KCBS BOD Meeting Quick Notes July 12, 2022

Kansas City Barbeque Society
Board of Directors’ Meeting Agenda
Tuesday July 12, 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
  • 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 – I motion to remove Sanctioning report from consent agenda
    • Nancy 2nd
    • Motion Passes Unanimously
  • Rick motion to approve consent agenda with sanctioning report removed.
    • Ralph 2nd
    • Motion Passes Unanimously
  • Myron – I motion to approve the So Bo Co backyard contest
    • Corey 2nd
    • Motion Passes Unanimously
 
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
 
CEO and Staff Report July 12, 2022
 
Key Highlights:  
 
Tech:
  • We have seen increased open rates (58.68%) and engagement from deploying digital publications and e-blasts in batches.  Industry average for non-profits is 26.6% and you can see we are well above the national average.
  • Data scientist working on predictive analytics to use for judge evaluation. Finalized formula for calculation based upon predictive analysis results.
    • Determine various analyses to run against the calculation to create opportunities for programs that may help develop consistency over time
    • Next steps will be to run queries against the calculation to determine how best to utilize for future reporting.
  • Development of key web-based tools to assist in streamlining critical functions for KCBS
    • Updating the Back-office functionality for reconciling membership dues with updating membership profiles in the database.
    • Sanctioning application – Leveraging new User Interface for online submittals for sanctioning applications; tying in the Back Office processes to store applications digitally and route for approvals digitally.
    • API – developing a process for exposing back-end data to be utilized by support products (i.e. SCORE) and to establish subscriber-based models for data access (i.e. regional bbq associations)
 
Steak Program Updates:  
  • In July, we have two (2) contests at Smokin on the Route (Miami, OK) and Dodge City Days Smokin’ Saddles BBQ (Dodge City, KS).
  • The Judges Steak Series Program (JSSP) online program, currently has 1,514  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 are carrying the steaks in their stores and hope to roll out the opportunity in other markets. 
  • Website – Continuing to update the site (https://kcbssteakchamps.com/) with links for product ordering, judge training once ready, additional photos, etc. . 
World Invitational Workgroup:
  • Team Registration will open up on August 8th and Judges Applications open up on August 15th.
  • KCBS Team did a site inspection in Gadsden, AL on June 21st and 22nd.  The visit included working with Gadsden Parks & Rec and Great Gadsden Tourism in preparation for the event.  KCBS also hosted a meet and greet for the community to come out and learn more about KCBS and the World Invitational with potential for partnerships.
  • Staff is working on securing local partnership and using local vendors for needs for the contest.
  • Qualification Reminder:
    • Master Series division pitmasters must have won Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion at a KCBS-sanctioned barbeque contest between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2022.
    • Backyard Series pitmasters must win 1st place Ribs or 1st place Chicken at a KCBS-sanctioned Backyard contest between Jan. 1, 2020 and July 31, 2022.
  • Rules:  Using the 2022 season rules for all contests
  • Banquet:  The KCBS Banquet will again be held as part of the KCBS World Invitational.  This year the banquet will be at 210 at the Tracks on Friday, November 11th from 5pm-7pm.  KCBS WI registered teams, will receive two (2) tickets for the banquet.  Additional tickets can be purchased at $40 per ticket starting on August 8th at www.kcbs.us.  There will be shuttle service provided from Noccalula Falls to the venue on Friday night.   
Contest Layout to Maximize Engagement and Participation:
  • Thursday: Team load in
Happy Hour Event at Noccalula Falls from 5pm-7pm
  • Friday:
    • Final Load-In
    • Box pick-up Friday morning
    • Meat Inspection for Open and Ancillaries starting at noon
    • Early evening banquet to allow teams to prep
  • Saturday:
    • Open
    • Ancillaries (Turkey, Steak, Cocktail, Dessert?)
    • Meat Inspection for Invitationals
  • Sunday:
    • Master Invitational
    • BY Invitational
 
For more information on registration dates, local hotels and information on the KCBS World Invitational, visit https://www.kcbsinvitational.com/.
 
