CHUGIAK DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION
General Meeting – October 6, 2004
6 pm at the clubhouse, Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails
Hotline: 689-7899

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm.
Minutes were read from the September 15th general meeting and approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Checking: $16,844; Gaming: $1,170; Savings: $8,630; Total: $26,644
Checking account changes included an additional $745 from membership and $1,350 from poster ad fees, and expenditures of $1,607 for clubhouse/facility maintenance and improvement.

Committee Reports:

Race Poster Committee -- The race poster is still in production and will be done soon.

Trail Committee – There was no report of downed trees after the early-season snow storms a few weeks ago.

Race Committee – Any proposed race rule changes need to be presented to the club this month. The vote on any changes will be held during the November 3rd meeting.

Political Action Committee – Val Jokela shared information from Mark Moderow that there are some mushers who have been “taunting their neighbors with their four 20-minute rights.” Even though mushers are allowed these periods of barking, it is in the best interest of all of us if these rights are viewed as guidelines and not absolute rights to be used at all times. The club urges all mushers to be reasonable and courteous when exercising these rights because barking can still annoy neighbors and cause problems even if it is within the law. The changes to Title 17, which went into effect this summer allow four 20-minute periods of noise between 7am and 10pm, as well as the original five minutes at a time at night and seven minutes at a time during the day. If your dogs violate these parameters, document the circumstances in case any complaints are filed. For example, a moose might have been in the yard at the time.

New Business

Ron Kilian will attend the Parks & Rec meeting on Monday, Oct. 11 to defend our recently submitted grant application asking for $5,500.

Jake Simpson, our snowplower, will be going to school this year and won’t be able to plow for the club. His mother recommended someone else and the club agreed to forego the bid process and offer the job to this recommended person.

The Boy Scout interested in replacing the hookup posts is currently getting approval and will work on the project next summer.

Bill, Ed, and Jo have been working on the alternate side posts. Linda Visener, with Parks & Rec has a supply of posts.

Eric Rogers asked if we were supporting the horse people in the latest round of attempted regulation changes. In the meetings about horses, dogs have been mentioned several times. The changes are attempting to limit ownership of any type of animal based on lot size. The club reiterated a need to create a network of animal groups that can work together to attend meetings, report back, and speak out at Assembly meetings and other key forums. The club agreed to contact the horse club(s) and offer our support. Carla Kelly will talk with Animal Control, as she has been attending those meetings.

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce will accept information about our programs for its monthly newsletter.

Meeting adjourned at 7:26pm

Education Program:

The October Education Program is Networking for Beginners. The club gathered together a variety of people who represent different aspects of mushing and dogs. These people were introduced and attendees were encouraged to walk around and talk to as many as they wanted. About 30 people attended the event and discussions were lively. The event provided an opportunity for interested folks to sign up as race volunteers or learn more about specific aspects of dog sports. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this program – some good connections were made!

Next Meeting:

The next board meeting will be Wednesday, October 13th at 7pm at the clubhouse. All are welcome to attend. The next general meeting will be Wednesday, October 20th at 7pm at the clubhouse. The next education program will be Wednesday, November 3rd at 8pm at the clubhouse, following a 7pm general meeting (including a vote on race rules). The education program will be Dog First Aid on the Trail, presented by Dr. Susan Whiton.