Updated Rules for One Fly Swap Tournament

Event:  One Fly Swap Tournament

Date:  September 20th Fly Swap, September 21st Tournament and Social

Time:  6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Fly Swap) and 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Tournament); Social 6:00 - 8:30 p..m.

Location: Bass Pro Shop Meeting Room (Fly Swap) and Arroyo Colorado, Laguna Madre, and Gulf of Mexico (Tournament), Bass Pro Shop Meeting Room (Social)

Fee: The tournament is free for all RGVFTC members in good standing with the IFFF and the club. Non-members may pay a $15 fee.

Details: 

• Fly Swap will be on Friday, September 20, 2013 at Bass Pro Shop Meeting Room from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
• Fly selection will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Fly Swap event.
• Fishing will begin at 6:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m.
• Social and Recognition of Winners will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.
• Fly fishers must possess a valid Texas fishing saltwater fishing license.
• Foul hooked fish will not count. You are on your honor!
• Each participating angler is to provide ONE saltwater fly pattern for the Fly Swap. Fly will be logged, placed in a plastic bag, and thrown in to a large brown paper bag.
• Each fly must be inspected and deemed fishable by a RGVFTC representative.
• Additional flies will be added to the swap bag to sweeten the pot or for those that do not wish to enter a fly.
• Each participant will pick ONE mystery fly prior to fishing.
• All participants must use only the fly selected for the entire tournament.
• A lost fly ends the fishing session! No exceptions!
• If a fly falls apart do to poor construction, the participant may replace it with a personal pattern similar to that submitted at the swap meet. A RGVFTC representative will rule on whether the swapped fly was poorly constructed. It must be available for inspection! No exceptions!
• All fish caught prior to a lost fly will be counted towards the final score.
• This is a photo entry tournament. The fish must be placed on a clearly marked ruler and "One Fly Tag" must be visible.
• Entries are submitted electronically through e-mail to reyram49@gmail.com by 3:00 p.m.
• For any fly that wins a category, a prize will be given to the angler and the individual that submitted the fly.
• Categories: Biggest Fish (all species); Most Fish (all species); Longest Total Length of Three Fish (all species)

         BE SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT TIME!

Agenda - August 27, 2013

1. Welcome
2. Secretary Report
3. Treasurer Report
4. Membership Discussion
5. Future Events
6. Adjourn

Tying the Flat Wing Fly - Tuesday, September 3, 2013

The Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club will be meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the Bass Pro Shop meeting room for a round of fly tying. We'll tie the flat wing twice beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Jack Keller will be the guest tier and will introduce us to tying the flat wing fly. Jack ties it to go after spotted seatrout.

Below you will find a video that takes us step by step to tying the fly. The video was produced as a conversation with Jack. He answers our questions about tying this pattern. If you want to learn to tie the fly from the master himself join us.

Rio Grande Valley Fly Tier Club members will tie the fly for free and if you are a non-member you are still invited to join us for $2.50 for instructions and cost of materials.

Enjoy the video and hope to see you.

Old Salt

Benefits of Becoming an IFFF Chartered Club

Benefits to becoming an IFFF Charter Club.

I realize that change is sometimes difficult to accept. However, allow me to explain why I want everyone to embrace this important change. I've thought about it for a long time.

Personally, I have been a member of the IFFF for over six years as a casting instructor. I wouldn't have honed my fly fishing skills without their support. As a member I have been able to take advantage of folks and resources that have helped me develop not only my fly casting skills, but what I believe is more important...my teaching skills. I have been able to travel and connect with others that have similar minds, but superior skills. I have been able to bring those skills back to others. 

But, what happens when we're gone. To keep the legacy long after we leave this earth, a club has to eventually develop its own character. That character will be developed through us and an foundation for the future through a club.

Through personal experience, I have put together some great programs and once I have left they fizzled out. Human capital is what keeps good things going, but policy and the structure it brings keeps them going way into the future. There are great members like you that could do so, but we don't have anywhere written the direction that we want to take this club when the leadership is gone. This "loose organization" needs stability and a sense of the future.

The structure and how the club would operate will not change, so what we had agreed to, continues to be the mode of operation. I don't want to lose this at all and together we will make certain that it does not. In fact, the IFFF has more qualities of what I was envisioning and includes that in an account of it's history. Lee Wulff, in a letter to Bob Wethern of the Flyfishers Club of Oregon written on May 27, 1964, said "it occurs to me that a loose federation of fly fishing groups could be of considerable value." Lee was from New York. Both of these members are gone, but the IFFF has continued to fluorish and grow for over 50 years.

Becoming a charter club offers us a number of benefits that we weren't able to access as we are currently. Here are some.

