M.A.S.K.G.I. MINUTES

MEETING DATE: September 27, 2001

LOCATION: Lord Camden Inn, Camden, Maine

OFFICERS PRESENT:

• Natalie Springuel, President
• Greg Shute, Treasurer
• Doug Michael, Secretary

MEMBERSHIP PRESENT: Approx. 22

AGENDA OVERVIEW:

• Welcome & Introductions
• Guide Board Update — Mark Warren, IFW
• MITA Update — Rachel Nixon & Sid Quarrier
• "The Green Outdoors" video of MITA & MASKGI collaboration
• Coast Guard Safety Update — Al Johnson
• General Updates and Announcements — All
• Professional Development — VHF review — Mathew Levin

MINUTES:

Welcome & Introductions

• The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm
• officers, members and guests introduced themselves
• No additions were made to the agenda

Guide Board Update — Sargeant Mark Warren, IFW

contact: markwarren@state.me.us 287-2031

• Mark chairs the guide exam licensing board which meets quarterly
• Changes will be made in process as current demand exceeds capacity
• Tonight’s discussion will focus on PROPOSED CHANGES, which are not yet ratified:

1. Streamlining application form to collect essential information only.
2. Applicants would be scheduled for ORAL exam first, then proceed to written exam specific to each license classification.
3. Only go to ORAL board once.
4. Each category would be reclassified to receive a camping endorsement within the environment they are licensed for (w/out separate Recreation Examination).
5. May ‘grandfather’ existing Sea Kayak Guides with coastal camping authority
6. Looking to implement changes January of 2002

• Looking to create a catalogue of questions to provide applicants to help prepare for written and oral exams
• Discussion about lost person scenario, many people fail. Mark suggests applicants who fail this often do not demonstrate adequate care for remainder of group who are not lost.
• Discussion about need for a curriculum to build exam prep courses — Mark interested in our input here.
• Discussion about mentoring and restrictions on "assistants" helping on trips to gain experience. Mark suggested MASKGI might draft and propose some legislative language to deal with this issue. Perhaps via a separate apprentice license.
• Lively discussion all around, Natalie suggested we continue the discussion next meeting

Actions/Needs identified:

• Mark is interested in input on proposed changes, please email him at above address

• MASKGI offered to provide technical assistance to IFW on exam development, examiner training, and curriculum development
• MASKGI invited to draft language and seek legislative change to authorize apprentice type license.

MITA Update — Rachel Nixon & Sid Quarrier, MITA

• Membership viewed video of Bill Greene’s television show starring our very own Natalie, Steve and Rachel!
• Rachel reviewed the summer’s activity and solicited input/feedback
• LNT signs posted on 36 Public islands
• Voluntary camping capacities in effect on 36 Public islands
• Piloted camping management projects on 12 heavily used islands
• Caretaker program launched on Jewel island
• LNT training and outreach provided to groups

Rachel and Sid facilitated stakeholder discussion:

• How are island capacities working? — discussed spillover effect on private islands
• Sharing issues and ethics? — discussed access concerns with other users, schooner groups. Perhaps time to convene discussion with other users.
• MASKGI online trip registration, how did it go this year?
• not extensively used
• concensus that it is very important
• perhaps need to keep encouraging its use.

Coast Guard Boating Safety Update — Al Johnson, USCG 1^st District

• Overview Operation Boat Smart
• Presented AWARDS to MASKGI, BPL, Castine Kayak, Maine Sea Grant
• Previewed video of commercial segments
• Suggestion/offer to Partner with MASKGI, IFW and TV station on a commercial
• Reviewed fatality stats — NO KAYAK FATALITIES IN MAINE THIS YEAR
• Reccomendation to establish a MEDIA PLAN on how to communicate if/when an incident/fatality occurs

Actions/Needs identified:

• Form a committee to begin working on an Incident media plan.
• Bob Stanley, Karen Francoeur and Al Johnson volunteered
• Committee to outline next steps and bring back to group at next meeting

General Announcements — All

1. Natalie —

Point of Sale Educational Packets — suggestion to put info on website, suggestion to have each outfitter copy and distribute their own

2. Greg —

Sought membership approval to move and consolidate membership renewals to year’s end.

Vote passed.

3. Al —

Suggested expanding our media coverage??

4. Pen Bay Pilot’s association can be contacted channel 16 or 13. Warning, big vessels move faster than they appear!

 

5. Doug —

Discussed "ethics" as related issue to Incident Media Plan. Need for MASKGI to have well thought out policy & procedures on ethical standards of conduct by membership. Officers in the process of researching other organizations policies and procedures.

Professional Development — VHF UPDATE — Mathew Levin

As meeting time was over, we agreed to postpone this educational segment to the next meeting on November 7^th. Mathew prepared and distributed a 4 page handout to the group.