Club Rules and Regulations

Lake and Grounds

APPENDIX B – LAKES and GROUNDS

  1. Last vehicle out, close the gate and lock both locks. There is a hanger for the locks to hang on while not being used.
  2. No swimming or wading in the lake, unless otherwise stated herein.
  3. No outboard motors allowed on the lake unless authorized by the Fish Committee for work purposes. Electric trolling motors permitted.
  4. Children of Members (as outlined in Article 4, Section 4) less than 14 years old must be accompanied by a Member of the household or a relative over 16 years old when on Club property and a Primary and/or Secondary Member must be present on the property. Do not drop your kids off and leave them unattended at the Club.
  5. No one under the age of 14 years of age is allowed to use any boat on the lake unless accompanied by a Household Member over 16 years of age. Limit of three (3) occupants per boat.
  6. One life preserver per person must be available in the boat.
  7. Only one boat permitted per member per day.
  8. Return Club boats, oars, life preservers and anchors to the boathouse in the same condition as you found them, and lock any locks.
  9. No littering the lake or Club grounds with refuse or items of any kind. Do not throw rocks anywhere in the lake, including but not limited to Xmas trees and/or brush that might be used for fish structures without approval by the Board. Waste cans are provided for refuse.
  10. Temporary use by organizations i.e., scouts, church groups, etc., for fishing, camping and general use of the Club, is allowable by special permission, and conditions (which can include proof of insurance), from the Board of Directors. Family camping allowed for Members with adult Member supervision.
  11. Motorcycles permitted as transportation to the clubhouse. Motorized off-road vehicles, including trail bikes, four-wheelers, are not allowed off the paved roads. Electric golf carts are acceptable. Do not take vehicles off the paved roads in areas marked “No Vehicles” and/or where the vehicle may cause damage to the grass and premises. Club work vehicles of any kind excepted.
  12. Do not leave in the clubhouse, opened food, foodstuffs, condiments, vegetables, meats, perishables. Acceptable items are, unopened bottled or canned soda, beer, drinks, can goods and ice.
  13. Vehicles allowed only in designated parking areas.
  14. The use or possession of Cannabis (marijuana) or CBD oil, legal or not, nor any controlled substance or narcotics is strictly prohibited on the premises.
  15. No burning (including garbage) on Club grounds except in designated areas.
  16. All Members reserve the right to demand the display of any Member’s Membership card for identification or verification.
  17. No Member shall loan their key or card, or share the combination code, to a non-member to use the facilities. This is grounds for immediate termination of their Membership without any refunds.

Clubhouse Rules

APPENDIX C -USE of CLUBHOUSE

  1. Clubhouse rules can be amended/revised at the Annual Meeting and/or in accordance with Article 14 Section 3.
  2. No pets allowed in the clubhouse. 
  3. Club Members are responsible for but not limited to: 
    1. Conduct of guests. 
    2. Damages caused by them and/or their guests.
    3. Cleanup after parties no later than 10:00 a.m. the following day.
  4. No overnight sleeping permitted in the clubhouse or patio.
  5. Limit of 49 people per party at the clubhouse.
  6. No smoking or vaping in the clubhouse or on the patio areas.
  7. When you wish to reserve the clubhouse or either pavilion, contact the Clubhouse Chairman.  The Clubhouse “Guidelines” and “User Agreements” and any amendments, are located at www.columbiasportsmanclub.com and are made a part of these by-laws herein. This sentence will be given precedence when it conflicts with other sections of the By-laws. The Clubhouse chairman with the approval of the Board, reserves the right to restrict the number of times a member can rent the clubhouse per year, as per the criteria established by the Board.
    1. Email the Clubhouse Chairman at: [email protected])
    2. The Officers and Chairman’s contact information is on the last page.
  8. Reservations do not give any Member exclusive rights to the use of any of the facilities.  Work parties may be scheduled concurrently with events.  Members and work parties should make every effort to minimize any disruptions to an event in progress.
  9. The Clubhouse “User Agreement” is made a part of these bylaws herein.  They are posted on the bulletin board, our Facebook page and website. 
  10. When you leave, adjust the thermostat to the temperature range designated on the sign by the thermostat.
  11. The Member who reserved the facility will be responsible for the COMPLETE cleaning of the property used. 
  12. Alcoholic beverages are permissible at the Club when used responsibly.  Member resale of liquor is prohibited. All Members and their guest, are obligated to observe every rule, ordinance, and law of the State of Illinois, the City of Columbia, regarding alcoholic beverages.
  13. Follow the instructions on the fireplace mantel to view TV and/or play video games. 
  14. The Club is not responsible to provide trash bags, dishes, utensils, paper towels and/or cleaning supplies.  You’re welcome to use any supplies, and/or cleaning supplies Members left.  The Club as a courtesy, may perform snow removal.
  15. Store brooms, mops, and non-freezable cleaning supplies in the porch closet.
  16. Freezable products and other supplies should be stored in the furnace room.  The Clubhouse Chairman will provide you a furnace room key.  Return the key to the money box on the wall before leaving. The porch closet is the same key as the front door. 
  17. Enjoy your Club facilities, and remember that it is YOURS. Always treat it with respect and demand that others do also.

