Electronic methods of communication have revolutionised our world, never has communication been so easy to do yet hard to do right. Email is notorious for creating misunderstandings, internet forums, twitter, facebook too, flame wars, online bullying, misreading between the lines all cause problems. I mention this because in 2013 the communication at the BC Level was difficult, “new farts and old farts” gathered virtually to discuss the future of the society and there was friction. I believe this was because we never managed to get the whole BC Executive face to face. This year under new CAMRA BC President Maureen Blaseckie we have had our first full Summit in a number of years.
On Saturday the 22nd March we gathered in the Wine Room of Steamworks Brewpub (where we do our regular education classes) many thanks to everyone at Steamworks for treating us so well. In Attendance from L-R was:
- CAMRA Powell River President and former Bishop of this Parish: Paddy Treavor
- CAMRA Fraser Valley President: Dan Therien
- BC Communications Coordinator: Robert Catherall
- CAMRA Victoria President: Glen Stuseck
- CAMRA YVR Vice President: Chad McCarthy
- CAMRA YVR President: Adam Chatburn
- BC Treasurer: Mark Blaseckie
- BC President: Maureen Blaseckie
- BC Secretary: Jenn Ordze
- CAMRA South Fraser President: Megan Harris
- CAMRA YVR Events Coordinator: Amanda Barry-Butchart
- BC Vice President: Ron McClaren
- CAMRA YVR Communications Director: Monica Frost
Some of the topics we discussed included:
- Creating an advocacy working group from volunteers.
- Appointing a BC Communications Coordinator (congratulations Robert!) to review all CAMRA communication methods and systems.
- Agreeing the next meeting will be in Victoria in July and hopefully Powell River in October.
- The creation of CAMRA BC Awards to be held at the start of BC Craft Beer Month – this is going to be great but we can’t say too much yet!
- Creating a strategy for growth including looking for new branches and creating a protocol for the formation of new branches.
- The status of a plan to creating a centralised membership management database and renewal system.
- The impending changes to craft-beer taxation and their possible impact on the community.
After the meeting we went to the Alibi Room for a well earned doppelbock. It really was great to meet up with these good folks, after all CAMRA BC business should be carried out in person over a beer – after all that’s what brought us all together! I’m pleased that everyone got a long really well and had some great ideas of where CAMRA should be going, the next meeting in Victoria in July should be awesome too.
Thanks to everyone who came over on the wettest Saturday in months!
Adam Chatburn
President, CAMRA BC – Vancouver Branch
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