Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Banadad Trail Association's Annual Meeting- October 24, 2009

October 24, 2009, 5:00 p.m.

Poplar Creek Guesthouse B & B


Present: Linda Bosma, Barb Bottger, John Bottger, Pete Harris, Karla Miller, Jim Morrison, Tom Rice, Anne Rykken, Peter Spink, Ted Young, Lee Wenzel, Tom McCann of USFS, Maggie Barnard of CCEVB


1. Meeting called to order by vice-chair Linda Bosma. Linda welcomed all present.

2. Minutes. Barb presented the minutes of the founding meeting. John moved and Pete seconded a motion to accept minutes as read. Motion passed.

3. Treasurer’s Report. Karla presented the report. She reminds all to keep receipts for expenses, even if it is being donated, and forward to Karla. Financial procedures must be established. Karla will work with Barb on procedures and file sharing of records. A reconciled statement shall be verified quarterly by the president. Budget 2009-10 was presented. Budget includes line item for the carbon neutral trail award. Ted uses a calculation to figure the number of trees to plant to sequester the carbon emissions by motors, etc. The deficit budget is to be covered by BCT. Ted reported that this proposed budget shows the lowest deficit on record. BCT will charge an association fee for yurt guests. This is included in the income. John moved and Anne seconded a motion to approve the budget. Motion passed.

4. New Board Member. Board president Karen Monson appoints Kristine Matter as a board member to fill out the term of Mel Peterson.

5. Committee and Task Force Reports:


Bylaws and Nonprofit Status – Linda Bosma. By-laws were adopted in February. Work on the application for nonprofit status continues.

Membership – Barb Bottger. November will be Membership Month. Ted’s mailing list will be used. The BTA will have a table at the Midwest Mountaineering Expo the weekend before Thanksgiving. Membership forms were passed out to those present. The membership committee is considering adding a lifetime membership, as well as a premium for charter members. Anne suggested a larger non-business opportunity. Lee suggested we consider long term memberships with the goal of eventually setting up an endowment. The committee will discuss and make a decision on levels and will work with Anne on formatting. Any hard copy formatting must coordinate with the web design. Barb asked for volunteers to work the table at the Midwest Mountaineering.

Website – Ted Young. Ted worked with John Ludwig, longtime designer for BCT. It looks great! Anne Rykken volunteered to be the site blogmaster. Tom Rice agreed to be the site administrator and would do content changes, not design or structure changes which would be done by John Ludwig. Hope to eventually get a message board up and running in the future. Anne suggested that anyone who skis the Banadad to post on Skinny Ski website as well.

6. Trail Report. We have approved a contract with BCT for the regular maintenance and grooming of the trail. Ted presented the trail report which follows these minutes. The re-route of the west end is proceeding and will take about 2 years to complete. The route will go near a lake (Tripp Lake) and wetlands which will require setbacks and federal permits. Ted thinks we should get a site we are comfortable with and then approach the landowner. Ted has 50# of non-invasive seed that will be planted on Tall Pines Trail.

7. New Business:


Volks Ski Fest 400 – Maggie Barnard. January 23, 2010 is the kick-off day of a week-long festival. This is to simply be a great day of skiing and to get skiers out on all kilometers of the trails. volkskifest.com will register teams. Can we get Team Banadad together? Linda and Anne will talk further about recruiting folks to ski on that day.

8. Other Business:

Linda expressed thanks on behalf of the BTA to all those who have helped with maintenance.

9. John moved to adjourn and it passed!

A potluck dinner was enjoyed by all.


Banadad Trail Work Plan

May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010

Work completed as of October 23, 2009:

· West end of Banadad – Minnesota Conservation Corp (MCC_

Widened 4 remote interior miles cut-our many down trees

along 8 miles of the west end. –300 hours

BCT staff time assisting MCC 13 hours

· Moved Banadad Bridge beams to yurt

· Cut out large trees outside BWCA from Knapp Trail to BWCA a Meads Lake Portage and Knapp Trail

· Completed bulldozer work on Tall Pine Trail (DNR Infrastructure grant)

· East end parking area complete can accommodate 4-5 vehicles

· Information kiosk installed at east end trailhead. Still needs to be painted and information put up.