Membership Updates:
For June, membership was flat to last month, but up +2.8% from LY.  That is very positive, as we see more new members joining, along with previous judges and cooks coming back to KCBS.  We continue to work on our retention numbers.
 
We also announced this month that KCBS Individual Membership will be going from $40 per year to $45 per year.  KCBS Family Membership (2 people) will be going from $55 per year to $60 per year.  All of these changes will be effective September 1st.  If members have autopay, there is nothing further they will need to do, as it will automatically update.  Lifetime membership for an individual will remain $400 and lifetime membership for family members will remain $500.  Signing up for a lifetime membership ensures you never miss out on Team of the Year points, access to the judging portal and KCBS members perks. 
 
  • New members - For June,  we had  214  new members, which is up  (45.6%) compared to last month and up 12% over June ‘21.  Thus far for 2022, we have added 1,281 new members which is up +8% over last year at the same time.
  • Renewals members - We renewed 795 members in June and reinstated 19 members that had previously lapsed and returned to KCBS.  
  • Lifetime members - We have seen several people taking advantage of the lifetime membership in June, which is extremely positive.    Currently, we have 3736  lifetime members. 
  • Membership renewal plan
We continue to hold a monthly renewal drawing for members, to encourage members to renew.  We are also trying to provide additional reminders, as we know our members are very busy.
 
International Membership  
International membership is at 1,729  which is up from last month.    We currently are in 37 countries. JCUP will be especially beneficial for International CBJ’s that have not been able to judge due to the impact of COVID. Hosted a two (2) CBJ class that resulted in 23 new members.  
 
Business Affiliate Updates: 
  • We will continue to outreach to those that are currently a part of our business directory listing.
  • We currently have 62 Business Affiliates. 
  • Please continue to reach out to members you know with businesses; drive them to https://www.kcbs.us/kcbs_business_affiliate_progra.php to learn more and sign up.
  • Please keep in mind as a Business Affiliate there is a discount on additional advertising with KCBS.  For more information, contact membership@kcbs.us.
 
CBJ & Table Captain Classes:
  • The Judges Update Certification Program (JCUP) continues to do very well.   As of 7/8/22 we have had 1,972 KCBS members complete.    We continue to receive very positive notes from judges regarding the information provided.  If you get people with questions about the test, please direct them to jcuptest@kcbs.us.  
  • CBJ classes in August include Kansas City, Wyoming and Maryland.  We are starting to get requests for classes for 2023.
  • 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 June 2022: (as of 7/8/2022)
  • 111 news articles mentioned KCBS in June (up 171% from last year); Potential Reach of 114 million with highest reach coming from several contests both domestic and international, new partnership with StateFoodSafety, Made for KC BBQ Championship, and KCBS World Invitational
  • Total Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) - $1.1 million
  • Social Media: 300+ mentions for KCBS including great coverage from local media for the Made for KC BBQ Championship, Alabama media for the World Invitational and interaction from sponsors, judges and pitmasters.
Social Media: June 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 June, social media focus included the World Invitational, promoting contest series (Turkey Smoke, Rib Battle, Johnny Trigg Shootout) and Sponsor messaging.
  • In June, we held the Oklahoma Joe’s Ugly Grill Contest on the KCBS Facebook Page:
    • Nearly 30k impressions and 1k engagements
  • Continue to see consistent growth in following across all social media platforms. Total Audience as of 7/8/2022: 118,752 total followers
    • 74,094 Facebook (KCBS-only) Followers
    • 20,139 Twitter Followers
    • 21,354 Instagram followers
    • 2,474 YouTube subscribers
    • 691 Linkedin followers
    • Gained nearly 700 new followers across social media platforms in June with the biggest increase coming from Instagram and Facebook.
      • Facebook - 316, Twitter - 83, Instagram - 232, YouTube - 36, Linkedin - 12  
  • Consistently tracking social media analytics in 2021 allowed us to compare growth year over year. Nearly all social media stats have improved:
    • June 2021 - 243k reach, 306k impressions, 8k engagements
    • June 2022 - 433k reach (up 78%), 487k impressions (up 60%), 13k engagements (up 68%)
    • Consistent engagement rate nearly 3%
  • All platforms continue to perform well:
    • Facebook - 76 posts, Nearly 300k impressions, 10k engagements, Nearly 3k new profile visits
    • Twitter - 67 posts, 43k impressions and 4.5k profile views
    • Instagram - 65 posts, 145k impressions
    • YouTube - Nearly 1,000 views and 10k impressions
 
