The idea of a structured consumer group for craft beer drinkers in Ireland is something that's been hovering around ICB since its earliest days. It's not something we've pursued, largely because ICB works so damn well at what it does and the last thing anyone wants is to change how it works. However, in the last few months a couple of things have caused us to reassess this position. ICB's contact with the outside world at live events and through the media have shown that there's work to be done, promoting craft beer and brewing in Ireland and we have the people who can do it. Secondly, there was first contact with the European Beer Consumer's Union -- an organisation of people very like us with an enthusiasm for beer and an agenda to promote quality and choice for the drinker across the continent. The ICB admins have come to realise that we've reached a high watermark of what we can do. Without a properly funded and organised group, we'll never be more than an ad hoc bunch of beer drinkers. Finally, the site itself is in need of a software overhaul and modernisation.
So, we have decided that the time has come for an organised beer consumers' union, and we intend to subsume Irish Craft Brewer into it. We've chosen "Beoir" as the name because it's catchy and broad. Irish Craft Brewer -- the board, the articles, will continue to exist and will continue to be free and public. Members who have no interest in the new group will still be able to use and contribute to ICB as ever. In fact, other than the redesign which the upgrade requires, there probably won't be many changes around here: this will take time to build and organise, and it'll depend completely on what resources we have available.
How it will work, initially, is as follows:
We've put together a draft Constitution for the new organisation, setting out its principles and some very basics of operation. The initial annual membership fee is set at €10, renewable on 1st July each year. The idea is that people sign up now and debate the constitution over the next few months in a dedicated forum on this board. Any paid-up member can propose changes to any part of the constitution, and there'll be a vote on amendments so that by 1st July we have the final agreed text. The group will officially come into being on 1st July 2010, and anyone who's paid their tenner by this point isn't due to renew until 1st July 2011. You can pay either through the ICB donation box, or sbillings and TheBeerNut will accept cash (and give you a receipt!). During the set-up process a dedicated business bank account for the group will be set up and all funds will be kept in that. And if for any reason the group fails to get off the ground, you will get your tenner back.
What do you get for your €10? Well, for now, damn all, really. Just the knowledge that you're one of the people actively trying to make a difference to the beer scene in Ireland and improve it in the drinker's interest. We will be aiming to get a voucher scheme set up to make your membership money redeemable for beer (like the Wetherspoons vouchers CAMRA give out), but it remains to be seen whether this will be practical. What initiatives we undertake will be decided by how much money we have and what the membership want to do. It will take time to grow into something bigger and more influential, but we don't think that can ever happen without taking this first step.
The draft Constitution is below. Feel free to ask any questions about the changes, though matters relating to the Constitution and the nature and workings of the group will be discussed in the Beoir members' forum.
Signed,
Barry M (Adeptus)
Sbillings
TheBeerNut
Edit: Constitution updated following first round of amendments.
Edit: And again after the second.
Edit: And again after the third.
[b:holorncq]Beoir: Constitution[/b:holorncq]
v. 1.4
05/11/2011
[b:holorncq]Principles[/b:holorncq]
1. Beoir is an independent group of consumers which seeks greater choice, quality and value-for-money for beer and cider drinkers on the island of Ireland.
2. Beoir is focused on supporting and raising awareness of our native independent microbreweries and craft cider-makers, defined as those companies on the island of Ireland which brew or make less than 20,000 hectolitres of beer and/or cider per year. Beoir also recognises the role of quality imported beer and cider in improving the choice available to Irish consumers and seeks to promote the widest distribution and retailing of such products.
3. Beoir promotes and encourages amateur craft brewing, and the making of other fermented beverages. It seeks to assist amateur brewers in improving the quality of their end product through the sharing of information.
4. Beoir encourages the lawful and responsible enjoyment of alcohol and supports freedom for adults to make their own decisions on purchasing and consuming alcohol.
5. Beoir is organised and administrated in an open and democratic manner by and for its subscribing members on a voluntary non-profit basis.
[b:holorncq]Organisation[/b:holorncq]
6. Each member of Beoir will pay an annual subscription of €10 to the group, due on 1st July each year. New members joining between 1st January and 30th June may pay a part-year subscription of €5, renewable at the full annual rate thereafter. Paid members will have the right to vote in Beoir elections as well as propose and vote on group polls and attend the Annual General Meeting.
7. Membership is open to all persons over the age of 18, throughout the world.
8. Each year the membership shall elect a Treasurer and a Chair from among themselves. Nominations for both positions will open on 1st May each year and will close at the end of May, Irish time. On announcing their candidacy, each member standing for election must disclose to the membership any current financial interest they have in the drinks industry. The online poll will commence on 1st June and will close at the end of June, Irish time. The elected officers will take up their posts at the conclusion of the AGM which will take place after 1st July.
9. In the event that no candidate for either position receives more than 40% of the vote in the first ballot, a second ballot will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. Should more than one candidate receive the second-highest number of votes, all such candidates will be eligible to run in the second round and rounds of voting will continue until one candidate has achieved more than 40% of the vote.
10. The Treasurer has responsibility for all Beoir funds, which will be kept in a dedicated bank account. The Treasurer will produce an annual financial statement to the members for the preceding membership year (1st July to 30 June) to be presented at the Annual General Meeting.
11. The Chair will act as official spokesperson for the group and will have a duty to raise the public profile of the group and its activities. The Chair has a casting vote in all elections and polls when the decision is tied.
12. The Chair and Treasurer may appoint ad hoc committees from the membership for specific events and projects from time to time. They may also appoint members to deputise for them for a limited period as and when the need arises.
13. Either officer may be removed following a simple majority vote of no confidence by the membership at any time.
14. In the event of a vacancy in either officership, a replacement must be elected as soon as possible.
[b:holorncq]Constitution[/b:holorncq]
15. Following ratification, amendments to this Constitution will require a greater than two-thirds majority vote of the membership.
16. An Annual General Meeting will be held each year, as soon as practicable after the beginning of the new membership year (1st July). The Chair will give members a minimum of four weeks' notice of the date and location of the AGM. Once the AGM has been called, any member may propose an amendment to the Constitution. A minimum of one week's polling time must be allowed for, and all polls must be concluded at least one week prior to the AGM. Accepted amendments to the Constitution will take effect at the conclusion of the AGM.
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