Pat Gleason called the meeting to order at 7:45.
1. REPORTS
President:
Pat welcomed all new members to the club. He mentioned that the position of Vice President was available, and possibly the position of Publicity Director as well since he has been unable to reach Karen Weisgerber for some time. Unfortunately, there was no show of hands when he asked for volunteers to fill either position.
Pat was approached by the Medicine Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre regarding a racing ski event. Pat will consult the executive at their next meeting and report back to the general membership.
Treasurer:
Jenni Duke read the final Treasurer’s Report prepared by Claude Sam. As of September 30th, the subaccount balances were as follows: General - $297.97; Loppet - $1,719.98; Tour Leader - $175.84; Investment Certificate - $1,000; Jr Jackrabbits - $1,786.39; Sr. Jackrabbits - $146.14; Biathlon - $1,057.76. Club assets totaled $6,183.68.
Social Directors:
Carol Lindner circulated a sign-up sheet for snack food contributions for upcoming meetings requesting three contributors per meeting.
Publicity: Absent
Newsletter:
Don Wales set the deadline for November’s newsletter at October 29 and distributed copies of the October issue to newcomers. He would appreciate receiving a report on the Easter weekend trip. Please contact Don to request an email or a hard copy of the newsletter and check our website to get the full sharpness and color of the photos.
Day Tours/Lessons:
Pam Ralston, our new Day Tours Director, gave a brief description of the Sunday afternoon excursions and called for volunteer leaders, stressing that no formal qualifications or experience required.
Mountain Tours:
Claude Sam will be Mike Spencer’s replacement for this coming season. From a report prepared by Nicole Sam on Mike’s behalf, Claude summarized that as of August 31, the chequing account showed a balance of $1,343.96 while the savings account showed a balance of $2,135.98, giving a total of $3,479.94, an increase of $186.71 over last year’s total.
Sixteen weekends have been booked for the 2004-05 season. The Hostel Associations’ cancellation policy states that no money received for the first and second night will be refunded unless the reservation is cancelled fifteen days before the booking date. Claude would prefer that the deadline be extended to sixteen days to give him an extra day to notify the hostel. He also suggested that each tour leader collect full payment for both nights when registering participants. Claude clarified that the cost listed in the Mountain Tours Schedule applies to accommodations only. Participants must pay a rental fee of $5 per avalanche beacon and $1 per shovel for a two-day weekend unless they supply their own.
Claude asked Bob Johnstone and Brian Davies to talk about their respective upcoming trips. Bob changed the Remembrance Day Dash to a full weekend of ski or skike (hike with ski poles) with comfortable accommodations at Shunda Creek Hostel. Don Wales added that this first trip is a great fitness opportunity with or without snow. To register, please call Bob or Don before October 27.
Brian Davies will co-lead the third tour of the season with Bob Marston from Ramparts Creek Hostel. The second tour will be led by Brian Sam, with a stay in Canmore condos, destination Highwood Pass. The full schedule of weekend trips is available on our website or attached to the newsletter.
Website:
Dick Pawloff urged everybody to look at the photos on the website and asked for more contributions.
2. NEW BUSINESS:
Annual Trail Party:
Bob Johnstone invited all attending members to join the annual trail party on Sunday, October 17 at Heritage Ranch. Details are on page 2 in the October newsletter. Bob circulated a sign-up sheet for contributions of food, equipment and labor, and asked for a volunteer to head the telephone committee to reach people who did not attend tonight’s meeting. Diane Rasmussen has accepted this responsibility. Please contact Bob or Diane if you want to contribute.
Pine Tar and Paraffin Party
Don Wales invited the membership to his annual Pine Tar Party at his place on Sunday, November 7. See details in the October newsletter, page3.
Adoption of Heritage Ranch Park
Don Wales proposed a motion that the Club formally adopt Heritage Ranch. The Club is already involved through Bob Johnstone’s trail work party and the winter’s tracksetting run by Mark Meunier. Additional duties would include monitoring and reporting points of entry of ATVs and skidoos, as well as picking up litter when walking or skiing through the park. Dick Pawloff volunteered to be the Club’s contact person.
Don Wales moved, seconded by Dick Pawloff that
“the Parkland Cross Country Ski Club adopts Heritage Ranch”
MOTION CARRIED
Bob Johnstone took this opportunity to congratulate Don on his participation in the Parks & Open Spaces Board, plus his past work on Barrett Park and Heritage Ranch. Don is also our contact for opposing Riverbend’s proposed golf expansion.
Update on Barb Spencer’s health status:
Jenni reassured us that Barb is getting better and stronger each day. She gets out of bed and into her wheelchair daily to undergo physiotherapy sessions. Barb is expected back in Red Deer Hospital after October 19.
In reply to an offer extended by the membership, Jenni stated that Mike & Barb would indeed welcome a trust fund to cover the purchase of costly prosthetics. Brian Davies moved and Pam Ralston seconded a motion
“to support the formation of a trust fund for Mike and Barb Spencer”
MOTION CARRIED
Jenni will contact Mike & Patti Carley who had suggested the establishment of a trust fund immediately after Barb’s accident. Jenni will report back to the club.
Brian Davies and Carol Linder received a well deserved round of applause for their work in helping erect a wheelchair ramp to Mike & Barb’s door.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.