KCBS Board Meeting Agenda for 11 November 2025


Kansas City Barbeque Society
Board of Directors’ Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 6:00 PM CST
 
Membership Requests to Address the Board:   
  • None
Call to Order – Paul Buob
Roll Call:
Chiles Cridlin, David Qualls, Donna Fong, Jeanne Titus, Luke Darnell, Lex Vanegas, Paul Buob, Randy Todd, Thomas Gearhart; 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.
Declaration of Quorum
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
  • Technology Committee
  • Foundation Committee
  • Nominating Committee
  • Hall of Fame Committee
  • Working Groups:
    • Organizers Working Group
      • Membership Subcommittee
    • Backyard Working Group
    • Sponsorship Working Group
    • World Invitational Working Group
Discussion of any items removed from Consent Agenda:
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: 
  • Vote on rule changes (Randy Todd).
Closed Session Agenda: 
Discussion of legal, financial, personnel, and real estate.
  • Hall of Fame/awards discussion (Rod Gray/Donna Fong).
  • Policy discussion (Rod Gray).
  • Scoring system discussion (Paul Buob).
After Closed Session:
The Board may take any necessary actions, including motions on any or all matters discussed in closed session
Board Comments
Adjourn or Suspend
Attachments and Reports
Contest Report
Contest Date Location
Happy Basset 6th Annual BBQ Contest 11/16-17/2026 Topeka, KS
Sutherlin Throwdown 7/18-19/2026 Sutherlin, OR
BBQ & Brew Festival 2/27/2026 Yuma, AZ
Woodland Ribs & Rods Rib Cook Off & Car Show (ONE MEAT RIBS) 9/12-13/2026 Woodland, CA
BBQ Gives Back (ONE MEAT RIBS) 3/27/2026 Urbanna, VA
BBQ Gives Back (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) 3/27/2026 Urbanna, VA
BBQ Gives Back (Day 1) (OPEN FORMAT) 3/27-28/2026 Urbanna, VA
BBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (OPEN FORMAT) 3/28-29/2026 Urbanna, VA
Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open 5/2-3/2026 New Paltz, NY
Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) 5/1-2/2026 New Paltz, NY
JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition 5/23-24/2026 Canada
Buckeye BBQ Classic 7/17-18/2026 Hillsboro, OH
Big BBQ Bash 9/25-26/2026 Townsend, TN
Riverland Smokers BBQ Contest 2026 (Day 1) 9/19-20/2026 Netherlands
Riverland Smokers BBQ Contest 2026 (Day 2) 9/20-21/2026 Netherlands
10th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest 7/24-25/2026 Emmetsburg, IA
Pigmaster's BBQ Challenge 9/18-19/2026 Rutherford College, NC
Bands & BBQ at the Point 9/11-12/2026 Carrollton, KY
Stover Rock Island Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) 10/10/2026 Stover, MO
Grizzly BBQ Brawl 6/26-27/2026 Wellington, OH
Gladfest Smokefest (ONE MEAT RIBS) 10/2-3/2026 Gladstone, MO
The Didsbbury Double (Didsbury Lions BBQ) Day 1 7/24-25/2026 Canada
The Didsbbury Double (Didsbury Lions BBQ) Day 2 7/25-26/2026 Canada
Revolutionary BBQ Brawl 4/24-25/2026 Williamsburg, VA
Minnesota in May 5/8-9/2026 St. Peter, MN
Minnesota in May (ONE MEAT RIBS) 5/8/2026 St. Peter, MN
Cameron Elks 7/10-11/2026 Cameron, MO
Cameron Elks BBBQ Cook-Off (ONE MEAT RIBS) 7/10/2026 Cameron, MO
 
 
Financial Report
  • Summary: KCBS's September 2025 financials demonstrated resilience, with gross income reaching $894,179—9.9% above the 9-month forecast—driven by stronger than forecast contest revenues, though costs eroded margins to 61.0% versus the 65.0% target. Net operating income improved to $50,133 at a 5.6% margin, exceeding expectations, with the American Royal event expected to lift November financials amid typical seasonal contest declines. The Finance Committee did not meet this month due to schedule conflicts.
  • Revenue Growth: Gross income totaled $894,179, surpassing the forecast by $80,429, fueled by contest operations at $260,917 (+20.0%), sponsorship at $128,482 (+32.3%), and membership dues at $329,413 (+3.3%), reflecting solid event execution and prior catch-up effects. A slight dip in other income to $175,367 (-$5,008) was likely due to timing delays.
  • Cost Pressures: Activity costs climbed to $349,105, led by other costs at $164,889 (+$49,970 overrun), sponsorship expenses at $19,697 (+$5,747), and contest operations at $161,304 (+$7,554), resulting in gross margin dollars of $545,074 (+$15,818) but a percentage drop to 61.0% from 65.0%.
