The Bylaws of The Kansas City Bier Meisters
Revised November 18, 2022

Article I: Organization Name

The name of this organization shall be the “KANSAS CITY BIER MEISTERS.” The Kansas City Bier Meisters (The Club) is a private, not for profit organization. The Club is registered with the American Homebrewers Association (AHA).

Article II: Objective

The objective of The Club shall be to develop the appreciation of homebrew and commercial craft beer and to promote knowledge of the various arts of brewing.

Article III: Structure

The Club shall be made up of members from which club Officers are elected. The Executive Board shall be made up of the elected Officers. The standing committees and ad hoc committees shall be designated by the Executive Board for the purpose of executing The Club objectives. The membership shall have the sole right to govern and control all activities through its elected officers and committee structure.

Article IV: Membership Section

1: Membership classification

Membership shall be open to the public. It shall be limited to persons 21 years of age or older. Membership in the organization shall be one of three classifications:

  • Regular: Members who have complied with all requirements for membership in this organization and who are in good standing with no outstanding dues.
  • Former: Members whose dues lapsed for a period of not greater than one year.
  • Honorary: Persons who have rendered special services to the organization or made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of brewing. Honorary membership shall be granted in lieu of annual dues and to any qualified person approved through a resolution by the membership. Honorary members shall not have the right to vote on The Club’s affairs nor to hold office. Honorary members shall be entitled to all services of the organization.

Any individual, by accepting membership in the organization, does thereby agree to abide by all provisions of the bylaws, rules and procedures of the organization.

Section 2: Rights and Privileges

Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each issue presented to the general membership.
Bylaws – Kansas City Bier Meisters Absentee voting shall be accepted if such vote is submitted in writing (paper or email) to the secretary or Election Chair prior to the voting of the general membership. Both live and absentee voting will be managed by The President.

Section 3: Removal of Members

Any member may be removed by the membership whenever in the judgment of two-thirds of the members the best interest of the organization will be served by the removal. This procedure shall be initiated by a petition signed by not less than one third of the members. Prior to any removal, the member sought to be removed must be given reasonable opportunity to speak on his or her own behalf before the board and at a regular or special meeting of the members.

Article V: Officers

Section 1: Offices

The offices are as follows and shall be members of the executive board as defined herein:

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer

Section 2: Officer Duties

The Executive Board shall delegate the functions of The Club and have authority to distribute duties. The basic duties of each office shall be as follows:

President

  • Authorized leader
  • Presiding Chair at all meetings of The Club and the Executive Board
  • Actively manage the business affairs of the organization and see that all orders and resolutions of the executive board are enacted
  • Declare appointments, supervise appointments, and approve the actions thereof with approval of The Executive Board and Membership

Vice President

  • In the absence of The President, shall preside at all meetings of the organization and perform necessary duties of the office
  • Act as official host/hostess at all organization functions
  • Act as custodian of the organizational properties, including club equipment

Secretary

  • Record and report the minutes of each general membership meeting and of the executive board
    • Meeting minutes shall include: attendance figures, Board members present, results of elections
    • Meeting minutes will be posted to social media and given to the IT Director for posting on The Club’s website
  • Conduct general organizational correspondence
  • Maintain a list of committees and their members Treasurer
  • Custodian of the funds of the organization
  • Collect the organization’s dues, monthly assessments, and special fees
  • Maintain a current member roster, including BJCP status/rank of members
  • Disperse funds for all debts incurred by the organization
  • All transactions suitable for audit by the executive board
  • Deposit funds in a federally insured account within 10 days of receipt
  • Maintain the 501(c) 3 status of The Club
  • Ensure Articles of Incorporation are maintained

Section 3: Vacancies

A vacancy in any office other than the office of president shall be filled by presidential appointment with the executive board’s approval. The President’s office shall be filled by the vice president if a vacancy occurs.

