BY-LAWS OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOMMELIERS

BY-LAWS OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOMMELIERS,

ONTARIO CHAPTER,
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION
1.1 The name of the organization shall be the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers,
Ontario Chapter.
1.2 The seal, an impression whereof is stamped in the margin hereof, shall be the seal of the
Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, Ontario Chapter.

ARTICLE II PURPOSES
The following are the purposes for which this association has been organized:
• To bring together professional sommeliers and those acting as such in other aspects of the
alcohol beverage industry in order to support, preserve and grow the profession
• To safeguard the traditions of the sommelier profession
• To be involved in the process of educating sommeliers
• To establish contact with wine makers, agents, the LCBO in order to introduce and recommend
good wines, spirits, liqueurs and other beverages and in this way to educate both sommeliers
and consumers
• To support events relating to wine, spirits and other beverages within Canada and abroad
• To continually pursue professional excellence by seeking ways to elevate the profession through
customer and community service and the development and maintenance of the highest
standards of performance

ARTICLE III LOCATION
The principle office of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, Ontario Chapter shall be in
Toronto, in the province of Ontario at such place therein as may from time to time be determined by the
Board.

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Qualifications: Membership shall be open to all who are:
• certified sommelier
• non certified and working professionally in the role of sommelier in the food and beverage
alcohol industry
• non certified and working professionally in the food and beverage alcohol industry and suppliers
• corporate membership – three members of a company within the food and beverage alcohol
industry.
• students in the CAPS sommelier program [non voting]
• honorary but non voting [as designated by the Board for contributions to the industry]

4.2 Classes of Members
4.2.1 Voting Members [only voting members are eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors] :
I. Certified sommelier e.g. CAPS, Court of Master Sommeliers, ISG, etc.; or
II. non certified and working professionally in the role of sommelier in the food and beverage
alcohol industry; or
III. Special appointment: one (1) non certified individual from other professions, as approved by the
Board, who have expertise that is deemed beneficial to the Association, and who can make a
contribution to the Board and the Association
IV. Any member who holds a position on the Board of Directors.

4.2.2 Non voting
I. Non certified and working professionally in the food and beverage alcohol industry and suppliers
II. Student membership (those currently registered in an accredited wine education program)
III. Corporate members
IV. Honorary membership: the title of Ex Officio Honorary member is given by the association to
individuals in appreciation of services rendered to the Association and or the profession of
sommelier

4.3 Meetings of General Membership:

4.31 The Annual General Meeting will be held within ninety days of fiscal year end
[December 31]; and
4.32 Special meetings of various committees to which non-voting members contribute

4.4 Membership Fees:

Certified Sommelier (voting) $ 75.
Associate Member (non-voting) $ 75.
Corporate member [maximum of three members, non-voting) $300.
Student [while registered in an accredited wine education program, non-voting)
$ 25.

4.5 Voting Procedures:
A Member has the right to vote on such issues as come before the Annual General Meeting, e.g. election
of Directors to the Board, acceptance of the Annual Financial Statement, etc.

4.6 Quorum:
Fifteen (15) voting members shall constitute a quorum at the Annual General Meeting.

4.7 Notice of Meetings:
Notice must go out no less than three weeks before the Annual General Meeting.

4.8 Cancellation of Membership:
A membership can be cancelled in the following cases: by a decision of the member to resign, by the
Board of Directors for non-payment of the membership fee, or for any other serious motive. The Board
of Directors will give prior notice to the member before announcing the cancellation.

ARTICLE V BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5.1 Membership eligibility:
A voting member of the Association is eligible to be a member of the Board of Directors. While a
majority of Board Members are Sommeliers, three positions will be available to those who may be from
other professions, who have expertise that is deemed beneficial and who can make a contribution to the
Board and the Association. These board members shall have voting privileges at the annual meeting.
These board members cannot hold the offices of President or Vice President.