NCHO By-Laws

As amended April 20, 2007

BY-LAWS of THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HOMEBREWERS ORGANIZATION

Approved 1/27/2007

ARTICLE I—PURPOSE

 

Section 1 - Purpose

To promote and enjoy and the hobby of homebrewing (the handcrafting of beers), primarily by organizing the annual Northern California Homebrewers’ Festival held in Dobbins, Ca.

Section 2 - Goals

To learn more about beer, beer tasting, beer judging and brewing techniques, based on sharing knowledge and experience with homebrewers from primarily Northern California but also extending to all of California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and across the country.

To conduct a successful and enjoyable annual Festival.

To promote the hobby and enjoyment of homebrewing.

To promote the responsible use of alcoholic beverages.

To engage in enjoyable social activities focused on homebrewing as a common foundation.

ARTICLE II—MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Eligibility

All persons of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages in the state of California are eligible for membership.

Section 2 - Acceptance

The only criterion for membership is acceptance of the organization’s bylaws and the desire to put forth some effort to further the organization’s goals.

Section 3 - Rights and Liability of Members

Each regular member of the organization shall have the right to vote on organization matters.

The members of the organization shall not be liable for the debts or obligations of the organization.

No member shall receive compensation for services rendered to the organization.

An organization member may be reimbursed for expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of the organization, if approved by the organization officers.

Section 4 - Guests

Members may bring guests to organization meetings and functions. If the guests intend to consume alcoholic beverages they must comply with Article II, Sections 1 and 7.

Section 5 - Membership Year

The membership year of the organization shall be the calendar year.

Section 6 - Non-Discrimination

Organization membership or Festival attendance shall not be denied to any individual on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, or sex.

Section 7 - Hold Harmless

Participation in this organization and Festival is entirely voluntary.  Members and guests know that participation in organization activities involves the consumption of alcoholic beverages and this may affect their perceptions and reactions. Members and guests shall accept responsibility for their conduct, behavior and actions and absolve the Northern California.

Homebrewers Organization of any and all responsibility for their conduct, behavior and actions. Participation includes any guests that may be present at organization activities, wherever they may be held.

Section 8 - Types of Membership

All types of membership are subject to Sections 1 and 2 of Article II.

A - Regular Members

Open to all persons as provided by Sections 1 and 2 of Article II. There are no Dues for membership.

ARTICLE III – VOTING

Section 1 - Eligibility

All organization members, of any membership type that has voting rights (according to Article II Section 8), are eligible to vote.

Section 2 - Items Put to Vote

The organization's officers shall decide when and the kinds of issues and topics to be voted on by the membership. Any member may petition any officer for issues to be brought to a vote.

Section 3 - Quorum

A meeting consisting of at least 50% of the officers and one-third of the regular organization members is to be considered-a quorum.

Section 4 - Election Dates

Elections are held yearly in the first quarter of each calendar year with the new officers/offices taking office immediately.

Section 5 – Nominations

Nominations shall be made during the Northern California Beer Festival in month of September/October from any member, officer or volunteer.

Section 6 - Voting Method

Voting is conducted by a count of hands controlled ballot. There is no secret or closed balloting.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1a – Officers

There will be a Lead Officer and up to 8 other officers.  All officer positions do not need to be filled.

Section 1b – Officer Elections

Any organizer in good standing may be nominated for an officer position.  Once the officers have been elected, the new officers will nominate and vote in the Lead Officer.

Section 1c – Officer Nominees

A nominee must accept the nomination prior to any election being held.   A nominee cannot be nominated and elected in absentia unless the nominee and officers made prior arrangements and agreement.
Section 1d – Office Responsibilities

Officer Expectations:

• Stay informed and monitor all activities
• Attend all meetings (some minor exceptions)
• Actively participate
• Responsive to discussion between meetings (constructive)
• Uphold the vision of the festival
• Setting overall direction of the festival
• Follow up with committees
• Approve budget submitted by committees
• Participate on some committees
• Accountable and responsible – fiscal responsibility
• Setting and meeting commitments

Lead Office Expectations:

Same as Officer expectations with the additional responsibility to act as a tie-breaker or final decision maker if committee members cannot come to agreement.

