Hi Everyone!
This is Aimee with The Brain Injury Association of Missouri. I wanted to take a minute and say that I am proud to be a part of the Brethren. I have been reading some of the comments and WOW! We have a lot of opinions out there all of which I respect. I did just want to clarify a few things. 1. I was not going to have a competition in 2008 (this is true). It is a tremendous amount of work and any of you who have organize a competition knows this. I spend at a minimum 8 months preparing for this competition. Not only do I have the competition in place but I have added a country music band, two live remote broadcasts from local radio stations, an auction and vendors to serve food to the public. It's a lot of work. I volunteer for this and I have a family also. My husband and son are very supportive of me and they have to put up with me during the preperation of this event. (HOO RAH) I have an obligation to the teams and The Brain Injury Association both. Please be aware I could not do any of this without the support of the teams and Jamey Johnson (I will get to Jamey further down)
2. We are the Brain Injury Association of Missouri we encompass the entire state and we help survivors throughout the state of Missouri. The Brain Injury Association of Missouri is a chapter of The Brain Injury Association of America. When I was appointed to the Board of Directors 5 years ago I took a personal vow to reach as many survivors who have sustain a brain injury and brain defects throughout the state of Missouri that I possibly could. I feel a personal need to do so, and hope that all of you can respect this. As chair of the Development Commity I feel it is my responsibility to spread awarness, educate the public, and help prevent head injuries throughout our entire state. Thus, I will continue and work hard to reach our survivors because they all need our help and support.
3. Speaking of support I have personally, among others, have been working hard to raise money for this event. It is a very difficult thing to do. Local businesses in this area are very reluctant in donating hard earned money to help sponsor an event regardless of what the event is, and regardless of the amazing amount of advertising they receive. I realize that these businesses work hard for every penny earn and I respect that. However, I need the support of the local businesses to ensure success. I feel that by pulling from businesses in the Kansas City Metro Area we will not only raise money for the event but contribute to the purse which will benefit the teams as well which happens to be a priority of mine.
4. We also need the support of the public, you and I know full well when trying to raise money, awareness and prevention as well as education it is important to have the local community/public attend the event. I take full responsibility in the lack of public support/participation due to the time of the event and the locations. These items were my choice and could have been done them differently.
I want everyone to know, especially the 5 teams that started with us when we weren't sanctioned....that I appreciate your support, I am passionate about this competition and the work we all do for The Brain Injury Association. I realize I cannot do this without you. I respect the fact that you put amazing amount of time into these competitions and an overabundant amount of money. Without you I cannot continue to do what I do. I have told all of you this and I will tell you again I appreciate your support and I hope that you will continue to support what we are doing. Each and everyone of you means more to me than you will ever know. You have jumped in with two feet and helped support this organization which is one of the most important things in my life. I want you to know that I owe all of you a huge THANK YOU and you will always have my gratitude.
When I started this event I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. To be honest I thought "how hard could a BBQ Competition be?" Well needless to say I had a rude awakening. Jamey Johnson called me and asked me if there was anything I needed, he would be happy to help. From that day forward Jamey and I have been a team. It isn't Aimee's Competition it is Jamey and Aimee's Competition to help support BIA of Missouri. I have learned everything I know about a BBQ Competition from Jamey and the feedback from the teams. Jamey is an amazing person and one of my very BEST FRIENDS. I do not want to continue if I can't do it with Jamey. He is partly responsible for the drive and passion I have in doing this event. If any of you see Jamey please thank him, because without him none of you would have returned to our competition as I knew nothing when I started. Not only that but you guys need to know that each of you deserve a pat on the back for supporting us, again without you this wouldn't be possible. I am greatful for each and everyone of you.
I want to make this competition the best competition anyone has ever been to and I want the Brain Injury Association to continue to reach out to all of the survivors we have in this state. I cannot do this without you...I need each and everyone of you to continue with your support.
In order to personally improve this competition I have been to many area competitions and talked to the teams to get feedback. I have sent out forms after our competition asking the teams to tell us what we could do to improve. I have taken the CBJ class to educate myself further with regard to BBQ. And now I have become a part of the Brethren. I will continue to do everything I can to educate myself to ensure the best BBQ Competition. I truly hold all of the teams in high regard when it comes to BBQ, I personally want to understand more about BBQ and what it takes to compete in order to have a successful event.
I realize that I cannot make everyone happy, but I am trying to do what is best for the teams and this association. I hope after reading this you will all understand. Again I appreciate all of the comments, it is important for me to get feedback with regard to this competition and the decisions I have made. Please understand that this decision was mine solely and I will respect what each of you has to say. I also want all of you to know that this was not in any way an easy desicion to make. With that said, I want to maintain the integrity of this competition as well as the integrity of The Brain Injury Association.
I apologize to any of you who feel I have taken something away from the Columbia area, I apologize to the 5 teams who supported us from the very beginning. I did not in any way want to make anyone of you feel that I was slighting you or that I didn't appreciate what you have done and what you stand for. I only want what is best for EVERYONE!!!!! I really feel that by moving this competition it will be in the best interest of everyone.
To ensure that all of the teams are satisfied with this competition if any of you feel slighted and would like to have their entry fee returned to you I will be more than happy to reimburse your entry fee. Again it is imperative to me that each team is comfortable with this competition and that we all have fun at this competition and do what is right by supporting The Brain Injury Association. I look forward to many successful years with each of you. Thank you for all that you do.
Aimee Olmstead
Brain Injury Associaition Of Missouri