Article VI: Governance

Section 1: Executive Board

  • The Executive Board shall consist of the four organizational officers as set forth in these bylaws.
  • The President shall act as chairman of the Executive Board. A majority of the duly elected and qualified executive board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business at executive board meetings. The executive board shall:
    1. have general supervision of the affairs of the organization between the business meetings;
    2. constitute organizational authority in deciding matters of organizational policy not otherwise decreed;
    3. act upon committee reports and make recommendations to the membership;
    4. perform other duties as specified in the procedures;
    5. fix the hour and place of the executive board meetings, and;
    6. have the authority to make decisions for The Club involving finances up to a limit of $1,500 per transaction or events with expenses that exceed revenue by $1,500 without the vote of the membership.

Section 2: Committees

Subsection A: Standing Appointments

The Standing Appointments are as follows:

  • Shipping Coordinator
    • Ship all entries that have been arranged in a well packed and timely manner, ensuring entries arrive on or before the competition due date.
  • Competition Director
    • Discuss members that have medaled at recent regional competitions, as well as promote upcoming regional competitions.
    • Maintain High Plains Circuit standings and reporting.
    • This role is independent of the annual KCBM Competition.
  • Education Director
    • Produce or facilitate technical topics for each meeting
    • Facilitate BJCP Continuing Education (CEP) courses within The Club
    • Facilitate education of new and existing BJCP judges
  • Bier Notes Editor
    • Responsible for the creation and publication of The Club’s newsletter, which should be released no fewer than six times per year
    • Solicit club members, including the Executive Board to contribute articles/columns to reflect and document the current interests of The Club
    • Bier Notes will function to promote club activities, including upcoming meetings and club events, as well as upcoming regional competitions
  • IT Director
    • Maintain The Club’s website and a database of all The Club’s Internet accounts
  • Activities Director
    • Coordinate social meetings and oversee The Club’s social media.
    • Coordinate The Club’s presence at festivals and other beer related events in the area
  • Election Chair
    • Coordinate and conduct elections including electronic voting by members on motions or annual officer elections
    • Determine or recruit a minimum of one candidate for each officer position each year
    • In the absence of an appointed Election Chair, the Board will approve the appointment
  • Member At Large
    • Serve as the liaison between the membership and the Executive Board by being available for discussion of any concerns members might have
    • Cast the tie breaking vote in the event of a stalemate from the Executive Board

The President shall appoint the members of each Standing Appointment subject to approval of the Executive Board. Each Standing Appointment may select volunteers and will determine the process and timeline for completing its tasks. Participation under one appointment shall not preclude a member’s ability to participate in another. The Executive Board will supervise the Standing Appointments with authority to request reports to the membership as required. The Board also will manage the budget and/or costs associated with the Appointment’s objectives within the provisions set forth in these bylaws. The dates, times, and places of committee meetings shall be published or announced whenever possible, to enable other interested members to attend and participate.

Subsection B: Ad Hoc Commitees

The President shall appoint the members of the Ad Hoc Committees determined necessary by the Executive Board, or approved by the membership. The appointments are subject to approval of the Executive Board. Each Ad Hoc Committee shall elect a chair, and determine the process and timeline for completing its tasks. The Executive Board will supervise the Ad Hoc Committees with authority to request reports to the membership as required. The Board also will manage the budget and/or costs associated with the Committee objectives within the provisions set forth in these bylaws. The dates, times, and places of committee meetings shall be published or announced whenever possible, to enable other interested members to attend and participate.

Ad Hoc Committees shall be dissolved upon the completion of the assigned task, or by the authority of the Executive Board or Club membership.

Section 3: Removal of board members

Any board member may be removed by the membership whenever in the judgment of two thirds of the members present and/or voting, the best interest of the organization will be served by removal. A special quorum for this vote is 50% of regular members. This procedure shall be initiated by a petition signed by not less than one third of the members. Prior to any removal, the executive board member sought to be removed must be given reasonable prior notice of the impending action and a reasonable opportunity to speak on his or her own behalf before the board and at a regular or special meeting of the members.

Article VII: Finances and Other Property

Section 1: Finances

The fiscal year shall be June 1 to May 31. The annual meeting will be the May meeting with elections being held in May.

