May 10, 2022 Board Meeting Quicknotes


Kansas City Barbeque Society
Board of Directors’ Meeting Agenda
Tuesday May 10, 2022 6:00pm
 
Membership Requests to Address the Board:   None
 
Call to Order
 
Roll Call: 
Stan Dobosenski, David McAllister, Myron Berry, Joel Fleetwood, Chiles Cridlin, Cliff Davis, Nancy Goldsmith, Corey Linton, Jeanne Titus, Rick Wagner, Ralph Williams
KCBS Office:  Emily Detwiler
 
Board Pledge:
Recognizing barbeque as America’s cuisine, the mission of the Kansas City Barbeque Society is to celebrate, teach, preserve, and promote barbeque as a culinary technique, sport and art form.
I accept my duties as a KCBS director to further the KCBS mission so that truth, justice, excellence in barbeque and the American way of life may be strengthened and preserved forever.
 
Consent Agenda
            Notice concerning Committee Reports. Some committees do not meet monthly, If a report is presented, it will be included as attachments to the Agenda.
 
  • Minutes of March 8, 2020 board meeting
  • Financial Report
  • Finance Committee
  • Contest Report
  • Sanctioning Committee
  • Judging Committee
  • Contest Representative Committee
  • Rules Committee
  • Foundation Committee
  • Nominating Committee
 
Discussion of any items removed from Consent Agenda
 
  • Myron Berry: I motion to remove the Sanctioning Committee report from the consent agenda
    • Jeanne Titus 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously
  • Nancy Goldsmith: I motion to remove Foundation Committee report from the consent agenda
    • Ralph Williams 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously
  • Rick Wagner: I move to accept the Consent Agenda with the Sanctioning Committee and Foundation Committee reports removed
    • Myron Berry 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously
  • Discussion of sanctioning of “Reeling and Squealin” backyard competition application on June 11 received after cutoff date.
    • Myron Berry: I motion to sanction the “Reeling and Squealin” contest in Huntsville AL on June 11, 2022.
      • Cliff Davis 2nd
      • Motion passed unanimously
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
 
Tech:
  • We have seen increased open rates (57.13%) and engagement from deploying digital publications and e-blasts in batches.
  • Approved proposal from data scientist on predictive analytics work. Tech committee has solicited CBJ and Rep committee feedback on program requirements
  • Sub-series for calculating TOY points (i.e. Johnny Trigg Shootout series) is complete. Trigg points are active. Program is ready for future needs.
  • Will need to work with Rep committee on next steps for online training development to fulfill both Emergency Rep training and serving the purpose of continuing education for existing Reps. 
  • Working with web provider on any necessary steps to ensure that online judge process in the portal will work flawlessly for a large scale contest to leverage.
  • Initial discussion of BBQ Match potential estimate for programming seems higher than the value it will provide, based upon need. Keeping as a back-burner opportunity for now. CBJ’s seeking a team to cook with for MCBJ can continue to reach out to KCBS office and Reps at contests.
 
Steak Program Updates:
  • In April, hosted two National Steak Championships events that were very successful.  We have five (5) more upcoming events.
  • The Judges Steak Series Program (JSSP) online program, currently has 1,400 KCBS Members that have completed. 
  • Partnership with Creekstone Farms & Snake River has been very positive. Creekstone Farms is actively promoting the NSC competitions and working with promoters.  We are also pleased to report that KC local grilling stores will be carrying the steaks in their stores and hope to roll out the opportunity in other markets.  We have Steak Demo coming up on Thursday at KC BBQ Store.
  • Website – Continuing to update the site (https://kcbssteakchamps.com/) with links for product ordering, judge training once ready, additional photos, etc. .
  • Contest reps have JSSP pins for KCBS members to pick up.  KCBS members need to show their JSSP Certificate or their KCBS membership card with the S-CBJ to receive a pin.
 
