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

 

MEETING DATE:           December 11, 2002

LOCATION:                  UMaine Hutchinson Center, Belfast, ME

           

OFFICERS PRESENT:   Natalie Springuel, President

                                                Scott Anchors, Vice President

                                                Doug Michael, Secretary

 

ATTENDANCE:            21

 

AGENDA OVERVIEW:

• Welcome & Pizza
• Approval of October Meeting minutes
• Creation of MASKGI Ethics/Professional Standards Committee
• Education Committee
• Rack Card Update
• Announcements / Upcoming Events
• Gulf Of Maine Expedition Slide presentation

 

 

MINUTES:

 

Welcome & Pizza (Natalie Springuel)

Meeting began at 6:20, facilitated by Natalie Springuel.

Members welcomed, agenda reviewed, no additions to agenda.

Member introductions around the table

Approval of October Meeting minutes (Doug Michael)

Minutes distributed, reviewed, and approved with correction noted to spelling of name ÒKaren StimsonÓ.

 

 

Education Committee (Paul Travis)

• Paul has been working with Greg Shute, Dave Mention and Bob Myron on a committee to explore educational opportunities for members.
• Paul distributed a discussion outline framing possible objectives, topics, and opportunities for continuing education to MASKGI members.

 

Discussion:

• General enthusiasm for offering ACA courses to members, ACTION: Paul will follow-up with Instructor-Trainer members
• General agreement on objectives and topics outlined, with suggestion to add topics of Coastal Ecology, Group Dynamics
• Immediate opportunities were discussed, ACTION: Al Johnson and Paul will work on a safety/navigation seminar prior to the March 5 meeting at USCG Southwest Harbor
• Suggestion to create a message board with website was discussed, not feasible at this time, web services being provided by Jim Dugan on a volunteer basis.
• Dave Legere Ð Aqua-Terra Adventures, Bar Harbor offering an ACA course in Spring, open to MASKGI members, as well trying to put together an American Red Cross Instructor/Trainer workshop. Contact Dave if interested 288-0007
• Contact Paul with any other training related ideas: ptravis@adelphia.net
• People expressed interest in having a third annual Maine Coast Seminar sponsored in part by MASKGI. Action: Paul will contact Michael Hayes, organizer of last yearÕs seminar, to see if he is planning anything this year.

 

 

Creation of MASKGI Ethics/Professional Standards Committee (Dave Mention)

• Dave Mention, one of the founding members of MASKGI explained the context for his proposal Ð part of the original intent of our organization was to promote ethics and standards of members, yet we donÕt have a specific mechanism in place to deal with potential breaches of ethics or membership standards.
• Dave distributed a 2 page document outlining the proposal, with guiding examples of the types of scenarios which might be dealt with through this mechanism.
• Members also received a copy of the MASKGI Professional Code of Ethics (from the website) and a few copies of the MASKGI Bylaws were distributed and referred to.
• ACTION: Suggestion was made to post the By-Laws to the Web Site
• Questions were solicited from the group and discussed
• Discussion on procedures outlined Ð having president appoint panel vs membership elect. General agreement to have our elected president appoint the panel.
• Suggestion to amend item 3 to add Òand who made the allegationÓ to the existing sentence.
• Motion to approve the Ethics proposal as presented,
• Motion seconded, and approved.
•  

 

Rack Card Update (Scott Anchors, Natalie Springuel)

• Scott presented an overview and summary of issues which have delayed the development of the rack card this past year. A chronology was provided to the membership to clarify what has happened thus far and the actions the officers have taken to produce a quality rack card by Spring.
• Scott detailed a variety of issues surrounding the rack card and member Bob Stanley. Scott noted disappointment that Bob Stanley is not here in person tonight, to participate in the discussion
• Last Spring, Bob Stanley volunteered to coordinate the rack card project
• Disagreement on the expectations regarding this task came to light after the summer.
• Bob developed a draft version of the rack card on his computer/printer and apparently distributed a limited number to one or more tourist information centers (MASKGI officers have checked at several locations, unable to find any of the brochures created by Bob)
• The rack card created by Bob had design problems. The officers and members did not give approval on BobÕs draft
• MASKGI allocated $1500. to Bob for professional printing of the brochure. Without the officers knowledge or approval, Bob said he purchased a printer with some portion of the funds. No receipts have been provided by Bob.
• In September, the membership brainstormed as a group to establish clear criteria to guide the production of the brochure, and a committee was formed to work with Bob on next steps.

