Brew Brothers of Pikes Peak Homebrew Club By-Laws
(Updated 01/27/2021) (Approved 03/10/2021)
ARTICLE 1 – ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1 – Name
The name of this organization is the Brew Brothers of Pikes Peak, hereinafter referred to as BBoPP.
SECTION 2 – Purpose
The purpose of BBoPP is to promote the appreciation, quality and variety of home and craft beer, through education, charity, and practical experience, and to encourage personal responsibility when using alcoholic beverages. Our mission is to have fun promoting the art and knowledge of home brewing.
ARTICLE 2 – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 – Qualifications
Membership is open to any adult 21 years old or older with an interest in brewing beer. Members are expected to attend at least one meeting and/or event per year as well as be actively brewing beer, mead, wine, cider, etc. BBoPP officers have the authority to accept or reject any potential applicant.
SECTION 2 – Membership Application
All members must complete the online application form and sign the online liability waiver.
SECTION 3 – Membership Term
The term of membership is based on the date the member joined and will run for twelve months. Membership is renewed annually on the anniversary of the day the member joined.
SECTION 4 – Revocation or Suspension
Membership may be revoked or suspended by a unanimous vote of the club officers for the following reasons:
- Failure to abide by club by-laws.
- Conduct that is detrimental to the image or the purpose of the BBoPP; see Article 1, Section 2.
SECTION 5 – Membership Voting
Each regular member in good standing shall have the right to vote on matters that are brought before the membership. A member in good standing is one who is current in dues and not under suspension. All membership votes are based on a simple majority of members physically present at the time of the vote being held unless otherwise stated.
SECTION 6 – Reinstatement
Any member whose membership was revoked or suspended for other reasons may be reinstated by a unanimous officer vote based on a quorum of the board.
SECTION 7 – Participation
Members are expected to take an active role in club meetings and events. Members are expected to help with the set-up, maintenance, and/or clean-up of a club meeting or event.
SECTION 8 – Member Guests
Members are welcome to bring guests to club events. Some events may require the guest to pay a fee for materials used or consumed. Members will be held responsible for the actions of their guests. All guests will sign a liability waiver form at the start of the club event.
ARTICLE 3 – DUES
SECTION 1 – Annual Dues
Membership is renewed annually on the anniversary of the day the member joined.
Membership rates will take effect on the 1st of January following the change. All current members will pay the new rate when they renew that calendar year. The changes to the amount of annual membership dues will be determined by the officers and can be changed with a majority vote of members present at the meeting when the increase is presented for a vote.
SECTION 2 – Electronic Fees
Electronic services such as PayPal or Amazon Payments may be employed to aid in
accepting membership dues. These services can be adopted or revoked at any time by a
majority vote of a quorum of the officers. Upon adoption, all membership dues, included
non-electronic payments, will include the cost of the fee, rounded up to the nearest dollar.
ARTICLE 4 – BOARD OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1 – Board of Officers Position and Duties
President– shall preside over all club meetings and events, establish meeting places, times and prepare meeting agendas. The president shall establish committees for special projects or events and delegate club business or tasks to appropriate officers or members. The president has spending authority not to exceed $250.00 in any one year over and above the annual budget. (see Treasurer)
Vice President – will handle all duties and responsibilities of the president in his/her absence and will be granted all the powers of the president when in that role. The VP will be responsible during club meetings to follow club by-laws during voting and will be a signatory on the club bank account.
Secretary – will record and maintain a file of all necessary club correspondence and records, meeting minutes, and maintain a copy of the current club by-laws.
Treasurer – will collect dues & revenues and prepare a financial summary to be presented at the request of the club president. The Treasurer, President and/or Vice President will be signatories on the club bank account. The treasurer will present the annual budget to the membership during the first meeting of the calendar year for approval. Approval will be a simple majority voice vote of members present at the meeting when the annual budget is presented to the membership.
Membership – will assure that all members or guests attending meetings or events have filled out and signed a copy of the attached liability waver. The membership coordinator will maintain a current membership list and issue membership cards.
Education Director —This position is responsible for the overall education program for the club.
Information Technology Director – will be responsible for the design and maintenance of the BBoPP website and related social media. This person can be specially nominated by the president for their skill in web design and maintenance.
Immediate Former President – will serve in an advisory role and will not have voting privileges. Term is two years.
SECTION 2 – At-Large Officers will be nominated by either club members or by members of the executive committee and will be approved by a majority vote of the elected officers. The intent of the At Large positions is to groom future officers by familiarizing them with the board process and by utilizing their talents to lead key initiatives important to the club and to the executive committee.