  • Operating Income: Net operating income rose to $50,133 (+$12,427 vs. forecast; +$7,726 from August), supported by G&A at $495,456 (only +$3,906 over budget) and an improved 55.4% G&A ratio to gross income, plus minor other income of $514.
  • Ongoing Sponsorship Risk and Call to Action: The US Soy sponsorship for 2026 hangs in uncertainty from budget reallocations to state programs, posing revenue risks; immediate outreach to state soy boards and organizers is essential to secure alternatives via existing ties and event value pitches.
  • Financial Assessment Update: lean Sheet Consulting's work progresses with draft summaries ready after interviews and analysis of financial data. David Doher will meet with Rod Gray post-American Royal and the November 11 board meeting. The report will be delivered to the board ahead of the December meeting.
  • 2026 Budgeting: The Finance Committee will partner with Rod Gray to craft the 2026 budget, aiming for a draft presentation to the Board at the December meeting to align on projections and priorities.
Sanctioning Committee
Members: Luke Darnell.
No report for this period.
Judging Committee
  • Date: October 22, 2025
  • Attendees: Donna Fong, Chair; Randy Todd, Co-chair, Paul Buob, ex officio, President, KCBS; and Rod Gray, ex officio, KCBS CEO, Jeanne Titus, Advisory Rep, and members Myron Berry, Cliff Brockman, Joe DeBella, Ron Keefover, Bryan Stewart and Mark Tuttle.
  • The Award subcommittee considered nominations at its October meeting and has finalized the list of nominees for Outstanding CBJ of the Year and for the Hall of Fame award. These names will be submitted to the Board for approval in its November Board meeting.
  • The Rules subcommittee discussed the two rule changes that were approved by the Rules Committee and the Board. This included a rule that judges seeking their MCBJ status must cook with a team at a Master Series contest. The second change was to specifically designate the CBJ Committee Chair as responsible for contacting CJBs when complaints are made against them.
  • The Training subcommittee is editing a CBJ survey on engagement.
  • The committee is working on hosting a December Year-End Virtual Meeting with CBJ Membership. Topics would include a brief introduction of the CBJ committee members, summary of the committee's work, introduction of the Outstanding CBJs and Hall of Fame member and an open session for member ideas and feedback. The date of December 17, 2025, is under proposal.
  • The next CBJ meeting will be on November 19, 2025.
Contest Representative Committee
Committee Members: Jeanne Titus, Lex Vanegas, Charlie Brinza, Laurie Tweten, Bob McKee, Dave McAllister, Kelly McIntosh, Dave Druetzler, Sarah Wickham, Debby Gage.
  • The Rep Committee discussed the KCBScore Beta testing and training dates for the modification. Monday, 10 November, and Wednesday, 12 November, were agreed to due to the Kansas City Royal.
  • Discussion and agreement of Hall of Fame nominee.
  • Discussion of multiple one meat contests. Discussion included some reasons why there was reseating for each one meat, box numbering for multiple contests and possible ways of making it easier for the KCBS representative with multiple one meat contests.
  • Rod Gray hosted the Rep Town Hall on 20 October 2025. The next KCBS Rep Town Hall is scheduled for 17 November 2025.
Rules Committee
October 27: Attendance: Present were Randy Todd, Committee Chair; Thomas Gearhart, Committee Vice Chair; Paul Buob, President, KCBS Board of Directors; Rod Gray, KCBS CEO; and members David Puckett, Charlie Brinza, Mike Wozniak, and Ron Keefover, Committee Secretary.
  • Randy opened the meeting by asking for a vote on changes approved during the last Rules Committee with some housekeeping changes. After discussion, the committee unanimously approved the changes. Following discussion, it was agreed that Randy would transmit a final document containing the changes to committee members so that the proposed changes could be sent on to the full KCBS Board of Directors for email approval and adoption.
  • Randy followed up immediately after the meeting and asked the Rules Committee to sign off on the changes as follows:
  • 1. A.) Remove the last sentence of the Backyard Series Rules and Regulations Rule 4 which states “A fire extinguisher shall be near all cooking devices.” and add it to Backyard Series Rules and Regulations, Rule 17 as item 17. i. “A fire extinguisher shall be near all cooking devices.”
  • 18. i ) "Violation of any KCBS Rules 2 through 7 in whole or in part shall result in Disqualification and Eviction from the contest."
  • "Causes for Disqualification and Eviction of a team, its members and/or guest. The Eviction will be done at the discretion of the contest Rep as promptly as safety allows."
  • The KCBS Rules Committee also voted to change the 2026 Backyard Series contest rules by editing the preamble in the Backyard Rules and Regulations to read as follows:
  • 2. A.)  Backyard Eligibility and Backyard Team of the Year. For the 2026 season, a Backyard team shall be defined as any team that qualified as a Backyard team prior to 2026 and any new team to KCBS sanctioned events.