Section 2 – Committees

Committees are where the actual work of the festival is completed.  The officers will determine the number of committees.  Volunteers to lead the committees can be solicited by the officers.  A lead of the committee should be determined.  A committee can consist of one or many individuals.  An officer can also be a committee member and/or committee lead.  A member may be on more than one committee.  Some examples of the types of committees are:

• Registration
• Facilities / Lake Francis
• Hoppy Hour
• Raffle
• Brewers Dinner
• Speakers
• Advertising
• Website
• Merchandise / Store
• Entertainment (games, music)
• Booth Competition
• Beer Competition
• Commemoratives
• Finance

Committee Responsibilities

Committee members are responsible for submitting a plan and budget to the officers for approval.  The approval is not to tell the committee how to perform their job but just a check to make sure the vision of the festival is upheld.  Once approved, the committee is responsible for carrying out all aspects of the task including soliciting volunteers, managing the budget, communicating status to the officers, etc.

Section 3 – Terms of Office

Officers will serve for one year but there is no limit to the number of years an officer can be voted in.

Section 4 - Removal

Any officer of the organization may be removed by the vote of a simple majority of the members. Such a vote may be conducted at any time, with or without notice.

Section 5 - Officer Resignation

Upon the resignation of an officer, the remaining officers may select a person or solicit volunteers to take the responsibilities of the officer who left and this person shall complete the term, unless covered by the provisions of Article IV, section 4.

ARTICLE V -- NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Section 1 - Nonprofit Status

The organization is declared as a nonprofit organization. This does not give it tax exemption status under the rules of the United States Department of Internal Revenue Services (IRS) unless applied for and received at a later date.

ARTICLE VI -- CALENDAR YEAR

Section 1 - Calendar

The fiscal year for the purposes of dues shall coincide with the calendar year (i.e. beginning in January and ending in December.)

ARTICLE VII – DUES and FEES

Section 1 – Festival Fees

There are no membership or officer dues. Festival fees are levied on those who wish to attend the Festival. The rate of such fees is determined by the organization during each year and is subject to revision.

Section 2 – Use of Fees

The fees collected for any Festival year are solely to be used for Festival activities. Any fees collected and not spent will deposited in the organization’s bank account for use in future festivals.

Section 3 – Final Use of Fees

In the event the Organization and Festival disband, any remaining fees collected shall be used to fund a scholarship for home brewers at an institute for brewing education. Scholarship eligibility will be determined at the time of disbandenment.

Section 4 - Reporting

The finance officer shall report the financial status of the organization at each meeting or upon request.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Section 1 - Meetings of Officers

Officers shall meet as needed but no fewer than twice a year unless otherwise agreed upon by the organization.

Section 2 - Meeting Procedure

In transacting official business, the rules of civility, good taste, and organization by-laws shall generally govern all meetings of the organization.

ARTICLE IX -- CONTINGENCY FUND

Section 1 - Fund

A contingency fund may be established and maintained by the finance officer to cover unexpected expenses or losses of the organization. The organization officers shall establish the amount of the fund.

ARTICLE X -- BY-LAW ACCEPTANCE CHANGES

Section 1 - Acceptance

These by-laws are accepted at the time of adoption by-a majority vote of registered members.

Section 2 - Procedure for Changes

Any member or officer may petition for a change in the by-laws. When changes are suggested, the petition must be presented in writing and distributed to all members and officers via electronic mail. The proposed changes shall be published in the newsletter, if available, and will be voted on at the next regular organization meeting or special session. A vote of the majority of the organization's current members that are eligible to vote according to article II Section 8 must approve a by-law change.

Section 3 – Forms of Acceptance

Voting on all organizational matters, including changes to by-laws, may be conducted by electronic solicitation (email) as long as all members and officers are copied on each vote of the organizational matter. The club communications officer will record the vote of any matter conducted in such a fashion.

THESE ARE THE BY-LAWs OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HOMEBREWERS ORGANIZATION