ISSAR

Idaho State

Search And Rescue

2000 Fall Trailride Minutes

September 3, 2000

Island Park, ID - Hosted by Fremont Co.

Commander Phil Courtney, called the meeting to order at 10:10 on September 3, 2000.

Brent Lewis (Bear Lake) gave the invocation.

Butch Thomas (Fremont) led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Phil thanked Fremont County SAR for their hospitality, food, training, and Trailride.

Roll call

National Officers: Sandra Drury, Commander; JD Drury, Secretary; Marie Wothe, 2nd Vice; Scott Hess, Communications

Past National Commanders : JD Drury, Gordon Wothe, Brent Lewis, Cole Colvin, Ot Lemm, C Lemm, and Walt Rhodes.

Past State Commanders :  JD Drury, Gordon Wothe, Brent Lewis, and Butch Thomas

Unit Commanders: Lincoln, Fremont, Bonner

No members were reported to have passed on since our last meeting.

Unfinished Business:

Minutes - Butch moved and Brent seconded that minutes of the June 10th meeting be approved.

Phil presented the "Guidelines and Application for Training Funds" given him by Marsha Davis, Chairperson. A correction was made, substituting 1st Vice Commander for 1st Vice President. Brent stated that information needs to get out to the units. Phil stated that his primary goal for this year, as commander, is to enhance communication with local units. He recognized that not everyone was on the internet, but that each commander, if he/she is not online, should be able to find one or two members who would be responsible for being that communication link between their unit and ISSAR. Marie reported that the monthly newspaper from National is a good avenue for communicating with units. The 10th of the month is the deadline for submissions and it goes out on the 24th. Cole said that if the local commander is not interested in something, he should still pass the information on to his members. Gordon reported that National dues are $7.50/year but those joining now could join for $3.75; the newspaper is sent to all national members. Following discussion, Gordon Wothe moved that the guidelines be accepted, JD seconded and the motion carried.

Brent read the fax sent by Walt Charles, "Suggested Guidelines for Meetings". Gordon suggested that certificates be given to those attending the training. He further stated that some units have been sued when there was insufficient training or documentation of training. The general consensus  was favorable to the suggestions. The suggestions were not voted on since no member of that committee was present.

Members at Large - Brent stated that he could not find where ISSAR had approved Members-at-Large. Walt R showed his wife, Joanne's card for 1992. In Jerry Colvin's absence , Phil read information that she had emailed to him on the topic.

In getting the information on the duties of the officers, I came across the amendments that we voted on at the conference in St. Anthony. One of those was on member-at-large and it was defeated. Usually when a motion is defeated, it is not recorded. I am sending a copy of this to the rest of the Bylaws Committee.

Member at Large: upon payment of annual dues, any person who has been a member in good standing of a search and rescue patrol or posse within the Idaho State Search and Rescue Association. Their membership must be approved by the members at a meeting and they shall be entitled to all privileges of a regular member. Their uniform shall retain their own identity. Members at Large shall come under the 2nd Vice Commander.

License plates - Olivia was not present to comment on the status of the Search & Rescue license plates.

Search Reimbursements - Butch and Brett reported on recent legislative changes which doubles the cap on search reimbursements from $2,000 to $4,000 per search. Brent stated that some units were cutting themselves short by not including fuel other than for vehicles, and equipment lost/destroyed during a search. They must account for everything. Brett stated that his Sheriff asked if the reimbursement about reflected actual costs, i.e. $7.50/hr. for vehicles, $20 for divers, $5 for a meal, etc. Phil asked that a committee be formed to come up with realistic line item reimbursements. Brett was asked to chair the committee that also included Brent, Dale and Joe Williams.

Tank Traps - Ot Lemm asked what Idaho was doing about the "Tank Traps". The objection is not that they are closing off wilderness areas but the method they are using. There are several organizations supporting getting rid of the tank traps: Blue Ribbon Coalition, State Snowmobile Association, Citizens for a User Friendly Forest (Jim Gerber of St. Anthony). Butch reported that Brett had rolled a four-wheeler on one while on a search. Brett reported that RULE 36 allows fire, law enforcement and Search & Rescue to open "green gates" to carry out their mission; tank traps are an unnecessary hazard to rescuers. Phil stated that he could write letters as a private citizen but would need the approval of the membership to  write as a State Commander. The motion was made and approved that Phil speaks for ISSAR when he writes letters against tank traps. He asked members to send pictures of the tank traps and information on specific areas.

Equipment - Evelyn asked where the copy machine was. Butch stated that he turned it over to Stan when he became Commander. Someone asked about the laptop computer. Phil stated that Olivia was to have it, since Evelyn has her own, but does not know if she has received it yet. Gordon asked about the PA system. No one seemed to know where that was located.

Officer’s reports:

John Wilson, 2nd Vice - Stated that he did not have the information from Olivia as to which units still have not paid their dues.

Dale Crowther, 1st Vice - Reported that he didn't have much to say since there were no District Representatives present.

Scott Hess, Communications -  Stated that there is a group of individuals which have control of the 800 band. Units have a choice of staying with the current bands or purchasing the other.

Evelyn Courtney, Secretary-  Stated that the 3 boxes that she received as secretary need to be purged of out-dated materials, and other documents of historical value need to be archived and filed somewhere and not carried by the secretary to every meeting. With the consent of the membership, she would ask Marsha Davis and Olivia to assist her in purging the records and would then ask Jerry Colvin to go through them so that no item of historical significance would be lost. Many of the records can be scanned and placed on a CD for the next secretary or for archiving. Gordon moved that records be purged and that significant ones be archived. Walt seconded and the motion carried. Evelyn stated that she would ask Jerry if she would keep the archived records.

Search Reimbursements - Following the break, the Reimbursement Committee handed in their recommendations.

Private Vehicles       $12.50   (   $7.50)

Snow Vehicles         $20.00   ( $10.00)

Search Dogs            $15.00    (  $7.50)

Meals                        $  6.00   (   $5.00)

Divers Equipment   $30.00    ( $20.00)

Boats                        $12.50    (   $7.50)

Horses                      $10.00    (  $7.50)

ATV's                       $12.50    (  $7.50)

JD moved that these recommendations be given to the Sheriff of Fremont County to be presented at the next Sheriffs' Association Meeting. Walt seconded the motion and it carried.

Upcoming Meetings:

Sandra stated that the next National Search & Rescue meeting was going to be in Salmon at the Eagles on Sep. 16-17. Registration will be on Friday, Sep. 15th and Saturday a.m. Registration is $7.50.

2001 National Convention in San Pete, UT the first weekend in June.

JD asked the membership to consider Franklin County for their next Fall Trailride. He outlined the trail that would highlight the event. The motion was made and carried that the 2001 Fall Trailride would be in Franklin County.

Phil asked for suggestions for the location of the next ISSAR meeting. Bonneville with 6 members present stated that they would like to host the Winter Meet, to be held in February, March, or early April.

Phil reported that the Summer Convention would be in District 1. If Bonner SAR agrees, he would like to host the conference.

At 11:35, Walt Rhodes moved that the meeting be adjourned.