What B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members get for $20

  • A subscription to B.A.S.S. Times, the retail value of which is $24

  • Eligibility to compete in state tournaments and the prestigious B.A.S.S. Federation Championship

  • Six Bassmaster Classic berths

  • An insurance program which gives you $1 million liability coverage for sanctioned club events and $9,000 AD&D policy 24 hours per day, seven days a week

  • Priority entry in the Bassmasters Tours and Elite Series events as an amateur

  • Bassmaster Tour slots reserved for state champions

  • Non-boater slots for the Majors and Bassmaster Elite Series

  • Early entry in the Bassmaster Tours as boaters or non-boaters

  • Priority entry in the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series

  • Sponsorship programs from premier partners available exclusively to members - Alliance Program

  • Free CastingKids kits to host youth events

  • $54,000 CastingKids travel assistance to state contenders advancing to B.A.S.S. national events

  • The Junior Bassmaster World Championship

  • Nationally televised Federation National Championship

  • Monthly coverage of Federation events, programs, achievements and initiatives in B.A.S.S. publications (over 4 million readers)

  • Strong leadership and support for the grassroots conservation program

  • BASS staff support (doubled in recent years)

  • "Seats at the table" in Washington and in state Capitols

  • Two-way communication of conservation information/issues

  • Platform for media exposure

  • Conservation Directors exclusive message board

  • Conservation Grant Program

  • Conservation Check-Off Program

  • Insider Membership included with all B.A.S.S. Federation Memberships with annual affiliation ($35 annual value)

  • Federation Nation section within B.A.S.S. Insider (Unique benefits designed for Federation members)

  • Bassmaster University Discounts

  • Weekend Series Bonus Program

  • B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Club Field Tester Program

  • B.A.S.S. Stuff Merchandise Discounts



Conservation Enhancements

  • 2006 Federation Nation Stewardship Program:

    • Linked to National Fish Habitat Action Plan and the "More Fish" initiative

    • B.A.S.S. will provide a minimum $1,000 annual endowment to each state Federation Nation for fish habitat work

    • Provide discount on Berkley habitat structures

  • Establish the B.A.S.S. Federation Conservation College Scholarship Program in 2007

    • One (1) four-year scholarship of $2,000 per year will be awarded per Federation division for undergraduate fisheries/biology studies - total of 6 scholarships annually

    • One (1) two-year scholarship of $5,000 per year will be awarded nationally for graduate fisheries/biology studies



Strengthen and Expand the Youth Program

  • Travel Assistance for all JWC Contenders in 2007

  • B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Junior State Champion plaques for each 2006 JWC Contender

  • Annual one-time $10 contribution collected from non-Federation Nation members who compete in any B.A.S.S. event.  All proceeds go to B.A.S.S. youth programs, starting in 2007

  • The new Junior Bassmaster Magazine provided to all Junior Bassmaster Members & CastingKids

  • B.A.S.S. will provide a Disney Celebration for the two Junior Bassmaster World Champions



Federation Nation Member Service Program

  • A dedicated Federation member prompt at 1-877-BASS-USA

    • Members select an option and be routed to B.A.S.S. Membership Services

    • Agents are trained on key topics requested by Federation Nation members

    • Pertinent information at agents' fingertips, including membership numbers and current status

    • Calls requiring additional assistance are routed directly to Federation Department

    • Expand Membership Service hours



Divisional Tournaments

  • Each state will continue to qualify and send their 12 angler state team to one of six B.A.S.S. Federation Divisionals

  • Each state champion will qualify for the B.A.S.S. Federation National Championship

    • B.A.S.S. will pay state champions' expenses to the Federation National Championship, including air fare

    • Spouses' expenses will be paid as well

  • 2006 Divisional payouts determined by roster counts from 2005 year-end membership

    • $6 per member (40,592 total) = $243,522

    • Total 2006 Divisional payout = $3000,000

    • Average payout per Division = $50,000

  • Pathway to the Federation Nation Championship

  • Enhanced help from B.A.S.S. in local marketing activation



Federation National Championship

  • Classic berths are secure

    • Six slots from six divisions

  • Enhanced FNC total cash payout of $1000,00

  • Additional $45,000 worth of entry fees for the Six Federation Nation Classic qualifiers

    • To be used for Northern or Southern Tour

    • Value of $7,500/angler at $1,500 per event

  • Total payout value of $145,000



Federation National Club Competition

  • Each state will qualify six 6-man Bass Club teams

    • Team mambers must be from the same club

    • Club size will determine how many teams each club can send to state qualifier

  • Each state will send 6 Bass Club teams to it's Regional Championship (10 Regional Championships in nation)

    • Teams consist of 3 boaters and 3 non-boaters

    • Paired randomly (not with teammates) in draw format

  • Top 6 Bass Club teams from each Region go to the B.A.S.S. Club World Championship

  • World Champion team

    • wins 6 fully rigged Triton/Mercury packages, for a total value of $250,000

    • Cash payouts down the line

  • Only open to Federation Nation Clubs

  • Any non-affiliated club that wants to participate must join the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation chapter in their state

  • Entry fees ($250) per angler will be charged at regional level, to be paid back in Regional and B.A.S.S. Club World championship

  • State entry fees will be established in conjunction with B.A.S.S. yet Federation Nation State Chapters will collect, manage and apply all of these funds at their discretion

  • Huge bragging rights to Bass Club teams!



Sponsor Support

  • Sponsorship activities for Federation Nation States remain unchanged within existing framework

    • State sponsor programs determined by Federation Nation State Chapters

    • States can sell any sponsorship they desire to support their states' activities

  • The single exception: B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Bass Club (6-man team) Championship program

    • All activities, from state to regional to national, will be branded only by B.A.S.S. national sponsors

    • This includes state newsletters, web sites, entry materials, banners and promotional materials, among others, that are related to the Bass Club Championship program

    • The B.A.S.S. national sponsorship branding will be required with this program



Expectations

  • We are at a crossroads.  Again, it's a whole new world

  • In return for the benefits we've outlined today, there will be some expectations by B.A.S.S. from the state chapters if they wish to associate with us and market our brand

  • We will require each state to sign a new B.A.S.S. Federation Nation State Chapter agreement

  • It's not a "contract", but it will clearly spell out all items that must be complied with for a state chapter to remain in good standing with B.A.S.S. and receive associated benefits

  • We don't own the states, but we do own the B.A.S.S. brand

  • To protect our brand, the agreement will address brand use, code of conduct and term limits, among other related items

  • This is not a mandate.  This will be a voluntary agreement

  • If any individuals do not want to comply, they can say no

  • We feel confident enough in our program and with our brand that there will be a lot of people in every state who will want to work with us under these terms

  • This is not about convincing you or about our program.  Our intent is to clearly define and communicate our program to everyone

  • Members and individual clubs can think about it long and hard, then make the decision that's right for them