Anticipated Maintenance October 24 to April 30, 2010 (for estimated cost see budget)

Volunteer Crews with BCT staff support

10/22-25/09 NSSTC & others 10 people 200 hours of labor. BCT Staff time 20

hours BCT lodging for 10 people- West end trail head east -3 miles and Winchell Lake fire trail west-2 miles

11/6-8/09 Adventure Vacations 5 people 80 hours of labor BCT staff time 16 hours Widened from Meads Portage (going in by boat) to eastern Trailhead 4 ½ miles.

BCT Staff Crew

During November-complete opening of the trail with

snowmobiles during trail snow packing.

Regular storm/down tree clearing as need during snow season

Anticipate Grooming begins and trail Opening December 15 +/-, 2009 (for estimated cost see budget)

BCT grooming during season

Special Project

· Complete Bridge

· Complete Reroute at west end – ½ of proposed reroute has been identified.

· Interior widening- less then 1 ½ miles remaining to be widened

· Ground cover seeding of Tall Pines trail needs to be completed this fall (DNR infrastructure grant)


Board Meeting- October 24, 2009

Present: Barb Bottger, John Bottger, Linda Bosma, Karla Miller, Karen Monson (via phone), Jim Morrison, Tom Rice, Ann Rykken, Peter Spink, Ted Young


1. The meeting was called to order by vice-president Linda Bosma.

2. Kristine Matter has been appointed as a board member by board president Karen Monson to fill the role of Mel Peterson.

3. Conflict of Interest Policy. Linda presented the policy as part of a good, transparent, business operation. The format recommended by the IRS was used to write up the policy. Tom moved and Karla seconded that the policy be accepted as written. Motion passes. Board members present signed the policy.

4. Contract with BCT. Linda presented the contract. Karla suggested that a bullet be added to cover the costs of lodging for trail maintenance volunteers but it was decided that the wording in the contract is broad enough to cover this collaboration. We want to make sure that we continue to help support the relationship between BCT and volunteer organizations such as North Star Run and Ski Club. John moved and Anne seconded that the contract be approved. Motion passes.

5. Staggered Board terms. Ted passed out slips in random order naming terms. They are as follows: 2010 - Wayne Monson, Anne Rykken, Peter Spink. 2011 – John Bottger, Jim Morrison, Tom Rice.

6. Midwest Mountaineering Winter Expo scheduled Nov. 20-22 (weekend before Thanksgiving). Great opportunity for exposure if we have enough resources to attend. It is a 3-day event, $70 cost for a table – 4 ft. We would need a banner and such. Anne volunteered to decorate the display and create hand out materials but not able to attend. Peter volunteered time at the table. Karla and Ted will be at the BCT booth and could take a turn at the table. Barb, Peter and Anne will coordinate this effort including a conversation of business sponsorship to cover costs. Ted is presenting and would welcome a BTA board member to speak during his presentation.

7. Banadad Bridge. Two weeks ago Ted went in with 2 horses to take the poles into the bridge. The project is stalled. Ted is in conversation with the District Ranger on alternative methods to move ahead on this project.

8. John moved and Anne seconded a motion to adjourn. Motion passes.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Board Meeting - July 30, 2009

Banadad Trail Association Board Meeting

Conference Call

7 p.m., Thursday, July 30, 2009

Present: Barb Bottger, Linda Bosma, Karla Miller, Karen Monson, Wayne Monson, Jim Morrison, Ann Rykken, Pete Spink, Ted Young

Absent: Tom Rice, Mel Peterson

1. Karen called the meeting to order.

2. Welcome Ann Rykken!

3. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the April 28, 2009 Board Meeting were presented.

