KCBS Board Meeting Quick Notes December 9, 2024

 
Membership Requests to Address the Board:   

• None

 
Call to Order – Joel Fleetwood
 
Meeting was called to order at 6:01
 
 
Roll Call: 
Joel Fleetwood, Chiles Cridlin, Cliff Davis, Randy Todd, Jeanne Titus, Thomas Gearheart, Paul Buob, David Qualls, Chalie Brinza
KCBS Office:  Rod Gray
Absent: 
 
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 an attachment to the Agenda.
 

• Minutes of previous BOD meeting
• Contest Report
• Sanctioning Committee
• Judging Committee
• Contest Representative Committee
• Rules Committee
• Foundation Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Workgroups:
  • Organizers Work Group
  • Backyard Work Group
  • Bylaws Work Group
  • Technology Workgroup

 
Discussion of any items removed from Consent Agenda:
 
David Qualls - I Move to Approve the Consent Agenda
Second- Titus- Motion Passed Unanimously
 
 
Chief Executive Officer’s Report:
 

• CEO Report attached.
• The Board may take Actions based on Topics and Discussions from this report as New Business

 
 
Old Business:
 

• None.

 
New Business: 
 

• Discussion and Consideration of Changes to Garnish and Palate cleanser changes per Rules Committee

Discussion Only
 

• Discussion and Consideration of piloting an “Experience Shuffle” as a seating method for contests

Paul Buob - I Move to Approve a pilot a judge seating process that would randomly seat judges with 5 of fewer contests first, then randomly continue seating remaining judges - Jeanne to Pilot at the Jimmy Jam Contest in Florida on January 9, 2025
 
Second- Davis- Motion Passed Unanimously
 

• Discussion and Consideration of Suggesting a process be developed that reviews those judges consistently outlier/anomalies judging.

Paul Buob - I Move to Approve a Pilot process that would send an electronic communication to judges that demonstrated consistent outlier scoring (high or low). Communication would include Judge Portal link and usage as well as recommendation to review the JCUP material if they haven't already done so.
 
Second- Brinza- Motion Passed Unanimously
 
Closed Session Agenda: 
Discussion of Legal, Financial, Personnel and Real Estate
 

• Discussion of Financial Report, Budget and Personnel
• Discussion and review of Toy Payouts.
• Discussion of Marketing, Events and World Invitational

 
Chiles Cridlin- I Move to Enter Closed Session
 
Second- Titus- Motion Passed Unanimously
 
Entered Closed Session At 7:00pm
Note: Brinza had to exit the meeting during Closed Session.
 
Board Returned to Open Session at 8:19 pm
 
After Closed Session:
The Board may take any necessary actions including Motions on any or all matters discussed in closed session
 
David Qualls - I Move to Approve the agreed upon candidates for the Wells Awards
Second- Titus- Motion Passed with Cridlin Abstaining and Brinza Absent
 
Paul Buob - I Move to Approve the presented proposal for the Team of the Year Prizes
Second- Titus- Motion Passed Unanimously
 
 
Board Comments
 
Adjourn or Suspend
David Qualls- I Move to Adjourn.
Second- Cridlin- Motion Passed Unanimously
 
Meeting Ended At: 8:21pm
 
 
 
