Replace on AHA’s Independence and Name for Member Remark

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[Pictured above: Back row, AHA founding board members Gary Glass, Drew Beechum, and Greg Roskopf; front row, Sandy Cockerham, Shawna Cormier (chair), and Julia Herz (AHA executive director).]

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By Shawna Cormier (Chair, AHA Founding Board) and Julia Herz (Government Director, American Homebrewers Affiliation)

Hey, American Homebrewers Affiliation (AHA) members and the world’s homebrewing group. We’re excited to share some vital updates. Since our January 22, 2025, announcement that the AHA is incorporating to change into an impartial group from the Brewers Affiliation (BA), we obtained very constructive suggestions from many members and companions. Along with your involvement, our constructive steps will assist us preserve tempo, evolve, innovate, develop, and proceed to serve you and the superb passion of homebrewing and fermenting in new methods. Additionally thanks to these members who supplied enter already and have stepped as much as volunteer.

Highlights on what the newly seated AHA founding board did throughout our strategic retreat on Feb 10–11, 2025, embrace:

• Drafted, for member remark, an AHA imaginative and prescient for 2025: We have a good time, educate, and promote the artwork, science, and pleasure of fermentation, championing a united group of at the moment and tomorrow’s homebrewers.
• Documented AHA’s 12 months one strategic priorities with motion objects supporting these priorities pending:
  • Group Energy & Well being
  • Information & Studying
  • Neighborhood, Collaboration & Competitors
• Confirmed future plans for a 2026 return of Homebrew Con, 2026 board elections, and a fiftieth Anniversary celebration in 2028.
• Labored on confirming founding board officers, new committees, and a board member activity power to help the AHA transition, together with the creation of charters (pending for Spring 2025).
• Confirmed AHA will apply to be a 501(c)(3) over different 501(c) choices.

Notables

• On Jan. 22 the AHA filed for incorporation within the state of Colorado.
• On the board’s request, the AHA prolonged the Nationwide Homebrew Competitors (NHC) entry window to Feb 28.
• The board reviewed AHA’s funds and membership income, and mentioned the significance of creating new member advantages and occasions.
• Mentioned establishing the AHA fiscal 12 months cycle, drafting a reserves coverage, time period of service for this transition board, and future elections of latest board members in 2026.
• Continued the search to rent an Affiliation Administration Firms (AMC) to hold out AHA’s day-to-day operations for rent by March 2025, with plans for the AHA to completely transition from the BA to the brand new AMC earlier than the top of 2025. 

We heard from many who want extra involvement, and we welcome extra strong participation. There are a number of alternatives, together with:

• Inviting member enter on the brand new imaginative and prescient and strategic priorities by the founding board, as listed above. Please use this kind to register feedback by March 25.
• Encouraging our members’ help to assist us execute our many shared objectives—volunteer right here.
• Becoming a member of the founding board on Feb 27 and 28 for a 24-hour Q&A on the AHA Discussion board and on the March 18 Zymurgy Reside City Corridor.
• Signing as much as get the AHA’s What’s Brewing e-newsletter right here.
• Coming into the forty seventh NHC to compete with AHA members worldwide. The entry window has been prolonged to Feb. 28. Enter right here.
• Renewing or becoming a member of the AHA to be a part of this unbelievable historical past because it unfolds right here.

We proceed to understand your help, pleasure, and opinions as we work towards a vibrant and sustainable mission-focused future. We’re thrilled about the way forward for our group, and to your collaboration.

Cheers.