January 2011 Hot Break

In This Issue
From the President
Proposed Change in By-Laws
SpringFest
Double Red
Jan. General Meeting Info

Events

January 2011 General Membership
January 18, 2011 from 7pm to 9pm

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Greetings!  
It's a new year and a brand new Hot Break. We're making some changes including the style of the newsletter and the method of distribution. In this month's newsletter our new president Rob looks into his crystal carboy and makes his predicitons for the new year, we have some by-law changes in mind, and Jerry van West calls out for volunteers for the SpringFest Committee. 

Want a taste of what's coming in the next year? Read on....  

From the President
By Rob Fullmer
ASH President Rob Fullmer

January is the time for resolutions and predictions.  I'm going to offer a few predictions for ASH and some resolutions that I think we should all make. Admittedly, I have an advantage. I've been working very hard with this year's Board, former Board members (and a handful of loyal members that always seem to be around when you need them) to map out our year. It's going to be a great year for all of us, but we're going to need your support and we're going to need your commitment. Don't worry. We've been workinghard to make it easy to lend a hand.


Prediction: This year, more than ever, we need our brewers to brew more of the best beer in AZ and you will resolve to make this happen.
We began this month with a brewout on January 8th to brew up Double Red Ales in celebration of Arizona Beer Week in February.  Did you know that ASH was a member of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild? We are proud members and so we have an interest in making sure the 1st Annual Arizona Beer Week kicks off without a hitch. If you didn't get to brew the red on Saturday, you can still get involved. The recipes are posted on our site and in our web-based brewing software application. Beer for Beer Week, competitions and other events will be a big focus for ASH in 2011. We'll learn more about Arizona Beer Week during our General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, January 18.

Prediction: Those that attend January's meeting will be able to see into the future.
This is an easy one. I'm going to map out what the next 6 months are going to be like for us. Some of those that have been around for awhile know about Springfest and some other annual events, but I promise you. There will be some surprises too.

Prediction: You will see ASH as a Beer Culture Powerhouse and you will resolve to become more involved.
I'm not sure if you noticed, but our club has exploded in membership and participation.  Historically, we've always ended the year with a good turnout at Oktoberfest. This last year we've increased the number of experienced brewers resulting in a tremendous array of beers to select from at each meeting.

It's a great time to be an ASHer.

It's also time to do some hard work to ensure that we continue to have a place to meet. Time to push for more favorable legal conditions that allow our hobby to expand and thrive. It's time to look at ASH as an army of individuals with vast talents and resources. It's time to let the businesses and breweries know that you are an ASH member and you value their role in our growth. It's time to look toward some loftier goals that will ensure the long term viability of the club.  It's time to get excited about where we can take this club and do some things that will make us the envy of homebrewers across the country.  

One of the first things we're going to do is get organized. We ended the year with a record number of brewers as members. It's a ridiculous proposition to run the club with just 5 board members. In all honesty, many, many others have been involved. It's time we gave those people some credit and resources. That's why there will be a focus on creating committees to get things done.  We're also going to change the by-laws to reflect changes to the club that brought us from 30 or so members to the current 450+ that we have.

I hope you'll see these predictions come true and join me in a resolution to make this the best homebrew club in the country!

Salud!
Rob


Changes in By-Laws
By ASH

Back in December of last year, the previous board, select members and the new board officers looked at the club by-laws and identified changes that would help govern and grow ASH. Some changes are long overdue.

During the next general meeting on Jan 18th, members in good standing current in their dues will be asked to ratify the amended by-laws. We encourage you to attend this meeting and get your dues squared away.

In the next few days you will get a link to the amended by-laws to review. Prior to the meeting, copies of the amended by-laws will be made available and board members will answer questions. The Secretary will inform us the number of members needed to establish quorum and if we have met the threshold, a vote will be held.

Here is a synopsis of the changes:

Editor now Communication Officer
The Editor position was created at a time before email and electronic communication. The Editor has been responsible for updates to the website for a number of years. Recently twitter and facebook has been added. The newsletter hasn't been printed and mailed in a number of years. The by-laws need to reflect this.

At Large Positions
The board asks that you consider expanding the number of voting board members to reflect the meteoric growth of the club. Five board members is sufficient for a club of 100 members, but not enough for a club of 500.  AS the club approaches 500, at large members are added to a maximum of 7. As the club contracts, those positions are retired. One at large member is given a two year term to ensure policy carry-over.

Elections
At this time, ASH has no formal election procedures. This amendment seeks to establish rules for candidates, voting eligibilty, proxy voting, vote counting and appoints an Election Coordinator.



SpringFest
by Jerry van West
jerry van west

Hello fellow ASHers.  Welcome to a very Hoppy new year. 2011 is going to be a great year for ASH and I wanted to mention one of our signature events coming up - SpringFest.  Each year, ASH has two fantastic events, SpringFest and Oktoberfest as well as our Christmas/Holiday party.  SpringFest has traditionally been at the Lakes country club but this year, we are growing and to accommodate all the folks and also help us continue to attract new home brewers and craft beer enthusiasts. 

 

This year's festival will be on May 14, 2011 at Kiwanis Park and there are a lot of logistics to manage so I am asking for volunteers so that we can have a fun event for members and their families. This will be a great day to have lots of fun, eat some great barbecue as well as sharing the fruits of your labor (i.e. your home brew).  Please shoot me an email at jvanwest@gmail.com or Ben Conner at vicepresident@azhomebrewers.orand we will be happy to have you join the organizing committee.

 

ASH is such a great club.  We have some awesome brewers (both guys and gals) who share their brewing knowledge so that others can learn and perfect their craft.  Consider this request for volunteers as a way you can participate.  With the help of many, we will make this year's SpringFest the best it has ever been.

 

Kindly,

 

Jerry van West

SpringFest Coordinating Committe



ASH Double Red Brewout at Brewers Connection
AZ Beer Week Double Red Brewout



Hopefully you had a chance to visit Brewers Connection Jan 8th or try out one of the Double Red Recipes at home. If not, visit the discussion to see the recipes from our local breweries and make your version at home.

The Double Red will be tapped and tasted during the February general meeting in the heart of the Arizona Beer Week events, Feb. 22.

A special thank you goes to our sponsors Four Peaks Brewing, BJ's, Gordon Biersch Tempe and AZ Wines for their help.


Photos Courtesy: Chris Soper (top), girl from arizona (bottom)
January General Meeting

The ASH General meeting will be a an important one, so be sure to mark it on your calendar.


Tuesday, Jan 18, 7pm-9pm
Tempe Woman's Club
1290 S. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ

Sign up early for a BJCP judging session during the first half hour of the meeting. When you bring your homebrew, remember to bring a wish list of what you want out of the club. We're open to suggestions and we need to hear them from you. Among the agenda is an introduction by Rob, a vote on changes to the by-laws, and Arizona Beer Week info.
That's it for this month's Hot Break. Bear with us as we develop the look and feel of the new style. Contributions, stories, photos, reviews, interesting tid-bits and bribes are always welcomed and can be submitted to editor@azhomebrewers.org. 

We'll see you at the General Meeting. Till then brew it and RDWHAHB


   

Sl�inte!


Your Club Board Members
ASH President Rob Fullmer
President
 - Rob Fullmer


Vice President - Ben Conner


Secretary
 - Maureen Basenberg


Treasurer - David Schollmeyer


Communications Officer - Tom Boggan

Arizona Society of Homebrewers

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