• for some time we weren't able to purchase better vices. The IFFF fly tier's organization will be able to help us make this a reality.
• we can strengthen fly tying, by having the funds to bring down premier fly tiers.
• we can connect with other clubs that have fly tying events that we can attend as visitors or participants
• we can bring down premier fly tiers at the state, regional, and national level
• we can participate in activities with other charter clubs (LMFFA is working toward a charter status also)
• we can take advantage of the credibility and national reputation of the IFFF to provide discounts and support our projects
• we can protect the organizers from liability when conducting events (One Fly, Kayaking Outings, etc.)
• we can protect the members in the event of an accident with a discounted insurance policy for everyone of our members
• we can join an organization with similar values of conserving, restoring, and educating

Regarding the idea of joining a national organization, I believe it's the way to go. As a professional I have always sought national stature. It has served me well. I've been a member of the National Archery Association, National Field Archers Association, National Environmental Education Association, National Education Association, National Science Teachers Association, Children in Nature Network, and many regional organizations. I am also on the board for the Texas Council which is a new organization expected to revive fly fishing in Texas.

My parents combined, didn't have an eighth grade education, yet all of there three children received degrees. I learned from them that setting high expectations has to occur. I've embraced this way of thinking from them.

Hopefully, there will be many more generations of fly tiers after us. I think where we both agree that real change occurs in grass root activities. That's why we embraced our "loose structure", but our work will die without establishing a group with a clear direction.

I believe in giving members a voice and I hope that my brief explanation provides the foundation for my way of approaching this new direction.

Agenda - August 20, 2013

Agenda

1. Meeting Call to Order
2. Membershio
2. Annnounce Nominations
3. Vote on Board Members
4. Vote on Constitution
5. Treasurer Report
6. Secretary Report
7. New Business
8. Adjourn

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club (Approved)

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSES
Section 1 - Name. This organization shall be called "Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club" and is referred to in these Constitution and Bylaws as the "Organization".

Section 2 - Purposes. This Organization is a non-profit membership organization established as a local extension of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc. (Federation) to be organized exclusively for educational and conservation purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3), including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. The purposes for which it is organized are as follows:
A. To provide members with a forum for education and resource stewardship through the sport of fly fishing and fly tying;
B. To promote fly fishing and fly tying through education as the most enjoyable and sporting method of fishing, and the method most consistent with the preservation of conservation - wise use - of our fishing waters and game fish;
C. To provide assistance, advice, and suggestions to other angling groups to help them become more important and effective in their areas;
D. To publicize the best practices and techniques of fly fishing, fly tying, casting, and other related subjects;
E. To be the local voice for organized fly fishers as part of the Federation, maintaining liaison with other conservation and sporting organizations, and with the governmental agencies involved in so many aspects of our sport.
F. To carry out the objectives and purposes of the Federation in their respective localities. 

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Eligibility. Any person who is interested and capable of furthering the purposes of the Organization shall be eligible for election to membership.
Section 2 - Membership. The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for membership application, classes of membership, and dues and assessments. Each member is expected to actively support the purposes of the Organization.

Section 3 - Obligations. The Organization shall be a Charter Club of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc. Each individual member is required to join and maintain current membership in the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc.

Section 4 - Termination, Suspension, and Renewal. The Board may suspend or change the membership status of a member at any time for infraction of any Organizational rule or for any other cause if the Board shall deem such action to be in the best interest of the Organization. The Board shall immediately notify the member of its action and the reasons in writing. The member shall be entitled to a reasonable opportunity to be heard by the Board, or a committee appointed by it, concerning the suspension. The Board may continue for a definite term, terminate or rescind the action or expel the member, and its decision shall be final.

ARTICLE III - AUTHORITY
Section 1 - Membership. All of the rights and powers which may be exercised by the Organization shall be vested in the membership. These rights and powers shall be subject to exercise or change by the membership at a regular business meeting or a duly called meeting of the organization.

Section 2 - Board of Directors. The Board shall control the business and affairs of the Organization and may exercise all such authority and powers of the Organization and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, directed or required to be exercised or done by the members directly.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the membership shall be scheduled once every year as determined by the Board.

Section 2. Regular and Special Meetings. Regular and special meetings of the membership shall be held whenever such a meeting is called by:

A. The Board; the President of the Organization, or in his or her absence, death or disability, the Vice-President; or

B. A vote of the majority of the members at a regular or special meeting of the Organization; or

C. A written petition to the Board signed by not less than 25% of all the voting members of the Organization. The petition shall state the purpose of such special meetings. Business conducted at Special meetings shall be identified in the call of the meeting and limited thereto.

