Post by Bob McGill on May 19, 2009 20:34:24 GMT -5
I didn't make the last meeting (I left my car keys in my wifes car and she went to dinner with a friend). I have heard of the motions made and will respond to two of them in two different posts, both negatively.
A proposal was made to require new members to brew with older members. If this had been in force when I joined, I would have been forced to brew with someone with - likely - much less knowledge or experience than I had (about 50 Boers brewed). It is not the responsibility of new brewers to work as slaves for current members. Apparently this motion was soundly defeated, but not before one member walked out.
During the first few years I was a member, I spent the meeting time talking to new members. Sometimes this was disruptive, but I felt an obligation to inform new members that it doesn't cost $500 for a system to brew, my equipment was all home made. I brewed with my 5 gallon system with three new members, Johnny, a young fellow from Orange (can't remember his name) an An. I also traveled to Lumberton to help Billy brew his first beer. I borrowed Ray's equipment at a brew-in to help Billy and Joey brew there first all grain beer. Doug and I invited Richard to brew a 15 gallon batch. After Richard and Eric purchased Mikey's equipment, I was there for there first batch.
I am not blowing my horn. I am trying to say it our responsibility to help new members brew. If I have not personally made an offer to all new members, I do it now. We will make a beer of your choosing. You only have to show up on brew day and bottling day. I will do the rest for your first beer, and maybe more. Your cost will be half the actual cost, even though my labor will be much more.
Are any club members willing to match my offer?
A proposal was made to require new members to brew with older members. If this had been in force when I joined, I would have been forced to brew with someone with - likely - much less knowledge or experience than I had (about 50 Boers brewed). It is not the responsibility of new brewers to work as slaves for current members. Apparently this motion was soundly defeated, but not before one member walked out.
During the first few years I was a member, I spent the meeting time talking to new members. Sometimes this was disruptive, but I felt an obligation to inform new members that it doesn't cost $500 for a system to brew, my equipment was all home made. I brewed with my 5 gallon system with three new members, Johnny, a young fellow from Orange (can't remember his name) an An. I also traveled to Lumberton to help Billy brew his first beer. I borrowed Ray's equipment at a brew-in to help Billy and Joey brew there first all grain beer. Doug and I invited Richard to brew a 15 gallon batch. After Richard and Eric purchased Mikey's equipment, I was there for there first batch.
I am not blowing my horn. I am trying to say it our responsibility to help new members brew. If I have not personally made an offer to all new members, I do it now. We will make a beer of your choosing. You only have to show up on brew day and bottling day. I will do the rest for your first beer, and maybe more. Your cost will be half the actual cost, even though my labor will be much more.
Are any club members willing to match my offer?
