Rick Wagner - Parker, CO

1.  Please describe the skills you possess which would make you an asset as a board member, in dealing with the challenges facing KCBS, and give an example of how those skills would serve the KCBS board of Directors and its membership.

I am a Certified Public Accountant with over 38 years of experience in non-profit accounting. All non-profit entities need to include on the board a mix of members that will assist with various aspects of the business. I can assist with the accounting part of the business of running KCBS. Making sure we have good internal controls, timely reporting of financial statements and working with the outside independent auditors at year end. Another important aspect is looking into the future of the financial health of the organization. What do we do to make the organization not so dependent upon membership dues and fluctuations in membership? What happens from a financial aspect if we do have a substantial drop in membership? These are some of the questions an experienced accountant can answer for the Board.

 

2.  If you are a Cook, Judge, Organizer, Rep or Backyard Cook, please identify the major KCBS issues concerning one of the areas in which you are involved. Describe the major issue, your strategies to correct or improve the issue and what you see as the biggest challenge to the success of your plan.

I feel there is a chance our membership numbers go down and we lose the dollars needed to stay viable. So, I feel the preservation of the equity we have and adding to the financial stability of the organization is vital to the long success of KCBS. All organizations need to continuously improve their internal controls to protect their assets, KCBS is no different. This includes the daily controls, monthly timely reporting of financials and annual independent audits. I have done this for over 38 years with many different non-profit organizations and could be of great assistance to make this happen at KCBS.
 

3.  Identify your major short-term goal and the major long-term goal, if elected to the Board of KCBS and your plan to implement change or improvement in order to carry out each of these goals.

 
My short-term goal is to review the current internal controls to make sure we have proper procedures in place for financial approvals at the Management and Board levels. This should be easily accomplished during my first six months.
 
My long-term goal is to look into the future and project financially how we keep KCBS alive for many more generations. How do we look for diverse funding and how do we keep our membership at the current level and increasing.
 

4.  If elected please explain "your level of commitment, time and energy" for committee projects and monthly reports, board meetings and attendance, as well as representing KCBS to the public and being responsive to our members.  Board members typically volunteer 4-6 hours a month to Board meeting; Committee Chairs typically volunteer 2-4 hours a month and general Board Work a minimum of 6-8 hours a month.

 
I am a dedicated person and if I commit to something it is at the 110% level. One of my personal attributes is organization, ask anyone that has been in my BBQ trailer. I feel I can organize my schedule and be available for the hours required and I have done this for many other non-profit boards I have been on in the past. Currently I am living in Tahlequah, OK and could be in Kansas City fairly easily if needed.
 

5.  Please describe your previous participation in KCBS activities and years of experience.

 
I have been a cook for the last seven years in the Rocky Mountain BBQ Association with time spent on the Board there. I have also been on many different non-profit boards with years of non-profit board experience, most recently on the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and St Mary’s School Board.
 

6.  Please explain why you want to be a member of the KCBS Board of Directors.

 
I love KCBS and the people that compete, judge and organize events. I tell others that we are all one big family that competes but are not competitors. Everyone is always there to help their fellow competitor if needed. Every time we come to an event it is like a big family reunion and we can escape our day jobs for a couple days to do what we love. I want to do what I am good at, accounting, to help KCBS last long into the future for many others to experience what we have all got to experience. I know many times elections for these boards becomes a popularity contest and being an accountant I will most likely never win a popularity contest but I do want to lend my many years of experience as a CPA to help the organization be financially sound and last well into the future.
 
Rick – hope to see all of you at the next event