Section 3. Quorum. At any general membership meeting, the quorum shall consist of those members present. The act of a majority of the members present at meetings at which there is a quorum will be the act of the Organization, unless a greater number is required by law or by these bylaws.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Notice of each annual, regular and special meeting shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall also state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. If the notice is given personally, electronically or by first class mail, it shall be given not less than ten nor more than fifty sixty days before the date of the meeting. Notice of the meetings may be included in newspapers, newsletters or other periodicals regularly published by or in behalf of the Organization. If mailed by other than first class, it shall be given not less than thirty days before such date. Notice of the annual and regular meetings may be given in one notice establishing the dates of each meeting for the year.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number and Selection of Directors. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of
not less than three five (3 5) persons as determined by the Board. .

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The election of the Directors shall be held every year at the Annual Membership Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall place the slate of nominees before the membership. All directors shall serve for one year and/or until their successors are duly elected at the next Annual Membership Meeting.

Section 3. Eligibility. Any member of the Organization in good standing is eligible for election to the Board.

Section 4. Place of Meeting. The Board may hold its meetings at such place or places as the Board from time to time may determine or as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice.

Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held not less than once a year at such times and places as the Board by resolution may determine.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or the Secretary, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary upon the written request of any three (3) Directors.

Section 7. Quorum and Manner of Acting. A quorum will consist of one third of the Directors of the whole Board. The act of a majority of the Directors present at meetings at which a quorum is present will be the act of the Board, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these bylaws. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting from time to time until a quorum can be achieved. Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given, other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment shall be taken.

Section 8. Notice of Meetings. Notice of each regular and special meeting stating the time and place shall be given to each member of the Board by mail, phone, or by electronic means. The notice shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. Notice need not be given to any Director if such notice shall be waived by that Director and business may be transacted by the Board at a meeting at which every member of the Board shall be present, though held without notice.

Section 9. Informal Procedure. To the extent permitted by law, the Board may act by mail, telephone, video conference, or other methods as requested by the President to transact its business. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. Executive Board. The Board may, at any time, establish an Executive Board (or Committee) as provided for by Article VII, Section 1 to act on behalf of the full Board between meetings of the Board to the extent permitted by law.

Section 11. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by appointment from the President with the advice and consent of the Board for the unexpired portion of the term.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Organization will be a President, one or more Vice Presidents (the number to be determined by the Board), a Secretary, a Treasurer, a historian and such other officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Article. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Organization will be elected annually by the Board at the regular annual meeting of the Board. The Nominating Committee shall place the slate of nominees before the Board. If the election of officers will not be held at such meeting, such election will be held as soon thereafter as is convenient. New offices may be created and filled at any meeting of the Board. All officers will hold office for one year or until their successors are elected. Upon election, these officers shall then become directors if not currently a director.

Section 3. Other Officers and Employees. The Board may elect or appoint such other officers and employees as it deems desirable, such officers and employees to have the authority, and to perform the duties prescribed, from time to time by the Board. The Board shall fix the compensation for any paid officer, employee, or agent of the Organization. The Board may delegate to any executive officer or to any committee the power to appoint any such other officers and employees and to fix their compensation.

Section 4. Removal. Any officer of the Organization may be removed at any time, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board at a regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose.

Section 5. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office other than the president, because of death, resignation, removal or any other cause, shall be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the First Vice President shall assume that office.

Section 6. President. The President will be the principal executive officer of the Organization and shall have the general powers of supervision and management over the business and affairs of the Organization. The President will preside at all meetings of the Board. The President may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the Organization authorized by the Board, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof is expressly delegated by the Board or by these bylaws or by statute to some other officer or agent of the Organization; and in general the President will perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.

Section 7. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such duties as determined from time to time by the Board or the President. The Board shall designate one of the Vice Presidents as First Vice President or if there is only one Vice President, that person shall be designated First Vice President. The First Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the President's temporary absence and in the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the First Vice President shall assume that office.

Section 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer will have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Organization; shall prepare an annual budget to the Organization; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Organization from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the Organization in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as are selected by the Board; and in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Treasurer by the President or by the Board.

Section 9. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; be custodian of the corporate records; and in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Secretary by the President or by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees of Directors. The Board may designate and appoint one or more committees, each of which shall consist of two or more Directors, which committees, to the extent defined by the Board, shall have and exercise the authority of the Board in the management of the Organization. Actions of these committees shall be ratified by the Board as a whole. The designation and appointment of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board, or any individual Director, of any responsibility imposed upon the Board or a Director by Law.

Section 2. Other Committees. Other committees not having and exercising the authority of the Board in the management of the Organization may be appointed in such manner as may be designated by a resolution adopted by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in such resolution, members of each such committee shall be members of the Organization, and the President of the Organization shall appoint the member thereof. Any members thereof may be removed by the person or persons authorized to appoint such member whenever in their judgment the best interests of the Organization shall be served by such removal.

