Minutes from In-Person PNWBA Board of Directors Meeting

Date: May 31, 2023

Prepared by: Diane Mee, PNWBA Board Secretary

Roll Call:

13 of 14 Members present for a quorum.

The President called the meeting held by “Go to Meeting” to order at 6:30 pm.

Discussions

Approve Minutes – Diane

A motion to approve the minutes from the April 2023 meeting was approved.  Diane will post the minutes to the forum for the membership.

Financial – Lance

The treasurer’s report was presented. There were no major expenses. 

The funds collected to support Lynn Brokaw’s memorial chili event have been moved.

The split of the Spring Fair expenses and revenues was reviewed.

Christene made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, Karen seconded, and the motion was approved.

Committee Reports:

Events – Bill S.

The Canadian Festival of Chili and Barbecue in Langley, BC has been cancelled. 

Prosser – Health Department forms need to be distributed to the teams and collected ASAP.

Kalama – Health Department forms will be distributed to the teams.  The forms the teams should use are Tacoma Pierce County forms.  The sampling split at Kalama will be 75/25, and the tokens will be valued at $2 each.

Training – Karen S.

Karen provided the following notes to the board on the discussion the board had regarding the judging and pitmaster classes:
So that we can all keep our focus on getting these classes scheduled I am providing notes on what we discussed and decided.

• 1.     The consensus of the board is that we need both classes and that we should attempt to do these as a combined event, with at least two teams involved in prepping the meats for the judging class while the other teams assist with the pitmaster class.
• 2.     Eric Mendel stepped up to assume the role as co-chair of the training committee and will focus on the pitmaster training while I will continue to focus on the judges training.
• 3.     We decided to target the weekend of July 29 or July 30^th as dates for these training classes.  The date will depend on the availability of our event location.
• 4.     In order to grow our cohort of teams and judges on the east side of Washington/Oregon, we will work to find a location on the east side of Washington.  The Yakama History Museum in Yakama was identified as a possible location and Christene will reach out to her contacts to see if their facility is available.  Also, Melba said that the Zilla Community Center is a possible location, and she will check with them for availability on July 29^th or 30^th.  We will also need to know the cost to use their facilities and the availability of a commercial kitchen, bathrooms, and the times we can get into the facility and when we have to be out.  Cost will be an issue so that we hold down the cost of the classes for participants.
• 5.     For 2024, we will continue to pursue opportunities for classes in the area either with Pybus Market or possibly at the winery in Prosser on the Sunday after our Prosser competition.   

Once we can finalize a location we can work on the details of the cook teams for the classes, the publicity of both classes, and identify the other details.  But let’s tie down the dates as suggested during the meeting and go from there.

Eric, thank you for stepping up to co-chair the committee with me.  As soon as we hear back from Christene and Melba, you and I can get together to work on the details.   If I missed anything or if you feel we need to make changes to our plans, please let me know.

Finance – Lance R.

No Report.

New Business

The location of the annual meeting and end of the year barbecue competition was discussed, and it was proposed that it take place once again at the Clearwater Casino, around the Veteran’s Day holiday.
A tentative schedule proposed is:
Wednesday, November 8^th - move in and food preparation for the Feed the Veterans event

Thursday, November 9^th – Cook and Serve for the Veterans event.

Friday, November 10^th – Load in for the BBQ Competition, cook and serve the VIP Dinner

Saturday, November 11^th – Annual meeting, Year-end BBQ competition, Awards Banquet

Christene made a motion to approve the selection of the Clearwater Casino as the host for the Feed the Veteran’s event, Year End BBQ Contest, and the PNWBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.  The motion was voted on and approved.

Announcements:

Jane will not be running for another term as President.

The next meeting will be held by Go To Meeting on May 31^st, beginning at 6:30pm and ending at approximately 8:00pm. 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Karen at 7:30pm and seconded by Bill.  The motion was voted on and approved, and the meeting was adjourned.