 
Attachments and Reports
Contest Report 
 

Last Frontier BBQ Throwdown	6/21-22/2025	Eagle River, AK
Jack's BBQ, Bourbon, & Buggies	5/2-3/2025	Ruidoso Downs, NM
Devils Backbone BBQ Championship (Day 1)	6/6-7/2025	Roseland, VA
Devils Backbone BBQ Championship (Day 2)	6/7-8/2025	Roseland, VA
Meat Inferno	10/3-4/2025	Edgerton, KS
Meat Inferno (One Meat Ribs)	10/3/2025	Edgerton, KS
Marchfelder Feuerfest	5/3-4/2025	Austria
Marchfelder Feuerfest (ONE MEAT RIBS)	5/4/2025	Austria
Smoke in the North	8/22-23/2025	Sweden
Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off	5/9-10/2025	Waynesboro, GA
Smoke on the Mountain	7/25-26/2025	Galax, VA
MD State BBQ Bash	10/10-11/2025	Bel Air, MD
Boo-B-Que BBQ Championship (Day 1)	10/24-25/2025	Oak Grove, MO
Boo-B-Que BBQ Championship (Day 2)	10/25-26/2025	Oak Grove, MO
Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 5the Edition	5/23-24/2025	Belgium
Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 6the Edition	5/24-25/2025	Belgium
Pigmaster's BBQ Challenge	9/19-20/2025	Rutherford College, NC
Buckeye BBQ Classic	7/18-19/2025	Hillsboro, OH
East Central State BBQ Cook Off	8/22-23/2025	Paola, KS
Rekindled Ironman	4/4-5/2025	Seven Valleys, PA
Big BBQ Bash	6/20-21/2025	Maryville, TN
Horse Town Brew n Que Festival	5/30-31/2025	Norco, CA
Shenandoah ShenDig	7/18-19/2025	Shenandoah, IA
Mission Farms - King of the Farm	2/28-3/1/2025	Iron Station, NC
Didsbury Lions BBQ	7/26-27/2025	Canada
The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival	10/3-4/2025	Lyons, GA
Dodge City Days Smokin' Saddles Double Header (Day 1)	7/25-26/2025	Dodge City, KS
Dodge City Days Smokin' Saddles Double Header (Day 2)	7/26-27/2025	Dodge City, KS
VPD Back the Blue BBQ Competition	10/24-25/2025	Vidalia, LA
Smoke N for the Kids	8/16-17/2025	Troy, IL
MP Fire & Fiddle Fest (BACKYARD ONLY)	10/2-3/2025	Manassas Park, VA
Dillon Days Blowin' Smoke BBQ Cook Off	7/5-6/2025	Dillon, MT
Montana Pitmaster Classic	8/22-23/2025	Bozeman, MT
Cherokee Strip BBQ & Chili Cookoff	9/19-20/2025	Ponca City, OK
Cherokee Strip BBQ & Chili Cookoff (ONE MEAT RIBS)	9/19/2025	Ponca City, OK
Twin Smoke	5/17-18/2024	Lithuania
Catskills Barbeque - Backyard Competition (Day 1)	6/6-7/2025	Grahamsville, NY
Catskills Barbeque - Backyard Competition (Day 2)	6/7-8/2025	Grahamsville, NY
Smoke on the River (Day 1)	8/29-30/2025	Burlington, KS
Smoke on the River (Day 2)	8/30-31/2025	Burlington, KS
Smoke on the Water Guntersville (BACKYARD ONLY)	9/12-13/2025	Guntersville, Al
Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival	8/15-16/2025	Worland, WY
KTD Smokn' Gobbler	7/11-12/2025	Worthington, MN
Big Knob BBQ Fest	5/23-24/2025	Rochester, NY
The Santiam Smoke Show (Day 1)	5/30-31/2025	Sweet Home, OR
The Santiam Smoke Show (Day 2)	5/31-6/1/2025	Sweet Home, OR
Madison Ribberfest	8/15-16/2025	Madison, IN
Jiggy with the Piggy (Day 1)	5/2-3/2025	Kannapolis, NC
Jiggy with the Piggy (Day 2)	5/3-4/2025	Kannapolis, NC
11th Annual K of C BBQ Smoke Off 4-Life	6/13-14/2025	Kansas City, KS
The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship	6/27-28/2025	Lenexa, KS
Camp High Hopes Rib Fest (BACKYARD ONLY)	6-/20-21/2025	Sioux City, IA
Minnesota in May	5/9-10/2025	St. Peter, MN
Minnesota in May (ONE MEAT RIBS)	5/6/2025	St. Peter, MN
Atlanta BBQ Store Classic	11/14-15/2025	Cumming, GA
Albany County Fair Smokin' BBQ Cook-Off	7/25-26/2025	Laramie, WY
McLouth BBQ Blowout 34th Annual	6/6-7/2025	McLouth, KS
Smoke on the Midway (BACKYARD ONLY)	8/16/2025	Fairbury, IL
Fo.G & Smoke 2025	9/13-14/2025	Italy
American Royal World Series of Barbecue Steak Cook-Off	3/21-22/2025	Kansas City, MO
American Royal World Series of Barbecue Backyard Contest	3/21-22/2025	Kansas City, MO
American Royal World Series of Barbecue Rub Contest	4/13/2025	Kansas City, MO
American Royal World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest	4/10/2025	Kansas City, MO
Ribs on the Ridge	2/14-15/2025	Haines City, FL
Rose Festival's 24th Annual KCBS BBQ Competition	6/20-21/2025	State Center, IA

 
 
Financial Report
 
To be reviewed in closed session before publication.
 
Sanctioning Committee
 
No Report.
 
Judging Committee
 
No Report for this period
 
Contest Representative Committee
 
No Report for this period
 
Rules Committee
 
No Report for this period
 
Foundation Committee
 
KCBS Foundation Committee Meeting Notes
November 25^th, 2024
Scholarship awards review schedule

• The 2025 scholarships applications will open January 1^st, 2025
• Plan for an email blast the first week of January. Use last year as a template.

KCBS WI Pop-Up Shop for 2025

• Letters and receipts to those that donated for the WI Pop-Up 2024 are sent.
• Time to start planning for 2025. Start with soliciting volunteers!
• This year’s event will be public, need to plug into the WI committee to learn more about the location and anticipated traffic.
• Plan on making the 50/50 public participation as well.
• The banquet needs 50/50 as well.  Nancy will not be in attendance but has HIGH expectations.

