Apr 13, 2006
Approved a proposal to task the Exam Committee (which is already revising and updating the BJCP Exam) to also revise and update the Exam Study Guide. [Editor's Note: Yes, they actually conducted a vote on this. The alternative proposal was so lame you don't even want to know about it.]
Mar 3, 2006
Approved a proposal to include mead and cider certification in the BJCP. Next step is to form a committee. There are many details to be worked out, mainly by the committee, including the nature of mead and cider exams, so this is a long-term project.
The full proposal follows:
Proposal for Inclusion of Mead and Cider Certification in the BJCP
Section 1: BJCP Program Impacts
1. The scope of the BJCP includes mead and cider in addition to beer. Developing programs, materials or services to support mead and cider does not imply setting up a parallel program to the BJCP.
2. Including mead and cider certification within the BJCP has no impact on the existing BJCP (beer) exam. The existing Exam Committee charter for revising and improving the BJCP exam is not affected by this proposal.
3. Including mead and cider certification within the BJCP has no impact on the existing BJCP style guidelines.
4. There is no prerequisite for taking any BJCP exam, including the to-be-developed mead and cider exams.
Section 2: Scope of Work and Program Constraints
1. New exams for mead and cider will be developed. Mead and cider exams will be separate from each other, and from the beer exams. The exact number, type, format, length, etc. is not defined by this proposal; that will be determined by a properly formed committee.
2. Every BJCP exam should have a corresponding study guide. These need not be developed before new exams are ready to be initially tested, but should be a high priority after exams have been drafted. The study guide should focus on specific issues related to taking and passing the exam, not necessarily the full range of subject material.
3. Additional training, education and study materials are needed for all BJCP exams, including the to-be-developed mead and cider exams. This proposal affirms that the CEP has existing authority to develop these tools independently of any action on exams, and requests priority action on CEP projects in direct support of this proposal. The educational materials are not exam-specific (the study guides are focused on the exams). The materials should be written for both existing BJCP judges and judges who have not taken a BJCP exam.
4. Until such time as mead and cider exams are considered equivalents to beer exams, they are not direct substitues and cannot be used for advancement purposes within the current BJCP rank structure. Exam scores will be recorded, however.
5. A passing grade on the to-be-developed mead/cider exams is 60. Those non-BJCP members taking the test who pass will receive the new rank "Mead Judge" or "Cider Judge", depending on the exam taken. These ranks have only one requirement: a passing grade (60) on a mead or cider exam; no experience points are required. Those non-BJCP members who fail to pass the test will receive the existing rank "Apprentice". Existing BJCP members who take the exam and pass will receive a mead and/or cider endorsement on their judging record, but will not be able to advance in rank based on their mead or cider exam score.
6. Existing BJCP judges who pass the exam will receive to-be-determined CEP credit, as determined by the committeee.
7. All who pass the mead and/or cider exam will get a certificate of accomplishment.
8. A new mead and a new cider pin will be created for all who pass the mead and/or cider exam. The pin will be similar to the Recognized/Certified pins now in use.
9. Any non-BJCP member taking the mead and/or cider exam will become a full BJCP member, be assigned a Judge ID based on region, and be able to have their experience points recorded and tracked in a manner similar to all other BJCP members. Any BJCP member taking the mead and/or cider exam will not have their existing rank modified in any way.
10. The existing scoresheets will be revised to include the two new ranks.
Section 3: Implementation
1. A committee will be properly formed in a prompt manner, and be chartered to investigate all open topics presented in this proposal and to develop a solution within the guidance of this proposal. The committee must contain representatives from the CEP, Exam and IT functions, as well as any other interested BJCP staff. This core team will recruit and work with third-party subject matter experts as needed. Related CEP projects do not necessarily come under this committee, but related activities should be properly coordinated so as to not produce conflicting results.
2. The committee will investigate the length of the exams, and whether existing BJCP members can opt-out of certain questions. To the extent that there are common topics between the beer and mead/cider exams, the new mead/cider exams should coordinate with the existing Exam Committee to ensure that common questions, formats and methods are used to the extent practical.
3. A staged implementation is necessary. New exams will be tested using existing BJCP judges before opening up testing to non-BJCP judges. Longer-term goals, such a a full integration of mead and cider ranks, and setting mead and cider exams at an equal status as beer exams, will not be undertaken without review of field testing data, analysis and recommendation by the committee, and additional consideration by the BJCP board.
4. Educational materials for beer, mead and cider will continue to be developed regardless of the stage of implementation of the subject program additions.
Feb 1, 2006
Approved credit for Todd Snyder for his service as Exam Administrator (this is actually an Assistant Director position). Todd has received 42 GMSR credits and 8.4 non-judging points for his 21 months service in this role. As luck would have it, this was enough to move Todd up to National rank, so it's both Thanks and Congratulations to Todd.
