By-Laws of the Morris Area Society of Homebrewers
Last Revised: 2 April 2026

ARTICLE ONE

General

Section 1 - Official Name

Morris Area Society of Homebrewers, aka MASH NJ

Section 2 – Purpose

MASH is a community of homebrewers in Morris County dedicated to exploring and celebrating brewing knowledge, beer and other home-fermented beverages. We share tips, trade pints and aim to have fun in the process, and welcome beer enthusiasts and brewers of all levels.

Section 3 – Goals

  1. Elevate the community’s knowledge of homebrewing  beer, mead, and cider by facilitating the learning of beer, mead, and cider styles, brewing methods and techniques, brewing innovations, and promotion of zymurgy.
  2. Provide opportunities for evaluation and appreciation of homebrewed beverages
  3. Organize brew days and brewery trips, competitions, and host guest speakers in the professional brewing industry
  4. Share our craft with the community

Section 4 – Affiliations

MASH New Jersey is an American Homebrewers Association-registered club.

ARTICLE TWO

Membership

All persons of legal drinking age who enjoy making or drinking homebrewed beverages are eligible for membership. There are two classifications of members as follows:

  1. Social members may attend club meetings and events
  2. Full members are entitled to special privileges, including:
  1. MASH discounts at member businesses
  2. Eligibility to enter club-only competitions
  3. Participation in exclusive club events
  4. Invitation to attend quarterly Club Only meetings

Section 1 – Dues

The cost of an individual annual membership will be set by the Board at the beginning of each year at a reasonable level that can be changed in future years. Payment can be made in person at any meeting or electronically. Membership dues are reduced if the MASH member has also joined the American Homebrewers Association and can provide their membership ID.

Section 2 - Responsibilities and Code of Conduct

Membership in MASH NJ is voluntary. All members shall be accountable for their own actions and accept all responsibility for the consequences of those actions, including any consequences arising from the consumption of alcohol. Each member shall agree to behave and drink responsibly at all club events, and to indemnify and hold harmless MASH NJ against any and all liability resulting from that member's actions.

No member shall receive compensation for services rendered to the club unless otherwise approved by officers. A member may be reimbursed for properly documented, reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the club, subject to prior approval by the club’s officers. No member or officer will be personally liable for any debt or obligation of the club.

ARTICLE THREE

Organization

The Board shall consist of the elected officers of the club.

Section 1 – Responsibilities

The board is responsible for upholding the club’s By-Laws, setting an overall vision for the club, organizing meetings and events and fostering an inclusive community for all members. All officers shall attend monthly Board and club meetings and shall make their decisions in accordance with the best interest of the club’s membership.

Section 2 – Board

The Board consists of no less than five and no more than seven officers whose roles, including President, will be determined based on each officer’s skills and the group’s dynamics at its first meeting of the year. The President shall be elected by a majority vote of the board. A Board member shall chair one of the 5 MASH committees which are listed as follows:

  1. Membership
  1. The membership committee is responsible for  developing and expanding the benefits of being a MASH member as well as driving efforts to grow and sustain club membership levels.
  1. Events
  1. The events committee is focused on organizing extensions of AHA sanctioned events as well as internal MASH events.
  1. Competitions
  1. The competition committee promotes MASH involvement in regional homebrew competitions through promotion  and support of BJCP judging, encouraging and supporting club membership in entering competitions, and organizing MASH Homebrewer of the Year points.
  1. Communications
  1. The communications committee focuses on internal MASH communications to keep our members apprised of club happenings as well as external communications to promote  MASH  amongst non-member brewers and with other groups.
  1. Education
  1. The education committee promotes continuing beer education through structured tasting events as well as BJCP exam administration, when possible.

 

Section 3 - Term

Officers will be elected for a one-year term beginning at the March meeting following the election and ending at the February meeting the next year.

Section 4 - Vacancy of Office

Any officer may resign upon written or verbal communication to the Board president. A vacancy of office will be filled as soon as possible via a Board appointment.

Section 6 - Removal from Office

Any officer found not performing their duties or acting to the detriment of the club may be removed from office subject to the approval by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 7 – Special Committees 

Board members needing assistance with special tasks may recruit a team of members.

Section 8—Fiscal responsibility

No Board member shall be liable for the debts or obligations of the club. Members shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the club, if approved by a majority of the Board.

ARTICLE FOUR

Board Elections

Section 1: Election Dates

Elections are held annually at the February meeting with new officers taking office in March.

Section 2: Eligibility

Any person who has been a full member for at least six months and is in good standing with MASH NJ may nominate themselves for elected office.

Section 3: Balloting

Only full members shall vote in a secret ballot election in which the order of voting on the written ballot shall have no bearing on the five to seven selected members. Full members that cannot attend the meeting shall provide advance notice and may vote via absentee ballot through a procedure approved by a majority of the Board.

Section 4: Tally

The Board President, or designee, shall tabulate the votes and announce the results prior to the next regular meeting. In the event of a tie, any incumbent officer shall remain on the board. If there is no incumbent involved in the tie, the outgoing President shall declare the winner amongst the tied candidates.

ARTICLE FIVE

Meetings

Section 1 – Regular Monthly Meetings

All club meetings, unless otherwise noted in advance, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at a location determined by the Board. While MASH NJ’s home base is the Twin Elephant Brewing Company in Chatham, the club regularly explores the area’s craft beer scene to host meetings and special events.  

Section 2- Board meetings

Board meetings shall be held the first Tuesday of each month at a location determined by the Board unless otherwise determined by the Board.

Section 3 – Membership meetings

Membership meetings with the Board and members will be held once each quarter to solicit input from members, update members on finances and other club matters.

Section 4 – Quorum

A quorum of three Board members must be present for business transactions to take place and motions to pass.

ARTICLE SIX:

By-Laws

Periodically it may be necessary to modify these By-Laws. The procedure shall be as follows: