Meeting Minutes     February 6, 2003 This was Richard Yeargan’s first meeting as President of the Motherlode Rockcrawlers. He began by calling the meeting to order at 7:30pm. There were eighteen members and three guests present. Members present: Richard & Gigi Yeargan Don Weber Tim Butzler Trina Cooper Pete Elmer Mark Stoller Charlie & Jerry Thompson Robert & Sharron Sutton Judy Timm Ken Ketterling Dave Langelier Ron Delaney Robert Soares Randy & Brenda James Guests: Gary & Carol Pearson Tony Clarke Presidents Report: Richard thanked everyone for attending and for giving him the opportunity to lead. His intention is to leave the club as it is “fun and social”. Robert Soares now lives in Jackson and is close enough to attend club meetings. Pete and Karen have a new RV. Minutes: Don read last month’s minutes. Minutes were approved after a note was made showing that Charlie and Jerry Thompson attended January’s meeting. Their names were left off January’s roster of members present. Vice Presidents Report: No report. Treasurers Report: Mark noted that as of tonight’s meeting, the clubs balance was $737.79 and there were no expenses. Membership: Ron let us know that Gary and Carol Pearson are still attending meetings and functions and getting closer to meeting club requirements for membership. Ron asked Tony Clarke how he heard about the club. Tony replied, “I saw a decal on a truck in a parking lot”. A comment was made that club visibility is good. Land Use/Conservation: Del is away attending the CA4WDC convention. Dave Langelier attended the state OHV Conference with Del and reported on what he saw and heard. Dave started off by saying that “we” not only the club but everyone involved with off highway vehicles should consider themselves very lucky to have someone such as Del Albright in their corner. Del received many compliments from people with views that oppose ours while attending three days worth of grant meetings. The OHV budget is about $14 million annually. Dave informed us that a portion of our own OHV money is being given to Environmentalists in order to fight us. Delegate: Ron attended the Sierra Trek planning meeting he came away discouraged. Two major factors are: 1) The price of attending functions is skyrocketing and driving people away. Instead of keeping the price affordable and drawing more people the association seems to be mainly worried about their bottom line. 2) Locking differentials, if you’re not equipped with at least one, you will not be allowed on the short wheelbase trail. Years of driving experience, skill level or participation in past years will not get you past this new rule. The very thing we fight for on a regular basis in a sense is being banned, access to public trails. (In this case, the Fordyce Trail) Ron will be writing an article to In Gear Magazine regarding these issues. Ron also attended the CA4WDC North District meeting where he was running for Vice President. Unfortunately he did not win election this time. Congratulations Ron for stepping up to the plate. Ron also offered his services to the association in the area of building and retaining membership. Ron was asked to write a letter to the association regarding this matter. Correspondence: Richard received and read a letter from the Co-chairman of Winter Fun Fest, Dick Shannon. Dick had many great things to say regarding the club and its efforts in feeding 600 hungry people on Saturday night. After dinner was finished, the club cleaned all the tables and serving area in preparation for Sundays breakfast. We received information on Eldorado National Forest, Mormon Emigrant Trail (ongoing), Rock Creek Trail re-routes, Barrett Lake Jeep Trail re-route (in progress) and notice of dues for United Four Wheel Drive. Old Business: T-shirts available. See Mike Hitch cover, one left. See Ron By-law committee (Del, Brenda, Melissa, Jerry and Mike) No final agreement has been reached as of yet. We will know by March meeting. New Business: Richard brought up the idea of putting a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place. It can be changed anytime during the year. It would supplement our bylaws and would define certain items. This idea was met with mixed reviews. Richard would like to launch a program in order to let the public know who we are and what we do. This is not meant to boost membership although it would be nice, but to get the public more acquainted with our club and its causes and efforts in the community. We already have Adopt A Trail and Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR). We participate in Kids On The Rocks, Ione Homecoming Parade and the Amador County Destruction Derby. Several ideas were placed on the table including news media ride alongs and a 4x4 show at the new 4x4 store in Jackson. Not all ideas have to be vehicle oriented and all good causes are welcomed. Other great causes brought up were Cancer Walk for Life, Cancer Society box lunch program and the annual spring clean up of the Mokelumne River. Our goal is to gain respect for Four Wheeling and to lend a hand whenever possible. Ron and Mike will be heading up this program. Past Runs: Doran Beach: A good time was had by all that attended. The nearly one week trip was full of fun and relaxation. Winter Fun Fest: Historical tour of the area was both fun and educational. No tow straps or winches saw the light of day. The club served 600 hungry people on Saturday night. Future Runs: Trail Boss: Iron Mountain: 2/09/03 Pete and Amanda Elmer Topaz Resort: 2/21/03 Mike Stoller Hollister Hills SVRA: 3/21/03 Don Weber B.R.C. El Dorado Trail: 4/11/03 Del Albright *extra seats needed Ione Homecoming Parade: 5/04/03 Trina Cooper Memorial weekend: (TBA) Airport Flat, Rubicon: 6/14/03 No trail boss as of yet Adopt a Trails: 7/05-06/03 Round Valley and Pardoe Dusy Ershim: 7/19-26/03 Mike Stoller Richard adjourned meeting at 9:10pm Don Weber February 6, 2003