CHUGIAK DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting – March 9, 2005
7 pm at the clubhouse, Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails
Hotline: 689-7899

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm.

Trail Rides Proposal:
Ellie Claus presented to the board, proposing her plan to operate sled dog rides on the club trails and asking permission from the club, as required by the MOA. Ellie proposed providing rides primarily between 9am and 3pm on weekdays on the 2-mile and 4-mile trails of the Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails. She assured the club that she would observe proper trail etiquette at all times and no trips to be scheduled during races.

She also generously offered to donate a portion of her proceeds to the club to assist with trail maintenance, as well as offered to provide any necessary assistance to other mushers while on the trail system and to participate in occasional work parties. This is in addition to the required 15% of proceeds collected by the MOA.

She mentioned that she has a $1 million liability insurance policy that named the MOA as additional insured. A member asked if the club would be liable for any incidents and Ellie agreed to investigate having the club named on the policy as well.

Val motioned that the club support Ellie’s proposal with the stipulation that the insurance issue be investigated. Dixie amended the motion, adding that the club would provide a letter of support tonight to Ellie. Harold and Colton seconded the motion and the club passed the motion.

Races:
The Mushing 36 is set to go this Saturday, March 12, at 5pm with timers and prizes lined up. Jerry Raychel says that based on his recent runs, the trails are usable. Prizes include several Mushing magazine subscriptions and sweatshirts, gift certificates, and numerous other items left from the auctions and donated by members.

There also will be a 3-dog, 2-mil fun run at 1pm. And the Junior Classic will be at 11am on Sunday, March 13th, probably using the 2-mile and 4-mile trails.

Lexi will officiate the Mushing 36 and fun run. Jerry will officiate the Junior Classic.

Dixie suggested that a special recognition go to Julie Capps for her participation in last weekend’s 6-dog, 8-mile race in the purebred class. Since no other races were held this season with a purebred class, it would be nice to recognize the purebred contribution to the club. A plaque will be made for Julie.

In addition, thank you’s will be sent to those helping and donating to last week’s races.
Jackie will send thank you’s to the Businesspeople once photos are obtained of the racers.

Board Elections:
To date, the following people have agreed to run for the Board:
Mellen Shea
Tim Forbus
Jackie Fabrizzio
Don Keller
Barb Johnson
Ellie Claus
Shirley Gavin
Lorri Burnett

For Executive Committee:
President: ?? , possibly Ron Kilian
Vice President: Val Jokela
Treasurer: Colton Seale, possibly Jackie Fabrizzio
Secretary: Jeanne Carlson

A ballot mailing party will be scheduled for next week to ensure that the ballots are mailed out by March 20th.

Income from Races/Banquet/Auction:
The club made $1121 on all auctions, including the Chinese auction and silent auction.
The races brought in $900, not including the Businessperson’s Race.
About 32 tickets were sold for the banquet at $20 each, and approximately 8 additional

Miscellaneous:
Electricity may be possible at the clubhouse as early as this summer. It would be much cheaper to get hook-up if the club cleared the right-of-way. In addition, Bill brought up the issue of getting a well and septic and Parks & Rec was not opposed to the idea.

Jackie has continued to investigate the possibility of a working dog seminar co-hosted by the club. She has looked at costs for space at several of the larger local hotels, as well as the Egan Center. She has gotten support from an Anchorage dog-training club. Iams may be willing to donate the use of a digital projector, among other things, which would be a major expense for the event.

Meeting adjourned 7:45pm.

Next Meeting:
The next general meeting will be Wednesday, March 30th, at 7pm at the clubhouse. Note: The meeting on the 30th has been specially scheduled to accommodate the Board Elections. There will be no general meeting on March 16th because of this change.