Jan 19, 2006
Approved the position of Assistant IT Director, and the appointment of Jamil Zainasheff as its first incumbent. This recognizes the pivotal role that Jamil has played in our IT efforts for some time. You have probably noticed that we have gradually been moving to more user-friendly website functionality, such as electronic voting, competition registration, organizer reporting, etc. Jamil's work has been responsible for most of that, coupled with the overall architecture and planning of Gordon Strong, our IT Director.
Jan 4, 2006
Approved the new joint Sanctioned Competition Program with the AHA.
Dec 21, 2005
Approved the budget for 2006.
Income Examination Fees 13,225 Contest Sanctioning Fees 7,000 Merchandise Receipts 250 Misc. Income 0 Returned Checks 0 Total 20,480 Expenses AHA SCP Fees 1,000 BJCP Grants 1,500 Continuing Education Program 5,000 Legal Fees 5,000 Office Supplies, Misc. 750 PayPal Fees 300 PO Box Rental 50 Postage 1,000 Printing 100 Recognition Pins 5,000 Reimbursement: Exam Graders 750 Shipping (Merchandise) 50 Surety Bond 100 Telephone 50 Website & Domain Fees 0 Total 20,400 Oct 28, 2005
Approved, in general terms, merging the BJCP and AHA competition programs. This will involve having one single Competition program, eliminating the dual registration routes currently in use. It will be co-branded, with one set of competition materials, one online registration site, and one reporting system. Pending resolution of the details, we hope the new program will become operational in January.
Oct 7, 2005
Approved a new Exam Grader policy.
Sep 19, 2005
Awarded Rob Hudson 15 GMSR credits for development work associated with the last Style Guide revision.
Sep 13, 2005
Approved raising the Surety Bond on the BJCP Treasurer to $25,000.00.
Jul 28, 2005
Realigned the allocation year for educational grants to coincide with the calendar (and budget) year.
Jul 25, 2005
Approved $500 to fund the educational grants program for the second half of 2005.
Jun 29, 2005
Approved 12 GMSR credits for Sean Hewitt for creation of the style flashcards.
Approved 100 GMSR credits for Jamil Zainasheff for his work integrating various database and website functionalities.
May 23, 2005
Approved GMSR credit for 1996-1997 Mead Style Guideline and Score Sheet Committee.
May 16, 2005
Approved GMSR credit for members of 1999 Style Guide Committee, 2002-2003 Continuing Education Committee, and 2004 Style Guideline Committee.
May 2, 2005
Approved an updated and better defined Grand Master Service Requirement program with an increased emphasis on grading exams for all Grand Master candidate.
Joe Formanek and Dave Sapis approved to fill the positions of Midwest Regional Representative and West Regional Representative beginning June 1, 2005.
Feb 11, 2005
Approved a Nominating Committee to solicit candidates for a special election for Representative for the Midwest and West Region.
Jan 18, 2005
Gregg Smith approved to the rank of Grand Master I.
Jan 14, 2005
Ed Westemeier and Jamil Zainasheff appointed as election committee for the election of Regional Representatives.
Jan 11, 2005
Gordon Strong approved for the rank of Grand Master II, backdated to July 2004 due to an administrative error.
Jan 6, 2005
Approved the Quarterly and the Annual Financial Report with the Annual Financial Report being posted in accordance with the BJCP By-Laws on the website.
Jan 3, 2005
Budget for calendar year 2005 approved.
Authorized the embroidered BJCP merchandise through Bob N'Weave to be sold at cost to BJCP members.
Dec 21, 2004
Appointed Director (Kris England) and Assistant Directors (Kevin Pratt and Ted Hausotter) of the new Continuing Education Program.
Dec 16, 2004
Appointed Ed Wolfe as the new Chairman of the Exam Committee.
Dec 10, 2004
In accordance with the BJCP By-Laws, unanimously voted to terminate the membership of William Slack for failing to act in the best interest of the BJCP. As Treasurer he refused to perform his duties as prescribed in refusing to communicate with the Board of Directors and turn over the BJCP Treasury and financial records at the end of his term as Treasurer.
Dec 2, 2004
Approved sale of pins for Recognized and Certified judges, and approved the issuing free of pins to new Recognized and Certified judges.
Nov 11, 2004
Authorized the creation of a Continuing Education Program to include the creation of a new BJCP Directorate with the intent of improving through continuing education the judging skills of BJCP members. This program will eventually include third party education sessions, development of a Beer Vocabulary reference, exploring the feasibility of developing Sensory Tasting Kits, and developing CEP products and programs.
Nov 3, 2004
Approved the purchase of pins for Recognized and Certified Judges.
Oct 18, 2004
Approved the purchase of embezzlement Insurance on the BJCP Treasurer.
Oct 13, 2004
Approved the sale of BJCP Logo merchandise through CafePress.com at no mark up or profit for the BJCP.
