BCHI State Board Meeting - Salmon, Idaho
November 14, 2008

Raenette Didier, Chairman, opened the meeting at 0830 and everyone introduced themselves. Secretary Sherri Lionberger held roll call – all chapters were present except Eagle Rock and North Idaho. Minutes were read and approved as corrected.

Robin had developed the poster of the bicycle “predator” to have displayed at bike shops. He needs to get it finished and to the bike shops. Raenette asked him to forward a copy to her and Phil as they had not seen it.

Treasurer’s report: Gretel Kleint gave the treasurer’s report. There was a question regarding the $50 contribution to the Great Western Trail – Raenette went on the website and it appeared to be defunct. She contacted Barbara and Norm Smith and they indicated they were trying to get it up and running again. If nothing more is known about what our money goes to, we will not contribute further. We should send checks directly to an organization that we are supporting, and not to a member to take it in. Gretel handed out the dues sheet for the chapter treasurer for payment to BCHI in January. Bills to be submitted: Raenette for a plaque and repayment of gas to Val Johnson for bringing stock to a national meeting at Wilderness Gateway. Marybeth Conger for reproducing the education brochure for chapters. Motion to pay the bills made by Terry Steiner and seconded by Bernie Lionberger. Motion passed.

Calendar sales: Phil Ryan said we have only 400 left to sell. If we don’t sell those, our profit is $12,000; selling all gives a profit of $20,000. Thanks to Bernie Lionberger for all of the pictures. If we do it again, people want to know where the pictures are from. Drawings start the end of January and grand prize is on Dec. 25. Winners will be on the state website and in Broomtales. Drawing will be videotaped. It was also suggested the photographer be named. Anita said the Heartland BCH created a poster and is selling them as a raffle with a free calendar! Raenette asked to go around the room and see how chapters are doing. Most all were doing pretty well. By January 15, Phil needs to have all the money collected to pay for the 1st drawing. The money needs to be sent to the address on the calendar (Squaw Butte) and they will send it on to Gretel. Raenette thanked Bernie and Phil for their efforts with the calendars. Question was asked if the remaining calendars be given out to chapters that are willing to take them without being committed to pay for them (such as consignment). After discussion, it was agreed to give extra calendars out now to chapters that want them and any extra that are not sold could be brought to the Outdoor Show and board meeting as well as any money sold after Jan 15. Val moved that we authorized chapters to take extra calendars – seconded by Gary Towle. Motion passed.

Life flight renewal – Phil Ryan. Testimonial from Val regarding the life flight experience - his bill would have been $18,000 and he paid $5.50. Robin Schindele said the bill was $12,000 for Sally and he never paid anything. Last year BCHI purchased a block of 400 and sold 399 of them. St. Al’s is not taking any new group organization at this $5.50 rate. By January 15, Phil needs an alphabetical list from those chapters who went under the state group of those people who have joined, and send the check in to Phil. If more people want membership, we can get a larger block, but it goes by increments of 100. Make sure the addresses, emails and telephones are accurate. Those chapters that already had their own block of 100 – you are self sufficient and you need to work with life flight on your own. Squaw Butte added the $5.50 to their dues, which was a big draw when folks joined. People should be members to benefit from this. It was asked that Kay send out the spreadsheet so we fill the form out and it will be easier for her. Val motioned that in order to participate in the life flight, you should be a member (family if they are enrolling children/grandchildren). Robin seconded and the motion passed.

Chapter Proposals/Issues: We do not have any proposals or issues to bring to the convention tomorrow, which is unfortunate. Raenette asked to discuss any issues that may be going on around the state. Two were discussed that are not in the state – Bright Angel trail in Grand Canyon was brought to our attention by Terry Steiner and forwarded through the channels. Steve Didier said this was looked at by the National Level (bumped back to the Arizona BCH) – it looked like the Park Service was going to preclude stock use on Bright Angel and push it to a trail that was very dangerous. Arizona BCH found out that the Park Service was going to close the trail while doing some reconstruction on Bright Angel, but it is not clear what will occur in the long term yet. It was bumped up to Rick Potts who is at the top level in the park service, and he did not see any issue as he did not see the trail being permanently close to use by the outfitter or other. Raenette thought that as a board, we might put a general proposal together to put to the Park Service regarding our support for reconstructing the trail and we want to see continued stock use on Bright Angel trail. There is a letter from the Park Service talking about future planning and NEPA – we need to stay involved in this. Terry said they will close the Kaibab trail first for 2 years to reconstruct it and then close Bright Angel and reconstruct it. General discussion was to write the proposal in support of what they are doing and keep us involved. Rod Parks gave the secretary the letter from the park superintendent to the Western Mule Magazine responding to their article.