  • Backyard teams, and Backyard teams only, may participate in any KCBS Backyard competition, regardless of past or future participation in Masters Series competitions, Grand Champion or Reserve Champion statuses, or the number of Masters Series competitions entered in the current year. Backyard teams will only earn TOY points in Backyard events and KCBS-approved Open format Master’s Series events, in accordance with current KCBS Team of the Year rules.
  • Note: Restrictions on Masters (Pro) teams remain unchanged, and Masters teams must still comply with existing eligibility rules for Masters Series competitions. Individuals with extenuating circumstances may appeal to the KCBS Sanctioning Committee or their designee for reconsideration, with requests submitted in writing within 90 days of the competition in question. For the 2026 season, a Backyard team shall be defined as any team that qualified as a Backyard team prior to 2026 and any new team to KCBS sanctioned events.
  • 3.)  The KCBS Rules Committee has voted to delete the document titled "Definition of a Backyard Team" dated 12/9/2018, found at the KCBS File Archive: Rules and Regulations.
  • The committee adjourned. The next meeting will be at the call of the chair.
Finance Committee
Members: Thomas Gearhart, Paul Buod, Chiles Cridlin, Lex Vanegas, Rod Gray.
To be discussed in Closed Session.
Foundation Committee
Invitees: Chiles Cridlin, Nancy Goldsmith, Bill Jones, Matt Greer, Beth Salz, David Qualls, Rod Gray, Paul Buob
Not attending: Rod Gray, David Qualls and Matt Greer.
Scholarship awards review schedule
  • 2026 Scholarship discussions. 
  • Nancy has all the online forms in order and ready to launch for January 1st, 2026. 
  • Consider putting a reminder in the December BullSheet as well as Social Media for the opening of the application period. Email blast in January, once per month including BullSheet.
2025 Smoker Sweepstakes discussion.
  • $12,475 already received, we are track for meeting 2025 expectations. 
    • Are the KCBS Reps due a reminder so that every contest has an announcement at the CBJ and Cooks meeting?
    • Review the schedule and tasks below.
      • Email blast to past or inactive members scheduled, over 58000 emails. (Completed and successful, estimated $3K from that group, cost was $185.00, need to pay back KCBS).
      • No more Bullsheet articles, contest ends at the end of October.
      • Social Media post schedule (KCBS office complete) FB pages, one more email blast this week, Wednesday @1200.
2026 Foundation Committee concerns.
  • The Foundation is looking to establish continuity.  Currently there are no BOD members that have indicated interest. Headhunting tactics among the qualified candidates that could be interested in running.
  • Planning needs to start for 2026 WI Pop-Up Shop.
  • Chiles will ensure all receipts to 2025 contributors are sent.
  • Codicil to will or estate planning needs be added to the KCBS website, consider a December BullSheet article to announce its addition along with estate planning. Also, tax planning articles included in the November BullSheet.
Nominating Committee
Member: Jeanne Titus.
  • The following ten individuals have been nominated and accepted as candidates for the three available positions for the upcoming 2026 Board of Directors election. Their diverse backgrounds and regional representation reflect a broad spectrum of experience and expertise:
    • Jeff Arnold — AB, Canada
    • Carol Bigler — AL
    • Cliff Brockman — OH
    • Haymo Gutweniger — BZ, Italy
    • Kent Hayes — KS
    • Blake Moore — TN
    • Joe Osbrink — IA
    • David Puckett — AL
    • John Serpico — MA
    • Randy Todd — TN
  • Each candidate brings unique perspectives from their respective states and countries, contributing to a well-rounded pool for the upcoming election.
  • All candidates have been notified regarding the Townhall scheduled for December 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM Central Time.
Technology Working Group
Members: Lex Vanegas, Chiles Cridlin, David McAllister.
No report for this period.
Hall of Fame Committee
Members: Thomas Gearhart, Chiles Cridlin, Carolyn Wells.
No report for this period.
Organizer Working Group
  • Date: November 4, 2025
  • Attendees: Donna Fong, Chair; Julie Poe, Advisory Rep, and members Jim Palmer, and Christie Vanover.
  • The committee considered Hall of Fame nominations and reached a decision.
  • Julie Poe has submitted the latest revision of the Organizer Guide which is in the final stage of review. The Organizer Guide is to be released later this year.
  • The next KCBS Organizer Town Hall Zoom meeting will be Christie Vanover who will speak about the team and judge recruitment. Christie will review the KCBS judge signup interface, review Google Forms to register teams and how to use PayPal invoicing to collect team registration. The date is December 16, 2025. Email dfong@kcbs.us for a link to the zoom call. The November and December Bullsheet will publicize the event.
