NEBS Annual Meeting

Attended the New England BBQ Society annual meeting Monday night in Maynard, Massachusetts. This was the first NEBS meeting that I have been to since joining the group in April of 2006.

There were around 30 people at the meeting. The meeting was run professionally by NEBS President Steve Farrin. Not sure what they do at their regular meetings, but this was a very open session. It was clear that everyone there could have their voice heard if they had something to say. I wasn't there to opine on any issues really, just to observe.

Like any organization, there are going to be disagreements. The "elephant in the room" on this day involved a dispute over whether contest organizers should pay a listing fee to have their contest placed on the events list on the NEBS web site. I'm not going to interject myself into the debate on this one. I will say that I voted with the majority to support the requirement that organizers pay the fee in a non-binding vote that was held to gauge member support.


Otherwise, there weren't any other major or controversial issues addressed. Steve Farrin was reelected board president, and Gary Taft of Lunchmeat will become vice president.


It was also good to see some of the people from the competition circuit. Two friends from the circuit were joining the board at this meeting, Mike Boisvert of Lakeside Smokers and Brendan Burek of Transformer BBQ. Congrats fellas!