Another local issue that illustrates how our system works – Joe Williams was doing a packing project on Pistol Creek bridge which was in very bad shape. He was told by a FS person the bridge would not be rebuilt and the creek crossing was very dangerous. Joe called Phil, who called Raenette and Val who was familiar with the trail. (Raenette apologized for not sending info on to Bernie so he got missed as the public liaison.) Pistol Creek is part of the Boise but administered by the Salmon Challis, so finding who was responsible was difficult. Phil talked to someone who said they were not replacing the bridge. Val met with the forest trails coordinator and they said it needed much more engineering work and they just hired an engineer who could do the job. It isn’t certain when it will be completed.

Val noted that although it is a little off the specific issue of Pistol Creek bridge, but the trails in the Frank Church are horrible and getting worse, so we do have issues in Idaho just keeping our trails open. Raenette noted these are good discussions that we need to keep up front with all of us. The wilderness act that said the FS trails would be maintained annually did not guarantee the budget necessary. Steve discussed from a national perspective there is an organization starting that are looking at funding of trail maintenance. The effort has a chance of succeeding, but hard to tell how much…one of the big targets is the money going to fires. If they can force congress to deal with funding the fire fighting, it would free up money to go to other functions including trails and recreation. Raenette asked if this is another issue that needs to be brought to the convention tomorrow and see if we should draft a letter to the Salmon Challis and say we are watching/waiting for this bridge to get reconstructed. Discussion from group is yes – we need to stay involved, state that we would help where we could – perhaps work for grants, and let them know it is important to us.

High Desert – Bonnie Stacey brought up a trail they have been working on that was successful – Porcupine Springs. They designed a loop for horse use that has 8 camp sites (double sites) and the BCH put up corrals, highlines, water bunks. It is now a reservable loop under the FS system, which is a problem in that anyone can call and reserve one site, the rest is closed to anyone else. The BCH discussed this with the FS – the District Ranger found that there was another loop available that needed to be built – already planned out, but they had no budget to do it. If BCH wanted to take it on, they were given the go ahead to do it. They are looking for funding and donations to help them complete it. High Desert put a lot of work into the existing loop and had no idea that it was going to be put on a reserve system. Is this an issue that BCHI would like to get involved with? Could there be a compromise and only some of them be reserved?

Raenette noted the Clearwater Forest was going to cut down on the number of stock – if that happens, the stock program could be on its way out. Don McPhereson talked to Jim West (packer) and was told he had to cut back 4 mules from their string on the Lochsa. Don was told it was too expensive, yet they just put in concrete bunks and have it set up well. Val thinks this is an attitude as there is little knowledge and priority on stock. Steve noted that when he was traveling around training the harness program for Ninemile, wherever there was a loss of stock, there was a loss on the trail program. We need to send a letter to the Clearwater and try to waylay losing the stock if we can. It was discussed that the letter could go to region 1 office as well. Jo Heiss noted that she has been successful in getting mules into the Ninemile program. Also, the trail program manager at Ketchum is a horse person and she is using some of the stock out of Ninemile.

Phil Ryan noted that he has a meeting coming up with Walt Minnick and will discuss trails and the horse slaughter…we should be meeting with our local folks on this.

State insurance: We have 20 events under the premium that we sign up for. Twin Rivers has their Kids Kamp event for the last 5 years. This is an overnight event and the insurance company will not cover it. Raenette looked into it and it would require a separate policy that would cost $1600. Is this a Twin Rivers problem or a state problem? Marybeth felt that not having the youth camp is unacceptable. Recommended action; this same issue came up in Washington and they found a better policy that met their needs. If agreed, Bill Conger agreed to research it. This will be on the March board meeting agenda. Mark Bogar will see who the Pony Club uses as they had coverage and pass that info along to Bill. Robin suggested using foundation money if needed to fund the extra insurance.

Further Issues: Even though we did not get these proposals out to chapters ahead of time, the bylaws allow us to conduct state business at the board except fiscal or bylaw. If a chapter is bringing forth issues, we can bring it to convention tomorrow. Anita VanGrunsven from Heartland brought up the NAIS at July meeting and would like a stand of opposition. Ken Nunguesser talked to Whit Whitham about the Idaho Horse Council support – they want horses done on a voluntary basis. The Idaho Horse Council is meeting today in Pocatello today so we don’t know the outcome. Aside from the chip, you need to report any time you move your animal outside of your pasture, which would be a nightmare. Roll call by chapter was conducted to determine how many chapters were for or opposed to the NAIS. Overwhelming response was no. Anita will draft a letter asking the Idaho Horse Council withdraw their support of NAIS.

