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.

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.

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 Society 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. 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.