Attendees: Cordell Manz, Kyla Manz, Borg Isaksen, Susie Isaksen, Duane "Dewey" Fjelstad, Joe Groshek, Greg St. Onge, Steve Peterson, and Darrell Thompson.

Cordell Manz called the meeting to order at 6:00pm at the Afterhours Trailhead Warming Hut.

Greg St. Onge presented the highlights of the BVSC Treasurer’s report and the Financial Summary Report that were provided by Bob Cragin prior to the meeting.

Borg Isaksen motioned to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Darrell Thompson seconded.

Old Business was discussed:

Members resumed the discussion about the idea of purchasing head lamps that may be used or checked out by skiers for night skiing.

Greg St. Onge motioned that 10 headlamps be purchased with club funds for use by persons needing a headlamp to participate in "Headlamp Ski Nights". Joe Groshek seconded.

Susie Isaksen motioned for the Headlamp Ski Nights to be held on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays from January ‘04 through March ’04. Borg Isaksen seconded. Headlamp checkout will begin at approximately 5:30pm, and the lamps should be back for check-in by 8pm.

Election of new officers took place so that the baton can be passed on to some new folks in the club. A big thank you goes out to all that have served in various capacities to help support the mission of the club by volunteering their precious time.

• Borg Isaksen motioned that Cordell be nominated for BVSC President. Greg St. Onge seconded. Motion carried.

• Darrell Thompson motioned that Duane "Dewey" Fjelstad be nominated for BVSC Vice President. Greg St. Onge seconded. Motion carried.

• Susie Isaksen motioned that Bob Cragin remain the BVSC Treasurer. Borg Isaksen seconded. Motion carried.

• Cordell Manz motioned that Kyla Manz be nominated for BVSC Secretary. Susie Isaksen seconded. Motion carried.

• Greg St. Onge motioned that Joe Groshek be nominated for BVSC Board Member at Large. Cordell Manz seconded. Motion carried.

It was decided additional positions may be added such as: race coordinator, education chair, grant coordinator, social chair, etc.

Borg Isaksen raised the issue of whether or not the club may want to carry liability insurance. Ski Club members discussed the possibility of becoming a "DNR Friends Group" and what advantages or disadvantages were to doing this – such as being eligible for liability insurance by being "DNR Friends Group". Ski club members present agreed that the issue should be researched in greater depth. Joe Groshek motioned that a committee be formed to tackle this issue. Borg Isaksen seconded. Susie Isaksen, Duane Fjelstad, and Steve Petersen volunteered to be on the committee.

Ski Club members discussed the idea of planning further social activities or "fun" ski outings (such as things like our Candlelight Ski) for club members, as opposed to just the ski races and learn to ski days, which we provide for skiers presently. Ideas discussed included the previously mentioned "Headlamp Ski Nights" that were scheduled for January-March, and also the concept that the ski club could provide a forum for members to potentially plan future "ski trips" together. Getting ski club members having fun skiing together is the main thing! Borg Isaksen was appointed as Trip Coordinator toward these ends.

Official dates were decided on and scheduled for the ski club’s winter time activities:

Learn to Ski Days:

• Sunday January 6^th at 12:30pm

• Sunday February 3^rd at 12:30pm

The Brule Valley Timber Cruise Race, Riverview Loppet, and the Candlelight Ski have been scheduled as follows:

• Candlelight Ski: Saturday February 7^th

• Timber Cruise Race: Saturday February 14^th (1 wk. prior to Birkie)

• River View Loppet: Saturday February 28^th (1 wk. after Birkie)

Borg Isaksen motioned that Cordell Manz appoint a committee to organize the Learn to Ski events. Kyla Manz seconded. Greg St. Onge, Joe Groshek, and Bob Cragin volunteered (or were volunteered, sorry Bob) to be on the committee.

Various methods were discussed to try and get more youth involved in cross country skiing in the area and at the Afterhours Ski Trails. Several members may contact area schools, and also look into the possibility of affiliation with the Bill Koch League. Birkebeiner Ski Foundation grants are another possibility? Jim Rau was appointed Committee Chair for working towards the goals of BVSC-Youth Skiing.

Cordell Manz began discussion among club members about present and future ski trail and warming shelter improvements. Members debated construction of a larger shelter at the trailhead with better heat, more room, and places to sit down and eat, with chairs to sit around in and socialize after/before skiing. Steve Petersen also talked about the idea of building a pole barn for storage of the grooming equipment to protect it from weathering. It was determined that if grooming equipment building was built, the present warming hut could possibly be expanded on its north side (to include the area currently used to store equipment) to make it spacious enough to do things mentioned above. Potential funding sources for this type of project were discussed. Applying for grants would help pay for trail and shelter improvements. If the BVSC would become a "Friends of the DNR" Group, various stewardship grants may also be available and the possibility of matching DNR grants exists as well. The Birkebeiner foundation also has various grants available. Further discussion on this item, and a potential vote on it was tabled until the next BVSC meeting, after more research could be done into size of building the DNR needs, expenses, grants, and the Friends of the DNR group. (The aforementioned committee of Duane Fjelstad, Steve Petersen, and Susie Isaksen are to meet and discuss the potential of being a "Friends Group".)

Purchasing a gas grill for ski club use was another item discussed. It was decided it was not necessary since Steve Petersen said one was available for use through the DNR.

Advocating other uses for the Afterhours Ski Trails was also discussed, such as summertime use of trails for running and mountain biking. The Brule Lions Club used the ski trails this past summer for their annual 5-mile running race and the ski trail system was received very enthusiastically by runners. Other club members mountain biked or ran on the trail this summer, reporting it to be a great opportunity for a place to bike or run when mowed. Wintertime use of the Afterhours Ski Trail area for snowshoeing was also a topic of interest, with the idea of having a future snowshoe trail system. Joe Groshek brought up the idea of even having a snowshoe race hosted by the BVSC. It was determined that marked snowshoe trails will be added for the 2004-2005 season, with routes not using existing ski trails, but only allowed to cross them. Susie motioned that a snowshoe race committee be formed. Kyla Manz seconded. Joe Groshek volunteered to be the chair of the committee.

Finally, recognition was given to the work that has been accomplished on the trails during this off-season in preparation for this year’s ski season. Two and one/tenth miles of new classic-only trails have been added. The folks at the DNR deserve a big hand for all of the hard work put into doing the trail mowing during the summertime and clearing the trees for the new classic only trail.

The work party held on the trails immediately before the meeting was successful at trimming limbs back, and removing wood and debris off of approximately half of the new classic trails. Thank you to everyone who came out today.

• Another work party and club meeting have been set for Sunday, November 2^nd at 1pm. We will also do a bring-a-dish-to-pass dinner prior to the 4:30pm meeting at the Brule DNR Ranger Station.