  • The committee agreed to submit the nominee for HoF to the Board for approval in its November meeting. A proposal for a March 2026 Town Hall introducing the Organizer Hall of Fame inductee has been suggested for next year's workgroup.
  • This is the final Organizer Workgroup.
Membership Subcommittee
Member: Luke Darnell.
No report for this period.
Backyard Working Group
Member: Thomas Gearhart.
No report for this period.
Sponsorship Working Group
Member: Luke Darnell.
No report for this period.
World Invitational (Public Facing) Working Group
Members: Paul Buob, Jason Cole, Eric Cantrell, Blake Moore, Cliff Brockman, Rod Gray
No report for this period.
KCBS Competition Enhancement Working Group
The committee worked with the Rules Committee to update the Backyard Rules following approval of our proposal during the October board meeting. We are working with Rod and the staff to implement a communication plan to update members on the changes.
Monthly Experience Survey (MES) Results – October 2025
Score Members Voted Percentage or Total
1 23 5.4%
2 32 7.5%
3 67 15.7%
4 101 23.7%
5 204 47.8%
Total 427 100%
Score 4.01
  • Member satisfaction experienced a notable low in Mar-25 (61.3% rating >4, avg. score 3.72) but rebounded sharply thereafter, culminating in peak performance of 72.73% >4 and avg. score 4.01 in Sep-25; overall linear trend shows steady improvement.
  • Two consecutive months of elevated satisfaction occurred in Nov-Dec 2024 and Sep-Oct 2025, highlighting periods of consistent satisfaction from organizational changes. Sept-Oct 2025 marked back-to-back months of an overall satisfaction score greater than 4.
  • With survey response numbers remaining flat, the rising scores signal genuine shifts in member sentiment, underscoring that our initiatives are effectively influencing opinions without sample bias.
  • The proportion of 5 ratings has climbed steadily from 38.15% in Aug-24 to 47.78% in Oct-25 (peaking at 48.02% in Sep-25), reflecting deepening member loyalty and the cumulative impact of sustained improvements.
CEO Report
Key Highlights:
Final preparation is underway for the American Royal. We continue to receive updates and changes as the date draws near. We’re packing and double-checking our lists this week. The office will be closed starting Thursday, November 6, through Monday, November 10, reopening on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
The Foundation Sweepstakes ended on October 31, as did nominations for the Gary and Carolyn Wells Awards. In the November meeting of the KCBS Board of Directors, decisions will be made regarding who will receive these prestigious awards. The deadline for completed documents related to candidates running for seats on the 2026 KCBS Board of Directors was due on October 31, 2025. The slate of candidates will be presented to the membership after review by the BOD. A “Meet the Candidates” video meeting is planned for December 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM Central time.
October stats include 31 sanctioned contests plus 15 One-Meat contests, for a total of 46 contests. We also hosted four CBJ Classes adding 129 new Certified Barbecue Judges.
Membership
As of November 5, 2025, KCBS membership stands at 14,834, down from 14,947 reported on October 12.
September’s expired-member postcard campaign resulted in 54 renewals. Postcards for October expirations were sent in early November.
Contests
377 contests completed (year to date)
386 contests scheduled for 2025
28 contests canceled
CBJ & Table Captain Classes
37 CBJ classes scheduled in 2025
23 Table Captain classes scheduled in 2025
Marketing & Communications
  • Bullsheet: The October issue of the Bullsheet was emailed to 13,257 recipients. The digital publication was opened by 6,548 members as of 11/5/25, reflecting a 49.39% open rate.
  • Current Follower Counts (September 2025):
    • Facebook: 79,029 (up 72 followers)
    • Instagram: 27,072 (up 118 followers)
    • X: 22,202 (up 30 followers)
  • Facebook Performance:
    • Views: 132,754, reported as up 7% in the previous 28 days via Facebook
    • Interactions: 3,126, reported as down 8.1% in the previous 28 days via Facebook
  • Website Performance (September 2025):
    • 9,820 clicks from Google Search
    • 127,072 impressions
    • 8 Pages with first impression
  • Top-clicked pages (September 2025):
    • Homepage: 6,177 clicks and 90,348 impressions
    • Explore Events page: 993 clicks and 42,833 impressions
    • Judging Classes page: 304 clicks and 16,431 impressions
    • Join Now: 97 clicks and 23,824 impressions
  • Top Search Queries
    • KCBS: 3,910
    • KCBS BBQ: 1,360
    • KCBS Events: 617
  • Device usage (August 2025):
    • Mobile: 7,240
    • Desktop: 2,360
    • Tablet: 217
  • Top countries (August 2025):
    • United States: 89%
    • Canada: 4%
    • Italy: 1%