With that being said I am curious what a 'backyard barbecuer' is looking for from a bbq organization. What services do you think would be beneficial ? What would give a membership to KCBS value to you ?
I do not disagree that KCBS is competition-centric and while I am in agreement with Steve in that I'd love to hear what anyone's thoughts are on how KCBS can cater more to the needs of the backyard BBQer, I just don't know what that might be that you can't get in other places. My gosh, take a look at the Q-Talk forum here and there's a danged LIFETIME of knowledge and information. But if you have ideas, please send me an email at
jstith@kcbs.us and I'll be glad to discuss them with you.
I probably should slap my fingers off the keyboard! <<I hear you, Jorge...>>
KCBS gives back plenty. Ask the kids of KCBS members who applied for and received a grants in aid to help pay for their education. Ask the organizations who received grant money to further their missions, from a kids' group buying cookers to senior Q. Things like this aren't shouted from the rooftops and not near as interesting as slinging dirt around.
I was solely a backyard guy, but have now competed for the last 5 years. As input, the thing that pops into my mind is the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). I was a member 20 plus years ago and the thing that was most valuable to me was their magazine, which was packed full of information about brewing, and I assume still is. In comparison, the Bullsheet has very little information about BBQing.
Look at the Smoke Signals magazine put out by The BBQ Brethren. It addresses things that are of interest and importance to both teh competition cook and the backyard cook. Sure you can point to that and say its already available to everyone, but as "America's BBQ Expert" (or whatever that phrase was that they trademarked) why isn't KCBS putting out a publication that addresses ALL of BBQ? Experts are useless if they don't put their expertise to good use.
Also AHA was a voice for legislation, etc., that affected homebrewing. Where is KCBS with respect to BBQ issues such as communities that put restrictions on outdoor cooking, or issues that come up with health departments at competitions, etc.?
Maybe KCBS is involved, but as a member I sure don't know about it.
Whatever KCBS is doing should be shouted from the rooftop! Members are supporting the organization, and KCBS should be shouting about what they are doing in return.
i think if KCBS openly, publicly, and tranparently declared how much money an organizer pays to them per contest and what charities our membership fees are given to and for what there would be much, much less chatter.
If you are that interested in the information, then it is readily available.
Go sign up at
http://www.guidestar.org/ and search for KCBS, and you can see the latest tax returns and see where the money is going. Guidestar makes available financial information on not for profit organizations. I usually check out any not-for-profit before I donate. May not get all the detail from a tax return, but you can generally see where the money is coming from and going to.