1. BOARD OF TRUSTEE
CANTEEN OPERATIONS

2. Board of Trustees / Canteen Operations
AMVETS Department of Florida Bylaws, Article VI. Section 14: Whenever a Post Clubroom, Canteen or Social Quarters is maintained or operated for the convenience and pleasure of Post members, and the name of AMVETS or its insignia is displayed or used, a Board of at least 3 Trustees shall be elected by, and from among the membership of the Post to supervise its activities, operations, and finances. No elected Post officer may hold a position as a trustee since those are elected positions. Trustees are not considered elected post officer of the Post. All monies derived from such activities shall be accounted for and placed in the care and custody of the Post Finance Officer.
A properly run canteen is the cash cow or the Post.

3. Canteen Operations Rules & Regulations
The National and Department CBLs provide authority for Posts to operate Canteens
Both documents also set specific requirements for Canteen operations
Federal, State and Local Statutes and Laws, the IRS, Department of Labor and the ABT establish additional requirements that must be followed
Canteen Rules developed by Trustees, approved by membership
Successful Canteens have Standard Operating Practices approved by the membership

4. NOT ALLOWED Canteen Operations Rules & Regulations CONCEALED WEAPONS
Florida Law (12) (a): A license issued under this section does not authorize any person to openly carry a handgun or carry a concealed weapon or firearm into:
(12) Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose; 
NOT ALLOWED

5. Canteen Operations Rules & Regulations
Employee Identification Numbers (EIN)
Articles of Incorporation
State of Florida Statute
Liquor License (ABT Form 6001 “License Application” and ABT 6004 “Change of Officers”)
Liability Insurance:
(National Bylaws, Article VII, Section 3(c))
(Department Bylaws, Article XVI, Section 2.E.)
Minimum of 3 elected trustees
(Department Bylaws, Article VI, Section 14)

6. Standard Operating Procedure
Canteen Operations Rules & Regulations
NONE OF THE REFERENCES ABOVE REALLY TELL YOU HOW TO OPERATE A SUCCESSFUL CANTEEN
Standard Operating Procedure

7. Trustees The trustees are elected by the membership
Is 3 enough to satisfy the membership’s expectations
If you need more, the Post CBL must be changed to reflect the new number
The Trustees should develop a Standard Operating Procedure for all facets of the Canteen
Who and how is the Chairman of the Trustees selected?
By the membership at the Post elections
By the Trustees after the election
What are his responsibilities and accountability
Is the Bar Manager a paid position or one of the trustees with additional responsibilities.
What are the responsibilities of the trustees, bar manager, bar tenders?
How often do the trustees meet?

8. Bar Manager Must complete ABT Form 6004
Requires the person to be fingerprinted at a location determined by ABT
Cannot have a felony
Who hires the Bar Manager?
Does the bar manager supervise the bartenders?
The bar manager should report to the Chairman of the Trustees?

9. Bartenders Who hires the bartenders?
What are the duties of the bartenders?
Who supervises the bartenders?
NOTE: This is very important in determining whether the bartenders are employees or volunteers. The Department of Labor sets three requirements for volunteers:
They must not work somewhat similar shifts on a regular basis
They must not take their instructions from the same person
They must not expect to be compensated
What are the expectations of the bartenders?
How are they disciplined?
Are they trained (Training for Intervention Procedures TIPS)?

10. HOLDING CANTEEN PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE
Canteen Operations
HOLDING CANTEEN PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE
How does the money flow?
Member Bartender Trustee Finance Officer Bank
What are your internal controls?
Z Tapes, Internal accounting forms, sign offs for everyone touching the money
Is everyone handling over $5,000 annually bonded?

11. Canteen Operations Profit & Loss (How to find Net Profit)
Why is it important for an AMVET post to monitor profit and loss on a regular, monthly basis?
Surprisingly to some, AMVETS is a BUSINESS, and should always be treated as one. Thus, the need to use a monthly P & L statement as a dashboard to verify implemented strategies are working or to change strategies if need, and adopt plans.
Invest in a viable computer program. There are many to choose from on the market, such as Quicken, QuickBooks and Bookkeeper. The time of just having a paper trail is no longer. Once your figures are put into a software program, the monthly reports will be easily generated.
Is your Post currently using a computer software program to track your financial records on a daily basis? Monthly Basis?

