The time has come for me to resign as Vancouver Branch President. As you may know, I recently became co-owner of Vancouver hottest new craft beer pub: 12 Kings. I’m also going to help open Callister Brewing in East Van and these projects have been taking up more and more of my time.
I initially talked about stepping down in October when I bought the pub but the Vancouver Exec asked if I would stay on until the next round of elections in February (where I had no plans to re-run again). However after lengthy discussions with the BC Executive I’ve decided that having a Branch President who is now “industry” could lead to a conflict of interests and compromise our strict consumer-advocacy focus. The rest of the BC Executive agreed with my proposal and we’ve passed a motion which prohibits owners/managers within the industry from taking a place on the BC executive. The BC Exec have kindly given me special dispensation to stay until the YVR AGM but I’ve decided that it would be best to step down now. I think it’s an important ruling and safeguards CAMRA BC’s independent mandate so I’m happy to support it (although I officially abstained from the vote). I still believe passionately in CAMRA’s mission and our consumer focused advocacy mandate and I hope to lead the industry by example. For more information about the BC Executive elections and your vital part please click here.
I tendered my resignation to the BC & Vancouver Executive yesterday for effect today so this is my last Presidential Update. I would have really liked to have spoken at the AGM to thank everyone who did so much work this year in person, however I’ll have to settle for saying it here instead:
THANK YOU!
Everyone who volunteered – both in the executive and outside, event volunteers, our designers and technical helpers, people who supported what we did, people in the industry – every single member and everyone who reads the newsletter and everyone in the craft beer community who loves craft beer! I would like to give particular thanks to Amanda Barry-Butchart, Monica Frost and Paddy Treavor – I would have been dead in the water without you guys and I will always be grateful for you taking a chance on an unknown Lancastrian. Thank you my friends. I would also like to thank my beautiful fiancee Ari Dressler for all the support and I look forward to returning that support to Ari as CAMRA BC President this year.
Because there’s very little time between now and the AGM we don’t have time to call for nominations so the YVR Executive will vote from within in the next few days and we will soon announce the interim replacement via social media to take over until the AGM (register for your free tickets now!).
I feel I am leaving CAMRA Vancouver in a bigger and better place than when I took over and any successes I attribute wholly to the incredible group of people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside with. The very best of luck to the YVR Executive I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
Cheers and Goodbye,
Adam Chatburn
President, CAMRA BC – Vancouver Branch
Leave a Reply