I've had several inquiries about whether or not we're still having monthly meetings since they're not on the calendar. I'm assuming we'd skip Feb since the 1st Sunday is the Super Bowl and the 2nd Sunday is Valentine's Day.
But, just to confirm: monthly general membership meetings are still the 1st Sunday of every month, correct?
I'm unsure myself the status of this. We've had a bad stretch of conflicts the first Sunday. And member meetings are still every month while board meetings are every other?
Let's get this decided so it can go on the calendar(s).
Yeah, I think there were a lot of conflicts with the holidays, but regular meetings are still monthly, while the board meetings are bi-monthly.
Then let's just get them on as the first Sunday of the month!
I'm on it. I'll put them on both our site here and Facebook later tonight.
I'll also bring this up again. Putting them on the calendar and allowing people to plan ahead is only half the battle... We need some kind of draw!
I don't remember the exact time allotments but at one point I suggested something like:
6:00-6:30 - Guided bottle share - instead of just throwing bottles on the bar and everyone polishing them off in 10 seconds, the bottles are introduced one at a time and the person who brought it would explain what they know about it (if anything) and others would chime in and share what they know about it (if anything). After 6:30, sure, it can become a free-for-all with the bottles while the regular meeting commences. **OR** judging of homebrew - people who want their brew judged bring enough for all to share and those present can use either the short or long BJCP form to judge. Of course, novice judges would learn a lot from discussing with veteran/more skilled judges; and, the brewer gets some feedback.
6:30-7:00 - education portion - even if it's a quick little demo on how to calculate potential of a grain bill or tasting different grains. **OR** guest speaker.
7:00-8:00 - informative part of the meeting - instead of just a rehash of what went on at the Board meeting, this would be a real opportunity for those who chose to show up to share their thoughts/ideas/suggestions/complains as well as to volunteer to help. At the previous brewhouse, we didn't end a general meeting until the hosts for the next Hoppy Hour and Open House were chosen. Just something more engaging than listening to what just transpired 60 minutes prior.
And, one more thought: why not have the general membership bi-monthly, too, but alternating with the Board Meeting? Would give time to build momentum and plan a good meeting (as well as advertise it a bit better). Thoughts?
Jim, education should be a big part of these, but it's been hard to get participation. Not to say it can't be done. A tech session (to steal from ukg) would be good. Let me throw out some potential topics when I get some time.
Also, I approached like minds brewing which is down the street and across from GI Fulton. They said they'd be interested in having us over for a tour. Should I see if I can get them to host a meeting?
I'd like to make a decision as membership chair to make meetings bi-monthly but I'm still smarting from the royal smack down given last time I did this in an equally membership-related context.
So, can I get some backup to make the meetings bi-monthly alternating with the board meetings so we have some time in between to build momentum and plan guests or guest hosts and we can discuss upcoming general meetings at the board meeting?
You have my blessing!
I'm cool with bi-monthly, alternating with board meetings.
If that's the case, barring special events such as tours or flexibility of a guest speaker, can we pick one of the times (4:30 or 6, or even in between) for both meetings just to keep it constant?
Also, running with the enthusiasm of Dark Matter, I'm sure we could get someone in to do a more formal coffee tasting/talk about how they work with the commercial brewers. I've already stoked the fire a little regarding this.
That's a really good idea, Kyle!
What time do people think. How about 5:00 pm?
Okay, 5:00 p.m. it is! for both meetings, alternating starting immediately: Board on March 6th, General on april 3rd.
I changed the monthly meeting to April 3rd and have asked Aisha Bauer (of eSutras, our spice partner) to come talk to us about flavors/aromas. I've forgotten exactly but she has a science background with a focus on food/aroma/flavor or something to that effect. Sounded like it would be interesting science-wise as well as brewing-wise.
Jim, the April meeting will also be the board election, sovwe may not have time for a guest speaker.
Ah, okay. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Jeff.
Somewhat tangential but still related: the stump speeches last time were rambling and random I felt. These could be distilled to a nicely written <500 words pitch on the fora here so that maybe we can have a Q&A with the candidate in person instead of the ad hoc stump speech (and have some time to formulate questions before the meeting since we'd be able to get their stance/views ahead of time in the <500 word pitch on the fora).
Just a thought.
Agreed! I feel like we did that a few years ago.
Related request: let's try to keep things on topic during this meeting. Jim, I'm not sure if you're referring to the elections last spring, or just a couple months ago when we voted to fill Lucas' empty seat, but this most recent one kind of devolved into a discussion of things to improve in the club—which is absolutely a good conversation to have, but we lost focus and got way off track.
I personally feel that having 2 will dilute the attendance and further separate the members from being present when things get voted on. We can try this though, let's see how it goes.
The Board meeting will remain March 13, 2016. The Board has already voted and approved a full meeting schedule:
http://www.chaosbrewclub.net/forum/board-only-discussion/board-retreat-m...
So, if we're keeping the board meeting on March 13th, then we should probably reschedule the member meeting for the same date....
Why is that, Jeff?
Well, the board generally covers what we discussed at our meeting as part of the member meeting and this time we'll also be choosing this year's new alchemists. Plus, I know some non-board members like to attend the board meeting, but may not want to do a meeting two weeks in a row.
Aha, I see what you mean.
I'm a bit confused. I put the April meeting on the calendar; there is no March monthly meeting given that the minimal general consensus here is that alternating bi-monthly member meetings with Board meetings is something we can try hence Board meeting on March 13th, General Membership meeting April 3rd.