 
CONTEST and EVENT UPDATES:  
  • 199 Contests Completed in 2022 Season (November 1, 2021 – July 6, 2022)
  • 393 Contests Projected for 2022 (calendar year - as of July 6, 2022)  
  • 27 Contests Scheduled for 2023   
  • 41 CBJ Classes Scheduled for 2022
  • 26 TC Classes Scheduled for 2022  
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.
  • Added Raider Red Meat BBQ & Ribeye Championships and Tombal, TX  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  July –  48.34% Open rate
      ?      Meat Sheet mid-month newsletter June - 46.68%
 
Scholarships Letters and emails were sent to recipients and those that did and didn’t receive scholarships. Eblast and press release went out on Jun 8, 2022.
Have heard back from three scholarship recipients.
Social posts of those that had submitted responses back are being scheduled/posted.
Gary & Carolyn Wells Awards : live on the website,BullSheet, Meat Sheet, as well as social media posts. Eblast to membership are scheduled for the next few months.
 
BOD Nominations 2023: Board Nominations for 2023 letter in the July BullSheet and on the News Feed.
 
Old Business    
 
New Business  
  • Nancy – I move to go into close 2nd
    • Rick 2nd
    • Motion Passes 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
 
Open session resumed at 7:33 PM
 
  • Rick – I motion to authorize Stan Dobosenski to work with our attorneys to get updated bylaws out for a vote
    • Nancy 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously  
  • Rick – I motion to author Stan Dobosenski to approve all contracts and other items the CEO would normally handle
    • Myron 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously  
  • Myron – I motion to adopt Resolution R-07-12-22-A to creation of a special recruitment committee
    • Rick 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously  
Adjourn or Suspend  
  • Rick motion to adjourn
    • Nancy 2nd
    • Motion Passed Unanimously
 
Attachments and Reports
 
Contest Report
 
BOD Approval –    
     
     
     
In-house Approval –    
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - KIDS QUE 9/30/2022 Kansas City, KS
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - SIDES 9/30/2022 Kansas City, KS
2022 Cameron Elks BBQ Cook Off - One Meat Ribs 7/16/2022 Cameron, MO
BBQ on the Bay Day 2 9/17-18/2022 San Diego, CA
Red, White & Blue BBQ 4/29-30/2022 Topeka, KS
Reata Round Up BBQ Contest 8/12-13/2022 San Juan Capistrano, CA
BooBQ BarBQ'N for Boobies 10/7-9/2022 Tomball, TX
WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest 4/28-29/2023 Washington, MO
Jack 9 Memorial 9/10-11/2022 Ontario, Canada
Southaven Springfest 4/21-22/2022 Southaven, MS
Poosa Q 10/5-7/2022 Montgomery, AL
Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ 3/24-25/2022 St. Robert, MO
Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ (One Meat Ribs) 3/24-25/2022 St. Robert, MO
Budweiser Smoke on the Water 2/3-4/2022 Winter Haven, FL
Twin Valley Fire and Smoke 5/19-20/2022 Morgantown, PA
 
 
Sanctioning Committee
SANCTIONING COMMITTEE MEETING 
JULY 6, 2022
 
Members present:
 
Randy Bigler, Debbie Yopp, Beth Salzl, Karrin Murphy, Sherry Byler, Laurie Tweeten, Cliff Davis, Jeanne Titus, Alan Rothrock, Emily Detwiler and Myron Berry
 
Meeting began at 12:01pm
 
We had an application for an existing BY contest from SoCoBo BBQ Showdown for Sept 10, 2022 in Ashland, MO. This application is under 90 days which requires board approval. Our committee recommends approval for the contest.
 
Discussion continued this month on a Master Series 2 Meat contest as we received a survey that was sent out to cook teams in June. The survey found that 81% of the respondents were interested in a 2 Meat Master series contest with responses centered around cheaper and less time needed. A proposal will be brought back to the committee next month.
 
