TWIN STREAMS CAMPGROUND, MORRIS, PA.
OCTOBER 30, 2020
Submitted by Secretary Carolyn McKenrick
1. Call to Order: President-Christina Gates called the meeting to order at 6:58PM.
Members Present: President-Christina Gates, Vice-President-Rich Stanaitis, Secretary-Carolyn McKenrick, Treasurer-Marsha Stoffa, Board of Directors: Meredith Michener, Donna Quante, Mary Beth Logue, Insa Robinson, & Laurie Stone.
2. Secretary’s Report: Secretary-Carolyn McKenrick reported that the minutes from our last Board Meeting of July 31, 2020 were presented and emailed out to all Board Members. A motion to accept the minutes as they were presented was made by Donna Quante. The motion was seconded by Laurie Stone. The motion Passed.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer-Marsha Stoffa reported the PSDC Checking Account has $7379.00, the Savings Account has $4005.02, and the Pay Pal Account has $1088.28 which will be moved to the Checking Account after the Fall Campout Event is over. A motion was made by Meredith Michener to accept the Treasurer’s Report as it was presented. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Rich Stanaitis. The motion Passed.
4. Committee Reports:
A. ISDRA: President-Christina Gates reported: She is the Region 5 Director for ISDRA. She reported that ISDRA is planning on having a online Auction. They are also asking everyone to pay their dues to help offset ongoing cost they encounter during the year.
B. Social Media Coordinator- Donna Quante reported posts on the facebook page have slowed down due to COVID, but with the Fall Campout the post have increased at this time. She also reported on the Fall Paws Virtual Challenge. There are 19 entries with only 2 scratches. The Board discussed what prizes would be given out. A motion was made by Meredith Michener to award a PSDC T-Shirt for the overall Grand Prize Winner, and a magnet or decal to 1st place in each category. The motion was seconded by Vice-President-Rich Stanaitis. The motion Passed.
C. IFSS: Steven Davis the IFSS represenitive reported to President-Christina Gates, with COVID that not much has been happening. They are planning a meeting sometime this fall but as right now nothing is set up. The only other discussion was that IFSS is planning on handing over their events to the World Championship Organization. The World Championship Organization rules for the Registered Breed Class have much stricter rules pertaining to the standard of the Breed. He is encouraging those mushers to contact IFSS to persuade them not to hand this over to the World Class Organization.
5. Old Businesss:
A. Past Events:
Summer Campout: Summer Campout Organizer Liz Stanaitis reported that the Summer Campout 2020 had a moderate turn out even though we were in a COVID situation. Events included were drag races, Calcutta, lead dog completion, line making by Insa Robinson, Rich’s famous BBQ Chicken Diner, campfire and music. A good time was had by all and everyone stuck to social distancing.
6. New Business:
A. Upcoming Events:
1. Tug Hill Challenge: President-Christina Gates reported the dates of February 13 & 14, 2021 are set for this event. The PSDC is looking for an organizer for this event. President-Christina Gates is working on the preliminary aspects of this event, keeping the COVID protocols in mind, as they may be changing as we proceed ahead. In New York State the COVID rules and protocols are regulated by each County. The PSDC will evaluate the situation in early January before making final plans.
2. Grand Canyon Challenge: Mary Beth Logue reported that DCNR are not approving new events, but since this had been a preplanned event from the past depending on the COVID situation at the time could possibly be approved. We will make a call at a later time. The race date is February 27, 2021.This will be an 18 mile mid-distance event. If the race does not go, it may end up being a training event.
3. Spring Meeting and Banquet: Donna Quante reported May 8, 2021 is the date for this event. We have the room reserved. Musher Jodi Bailey, owner and operator of Dew Claw Kennel along with her husband Dan Kaduce ran and finished both the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. They operate their kennel in Chatanika, Alaska. Jodi is scheduled to be the guest speaker if we are able to have this event. All depends on COVID restrictions.
4. Tabetha Koppa is checking on 2 Mile Run County Park, in Venango County, Western Pa. for a possible location for a Dryland Event. The trail is actually a 10 mile trail with options to make the trail a distance suitable for a Dryland Event. She will get more information and have local mushers check the trail to see if it would work for an event. Its location is Franklin, Pa.
B. Board Review of all PSDC paid positions: Vice-President-Rich Stanaitis made a motion to accept the PSDC Officials and Officers Pay Schedule as it was presented to the Board. Laurie Stone seconded the motion. The Motion Passed.
7. Discuss State COVID-19 regulations as they pertain to upcoming club events:
A. PSDC would use masks, hand sanitizer; social distancing when helping teams to the line and in the chute.
B. Traveling to different states: as of right now there are 42 states on the quarantine upon (re)entry into NYS, that could change as of anytime.
C. Bib use? A motion was made by Vice-President-Rich Stanaitis to purchase disposable bibs for use at our races. Insa Robinson seconded the motion. The Motion Passed.
D. Timers in the timing shack at Tug Hill will be required to social distance and wear masks when more than one person is in the shack. Trail help will also need to social distance out on the trail and when in the warming hut limit the number of people in the hut, social distance and wear masks.
E. Food at races: Possible have a food truck at the race site, if not available PSDC will advertise ahead that there will not be food or beverages available.
F. Port a Pots: may need to have more Port a Pots available to meet COVID-19 requirements and restrictions.
H. Drivers meeting: will take place outside with everyone social distancing and following guidelines for COVID-19.
8. For the Good of the Club: The PSDC Board would like to THANK Liz and Vice-President-Rich Stanaitis for stepping up and organizing the Fall Campout on very short notice. Without their help in finding a place to have the event, locating trails to run dogs on, cooking meals and having Halloween events the Fall Campout would not have happened. THANK YOU, LIZ AND RICH, !!
The PSDC Board would like to Thank Cindy Eddy for her kind monetary donation to the club. We would also like to Thank Cindy Eddy for the Halloween donations, candy and decorations! The PSDC would also like to THANK Ruth Sands for the donations of harnesses, drag mats along with other items. We would like to Thank President-Christina Gates and Vice-President-Rich Stanaitis for donating the turkeys and other items for the Saturday night meal and for all the work they put into the Fall Campout that made it a success.
The PSDC Board will hold a special zoom meeting later to discuss and to make the final decision on the upcoming races.
9. Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Donna Quante and seconded by Mary Beth Logue. Meeting Adjourned at 8:09 PM.