The annual dues shall be established by the membership at the annual meeting. Dues are payable on application for membership in the organization and are renewable at the annual meeting. Any member who does not pay the annual membership dues by August shall be removed from the membership roster. New members joining after the annual meeting shall pay prorated dues based on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year. Former members may be reinstated as current members by full payment of the current annual dues.

Assessments for meeting expenses shall be determined by the board. Expenses to be reimbursed to club members for special events, purchases of supplies, services and other obligations incurred by a member will require pre-approval by the Board based on an estimated budget. Deviation from the budget for additional expenses will require approval by the Board. All reimbursements will require submitted receipts unless otherwise determined by the Board (e.g., Hop Chronicles, Big Brew Day, Friendship Brews will be compensated at $50). Members will not be reimbursed for use of personal equipment or use of facilities within their own home.

Section 2: Property

Assets held by The Club are the sole property of The Club. No individual member may claim full or partial ownership of the assets. The Vice President is the custodian of all physical assets (non financial). All elected officers and any members, upon completion of their term in office or assignment, shall return to The Club any and all papers, documents, and property deemed to be important to the operation and history of, and belonging to, The Club.

Article Article VIII: Meetings

Monthly club meetings shall be held at a date, time, and location as specified by a majority vote of The Club members. Meetings locations and times shall be published on The Club website. Members and guests may attend. Only members are allowed to vote on club business. A quorum will be 20% of regular members. In case of emergency, the date and time of a single monthly meeting may be changed by The President. Notification of the change will be published on The Club website and through social media. Additional meetings may be called when deemed necessary by The President or any members of the Executive Board. Notice of such meeting shall be provided via social media and listed on The Club website, provided such notice is given at least 14 days prior to said meeting. The presiding officer will be responsible for creating the agenda and maintaining order during the meeting.

Article IX: Elections

The officers shall be elected annually by a majority of members choosing to vote (not abstaining) at the last regular meeting of the fiscal year (typically the May meeting). Should a majority vote fail, a runoff election of the two highest votes will take place to achieve a majority. Nomination Process

  • The Elections Chair will find a slate of candidates through floor nominations, volunteers, or recommendations from members
  • The slate of candidates shall be published on the website one month prior to the election.
  • The Elections Chair at the President’s request will present the slate of candidates at a regular meeting that is at least one month prior to the election at which time floor nominations will be accepted
  • Elections will be either electronic or by vote at a regularly scheduled meeting ○ The President with advice of the Executive Board will determine the method
    • A member may object to the method by making a motion on the floor at a regular meeting that will need to be resolved prior to the election under meeting rules
    • The election will be executed by the President or Elections Chair or a designate appointed by the President
  • A member may run for multiple offices given that the additional office is not uncontested.
  • Non elected positions will be subject to appointment by The President and approval of the Executive Board.

Article X: Policy and Procedure

Policies, procedures, and job descriptions may be developed and maintained by the Executive Board and shall be published on The Club website. Any such documents are subject to approval of the membership by simple majority vote at a club meeting.

Article XI: Interpretation of Bylaws and Amendments

These bylaws are interpreted by The President of The Club. Any member may challenge interpretation in a regular meeting by regular motion. Should the interpretation dispute remain unresolved, an ad hoc committee of three members shall be appointed to resolve the challenge. Amendments to these bylaws may be initiated by a motion at a regular club meeting under meeting rules. Should such a motion pass, the amendment to the bylaws shall be published on The Club website for two consecutive months prior to a vote by the membership and announced at two consecutive monthly meetings of The Club. Amendments must be approved by majority vote.

Article XII: Inurement Clause

No part of the net earnings of the Kansas City Bier Meisters (The Corporation) shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Bylaws. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except that, if the Corporation so elects, it may make such expenditures in conformity with §501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code) and the Corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of the Bylaws, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on: (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under §170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law. Article

XIII: Dissolution of the Corporation

Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation, in such manner, method, or to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law, as the Board shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the ____________/District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, exclusively for such purpose or to such organization(s) as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

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