12. Canteen Operations Cost Per Hour Of Operation Formula: Example:
Total Post expenses per month divided by the total number of hours of operation for that same month.
Example:
Post 0000 is open 11 hours each day in February. Post 0000 total expenses for February was $14, Find the cost of operation per hour for Post 0000.
11 hours x 28 days = 308 total hours open in February
14,283/308 = $46.37
The cost per hour of operation for Post 0000 in February was $ An AMVETS Post with a canteen should be considered a business. Knowing the cost per hour of operation can assist canteen managers, commanders, and trustees on what strategy or plan is working, what or who isn't working, and help them to make changes as needed. The plan or strategy should be reviewed quarterly.

13. Canteen Operations Cost Calculator Example of a Can of Beer
● Case Of Bud Light = $22.50
● Cost per Beer = $.94
● Selling Price of Beer = $2.00
● Beer Price % = 47%
● Profit = $1.06
● If you are selling any product with a Price percentage over 50%, should you be selling it?

14. Costs associated with Canteen Operations
Product Cost – Liquor, Beer, Wine, Soda, Mixers, Fruits, Snacks
Labor Cost – If paid bartenders, bar manager or any compensated employee associated with the canteen operation the labor, taxes, workman’s compensation and social security costs must all be included
Utility Costs – A percentage of the utility, water, garbage, ect. This can be based on a floor square foot of floor space
Liability Insurance Costs – You must carry $500,000 minimum liquor liability. This cost must be considered on your canteen revenue

15. Canteen Operations SEPTEMBER 2017 MTD 2017 Year To Date
Gross Revenue $22, $230,025
Bar Expenses $12, $112,599
Payroll $ $5,100
P.R Taxes $ $567
Electricity $ $8,024
Dumpster $ $1,925
Water/Sewer $ $1,149
Ins. Accrual $ $2,700
TOTAL Expense $14, $132,064
NET CANTEEN REVENUE $8, $97,961
NOTE: Bar expenses include all liquor costs, snacks and anything sold at the bar. Electricity, Dumpster, Water/Sewer costs are 50% of the invoices paid. You may also consider adding the cost of the liquor liability insurance at it is a direct expense of the canteen. The goal in the operation above is to make no less than 100% profit.

16. DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE FOR BARTENDERS
Bartenders are not covered by the Constitution and Bylaws, but rather State and Federal Statutes:
State of Florida minimum acceptable is a three strike discipline policy.
Strike ONE – a verbal talk with the bar manager with a memorandum for record kept in the bartender’s file
Strike TWO – The Bartender does not heed to the verbal warning. Now it is a face to face meeting with a letter written that clearly states:
a. You have been previously warned about your unacceptable behavior
b. On this date at this time you exhibited the same behavior
c. State the desired behavior that must be exhibited
d. State the consequences if this desired behavior is not followed
e. The last paragraph states, “You clearly understand that you must change your behavior. You agree that you will make this change in order to maintain your position as a bartender. If you have any questions, please ask me for clarification now.
Strike THREE – You have failed to heed my previous warning about changing your behavior. Your services with this Post are no longer needed.

17. WE MUST ABIDE BY THESE LAWS
Discipline
Employees have rights!
This is a sample of a mandatory poster that must be in the workplace for employees to see.
Note the Headings:
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
JOB SAFETY AND HEALTH
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY IS THE LAW
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER USERRA
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
WE MUST ABIDE BY THESE LAWS

18. ACTIVITIES We do not have to be a BAR to have a successful CANTEEN!
WHAT KEEPS OUR MEMBERS COMING BACK
What do we do to keep our membership informed?
What activities do we have at the Post that our members enjoy?
Do we have something different going on every day?
The BEST way to have a successful canteen is to make it enjoyable for our membership!
We do not have to be a BAR to have a successful CANTEEN!