4. Treasurer’s Report. Accounts have been opened at Grand Marais State Bank with a $35 balance. Barb and Karla will talk about depositing and reporting donations and Karla will include in next Treasurer’s report.

5. Membership Report. A draft letter seeking donations was presented. Letter and levels of membership and sponsorship were approved with the following additions:

· Add a line stating that the non-profit status is pending. Pete suggested that we could say “Your contribution is tax deductible as permitted by law.” Linda will confirm that this is complete legal wording as we are not to give tax advice.

· Add a line for extra donations.

· Add a level of individual membership at $100.00.

6. Website Report. Thanks to Ted for developing the website. John Ludwig of the Twin Cities will put it up for about $500.00. He is the web designer that Ted works with. Website Committee will do final approval with the board and will send it on to a designer. Ann will work on a logo.

7. Report on Nonprofit Status. Progress is being made as they work through questions on the Form 1023.

· Questions exist to relationship with Boundary Country Trekking and with Karla Miller.

· Three narratives need to be written as far as past, present and future plans. Ted’s report will be a source for those narratives.

· Also need a description of our fundraising.

· Need to describe the easements in regards to the State, Federal and County lands. Ted says it may not be an easement but more like permission to use. Does it need to be a legal easement? We must talk to the Forest Service. An agreement exists with the DNR. A lawyer will look over this.

· Compensations with employees and independent contractors will need to be submitted with the application as well.

· Need to have a conflict of interest policy as well.

· Need to send in a statement of revenue and a balance sheet. The cost of setting up the non-profit depends on the budget which will be over $10,000.

This process needs to be completed within 27 months from the concept of the corporation; thus, our timing is very good. The goal is to have it completed by the October meeting. Items needing action are - Financial items, contract with Ted and BCT, and a legal review of the application. Dick Swanson may consider doing our work. Ann McKenzie will be our first choice.

8. Trail Report. Ted reports two grants have been received. 1) The DNR grant of $4,500 with 2,500 to complete the Tall Pines Trail and $2,000 to widen another interior mile of the Banadad Trail. 2) The USFS $2,000 grant to replace the Banadad bridge. We must match with in-kind services or cash. Ted sees no problem with in-kind match coming from volunteers and some paid staff to complete this project. It will take $1,00 to bring in poles by horse. $400-$500 has been spent bringing poles in by truck to the yurt. This will be part of the match.

West End Trail Reroute – Tom Rice, Mary Baker and Ted laid out a good route for about one half of the distance. More volunteer labor can be used as part of the grant match to finish this.

Summer/Fall Work Schedule – Aug. 6 – six people from MCC will go out for 8 days widening 2-1/2 miles of the trail from the west end. They will be sleeping in the yurt.

Bridge replacement – 3-40’ utility poles have been delivered to the Croft Yurt. We can pay someone to go out and pull the old decking off and lay the new decking after the stringers have been put back in or we can do it with about 4 volunteers. Ted guesses it will be at least one day of work. We could ride/walk in by truck or canoe in. Pete Harris has volunteered. We need a crew sometime in September.

Volunteer Schedule for the year –

· Sept. - 4-5 crew

· Oct. 22,24,25 – North Shore Ski Club.

· Nov. 5-8 Adventure Club.

· Need to set up two additional weekends. Ann hopes to bring up 1-2 groups from Minnnehaha Academy.

Parking at the East End – Parking fee on west end will be dropped. We can open 4 spaces on the east end on DNR land which will not require approval. Anything larger will require approval by the DNR. Ted will ask if expansion is feasible for the future.

Federal grant needs to be spent by 9/2009. The DNR grant is a one-year grant.

9. New Business Items.

Contract between BTA and BCT. Ted has a sample from Sugarbush and Lutsen/Tofte. Need task force to put together a draft. Ted has some ideas to offer that task force. Linda and Wayne will work with Ted on this in September.

Karla wants to make sure the numbers used on forms being filed are consistent.

