May 25, 2004

The evening began with our usual potluck supper at 6:30 pm , in Del Norte at the Annex. The food was blessed by Kevin Bradley with 19 members attending and one coming in later for the meeting.

At 7 pm President Dennis Shepherd called the meeting to order with the salute to the flag, after which he welcomed everyone. It was announced that a card had been sent to John Thiesfeld in honor of his college graduation.

Minutes: Jim Hood made the motion to approve the minutes of last month, second by George Powell, motion carried.

Treasurers Report: Kevin Bradley reported on the balance in the checking account in the amount of $21,674.64. Figures to date have been: approximately $17,000 in which about $16,000 was from grooming reimbursement, and there has been spent about $3,000. There are no outstanding bills but a bill will be coming for the purchase of the knives being sold as a fundraiser.

Trail Boss Report: Doug Knudson was absent , due to he and Judy’s 47^th wedding anniversary, but he did receive a letter from Art Marcilla about the request for the permit regarding the ATV Poker Run. Doug is still working on information Art requested but is hopeful the permit will be granted.

Maintenance: none

Social coordinator: Rex Blanco didn’t have any needs. However, Rex was thanked for providing the excellent Burrito Supper on May 21^st at the campsite in Elk Park, all those attending had a very good meal.

Safety: It was stressed that each and every person is responsible for their own safety.

ATV & Hikers: Hikers meet every Tuesday at the Community Bldg ; several members of the Club went to the Grand Canyon and hiked out of the Canyon on the south rim, all went well. ATV- several rides were made out of the Elk Park area while camping the 19-20-21^st. ATVers meet each Thursday , 9am at the Visitors Center, for a ride. A Moonlite Ride was held in May on the Schrader Creek Trail and that was a most enjoyable evening. Another Moonlite Ride will be either May 31 or June 1 and the details will be decided on Thursday and E-mails will be sent.

Old Business: ATV Poker Run- research is taking place for liability insurance in the amount of $300,000. This is required to get the permit, the cost of the permit is $105 and the Forest Service is to receive 5% of the gross. The Poker Run is scheduled for August 14, 2004. (2) Fishing Derby will be June 12, 2004 at Tucker Ponds and the Silverthreaders provide the lunch. ** The Forest Service has been most helpful in notifying us as to gates being opened, etc.. We are fortunate in having such cooperation from them. (3) The date of June 11, 2004 is when we host the Blue Peaks group from Alamosa, 10 am and the Club will provide lunch. (4) Forest Service Management Plan regarding the Lynx- there has been no publicity. However, there will be a BLM meeting next Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm at the Annex and they will be working out details with the Forest Service.

New Business: COHVCO sent a notice for renewal, cost $50. The Club has previously been a member, they do provide some legal services in special circumstances. Dwayne Powers made a motion to renew, second by Mac Hadaway, motion carried. (2) Three volunteers are sought for the Nominating Committee to fill the positions of President and Secretary for the year 2005. The chairman of this committee is exempt from serving on the Board. This committee will consist of chairman Elizabeth Warren, Edna Powers and Bert Thomas. Names for the above positions will be presented in October with elections in November and installed in December. (3) Raffle tickets have been received from COHVCO, drawing to be October 16,2004, items are a 2004 Suzuki ATV with trailer, cost of ticket $2. It was decided to sell these tickets at the Yard Sale July 2 and the Chili Supper on July 3. Dwayne Powers needs a Chef ‘s hat and Le offered to make him one. Fund Raisers: Rex- knives are here, they are engraved with the Clubs name and web site, cost is $7.50 per knife or $7 if a purchase of 10 is made. There is a sign up sheet available.* This is a profit of $5 on each knife. (2) Yard Sale- July 2 at the Visitors Center Parking Lot, a storage unit at Elk Country Storage, Unit #25 Code #5977. Take your items there, however, Rita Bradley needs some help in pricing the items, please contact her. (3) Liability Insurance- the Club has NO liability insurance for non-snow related activities. CSA provides coverage for snow activities. Waivers have been used by different organizations but the question is : would this be enough protection from law suits. There was discussion and Rex will check with a source in Salida, Mac suggested contacting CSA and also contacting dealerships to see if they might underwrite a policy. Another suggestion was to contact Dusty Hicks at Doc’s Sports to see what they do about insurance. This would be needed only from May thru November.(4) Campouts- The Elk Park campout was fun but windy! We had a surprise birthday party for Roland Schwery on Thursday evening. Robert Sutherland came for the campout from Flagstaff, AZ. Next scheduled campout to be June 17-18 but place is not determined for sure. (5) The potties are still up on the mountains and will be brought down when weather permits. (6) Sonny Hiett displayed some wooden bowls made from unusual pieces of Aspen and Burr Oak trees.

CSA news: Mac Hadaway expressed a thank you to Dennis from Mel Wolfe for the research done on the Lynx. State Parks has used this information to rescind all Canadian Lynx conservation efforts. (2) CSA voted not in favor of the NO FEE DEMO’S. (3) Creede club will host the CSA Convention in February 18-19-20, 2005, with the Silverthreaders assisting. (4) State Parks wants mile markers on trail heads, let Lester Lewis know the number needed, State Parks backed off their other proposal of markers. (5) CSA has hired an Exec. Director, Mel Wolfe, at a salary of $50,000 and $10,000 expense acct. therefore CSA is making changes in their Raffle rules to supplement this expense. It will be mandatory for ALL clubs to accept 143 tickets at $10 per ticket; in return CSA will pay the insurance for the clubs. In the past each club paid insurance. Each club is expected to sell these tickets or buy what isn’t sold. (6) There are many snowmobiles sold in the state but not all are associated with CSA. Therefore, CSA is working to establish that requirement thru dealerships which would help with the financial status of CSA. (7) Grooming- there will be no increase this year in allotments for grooming, however, each grooming club will receive the same amount as 2003-2004. Mac also gave other pros and cons of the quarterly meeting held in Leadville. He also had new Database Info. Sheets to be completed and said that new forms are available on Capitol Grants and they have been fully adapted for State Parks. These forms can be obtained on line.(8) Mac still holds the F.F.O.F. Award!

50/50 drawing: Jim Hood won the drawing with him obtaining $ and the Club $ .

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Secretary,