Bylaws of the Mount Vernon Brew Club
Constitution of the Mount Vernon Brew Club
Article I. Identity
Section 1. Name
The name of this Club shall be the MOUNT VERNON BREW CLUB.
Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of the MOUNT VERNON BREW CLUB shall be to encourage all members to:
- Mature and grow as brewers of fermented liquors and as beer enthusiasts,
- Promote the development of brewing skills,
- Grow the craft and art of brewing through knowledge sharing,
- Celebrate and reward individuals dedicated to the brewing arts,
- Educate the beer and fermented liquor connoisseur in identifying the components of beers and liquors,
- Foster the responsible use of products in the art of brewing, and
- Celebrate the fruits of our labors.
Section 3. Membership
The membership of this Club shall be open to any person who enjoys fine beers and fermented liquors, regardless of whether those beverages were made by themselves or are a product of the work of others.
Section 4. Headquarters
The headquarters of this Club shall be the Dancing Bee Shop located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, until such time that the shop permanently closes, or the shop asks the Club to locate elsewhere, or if the membership, by resolution, decides to locate elsewhere.
Article II. Executive Organization
Section 1. Government
All legislative and executive powers shall be given to and controlled by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall consist of all the elected officers of the Club.
Section 2. Elected Officers
The elected officers of the Club shall be: President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. An elected office may be occupied by more than one person, subject to Board approval.
Section 3. Term of Office
All offices shall be held for a period of one year, commencing at the September meeting following elections, and terminating at the Oktoberfest, one year later.
Section 4. Removal from Office
Any officer, as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors, found not performing his/her duties, may be removed from office, subject to the approval by a majority vote of the membership at the next membership meeting following a report from the Board of Directors to the membership.
Section 5. Vacancy of Office
Any interim vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval by a majority vote of the membership at the next membership meeting following the vacancy.
In the event the membership votes down the appointment by the Board of Directors, there will be open nominations for the vacant office and an election held at said membership meeting to fill the vacancy.
Section 6. Returning of Mount Vernon Brew Club Property
All elected officers and any members, upon completion of their term in office or assignment, shall return to the Mount Vernon Brew Club any and all papers, documents, and property deemed to be important to the operation and history of, and belonging to, the Club.
Failure to comply may result in expulsion from the Club and civil action, if deemed necessary.
Article III. Duties of Elected Officers
Section 1. President
The President shall uphold the constitution and bylaws of the Club, and the President shall interpret the constitution and bylaws when necessary. The President is responsible for setting the theme and agenda for the meetings, to call meetings to order and conduct them in an orderly manner, to call for special meetings when necessary, and to form committees when necessary. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
The President shall be the chief executive officer. The President shall appoint all committee chairpersons with the consent of members. The President, with the approval of the Vice President and the Treasurer, directs the budget. Vacancies in offices will be filled by appointment of the President with approval of the general membership.
The President shall have no vote made at membership meetings or Board of Directors meetings, except to break a tie.
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice President shall assist the President with their duties. If the President is absent from a meeting, the Vice President shall assume the duties and powers of the President for that meeting.
Section 3. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall administer the Club's finances, collect and document monies owed to the Club, manage the Club's check book, arrange to have the President, Vice President, and theirself to have check-signing authority, to reimburse expenses incurred by members on behalf of the Club, to submit a report to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis, or when requested by the President, and to maintain the inventory and disperse of Club gear.
Section 4. Secretary
The Secretary shall administer the club's roster, coordinate coverage with a suitable insurance agency, keep an agenda of Club meetings, and take minutes of meetings and report them to the Webmaster.
Section 5. Webmaster
The Webmaster shall research, design, and maintain the Club's online presence. The site shall contain items deemed pertinent to the operation of the Club. The Webmaster shall be responsible for the safety and security of the website and for any information published to the website. The Webmaster shall be responsible for the drafting and publication of any written publications created on behalf of the club for club or for general consumption which are to be published on the website, such as experiment results.
Section 6. Activities Director
The Activities Director shall arrange to have guest speakers and demonstrations at membership meetings, to arrange the club festivals, to arrange for tours, workshops, and seminars in which the Club may participate, and to oversee raffles and auctions and events and membership meetings.
