Two Rivers Dog Mushers Association

TWO RIVERS DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION
October 3, 2006

MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Scott Chesney, President, called the meeting to order at 7:40PM
20 members present

MINUTES REVIEW:
September 5 meeting minutes were reviewed briefly.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Becky Cummings provided a financial report. We currently have $2,622.66 in our account.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Sponsorship of Jr. Mushers to Jr. Iditarod and Jr. Quest: Scott Chesney reviewed with the club the Jr. Sponsorship program we are supporting this season. There would be 2 Jr. mushers chosen with a ceiling cap of $125 per musher. The club would provide a check to the organization for the entry fee and the remaining funds would go towards traveling expenses. A mentor or experienced musher would need to sign off that the Jr. musher has the necessary experience to complete the race. The Jr. musher would need to write a 250 word essay and also explain to the club what they could give back to the members and club (i.e. volunteer hours).
• Race Managers NEEDED: We still need for Race Managers. Without the support of volunteers, stepping up to take the role of the race manager, some of the races may not be held this season. Aliy Zirkle has volunteered to manager the Tune up. Scott Chesney has dedicated the board for the Chatanika 100/200 this year. We still need someone to step up to the plate for the Solstice 100, the Hamburger Run, and the Valley Funale. We have several personnel interested already in assisting with the awards, hungry dog, and food for the Funale, we just need a manager!

STANDING COMMITTEES REPORT:

• Sponsorship: Scott Chesney announced we have sponsorship packets available for new sponsors now! If anyone wants one, they are available for distribution. Val is in the process of mailing out packets to the existing sponsorship list and she and Scott will also have packets available for new sponsors if anyone is in need of one.
• Public Relations: Nothing to Report
• Race/Rules: Nothing to Report
• Trail: Mike reported that the forestry division is re-doing the logging road on top of Jenny M Hill. It is a wide trail, but very messy and sloppy right now. A caution has been put out on the trails in this area. Point of contact at the Interior Forestry division is Doug Hanson. Mike will try to get TRDMA on the list to be notified when logging roads will be worked upon. Becky Alexander will post a sign at the Pleasant Valley Store warning trail users of the logging road activity. Becky also reported there is logging activity off the end of Pleasant Valley Road and Hyssop. Scott Chesney reported the trail from Flat Creek to the Fire Break Trail has been cleared. The trail is reported to be a little narrow at the bottom, but easily passable with a sled. The Compeau trail has also been opened. It is reported as having several sharp switch backs, use with caution. Rattles reported that the easement off of 24 mile behind Kedrick’s has been surveyed and is to be reopened, due to the old territorial 33 foot easement.
• Junior: Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Yukon Quest has not official announced the replacement checkpoint for Angel Creek this year.
• We need a new meeting place. Several places have been suggested to include; Grange Hall, the Nazarene Church, Frank’s Pizza, Mia’s, Judy Curriers, and the old idea of Swenson’s Club House offer. Scott announces once the new location has been determined, emails, signs, and phone calls will go out. A huge thanks of gratitude goes out to Becky Alexander from the club for offering the time and space of the Pleasant Valley Store for the past years. Her support has been greatly appreciated. Becky has offered to continue storing the clubs items, but cannot accept any more due to space shortages. Scott suggested looking into purchasing a connex for the club’s gear. Swenson’s old suggestion of a club house will be revisited.
• Scott Chesney reported that help is needed on developing the code of ethics. Scott has a copy of the rough document available for review. He reported the code is to show us and others in the community that our club is serious about proper dog mushing and handling ethics. We are tailoring the code to meet our need as a club and it is an important issue to get across to mushers and the community alike.
• The Symposium will be held the last weekend in October. We need volunteers for booth sitting. We will have the junior musher sponsorship packets available at that time.

MEMBER’S COMMENTS:

• Paul Shoen now has straw available.
• Aliy Zirkle reported there is a brown bear in the area.
• Becky Cummings has 10 sheep available for dog food.
• Tammy Regal has a registered black lab that is house and kennel broke. Free to good home.
• Emails and phone calls about meeting reminders appreciated and great idea.
• Rattles reported the club’s snow machine is being brought in for a new battery and new starter bracket.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm, next meeting will be on November 7, 2006 (Election Day).