KCBS BOD Meeting Quick Notes September 13, 2022


Kansas City Barbeque Society
Board of Directors’ Meeting Agenda
Tuesday September 13, 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:  Rod Gray
 
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 would like to remove the sanctioning committee report
 
  • Nancy: Motion to approve consent agenda with sanctioning report removed
 
  • Rick 2nd
  • Passed Unanimously
  • Myron: Motion to approve Oscar Bentwell one meat rib contest on 10/8/2022
    • Rick 2nd
    • Passed unanimously
 
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
 
CEO Report
September 13th
Key Highlights:
Tech:
● We continue to see email performing very well for us. Industry average for non-profits is 26.6% and
we are consistently over a 50% CTR. For August, we were at 58.56% (up 3% over LM) and YTD we are
at 58%.
● Added Turkey TOY Feed for National Turkey Federation for them to promote on their own site.
● Data scientist working on predictive analytics to use for judge evaluation. Finalized formula for
calculation based upon predictive analysis results.
o Received first data back in the process and will continue testing to look at various variables
(i.e. JCUP impact, frequency) to determine how best to utilize it for future reporting.
● Working 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.
● Development of key web-based tools to assist in streamlining critical functions for KCBS
o Updating the Back-office functionality for reconciling membership dues with updating
membership profiles in the database.
o 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.
o 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)
 
● SCORE App – working toward a bug resolution on a tie breaker issue that has been identified.
● Have confirmed with Vieth that the online judge process in the portal will work for large scale
contests.
● Working on potential opportunity with data and website provider to develop proprietary KCBS Hall of
Flame
Steak Program Updates:
● Unfortunately, we have had a few steak contests canceled due to lack of team participation. We did
have the Lake Placid contest recently host a contest with 8 teams.
● The Judges Steak Series Program (JSSP) online program, currently has over 1,500 people that have
completed.
● Rep Incentive program has been launched and communicated to Reps to help with driving contests
 
World Invitational Workgroup:
● Team Registration for KCBS World Invitational remains open until October 15th. Registration for teams
and judges are going well. We are also excited to see a few international teams making the trip to
Gadsden this year. Team packets will be sent out no later than November 1st.
● Staff is working on all details for the event, including the banquet at 210 at the Tracks, Thursday
reception at Noccalula Falls, team packet and campground sites, awards and so much more.
● KCBS World Invitational Reminders:
○ 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: Use the 2022 season rules for all contests
○ Teams need to submit their W9 to contest@kcbs.us as soon as possible. In addition, for
placement in the campground, teams need to submit a photo of their camper/rig to
aacock@kcbs.us by October 15th.
● 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:
o Final Load-In
o Box pick-up Friday morning
o Meat Inspection for Open and Ancillaries starting at noon
o Early evening banquet to allow teams to prep
● Saturday:
o Open
o Ancillaries (Turkey, Steak, Cocktail)
o Meat Inspection for Invitationals
● Sunday:
o Master Invitational
o 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 August, membership had a monthly retention rate of 97.3% which is very positive. Membership started
at 15,889 for the month. There were 252 new members, 422 dropped members for a monthly total of
15,719 members. We are down (-1% from last month), but flat to last year.
Effective September 1st, KCBS Individual Membership increased from $40 per year to $45 per year and KCBS
Family Membership (2 people) increased $55 per year to $60 per year. Lifetime membership for an individual
remains at $400 and lifetime membership for family members will remain at $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. We did see many people take advantage of the old rates this month. In fact, we had 1336
members renew this month which is up 98% from last month.
○ New members - For August, we had 252 new members, which is up 25% from last month. Thus
far for 2022, we have added 1,798 new members. Which is outpacing 2021 and 2022 numbers.
○ Renewals members - We renewed 1336 members in August and reinstated 55 members that had
previously lapsed and returned to KCBS. These numbers are very positive, especially those
members wanting to be reinstated. This is our biggest month since April 2021.
○ Lifetime members - Currently, we have 3776 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 1,820 which is up from last month. There were three CBJ classes in August
that helped increase the membership numbers. We currently are in 38 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
three more classes coming up to round out 2023.
 
Business Affiliate Updates:
● We will continue outreach to those that are currently a part of our business directory listing.
● We currently have 66 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 9/1/22, more than
2,200 KCBS members complete. We continue to receive very positive notes from judges regarding the
information provided. For anyone with questions about the test, please direct them to jcuptest@kcbs.us.
● Information to judges was sent out in August to those that have not had an opportunity to take the JCUP.
This encouraged them to do so as the content is valuable regarding updating scoring and judges
 
guidelines. It has also been a great tool for judges that have not judged in awhile due to COVID that want
to return to the judging tent.
● We had five (5) classes in August with classes in Kansas City, Wyoming and Maryland and international
classes in Canada and Finland. We are starting to get requests for classes for 2023 which is very positive.
● 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 August 2022: (as of 9/7/2022)
● 154 news articles mentioned KCBS in August (down 18% from last year); Potential Reach of 369
million with highest reach coming from regional barbeque articles and several domestic and
international contests.
● Total Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) - $3.4 million
● Social Media: 370+ mentions for KCBS including great coverage from BBQ USA on Twitter from the Food
Network, Michael Symon, judges and BBQ enthusiasts. Other highlights include the announcement of
the CEO, local teams and judges sharing experiences at contests, partner programs (Turkey Smoke and
Rib Battle), and more.
Social Media: August 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.
 
