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keri
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« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2007, 03:06:37 PM » |
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Snowmobile North Dakota
Executive Board Meeting
10:00 am, September 29, 2007
The Snowmobile North Dakota (SND) Executive Board of Directors meeting was held at 10:00 am, in the Century Center, Bismarck, ND, Saturday, September 29, 2007.
Executive Board Members Present: President – Paul Christenson, Vice President – Melissa Sjolin, Secretary – Diane Axness, Al Huckell, Dale Deibert, Dan Tveito, Troy Klevgard
Others Present: Keri Wanner – SND Program Manager, Arik Spencer – NDPRD, Brian Sauer, Glen Jackson – NDDOT, Past President – Norma Rasmusson
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 am by Paul Christenson.
Items for Discussion:
1: Fundraising Opportunities (Non-Profit License Plates)
Glen Jackson from the NDDOT presented information for a fundraising opportunity with Non-Profit License Plates. In 2005 the Legislature provided non-profit organizations with the opportunity to develop special license plates for their organization. These license plates would have the SND logo and would allow 5 characters (letters/numbers) on each plate. The plates would cost $25 each year with $15 going to SND and $10 back to the NDDOT. There would be a one time set-up fee of $1500 and we need to guarantee 50 plates with payment of the $25 for each before the process can begin. Keri felt with the declining registrations, fundraising may be something SND needs to look at. The opportunity would need to be taken to the annual meeting.
2: Employee Handbook
After reviewing the Employee Handbook, Missy noticed areas that should be addressed. The handbook has not been updated since 2002 and there are some items that should be added. The matter of overtime hours should be documented and set dates for pay raises should also be in the handbook. Since there is no section regarding pay raises, one will need to be added. It should set specific pay raise dates with a statement that says “Pay raises will be retro active to the anniversary of date of hire”. With the new changes in the minimum wage, a copy of the Federal Wage Laws will be attached.
3: Northeast Trail Association Contingency Plan
The Contingency Plan is a document carried over from the last meeting to provide Trail Associations with assistance when needed. The plan was put in place to address concerns in the Northeast, but Keri has reformatted the plan to address any issues that may surface statewide. The plan will help support the Trail Associations on their decisions and can be used as an internal guideline. It could also be used to understand the chain-of-command when reporting issues. The plan should be brought to the Convention and put in the trail guidelines.
4: North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department Update
Arik Spencer provided updates from the NDPRD. They have hired a new Safety Instructor, Jeremy Losinski. Jeremy will be helping Erik Dietrich teach the safety classes and will be a great asset to the department. They are working on getting better coverage for outreach classes. Online classes will be available by the start of the season.
5. Convention Update
The Convention Committee has been working hard to get everything in place for the convention. There will be informational sessions on Friday evening. Saturday, there will be a SND Board Meeting followed by the Annual Meeting and lunch. In the afternoon there will be games for everyone along with an evening dinner and dance. Missy and her kids have been working hard putting together safety kit bottles that will be handed out during the safety classes. They will also be available at the registration table. There will be a guest speaker on avalanches along with the equipment they use, on display.
6. Equipment Update
Keri stated that we did not receive the full grant. With the funds we received, we were able to purchase 2 Tuckers. The approximate delivery date of one of the groomers is October 18. The procurement form is being done on the second one and should arrive some time in December. Remaining equipment will be distributed as follows: the 98 was traded off; the 99 in Fordville will be the next to go; The Fargo short-track will move to Williston; Williston machine will move to Bismarck; Fargo will get the Churchs Ferry machine; A new machine will go to Churchs Ferry; a new drag will go to Fargo; and the drag in Fargo will go to the Northeast
An ATV and two trailers were purchased. The ATV and one trailer are located in Bismarck. The Kubota and new Kunz mower are at Fort Ransom. The Ranger, Estate mower, and the other trailer are at Devils Lake. All of the equipment located at the state parks have trailers that can be used to haul the equipment. Clubs will still need to contact Keri to reserve the equipment for trail grubbing.
A 2007 Ski-Doo snowmobile was also purchased.
7. Trail Signs
Part of the sign order has arrived. The remainder will be at the convention. Paul discussed the idea of leaving some signs up permanently. These areas would be: land where there is no activity, in tree areas, or where land owners agree they can stay. The Board agreed that these areas could remain permanent to save on the wear and tear of signs. It could also save on the cost of sign replacement and on volunteer’s time. Sign guidelines would set up parameters where signs should be placed. There would need to be a change in the guidelines to read “signs will remain permanent on fence posts, in trees and at the land owner’s discretion”. Since the Sign Guidelines have been printed, a one page addendum can be handed out at the signing classes. Norma and Missy will work on this item.
8. Program Manager Report
Keri said that 5000 trail maps with GPS tracks, in areas where done, will be ready next week. Information will be available on the website.
Haydays went very well. There appeared to be a lot of interest in the promotional information provided.
The first Sno-Dak magazine was delivered late due to misinformation with the Post Office. That problem has been corrected.
The Nominations Committee has been working on nominations. Paul will not be running for President, Diane will not be running for Secretary.
While Keri and Missy were at Haydays, they visited with an organization called the Pink Ribbon Riders. The group promotes rides to raise money, generally through pledges, for breast cancer awareness. The Pink Ribbon Riders were wondering if SND would be interested in sponsoring a ride for 2009. One SND member took the idea one step further and suggested that maybe we could paint one groomer pink, to support the charity, and have on display at local events. Tucker has said they could paint a groomer whatever color we would like at no cost to SND. Decals from area sponsors could also be placed on a banner to display on the drag as well. If the clubs wanted to use the groomer for events, costs for transporting the groomers to local events would be at the cost of the clubs.
A couple concerns were raised regarding the groomer. Would the color affect the resale value? Tucker did say the color would affect resale value. With which club would the groomer be placed? Keri said the groomer would probably be placed in Fordville.
Al Huckell made a motion that we not paint the groomer pink. The motion died for lack of second.
After further discussion, Dan Tveito made a motion to continue pursuing the issue, 2nd Troy Klevgard. Motion approved. The questions and concerns discussed at the meeting will be researched further for additional information. Keri will develop a survey to see the interest of the memberships in the potential Tucker and ride. Once all of the information is gathered, a package will be presented to the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department for approval on painting the machine a different color than the standard orange. Keri will also find out more information on the ride and bring this information to the next Board of Directors meeting at the convention.
The following director’s positions are up for election. Northeast: Perry Brintnell and Bev Bachmeier; Southeast: Brad Rodin and Scott Mund; Northwest: Sherman Pladsen and Ralph Leibelt; Southwest: Tom Seefeld and Dan Tveito
Meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm
Respectfully submitted by
Diane J Axness
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