The New Fosse Wine Society

Society Rules

Purpose: The object of the society is to taste and discuss the virtues of wine from all parts of the world, so each member who brings a bottle must research the wine and give a short talk about it on the wine night.

Note. There is of course a slight risk of occasional inebriation but it is a risk worth taking in the pursuit of education and self development

The following statements are already adopted, or were agreed by the members by majority vote on Friday 9th April 2010, and are adopted as society rules.

• Membership

• Membership is limited to 12, excluding honorary members.
• Member categories are:
• Subscribing members, i.e. those accepted as members, and pay a quarterly subscription.
• Non-subscribing members, i.e. those accepted as members, but only pay an attendance payment at a wine night.
• Honorary members, i.e. those members who have attained honorary membership by agreement from the members, do not pay a subscription, and do not bring wine.
• It is the choice of the member whether to be subscribing or non-subscribing members, providing the number of subscribing members does not fall below 7.
• Subscriptions and attendance payments shall be made to the Society Treasurer or representative.
• All member categories are entitled to a vote on society matters.

• Guests

• Those brought by members as guests are subject to the attendance limits below. (See Red Text)
• Payment on attendance for guests will be made by the member.
• A first time guest shall not bring wine to a wine night, but may bring wine to any subsequent visit.
• Invitation to membership shall only be extended to a guest after three attendances at wine night, if agreed by a majority of members, and only when member vacancies exist.
• There is no limit to the number of times a guest can attend.
• Should the need arise to exclude or deny a guest, this will be carried out by the member bringing the guest.

• Wine Nights

• Wine nights are held fortnightly, unless notified otherwise by the Society Secretary or representative. Wine nights are suspended over the Christmas period, and resume in January.
• The maximum number of wines to be consumed and scored at a wine night shall be 8.
• Any themed wine night shall be followed by a free choice wine night.
• Any wine brought but not consumed on the night shall be retained at the venue until the next free choice wine night. The person bringing the wine therefore does not need to bring another wine to the next free choice wine night. In the event there are 8 wines brought forward, no wine shall be brought on the night.

• Communication

• The Society Secretary or representative will, if necessary, remind members of the date of the next wine night by email or telephone.
• It is the responsibility of each member to inform the Secretary of their attendance at the next wine night, and any intention to bring a guest, at least 7 days prior to the next wine night.
• A wine night will not continue if less than 5 members notify attendance.
• Should 10 or more members notify their intention to attend a wine night, guests will not be permitted. If less than 10 members notify their intention to attend a wine night, guests will be permitted on a first come-first serve basis, to the ratio of 9 members and 1 guest, 8 members and 2 guests, 7 members and 3 guests.

• General

• The society membership is currently drawn predominantly from Gwent Police Officers, Staff and Retirements. Policing issues shall not dominate the conversation during the wine night. This does not preclude anecdotal stories of amusement or interest which happen to be of a policing nature.
• It is most likely that less than 10 members are available to attend any wine night. It is normal for the members to decide whether to treat the rules as guidelines. If, however, the above maximum limits are reached, or if members cannot resolve matters between themselves, the rules will be enforced to decide the matter.

Membership List, as at Friday 9th April 2010:

President: Paul Murphy

Honorary Members: Algy Alonzi, Peter Ellis

Subscribing Members: Tony Dando (Treasurer), Dave Hawke, Gwilym Leek, Dave Llewellyn, Malcolm Montgomery (Secretary), Graeme Orphan (Scribe), Jack Stubbs, Talbot Thrush, Brinley Turner, Neale Wood.

Non-Subscribing Members: None.

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