World Invitational Workgroup:
  • Working on finalization to announce location by Mid May. Will include updates to KCBSInvitational website.
  • Staff has developed a sponsorship deck for additional sponsorship opportunities
  • Qualification: January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2022:
    • Master Series division pitmasters must have won Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion at a KCBS-sanctioned barbeque contest
    • Backyard Series pitmasters must win 1st place Ribs or 1st place Chicken at a KCBS-sanctioned Backyard contest.
  • Rules:  Use the 2022 season rules for all contests
  • Thursday:
Team load in and  Casual meet & greet
  • Friday:
    • Final Load-In
    •   Box pick-up Friday morning
    •   Meat Inspection for Open and Ancillaries
    • Early evening banquet to allow teams to prep
  • Saturday:
    • Open
    • Ancillaries (Turkey, Steak, Cocktail, Dessert?)
    • Meat Inspection for Invitationals
  • Sunday:
    • Master Invitational
    • BY Invitational
 
Membership Updates:
We had another great month for membership in April,  ending the month with 15,933 members.  We are still seeing people reinstate their membership and want to get back to judging and cooking.  This past month we reinstated another 30 members.  In May, we kicked off our National BBQ Month Member drive and we have seen a very positive response in the first week.
○   National BBQ Month Membership Drive - we are running a $100 discount on lifetime membership and running a special new member promotion with Cackalacky.  We are also doing promotions with American Fire BBQ & Grilling Supply for all new lifetime members and doing several social media promotions during National BBQ Month. 
○   New members - For April,  we had  230  new members
  • Renewals members - It has been a very positive month for renewals with over 90% renewal rating.  Continue to trend very positively in this direction. We continue to hold a monthly renewal drawing for members, to encourage members to renew
  • International Membership
  •  
  • International membership is at 1,676 which is up from last month.    We currently are in 36 countries. JCUP will be especially beneficial for International CBJ’s that have not been able to judge due to the impact of COVID. We have six (6) more international classes coming up.
○    
 
2022 Pins: We had a great turn out with the 2022 pins and have secured a few more pins for the KCBS Gear Shop.  If you are interested, please visit KCBS Gear Shop to secure yours today. Also working with Reps who have requested pins to sell at contests.
 
Business Affiliate:  
CBJ & Table Captain Classes:
  • The Judges Update Certification Program (JCUP) continues to do very well.   As of 5/9/22 we have had 1,578 KCBS members complete.    We also have received some very positive notes from judges.
    •  I was reluctant to take part in the JCUP program, but decided to spend a couple of hours and do it.  I have to say that I am glad I did the program.  I learned some things that I know will help me be a better judge in the future.  While I am and probably always will be considered an "outlier",  I saw some areas in my thinking that need improvement and expect to put them to good use in the future.  Thank you for helping me improve my judging skills so future contests can be more fun.  Howard B.
I was pleasantly surprised. I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how well the program was put together,  the information it provided and the presentation. I know I learned a lot and will use it in my future judging. Thanks for the excellent course.   John W.
If you get people with questions about the test, please direct them to jcuptest@kcbs.us.   We have also created a one-sheet for contest reps to help with any questions they receive about the test from judges.  It can be found in the rep portal.
  • For the month of April, we have nine (9) classes scheduled including CA, WI, MO and SD.  We also see new classes come on for the summer and fall, which is very exciting.  For May, we have five (5) classes currently scheduled. 
  • Master Judge Candidates and 100+ candidates continue to come into the office. Please encourage all candidates for Master Judge status to submit via email to membership@kcbs.us their contest verification sheets and cooking sheet. 
  • Please remember for 30+ contests and your cook’s verification sheet, you can send to the office via email membership@kcbs.us or via mail at KCBS 2519 Madison Ave #100 Kansas City, MO 64108
 
PR/Earned Media for April 2022: (as of 5/9/2022)
  • 58 news articles mentioned KCBS in April (up 57% from last year); Potential Reach of 75 million with highest reach coming from several contests such as Forks of the Buffalo BBQ Throwdown, Giant Barbecue Battle and the HANOR Smokin' Red Dirt BBQ.
  • Total Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) - $690k
 
