Homebrew club problems

[BeerPressure]

I'm part of a brew club that takes yearly dues to pay for parties, monthly club brews, and a place to hold our meetings. We recently elected a new club president. The VP from previous president is still in the "office"

Issue comes up that majority of the club would like to use money from dues for equipment for members of the club to use to brew. This would be for brewing beginners to get their feet wet, and also for experienced brewers who may not for instance have a plate chiller to use. Our club balance is about $900 right now.

Those who are opposed to this are the former president and the current VP. BOTH of which either do not brew at all or brew rarely, which really bothers me.

 

[cfonnes]

What do the VP's want to do with the money?

Put it up to popular vote.

 

[BeerPressure]

They dont have any ideas except that "put the money to a better use".

I am also really tired of the people that never bring homebrew and just drink everyone elses.

 

[BendBrewer]

You should buy a bunch of stuff to use as prizes for a HomeBrew Competition.

 

[Airborneguy]

Exactly why I would never pay dues to a club...

 

[BeerPressure]

Exactly why I would never pay dues to a club...

Probably my last time

 

[cfonnes]

Dues at the club that I go to are $20 a year, it pays for a summer party and a few other minor things. Club membership gets you 10% off at the LHBS.

 

[l1ranger]

start a new club

 

[Walker]

What is it that you are looking to get out of being involved in a club?

I ask because I was turned off to the idea of homebrew clubs after making a visit to a local one here.

Then, a few us of kind of started an informal club. No meetings or dues. We just get together to brew, drink beer, shoot the bull, etc. I get honest feedback on my beers from this crew, and have a good time hanging out.

We use our group power to scan and nab anything on craigslist, organize group buys to save on shipping, borrow yeast/hops/grain from each other, and even pull off 2000+ pound bulk grain buys.

So... I think I am getting everything I could possibly want out of my informal club, and none of the BS I don't want (no politics, no dues, etc).

edit: the president of one of the local clubs here is also part of our informal club, and I think he likes the informal club better.

 

[weirdboy]

Hmm we use ours to fund club brews, parties and competitions. And we also have a club-owned booth with 20+ taps that we take to various homebrewing-related events, like the upcoming National Homebrewers Conference and the Southern California Homebrew Festival. So club funds paid for building that, as well as upkeep and maintenance costs.

 

[VegasBrew]

Those who are opposed to this are the former president and the current VP. BOTH of which either do not brew at all or brew rarely, which really bothers me.

Ummm...who would elect someone president of a homebrew club......who doesn`t brew....am I missing something here?

VB

 

[Sheldon]

Very true dat:fro:

 

[dap325]

Like others have said... Why is this person President of a homebrew club, if they don't actively homebrew? I'd expect the president of such a club to be one of the most knowledgeable and one of the people that brews the most. Any idea yet what their plans are for the money?

 

[skyebrewing]

Damn it... secede from the union and form your club! Seriously though, i understand your frustration. My union changes its philosophy everytime we get a new president and usually new employees just vote yes to not cause waves which makes me bang my head against the wall. Keep in mind though, you homebrew for fun and if things aren't working out at the club, move on and put your dues towards better things....like buying more grain

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

Ummm...who would elect someone president of a homebrew club......who doesn`t brew....am I missing something here?

VB

Yes. Impeach the president. Better yet, stage a coup d'état!! :rockin:

 

[tjp68]

They dont have any ideas except that "put the money to a better use".

I am also really tired of the people that never bring homebrew and just drink everyone elses.

This is one of the reasons why I don't want to be part of a brewing club. I deal with enough competition, politics and general a-hole-ery at work. I also get my fill of planning, meetings and subcommittee assignments.

So even though I currently have 40 gallons of beer in my basement, and really no one but SWMBO to share it with, I cherish quiet brew days in my garage. By myself.

