MINNESOTA HOME BREWERS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION & BY-LAW (MARCH 1998)
Constitution
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this organization shall be the “Minnesota home Brewers Association,” hereinafter referred to as the “Association.”
ARTICLE II OBJECT
The general purpose shall be the practice and study of the art and science of brewing and the gathering, dissemination, and perpetuation of facts and knowledge of those subjects.
ARTICLE III OFFICERS
The Constitutional officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Members-at-Large. The duties of the Secretary and Treasurer may be performed by one officer, called the Secretary / Treasurer, in the event there is a shortage of candidates willing to run for one of the positions. Elected officers shall become members of the Board of Directors. Each Member-at-Large will serve for two years, with one being elected each year.
ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to anyone with an active interest in brewing who has reached the legal drinking age for the State of Minnesota and pays the annual dues.
ARTICLE V FUNDS
The funds for the Association shall be raised by the collection of annual dues and by such other means as the Association shall from time to time determine. Annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors with the approval of the members.
ARTICLE VI MEETINGS
The proper office or meeting place of the MhBA shall be in the State of Minnesota. Meetings shall be held on a regular basis as determined by the board of directors. The Annual meeting shall be the second meeting of the calendar year. Special meetings may be called according to the By-laws.
ARTICLE VII BY-LAWS AND AMENDMENTS
The Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the members present at a meeting provided that the amendment has been read at the previous two meetings.
ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION
The Association shall not be dissolved except by two-thirds vote and the equal division of its properties and assets to all members in good standing.
By-laws
SECTION 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Elections shall be held at the annual meeting. Elected officers shall take office at the following meeting. The term of office shall be one year, with the exception of Members-at-Large who will serve two year terms. Candidates for office may be nominated by the Nominating Committee or by any member in good standing from the floor, provided that the nominee has consented to accept the nomination.
Any member in good standing may vote in Association elections or on any question before the membership at any meeting.
(New) Candidates for President must have been members in good standing for a minimum of one full year.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The President shall supervise the general affairs of the Association and shall preside at all meetings. The President may call special meetings and shall appoint committees and their chairs as may be needed.
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
The Secretary shall take minutes of all meetings and keep records of the same. The secretary shall conduct Association correspondence as required by the President or Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall handle all Association funds, maintain financial records and make reports to the membership at the annual meeting.
The functions of Secretary and Treasurer may be performed by one officer, the Secretary / Treasurer, in the event there is a shortage of candidates willing to run for one of the positions.
The Members-at-Large shall serve on the activities committee and help to perform any duties assigned to that committee.
SECTION 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(New) The Board shall consist of (8) members. These shall be all elected officers, newsletter editor, and (3) Members-at-Large, one of which is the past president.
The board shall have general control of the affairs of this Association, shall approve plans submitted by the various committees, and control all expenditures of the Association through the Treasurer. At least two (2) regular meetings of the Board will be called by the President per year. Special meetings may be called by any elected officer. Meetings shall be announced in advance and any member in good standing may attend.
Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by the President with the approval of the remaining board. The Board shall have full charge of all funds and financial matters of the Association.
SECTION 4. COMMITTEES
Committees shall be established by the President or by vote of the membership.
SECTION 5. DUES AND/OR INITIATION FEES
Annual membership dues shall be determined by the Board with approval of the membership. Payment of dues grants membership in the Association for twelve calendar months.
SECTION 6. MEETING PROCEDURE
Meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Revised Rules of Order where applicable and not inconsistent with the Association’s Constitution and By-laws.
SECTION 7. QUORUMS
Ten percent of members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for transaction of any business at any meeting.
A majority shall constitute a quorum for the Board of Directors.