10. Next Meeting. Annual Meeting - Saturday, October 24. Meeting at 5 p.m., potluck at 6 p.m. Contact Ted if you’d like to come up for the annual meeting if not able to be up for trail clearing. By-laws will be checked in regards to elections. Quorum must be met so be sure we don’t get too many members-ha!

11. Karla moved to adjourn. Seconded by Barb. Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted by

Barbara Bottger

Secretary

Board Meeting - April 28, 2009

Banadad Trail Association Board Meeting

Conference Call

7 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2009


Present: Karen Monsen, Wayne Monsen, Tom Rice, John Bottger, Barb Bottger, Ted Young, Peter Spink, Karla Miller, Linda Bosma

1. Meeting called to order by Karen.

2. Minutes from the inaugural board meeting were approved (Karla) and 2nd (John B.).

3. Agenda: Add to July agenda – Set target date for fall trail clearing.


Reports:

1. Incorporation status - We are incorporated! Thanks Wayne and Linda! Wayne will mail the paper copies of incorporation (bylaws, articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, EIN number). Ted will scan EIN document and email it to board members. BCT was used as the official address for the BTA. Original documents will be kept in a 3-ring binder in the possession of the board secretary.

1a. Nonprofit status Includes a 30-page application with financial plan for the next 3 years, balance sheet, letters stating purpose and need for nonprofit status. We have 27 months from the month of incorporation to get nonprofit status. Once achieved, the date will be retroactive to the date of incorporation. Linda will help Wayne in working towards the nonprofit status. The board agreed that this is a priority.

Tom mentioned the BTA to Ann McKenzie and she might be interested. She is an attorney living on the North Shore and is a member of the North Star Ski Touring Club. Barb and John Bottger will contact Ann about legal work on nonprofit application.

2. Bank Account – Karla reported that Grand Marais State Bank offers a nonprofit checking account with a $500 minimum plus an annual charge. The North Shore Credit Union offers the same at no charge. John and Barb Bottger will contact Mike LaVigne of GMSB about adjusting the charges. Motion made that the four officers of the board (Karen M., Linda B., Karla M., Barb B.) should be given authority to sign, motion passed. NOTE: Correction to Bylaws 11.2 a. For any amount of $200.00 or “more” (delete “less). Karla will prepare procedures for reimbursement for the July meeting. Only one signature will be needed.

3. Meeting with Forest Service – Report received. Ted will distribute the Memorandum of Understanding when it is received from the USFS. New route for the west end will be laid out this summer using a GPS. The $750 amount budgeted for each trail was a general comment and Ted thinks it could be used for the bridge. An adult crew from the MCC will be going out to do work this year.

4a. Profit and Loss – Ted explained errors and will make corrections which will be submitted along with the minutes. Need incorporation and post box expenses for the year. John reminds us that a financial report is a picture in time. The second financial is a budget which includes estimated expenses for the year.

4b. Review of 2008-09 – Lots of skiers because there was great snow everywhere. Ted calculates that 20% do not fill out permits.

5. Projects for 2009-10 - Bridge work will depend on weather. Trail widening is dependent on grants and work crews. Regular maintenance must be done. Reroute of west end will start with a layout this summer and will probably take 3-4 years to complete. Tall Pine resurfacing is grant dependent as well.

6. Committee Appointments -

Finance – Jim M., John B, Karla, Ted

Membership – Linda B., Peter S., Barb B.

Web Page – Tom R., Karla, Barb B.

Nonprofit Committee – Wayne M., Linda B.

Each committee will prepare a written report to be submitted to Karen one week before the July meeting.

Membership– a couple people have asked Ted about contributing money and he is wondering if a letter could simply be sent out to solicit for membership. Letter should be coordinated with nonprofit status. Ted will work closely with nonprofit committee.

Web Page - Domain name recommendation is banadad.org. This is a priorty. John Bottger will pay for the registration and domain fees.

