Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Association
Meeting Minutes

4/30/09

The meeting was called to order at 7:16 PM by Executive Director Tami Murray at the Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof, Alaska.

In attendance were Bruce Cox, Gary Katsion, Dave Wartinbee, Jane Fuerstenau, Brandi Little, Johna Beech, Bean & Susan Lacey, Tami Murray, and Jan & Todd Stone.

Previous Minutes:

The minutes from the 3/26/09 meeting were presented by Tami and reviewed as needed.

Treasurer’s Report:

Jane Fuerstenau did not present a treasurer’s report.  Tami reported that the last sponsor money had been received and that all bills had been paid.

Old Business:

The trophies will be retuned to the Tustumena Lodge for display.  With this, the 2009 race has been completed.

New Business

The main purpose of this meeting was to seat the new Board and Officers and make the transition from a 501(c)(4) to a 501(c)(3) Corporation status.

• Transition to 501(c)(3) Status

Changing to the new status required rewriting the Corporation bylaws.  Dave Wartinbee had drafted the bylaws earlier and distributed for review.  A motion was made by Dave to accept the bylaws.  The motion was seconded by Brandi.  Before a vote was taken, the bylaws were reviewed in detail and amended where necessary.  At each amendment a motion was made and seconded, and a vote was taken in order to pass the amendment.  The new bylaws were accepted with a motion by Brandi, seconded by Jan, and carried unanimously.  Dave will incorporate the final changes in the new bylaws.  Once completed, the new bylaws will be posted on the website.  Tami will start the paperwork necessary to make the change to 501(c)(3) status.

• Seating new Board & Officers

Under the new bylaws the Board is to consist of nine members.  Under the previous bylaws, four Board members (Bill Steyer, Cliff Vaught, Doug Ruzicka, and Duane LaFluer) had a second year of their two-year term to complete.  Bill and Cliff had not attended meetings on a regular basis so in the interest and needs of the organization their positions were vacated.  This left seven of nine positions open for election.

Board nominations from the 3/26/09 meeting were as follows:

Susan Lacey

Bean Lacey

Dave Wartinbee

Bill Laughing Bear

Gary Katsion

Johna Beech

Brandi Little

Jon Little

Todd Stone

Bean Lacey and Jon Little withdrew their names for consideration.  Additionally, four people, Jan Casey, Bruce Cox, Sue True, and Lisa Mackey had asked to be considered for Board positions after the nomination process last month.  Bruce and Jan withdrew their names and the other two were unconfirmed when they didn’t come to this meeting or give notification of their interest.  This left the following seven people as nominees for election to the Board.

Susan Lacey – 2 yr term

Dave Wartinbee – 1 yr term

Bill Laughing Bear – 2 yr term

Gary Katsion – 2 yr term

Johna Beech – 2 yr term

Brandi Little – 2 yr term

Todd Stone – 1 yr term

Brandi made a motion to accept the slate.  The nomination was seconded by Jan Stone and passed unanimously.

Under the new bylaws officers are appointed by the Board and not the members.  Officers had been nominated during the 3/26/09 meeting.  Nominees were as follows:

            President – Brandi Little

            Vice President – Gray Katsion

Treasurer – Johna Beech

Secretary – Todd Ston

A motion was made by Dave Wartinbee and seconded by Susan Lacey to accept the officer slate.  It passed unanimously.

Our next meeting will be held sometime in August with a date to be determined.  Other business will be conducted as needed by e-mail.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Todd Stone

Tustumena 200 Secretary