Article 1. Name
Article 2. Definitions
Article 3. Objectives
Article 4. Membership
Article 5. Meetings
Article 6. The Executive Committee
Article 7. Elections
Article 8. Ethical Code
Article 9. Changes in the Bylaws

Section 1.1. The name of the organization shall be the State of Franklin Homebrewers

Section 2.1. Whenever the word "Club" is used in these bylaws, it shall mean the State of Franklin Homebrewers.

Section 2.2. Whenever the term "Member" is used in these bylaws, it shall mean a person who has obtained membership in the club by paying club dues for the current year and signing a membership form.

Section 2.3. Whenever the term "Officers" or "Executive Committee" is used in these Bylaws, it shall mean President, Vice President, Editor, Librarian, Webmaster, and Treasurer/Membership Director.

Section 2.4. Whenever the term "Majority vote of the Members" is used in these Bylaws, it shall mean a vote of more than fifty (50) percent of the members who cast a vote at a general club meeting, at least thirty (30) days after notice of the issue.

Section 2.5. Whenever the term "two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Members" is used in these bylaws, it shall mean a vote of more than two thirds (2/3) of the Members who cast a vote at a general club meeting, at least thirty (30) days after notice of the issue.

Section 2.6. The State of Franklin Homebrewers Club fiscal year is January 1st through December 31st.

Section 3.1. The objectives of the State of Franklin Homebrewers Club are:

1. To promote the hobby of homebrewing and foster the art and science of brewing quality beer in the home.
2. To promote the responsible appreciation of alcoholic beverages by encouraging education in history, technique, raw materials, and styles.
3. To organize the brewing community of the greater Tri-City area to have regular meetings and special events (outings to breweries, judging, camp outs, competitions, etc.) for the purpose of tasting, brewing, exchanging information, and fellowship.
4. To hold regular monthly meetings to provide a forum for the interaction between members.
5. To run all club business in accordance with the principles of democracy, with an elected Executive Committee (consisting of the club officers) guiding the decision making process.
6. To hold all members accountable to a general code of ethics and behavior, including, but not limited to, honesty, responsible drinking, and equitable contributions to the club.
7. To provide technical advice through education and skill development in regard to beer styles, brewing techniques, and beer evaluation.
8. To supply a monthly newsletter to keep members informed about club events and other pertinent information.
9. To maintain a library of brewing resources for use by its members.
10. To foster friendly relationships with similar organizations.

Section 4.1. Membership is open to any person 21 years of age or older, who is interested in homebrewing as a hobby and in the sensory evaluation of fermented beverages.

Section 4.2. A membership may be terminated or restricted with cause by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of a quorum of the members.

Section 4.3. Membership privileges include: voting at club meetings, access to club library, a subscription to the club newsletter, ability to enter club competitions, and the right to attend club meetings including Executive Committee meetings.

Section 4.4. The annual membership dues for a Member is twenty dollars ($20). Invited Guests may attend one meeting free of charge, all other guests will be charged three dollars ($3). Spouses or Significant Others who wish to actively participate in club activities may join for an additional five dollars ($5). Guest may attend a maximum of two meetings before they are expected to join the club.

Section 4.5. Membership dues are payable in prorated amounts to correspond with the Club’s fiscal year.

Section 4.6. Membership Responsibilities:

1. Act in an ethical and non abusive manner
   
   
2. Participate in club chores necessary to the presentation of club activities, especially in so far as that needed to provide and compensate for their stake in the benefits
   
   
3. Normally, bring two beers or food to each meeting they attend
   
   
4. Share in the camaraderie of the club and join in the individual quest for the perfect brew.
   
   

Section 5.1. Official Club meetings shall be held monthly on the second Monday of the month.

Section 5.2. The Executive Committee can call additional meetings, postpone, reschedule, or cancel meetings.

Section 5.3. The meeting location will be announced on the home page of the web site.

Section 6.1. All officers shall be Members.

Section 6.2. The Executive Committee must meet at least twice each year. These meetings may be accomplished through the use of email lists or physical meetings. If it is a physical meeting, the meeting dates, times, and locations will be determined by the Executive Committee and published in the newsletter or on the home page of the website. Any member in good standing may attend executive committee meetings, or request to be added to the executive committee email list.

Section 6.3. Any Officer may be removed from office at any time by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Members.

Section 6.4. Should an Officer resign or be removed from office, the Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.

Section 6.5. All Executive Committee decisions shall be determined by a majority vote. In the event of a tie, the presidents’ vote shall determine the outcome.

