What do to about The Brewing Network Club for the future

[NervousDad]

I like the idea of regional meet ups. Electing officers may be something to consider but we'd only be doing this to shut up the haters and we all know they'll just find something else to whine about.

A President isnt going to fill my in box with junk, or expect anything from me. (JP)
A VP who earned it (current highest medaller, multiple VPs if a tie)
And a Sgt of Arms that the Pres trusts. (His pick)


The trouble is that I highly doubt that very many soldiers actually use this forum... so how do you include them in the discussion? Probably you dont. Thats one reason to have a default selection process. Maybe, to save JPs sanity, the current VP becomes next year's Pres. Then JP is one year and retired.

As much as I love JP, I don't think any BN staff should be involved if we make the BN/BNArmy split. Isn't it kind of the point to have that complete separat
I agree, they have a problem with the company part of the club. We can hold an election and vote in someone.

[Ihaveabig]

There is a homebrewtalk aha club. "homebrewtalk brewers"... We didn't create a "with us/against us" all of the whiners did. I really don't think any of us care about the COTY award, but we care that we're being disrespected when we win. If shows poor sportsmanship.

Haha, oops. Bad example.

I get ya. The booing is ridiculous. But in the home brewing community there seems to be those who like the BN and those who don't, a lot of that stems from the strong character of the BN, but this CoTY ordeal has given some people yet another reason to hate it. I think that's unfortunate because the BN is one of the best things to happen to homebrewing and the small craft brewing community. I think the BN could benefit from a public image change and this could be a good place to start. The "lets kick their asses even harder" people are being poor sports as well. Not to get too sappy, but NHC is about the community, strengthening that community should come first. If some fuckheads boo, saying "we'll show them" isn't a very classy response.

Again, if the BN is a club then there's no issue with accepting this award for another 5 years. But if it's a platform for spreading the world's brewing knowledge, maybe not accepting that award makes more sense. Those that have rallied around the BN banner can find other creative ways to pay homage to that platform, and continue to kick ass at nationals at the same time.

[grod]

This thread is long already and as I'm too lazy to read through every response I'll just put in my $0.02.

When the winner was announced, I was surprised but happy at the same time. I followed a bunch of people to the front of the room to go up on the stage to celebrate the win. On my way there, KTG said that the BN affiliated executives were not going up as they didn't brew any beer that contributed to the win. I was also going to sit it out because I didn't enter any beer either, but after Kate's comment to me and my joy for those that entered, I went up anyway. It was no Philly celebration by any means.

I heard J's comments on the session last week ( the first one after NHC) and can understand that the BN brand (including the commercial arm like The Hop Grenade) could suffer due to the association with the club (not really a club in some eyes) winning again. I was a little uneasy with J's comments and the reason why he suggests the BN should back away from the connection with the Club of the Year. I do understand but this is our baby that grew into (and provided the momentum for) the commercial arm.

Long story short, my suggestion is to call the club "The BN" and still enter as normal. The award could be accepted by a random BNer or by no one.

It would be a shame to pull out completely or water down the entries by splitting the club into 2 or 4 parts . This would not be fair to the likes of Quaff or Austin Zealots (not to mention the douches at DOZE) who would love to knock the BN off the top.

Just sayin'

love

g

[Ozwald]

I don't care for the regional idea either. Or the M.C. structure with a "Sgt. at Arms" & assigning a couple of top spots. Or assigning any spots at all sans election.

I do believe we should keep on as normal, but rebrand the club side to differentiate ourselves from J's business. The BNArmy's club house is right here on the forums. Our meetings, while fueled by the info on the broadcast, are technically held here where the BNArmy can (as we always have) discuss whatever topics we see necessary. Our club doesn't have to be directly affiliated with the BN, aside from the fact that we're fans & it's what brought us all together.

I think we should hold elections right here on the forum & I also think that our elected representatives should get on air occasionally both for brief updates & to remind people to check in on the forum for whatever might be going on at the time. I don't think that the forum should be mandatory for membership, just that it's our way of official communication.

There were a few messages on the AHA thread saying we have no control over our "meetings" or topics, referring to the show. We do have control, right here. Everyone who chooses to can have a voice in any of the club's matters, be it topics of discussion all the way to electing officers of the club.

[Klickitat Jim]

Sounds good to me.

[gwk453]

If Justin won the Ninkasi at this years competition, he still would have gotten booed! There is no reason to change anything. Having joined and gotten disgusted with several organizations that have By-laws and formal officers, I could only encourage Justin to say "Fuck those IDIOTS". The elected officer structure can result in popularity contests, sensational back stabbing, jealousy, shouting matches, and members who quit because they can't stand the bullshit that surrounds something they love doing. So is this the path some BN'ers want to pursue? Do we want this ugliness in the BN. Other clubs will sit with smiles on their faces as we eat each other in a cage match.

The bottom line is .......... This club's executive structure is run by a Dicktator, with support from his loyal minions, who has grown his concept of a club for 10 years. If The American Homebrewer's Association comes up with a discriminatory ruling against benevolent dictatorial brewing clubs, I will be surprised ($$$$$$$$$$$$$).

My vote is for Asshattery & douchery!

Gary

[BDawg]

I never enter under the BN because I have my local club which I co-founded. I still consider myself part of the BN Army regardless. My club does not have officers, does not have dues, does not have any structure whatsoever. We basically are a bunch of guys who homebrew, (often together) and meet every month to share beers and techniques, learn from each other, and just basically hang out and have a good time. We don't give a fuck who wins club of the year. We only have about 25 members. If they were to somehow change the rules to prevent the BN from winning again, then some other mega-club like QUAFF or DOZE would take its place. What exactly would be different? Not much, unless by some miracle it was some club from the middle of nowhere with a dozen members that somehow beat the mega clubs. We know that will never happen, so people who get all wrapped up in this really need to step back, look in the mirror, and reconsider what they are bitching about.

[Klickitat Jim]

I never enter under the BN because I have my local club which I co-founded. I still consider myself part of the BN Army regardless. My club does not have officers, does not have dues, does not have any structure whatsoever. We basically are a bunch of guys who homebrew, (often together) and meet every month to share beers and techniques, learn from each other, and just basically hang out and have a good time. We don't give a fuck who wins club of the year. We only have about 25 members. If they were to somehow change the rules to prevent the BN from winning again, then some other mega-club like QUAFF or DOZE would take its place. What exactly would be different? Not much, unless by some miracle it was some club from the middle of nowhere with a dozen members that somehow beat the mega clubs. We know that will never happen, so people who get all wrapped up in this really need to step back, look in the mirror, and reconsider what they are bitching about.

I hate reality checks, but you're right.

I wonder... imagine a BJCP brewing club, all judges, and Strong accepting the award with a half hour "I'm awesome" speech. Now that would be a hoot to see. The booing might turn into a barrage of flying chairs. Meaningless random thought, but it points out that it could be worse.