August, social media focus included the launch of team and judge registration for the 2022 KCBS
World Invitational, contest ads, partner programs and events, scholarships, and special award
nominations.
○ Continue to see consistent growth in following across all social media platforms. Total Audience
as of 9/7/2022: 120,900 total followers
▪ 75,630 Facebook (KCBS-only) Followers
▪ 20,303 Twitter Followers
▪ 21,707 Instagram followers
▪ 2,549 YouTube subscribers
▪ 711 Linkedin followers
▪ Gained over 1300 new followers across social media platforms in August with the
biggest increase coming from Facebook.
● Facebook - 998, Twitter - 106, Instagram - 188, YouTube - 34, Linkedin - 10
● Several social media stats improved this month over last month and this time last year. The biggest call
outs:
○ Consistently tracking social media analytics in 2021 allowing us to compare growth year over
year. Nearly all social media stats have improved from an engagement and impression rating.
 
CONTEST and EVENT UPDATES:
 
o 280 Contests Completed in 2022 (calendar year)
o 298 Contests Completed in 2022 Season (November 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022)
 
o 406 Contests Projected for 2022 (calendar year - as of July 31, 2022
• 40 CBJ Classes Scheduled for 2022
• 25 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.
● Amarillo, Cedar Park, Carthage, and Lubbock contests completed. Combined total of 148 teams
competed. 3 KCBS teams have competed in four contests. 3 KCBS teams have competed in three
contests. 5 KCBS teams have competed in two contests.
● Tomball, TX added 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 (September) – 54.06% email open rate which is consistent with last month
● Meat Sheet mid-month newsletter (August)- 53.28% email open rate which is up 8% from last month
Gary & Carolyn Wells Awards : Live on the website,BullSheet, Meat Sheet, as well as social media posts and
eblasts to membership are scheduled for the next few months.
Outstanding Judge Awards: Live on our website, BullSheet, Meat Sheet, as well as social media posts and
eblasts to the membership for the next two months.
BOD Nominations 2023: Board Nominations for 2023 letter in the August BullSheet and on the News Feed
 
Old Business  
  • Discussion and Possible motion of a two meat master series contest
    • Myron: motion to introduce 2 Meat master’s series contest effective Jan 1
      • Cliff 2nd
      • Myron: After discussion I rescind motion
    • Rick move to table
  • Review proposed by-law disbursement and feedback
 
 
New Business
 
  • Discussion and Consideration of adding a 2nd head cook to teams, with either cook being able to be present to receive TOY points
    • Joel: Move to table
 
 
Closed Session Agenda:
Discussion of Legal, Financial, and Real Estate
 
  • Nancy: Motion to go to closed session
    • Rick 2nd
    • Passed unanimously
 
After Closed Session:
The Board may take any necessary actions including Motions on any or all matters discussed in closed session
 
  • Myron: Motion to adjourn
    • Nancy 2nd
    • Passed unanimously
Adjourn or Suspend
 
Attachments and Reports
 
Contest Report
BOD Approval –    
     
     
     
In-house Approval –    
Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 3/17-18/2023 Lebanon, TN
Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship (One Meat Ribs) 3/17-18/2023 Lebanon, TN
7th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest 7/28-29/2023 Emmetsburg, IA
Hermiston Fall Fest, BBQ, Brews, & More 10/7-8/2022 Hermiston, OR
2022 Indio California State BBQ Championship 11/4-5/2022 Indio, CA
Smokin in the Creek BBQ 4/21-22/2023 Sugar Cree, MO
BBQ & Brew Fest - Best in the Southwest 3/10-11/2023 Yuma, AZ
Shenandoah ShenDig 7/21-22/2023 Shenandoah, IA
Meetjesland International BBQ Contest 4/29-30/2023 Aalter, Belgium
Smokin' in the Valley 11/26-27/2022 Perth, Western Australia
Boo-B-Que BBQ Championship Day 2 10/29-30/2022 Oak Grove, MO
Beat the Heat BBQ & Brews 8/11-12/2023 Alamosa, CO
Monterrey BBQ Fest 9/30-10/1/2022 San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico
Wild West Fest on Fire 8/12-13/2023 Medvode, Slovenia
Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ (Day 2) 3/25-26/2023 St. Robert, MO
Sip & Swine BBQ Festival 3/3-4/2023 Lawrenceville, GA
Bone Suckin' Sauce Peak City Pig Fest 4/14-15/2023 Apex, NC
Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest 6/9-10/2023 Derby, KS
Somerset Sizzle 5/20-21/2023 Somerset, MA
Smoke on the Water BBQ Fest (BACKYARD ONLY) 8/26/2023 Lincoln, AL
 
 
Sanctioning Committee
 
Judging Committee
KCBS CBJ Committee Meeting Agenda
August 30th, 2022
Invitees: - Chiles Cridlin, Rod Gray, 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, Mark Bucksbaum, David McAllister. 
Not in attendance – Frank Gonzales, George DeMartz, Paul Buob
Old Business


 
  • JSSP and JCUP progress review (as of 8/30/2022).  
    • The JSSP Program 1834 passes from 1578 unique members successfully passed!
    • The JCUP Program 2733 passes from 2203 unique CBJ’s have successfully passed!