 

[BeerPressure]

Like others have said... Why is this person President of a homebrew club, if they don't actively homebrew? I'd expect the president of such a club to be one of the most knowledgeable and one of the people that brews the most. Any idea yet what their plans are for the money?

Former president does not brew. Current one does. Former was pres way before i joined.

 

[the_bird]

What is it that you are looking to get out of being involved in a club?

I ask because I was turned off to the idea of homebrew clubs after making a visit to a local one here.

Then, a few of kind of started an informal club. No meetings or dues. We just get together to brew, drink beer, shoot the bull, etc. I get honest feedback on my beers from this crew, and have a good time hanging out.

We use our group power to scan and nab anything on craiglist, organize group buys to save on shipping, borrow yeast/hops/grain from each other, and even pull off 2000+ pound bulk grain buys.

So... I think I am getting everything I could possibly want out of my informal club, and none of the BS I don't want (no politics, no dues, etc).

edit: the president of one of the local clubs here is also part of our informal club, and I think he likes the informal club better.

I was stoked when a club got started around here a few years back. Went to the early meetings. Boring as ****. All discussions about bylaws and dues and crap like that. Very little beer discussion. Life got busy, I dropped out.

Fast forward to last month. Decide I'll give it another shot.

Just as bad.

1. The club VP is clueless. He works at the homebrew shop where the meetings are held, and has no idea about brewing. He was trying to decribe a beer that he brought, all he knew was that he used a kit and added a little extra extract. No idea what hops or anything. "What kind of yeast did you use?" "Liquid yeast." "Yeah, but what strain?" "Uh, LIQUID yeast!"

2. The club prez is the homebrew shop owner, he's an OK guy but has the very annoying habit of always making semi-joking snide remarks about buying stuff in his shop. Like, someone showed off a chiller they made: "Why didn't you buy one here?" Someone mentioned washing yeast: "C'mon, you don't want to reuse yeast, buy more!" All joking, but making it very uncomfortable. Can I talk about shopping at online vendors, or show off my KegCowboy plate chiller, or talk about gear that I've made, without him being an ass? Just makes everything uncomfortable.

3. One very annoying woman who just dominates every conversation by being loud but not witty. Just a personality conflict, I can't stand her and she NEVER SHUTS UP.

4. Very focused on extremely elementary brewing, to the point of boring me to tears. Like, the kid who was showing off his chiller, it's nice and all... but he took a length of copper tubing, coiled it around a keg and put tubing on the end. We don't need to talk about it for fifteen minutes.

Just really, really boring, in the end. LOTS of additional discussion about "club business" like choosing a new logo and collecting dues.

What was good, there were a bunch of people there that were really cool, and a freakin' smoking-hot redhead (bad was that her boyfriend was there, too). Good that they were planning a field trip to a local maltster (apparently there's a small malting operation about an hour from here). Good that they put together a BJCP class last year.

Overall, though... how do you have a homebrew club that bores ME to tears? I mean, ****... I can talk about beer and brewing forever!

Yankee Ingenuity hasn't had a get-together in a while, that's been kind of the northern equivalent to GRABASS. But, heading out to see Paulie and Yeager and Cape and the other east-coast boys in a couple weeks. That's enough of a club for me.

EDIT: The other thing I *hated* about the local club... I've never heard a single word of criticism towards any brew that's been shared, and plenty - PLENTY - have deserved it. Certain clubs just don't have the culture of being open with honest, constructive criticism.

EDIT 2: Other weird thing; when hanging out before the meeting started, someone else casually dropped a swear word, not anything terrible, I think they might have just said "sh!t." Guy my age or younger. IMMEDIATELY looked around and apologized profusely to everyone. What the **** kind of culture IS this club, where people feel compelled to apologize for saying "****" or "dammit"?