Sawtooth BCH - Jo Heiss said Blaine County asked the BLM to come up with a travel management plan and asked them to put certain user groups in separate areas to avoid conflict and separate use. (The FS has tried to emphasize all trails for all user groups and educate trail etiquette. Horses can use motorcycle trails, but you have to know you will run into other users.) Jo is worried about the overall concept – hikers could say they don’t want horses in their hiking area and complain enough to make it happen. There has been a comment period and she doesn’t feel she has gotten very far with the BLM. Currently you can go on other user’s trails, but when there gets to be so much use, it reverts to only the primary user. Steve noted that BLM has a multi-use mandate – try countering with that instead of going area by area, look at individual trails and look at suitable use. He also asked who is putting dollars into the local community? Horse users put a lot of dollars into the community whereas motorcycles and bicycles don’t stay long, don’t spend dollars. Bonnie Davis of California wrote a good study on equine dollars into the community. Linda Serduik is a contact in Wyoming where they did a study as well. Jo would also like a letter from BCHI regarding this matter to both the county and the BLM. Val thinks it should be routed through the public lands liaison at BCHI to figure out. Exclusive use is not where we need to go, but it may need better research from them and work with Jo.

Steve said there is a move on to look at changing the BLM’s mission from multiple use to conservation only….just came up in the last few days and he will keep on top of that. We will add this one to the discussion at convention tomorrow.

Election of New Secretary: Dorothy Bailey from the Selkirk Valley chapter has expressed interest – she is currently the secretary/treasurer of their chapter. She is computer literate, and Terry highly recommends her. Terry moved that the chairman appoint Dorothy Bailey to the secretary – Phil seconded. Motion passed.

Ways and Means: Mark Bogar. Sponsor ads in Broomtales are still just Bonnie Shields and those from the Outdoor Show. For the Outdoor Show, the biggest expense is advertising. There are a number of non-profits that are supporting the show and pay for booth space. The Lewis Clark Saddle club has offered to put on a trail challenge at the Show. They are talking about having the bicycles run the course the second day and lead two packhorses! They may have a horse run through the trail challenge with two pack animals. The dogs want to be part of it again, which is a great spectator item. They are also trying to set up a silhouette shooting competition and side saddle demonstration. Budweiser will meet with them next week, but don’t know what their support will be. TVBCH will do the packing demo. Terry said they had been active in the equine safety and Selkirk could do one of those presentations. Rod said they cut $5 off of the dinner price because it would be easier to sell the tickets at $15.00. Karen found a vendor that would do a Dutch oven prime rib dinner for $15 so it would be a wash. We weren’t looking to make money on the dinner but to bring folks in to the live auction. Karen might talk about having the local chapters do the dinner instead of catering. There will be a beer garden, the sheriffs posse will police that drinks stay in the beer garden. The colt starting might be changed to have the 30 days ahead and just do a show of what they have accomplished.

Broomtales report: Marilyn Rousher - no report but kudos on a nice job. The print quality on the pictures could be improved – Robin thinks the print quality of the whole paper could be improved and he obtained quotes from other printers – two in Emmet and two in. The paper quality and print quality/resolution is much better. The cost would still be within our budget. Printing would be $312 per each of 3 issues. The other costs are sorting, labeling and mailing: $105 for a company to put labels on and estimated $165 to mail. Robin would like to see one of the pdf files that Marilyn sends to Burley. Marilyn liked this because Burley doesn’t always check the quality to see that it is printed appropriately. If Marilyn thinks this would work, and it is within the budget allocated, she has the authority to change.

Foundation report: Mitch Christensen gave the financial report in the various accounts. They need better representation at the meeting; only 8 of 15 chapters were present so they barely had a quorum. Some chapters do not even have one assigned, so state directors need to bring this back to their chapters. The foundation will look at the issue of the National 501 (c)3 effort, the pros and cons, and report back at next state board meeting.

National Director report: Val and Steve. 1) met with the FS this fall on the trail classification and the result of the lawsuit. They backed off on the significant issues and there is a response due by middle of December. BCHA did a good job for all of us on this. Rod said Mike Reedy sent a letter on their concerns to the directors and he forwarded it on to all state directors – let him know if you aren’t getting it. Mike said none of us need to make more comment on this unless we had something to add. 2) The National 501 (c) 3 – the director of development needed to have this designation in order to earn the money she was tasked with. The IRS has our application but we don’t have a final ruling yet – we anticipate getting it. 3) Expansion – Al Sammons from Wyoming has been busy. Kentucky is applying and there is a conference call next Monday to admit them as a state. There are inquiries from Wisconsin and Michigan as well. They have a new printer for the BCHA newsletter.

