Idaho BBQ Association Board of Directors Meeting
January 3, 2026 | Kuna, Idaho
Call to Order & Roll Call
Board Members in Attendance
- Brett Bruns
- Jay Tinklenberg
- Landon Staab
- Jared Pullman
- Tom Day
Absent- Earl Wallace
Old Business
No old business was brought forward.
New Business
Formation of the Idaho BBQ Association
The board formally moved to form the Idaho BBQ Association (IBA). The purpose of the organization is to:
- Sanction BBQ competitions in Idaho
- Promote BBQ events statewide
- Grow, support, and connect the BBQ community
The board discussed the importance of consistency, engagement, transparency, and continuity as core pillars of the organization. Building a welcoming community and creating long-term sustainability were emphasized as primary goals.
Formation of the IBA Board of Directors
The following interim board roles were approved:
- President: Jared Pullman
- Membership Director: Brett Bruns
- Communications Director: Jay Tinklenberg
- Sponsorship Director: Landon Staab
- Board Member: Tom Day (role TBD)
- Board Member: Earl Wallace (role TBD)
The board identified the need to fill a Treasurer role as a priority.
Governance & Rules of Order
The board discussed adopting more formal rules of order as the organization grows. This will help ensure:
- Transparency in decision-making
- Fairness to all members
- Clear and consistent governance standards
Formal rules will continue to be developed and implemented over time.
General Finances
The board discussed financial needs and sustainability for the organization.
Estimated Annual Costs
The IBA will require approximately $5,000–$6,000 annually, covering:
- Insurance
- Website hosting and maintenance
- Business and administrative fees
- Email platforms (e.g., Mailchimp)
- End-of-year banquet (largest single expense, estimated $2,000–$3,000)
Revenue & Fundraising Ideas Discussed
- Membership dues
- Event sanctioning fees
- Raffles at events
- Sponsorships and marketing packages
- Partner perks for members
- Sponsorship outreach to local and regional businesses
The board emphasized that sponsorships must make sense for businesses and clearly outline what sponsors receive in return.
Membership & Sanctioning Fees
Membership Dues
- Proposed at $50 per year
- Board members may pre-purchase memberships for future years as seed money for association.
Sanctioning Fees
- Goal is to reduce barriers to entry and encourage participation
- Sanctioning provides access to experienced, qualified judges
- Final discussed structure:
- IBA Members: $10 per team
- Non-Members: $20 per team
Membership will include perks and benefits that are still TBD.
IBA Insurance for 2026
Insurance coverage for 2026 was approved at approximately $1,700 annually.
Insurance is currently set up through a broker to secure the best available rate. For IBA-sanctioned events, organizers will be required to carry their own insurance. The IBA will explore partnerships with agencies to help event organizers navigate insurance requirements.
Board Conflicts of Interest
The board discussed potential conflicts of interest and agreed on the importance of avoiding situations that could compromise fairness or trust, including:
- Board members benefiting personally or financially from IBA decisions
- Serving on the board of another BBQ association while holding an IBA board position
- Running competitions that are not sanctioned by the IBA
Transparency and disclosure were emphasized as key tools for preventing conflicts.
Events & Programming for 2026
The board discussed multiple ways to strengthen and grow the community.
Planned Initiatives
- 5–6 IBA-sanctioned events
- Formation of an Events Committee
- Less formal structure
- Open to volunteers
- Designed as a low barrier to entry
- Allows more members to contribute and support the board (force multiplier)
- Monthly Potlucks
- Focused on first-time competitors and newcomers
- Open to non-members
- Encourage “bring a friend” participation
- Informal gatherings to build relationships
- Judges Training
- Plan for at least two sessions in 2026
- Ensures a steady pipeline of qualified judges
- Judges are a core service provided to members
- Workshops
- Low-barrier educational events
- Led by IBA members
- Examples discussed: tri-tip classes, charcoal smoker basics, BBQ fundamentals
Team of the Year & End-of-Year Banquet
The board discussed establishing Team of the Year and hosting an end-of-year banquet as a cornerstone event:
- Formal, gala-style celebration
- Discounted or free tickets for IBA members
- Corporate sponsorship opportunities
- Recognition of competitors and community contributions
- Designed as the crowning event of the season
Competition Rules & Team of the Year Points
Points-Eligible Categories
- Poultry
- Pork
- Beef
Only these categories will count toward Team of the Year standings.
Additional Rule Notes
- People’s Choice will not count toward Team of the Year points
- Team of the Year will be based on a limited and defined list of categories
- A weighted points system based on attendance and placement will be developed to ensure fairness across events of varying sizes
All rules, requirements, and point structures will be formalized and published for transparency.
Bylaws
The topic of bylaws was introduced and will be addressed in a future meeting.
Event Sanction Requests
Smoke on the Prairie – March 21, 2026
Approved for IBA sanctioning with the following conditions:
- Sanctioning fee: $15
- Minimum of 10 teams
- Payment and team confirmation due two weeks prior to the event
- Categories: Chicken, Ribs, Chili
- IBA will conduct a 30-day check-in with the event organizer to confirm event status
Open Discussion, Announcements & Adjournment
No additional items were formally acted on. The next meeting date and time will be set at a later date.