Sign In

Code of Conduct

adopted by the board of directors 3/26/2024; ratified by the Guild membership 5/8/2024

 

Introduction

  1. The Indiana Brewers Guild promotes and protects the interests of Hoosier craft brewers. To effectively advance that mission, Indiana Brewers Guild members and their representatives must set an example by acting with honesty and integrity, conducting themselves professionally, and embracing everyone.
  2. The Indiana Brewers Guild accordingly requires that all members conduct themselves in accordance with this Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to this Code may result in suspension or removal from membership or other disciplinary
  3. When this Code discusses obligations of members, it also imposes those obligations on the individual officers, directors, partners, employees, and other representatives of a member This Code also applies to the conduct of individuals serving on Indiana Brewers Guild committees and subcommittees who are not associated with a member company.

Scope

  1. This Code of Conduct applies to the behavior of all attendees of Indiana Brewers Guild events and meetings, whether members, vendors, suppliers, attendees, contributors, sponsors, volunteers, guests or other business partners. For the purposes of this code of conduct, events and meetings are defined as any gathering, in-person or virtual, organized or sponsored by the by the Indiana Brewers Guild, and applies to behavior exhibited both during event hours and after hours between the opening of the event and the closing of the event. After-hours activity which take place offsite, such as at a local bar, restaurant, hotel room, etc., falls within the scope of this Code of Conduct.

Compliance with Law

  1. Brewing and the sale of beer are heavily regulated. Members must make reasonable efforts to understand and comply with all applicable legal requirements imposed on their operations by federal, state, and local
  2. Members must not willfully violate or disregard the requirements of the A pattern of repeated violations may demonstrate willfulness.

Respect for the Individual and Groups

  1. Everyone deserves to operate and co-exist in an environment where each individual is treated with dignity and respect.
  2. The Indiana Brewers Guild is an organization committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and from abusive, offensive, or harassing
  3. Therefore, all Indiana Brewers Guild members must:
    1. Treat all individuals and groups respectfully, recognizing their human dignity, regardless of their diverse human characteristics: race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, size or appearance, genetic pre-disposition, religion, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status
    2. Contribute to a positive environment that is free of hostile and offensive behaviors; i.e., free from harassment. Harassment means any unwelcome and inappropriate verbal or physical conduct, or coercive behavior, where the behavior is known or reasonably ought to be recognized as unwanted or unwelcome.
    3. Speak out without fear of retaliation when the actions of others violate the rights of any individuals or groups.
    4. Respect the opinions of others and address conflicts in a positive and constructive manner
    5. Respect other’s privacy in their personal lives.
    6. Treat all individuals and groups professionally and respect their personal property.

Responsible Alcohol Consumption

  1. As brewers and members of the community of brewing enthusiasts, members may share and enjoy alcohol beverages at Indiana Brewers Guild events.
  2. In consuming alcohol beverages, members must adhere to principles of responsible consumption.
  3. Members must protect the image of both the Indiana Brewers Guild and the brewing industry generally by taking steps to ensure no member, including themselves, will break any laws in the process of purchase, sharing or consuming of alcohol beverages in association with Indiana Brewers Guild
  4. Should members consume more than a reasonable amount of alcohol and either are or appear to be incapable of functioning, either legally or appropriately, Indiana Brewers Guild members accept their duty-to-act to keep those impaired members from breaking any laws and from harming themselves or others.

Responsible Alcohol Marketing

  1. Members must adhere to Brewers Association Marketing and Advertising Code, available at https://www.brewersassociation.org/brewers-association-advertising-marketing-code/.
  2. No product that violates the BA Marketing and Advertising Code may carry an Indiana Brewers Guild logo or any other branding imagery or language created by the Indiana Brewers Guild.
  3. Members must encourage the safe consumption of alcohol beverage products and refrain from sales and marketing practices that encourage the unsafe consumption of brewer products or consumption by persons below the legal drinking age.

Indiana Brewers Guild Member Pledge of Conduct

  1. We will behave in a professional manner and will respect the reputation of the brewing industry and the other organizations with which we interact.
  2. We will seek to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and in all cases will not willfully violate the law.
  3. We will respect the human dignity of all individuals and groups we interact with, regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, size or appearance, genetic pre-disposition, religion, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status.
  4. We will promote lawful cooperation within the craft brewing industry in which we work, and between members, customers, and suppliers.
  5. We will respect the confidentiality of sensitive information about Indiana Brewers Guild business, such as information shared at the annual members
  6. We will act at all times in accordance with ethical standards and in the best interest of the brewing industry.

Conduct Complaints

  1. The Indiana Brewers Guild is 501(c)(6) trade organization whose mission is to promote, preserve, increase awareness and appreciation, and advocate for the Indiana craft brewing industry. We are not an enforcement agency. If there are laws being broken, those instances should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
  2. However, membership in the Indiana Brewers Guild and participation in our organizational marketing efforts and events can be viewed as an implied endorsement of member breweries and businesses. We reserve the right to suspend, revoke or refuse membership to businesses that don’t align with our mission and abide by our Code of Conduct.
  3. As an Indiana Brewers Guild member, it is expected that you will report any violation of this Code promptly. Any alleged violations or matters of concern should be reported online at drinkIN.beer/codeofconduct
  4. The Indiana Brewers Guild prohibits retaliation against someone because he or she in good faith:
    1. Makes a complaint or reports a violation.
    2. Cooperates or helps with an investigation.
    3. Gives information about a breach of federal or state law, or Indiana Brewers Guild policy.
  5. In the event that a member is found to have violated Indiana Brewers Guild bylaws or our Code of Conduct, the Board of Directors has approved and enacted a set of due process standards governing the suspension or expulsion of a member. The Indiana Brewers Guild has developed a process we use to address those incidents is formalized, uniform, thorough and fair. Submitted complaints concerning Indiana Brewers Guild members, as well as any proceedings undertaken pursuant to these standards, shall be kept confidential.
  6. Incidents of member behavior that contradict Indiana Brewers Guild bylaws or Code of Conduct are all taken seriously and investigated in accordance with Indiana Brewers Guild bylaws and due process standards. Our mission, requirements for membership and expectations for conduct are clearly defined and readily available to members. It is our hope that by establishing these guidelines and the mechanism to enforce them, that we can encourage breweries to foster inclusive environments within the industry for people to work and gather.
  7. Complaints filed online will be first received by executive staff of the Guild and initially reviewed for content within 3 business days and a reply of receipt will be sent to the person filing the complaint in that timeframe. After initial review, the complaint will then be reviewed by the Guild Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets a minimum of monthly and will plan special calls to review submissions if a meeting isn’t already planned to ensure that submissions are reviewed in a timely manner. Throughout the review process, Guild staff will keep a line of communication open with the person who submitted a complain to update on the review timeline.
  8. When filing a complaint, please recognize that the Indiana Brewers Guild will share the information it contains with our review committee. If the committee finds that further investigation is necessary, the information will be shared with the Indiana Brewers Guild member(s) that are the subject of the complaint.
  9. If, in the judgment of the Indiana Brewers Guild, the nature of the complaint warrants disclosure of the complainant’s identity, Indiana Brewers Guild will not proceed without the complainant’s authorization to share their identity with the subject of the complaint.