Section 6.6. The Executive Committee as a group shall:

1. Act as the business office of the State of Franklin Homebrewers.
2. Establish and publish an annual budget.
3. Initiate long range planning
4. Decide policy issues of a organizational and financial nature.
5. Act as a steering body for the club, that is, to guide the club into activities that support the mission statement.
6. Draft members to tasks such as those needed to fulfill the mission statement.
7. Make confidential judgement in any case of peer review resulting from unethical conduct
1. If the executive committee finds anyone in serious violation of our code of ethics they shall, to the best of their ability, take appropriate action (such as calling and paying for a cab for a driver too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle) to protect the liability of the club and its members from any resulting legal action. They shall inform the transgressor that a repeated violation will subject him to eviction from the club.
2. Repeat of unethical conduct shall be cause to revoke membership. If such action is taken, the revocation may be appealed to the full membership.

Section 6.7. The PRESIDENT shall: Conduct regular club meetings; organize and preside over Executive Committee meetings; establish committees as needed for special projects; present initiatives and ideas for club activities; delegate club business to appropriate officers; conduct all voting; speak on behalf of the club and/or executive committee for any actions decided upon under ethical review; represent the club in any business or other activity with other organizations. In addition, the president shall have the right to designate an alternate to act in his/her behalf at club functions or in club business.

Section 6.8. The VICE PRESIDENT shall: establish a program for each Club meeting; make arrangements for whatever is needed for the meeting; schedule guest speakers; organize tastings, brewouts, competitions, outings, etc.; act on behalf of the president in club activities or business in his/her absence.

Section 6.9. The TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR shall: collect dues and revenues; collect and disburse funds for routine and special club business; provide a monthly financial summary for the club and newsletter; keep an accounting of club moneys; establish and maintain a directory of member information, including name, address, phone, and email address.

Section 6.10. The EDITOR shall: write a newsletter article describing each meeting; edit, publish and mail the monthly newsletter prior to each meeting. This includes writing and soliciting articles and keeping track of upcoming events relevant to the club.

Section 6.11. The LIBRARIAN shall: establish, maintain, and organize the club library collection, maintain control of the collection, and shall bring requested items to the next club meeting.

Section 6.12. In addition to the elected officers, there shall be a person designated to be the WEBMASTER. This person will need special skills, and as such should not be elected, but rather appointed by the executive committee from qualified volunteers among the general membership. The WEBMASTER shall: maintain our club's website; manage the club's ISP account; manage the addition and removal of club members individual email accounts; and establish and maintain any needed distribution lists, including the newsletter list, executive committee list, general member list, and any additional lists needed for committees or for other purposes.

Section 7.1. Officers, with the exception of WEBMASTER, shall be elected by a majority vote of the Members in attendance.

Section 7.2. Voting for officers shall be by secret ballot.

Section 7.3. Term of office shall be for one year starting January 1st.

Section 7.4. Elections for Executive Committee officers shall take place annually in December.

Section 7.5. Elections shall be announced in the newsletter preceding the election meeting.

Section 7.6. Nominations for officers shall be made from the floor at the November meeting with the consent of the nominee. Members wishing to run for an office but unable to attend the meeting may have their names put into nomination by submitting a written request to the Secretary any time before the election meeting.

Section 7.7. Should more than two (2) candidates be nominated and run for any Executive Committee Office, the following shall prevail:

1. Any candidate receiving a majority vote of the Members shall be considered elected.
2. If no candidate receives a majority vote of the Members, there will be a run-off election between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

Section 7.8. Officers-elect are strongly encouraged to attend Executive Committee meetings before their term of office officially begins.

Section 8.1. Excessive drinking is a hazard of the craft that brings us together. This is an undesirable and avoidable occurrence. Therefore, let it be resolved that no member shall drink to excess as defined by the Department of Motor Vehicles if they are driving themselves after the meetings. Further let it be resolved that no member shall coerce, entice, or otherwise willingly suffer such abusive consumption on the part of any other member.

Section 8.2. Honesty and respect are valued principles to any society and integral to the trust we put in our fellow members. No member shall steal, be violent, or engage in behavior that is disrespectful to others or themselves.

Section 8.3. This club is as much a cooperative as it is an educational and social instrument. Our strength is dependent upon the individual contributions that members give to the club. Each member will endeavor to pull his own weight by paying dues on time and by doing chores in proportion to the net benefits they receive from the club.

Section 9.1. These bylaws may be accepted, altered, amended or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members in attendance.