Special Events Coordinator – will be responsible for the coordination of the club social events and for recruiting volunteers, selecting venues and all other details necessary for a successful event. Other events, including but not limited to fund-raising activities and educational trips as agreed upon by the club officers may also be the responsibility of the Special Events Coordinator or may be delegated to another board member. This position will leverage club information technology.
Competition Coordinator — will be responsible for coordination of competitions and other events as delegated by the officers. Will be responsible for Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) education & certification and serve as the club representative to the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) if deemed necessary.
Location Coordinator – will be responsible for working with venues for club business. This position is responsible for coordinating meeting dates with various locations and generally maintaining good relationships with those businesses. This position should coordinate recommendations with the President.
Pints Coordinator – will be responsible for maintaining our “Pints” reward system. This included maintaining the list of rewarded participants and handling goods to be rewarded.
Equipment Custodian and Logistics – will be an assigned position to maintain control of club assets and ensure members have access to the equipment for sign out. The assigned individual will also be responsible for ordering supplies and materials in coordination with the board of officers and at-large members for the maintenance of the BBoPP activities.
SECTION 3 – Committees
Committees have been established to alleviate the workload for the Competition Coordinator, the Information Technology Director, and the Special Events Coordinator. These committees are allowed to add up to two additional members to help out and share responsibilities. It is up to the board of officers’ member in charge of each respective area to be responsible for the committee. The additional committee members are non-voting positions.
ARTICLE 5 -OFFICER ELECTIONS
SECTION 1 – Elections
The election of board of officers will take place once a year by vote of the club members present before or on the last meeting of the calendar year. Nominations for officers will be accepted until an established deadline. Contested positions will be determined by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting when board of officers voting is held. Uncontested positions will be confirmed by vote of a majority of those members present at the meeting. To be eligible to vote, a member must be in good standing.
SECTION 2 – Term
Terms of office shall be for 24 months beginning January 1st and ending December 31st. Newly elected officers will become trainees immediately following the elections and will remain trainees until their term starts. Trainees will attend all officer-related functions in order to learn the responsibilities of the position they are going to fill. Outgoing officers will serve as mentors for the newly elected officers.
SECTION 3 – Vacancies
When a vacancy exists, the remaining club officers will appoint a new officer within 30 days. A simple majority vote by members attending the following monthly meeting will confirm the replacement.
SECTION 4 – Removal of an Officer
If an officer has not performed or is unable to perform their duties, any of the officers can request a vote by the club members to remove the officer. At the next meeting, a quorum of 50% of members in good standing will need to participate in the vote and carry a simple majority vote to remove the officer from office.
SECTION 5 – Restrictions
Officers can serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same position. After that they are allowed to serve in other positions. The president will only serve one term, officers are allowed to hold up to two positions if elected but will be limited to one vote.
ARTICLE 6 -MEETINGS AND EVENTS
SECTION 1 – Board of Officer Meetings
The elected board of officers will meet regularly to plan the monthly activities of the club and to vote on items requiring a quorum of officers. A quorum is 50% of officers present. Officers who are unable to attend a board of officers meeting can select an at-large member to be their proxy and will be recognized by the officers as a voting member for the affected meeting. Minutes will be recorded and posted on the web site. When meeting space allows, board meetings are open to the general membership. Members are able to provide topics for consideration by the board of officers. The member must submit the topic for consideration during the members meeting or e-mail preceding the next board of officers meeting.
SECTION 2 – Member Meetings
Regular meetings will be held and will be conducted according to Robert’s Rule of Order http://www.robertsrules.com/.
SECTION 2 – Special Meetings
The President may call special meetings at any time with sufficient advance notice to the members and officers. Minutes will be recorded and posted.
SECTION 3 – Club Events
Club events will be held throughout the year as determined by the board of officers. Members who would like to create or host a club event should confer with the board officers for approval and funding.
ARTICLE 7 – ETHICAL CODE
SECTION 1 – Liability
Individual members of BBoPP shall not be personally liable for the debts or obligations of BBoPP, nor shall BBoPP be liable for the actions of any member outside the guidelines of the club by-laws.
SECTION 2 – Values
Honesty and respect are values that are required of all members. No member shall steal, be violent, or engage in behavior that is disrespectful to others or themselves.
ARTICLE 8 –CLUB DISSOLUTION
In the unlikely event that the BBoPP dissolves all club equipment will be auctioned and the treasury will be donated to the American Homebrewers Association (AHA).
ARTICLE 9 – BY-LAWS
SECTION 1 – Changes
The officers can modify the By-Laws at any time with a majority vote of a quorum of the board of officers.
SECTION 2 – Effective Date
These By-Laws become effective when approved by the board of officers.
SECTION 3 – Posting
Board of officers approved By-Laws will be posted publicly on the BBoPP website.