ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE, AND LEGAL STATUS
Section 1. Name – The name of this organization is the “Saint Paul Homebrewers Club,” hereinafter referred to as “SPHBC” or the “Club.”
Section 2. Marks and Copyright – The SPHBC name and the “Drinky the Viking” logo are not known to be registered, trademarked, or copyrighted. While nobody “owns” them, we lay claim to them.
Section 2. Purpose and Mission – SPHBC is a social club organized for non-profit, fermented beverages educational purposes. Our mission is to share homebrew, openly converse, share information on responsible homebrewing methods, and most importantly, provide honest feedback on each other’s’ creations to improve our craft.
Section 3. Tax Status – SPHBC is organized as a “Social Club” exempt from taxes under IRC 501(c)(7). The Club shall file all obligatory reports to remain compliant.
Section 4. Nondiscrimination – The SPHBC shall not permit in its conduct of Club affairs any restriction or limitation whatsoever based upon sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability.
Section 5. Dissolution – In the event of dissolution, all remaining assets and property of the organization shall, after payment of necessary expenses, be distributed to a sub-organization determined by the Leadership Committee that qualifies under section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to a charitable organization or local government for public purpose.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility – Membership is open to anyone of legal drinking age in the State of Minnesota who has an interest in brewing beer, mead, cider, or related fermented beverages. Membership is also not exclusive to Minnesota, and members may reside outside the State of Minnesota.
Section 2. Classes of Membership
- Regular Members: Dues-paying individuals who participate in Club activities.
- Emeritus Members and Industry Members: Individuals designated by SPHBC Leadership for a specific period or in perpetuity due to long-standing contributions, industry knowledge, or other club support. These members are exempt from dues while retaining full membership rights.
Section 3. Liability – All members shall be responsible for their own actions and shall hold the Club blameless from any liability which may result therefrom.
Section 4. Conduct and Safety
- Health: Members attending in-person events are expected to be free of symptoms of communicable disease. If you are sick, stay home.
- Event Conduct: Participation in SPHBC events is a privilege. Any attendee who is disruptive, dangerously intoxicated, or acting in a manner that compromises the safety or enjoyment of others may be asked to leave the event immediately by any Leadership officer or event host.
- Refusal to Leave: Refusal to leave when instructed may result in immediate suspension of membership pending a review by the Leadership Committee and authorities will be contacted to enforce trespassing laws if necessary.
Section 5. Revocation of Membership – Membership may be revoked for conduct detrimental to the Club (e.g., harassment, theft, dangerous behavior) by a two-thirds vote of the Leadership Committee. The member must be given an opportunity to be heard before the vote.
ARTICLE III: DUES AND FINANCES
Section 1. Fiscal Year – The fiscal year of the Club shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of the same year.
Section 2. Dues
- Annual dues (historically $20.00 per year) are payable as of the first meeting of the calendar year.
- Dues amounts are determined by Leadership and subject to approval by the membership.
- New members joining after July 1 may receive a pro-rated discount (e.g., 50%) for the remainder of the year.
- All dues are non-refundable.
Section 3. Budgeting and Authority
- The Treasurer and Leadership shall prepare a budget showing proposed expenses for the fiscal year.
- This budget must be approved by the Leadership Committee and submitted to the membership for a vote. Once approved, the Treasurer is authorized to pay Club bills and expenses within the budgeted amounts.
- Unbudgeted expenses over $50 require specific approval from Leadership.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND LEADERSHIP
Section 1. The Leadership Committee – The general control of Club affairs resides with the Leadership Committee, consisting of the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. They serve without pay.
Section 2. Duties of Officers
- President: The primary leader of monthly meetings and point of contact for the Club. The President sets agendas, enforces bylaws, conducts voting, and oversees committee activities.
- Vice President: Organizes Club education sessions and serves as backup to the President or Treasurer. In the absence of the President, the VP conducts meetings.
- Treasurer: Handles Club finances, collects dues, pays bills, creates financial reports, and files financial forms.
Section 3. Terms and Vacancies
- Term Length: Officers shall serve for a term of one (1) year.
- Vacancies: Leadership may fill any vacancy caused by resignation, removal, or incapacity by appointment until the next election.
- Removal: An officer may be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote of the paid membership, provided a quorum is present.
ARTICLE V: ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominations – Nominations for Officer roles will be accepted in October and November. Nominations may be made by other members or be self-nominated. Nominations may be declined.
Section 2. Election Procedure – Elections will be held in December at the annual Club party. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of members present. Elected officers shall take office immediately following the vote.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings – Regular meetings shall generally be held monthly on a weekday evening. Historically, this has been on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. Leadership is responsible for notifying membership of any changes to time, date, or location.
Section 2. Quorum – To conduct official business (such as voting on officers or bylaws), a quorum must be present. A quorum is defined as a portion of membership in good standing, which is 25% of total paid membership or 10 members, whichever is fewer, provided at least one Leadership officer is present.
Section 3. Voting – Each active member shall have one vote. Absentee votes may be accepted if arranged with Leadership prior to the meeting, which may include online voting (e.g., Google Form).
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES AND APPOINTED ROLES
Section 1. Standing Committees – Leadership may appoint volunteers to manage essential Club functions. These are not elected positions but are vital to Club operations. These roles are not mutually exclusive and may be assigned per-event rather than for the duration of a calendar year.
- Technology & Communications: Manages the SPHBC.org website (including domain registration, web hosting, and website administration), email lists, social media accounts, and other technology systems. Digital assets including, but not limited to, the website domain and hosting, website and social media assets, and artwork and intellectual property remain property of the Club.
- Equipment Manager: Accounts for the location and maintenance of Club property, including the Big Brew system, Jockey Box, and Cider Press. The equipment remains property of the Club.
- Events: Organizes club events outside of monthly meetings, which could include Brew For Good, field trips, group brew days, and more.
- Competitions: Coordinates internal club Brew the Style challenges and coordinates external club homebrew competitions, judging, other competition-related activities.
- Past Leadership Members: While not a formal role, members holding an ex-officio role in the club may be consulted for historical context on Club activities to ensure long-term stability within the club. These members are Regular Members or Emeritus members that have previously held a Leadership role.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Process – These Charter and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the paid members present at a meeting, provided at least one Leadership officer is present.
Section 2. Notification – Proposed changes must be shared with the membership through formal channels (i.e., Club email list) in advance of the meeting to allow for feedback.
HISTORY
- June 1998: Original Club Charter and Bylaws published.
- December 1999: Revised Bylaws.
- December 2025: Complete overhaul and publish the Club Charter and Bylaws. Created by Dave Bance, Jason Berg, and Adam Medick.
- May 5, 2026: Approved by Leadership vote.
- May 2, 2026: Shared through Club email on
- May 5, 2026: Presented to the membership and ratified