Hamilton Ontario Zymurgy Enthusiast Ring (HOZER)

1.1 NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Hamilton Ontario Zymurgy Enthusiast Ring (HOZER).

1.2 PURPOSE

The HOZER exists as a means for members to explore their hobby through the promotion and education of home brewing.

The mission of the HOZER is:

1. to promote awareness and appreciation of the quality and variety of home brewed beers, meads, wines, and other alcoholic beverages through the collection and dissemination of information.
2. to serve as a forum for the technological and cross-cultural aspects of the art of brewing.
3. to encourage personal responsibility when using beer or other beverages containing alcohol.
4. the consumption of samples to allow for the examination of the various styles of home brewed beverages for the purposes of competition, evaluation, feedback and problem solving.

1.3 PUBLICATION

1. The official publication of the HOZER shall be the hozer.ca website.
2. Communication to General Membership shall primarily be through the brewers@mm.hozer.ca email list.

1.4 REMUNERATION

No member of the Executive shall receive any remuneration for performance of their duties.

1.5 REIMBURSEMENT

Members shall be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses in furtherance of club activities, upon presentation of receipts to Treasurer for approval. Payments may be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

1.6 AFFILIATIONS

1. The HOZER is associated with the Canadian Homebrew Association (CHA) club.
2. The HOZER was associated with the Canadian Amateur Brewers Association (CABA) club.
3. The HOZER is associated with the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) club.
4. The HOZER is associated with the Members of Barleyment (MoB) club.
5. The HOZER was associated with the Southern Ontario Brewers (SOB) club.

2.1 PAID MEMBERSHIP

1. Eligibility

   Individuals who are at least 19 years of age, who have paid annual dues and have a significant homebrewing interest in the area served by the organization shall be eligible for Paid Membership. Membership shall not be withheld on the basis of sex, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability

2. Duration

   Paid Membership shall be on an annual basis effective January 1st of each year.

3. Liability

   Each member’s participation in the HOZER is strictly voluntary. Each member realizes that participation in the HOZER activities may involve the consumption of alcoholic beverages, which may affect perception and reactions. All members shall be responsible for their own conduct and actions as well as those of their guests. Each member, and guests of members, shall accept sole responsibility and all liability for their conduct, behavior, and actions. Each member, and guests of members, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the HOZER, its Officers, its members and any business (including owners, staff and patrons) where meetings or club gatherings are held from any and all claims or liability whatsoever resulting from actions of the HOZER, its members and guests of members.

4. Cancellation

   The Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke and/or decline the renewal of any Paid Membership for cause, including but not limited to:

   1. Failure to pay annual dues
   2. Inappropriate use of club name or logo
   3. Representing the club under false pretenses
   4. Racist, sexist, homophobic or other behaviour that disrespects the dignity of the person

5. Dues

   Dues shall be $10 per year, payable in the month of January. The dues amount shall be reviewed by the Executive on an annual basis, and may be changed with a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Any changes will be announced to the HOZER before the beginning of the renewal period. Dues amount will not be pro-rated.

6. Privileges

   Each Paid Member of the HOZER shall have the right to vote on regular club matters. Membership may be required to attend some club events.

2.2 MEETINGS

1. The Paid Membership shall have the opportunity to meet a minimum of eleven times per year.
2. Regular Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
3. Regular Meetings will be held at Augusta’s Winking Judge from 8pm-10pm.
4. Collected club dues shall be used to pay for any SOP as may be required for these meetings.

2.3 VOTING

Votes by Paid Membership shall be conducted by any appropriate method that insures a fair determination of a majority decision of eligible voting members. The Paid Membership shall decide by vote on:

1. Election of Board of Directors
2. Changes to by-laws
3. Other club business requiring approval by Paid Membership, as determined by the Board of Directors.

2.4 QUORUM

A quorum shall be made of the current Paid Membership attending a meeting. Any number greater than three of Paid Members at a regularly scheduled meeting shall constitute a quorum. Quorum and presence of the President is required to transact business of the HOZER.