Section 7. Office Consolidation
The Treasurer shall assume the role of the Secretary in addition to the Treasurer’s roles. The Secretary’s role is a distinct role which is being assigned to the person holding the Office of the Treasurer. On the ratification of a repealing amendment, the roles of the Treasurer and the Secretary shall be split back apart to individual persons. If the roles are split back apart, the President shall appoint an Acting Secretary until a special election can be held to elect a new Secretary. The Treasurer shall assume the roles of the Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall assume the role of the Webmaster in addition to the Treasurer’s roles. The Webmaster’s role is a distinct role which is being assigned to the person holding the Office of the Treasurer. On the ratification of a repealing amendment, the roles of the Treasurer and the Webmaster shall be split back apart to individual persons. If the roles are split back apart, the President shall appoint an Acting Webmaster until a special election can be held to elect a new Webmaster. The Treasurer shall assume the roles of the Treasurer.
The Vice President shall assume the role of the Activities Director in addition to the Vice President’s roles. The Activities Director role is a distinct role which is being assigned to the person holding the Office of the Vice President. On the ratification of a repealing amendment, the roles of the Vice President and the Activities Director shall be split back apart to individual persons. If the roles are split back apart, the President shall appoint an Acting Activities Director until a special election can be held to elect a new Activities Director. The Vice President shall assume the roles of the Vice President.
Article IV. Quorum
One election shall be conducted by physical ballot box. A quorum will be one half of the club membership. Each eligible member with the Club may cast one ballot. Proxy voting is permitted, and those voting by proxy shall receive the same vote as all others.
Nominations will open at the June membership and will close at the designated membership meeting before balloting commences. The method of collecting nominees' names shall be done at the discretion of the President.
Article V. Amendments
From time to time it may be necessary to modify this Constitution and By-Laws. The procedure shall be as follows:
- Any individual, or committee, or the Board of Directors may write a resolution to modify this Constitution and By-Laws. It shall include the reason for the change, the article, the section, the paragraph, etc., where the change will occur, and what the change will be.
- If an individual member has drafted a resolution, he/she may present it to the Board of Directors for presentation to the membership or bring it to a membership meeting for presentation to the membership. The purpose of presenting it to the membership is to inform them about it.
- After presentation the membership shall vote on whether or not to accept the resolution for consideration.
- At the next membership meeting, the resolution will be voted on by the paid membership. A one-half majority is required for the resolution to be adopted.
Bylaws of the Mount Vernon Brew Club
Article I. Membership
Section 1. Membership
Membership lasts one year from the time the Treasurer records the members name in the roster.
Section 2. Dues
Dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership. Members shall be entitled to any benefits that come along with membership in this Club. Members shall receive an electronic certificate of membership.
Section 3. First-Time Members
First time members may be charged a higher due rate for their first year’s membership. The extra fee shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Returning Members
After one year membership, dues will be required to continue as a member. All renewals will be counted from the member’s original starting month.
Returning members who do not renew shall be placed on an inactive list. If a returning member has not renewed for a period of five years, their name shall be dropped from the list.
Section 5. Couples Membership
A Member’s spouse or significant other shall be considered a non-voting member for the purposes of all Mount Vernon Brew Club activities.
Section 6. Honorary Membership
The Board of Directors may elect to designate any person an Honorary Member of the Club for a time period determined by the Board at the time of dispensing such Honorary Membership. Honorary Membership entitles such person to any benefits as determined by the Board of Directors at the time of election of that title.
Section 7. Suspension or Revocation of Membership
The Board of Directors may elect to suspend the membership of any member of the Club for a time period determined by the Board at the time of suspending such membership. The Board of Directors may fully revoke the membership of any member of the Club permanently. The Board of Directors must unanimously agree to suspend or revoke the membership of a member.
The membership may elect to suspend the membership of any member of the Club for a time period determined by the membership at the time of suspending such membership on a two-thirds quorum vote. The maximum length of a suspension is one year. The membership may elect to renew suspensions if two-thirds of the quorum vote to renew the suspension.
Section 8. Membership Agreement
The Board of Directors shall codify a membership agreement that is required for all members. The agreement shall outline acceptable behavior and risks assumed by members.
Article II. Effective Date
This Constitution and Bylaws shall be considered in effect when approved by at least two thirds of the membership present at the membership meeting where this document is put to a vote.
These bylaws were adapted from the By Laws of the Maltose Falcons.