Hello REB Friends!
With great pride, I am officially announcing my candidacy for President of Red Earth Brewers!
When asked by a fellow member to consider the nomination to add my name to September’s ballot, I was both surprised and humbled, and after serious thought I have chosen to accept the challenge.
With that said, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and my vision for the group. I am fairly new to REB; joining after relocating to OKC in December 2020. In my short time, I have made the very best of friends and found the support and encouragement I needed to pursue my interest in craft brewing. Little did I know, this innocent “hobby” would become my new passion.
Through attending monthly meetings and happy hours, brewing with other members and even just observing while visiting your brew days, I have had an awesome time getting to know each and every one of you.
Under direction of the current officer team, REB has grown. Our membership is increasing; and their efforts have put our Spring Brew-Off on a trajectory to launch us onto the national homebrew club stage. More members are entering, and winning, competitions. And our presence in our community is spreading. As president, it will be my goal to continue this trajectory while also launching new and exciting endeavors. For these things to happen, it will take each and every one of us.
My main focus will be to increase member volunteerism and responsibility. I also seek to see REB have more community presence by creating opportunities to share with and educate the public in the art of craft brewing. Increasing the number of BJCP judges within our community, as well as statewide with cooperation from other homebrew clubs, is a priority vital to continued growth. I look to encourage more participation in competitions; and discover new ways the club can actively help facilitate those entries.
I feel personally that as president, and the board as a whole; our main responsibility is to be good stewards to you. I will seek to increase board accountability through transparency. By reimplementing officer reports at every meeting, and by providing board meeting minutes to the membership in our monthly newsletter, we can better serve our members.
These are just a few of the goals I hope to steward through the club. And while I could go on, I will close for now by saying: Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this wonderful organization. If you have ANY further questions about my ideas, or with suggestions, please reach out. I look forward to working with, and for, each of you.
Sincerely,
John W. Smith