3.1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The purpose of the Board of Directors is to provide responsible leadership, an administrative structure to conduct business, and shall be responsible for management of the affairs of the club. Officers must have been Paid Members in good standing for the past 12 months. The Board of Directors shall consist of:

1. President

   Shall be Jason Stranak, in perpetuity.
   Shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and Paid Membership.
   Shall be ex-officio member of every committee.
   Shall plan the meetings.
   Shall create committees and coordinate efforts of all committees.
   Shall review financial reports of the club on a regular basis.
   Shall act as the principal point of contact between the HOZER and the AHA, CABA, SOB, MoB, other homebrew clubs, businesses and organizations.

2. Vice-President

   Shall in the absence of the President assume responsibilities and duties of the the President.
   Shall assist the President with coordinating visits, conventions, meetings and/or workshops.
   Under the direction of the President, is responsible for the promotion and education of the club.
   Shall work under the direction of the President to advance and promote the good image and beneficial works of the HOZER.
   Shall work with the President to recommend, determine and implement policy decisions made by the Board of Directors.

3. Secretary

   Shall keep written minutes of all meetings and forward a copy of these minutes to the Executive as soon as possible, but no later than the week of the next regularly scheduled meeting.
   Shall present to the Board of Directors at their meetings all communications addressed to the club.
   Shall attend to all correspondence and maintain the official Club calendar, which should also include committee activities, beer festivals, homebrew and beer competitions and any events relative to the HOZER.
   Shall serve as proofreader of all printed communication as requested or required.
   Shall with assistance from the Treasurer maintain the membership list.
   Shall work with the President to recommend, determine and implement policy decisions made by the Board of Directors.

4. Treasurer

   Shall have the overall responsibility of care and custody for all club funds and securities. By regulation, the Treasurer is required to make all deposits for the club into our account.
   Shall render a statement of the condition of the finances of the club at each meeting of the Board of Directors and general meetings or at such times as required.
   Shall keep correct books of account of all business and transactions and such other books of account as the Board of Directors may require.
   Shall pay members reimbursement for expenditures in furtherance of club business, subject to the approval of one other member of the Board of Directors.
   Shall exhibit at all reasonable times the books and accounts to any members when requested.
   Shall collect dues for deposit into the club’s account.
   Shall work with the President to recommend, determine, and implement policy decisions made by the Board of Directors.

3.2 APPOINTED OFFICERS

The Board of Directors shall appoint normally-non-voting Officers to the Executive as deemed necessary. Should the Board of Directors be unable to achieve a majority vote, all Officers excepting the Past-President may vote on the matter. The same person may hold up to two Officer positions at one time, but is limited to one tie-breaking vote. These Officers may include, but are not limited to:

1. Past-President

   The Past-President acts in an advisory capacity so that the current President may benefit from previous experience. Should the Executive be unable to achieve a majority vote, the Past-President shall cast the tie-breaking vote. A Past-President also holding another Officer position shall not vote with the Executive, reserving it for tie-break if necessary.

2. Competitions Director

   The Competitions Director shall be responsible to plan, organize and execute any club competitions. The President may strike a Competitions Committee to assist the Competitions Director.

3. Librarian

   The Librarian shall have care and custody of all club-owned printed materials, including, but not limited to books and magazines.

3.3 TERM OF OFFICE

The term of office for members of the Executive (not withstanding President-for-Life (Jason Stranak) will be for one calendar year beginning 1. January. No member (not withstanding President-for-Life) may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive years.

3.4 ELECTIONS TO THE BOARD

1. Nominations

   Any Paid Member may nominate any Paid Member for election to the elected positions on the Board of Directors. Nominations may be submitted to the Secretary in writing at any time between the August and November meetings.

2. Balloting

   Balloting shall be conducted by any appropriate method that insures a fair determination of a majority decision of eligible voting members. Balloting shall be completed by the end of the December Regular Meeting.

3.5 MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE

The Executive may plan to meet at least once per month. By mutual agreement among Board members, email or voice communications may be sufficient to replace planned meetings.

3.6 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Any one or more of the Officers may be removed with cause at any time by a majority vote of the Paid Membership; through a special meeting called for that purpose, or at a regularly scheduled meeting, provided that a majority of the Paid Membership present shall vote in favour of such removal.

3.7 VACANCIES

1. Whenever a vacancy shall occur on the Board of Directors, by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the office shall be filled without delay by Presidential appointment with the Board of Directors approval. The appointee will then hold the office until the next election of officers.
2. If the office of the President should become vacant, a member of the Board of Directors will fill the position until such time as the Board of Directors elect a new President, who would then serve the remainder of the expired term.