last updated: December 7, 2021

CONSTITUTION OF

FLORIDA BEER WHOLESALERS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I

            The name of this not-for-profit Trade Association shall be FLORIDA BEER WHOLESALERS ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE II

 Realizing that the success of the beer industry depends largely upon public opinion, and that the best public relations can be obtained only by voluntary cooperative effort on the part of those engaged in the industry, this voluntary association is created and shall exist for the following objectives:

Section 1.        To promote better relations between the public and the beer industry;

Section 2.        To solicit recognition and acceptance of the beer industry as a desirable and necessary part of Florida’s social and economic life;

Section 3.        To encourage all retailers, distributors and brewers to conduct their businesses on such a high plane that they will reflect only good upon the industry;

Section 4.        To improve business relations between all members of the industry;

Section 5.        To cooperate with and assist the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and all governmental agencies in maintaining proper conduct of the industry;

Section 6.        To provide a clear line of communication and response between our segment of the Industry and the decision makers and regulators of our businesses at the state level;

Section 7.        To work in unison to improve our collective and separate service to the public.

Section 8.        To carry out the above purposes under the Constitution and the By-Laws adopted for the regulation of the Association.

ARTICLE III

Section 1.        Membership shall be entirely voluntary, and any person, firm or corporation legally and actively engaged in the wholesale distribution of malt beverages in the State of Florida and not also legally and actively engaged in the manufacture of malt beverages may become a voluntary member upon agreement to abide by this Constitution and the By-Laws of the Association, and to become a voluntary contributor toward defraying the expenses incurred in carrying out the purposes set forth in ARTICLE II;

Section 2.        Any member may relinquish membership by giving written notice to the Board of Directors;

Section 3.        A member may be represented by any person so chosen and designated by the member;

Section 4.        A member shall have but one vote, regardless of how many branches or separately established companies or corporations the member may own or control, directly or indirectly;

Section 5.        The Annual Meeting of the membership of the Association shall be held on a date and at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors, and notice of the time and place of such meeting shall be given in writing to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting;

Section 6.        Any member having voluntarily resigned from membership may apply for re-admission.  Re-admission shall be dependent upon affirmation by a vote of the Board.  This re-admission shall require payment of dues in arrears from the date of resignation (if during the Association year) or dating to the beginning of the current membership year.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1.        The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of five  (5) members and a maximum of seven (7) members.  The Board shall be elected by the members at the annual meeting.  The term of office of each director shall be two years.  Their election shall be staggered as follows: Four (4) members shall be elected in each odd numbered year; and three (3) members shall be elected in each even numbered year.

Section 2.        The Directors shall be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting of the members, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.  The Board of Directors shall hold its Annual Meeting immediately after the close of the Annual Meeting of the members;

Section 3.        In the event of the death or resignation of any officer, the unexpired term shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors;

Section 4.        The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice each year on call of the Chair, and notice of time and place of such meeting shall be given in writing to the Board at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting.  Board meetings shall be open to any member in good standing to observe the proceedings unless the Chair orders the meeting closed.

ARTICLE V

Section 1.        The officers of the Association shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer, provided the Secretary and Treasurer may be a single officer if the Board of Directors so chooses.

Section 2.        The Chair and all other officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of the Board, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

ARTICLE VI

Section 1.        This Constitution shall be amended only:

(a) At an Annual Meeting of the membership; (b) Held upon ten (10) days’ notice in writing to the membership, setting out the text of the proposed amendment; (c) If a majority of the membership is present at the meeting, in person or by proxy; and (d) By a majority of the votes cast by members present at the meeting.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1.        Associate memberships shall be available as approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.        Sponsorships of Association meetings and social events shall be available as approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.        The proceeds from such associate membership dues and sponsorships shall be deposited into the accounts of the Association and shall be used exclusively to fund Association business.