilemma. I still have the same restrictions on my time. This means with the bylaws as they are currently written my membership shall be removed.

I just need to know whether you guys are interested in changing the bylaws in regards to this. I need to make other arrangements if the bylaws stay the same. I also need to do this quickly.

For those of you that don't know, I finished 13th at the Federation State tournament on New Melones in October. This means I'm the first alternate for the state team if someone drops out and doesn't go to Idaho. Rumor is at least one person and possibly two are not going. This will put me in the Western Regional in May 2006 representing not only the California State Team but the Federation Club that I belong to. I have to be a Federation club member soon to be able to participate.

I hope to continue to represent the club in national tournaments as a member but I also understand the club rules and the need to adhere to them.

Thank you for the time and I hope to see you all on the water.

Sincerely,

Pat Wilson.