Bylaws of the Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity (QUAFF).

I. Name and Club Objective

  1. The name of the organization is Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity, QUAFF. This name is protected by the Office of the Secretary of State, State of California, where QUAFF is a duly registered non-profit organization [501(c)7].
  2. The objectives of the CLUB are:
  • To provide a not-for-profit, non-political, non-sectarian and non-sexist organization for those interested in participating and promoting the hobby of home brewing and appreciation of beer.
  • To provide members with an education in the history, technique, raw materials and styles of brew and home brewing.
  • To share home brew and home brewing experiences amongst members and as a group become better brewers.
  • To provide members with the opportunity and any assistance needed to participate in Quaff and area home brew events and competitions.
  • To organize and sponsor home brewing related activities and competitions in the area.
  • To establish friendly relationships with similar organizations and provide value to Quaff membership and the community.

II. Board of Directors

  1. The Board of Directors shall serve without pay and consist of at least ten but no more than thirty members.
  2. Board members shall serve in perpetuity.
  3. Vacancies and additional Board members shall be filled from the general membership by the Board, including recommendations of the organization President.
  4. Board members with six consecutive absences shall be dismissed from the Board.
  5. (a) A majority of board members constitutes a quorum. (b) In absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken except to adjourn the meeting to a subsequent date.
  6. Passage of a motion requires a simple majority (i.e., one more than half the members present).

III. Officers

  1. The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
  2. The President shall serve a term of two years, and then shall be replaced by the Vice President.
  3. The Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall serve terms of two years.
  4. All Officers will fulfill other duties as required to maintain the Club’s non-profit status.
    A. The PRESIDENT shall preside at all Club and Executive Committee Meetings for a term of two years, decide
    all questions of order, appoint all committees and conduct all voting.
    B. The VICE PRESIDENT shall assist the President and other Board members in fulfillment of their duties for a
    term of two years. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall conduct Board and Club Meetings.
    Should the President take leave of Office, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President until an
    election can be held. The Vice President shall also make recommendations to the Board for presentations and
    programs at regular meetings, and organize and arrange for the execution of those presentations.
    C. The SECRETARY shall record the minutes of all Board meetings and the annual Membership Meeting for a
    term of two years. S/He shall also maintain the official By-laws of the Club.
    D. The TREASURER shall collect all dues and payments for club related items, pay all club bills and provide a
    written annual financial summary for a term of two years. S/He will provide a report of the Club’s financial status
    at every Board Meeting, and perform the obligatory annual IRS filing.

IV. Committees

The Board may appoint standing and ad hoc committees as needed in addition to the standing committees of Membership, Events, Newsletter, and Competitions. The Competition committee shall be headed by the Vice President.

V. Meetings

  1. Regular general meetings shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
  2. Meetings of the Board will be held on the first Tuesday of each month.
  3. Special meetings may be held at any time when called for by the President or a majority of Board members.
  4. Changes to the schedule for both general and Board meetings may be made by consent of the majority of the Board.

VI. Elections

  1. The Board shall convene a nominating committee to assemble name(s) of candidate(s) for offices, and report to the Board at the November Board meeting
  2. The Board shall put forth a nominating slate of potential officers to the convened general membership on an annual basis for affirmation of the slate.
  3. Elections shall be held at the November general membership meeting.
  4. Officer terms shall begin with the January meeting following elections, and conclude at the start of the January meeting one or two years later, depending on the term of the office.

VII. Conflict of Interest

Any member of the board who has a financial, personal, or official interest in, or conflict (or appearance of a conflict) with any matter pending before the Board, of such nature that it prevents or may prevent that member from acting on the matter in an impartial manner, will offer to the Board to voluntarily excuse him/herself and will vacate his seat and refrain from discussion and voting on said item.

VIII. Annual Policies

  1. The fiscal year of the club shall be calendar based, January 1 to December 31.
  2. Membership term is January 1 to December 31. For new members joining October 1 to December 31 of any year, the following year is included in the initial sign-up dues.

IX.  Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of Board members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present, and a copy of the proposed amendments(s) has been provided to each Board member at least one week prior to said meeting.