 

• At the September meeting, Bob offered to ÒdonateÓ $1200. to MASGKI for professional printing of the brochure. The officers consider this not as a donation, but money which belongs to the membership.
• At the October meeting, it became clear the rack card committee did not convene, and no further action was taken to produce the rack card.
• Bob was asked to return the funds, and sent the leadership a ÒGrant applicationÓ to apply for the return of the membershipÕs funds

 

• Scott summarized 4 issues the leadership has regarding the card

1. Slow or no substantial progress
2. Use of Membership funds to purchase a printer
3. The addition of the obstacle of having to apply for a grant for the funds MASKGI allocated to Bob
4. Spring is around the corner and progress is needed ASAP

 

• After careful consideration, the leadership (officers) has unanimously decided to dissolve the rack card committee, and to take the process forward.

 

• Scott asked for any questions from the membership.

 

• Question Ð the correction of last months minutes reflect wording describing Bob Stanley offered a $1200. donation to MASKGI?
• Answer Ð The correction was made according to Bob StanleyÕs phrasing at the September meeting, However, the officers never considered the return of membership funds to be a donation. Bob Stanley has been asked by the leadership to return membership funds. Bob has not returned any funds to date.
• Question - Would it be in the means of the organization to refund a portion of outfitter member dues for members who did not get on a rack card this past year? Ð pros and cons discussed, many felt we should move forward from here with the new rack card.

 

• Natalie presented some next steps for membership consideration
• Tim Seymour of Seymour Designs was the contractor who created the rack card two years ago. Natalie sent Tim the current version and the tri-fold-with-map version created by Bob. Tim has provided a variety of estimates on different quantities and on the 2 versions.
• Dave Legere provided a mock-up of a brochure he worked on for consideration, as well as another printer to consider for a price quote
• Suggestion made for Natalie to email a design mock-up to the membership for comment. Natalie will ask Tim to create this mock-up as soon as possible, given his schedule, then will email this to membership for approval.
• Motion made to have the officers (Natalie, Scott, April, Robert, Doug) function as a committee to move forward with the rack card. Ð Approved.
• Motion to authorize the officers to spend up to $2000. for production of the rack cards. Approved.
• One member commended Bob on initially being the sole volunteer to work on the rack card.
• Member Greg Shute asked it be reflected in the minutes : Òthe officers have dealt with a very sticky matter in a very professional mannerÓ
• Several members requested we continue to work with Bob to return MASKGI funds.

 

 

 

Announcements / Upcoming Events (All)

 

• Paul Travis provided an update on the new written guide exam questions being developed by a committee to provide IFW with questions focusing on island ethics and camping practices. 105 questions were developed over the last 4 mos. Very LNT based . Tim Peabody of IFW clarified the idea is to have a larger pool of questions to draw from.

 

• Karen Francoeur - a Kayak symposium is underway for Castine again this year Ð July 12/13 with a focus on 3 themes: skills, environment, Historical/cultural. Ken Fink and others are involved. Bob Arlidge is directing the symposium.

 

• Dave Legere - Bar Harbor YMCA hosting open kayak time in the pool Ð 8:30 Ð 10:30 pm Tuesdays through January

 

• Sun Morning rolling clinics at the Camden YMCA

 

• Greg Shute Ð a group working on standards for 15 pax vans Ð check out outdoored.com

 

• June 8-11, Bar Harbor Ð Northern Association of Boating Law Administrators Conf. In Bar Harbor. 22 states attending, Holiday Inn.

 

• ACA Coastal Kayak Committee is in the process of testing recreational boats for floatability.

 

 

 

Gulf Of Maine Expedition Slide presentation (Natalie Springuel & Rich MacDonald)

 

¤       Wow! wishing we were all there! For further information, check out www.gomexpedition.org

 

 

Meeting Adjourned 9pm.