 
Social Media: April Updates
Continue to use social media to drive member conversion, promote KCBS brand, showcase our sponsors, events and provide value to our members through fun and educational content. 
  • In April, social media focus included the various contest series (Johnny Trigg Shootout, Prairie Fresh Rib Battle and Turkey Smoke), member features, partner communications and preparation for National BBQ Month.
  • Total Audience as of 5/9/2022: 116,716 total followers
    • 73,520 Facebook (KCBS-only) Followers
    • 19,960 Twitter Followers
    • 20,860 Instagram followers
    • 2,376 YouTube subscribers
  • Gained nearly 650 net followers across all platforms through April
  • Beginning to do more with LinkedIn page to drive brand awareness, sponsorship engagement and membership opportunities
    • Nearly 1,500 impressions throughout April
 
          CONTEST and EVENT UPDATES:
 
  • 68 Contests Completed in 2022 (calendar year)
  • 85 Contests Completed in 2022 Season (November 1, 2021 – May 8, 2022)
  •  381 Contests Projected for 2022 (calendar year - as of May 8, 2022)
    • 334 Master Contests
    •   77 Backyard Contests
    •   75 Kids Q contests
    •   42 One-Meat Contests
    •     9 Competitor’s Contests
    •     7 Steak Contests & 1 Steak Cook-Off Contests
    •   49 International Contests
 
  •   32 Contests Canceled for 2022
  • 12 Contests Postponed in 2022
  • 14 Contests Scheduled for 2023 
  • 34 CBJ Classes Scheduled
  • 25 TC Classes Scheduled
 
●      CONTEST Advertising:
  • Updated Advertising Packages and are proactively sharing with Organizers, as well as on KCBS.us
    • Elbast to Organizers
    • 4 organizers have elected some level of advertising for their contest that are happening between May - July.
 
 
-Johnny Trigg shootout has gone live in Texas markets. Promoting across all platforms to drive sign-ups among both Cooks, Judges and for CBJ classes.
  • Amarillo & Cedar Park contests completed. Combined total of 67 teams competed. 6 KCBS teams have competed in both contests. 36 KCBS members, 30 non KCBS members, and 1 dropped member.
  • Added Raider Red Meat BBQ & Ribeye Championships to the contest lineup.
  • Johnny Trigg Shoutout Points are now available on the KCBS website
  • The KCBS Gear store with merchandise options is live. https://kcbsstore.spiritsale.com/ Pins for participants to purchase will be available on-site.  Promoting the Gear store online, in the BullSheet, as well as with e-blasts to members, and info for Reps to take to contests.
 
 COMMUNICATIONS:      
  • Bullsheet  May–  55.4% Open rate.
●      Meat Sheet mid-month newsletter April 47% open rate
 
 
Scholarships
  • KCBS Office will start sending letters to scholarship winners on June 2, 2022
Gary & Carolyn Wells Awards
  • Are live on the website as well as in the BullSheet. Eblast is set for later this month for nominations
 
 
Old Business  
 
 
New Business
  • Myron Berry: I motion to move to closed session
    • Jeanne Titus 2nd
    • Motion passed unanimously
 
Closed Session Agenda:
Discussion of Legal, Financial, and Real Estate
 
After Closed Session:
The Board may take any necessary actions including Motions on any or all matters discussed in closed session
 
Adjourn or Suspend
 
  • Rick Wagner: I motion to adjourn
    • Nancy Goldsmith 2nd
    • Motion passed unanimously
 
Attachments and Reports
 
Contest Report
BOD Approval –    
     
     
     