 

[Bobby_M]

I doubt the club is setup like a monarchy so who gives a sheet what the pres and VP think? Call the vote and let the club decide. I don't see why differing opinions is any reason to shun joining a club or being in a dues based club. Every group of people formed for any purpose is going to have disagreements and democracy is the only way to make it fair. Is there some kind of provision in the bylaws that says the president can overrule majority opinion? If so, I'd walk. I'm the president of my club and there's no way I'd even attempt to buck against majority opinion.

 

[Dunerunner]

A club member donated the equipment to build the club brewery on a trailer. Dues cover "Style Nights", guest speakers and other club activities. Since when is $20 or $25 a year a big deal? What do you pay for Internet? Isn't brewing and becoming a better brewer worth that much?

 

[lumpher]

i'm in a club that takes votes on how to use the money, and the rules are we can throw out any officer by popular vote (never happened). we help sponsor the bluebonnet and other competitions, and do very well. we also get 10% off at local hb stores. i agree with the idea of buying eqpt, but raffling it out

 

[cheier]

I would like the idea of dues being put towards the purchase of bulk consumables as opposed to raffling equipment. Like malt and hops. The issue I have with our club is that the treasurer also happens to be one of the head guys at the LHBS, so the idea of purchasing bulk malts for the club can be a conflict of interest (200% markups at LHBS). They do put on BJCP courses and competitions though, and we get 10% off at LHBS and some liquor stores, so that's not too bad.

 

[BeerPressure]

We do take votes its the guys that are against it that annoy the piss out of me.

 

[Bishop916]

A club member donated the equipment to build the club brewery on a trailer. Dues cover "Style Nights", guest speakers and other club activities. Since when is $20 or $25 a year a big deal? What do you pay for Internet? Isn't brewing and becoming a better brewer worth that much?

ha - that pic is from gcba; i am looking at checking them guys out sometime soon, - any insight?

 

[mlg5039]

What is it that you are looking to get out of being involved in a club?

I ask because I was turned off to the idea of homebrew clubs after making a visit to a local one here.

Then, a few us of kind of started an informal club. No meetings or dues. We just get together to brew, drink beer, shoot the bull, etc. I get honest feedback on my beers from this crew, and have a good time hanging out.

We use our group power to scan and nab anything on craigslist, organize group buys to save on shipping, borrow yeast/hops/grain from each other, and even pull off 2000+ pound bulk grain buys.

So... I think I am getting everything I could possibly want out of my informal club, and none of the BS I don't want (no politics, no dues, etc).

edit: the president of one of the local clubs here is also part of our informal club, and I think he likes the informal club better.

How do I join your informal club, I'm brewing more and more.

LOL, seriously, let me know.





To the OP, it sounds like the VP and Prez are voted in. You can vote them out too. Til then, put up what to do with the money to a popular vote with the other members.

 

[pernox]

The problem with clubs is that they're full of other people.

Seriously - you guys put the money in. Call the vote, and if the Pres/Veep don't agree to abide by the vote, get up and walk out. Guarantee you won't be the only one doing so.

 

[Dunerunner]

ha - that pic is from gcba; i am looking at checking them guys out sometime soon, - any insight?

Great club, knowlegable membership, Celebrewtion is coming up in March (a club competition), check out their web page.

I'm a member and I'm in Oregon!!

Cheers!

 

[Bishop916]

Awesome, I'm gonna go check em out next month I think.

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

OP: I started a HBC last year, no dues. We are pretty much like Walker's GRABASS crew.

But I think a solution to your clubs dilemma would be to:
1. suggest "pay it forward"- to gather brew equipment you may have outgrown.
2. brainstorm with the club of other ways to use the money.

If I collected dues(which I wont)...I would put $ in bank, and only use small portions as prizes for little competitions- but i have found getting sponsors covers this for me.

or use it to offset say...cost to go to a national event, like NABA

In the end the club should be fun, relaxed, and be able to tell each other their beer sucks...and why.

 

[Sheldon]

I think it was Groucho Marx who said "I wouldn't want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member". He probably didn't bring any home brew to the local meetings