Brothers,
Another Busch Brothers Annual Meeting has come and gone.
As the new secretary of our group I offer the following minutes for your approval/correction/addition.

The 17th BBAM was held June 27th, 2009 in beautiful Manchester, OH at the Rich Lask estate.  There were 9 Brothers in attendance that arrived in the following order:
Rich, Paul, Tex, Steve, Chris, Jon, Craig, Bob, Mike. 
The meeting was officially started at around 12:07 with the following brothers present:
Rich, Paul, Tex, Steve, Chris, Jon.
Craig arrived soon after around 12:15.  I think he would have made it for the opening ceremonies if it weren't for passing up the street off of route 41.  Also, about the same time, from the great state of Nebraska, we received a phone call from Joe.  He talked to each of us as he drank a couple Busch beers from afar.  Bob arrived around 30 minutes later after being misdirected by googlemaps.  Mike and James arrived a couple hours later to round out the field.

Saturday morning there was a skeleton can wall constructed much like the ones at our old meeting place in Clifton.  This was also exciting because it was the first time ever that full beer cans were used to keep the wall growing taller.  As everyone arrived they were given a Pick Your Pony card to fill out and given an index card to mark their row on the wall.  It sure was nice to build a wall again and add to it beer after beer.  
Paul reports that Mike was the Pick your Pony winner-only off 15 cans.

It was over 90 degrees so we mostly stayed inside until around 3:30 when we started our 2nd ever official Uechre Tournament.  Busch Mountain rules where in place which involved 7 rounds with four deals each.  The top 4 players advanced to the final four.  We had an 8 man rotation with Jon in charge and oddly enough he won.  No one motioned for an audit and the money was paid to him as the winner and smaller amounts given to the other top 3 players.  Bob was the winner of the 2nd Uechre Tourney of the night.

There was a break in the action after the Uechre Tourney which allowed everyone do whatever needed to be done including many rounds of social drinks, grabbing some food off the grill, ride or drive the Tractor, ride the quad, or ride the motorcycles.   

At 5:25 PM we began our full members meeting.  We reviewed the notes from the previous year and went on to new business.  There was a motion to start discussion on the nomination by Steve of James for associate member.  After some discussion he spoke on his own behalf and mentioned several things he liked about or group including our Brotherhood and Comradery that has lasted for over 17 yrs.  He went on to add that he will be dedicated to our cause and constitution and vows to stay in touch no matter where life may take him which includes most importantly attending the annual meetings. There was heavy debate, but eventually he was voted in with the necessary 100% approval.  Tex and Tony were voted to be his Co-mentors.  There was a quick one drink around initiation of James into the BB.  Wisdom offered included:  getting to know everyone, reply to all communication quickly, drink Busch, make a good friend to speak on your behalf in your absence, and Bros b4 whoose.

There was also discussion and a motion to knock Ben down to Honorary member.  After much discussion it was decided that Rich and Steve contact Ben to seek his desire to remain in our group.  It should be noted that Jon voted -NO and Tex - Abstained from the original motion.

Jon made a motion to elect Chris as our new President which quickly passed with 100% approval.

Based on his surprise nomination and election Chris quickly moved to fill his cabinet.

Rich was voted to be officially in charge of BBAM festivities.  
Jon was voted to continue the roll of website design and maintenance.
Steve was voted to remain as BB communication secretary and PR Director.
Paul was voted to be the official Instigator.
Tex was voted to remain grillmaster and firestarter.

There was a motion with quick approval to make Rich's House the new Busch Mountain.

From Chris, 
"I would like to add that I am honored and humbled by my nomination and approval as president of the Busch Brothers, truly one of the finest organizations in the land"

Consumption was up this year at 168 cans which is 37 cans over last, but still lower than we have had in the past.  There were strong showings by our case club members for the year: 
Mike(24), Rich(24), and Tex(24).
There were strong showings by Paul(20) and Chris(20).
To round out the field Steve(15), Craig(12), Jon W (9), Bob(7), James(13).  

There was some fear at the beginning of the lighting of the fire as the gas fumes ignited and started to spread towards the house and crowd, but it quickly burned itself out and all was safe.
The fire was ignited by roman candles(who got it lit?)  and the bon fire raged and the fireworks commenced for about 15 minutes.

The tractor rides throughout the night were definitely a highlight and lasted well into the evening.  Driving a late 70's blazer over the fields and thru the woods over the trees is something that should be on everyone's bucket list.  It was still running in the morning, but Paul chose to leave it behind opposed to drive it home…….probably a good choice.  Hopefully it will remain to be enjoyed for years to come. 

There were no major injuries, no major damage, and no police presence.
I believe a good time was had by all. 
  
If anyone has anything else to add, please reply so I can communicate it to the rest of the group.

Also, please reply if you have any ideas for the BBAM2010.

A couple ideas brought up already include:
Changing the seeding on the wall for the pick your pony.
Jon's performance of only 9 cans might be addressed.
Website change suggested:
To have certain areas be password protected with only BB to have access. 

Agenda…….Beginning the Uechre Tourney at 1:00.
Full member meeting immediately following first Uechre Tourney
2nd Uechre Tourney after sun goes down.
Lighting of the fire after 2nd Uechre Tourney

2 July 2009   -  Steve on Mike McConnell show - reviewing the BB and BBAM with mike on WLW 
podcast.  3rd hour, about halfway thru.

http://www.700wlw.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=mike_mcconnell.xml

As reported by: 
Brother Steve