Section 3. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of a minimum of three (3) Directors selected by the Board. The members of the Nominating Committee shall elect a chairperson and shall present a list of nominees for Directors before the membership at the Annual Membership Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall also present a list of nominees for President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as desired by the Board to be elected at the Annual Board Meeting of the Organization. No member serving on the nominating committee shall lose eligibility for nomination for office. Members nominated by the Nominating Committee shall be so informed and their consent obtained prior to the announcement of their name into nomination. Any member has a right to refuse nomination, and may withdraw from nomination at any time. Nominations from the floor will be accepted provided consent of the nominee is given to the Secretary at the time of the nomination.

ARTICLE VIII - RESIGNATION
Any Director or Officer may resign their office at any time by giving written notice of resignation to the President or the Secretary of the Organization. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified, or if no time is specified, at the time of receipt.

ARTICLE IX - CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
Section 1. Contracts. The Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Organization, in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Organization, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 2. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issues in the name of the Organization, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Organization and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such determination by the Board, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer or the President.

Section 3. Deposits. All funds of the Organization shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Organization in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board may select.

Section 4. Gifts. The Board may accept on behalf of the Organization any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the general purpose or for any special purpose of the Organization.

ARTICLE X - OFFICES, BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 1. Offices. The principal office of the Organization shall be at such place as the Board may determine. The Board may from time to time and at any time establish other offices or branches of the Organization at whatever place or places it deems to be expedient.

Section 2. Books and Records. The Organization shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the meetings of its Board of Directors and committees having any of the authority of the Board of Directors. All books and records of the Organization may be inspected by any member of the Organization, or his or her agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.

ARTICLE XI - FINANCE
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Organization shall be the same as the fiscal year established by the Federation.

Section 2. Budget. The Board shall review and approve the annual budget for the Organization submitted by the Treasurer.

Section 3. Expenditures. No part of the net earnings of the Organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the Organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I.

Section 4. Financial statements. Financial statements shall be submitted to the Federation at such time and in such a manner as determined by the Federation. If authorized by the Organization, the Federation will include the Organization in its Group 990 Tax Return.

ARTICLE XII - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Avoidance of Political Activity. No substantial part of the activities of the Organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section 2. Relations with Other Organizations. The Organization shall have no financial interest in the property, assets, or liabilities of any other organization in which it may hold membership or with which it may be affiliated, unless specifically agreed in writing by both parties and approved by the Board.
Section 3. General Activities. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by: (a) a organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code; or (b) a organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code.

ARTICLE XIII - NONDISCRIMINATION
It shall be the policy of the Organization to provide equal membership/employment/service opportunities to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any annual or special meeting of the Board of Directors. The affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board of Directors shall be required for the adoption of any amendment. Notice of the meeting and proposed amendment, together with the text of the proposed amendment, shall be delivered to the members of the Board as outlined by the notice requirements of Article V, Section 8. The amendment will then be presented to the Federation Board for approval and will go into effect upon such approval.

ARTICLE XV - DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of the Organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code subject only to any order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

ARTICLE XVI - RULES OF ORDER
Meetings of the Organization will function under "Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" only if necessary for the orderly conduct of meetings, or the request of any one member and the concurrence of a majority of the voting members attending such meeting.

ARTICLE XVII - CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY
Any conflict between these constitution and bylaws and a Federation instrument which specifically controls activities of a Charter Club, shall be decided in favor of the Federation’s instrument.

ARTICLE XVIII - APPROVAL OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
These Constitution and Bylaws shall become binding and effective when they are duly accepted at a meeting of the Membership, notice of which was given as provided by Article IV, Section 5; approved by the Board of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc. and signed by the President and Secretary of the Organization.
___________________________________ 
President
___________________________________ 
Secretary

Date: _____________________________

Approved by the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc. 
Date:_____________________________

Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club - First Membership Meeting

The organizing committee of the Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club is pleased to announce that it will hold it's first membership meeting to vote on a slate of officers and constitution. The meeting will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at the Bass Pro Shop meeting room at 7:00 p.m.

Anyone interested in running for office should contact the organizing committee chairman (Rey Ramirez).

The organizing committee consisted of Rey Ramirez, Bryan Robinson, Sheala Castillo, Charlie Villarreal, Norma Gonzalez, and Art Roel.

The constitution will be approved and a copy of the constitution may be viewed by clicking HERE.

Members of the Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club must be members in good standing with the Federation of Fly Fishers. To become a member of the FFF visit their website www.fedflyfishers.org or click HERE.

The RGVFTC membership form with its categories and dues may be downloaded at the Laguna Madre Fly Fishing Club Site or Ning site below.

The committee desires to establish a club that meets the needs of all ages and gender who want to participate in fly fishing and fly tying.

We invite you to join our club and hope to see you at Bass Pro Shop.

Visit Rio Grande Valley Fly Fishing Clubs Ning site by clicking HERE.