In-house Approval –    
Meat Inferno (One Meat Ribs) 10/7/2022 Edgerton, KS
BBQ, BLESSINGS & THE VFW (One Meat Ribs) 5/14/2022 Oconomowoc, WI
Central Maine BBQ Cook Off (One Meat Ribs) 6/25/2022 Skowhegan, ME
10th Annual Deaths Door Barbeque (One Meat Ribs) 8/26-27/2022 Washington Island, WI
2nd Annual Deltana Fair BBQ Competition 7/22-23/2022 Deltana, AK
Smokin' BBQ Masters in the Valley 8/6-7/2022 Perth, Western Australia
Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin - One Meat Ribs 4/29/2022 Derby, KS
2nd Annual VFW Post 3396 Armed Forces BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS) 7/2/2022 Sparks, NV
Fillmore County Fair BBQ Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) 7/22-23/2022 Preston, MN
Smokin on the Harbor (BACKYARD) 8/5-6/2022 Warsaw, MO
Squealin on the Square 9/30-10/1/2022 Laurens, SC
Barbeque on the Bow 9/3-4/2022 Calgary, Canada
Zona Rosa Family Contest (COMPETITOR'S SERIES) 7/30/2022 Kansas City, MO
QUEing at the Barns 9-16-17/2022 Rolla, MO
Smokin with Weemala (One Meat Chicken) 7/2/2022 Carmel, Western Australia
Smokin with Weemala (One Meat Ribs) 7/2/2022 Carmel, Western Australia
Columbia Elks BBQ Cookoff - One Meat Ribs 5/6/2022 Columbia, MO
Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES 10/1-2/2022 Southwick, MA
Que' For a Cause (BACKYARD) Day 1 10/7-8/2022 Tahlequah, OK
Que' For a Cause (BACKYARD) Day 2 10/7-8/2022 Tahlequah, OK
Holy Smokes (ONE MEAT RIBS) 8/27/2022 Walnut Creek, CA
Brew N Que - LITE EDITION 10/29-30/2022 Brigadoon, Australia
 
 
Sanctioning Committee
SANCTIONING COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 4, 2022
 
Members attending:  Beth Salzl, Karrin Murphy, Sherry Byler, Laurie Tweeten,
Cliff Davis, Jeanne Titus, Emily Detwiler and Myron Berry.
 
Meeting began at 12:01pm
 
A discussion was held about an application from Biloxi, Ms for a Master series contest on Nov 12, 2022. This is the same date as our KCBS World Invitational.
The organizer has been informed about their dates being the same.
 
We had an application for a BY contest in North Mankato, MN on June 4, 2022 to consider. There is a conflict with another contest that is 49 miles from North Mankato. This application was not approved, the organizer has been notified and they will look at a date later in the fall of this year.
 
A discussion was held regarding organizers that request reducing their guaranteed payout to teams after their contest has been posted on the KCBS website.The committee will bring this back to next months meeting with recommendations for changing the policy and verbiage on our sanctioning agreement.
 
A survey for a KCBS 2 Meat Master series proposal has been completed and will be sent out to KCBS cook teams.
 
Meeting adjourned at 12:57pm.
 
Myron Berry, Chair
 
 
 
Judging Committee
KCBS CBJ Committee Meeting Notes
April 26, 2022
Invitees: - Chiles Cridlin, Emily Detwiler, Stan Dobosenski, Amy Acock, Julie Poe, Nancy Goldsmith, Frank Gonzales,  George DeMartz, Kelly McIntosh, Bill Jones, Dave Druetzler, Paul Buob, Cliff Brockman, Tom Colla
Not in attendance – Stan Dobosenski, Amy Acock, Frank Gonzales,
Old Business
 
  • JSSP and JCUP progress review (as of 5/9/2022). 
    • The JSSP Program 1642 passes from 1413 unique members successfully passed!
    • The JCUP Program 1942 passes from 1569 unique CBJ’s have successfully passed!
New Business
 
  • Matching the MCBJ Exam questions back to the older CBJ manual for palate cleanser
    • Currently, the CBJ manual has water crackers, water, etc.
    • MCBJ Exam has a question that allows grapes = True.
    • KCBS will update CBJ manual to include acceptable cleansers are water, crackers (oyster or saltines with unsalted being preferred), and / or grapes.
 
  • Develop program considerations for Online Table Captain class (CBJ not required).
    • 90 minutes in length. Six modules covering the 31 existing slides.  Very few questions at the end of each module, depending on the length and number of objectives in each.  Not requiring 100% to pass. 
    • Will utilize a combination of newly produced video for clear examples and filled in with actual contest footage to reinforce concepts.
    • Goal will be to deliver to the CEO before end of June so voiceover and video production can be put out for bid.  Go-Live before end of TOY year requested.
 