2025 Smoker Sweepstakes discussion.

• Working with Ole Hickory Pits to plan out a year-round marketing partnership where we highlight other KCBS members that use Ole Hickory products.
• Keith Tremmel (2024 Sweepstakes Winner) is going to get a video of unboxing, I have requested as much social media content as he can provide, at least once per quarter. 

Codicil inclusion on KCBS Website under Foundation tab.

• Provide a copy of the Codicil to the BOD for review and approval.
• Write explanation of what a Codicil is and how to create one with sample language.
• Leave template as DOCX to put on website, downloadable.
• Need to change https://www.kcbs.us/kcbs_foundation.php so banner is not so large.  Make Foundation Recipients page banner smaller too.
• Create a campaign for educating members (Bullsheet, email campaign, Social Media)?
• Make it a January 1… Most of the office is concentrating on the move.  Reach out to Taylor to check availability.

Foundation Finances.

• The CD has been renewed with the addition of $10,000 from checking and interest rolled over from the previous CD.  The new maturity date is 05/19/2025. 

 
Nominating Committee
 
No Report for this period
 
Organizer Work Group
No Report for this period
 
Marketing Work Group
No Report for this period
 
Backyard Work Group
No Report for this period.
 
Bylaws Work Group
 
Technology Work Group
No Report for this period
 
CEO Report
 
Key Highlights:
The KCBS office has officially moved.  The moving company delivered our belongings to the new office on November 25th.  We’re working out of boxes, and will be for some time, but we’re functional and there were few hiccups in the process.  A special ‘thank you” to Park Road Technologies.  Sean and Jordan were onsite the week before our move to breakdown our existing equipment, transport it to the new location, and get everything set up and tested for proper operation prior to our move. This made for an extremely easy transition into the new space.  There will be plenty of unpacking and arranging to do in the coming weeks, but we’re fully functional and it’s business as usual.  Our sign is up and we’re excited for everyone to see the new space. 
 
Our sights are set on the KCBS Hall of Fame and the Annual Awards banquet.  Staff is meeting daily to discuss every detail of the plan both for marketing and facilitation.  We meet with the host hotel staff in person on 12/9/24 to confirm details and discuss open items.  Snake River Farms is providing the proteins for the banquet meal.  We’re working closely with County Road Ice House and Holladay Distillery on details for the Hall of Fame Mixer.  Details for all of the awards are being finalzied and  ordered.  We’re finalzing signage and printing needs, as well as confirming panel participants for the breakout sessions.  Ticket sales are brisk and we’ve ask the hotel from more rooms because our Friday block filled up.  Most banquet attendees are planning to be at the Friday HOF mixer. 
 
We received numerous responses to our Meet the CAndidates video call held recently.  The comments were overwhelming positive.  This meeting was well received by our membership and several made suggestions about how to improve the call for next year. 
 
The voting for the KCBS Annual Election will begin on Thursday, December 26th, and close on Thursday, January 9th at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.  In addition to voting for three open positions for the KCBS Board of Directors, the membership will vote on proposed changes to the Bylaws.  To adopt these changes, 10% of the eligible membership must vote, and 2/3rds of those members must vote to adopt the changes.
 
Membership:
The December 6th, 2024,  membership count snapshot reflects 15,395, down 93 from the 15,488 members reported on November 7th, 2024. We are continuing to send postcards to expired members. The good news is that the number of postcards we sent out this month was down by 20 percent.
 
Contests:
344 Contests Completed in 2024                  
346 Contests Scheduled for 2024 (calendar year)  
 
 54 Contests Canceled for 2024   
 
CBJ & Table Captain Classes:
41 CBJ Classes Scheduled for 2024
23 TC Classes Scheduled for 2024
 
Marketing & Communications:

• Bullsheet: The email open rate for the December issue of The Bullsheet has a current open rate of 27.55%.
• Board:
  • Board of Director Election candidate profiles are up on the KCBS website for members, as well as in the December Bullsheet.
  • Monthly Experience Survey
    • distributed 12/6
• Other Marketing/Social Media Updates:
  • New contest season Best of the Best social media posts are now including the Backyard 350 Club, which has been well-received by teams.
  • The KCBS 2025 annual pin are now in stock, ready for the new year.
  • Team of the Year posts have been going out on our social media to recognize our teams, as well as our Hall of Fame posts to spotlight our incoming inductees.

 
Social Media:
We continue to leverage social media to drive member conversion, promote the KCBS brand, showcase our sponsors and events, and provide value to our members through fun and educational content. Marketing priorities include reviewing social media performance and identifying creative strategies to increase engagement. Efforts are underway to capture footage at high-profile events (like the American Royal) for future use on social and digital assets.
 
Social Media Growth:
 

Facebook	66 new followers	136K Reach
Instagram	71 new followers	34.2k  Reach
Twitter	0 new followers	-

 

• Our most reached for November: American Royal World Series of Barbeque Grand Champion Congrats Post
  • 16.9k reach, 440 likes, 80 comments and 15 shares