CHUGIAK DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION
Meeting – Aug 3, 2005
7 pm at the clubhouse, Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails
Hotline: 689-7899

Board Members in Attendance:
Ron Kilian – Pres.
Val Jokela – V.P.
Jeanne Carlson – Secr.
Ellie Claus
Don Keller
Mary Lou Raychel
Dixie Waddell

Clubhouse:
Ron said that the electrical hookup to the clubhouse was supposed to have been done by the third week of July. Linda Visenor indicated it will now happen by August 15th. The meter base is installed and there is an inspection sticker. Parks & Rec will be putting in an asphalt pad and four posts soon for the trash containment area. The club will then build the structure on the pad. The club authorized the purchase of materials for this project. Dixie motioned that we approve the purchase of the necessary materials (2x4s, T1-11) for the project; Mary Lou seconded; all in favor.

Clint Gahn, the Eagle Scout who plans to redo the hook-up posts, is working with DJ Rental and Klondike Concrete to arrange the supplies to put in posts. He will be working on the project on Friday and Saturday, August 12th and 13th. Adults are needed to assist the Boy Scout Troop and provide tools and pickups for transport of gravel.

Shirley Gavin was asked to provide a message to include on the stained glass piece commissioned in memory of Myron Gavin. Dixie will assist in composing an appropriate message for the piece.

Race Committee:

The changes mentioned during the last meeting were made and the schedule sent out. Jo sent it to Alaska magazine and it has been put on the web site. A copy was sent to the Race Poster committee.

Race Poster:

Ellie Claus reported to the club on several new ideas for the poster including:

Raising the price for ads: single to $70 (up $10), double to $115 (up $15) and super size to $220 (up $20). Ellie’s research found that the cost of an ad for a month in The Cache is $99 for a business-card sized black & white ad.

Making the poster double-sided with a four-month calendar on both sides with the race schedule and other events, important dates, facts, and tips (Sept-Dec on one side and Jan-April on the other)
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Include an ad or an area of the poster in memory of Harold Capps.

The poster printing cost $570 last year and would cost $627 this year if done the same (2 colors, 200 quantity). A double-sided poster of the same size (200 quantity) would cost $896 for two colors on each side. Less expensive options include only doing two-color on one side, shrinking the poster to 11x17 (current size is 17x22), or reducing quantity. Ellie will look into paper choices, and costs for fewer copies since we tend to have posters left over each season.

Val put forth the motion that we raise the ad prices as suggested. Dixie seconded the motion and all were in favor. Dixie put forth the motion that we approve the double-sided layout and printing costs up to $896. Don seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Education Committee:

Jeanne relayed the results of an abbreviated Education meeting several weeks earlier. Topics such as getting vehicles and gear in order for the season, dog foot care, breeding and whelping and networking were discussed. Getting juniors involved was also mentioned. Someone brought up the idea of a vaccination clinic, as well as other hands-on topics like how to build a dog house and how to lay out a dog yard. The Good Neighbor program was mentioned as well. The committee will meet again soon with more members involved and lay out the season’s education program schedule.

Political Action:

Val and Dixie provided an update on the weekly Eagle River Comp Plan meetings. Both expressed frustration with the process and the feeling that the community was being led by a few people to accept the terms presented by Anchorage. The Eagle River contingent was interested in having its own Title 21 just as Girdwood does.

New Business:

The board discussed the Open Pro Tours concept put forth by Streeper Kennels where the club would pay $1000 to participate and mushers would pay $100 for each race in a circuit. This was not deemed to be something the club would actively pursue.

Don volunteered to be on the Trail Committee with Bill and Ed. Thanks Don! There was discussion of grading trails early in the season to make them more runable with minimal amounts of snow. The idea of more public viewing areas also was mentioned. This may have been accomplished with the brushing done to install power lines.

Next Meeting:

The next general meeting will be held Wednesday, September 7th at 7pm. The location has not been determined. A notice will be sent out with that information. In September, a schedule of general meetings and education programs will begin.

Please send any questions or corrections to:

Jeanne Carlson

phone (907) 688-8411 fax (907) 688-8409

carlsonje@saic.com