Revised 1/94 Revised 4/13
Revised 10/94 Revised 11/15
Revised 1/97 Revised 11/16
Revised 1/99 Revised 1/22
Revised 1/04 Revised 4/23
Revised 1/07 Revised 1/25
Revised 3/13
BACCHUS SOCIETY OF CHARLESTON
BYLAWS ADOPTED OCTOBER 12, 1992
ARTICLE I
The purpose of the Society is to foster the knowledge of wine and to meet, taste and have orderly discussions about wine. It is intended that these occasions be more of an educational experience and less of a social gathering.
ARTICLE II
Section I Meetings/Tastings
a. The society will meet on the third Monday of each odd month at approximately 7:30 p.m.
b. Tastings will be held in the home/business of individual members, or at other locations by prior arrangement.
c. Tastings will be conducted by the member hosting the tasting unless that member would prefer another member of the Society, or a professional, to lead the tasting.
d. Bylaw changes shall be taken up and discussed at any regularly scheduled tasting. A 2/3 vote of all members of the Society, or a 90% vote of members attending a meeting where a question is proposed, shall decide any question brought before the Society concerning the bylaws. Any other business of the Society shall be taken up and discussed at any regularly scheduled tasting where a majority shall prevail.
e. The Bacchus Society shall be limited to thirty members who, once elected, shall be members for life. New members may be proposed at any meeting. A ¾ vote of all members of the Society shall be necessary to be elected to membership. A member may resign at any time. A member will be required to resign from the Society only with a unanimous vote of all other members of the Society.
f. Individual tastings will be limited to the first fourteen (15) members committing to, or submitting, the “Tasting Fee”, with the exception of then November and January 1st growth Tasting where only 14 pours will be allowed. Tastings will require a fee of $45 excepting the November and January tastings. Admission to those tastings will be by donation of a bottle. If less than 14 members plan to bring a bottle, then admission to the November tasting will be at least $75, or more, as determined by the Chairman. And if less than 14 members plan to bring a bottle to the January tasting, then admission to the January tasting will be determined by the Society officers based on a fair evaluation of the bottles donated.
g. At each Tasting, the host of the subsequent tasting will announce the nature and format of the next Tasting.
h. On or about the first day of each odd month, the Chairman will mail, or email, a “MEETING NOTICE” to members advising the subject of the tasting, final fee, location, where to mail the fee check, and anything else pertinent to that tasting.
i. If a member does not desire to attend the tasting, he does not pay the fee.
j. Notification of a member’s intention to attend a tasting should be communicated to the Chairman as soon as possible. This will allow time for the arrangement of “guests’ attendance”. Tasting fees can be mailed to the treasurer or brought to the meeting.
k. Guests will be permitted after members have been given a chance to pay the tasting fee and/or express their intention to attend. Guests will then be able to pay the tasting fee and accompany the member to the tasting as a full member of the scheduled tasting.
l. If a member desires, a guest will also be permitted to attend tastings and share that member’s portion of the pour.
m. Extra or unusual tastings or dinners may be scheduled from time to time as determined by the Society officers.
Section II Fees and other costs
a. Initiation fee shall be $200
b. Annual dues shall be $300
c. Tasting fees are as described in Article II, Section I, f.
Section III Officers
a. A Chairman will be elected for a two year period at the first meeting of the Society and thereafter at the first meeting of the calendar year every two years. The Chairman may be re-elected at the discretion of the membership.
b. The Chairman shall then appoint a Secretary-Treasurer. A “Wine Selection Committee” may be appointed at the discretion of the Chairman whose term will run in concurrence with the term of the Chairman.
c. It shall be the purpose of the “Wine Selection Committee” to offer help to each member planning and hosting the Tasting if such help is requested or required.
d. The Secretary-Treasurer will give a report at each meeting and keep records of all money collected. It is the purpose of these monies to support the different mailings that will be required and can be used, at the discretion of the Society, to purchase particular wines or for purposes agreed on by a majority of the members. The Secretary Treasurer will keep brief minutes of the meetings including a short summary of the tasting results to be presented and distributed at subsequent meetings.
ARTICLE III
Amendments:
a. January meetings will be a 1st growth tasting as determined by the Club Chairman.
b. There will be a special “Favorites” tasting each November. Each participant (up to 14) will bring a “favorite” bottle of any quality/variety to present at the tasting.
c. Society members are required to attend at least two meetings per year to maintain
membership. Any exception must be approved by the Chairman.