Jeez, where's my copy of "How to win friends and influence people" when I need it?
On Friday, January 10, I saw a notice in the local beer listserv distribution list announcing a soiree at a local beer lover's house. This event looked sufficiently like a beer club meeting that I decided to use the same forum to let people know about another beer club meeting later in the evening. (I didn't announce the location of the meeting, for reasons that will be made clear later.) Well, the caca hit the air distribution device. I still have no clue what it was that I said that upset people so, but it was evident that I had...
I created a response to the vehement responses that I received, and I wanted to put that response here in my rant pages. It is, after all, an example of my opinion about life, and as such, fits in with this forum's purpose.
To the members of the Cascadia beer lists:
My intent was NOT to detract from the happening at the private residence, nor to imply that you (or anyone you know) would have to pay people to have friends! I was really, truly, and honestly trying to invite people to a homebrew club meeting without actually inviting everyone at once to a homebrew club meeting! There was no intent of manipulation, dishonesty, impugnance, impudence (well, maybe just a little..), insolence, or any other such thing. I wanted to invite people to the Brews Brothers meetings in general, because I think that we're a fun bunch of folks. I'm also inviting people to the Impaling Alers meetings as well! I'm a member of both clubs because I enjoy the people that I meet there. If the shindig at the private residence had been on another night, a night when I wasn't already planning on going to a homebrew party later in the evening, then I would have been most pleased to attend. Please do not misconstrue the meaning of my post of last friday.
I did intend to announce a meeting, but the circumstances of our meeting site precludes inviting everyone on the Cascadia list to our gathering without some prior notice. This month, we met at a private residence in Auburn, not a large house by any stretch of the imagination. I wanted to announce that we were having a meeting, but I intentionally neglected to give out the address. (My personal philosophy precludes announcing addresses or phone numbers of anyone but myself over a widespread network such as E-mail listings.) If you are interested in attending a meeting, I'll be most happy to forward the location in private mail. On the other hand, the Impaling Alers meet on the third thursday of every month, and always at the same location, at Larry's Brewing in Kent. There is plenty of room there, and it wouldn't be such a hardship if everyone who subscribes to this list shows up on that particular thursday...
I guess that part of the confusion stems from why we have beer clubs at all. Did you ever stop to ask yourself the question, why have a beer club in the first place? I sure have, and now that I'm in charge of this motley crue, I have to ask, as well as answer, that question. Who in their right mind is gonna pay twenty bucks a year for the "privilege" of drinking beer at a friends house? If that's all I'm getting for my money, then forget it! It's not worth it. So now I, as the leader, must give people more for their money than that. Right now, all I can offer people is a newsletter, and the occasional special grain purchase, but we're even trying to get out of the grain biz! So what else can I offer people for their money? I think that the answer may be "organization". After all, anybody could arrange a picnic of their friends, but an "organized" picnic has barbecued salmon, corn, stir fry, whatever, that MIGHT be possible with a potluck affair, but if I can supply it, or at least organize it, then maybe people will appreciate the effort. Likewise a pub crawl, or a caravan trip to Portland, or whatever. You could just jump in your car and head on down to the pub, but if your club says "fourth tuesday", then there might just be company there when you arrive (unless you're the first one there. Then you'll just have to wait...)
The Impaling Alers can offer instruction to beginning brewers, or tips for more advanced brewers. I don't think that there's anything that I can teach the brewers in the Brothers, so I have to offer what I can. Right now, the only concrete thing that you get for your money is a newsletter. Yeah, real inspirational...
It is true that I have been known to suffer a bit of foot in mouth disease on occasion. When I was told of the strong emotion that had greeted my message, I was truly clueless as to what I had said that had engendered such strong feelings. If I have offended, I apologize. As I stated up front in this message, offense was not my intent. I will try to reach some of the persons whose strong feelings were shared on the Cascadia list for personal discussion...
If I have succeeded in soothing the ruffled feathers, then I again invite you to the Impaling Alers meeting on the third thursday of the month, and I again invite you to the next Brews Brothers meeting on the second saturday of the month. The february meeting will be taking place in Redmond, so the eastsiders get their chance to attend. Again, if you wish to know the location of that meeting, I'd be happy to communicate it to you in private mail. I'd also be happy to chat with you in person regarding my personal failings both as a brewer and writer.
Maybe you don't feel terribly welcome, but it would be great if you were to attend a Brews Brothers meeting. Likewise, if every club would extend an invitation to members of other clubs, or of interested persons not affiliated with an established club, then there would exist the possibility of cross-pollination that could make membership in those clubs worth that much more. As Emperor of the Brews Brothers, and a member and former officer of the Impaling Alers, I'm planning on several activities that will include members of both clubs, and I extend this invitation to members of other clubs too. Our first such activity will be on Feb 22, where we (the Brothers) will be making a 50+ gallon batch of all grain beer at Larry's Brewing in Kent, the home of the Alers. This activity will involve members of both clubs, but is in no way restricted to them. If you, or any other member of the Cascadia list wish to attend, then please consider yourself invited!
By the same token, we plan on several activities through the year that will be open to all clubs in the region. Or outside the region if necessary! The Brothers have a reputation (somewhat deserved) as a snobby group, disinclined to associate with brewers of other clubs. I'm attempting to dispel this attitude, both from within and without. Any help that you may offer in this endeavor would be appreciated...
By the way. The "Emperor" dig is an in joke. There wasn't much of an election that put me in charge, so I have a hard time calling myself "President". That implies democracy in action, and I understand that there was precious little of that when I was "nominated". This is also something that is not meant to upset people, but probably does...
Again, I would like to apologize for any misunderstanding that may have arisen from my post of last friday. I look forward to meeting you, and hope to see you soon..
Thanks for reading to the bottom of this message! Rich Webb, Emperor of the Brews Brothers
This page is authored and maintained by Rich Webb. You can send E-mail to me by following this link to the contact page. And feel free to contact me if you have any comments, criticisms, or suggestions. I remain, however, perfectly capable of ignoring your useless opinion...
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This document was placed here on January 13, 1997, and has been viewed countless times.