SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes
Meeting date: April 6, 2011
Present: John and Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Mike Henthorn, Rich Sheffold, Yvonne Von Der Ahe, Tom Wolpert, Steve Bromley
The board accepted the treasurer’s report after confirming that the fraudulent charge had been removed from the SLAGA credit card account.
The board approved and Yvonne Von Der Ahe reimbursed John Elfrank for the pavilion for the Fall Picnic, the purchase of the generator, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Yvonne Von Der Ahe will examine and resolve the pending membership payments on the SLAGA web site (as reported by Mike Griffin).
Gene Havens and his wife (pondigger & 1st lady) volunteered to help out with an Earth Day event at Mark Twain Lake. They would like brochures to hand out at the event on April 23. The brochures are out of date. Rich Sheffold will revise and attempt to have them printed in time to get them up to Gene Havens in time. We will go with a single brochure this time (the “family” version). Post-meeting: Rich Sheffold completed the revisions. Rich will contact Jim Greene about printing.
Jim Greene reported that there are already 17 people signed up for the Geocaching 101 class on April 23. Laurie Elfrank will add a call for volunteers to the next newsletter.
There was discussion about the location of future classes. Rich Sheffold will contact St. Louis County Parks to make sure they want us to continue at Queeny Park. Post-meeting: Rich has confirmed that County Parks wishes us to continue at Queeny.
The board was reminded to be sure to return the appropriate attendance forms and any walk-up registration fees to County Parks after the class.
Mike Henthorn will not be able to attend the class. Tom Wolpert will try to update the slides prior to the class. The board discussed and approved the possibility of using the new Groundspeak PowerPoint presentation for the first third of the class.
The board authorized Mike Henthorn to purchase a replacement tongue jack (with wheel) for the SLAGA trailer.
John Elfrank reported that the promotional pens which SLAGA intended to purchase are no longer available. No suitable replacement was available.
John Elfrank reported that he cannot find reasonably priced tables and chairs.
Laurie Elfrank reported that Tina Boyle (Keike and Navy LT) will host the Spring Picnic on May 7 at Wapelhorst Park in St. Charles, shelter #3. Post-meeting: The event page has been published and the SLAGA calendar has been updated.
John and Laurie Elfrank reported on the current consumables inventory in the trailer. They will update the online inventory accordingly. It appears that we will not need to purchase any supplies for the Spring Picnic.
There was discussion of suitable BBQ providers for the fall picnic. John Elfrank will look into it.
After discussion, the board recruited volunteers for the final caches in the TREEmendous series (in conjunction with Missouri Botanical Garden). Jim Greene took the one in Deer Creek Park. Sarah Chisholm took the two in Forest Park. Yvonne Von Der Ahe took the two at Missouri Botanical Garden. Mike Henthorn volunteered Mike Jr. for the one in Bellerive Park. Post-meeting: As of April 14, 18/28 have been placed and published.
Mike Henthorn reported that he has been in contact with William Brandel, Chief Ranger for St. Charles County Parks. He has given Mr. Brandel the requested information regarding all caches in St. Charles County Parks. There are only six because of the existing restrictive policies. Mike is scheduled to meet with Mr. Brandel on April 7 to discuss possible changes in policy.
Mike Henthorn reported that he gave the requested geocaching presentation at a recent Boy Scout roundtable.
Rich Sheffold reported that he has not heard from Missouri State Parks regarding the now-missing web page listing geocaching requirements. He will contact them again. Post-meeting: Rich reports that the folks doing the new web site were unaware of the presence of the geocaching guidelines on the old site. Guidelines will be added to the new site at some unspecified future date.
Mike Griffin is handling the Spores and More event at Lake Shelbyville on April 23. Steve Bromley also volunteered to participate.
The board discussed 2011 SLAGA elections. Nominations for all positions will open at the Spring Picnic. Electronic balloting will be held prior the Fall Picnic, when results will be announced. Post-meeting: Tom Wolpert and Laurie Elfrank posted information in the SLAGA forums.
Tom Wolpert reported on the following correspondence received via the SLAGA web site.
· Teri Schroer at the World Bird Sanctuary would like SLAGA to participate in a National Trails Day event on June 4. The board agreed to do so. Tom Wolpert to contact Ms. Schroer. Post-meeting: E-mail sent requesting additional details. Placeholder added to SLAGA calendar.
· Janice Steib with the City of Florissant would like SLAGA to offer a Geocaching 101 class for Florissant residents. At the suggestion of the board, Tom Wolpert will pass this request on to Shirley and Mark Derr (CribbageWitch and HobbitTaz). Post-meeting: E-mail sent. No word yet from the Derrs.
· Shelly Gannaway of the Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MOAHPERD) would like SLAGA to give a presentation on geocaching at their convention November 11-13, 2011 at The Lodge of the Four Seasons (Lake of the Ozarks). MOAHPERD is essentially a teachers’ association. After discussion, the board agreed to take a chance and attend this one. John and Laurie Elfrank volunteered to handle it if necessary. Tom Wolpert to submit the necessary paperwork by May 1. Given the dates, we will opt for an indoor presentation. Post-meeting: Placeholder added to SLAGA calendar.
· Tiffani Martin of Missouri DNR would like SLAGA to participate in a Get Out and Play event on May 14. She did not specify the park. SLAGA would like to participate if practical. Tom Wolpert to contact Ms. Martin and confirm. Post-meeting: E-mail sent. Event is at Washington State Park. SLAGA participation confirmed. Laurie Elfrank added a call for volunteers to the newsletter. SLAGA calendar has been updated.