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and slow cooking. You can follow some of Jess’ up- coming activities on www.mnbbqsociety.com. Watch for Spring Training registration information in early 2020 on the website as well, as this workshop has repeatedly sold out in previous years. Minnesota In May BBQ Contest will be held May-8- 9-2020. After the feedback we received from both Backyard and Pro teams, Reps, and the Board, the contest will be returning to Isanti County Fair- grounds in Cambridge, Minnesota. At last year’s con- test we instituted the Mentor Program to allow interested Backyard teams the opportunity to work with more experienced Pro teams. This is very much in keeping with our mission statement: “The purpose of the Minnesota Barbeque Society is to promote, ed- ucate and perpetuate barbeque as a culinary tech- nique, sport and art form.” The contest committee will be looking for Pro teams to work as mentors to backyard teams again at the 2020 contest. We will also be looking for volunteers to help out at the con- test. Watch the website for signup information as the contest committee refines this year’s contest needs. Board Elections will take place in January. This year we have two open slots and if you’re interested in helping to set the direction of the Minnesota Bar- beque Society, watch the website for the call for ap- plicants in the coming months. The Annual Board Meeting and Banquet is being planned for February 2020. The planning committee is working on the details as well as looking for door prizes and giveaway items, and folks that may be in- terested in helping out. If interested please visit the website and click on Contact Us to let us know. Membership and Event Registration are being re- vamped to make them more user friendly and effi- cient. In the past this has been a real task to make sure everything reconciled. The new system that the society is considering will interface with member- ship, contest, spring training and other events, but most of all connect with the accounting system. This will provide better records for audit tracking and taxes. If all stays on pace it should be in place later this year. As always, the Board is busy and trying to improve. Keep your eye on the website, www.mnbbqsociety.com or follow us on Facebook for updates on events and calls for help. We are also in- terested in new ideas, you can reach out to us on the website with any suggestions for the future. Upcoming contests in Minnesota- Big Island Festival: August 23- 24 Turkey Days Smokin’ Gobbler Cook-off: September 13 & 14, along with several backyard events. Good luck to all of the teams competing! Happy Q’ing!! Minnesota Upcoming Events Sept 13-14, King Turkey Day Smokin’ Gobbler Cook off, Worthington MN. www.kingturkeyday.net JOIN US • #MNBBQCREW • Facebook.com/mnbbqsociety SEPTEMBER 2019 BarbecueNews.com - 21