 
  • Develop program considerations for Online Table Captain Certification Program (TCCP), CBJ not required. 
    • Available to the KCBS office so that voiceover and video production can be put out for bid.  This action item is complete until production begins. 
 
New Business 


 
  • Quick high level review of Data Scientist Report on KCBS Judging (fantastic analytics on judging trends). 


 
  • Update on Outstanding CBJ Nominations, Develop review process as submissions end Oct 1. 


 
  • 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.  
      • 10 modules, now referred to as the JOTC or “Judge Online Training Certification”.
      • Code of Conduct and Anti-Discrimination to be electronically signed at the registration / payment for class and test questions could 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 still leaning towards a live “zoom” type format where the class will be online, but instructor led to answer questions or give examples. 
      • Narration rough draft to be completed for all modules by 8/30. 


 
  • Develop RFP for a new seating program on hold, developing an RFP for a new SCORE program takes precedence.
    • Two year project, where it is estimated to take three months to develop the RFP, three months to shop and award the RFP, Three months for funding and another three for the awarded company to develop.  Beta testing, Rep training and rollout will take another, or the second year to complete. 
    • Recommendation is to not invest in a separate judge seating program until SCORE is updated, add seating functionality to the new SCORE program so Reps will have all features in one program. 
    • Current SCORE program utilizes Microsoft CE 4.0 that was built in 2012, end of life in 2016 and end of support in June of 2021.  Our technology company had informed a previous BOD that this project should have been started years ago.  
    • Would rely heavily on KCBS Rep Committee and our technology provider for input for usability and functionality.  Have requested $1,250 to work with Park Road Technologies to develop RFP. 


 
  • 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.  
    • Quote delivered to the CEO, this will remain on the list with low priority. 
    • 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 Rep Committee Meeting
Sept 5, 2022 at 18:30
Members present: Jeanne Titus, Ralph Williams, Debby Gage, Bob McKee, David McAllister, Aaron Stoffer, Stan Dobosenski and Rod Gray
 
We reviewed whether parsley could be used as a palate cleanser for the judges, there was no consensus within the group.  We all agreed the judges should be removing the parsley prior to judging the meat.  We will discuss further.
Discussion was made on Rep Advisory 1.18 with further discussion at the next committee meeting on October 3rd, 2022.
Discussions concerning a backyard team competing in a Master contest as well as a Backyard contest on the same day.  The team would need to split with another name and KCBS number.
It was brought to the attention of the committee that judges may not be able to eat 7(or more) entries at a 4-Meat contest.
Question concerning a 2023 Per Diem increase as it hasn’t been increased in 7 or 8 years.
 
 
 
Rules Committee
 
Rules Committee Agenda for 8/17/2022
 
Old Business
  • 2nd Head Cook
    • Website can do this
    • David working with office
      • Proposal in Sept Board Meeting
  • Approved Pallate cleansers
    • Email sent to rep committee for consideration
  • Tiebreakers
    • Still need to get with David on what he’s working on that
  • Foreign Object rule clarification
    • What should we improve/clarify
    • Draft proposed rule
New Business
  • Any topics that have come up any one wants to discuss
  • Definition of a BY cook
    • Chat through Email
  • Rules chat email
    • Ed’s email
      • 2 meat contests.
 
 
Finance Committee
 
Foundation Committee
 
KCBS Foundation Committee 
Minutes – August 22,  2022  7:00pm CDT
 
Attendees: Nancy Goldsmith, Priscilla Smith, Matt Greer



 
  1. Foundation Bylaws/Mission Statement
    With proposed revision of KCBS bylaws, those for the Foundation need to also be reviewed and revised.  A preliminary revision has been prepared and is out for internal review prior to being sent to legal counsel for review.

    Mission Statement was presented and approved

     
  2. Pop-Up Shop at World Invitational
    The potential donor list was shared with the committee. So far, Goldsmith has contacted all 2021 donors as well as some additional potential donors and will follow up with same.  Contact has also been made with those who indicated willingness to donate on their team registration for the WI.

    M. Greer will be contacting some individuals with whom he has a relationship to determine their interest in a donation.

     
  3. Proposed wording of optional essay for 2023 scholarship application window.  Discussion was deferred to allow more committee members to comment.

     
  4. Draft article for Bullsheet was reviewed, edited and approved.