The requirement for BY contests to pay out Grand, Reserve and the top 5 places in each category was brought to the committee.. The committee changed this requirement to pay out Grand, Reserve and the top 3 places in each category. The new prize letter will reflect the change and the Organizers Guide will be updated. There have been several BY contests that have struggled to pay out the top 5 places due to the economy.
 
Cancelled contests were also brought to the attention of the committee. 
 
Meeting adjourned at 12:55pm
 
Myron Berry, Chair
 
Judging Committee  
KCBS CBJ Committee Meeting Notes
June 28 th , 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, Mark Gantt, Mike Kilby, Ralph Williams
Not in attendance – Amy Acock, Emily Detwiler, Ralph Williams, Stan Dobosenski, Frank Gonzales, Mike Kilby
Old Business
? JSSP and JCUP progress review (as of 7/11/2022).
o The JSSP Program 1754 passes from 1508 unique members successfully passed!
o The JCUP Program 2450 passes from 1981 unique CBJ’s have successfully passed!
 
New Business
? Develop program considerations for Online Table Captain Certification Program (TCCP), CBJ not required.
o Goal will be to deliver to the CEO before end of June so voiceover and video production can be put
out for bid. Possible Go-Live before end of TOY year requested.
o Full scripting outline completed, Requested narration completed. Working on final review and
submission by 6/30 is still on target. Delivered to BOD and Rep Chair on 7/11.
 
? 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.
o Develop requirements.
? 10 to 12 modules, Initial mapping completed by Bill Jones, possibly called JOTC or Judge
Online Training Certification.
? Considerations for Code of Conduct and Anti-Discrimination to be electronically signed at
the registration / payment for class and test questions would be included in subsequent
modules. We would not include this as a module in the online class if this is acceptable.
? Reuse of the scoring, chicken, ribs, pork and brisket modules from JCUP
? 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 RFP for a new, next generation CBJ seating program or “Judge Management System (JMS).
o Incorporate Judge sign in, electronic signature record, electronic chip draw, etc..
o Judges need NOT to be concerned that their scoring would influence being chosen for a contest.
o Very dependent upon statistical analysis being requested by the Tech Workgroup.
o 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.
? First draft of requirements from the CBJ committee has been delivered to Tech and Rep
committee.
 
? Develop program considerations for a new KCBS CBJ Portal applet that could link cook teams with Judges
that need to cook for their MCBJ requirement. Search by geographical are and automate sending emails to
teams willing to host judges by area on behalf of the judge.
o Quote delivered to the CEO, this will remain on the list with low priority.
o Secondary functionality could be for Judges that are willing to cook with cook teams to provide
guidance (Teams searching for judges for cooking assistance).
Closing – Any additional questions or concerns that are provided.

Contest Representative Committee
KCBS July Rep Committee Meeting
 
July, 7, 2022
 
The Rep committee meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairman Ralph Williams. Other members present were, Jonathan Williams, Mike Winter, Robert McGee, Debby Gage, and Emily Detwiler.
Discussion centered around the development of the Emergency Rep Training material. Each committee member was asked to develop a specific topic for the manual. Those items were distributed to the Committee members for review and any suggested changes that might be needed. General discussion was also directed to the Master Series Table Population Specifications chart. Committee members were asked to review the chart and make suggestions as they feel might make the chart better serving for all contest Reps.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:33 pm.
 
Rules Committee
 
Finance Committee
 
Foundation Committee
 
Kansas City Barbeque Society
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE Meeting MINUTES
June 27, 2022  7:00pm CST
 
Attendees
Nancy Goldsmith, Jeanne Titus, Matt Greer 
  1. Scholarships for 2023: 
  • Any changes needed?
  • New questions needed?
  • Consider optional question(s) to better determine named scholarship winners
Full discussion deferred until August meeting
  1. How to approach people regarding end-of-life financial planning to include KCBS?
Brief discussion with some ideas presented by M. Greer who has experience in this area.  Goldsmith will draft initial ideas for BullSheet and other social media and bring back to committee.  
  1. No meeting July 25, 2022