The Heart Of The Issue-What The Two Sides Are Saying

The following is text of statements issued by both the TBF and BASS

BASS The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF)
Subject: BASS Federation Membership
An Open Letter to BASS Federation Members
 
In response to attempts by the so-called "divisional representatives" of the BASS Federation to undermine BASS and the BASS Federation, and for conduct detrimental to BASS, its members and the sport of bass fishing, BASS has determined that for the benefit of BASS and the BASS Federation, it will no longer communicate with the Federations through the divisional representatives.  In addition BASS is revoking the seven BASS memberships of the following individuals: Robert Cartlidge, Roger Fitchett, Chuck Rolfsmeyer, Gary Bradford, Joe McKinnon, Mike Dunkerly and Charles Mitchell.
 
BASS will no longer communicate with these individuals in any capacity, nor will these individuals be welcome at any BASS-sanctioned event now or in the future. BASS will communicate only with the State BASS Federations and with individual members in good standing.
 
Further, since BASS Federation bylaws require that an individual be a "member in good standing" to hold office, any Federation or club offices they may have held will be impacted. Those states affected by these dismissals should contact BASS immediately to make the necessary changes.
 
How The Situation Started
 
To clarify any possible misunderstandings associated with this decision, we want all members of BASS to understand its origin. On Nov. 1, BASS 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.
 
In response, presuming they were "representing" the interests of all 50,000 Federation members, these individuals issued a proclamation stating that membership dues for the upcoming year should be withheld from BASS and sent to the state Federations directly. The reps were attempting to take on duties and responsibilities that were never in the scope and spirit of their role.
 
It's important to note the individuals issued this directive independent of the membership, and their actions run counter to the principles on which Ray Scott founded the BASS Federation. Equally important to note is the fact that this $5 membership increase ­- equal to the cost of one crankbait, to put the entire debate in its proper perspective - is necessary and warranted.
 
Your BASS Benefits
 
Over the past five years the costs of benefits provided to Federation members have increased substantially. Consider BASS Times, for example, the national publication and platform of the BASS Federation. Members receive this publication as part of their annual membership dues, yet a basic subscription, if they were paying full price, would by itself exceed the $20 dues.
 
BASS Times is just one example. Other benefits of Federation membership include - but are not limited to -- 24/7 AD&D insurance coverage, event liability coverage, conservation programs, Junior World Championship berths at the Bassmaster Classic, early entries, preferred tournament slots for boaters and non-boaters, six reserved Classic slots for Federation members, divisional tournament expertise, worldwide coverage on the Internet, the Alliance program, Family Fest, Casting Kids kits and international Federation administration.
 
Costs for all these benefits far exceed annual dues, and they are continually rising. Yet the basic Federation membership fee has not increased in six years.
 
Crossing The Line
 
By instructing State Federation Presidents to withhold 2006 club/member dues, which must be received by BASS by Dec. 31, 2005, the seven "divisional representatives" have crossed the line. We are compelled to act, and to act decisively. To do otherwise would be detrimental to the sport of bass fishing.
 
Threatening to illegally withhold annual BASS membership dues is a deliberate attempt to jeopardize the business of BASS and operations of the BASS Federation. By authority granted BASS in the BASS Federation Divisional Representatives Group Operating Policies and Procedures, BASS has decided to dismiss the Federation Presidents Advisory members and to terminate this Board indefinitely. 
 
Next Steps
 
To circumvent the actions of these seven individuals in the affected State Federations, we encourage every member of good standing to work diligently and quickly to collect the dues and send them at your earliest opportunity to BASS by Dec. 31, 2005. Only those who comply will be eligible to enter a contender in the 2006 BASS Federation National Championship to be held January 11-13, 2006. States that do not submit their rosters and dues of $20 per member to BASS headquarters by Dec. 31 will not be allowed to participate in the Championship, which qualifies six Federation anglers for the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic.
 
For those impacted State Federations, you have new officers to elect. We hope to work closely with all of you as we strive to take our sport and the BASS Federation into an exciting new era without these seven individuals who have attempted to put themselves ahead of the greater good. All of this over a $5 increase in membership dues, an increase that is absolutely necessary and warranted!
 
This is a very unfortunate episode, I'll admit. But we have discussed this with Ray Scott, founder of BASS and the BASS Federation, and he agrees that we have no alternative.
 
Ray pointed out that, early in BASS history, a group within the Federation tried to break away and form their own organization. Ray acted decisively, expelling those Federation leaders and then rebuilding even stronger Federations in those few states.
 
"It was painful for a short while, but the BASS Federation overall was better off after the malcontents left. That's the way it will be after we regroup this time," said Scott.
 
For whatever reasons, these former "divisional representatives" have not been representing your best interests.
 
I urge you to join BASS in helping build a stronger, more responsive, more vibrant BASS Federation - for the good of our sport.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact BASS immediately.
 
Respectfully,
 
Don B. Rucks
General Manager

 

 After MUCH feedback today from the Presidents\states today,
We do not know where to start. I thought we agreed NOT to blindside each other with information?


Just to make it clear to all, we the Reps had NO conversations, or communications with BASS about this proposed dues increase. Nor do we support it in this fashion.


The federation dues have always been there to benefit the member. A break down of the dues has been published many times, in Bassmaster and Bass Times, Chapter handbooks, and mailed out with chapter updates. It is well documented. It is, 6 dollars to insurance, 6 to the divisional prize purse and 3 to the Federation National Championship expense. While it is true that dues have not been raised in many years. The last time it was raised from 12 to 15 dollars, it was plainly communicated that the extra 3 dollars would go toward making a bigger better Federation National Championship. That’s the same championship that still pays out 50K total prize money with 15K to first place as it did then.


Even still the increase was proposed, discussed, planned and VOTED into place BY the Federation Presidents. It’s their decision to make. Where does BASS find the nerve to MANDATE to the states that they are raising the dues on STATE'S federation members?? And the arrogance to raise dues on an organization you don't even own!


Many states and MANY more clubs have the $15 dollar dues outlined in their constitution and bylaws. That cannot just be changed on a whim by BASS. This change CANNOT take place this year in our opinion.


Next BASS has put it in writing, plainly and widely publicized, that there would be NO mandates to the federations. Yet here it is.


We do not know how to make it any more clear than the presidents did at the Classic. The rank and file members and most state federations DO NOT SEE THE VALUE compared to the "cost" of being a federation member now, under current circumstances, much less with a dues increase designed to do nothing more than make BASS some money to offset their costs. What about the states costs??


We were VERY candid with you in our last Reps meeting about the issues and concerns over BASS's handling of the federation dues money, insurance and other items. We laid out a plan to fix it and YOU agreed to meet with us again to resolve those issues. We have a meeting scheduled for Nov. 18th that we JUST set up on Monday October 31st!! Robert talked to you (Gary Jones) on the phone for nearly an hour, over several federation issues needing attention just last Friday yet you NEVER mentioned anything about a dues increase.


It is our position as the Federation Representatives and as the officers of TBF, Inc. that we have been very open and honest with BASS about all plans and objectives. We wish we could say the same for BASS.


It is also our position as those who the presidents have elected to represent them, that it is the State Presidents that are the ultimate decision-makers concerning items of the federation business. It is further, our suggestion and request to the State Presidents as of now, to REFUSE to pay any increase in dues at this time. Please contact each of your clubs in your state and have them ignore the notice of increase from BASS and mail their rosters and the 15 dollars dues money to the state federation. NOT to BASS. Then the Presidents can decide at our meeting in January a final path forward for the federation as a whole.


In Unity,


The Federation Representitives and Officers of TBF, Inc.