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

AGENDA OVERVIEW:

• Welcome & Introductions
• Guide Board Update - Natalie Springuel
• Legislative Process - Matt Dunlap (House Co-chair, IFW committee)
• MITA Update - Rachel Nixon & Sid Quarrier
• WEB form/ public island use - Mathew Levin
• LNT Update - Natalie, Rachel, Steve Spencer
• Coast Guard Safety Update - Al Johnson
• Safety Committee Update - Dave Legere, Chuck Herrick
• General Announcements - All
• Visioning/Brainstorming MASKGI priorities - All

MINUTES:

Welcome & Introductions

• The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm
• New board, members and guests introduced themselves

Guide Board Update - Natalie Springuel

• Natalie recounted her conversation with Mark Warren, IFW Guide Board
• No changes in examination procedures will take place this season
• Looking at streamlining scheduling to better match outfitter needs
• Welcome MASKGI's input as well as direct input of individual members
• Contact Mark Warren with comments/suggestions: mark.warren@state.me.us
• Issue of Marine Patrol not having statutory designation as "official" agency examiners
• Natalie solicited group input on scheduling and will pass on to Mark

• Needs identified:
  • MASKGI as a "clearing house" to get 10 candidates together for exams
  • Late Spring & Fall (2x/year) examination schedule
  • Need to facilitate licensing of qualified guides
  • MASKGI as a collective voice to provide IFW with technical assistance

Legislative Process - Matt Dunlap (House Co-chair, IFW committee)

• Scott Anchors introduced Matt Dunlap, Maine State Rep and Maine Guide
• IFW committee's oversight includes all guiding activities
• History - guide board process only 30 years old
• Long Term committee vision to break out separate guide boards for each guiding activity, and to incorporate an outdoor education component to provide practical experience to guide candidates
• Suggested working together with other guide organizations
• Described 2 ways we can work to effect change:
  • Legislative Committee for statutory changes
    • 50 petition signatures will force a public hearing
  • IFW - which has rulemaking authority
  • Cautioned legislative committee can create new law, but if we don't work with IFW to facilitate specific rulemaking, the process will not be effective
  • The better organized, the more we participate in Augusta, the more effective we will be.

• Needs Identified:
  • Form a small team to work with Mark Warren/IFW
  • Speak to local reps
  • Designate point people to advocate with legislature

   

MITA Update - Rachel Nixon & Sid Quarrier

• An overview of island site use management projects for 2001
• Updated island capacity charts were distributed
• Feedback is being solicited
• Slides of specific site management projects shown

WEB form/ public island use - Mathew Levin

• Instructions provided to use MASKGI web form to register intended public island stays (verbal & handouts provided)
  • Go to form on web site. Use 1 form for each trip
  • Forms submitted get emailed to a joint e-mail account
  • Please do not delete the email when viewing the account
  • Please only submit a form a week or two in advance - when you know a trip is truly running.
  • Suggestion to modify form to organize by date and coastal region

LNT Updates - Natalie, Rachel, Steve Spencer

• Basic MASGI guidelines drafted and distributed to membership
• Membership approved guidelines with modification to include more info on nesting birds and seal pups. Natalie will update and have posted on Website.
• Cadillac Mtn Sports (retailer) and MITA working on a point of purchase "packet' of safety/LNT info.
• Please provide Bob Deforest with any input on content of packet
• Suggestion made to obtain grant to produce a booklet next year
• Info packets will be provided this year to a select # of stores on a pilot basis
• BPL has produced a 16 min LNT video - contact Steve Spencer for a copy -steve.spencer@state.me.us or 287-4920.
• In May, the 4-day LNT Master course will be available, and the 2-day trainings will be running around the state in the next few weeks. Cost $15 pp, contact Rachel Nixon @ MITA

Coast Guard Safety Update - Al Johnson

• Overview of new Boat Smart Campaign kits
• Kits distributed to membership
• Al offered to help organize a joint training exercise with the Coast Guard - Kayaker helicopter extraction training& demonstration

Safety Committee Update - Dave Legere, Chuck Herrick

• Safety equipment list presented along with feedback since last mtg.
• List items reviewed to identify non-consensus items needing further discussion
• Committee to revise document and post to web two weeks prior to next meeting to allow membership time to review prior to next mtg
• Membership will vote on safety list at May mtg

General Announcements - All

• Maine Coast Seminar for Guides and Coastal Educators: May 12, M.D.I. contact Natalie Springuel 581-1441 for details (sponsored by MASKGI & Maine Sea Grant)
• LL Bean Kayak Symposium, Castine, ME July 14
• Southwest Harbor Festival of the Kayak, Southwest Harbor, Maine June 9-10
  • Contact SW Harbor Chamber of Commerce for more details.

Visioning/Brainstorming MASKGI priorities - All

The membership collectively identified the following activities and functions - some current, and some potential directions for the future. The purpose of this discussion was to begin identifying a collective vision to guide MASKGI's activities:

• IFW representation
• Maskgi brochures
• Professional development
• Training review
• WFA/WFR Kayak specific recertification program
• LNT
• Safety Standards
• Stewardship
• Serve the small, independent outfitters (equalize membership profiles on web)
• Value partnerships with MITA, BPL, Coast Guard, IFW
• Legislative advocacy
• Public advocacy
• Media relations in response to accidents
• Emergency action planning
• Referral source for outside orgs and agencies
• Explore opportunities with canoe / recreational guides
• Group rates on Liability insurance
• Advocating appropriate risk classification by insurance underwriters

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm