The Board of Directors, both past and present, have always appreciated the role the TICC champion plays in promoting both CASI and TICC.
Immediately following the announcement of winners, press releases are emailed to major newspapers and those within close proximity to the champion's home. Admittedly, we have never followed up to see if the releases were printed. We do know we get limited press coverage in the West Texas area, as evidenced by reporters being on site and through copies of newspapers we have been provided.
We are aware of the expenses prior champions have had in their efforts to promote CASI. Many champions have chosen to attend state cookoffs in areas not within their home state, either at their own initiative or as a result of being invited by the promoters of the cookoff. Over the last couple of years, partial reimbursements have been made to champions to enable them to attend. We do know that even when a champion is invited to a cookoff, it may not happen due to scheduling conflicts.
As evidenced by the Minutes of the January Board Meeting, the subject of reimbursing the champion for attendance at cookoffs and sponsor events was discussed. Sponsor related events would be coordinated through Jim Ezell as Sponsorship Chairman, with other public relations opportunities coordinated through the Public Relations Committee. Recommendations would be made by Mr. Ezell and/or the PR Committee as to expense reimbursement for approval by the Board.
While it is acknowledged that this may not be perceived as "promoting" the champion, we were making an effort to assist with travel funds for the champion's appearance at cookoffs of their choosing that were felt to be an opportunity for exposure of CASI.
CASI does not, nor has it ever had, a true public relations person on the Board. In the past, we have called upon certain CASI members with a public relations backgrounds to assist in the preparation of press releases and brochures. To employ a public relations firm, as I'm sure most of you know, would be cost prohibitive.
We are proud and supportive of all past champions and make every effort to recognize them. If we have failed in this endeavor, we are truly sorry and will make every effort to rectify the situation. It is said by many that the Board does not respond to overtures by the members. We are attempting to respond but also need your assistance. If there is a CASI member who has a public relations background and would assist us in the promotion of the TICC Champion, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
As many of you are aware, proposals are up for debate at the Great Peppers Meeting concerning this issue. Rewarding and promoting the TICC champion is a priority at this point, but the proposal must first be defined, then approved, if it is the desire of the members.
From Ed Nesbit:
We have enjoyed a number of thoughtful comments over the last few days on this blog, starting with Steve Nadeau's open emails to the board and his comments about them. I feel his concerns are valid and if CASI is ever going to attract enough new cooks to replace the ones leaving, much less grow, we must make changes. I, like many members, take pride in CASI being a non-profit organization that contributes to charities all over the country. However, I differ from some, in that I don't agree that being an all volunteer organization is necessarily a benefit. If you look at our competitor in the chili world, ICS, they too contribute to charity, but are controlled by one person through the work of a hired professional manager. Whether you like it or not; in the eyes of most of the public across the nation, because of television exposure and professionally done marketing, they are perceived as the large dominate organization in chili. This of course, is not fact, but having a professional PR manager working on their behalf has allowed them to sell it to the media and an abundance of sponsors. I have been on the boards of two charities in my life and both of them were non-profits that had all volunteer members doing the work and managing from the board, but both had a hired professional that ran the day-to-day affairs and did the organizations’ promotion and organization of events and for good reason; it left one person with the focus, time and resources to get the job done. What CASI currently has is a great group of committed volunteers that all have the rest of their life to deal with and their commitment to their hobby is a side line, as it should be. Because of how good and how committed our directors and volunteers are, I believe we are getting more out of this system than any other organization of its type. But, as it is, I do not ever expect we will see issues like Steve rose addressed to full potential and opportunities taken advantage of to the extent available as if we had a professional doing this job the way it should be done.
I understand this would be a large change for us, so I would ask that you consider the benefits of an organizational change that would create a paid Executive Director position for a professional public relations/events professional to be hired by the board and answer for results to the board. I hope this idea will merit conversation at the Great Pepper's meeting and if a consensus for change comes then a committee to draft the organization changes and create the job description and duties would result. This would then lead to a future vote from the Great Peppers after thoughts and comments from members.
Please consider this change, talk about it with others and express your feelings to the board and your Great Peppers.
This SATURDAY 8/21/2010
Mason Dixon Pod
Backyard Chili Cookoff
The MDP will be holding its Annual Pod Cook Off and Pod elections on August 21st in a wondrous backyard full of trees, grass and a swimming pool. Bring your kids and bring your friends. Bring your chili recipes, your cooking gear and your bathing suit and earn some more points for TICC. Pod will supply beverages, both soft and adult varieties (keg and plenty of wine), burgers, dogs & salads. As great chili cooks, you are asked to bring 1 gallon of your award winning throw down chili for the guests to taste. Guests will pay $20 at the door to benefit The Dwelling Place, a second chance housing charity in Gaithersburg, MD. Our chili will be judged by old and new friends from all walks of life who will be sharing the afternoon with us. Elections for Pod positions will be held around 4:30 after awards are announced. This year we are looking for new faces to bring spirit and dedication to the running of our growing Pod & to plan for the upcoming cook offs.
Final Schedule
Set up 9:00 - 11:00
(Alex's Breakfast will be served)
Cooks Meeting 11:00
Turn-In 3:00 pm
Awards 4:30 pm
Pod Elections 4:30 - 5:00pm
Dancing & Frolicking 'till the neighbors complain
Registration $20
First time cooks ..... Join CASI & MDP and your competition fee is waived ... another $20 savings
Location
9701 Watts Branch Drive
Rockville, Maryland
Parking available in driveway, next to your tent on the back lawn, in the front yard or on the street.
It is Friday again and still very hot here is TX. Here's hoping that each of you have a great weekend and I hope it includes chili!
I have been asked to post this flier. This is a non-sanctioned CCO, but could be a CASI CCO next year.