7. Next meetingThursday, July 30, 2009

8. Annual Banadad Meeting & North Stars Ski Touring Meeting - Possible dates are Thursday, Oct. 22 - Sunday, Oct. 25. The Banadad Annual Meeting would be Saturday, Oct. 24.

9. Any other business – Tom requests transmission of documents as .pdf or .doc as others could carry viruses.

10. Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Barb Bottger

Secretary

First Board of Directors Meeting -February 14, 2009

Banadad Trail Association (BTA)

Inaugral Board Meeting

February 14, 2009

Present: Wayne Monsen, Tom Rice, Karen Monsen, Linda Bosma, Jim Morrison, John Bottger, Barb Bottger, Peter Harris, Karla Miller, Ted Young, Barbara Young

Agenda was accepted as proposed.

Actions approved by consensus:

1. The BTA will maintain the 46 kilometer Banadad Trail System currently maintained by Boundary Country Trekking (BCT). The Banadad Trail system includes the 30.4k Banadad Trail, 5.8k Knapp Trail, 1.6k Seppala Trail, 3.2k Tall Pines Trail, and the 5.0k Lace Lake Trail.

2. The BTA will contract with BCT to continue the maintenance and grooming with details to be worked out by the Association’s Officers with Board Approval. A lawyer will be consulted in writing the contract.

3. The treasurer, Karla Miller, will select the Association’s bank, preferably one in Grand Marais.

4. The secretary, Barb Bottger, will select the Association’s mailing address, possibly a post office box in Grand Marais.

5. The following Membership Classes and Dues were adopted:

Individiual - $25

Family - $35

Business:

Supporter - $100

Sponsor - $300

These class names will be listed on a future website.

6. Wayne, with Linda’s help, were selected to be responsible for filing incorporation papers with the state.

7. BCT will contact the Gunflint Ranger District and the Minnesota DNR (Tom Peterson) about the new Association. Ted, Barb and John Bottger will initiate the conversation and will be sure that it does not jeopardize any grant monies applied for this year. This is a transition year.

8. A press release, drafted by Ted Young and approved by board members, will be sent out to announce the new association.

9. Next meeting will be in April and conducted as a conference call. Details to come.

Other business:

1. Karen expressed her gratitude for the interest, dedication and expertise offered by the board members to the purpose of the BTA.

Meeting was adjourned.

Founding Meeting - February 14, 2009

Banadad Ski Trail Association

Founding Meeting

February 14, 2009

Present: Ted Young, Barbara Young, Barb Bottger, John Bottger, Jim Morrison, Peter Harris, Karen Monsen, Wayne Monsen, Karla Miller, Peter Spink, Linda Bosma, Mel Peterson.

Barbara Y. called the meeting to order.

Purpose: Formally form Banadad Trail Association.

Report on Banadad:

Ted gave brief overview. Most important ingredient is to raise some money in order to sustain the Trail. Budget – Deficit comes out of Boundary Country Trekking (BCT) budget. No expectation to pay back this deficit. Until the BTA is able to fund the expenses, Youngs are committed to keeping the trail open.

Future Needs and Plans – North Stars have been the energy behind this effort.

Bridge between Rush and Banadad Lake is sagging. Built by the Rovers 12-13 yrs. ago. 32-ft. long cedars were dragged out there and then decked with cedar decking brought in by horse. USFS said they would help re-build – bring in timbers and money for spikes, etc.

The interior of the Banadad has some narrow spots. On the west end it is 3-ft. in spots if we’re lucky. 2-1/2 to 3 miles still needs to be widened. 8-1/2 miles has been widened. Ted has applied for a grant to complete this project.

The Tall Pines Spur Trail – grant request for $4,000 from the DNR to resurface (bulldozer to level).

Far west end is on private land. No good connect with Gunflint Trail system.

Parking is not adequate. East end parking can be increased by just plowing which will happen next year.

