MNOC Board Meeting Minutes: November 2007
Date: November 14, 2007
Location: Julia's house
The meeting was called to order at 7:22 p.m.
Present: Ian Harding, Julia Bohnen, Mike Carlson, Julie Tanner Fischer, Todd Peterson, Jerritt Johnston,
Justin Bakken, Pete Curtis
- Approval of minutes
After discussion of minor changes, Julia made the motion to approve the September 2007 minutes, Justin seconded,
and motion was accepted unanimously.
- Recent Events
Telemark (October 6-7): 32 participants for Saturday regular meet, 20 for the night-O, and 17 for the Minnegoat
on Sunday. Night-O was fun, yet challenging event. Discussed points for half versus full Minnegoat (see web updates below).
Discussed that in the future, involving members of the Hayward-Cable community in future to build up awareness and attendance
at event.
Tamarack Members-Only Night-O (October 13, 2007): 62 participants, very well-attended.
New, open area worked well for the event.
Nerstrand (November 3, 2007): 160 participants; needed to adjust west boundary of map onsite due to inaccuracy.
Next year, remind setter/vetter to steer clear of private property or avoid hunting season. Also, good to emphasize that,
as a courtesy, setters follow setter manual policy of contacting park before designing courses (when possible, e.g. state
parks & forests vs. city parks). Julia to make sure Jim has copies of permits so that he can hand over when delivering maps.
- REI Affiliate Program
For sales funded through website link, MNOC would receive 7% sales commission. Currently, Amazon is the only partner
with a sales link on the MNOC website. All future commercial and non-commercial web links will be formally decided during
board meetings based on a sharing of MNOC goals in terms of environment, promoting sport of orienteering, established
organizations, etc. Julia made motion to proceed with REI affiliate program, Julie seconded, motion accepted with one
dissenting vote. Board members to review current web links before next meeting and note any objections for next meeting.
- Dog Policy
Julia made motion to approve both additions of the dog policy, Mike seconded; motion accepted unanimously.
Following language will be given to participants in literature provided for any Adventure Race or Tune-Up.
Note Regarding Dogs at MNOC Adventure Racing Events (involving mountain bikes and foot travel)
Dogs will not be allowed near congested areas during MNOC Adventure Races. This includes at registration, the start/finish area,
the transition areas, and the post race picnic. We strongly encourage leaving dogs at home for the safety of both participants
and other spectators. MNOC asks that participants in the Adventure-O remind your friends and family that are planning to attend
the event of this policy.
Following dog policy will be added to MNOC website under MNOC Online Documents and FAQ. It will also be occasionally published in newsletter:
Can I bring my dog to a MNOC orienteering event?
Before bringing your dog to a meet, please check with park management or on the park’s website to learn about the rules regarding
dogs at that park. Although MNOC does not have specific rules regarding dogs at regular O meets, we would like to emphasize that
club officers have worked hard to develop good working relationships with the park management. All participants in MNOC-sponsored
events should conduct themselves in a manner that enhances that relationship on behalf of the club. Using your best dog-owner
etiquette will help us maintain access to the club’s most precious asset: the parks we orienteer in. Sometimes that may mean
leaving your dog at home while you orienteer. Please also remember that the chaos and congestion that occur at the registration
and start/finish area create an environment that is not appropriate for a poorly behaved or unpredictable dog. At certain events,
MNOC prepares and serves food items. Dog should be kept at least 50 feet from food storage, service, consumption, and preparation
areas at all times.
- Hyland Clinic proposal from Three Rivers Park District (TRPD)
Orienteering Skills Clinic will be held March 29, 2008 at the Hyland Park Reserve from 12-3:30 p.m. TRPD to reserve Jan’s
Place and the Lakeview Room. Fee to pre-register will be $11 vs. $10 last year (extra dollar to go to TRPD). $7 will go to
MNOC and $4 to TRPD. Day of registration fees will be $14 with $9 to MNOC and $5 to TRPD. Ages: 6+. TRPD to staff
registration and beginner level course with informational sessions at noon, 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.; MNOC to staff
intermediate and advanced courses with a special teacher’s session at 1:30 p.m. MNOC will assist educating beginning trainers,
set courses, and provide compasses and maps. Ian addressed possibility of MNOC assisting other parks in future years rather
than TRPD.
- Website
Minnegoat rankings - half-goat will be awarded 50 points. Pete has clarified registering multiple people for an event.
Attendees asked that fees be made clearer when registering for an event. Pete will add notes to address this issue.
Pete will also update website with optional pre-registration (see below) and then ask board members to review. Ian volunteered
to assist Pete with language regarding volunteer approximate times and length of tasks. Discussed including other activities
in calendar; decided that this would dilute site and may be better communicated to smaller group outside of club. Ian to
forward Pete UK link to orienteering activities to see if this type of link could be used by MNOC to show regional o-events.
- Equipment
E-punch - is there a need for more controls for additional e-punch events in 2008? (9 in 2007); do need to update computers
to Windows 2000. Discussed purchase of new laptop – Ian made motion to approve authorization of purchase, Julia seconded;
motion accepted unanimously.
- Possum Trot
Several MNOC members planning to attend. Jerritt to coordinate.
- Preregister/prepay
Offer optional pre-registration with waiver for all events - $1 off if before midnight Thursday. Website will only ask for name
and whether or not person wants to volunteer and which tasks preferred (members only). Discussed annual flat fee for all events;
postponed for further discussion based on success of pre-registration during 2008.
- Partner Organizations
Renewals due for Parks & Trails and North End Ski Club. Julie made motion to approve, Julia seconded; unanimously approved.
Discussed whether MNOC should join Friends of Lake Maria State Park. At this time, club decided to volunteer for a project to
increase involvement rather than join organization.
- Newsletter
Email template may have small glitch; editor looking into it. Newsletter archive on website will be kept up-to-date with
previous publication date so that only members have benefit of latest newsletter information. Suggestion was made to add
more photographs and maps for additional color; Ian to email editor regarding this as well as reminder to properly credit
photographers and ask for subject permission (could add language to MNOC event waiver). Julia suggested adding article
reviewing volunteer positions and what tasks consist of using information from website; Jerritt volunteered to complete.
- Mapping
Updates needed for Lebanon Hills due to trail closures (Pete volunteered to complete) and Nerstrand boundaries. Battle
Creek has new trail on south side (Todd volunteered to update once trained). Theodore Wirth may need to be checked for new
ski trails. Ian will review other parks (especially state) for additional needed map updates. Brought up possibility of
field mapping day - possible location would be Hoffman Hills north of Menomonie; good terrain and network of trails.
Interest was expressed in course setting and map training on OCAD. MNOC is still on OCAD 8 - by upgrading to OCAD 9
(roughly $295), club could utilize more training resources via the web.
- 2008 schedule
Discussed Julia’s preliminary schedule. Sprints (epunch & USOF when possible) will be added to schedule. New winter format
will be a mass start Score-O with beginner & advanced controls designed off ski trails (unless using skis). This will reduce
overall time of meet and exposure to cold.
- Other
Mike proposed a policy statement regarding MNOC Yahoo list. Ian made motion to approve, Julia seconded; motion accepted
unanimously: Only announcements of MNOC activities may be placed on Yahoo Groups list server. The announcements will be
monitored and then placed on the list by assigned club members. The club members who are custodians of the list will be
approved by the board of directors.
Julia made the motion to adjourn, Mike seconded, motion accepted unanimously. The next meeting will be January 9, 2008 at
Jerritt’s house. The meeting adjourned at 10:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Tanner Fischer January 3, 2008
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