Fishing  Reminders

 APPENDIX D – FISHING REMINDERS

SECTION 1.

  1. Rules and regulations in “this” Article, when in conflict with other Articles and Sections of the By-Laws and constitution, this Appendix will take precedence.
  2. Rules and regulations can be amended/revised in accordance with Article 14, Section 3.

SECTION 2.

  1. Fishing restricted to: 
    1. Primary and Secondary Members and their household when accompanied by the Primary and/or Secondary Member.
    2. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren through the end of the year he/she turns 18 years old when accompanied by their grandparent(s) who is a dues-paying member.
    3. One (1) guest of an unmarried Primary Member, unless they have designated a “Secondary Member”.
    4. When accompanied by a Member, $5.00 per day per guest, “Catch and Release”. 
    5. When in conjunction with using the clubhouse for an event for a children’s party, the collective group of kids can fish for that day for $10.00 “Catch and Release”.  Adult Guest must still pay $5.00 each.
    6. Wading to fish is permissible, provided the fisherman stays near the bank and does not disturb other fishermen in the area.  
  2. State law requires a fishing license on private club lakes, the same as required for public lakes in Illinois. (See a copy on the bulletin board).
  3.  No fishing with carp, goldfish, or minnows.
  4.  All fishermen must record their catch not released, in the supplied area by the gate.
  5.  No fish cleaning on the grounds, in the lake, or in the clubhouse. 
  6. Possession and size limits must be observed by all fishermen. Limits are per fisherman per day.
  7.  No trotlines, limb lines or jugs permitted. Limit of two (2) fishing poles in the water per person fishing. No standing on the frozen lake to fish.
  8. No net fishing for bait or otherwise.
  9.  Tagged fish should be weighed, measured, recorded, and returned to the lake.
  10.  Observe rules for using boats.
  11. Respect others, including but not limited to, no loud music, horseplay or abusing the premises.

Code of Conduct

 APPENDIX F – Member Code of Conduct

Should a member fail to meet the conditions in this Code of Conduct through their behavior, the Board/Officers may, at its sole discretion, decide on the appropriate action to take. The Club reserves the right to revoke membership that has been granted in the event a Member violates the Membership Code of Conduct. The revocation proceedings are specified in the bylaws governing the Columbia Sportsmen’s Club Inc. and protect the rights of any individual who may be subject to discipline, corrective actions, and/or revocation of membership. (Article 4 Section 3).

  • Always show respect toward your fellow Club Members at all times;
  • Always show respect and appreciation for the volunteers who give their time to help the Club and/or event(s);
  • Never yell, taunt, or threaten physical violence upon another Member of the Club, their guests, a volunteer or event spectator (Members with a criminal history of violence or with a legal restraining order against them by another member may be barred from membership and participation in all Club activities);
  • Never use abusive or vulgar language, or make racial, ethnic or gender-related slurs or derogatory comments to fellow Members and/or their guests.  Act with integrity and respect toward others;
  • Never make unwanted sexual or physical contact with other Members. Members found to be listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of a sex crime, or caught having, creating, or distributing child pornography will be immediately barred from membership and all participation in Club activities;
  • Uphold the reputation and good standing of the Club;
  • Act, support, respect, and abide by the appropriate laws and policies in general that apply to personal conduct;
  • Promptly pay membership fees as part of your continued membership and keep my contact/membership information updated;
  • Avoid conflicts of interest in accepting and carrying out any responsibility for the Club, and, if a conflict of interest arises, you will disclose the conflict and abstain or resign from affected Club responsibilities as appropriate;
  • Not make any statement on behalf of Club or act to represent the Club in any official capacity through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorized to do so by the Club, and you must reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement;
  • Intolerance of a person’s religion, gender identity or sexual orientation;
  • Behaving in a way that disturbs the enjoyment of the event/discussion for other people;
  • Any other actions deemed to be intentionally hurtful, harmful, threatening or inappropriate;
  • We aim to enforce the right for all Columbia Sportsmen’s Club Members to enjoy their Club in an environment that is safe and without risks to health, violence and aggression;
  • Severe breaches of the Code of Conduct can result in an immediate termination of membership without any refunds;
  • Always report violations of the Member Code of Conduct policy to the Board/Officers in writing.

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