  • Develop program considerations for full Online CBJ course to determine if viable and how it would work.  Not a replacement for traditional in person class, but an alternative.
    • Develop requirements. 
      • How long? – Four hours maximum?  How many videos?  Create new vs use existing content?  Will incorporate all content from the current slide deck as well as JCUP content.
      • Preference is leaning towards a live “zoom” type format where the class will be online, but instructor led to answer questions or give examples.
 
  • Develop program considerations for an “Online Food Handlers Certification” for all members.
    • Connection made with https://www.statefoodsafety.com.
    • Goal to be little or no cost to KCBS to develop.
    • Goal to have members that pass to receive a certificate that will be accepted in multiple states or perhaps nationwide.
    • Our CEO is currently engaged with conversations.  Updates to be provided by our CEO.
 
  • Develop program considerations for a new KCBS web page that could link cook teams with Judges that need to cook for their MCBJ requirement.  Conversation had with Veith, need to get our CEO a write up.
    • The “BBQ Match” page has been requested for quote, would reside as a link in the judge’s portal.
 
  • Develop program considerations for a new, next generation CBJ seating program.
    • Dubbed “The Electronic Chip Draw”, use what we know and then full random selection for what we do not.  Judges need NOT to be concerned that their scoring would influence being chosen for a contest.  Could also be used to help maintain Judge volunteer signatures given.
    • Very dependent upon statistical analysis being requested by the Tech Workgroup.
    • Would rely heavily on KCBS Rep Committee input for usability and functionality.
      • Initial functionality requirements started by the Reps on the CBJ committee, passed off to Tech committee for review before sending to the Rep committee. 
Closing – Any additional questions or concerns that are provided. 
 
Contest Representative Committee
 
 
KCBS Rep Committee Meeting
May 2, 2022
 
The May 2022 Rep Committee meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Ralph Williams. Other Committee members in attendance were: Mike Winter, Debby Gage, Aaron Stofer, Robert McGee,         Jeannie Titus, David McAllister, Stan Dobenski and Emily Detwiler.
SCORE Issues: David McAllister made the Committee aware of a possible printing issue in our app. We are further researching and working with our IT provider to identify and remedy the issue. 
Teams Splitting at an Event: Teams are working together to split up at contests to help make an extra team when an event is short of making the 25 team count required by the Jack Daniels Invitational in an effort to get the winner entered in that state’s draw.  Reminder: this is not a KCBS requirement on the 25 teams for existing contest or 15 teams for a new contest. When team splitting does occur, please refer to the 2022 Master Series Rules, #3.  It reads, Teams shall NOT share assigned cooking space or cooking devices.  Please make sure all teams are reminded of this rule.  If there is anything in question, please ask Teams to notify Rep immediately while on site. Once the contest has occurred and KCBS isn’t notified until after the contest, it is more difficult to investigate.
Category Codes: Work with Reps on double checking category codes prior to uploading results to the KCBS website. The simplest error the office is seeing the mis-entry of the M1 code.  MI and ML are accidently being entered.
Youth Wavier Form:  Listed in the Rep portal is the Youth Wavier Form for those persons under the age of 16 who wish to cook a KCBS Master Series event. This wavier needs to be completed by the parent and Reps should return the wavier to KCBS with event paperwork.
Emergency Rep:   The committee is gathering data on the procedures Emergency Reps should be trained on in the event they are needed at event. 
Event Score Cards and Event Information:  Rep committee and office working through post-contest procedures to simplify the process. Will work with all Reps on updated process.
The meeting was closed at 8:20 pm.
 
 
Rules Committee
Rules Committee 4/20/2021
 
Approved 2022 Cocktail category rules
 
Discussed changes to Kids Q rules, and how to ensure that we allow kids to compete in BBQ as they do in many other interests and sports, while still allowing the bonding and teaching with parents that is so important to both parents and kids.
 
 
Finance Committee
 
Foundation Committee
Kansas City Barbeque Society
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE Meeting Agenda
April 25, 2022  7:00pm CST
 
 
Attendees
Nancy Goldsmith,  Beth Salzl, Priscilla Smith, Charlene Ellis, Matt Greer, Jeanne Titus
 
 
New Business
 
Scholarships applications were reviewed and decisions made regarding awards.  All applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than July 1, 2022.