The North State Brewers' Cooperative

Contact: 315 N. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
nsbc@umich.edu

established 1997

bylaws /

North State Brewers' Cooperative Bylaws

Article 1. Membership

Section 1: Classification: All members are equal.

Section 2: Qualification: To be eligible for membership, an individual must be familiar with the Rochdale Principles. An individual may become a member by petitioning the Co-op for membership and then being confirmed by a majority vote of quorum. No one may be excluded on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, physical or mental handicap, socio-economic status, veteran status, age, or sexual orientation.

Section 3: Rights and Duties: The responsibilities of each member include active participation in the Co-op as well as cooperative behavior that contributes to the goals and values of the Co-op.

Section 4: Termination: In the event of non-payment of dues, neglect of work requirements, or detrimental behavior, any officer will bring the matter before the standing members. In the event of behavior that is detrimental to the Co-op, any member will bring the matter before the standing members. In any case, a majority vote will determine if disciplinary action is required, and if so, the penalty to be imposed.

Article 2. Duties of Officers and the Executive Committee.

Section 1: Offices

1. Chief Catalyst. The Chief Catalyst shall act as treasurer. He/she is in charge of all finances, including collecting dues from members, and paying bills. He/she shall also provide members with a monthly budget analysis.
2. Scribe. The Scribe shall record the proceedings of all meetings. He/she will bring said notes before the membership at the next meeting for approval and post notes for the membership. He/she shall be responsible for all correspondence, within the membership and with other organizations. He/she shall keep an alumni record and be responsible for the maintenance of mailing lists past and present. He/she shall also be responsible for the distribution of all printed material to the membership.
3. Quartermaster. The Quartermaster shall be responsible for the maintenance, care, and storage of all Co-op equipment. He/she is also responsible for acquiring new ingredients and/or equipment for upcoming brews.
4. Brewmeister. The Brewmeister shall be the official representative of the Co-op and shall preside over all meetings, voting only in the case of a tie. He/she shall determine the brewing schedule. He/she may call a biweekly executive board meeting to promote cooperation among the Co-op officers, whose work standards are his responsibility.

Article 3. Provisions for Standing Committees.

Section 1: Standing Committees may be formed or dissolved by a majority vote at a Co-op meeting.

Article 4. Frequency of Regular Meetings.

Section 1: Regular meetings shall be held once every month as conditions permit, and, at least once every six weeks.

Article 5. Quorum.

Section 1: At a regular or organization meeting, quorum shall be established by a majority of active membership.

Article 6. Notification of Regular and Special Meetings.

Section 1: The date, time and place of meetings must be either posted or distributed at least five days in advance. Special meetings will require only forty eight hours notification.

Article 7. Election Provisions.

Section 1: Time: Elections shall be held every September, January and May. All officers will be elected three times a year except the Brewmeister, who shall be elected in May for a one year term.

Section 2: Nominations: Any member may nominate any member at the electoral meetings.

Section 3: Proxy: No one may vote by proxy at electoral meetings.

Section 4: Installation: Upon receiving a majority endorsement, a member shall be considered elected. Upon election, the member shall be sworn into office by the Brewmeister who presided over the electoral meeting. While placing left hand on suitable material, and raising right hand, the newly elected officer shall recite: I, ________, do solemnly swear to act in accordance with the Rochdale Principles of Cooperation, to faithfully execute the responsibilities of the office of ____________, to uphold and defend the North State Brewers Cooperative Constitution, and to forever quest for excellent homebrew.

Article 8. Fiscal Year.

Section 1: The Fiscal Year shall begin and end on May 1st.

Article 9. Standing Rules and Special Rules.

Section 1: Special Meetings: One fifth of the membership may petition the Brewmesiter for a special meeting.

Section 2. Agenda: Any member may submit agenda items to the Brewmeister. Agenda items must be submitted and posted at least twenty four hours in advance to be automatically put on the agenda. Any item not submitted a day in advance, will require a majority vote to consider it at the meeting.

Article 10. Parliamentary Procedure Authority.

Section 1: All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, unless otherwise opposed by a majority vote.

Article 11. Method of Amending the Bylaws.

Section 1: Amendments to the Bylaws shall be made in accordance with the following rules:

1. A) An amendment shall be posted at least five days in advance.
2. B) The amendment shall be subject to change by a simple majority at the meeting.
3. C) The amendment shall be considered passed with the assent of a simple majority of all members present. Section 2. These By-laws shall become effective after being ratified by a majority of the Co-op.

Ratified on June 2nd, 1997