As members of the IW&FS Toronto you have certain responsibilities that comes with membership governed by the following principles:
1. Members and their guests are responsible for your own safety with respect to the consumption of alcohol and the operation of transportation vehicles. Alcohol_Policy.
2. You have read and understand the IWFS Toronto’s alcohol policy & photo policy and will comply with these policies. Alcohol_Policy – Photo_Policy. The IWFS Toronto has responsiilities, to you as members, found in our Privacy_Policy.
3. Members are responsible for your guest’s behaviour. The same covenant of behaviour that applies to members is valid for their guests.
4. Members are responsible for full payment of a reservation whether or not they and their registered parties attend the event. All consideration will be given to the member for finding a replacement or if cancellation is possible with the venue operator. A booking/reservation is by whatever means (Mail, Electronic or Phone), for an IWFS Sponsored Event. Confirmations of booking/reservation are not normally set out.
5. Members and their guest are expected to be appropriately attired in accordance with the venue’s dress code (business attire).
6. Members are responsible for the payment of their Initiation Fees, Annual Dues, and assessments within 30 days of notification usually at the beginning of the year (late fall). All fees will be set annually by the President and approved by the Executive Committee.
7.Members will not bring under age guests as defined by the Ontario Liquor act.
IW&FS Toronto Responsibilities Event Guidelines
8. A member of the IW&FS Toronto Branch is a person who has fully paid their annual membership fee and is not delinquent or in arrears of any event fees. Their name will appear on the membership roll.
9. Any event sponsored by the IW&FS Toronto Branch can only accommodate a portion of our members in accordance with the event’s venue capacity and availability of specific wines to be served. Members are encouraged to book early to ensure their reservation(s). The reservation policy is first come first served.
– RESERVATIONS
10. An event reservation is confirmed upon receipt of full payment from the member or the member’s guest.
11. When the maximum number of participants is attained, a waiting list will be established. Those members whose payment arrives after capacity is reached will be notified. Their payment will be returned or held pending the reservation waiting list.
12. It is the responsibility of each member or guest to contact the restaurant directly for special pre-arranged menu adjustments for any dietary restrictions. The member should do so early on and clearly identify the event as an IW&FS event and the date.
– CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
13. A member who fails to attend an event after making a reservation may be held accountable to pay the full booking fee unless cancellation was made prior to the stated cut-off date or a paying substitute is found, or the restaurant does not charge IW&FS for the no-show reservation.
14. Any request for cancellation and refund made on or after the specified cut-off date must be approved otherwise, the member may incur a charge or have their payment processed.
– GUESTS
15. All non-members attending an event are “guests.”
16. Unless otherwise stipulated, guests are welcome at events. A member should be judicious in the number of guests invited since there is always the possibility that there may be more members wanting to attend than there is space available.
17. The guest guideline for a member is to invite only one person or a couple. If, a member wants to invite more than one couple, he or she must verify availability beforehand with the event organizer. Members should consider guests as possible prospective members for sponsorship. Attendance at no less than two events within the previous year is suggested for prospective members.
18. Guests should have a genuine interest in wine and food. A member should not use IW&FS as a vehicle simply to entertain friends or business clients or to fulfill a social obligation.
19. Although most events are open to guests, the Steering Committee my impose certain restrictions on guests, including:
i. invitation restrictions for Members Only events.
ii. limitations on the number of guests a member may invite.
iii. members have reservation priority before guests are permitted to attend the function.
20. Guests will be charged the full non-member reservation fee.
21. A member is responsible for the payment of his or her guest(s), and will be invoiced for any guest who fails to pay.
– ATTIRE AND ETIQUETTE
22. The dress code is ‘business attire’ (tie) and formal attire when specified.
23. Unless otherwise specified, smart casual attire may be worn at an in-home event, such as a tasting, or at an outdoor event, such as a BBQ.
24. Members and their guests should be attentive when a chef, a wine-maker, or an IW&FS officer addresses the group. Since these individuals have worked to organize and to undertake the event, each member’s attention and cooperation is only appropriate — and is appreciated.
25. Members are responsible for their guests’ conduct and adherence to the IWFS Toronto Alcohol Policy.
26. Members should make an effort to meet and welcome new members or guests.
27. As sponsored / invited guests, IW&FS Members are to act in accordance with the House Rules of the Club or facility where the event is held. This includes but is not limited to dress code, use of communication devices, smoking policy and any other matters specific to the facility.
28. Alcohol is to be limited to that provided by IW&FS Toronto, unless a specific request is made of a member in advance by the Cellar Master or Branch President.
29. Members bringing alcohol for their private consumption will not be tolerated. If there is to be any private wine served at an IWFS Sponsored event it will be for all attendees and only with prior authorization. This may include the LCBO requirement of a “Special Occasions Permit” (cost about $25).
30. Members who have a concern at an event should relay that concern to a Board member. All communication between the Club/facility and IW&FS will be done through the IW&FS event organizer, President or designated Board member.
31. The Board is responsible to convey any rules and regulations as may be deemed specific to an event or facility to the membership in advance of the event.
Thank You, IW&FS Toronto.
We may update the Member Responsibility from time to time. Members and their guests are responsible for adherence to these policies.
Any questions or concerns please email us.
RH 2012/05