About Big Bend StraightHooks

Membership Application (Adobe PDF)

Membership Rules

  1.

 

Membership is open to any person, over the age of eighteen (18) years who will abide by the laws of the organization and who expresses a desire and willingness to be dedicated to the purpose herein stated. Applicants must have attended two (2) functions of the BBSDC within 90 days and be sponsored by three (3) active members one (1) of which must be in their specific diving discipline

 

 
  2.

 

Active and inactive members participating in underwater activities shall have a minimum Open Water Certification (Advanced Certification and NITROX certification recommended) from a recognized agency and be able to provide proof thereof. Freedivers are exempt.

 

 
  3. Active and inactive members must have a strong concern for the marine environment and ability or strong desire to spearfish, recreational dive or freedive.

 

 
  4. Active and inactive members participating in underwater activities must have dive insurance, i.e. DAN or the like. Freedivers are exempt.

 

 
  5. Members must agree to sign a waiver of release agreeing not to hold BBSDC or its members responsible for any accidents, injuries or misfortunes that may occur to them while participating in club activities.

 

 
  6. Active membership shall be limited to all persons applying for membership after the date of ratification of this constitution. Regular active membership will be entitled to one vote each and to any and all other rights and privileges according to Bylaws provided they are not in arrears in their dues as specified in Article IV, Section 3. Of the BBSDC Constitution and Bylaws. Family membership to include one vote per adult member.. Inactive members will have no voting privileges.

 

 
  7. Honorary membership will be limited to those persons upon whom the BBSDC wishes to confer special recognition but who will not have vote or voice in its affairs and who will not be required to pay dues or initiation fees.

 

 
  8. Active members are those whose dues are paid and are in good standing in the club. Members who miss 3 or more consecutive meetings will be placed on inactive status. BBSDC reserves the right to refuse membership.

 

 
  9. Members who do not participate in club activities or functions or that have been absent for three (3) consecutive monthly meetings will be considered inactive members and will have no voting privileges. A member may reinstate their status from inactive to active membership if they attend 2 club meetings within a 90 day period.

 

 
  10. All new / reactivated members will be subject to 90 day probationary period.

 

 
  11. There are no refunds of membership dues if a member is voted out for reasons listed in Article IV of the BBSDC Constitution and Bylaws or have been declared inactive per Article III Section 8 of the BBSDC Constitution and Bylaws and request a refund for said dues.

 

 
  12. Membership dues shall be one hundred ($100.00) dollars for single and one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars per family per year due January 1. Beginning February 1, all new members shall be prorated eight dollars and thirty-four cent ($8.34) per month for single membership or twelve dollars and fifty cent ($12.50) per month for family membership. Family membership is defined as member, spouse, siblings 17 years or younger and dependent children 17 years or younger.

 

 
  13. Dues shall be due on January 1. Any member more than thirty (30) days in arrears in payment of dues shall lose membership and all privileges and rights appertaining thereto.

 

 
  14. The initiation fee shall be fifty ($50.00) dollars for each new applicant accepted for membership. Said fee must accompany the application for membership. Primary applicant shall receive a one (1) year membership to the Fishing Rights Alliance (FRA) and the Florida Skin Divers Association (FSDA), for the initiation fee. Should the applicant already be a member of either organization or both the balance of the initiation fee will be donated by the club to the FRA. Every year thereafter the BBSDC will deduct from the annual membership due's, the amount necessary to keep all BBSDC members membership's current with both organizations and will be responsible in paying those dues with said funds.
A membership may be reinstated by reapplication, which must be passed by a two-thirds majority vote at any regular meeting. Reapplication must be accompanied by a ten ($10.00) fee in addition to the annual membership.
 
 
  Looking forward to your membership!

Best,
Ed Shomer
President
Big Bend Straighthooks Dive Club