Banadad Trail Association Bylaws:

Tom Rice and Wayne Monson presented the bylaws by reading each article. Those present then voted on each article with a motion and a 2nd to accept the article with any approved amendments.

ARTICLE 1: Ted moved, Karen 2nd. No discussion. Motion passes

ARTICLE 2: John moved, Linda 2nd. Discussion: Check for typos and grammatical errors. Motion passes.

ARTICLE 3: Ted moved, Karen 2nd. No discussion. Motion passes.

ARTICLE 4: Mel moved, Linda 2nd. Discussion – “All members” does that mean businesses as well? The business would be one vote. Ted moved to change “all members’ to “each membership”. John 2nd Amendment passes. Motion passes.

ARTICLE 5: Ted moved, Karen 2nd. Discussion – Members vote at annual meeting and have voice at board of directors meetings. Will 10 percent be too many (200 members – 20 needed). Motion passed.

ARTICLE 6: Linda moved, Karla 2nd. Discussion – Motion by John B. that 6.5 Tenure shall read “Officers and at large directors shall serve three (3) year, staggered terms.” Ted 2nd. Amendment passes. Question on travel expense re-imbursement. Peter S. is opposed to any kind of abuse of reimbursed funds. Language as is may be accepted as generic legal language for a 501(c)(3). Any decision for reimbursement will come before the board. Minutes for the board meetings – bylaws should note that these will be distributed to all members. How many consecutive terms for at-large board members? Peter H. moved that 6.5 Tenure read “At large members be allowed to serve no more than two (2) consecutive 3-yr. terms. Karla 2nd. Amendment passes. Motion passed with amendments.

ARTICLE 7: Discussion – Ted moves to have 7.1 d be designated for the Secretary duties determined by the board but will include the fact that all minutes of board meetings will be distributed to the members. John 2nd. Amendment passed. 501(c)(3) – is there an annual audit to the IRS? Should that be in the Treasurer’s duties. This is included in the annual financial report duty. After much discussion on terms of service, Pete S. moves that 7.2 Term of Officers reads “Each officer shall serve for a term of one (1) year. No officer shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same position.” Linda 2nd Call the question. Motion passed with one nay. Linda moves, Pete 2nd with amendments. Motion passed.

ARTICLE 8: John moved, Pete 2nd. Barbara Y. moves that “the list of nominees shall be sent to all members with notice of the annual meeting at least 30 days before the annual meeting.” Linda 2nd. Amendment passed. Motion with amendments passed.

ARTICLE 9: Linda moved, Barbara 2nd. Motion passed.

ARTICLE 10: John moved, Linda 2nd. Motion passed.

ARTICLE 11: Linda moved, Karen 2nd. John B. moves that 11.1 read “Before the start of each fiscal year the treasturer will..” Linda 2nd. Amendment passed. Karen moved, John 2nd that 11.3 read Annually, the President…” . Amendment passed. Article with amendments passed.

ARTICLE 12: Karen moved, Barbara 2nd. Wayne moved, Ted 2nd that 12.1 Date of Fiscal Year read “October 1 through Sept. 30”. Amendment passed. Motion passed.

ARTICLE 13: Karen moved, John 2nd. By acclamation, decided to correct 13.1 Amendments by Membership to read “… prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is presented”. Article passed.

Election of Board and Officers:

Slate for vote presented by Ted Young. Having heard no nominations from the floor, a white ballot was asked for. Members of the board and officers were elected by unanimous vote.

President – Karen Monsen

Vice President – Linda Bosma

Treasurer – Karla Miller

Secretary – Barb Bottger

Members at large – John Bottger, Peter Spink, Jim Morisson, Wayne Monsen, Mel Peterson, Anne Rykken, Tom Rice

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Organizing Meeting - October 18, 2008

Present: Tom Rice, Susanne Hanson, Ted & Barb Young, Wayne & Karen Monsen, Lee Wenzel, Pretty Lady Young

Absent: Mel Peterson, Julie Kilpatrick, Andy Jenks

1. Purpose of this meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to form a non-profit organization for transitioning maintenance of the Banadad Trail. Previous discussions between the Youngs and some North Stars and friends were held in January and April 2008, leading up to this meeting.

