Arctic Orienteering Club Board Meeting
Minutes by Joyce Goodell
April 16th, 2014
Before meeting was called to order, Dan and Ann gave a short overview of their recent travel to Portugal and Spain for international orienteering meets. They also let us know of upcoming meets in Tasmania in Jan 2015 for the Oceania Championships, which they also plan to attend.
Meeting was called to order by President Trond Jensen at 7:25 pm.
Attendees: Mike Robinson, Joyce Goodell, Chris Tomsen, Bill Johnson, Dela Grey, Trond Jensen, Karen Bronga, Dan Billman, Art Harmon, Lexi Hill.
The past meeting’s minutes were accepted.
Items discussed:
1. Mike Robinson on meets. On 5-6, the Big “O” needs a volunteer for the Start Table. The meet director training may be eliminated due to most directors have past experience, and the training may not have much value. Mike will get with Jen to arrange the course setting training on the schedule. Mike reported good progress on permitting, and BLM and the Muni are done. He is working to complete the other areas. Mike will send all meet directors an e-mail to remind them of specific items to be aware of.
2. Getting ready for the season. Chris brought up talking to contacts at schools to make them aware of the Big O. Mike will contact Chelsea to volunteer our services for help with the “O”. We also want to pass out our AOC cards at the table, and Mike will have specifics printed on the cards such as “kids free, and first meet free”.
3. Ski O reports. Attendence at Brongas and Spencers were low. Earthquake park and Hilltop were higher. Earthquake park map was given a good review. The board agreed to give a map (paper copy, not PFD) to an Earthquake Survivor who requested one.
4. Ian and Jenʼs proposal regarding bringing Dan Ellsworth up to put on meets and/or update maps. We discussed cost of airfare, car, R&B. This would cost us at least the seasonʼs revenue from meet fees, and we still owe $900 from our mapping project from last year. The board decided that since the new schedule is already set, and most directors have experience, help with meets would not be valuable. A couple directors that will need help are spread throughout the season. Could we as a club do some of the gross mapping ourselves? Such as Buildings, parking lots, trails using GPS references? We also discussed that possibly Dan E. could do mapping update from our GPS and field notes from home. Are we organized enough this year to bring him up? Board decided we need more time for planning, to get the most from Dan Eʼs expertise. Trond will ask Ian if we can use Dan E. for GPS and map updating, and pay him, and propose more solid projects in the future.
5. Meet Directors are asked to give all sign in sheets to Dan B. (the treasurer) for year end stats so he can start a database of participants, and also use it for “thank youʼs”, data on donations, etc. Also, please give all meet money to Dan.
6. Art was wondering what his job was as VP for membership. Bill with find him jobs! Dan E. will talk to Nancy Borroughs to clarify specific preferences and restrictions for meets held at Ruth Arcand
7. Equipment report: Bill says the clock is OK. Controls are OK, we have two complete sets, and also some spare new ones for replacements. Bill will do some research on some new directional signs as ours is not usable. AOC will reimburse him for cost of new signs. Also, do we have more “bear aware” brochures? Chris will procure some if we need them at the start table.
8. Dela: Land and Trails. At CM, Dot is trying to standardize the use permitting procedure. They are working our emergency procedures, meet notifications. Single track trails also being developed in the area. Dela will get a map for that and forward it to Ian. UAA/APU: area of NLTS and UAA drive has some construction. Short discussion of the upcoming Bragaw Extension. Dela provided diagrams. FNBP: no update on trails. Some work is (or will be done) on the swampy area of Black Bear and Moose Meadows ares. Russian Jack: Some clearing of downed trees off trails has been done (area by Pine Street.)
9. National Ski O: Trond. Discussion regarding would it be possible for Anchorage to hold this? It is held every two years, alternating between the East and West coast. In 2016 it will be on the west coast. Discussion followed of what would be the procedure to accomplish this? Formats involved. We have great venues. We would need good winter version of maps, and need to liason with NSAA for mapping and grooming. Discussed renting a SI system for punching, or update our system. Grants? ADCP? One may fit this venue. Also align it with Iditarod, Fur Rondy, and with this we may find some funds to help. Trond will follow up with lots of questions to the appropriate people.
Other Business:
- Healthy Futures has dontated $1000 for kids orienteer free.
- Trond is open to any suggestions for ideas and new directions for the club to take.
- Chris T. suggested another Search and Rescue “meet” in conjunction of one of our meets. It was suggested we do it every other year, which would mean in the 2015 season. He also is granted free orienteering for his Napalese friends who come to our meets.
Our annual meeting will be 10-8-2014. Our next meeting will be 9-17-2014.
Meeting adjourned at 9:03pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Joyce Goodell, Secretary