2. By-laws

Wayne Monsen & Tom Rice will draft by-laws based on the group’s input at this meeting. Then the by-laws will be circulated to the parties named above for comment. The following suggestions were made for the content of the by-laws:

Purpose of the Banadad Trail Association (BTA):

  • Preserve and maintain the Banadad Trail, which is the longest wilderness tracked ski trail in North America

  • Enable/facilitate public access to skiing in the BWCA Wilderness

  • Educate the public in wilderness values

  • Identify and preserve the history of the forest – the first logging sale where they moved from being in a logging camp to having shackers – the Finn Lake Timber sale and other timber sales started in 1956

  • Work with local land owners, feds, state, county and other stakeholders

  • Other such things as might promote the trail

Require one annual meeting and other meetings as necessary.

Up to 9 board members including officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer), with a majority of board members being from the Gunflint Trail/Cook County area.

Follow Sugarbush boilerplate for other details except as noted

Right now Ted maintains Lace Lake (State), Tim Knopp (Federal) to the Banadad (Federal). It could be that whole thing. ­(I think the by-laws need to define which trails will be the responsibility of the BTA.)

When the by-laws are finalized by this group, the BTA will request a review of by Ann McKenzie, North Star member.

3. Articles of Incorporation

Articles of Incorporation will be needed after the by-laws are written. Tom and Wayne, will you consider moving forward with this next step after drafting the by-laws? Because there is a need to become a legal entity right away we should go ahead and file the articles of incorporation with the state as soon as they are ready.

Considerations include categories of membership (business, club, family, individual, hunters)

4. Election of Temporary President

Barb Young was nominated by Ted to be the temporary president of the BTA, and was elected by a unanimous and enthusiastic majority. Barb warmed up to the idea eventually.

5. First Meeting of the BTA

Barb Young will convene the first official meeting of the BTA in February 2009.

Proposed Agenda

1. Approve by-laws

2. Elect board

3. Present articles of incorporation

4. Move to incorporate as a 501(c)(3)

6. Slate of Officers

Ted & Barb, will you consider drafting a slate of officers and circulating it to the group? Ideas for the slate of officers and other board members included John and Barbara Bottger, Hungry Jack Lake; Peter Spink, Poplar Lake; Judy Ross, Little Ollie Lake; Linda (?), Minneapolis; ? Un-named, Grand Marais.

7. Timeline

We would like to be ready to for the BTA to apply for the DNR ski trail grant by May 2009. We expect about a one year transition period as the BTA assumes responsibility for trail maintenance from Ted. Ted is willing to continue to administer the trail during the transition period. In the future, the BTA may need to hire a trail administrator.

8. Support/Networking – Other Organizations

  • Lee is a board member of North Stars, and is willing to bring BTA materials to the North Stars board meeting.

  • Mark Stange – Kek club – Tom knows him, and will contact him to learn more about the Kek Trail procedures

  • Forest Service (Steve Shuh) said a Banadad Trail Association would be a good thing.

  • Someone needs to sit down with Dennis at the Forest Service – let him know what we’ve done.

  • Susanne has many connections and great networking potential

  • See minutes of the April meeting for previous suggestions

9. Possible Future Goals

  • Get a legal easement for the west end of the trail. We would need to build 1 mile of trail on public land and create a good parking lot. It would go over the snow mobile trail just like it does now.

  • Put up a sign at trail heads thanking members of the Banadad Trail Association.

  • Record the history of the Banadad Trail for future generations.

  • Newsletter twice a year (Ted already has a blog)

10. Adjourn

Thank you to everyone who attended this historic meeting!

Ecstatically submitted,
Karen Monsen, acting convener and scribe