Public Lands Report – Bernie Lionberger. Most items have already been covered. He would like a contact with each chapter’s public lands rep – he will send a message out after the first of the year and new officers so he can connect with them. Steve noted that sometimes people think they are the only ones with an issue until you have someone you report to like Bernie and then he can see that some things might be a state or national issue.

Trail/Rec Council – Phil Ryan – no meetings since the July board meeting.
Sportsman’s Caucus – he has been to several meetings – they represent 22,000 people in Idaho and since July they have met with the governor twice for a hour each on access issues. State representatives are at the meetings – they are held in Boise, but have video conference to north and east Idaho. He feels the $200 per year to join is well worth it. Cabelas has asked Squaw Butte to do a packing clinic at their store every month – Marybeth and Bill are doing it next weekend.

Horse Council and Board – Don McPhereson – they did vote to approve the animal identification system but it is not mandatory for horses. Our membership on the Horse Council has decreased over the years – we pay $500 per year and we have 6 votes for that council. Don and Steve have both been presidents, but currently only Don and Lorraine are active members north of the Salmon – Barb and Norm Smith are active south. Raenette thinks we need to get more membership into this organization. If the state would pay members to go to the meetings, would anyone be interested? Lorraine noted their convention is the same time as this weekend convention. Their quarterly meetings are generally on Saturdays. There is no one on the horse board now either.

Education report: Marybeth Conger. About 3 years ago she developed an education brochure in booklet form and each chapter got a copy. She has updated it to a manual and has 100+ page copy for each chapter. It is also on the website so people can print whatever chapters might find useful. She listed a number of the topics covered, which was extensive, but she felt it was missing youth activities. If you have something, please send it on to her and Dale Schrempp. Jerry Ledbetter asked her to mail him a hard copy and will take it to the next BCHA education meeting.

Director assignments for 2009 show: Nothing changed from the assignments from July. Ken asked how many tables were done at last year’s convention – they are doing the table decorations. 26 would cover the 8 people per table and room for 200. Cache Peak, North Idaho, and Sawtooth were not at the July meeting – they said they would help with the table raffle.

Tomorrow at convention we need to decide where the next annual convention will be for 2009. We agreed that we would travel the state again. High Desert asked to host it in Twin Falls. They need to let us know which weekend they want to go with – the first or 2nd weekend.

Raenette asked how many chapters set up email trees that were suggested by T. Allen Hoover. All but one did have something set up – very good response.

March BOD meeting: Agenda items will include the following: State Insurance for Kids Kamp. Status of NAIS and how the horse council meeting went – Anita will call Connie Bowcott to follow up. Blaine County and BLM travel plan - Jo will try to have information either through Bernie or an alternative as she will not be at March meeting. North Central will report on Lochsa pack string info update. BCH delegates to the Idaho Horse Council. Nomination committee needs to be set up for the March meeting for a new chair and vice chair. Gretel has volunteered to stay on. Val’s position as National Director is also up. Nominations cannot be done until after chapters elect their officers. Robin Shindele and Sherri Lionberger will take on the nominations.

Robin motioned to adjourn – seconded by Gene Bruce.

Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Sherri Lionberger

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BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF IDAHO
STATE DIRECTORS MEETING
JULY 12, 2008 – NAMPA

Phil Ryan, Vice-Chairman opened meeting @ 8:30 AM in absence of Raenette Didier, President. Phil introduced Terry Allen Hoover, who is the BCHI Legislative Liaison. His subject matter was ‘What you need to know about influencing legislation’. Terry said in “Expanding the Code of Conflict”, you have to get other people and user groups involved. Today, we have a lot of people who are followers. We have to expand the voice of conflict and everyone, no matter what, is an activist. We need to improve the website to show, visually, all the work we do. This means more photos and a chronicle of what we have done, along with any active bills or items that affect us. We need to band with all the other horse groups or we will lose what we have. Terry also advised that the most effective way to get a response from legislature is a hand written letter, in ink or an email, as they do get read. A second website dedicated to legislation would be a good idea. We need to sell ourselves and educate others.

Gene Bruce advised there is a lawsuit that the American Hiking Society has against the Inyo National Forest in California. A federal court in California has ruled that commercial pack stock does not have a mandate to be in the back country in the Inyo National Forest. That means they have ‘no right’ to be there. The Forest Service has not appealed this yet. Val Johnson feels this decision may trickle down to the private user.

Sharon Bruce, Acting Secretary for Sherri Lionberger did roll call of all chapters. Out of the 15 chapters, Cache Peak, North Idaho, Sawtooth and Twin Rivers BCH were not present. Sharon read the minutes of the prior meeting . Val Johnson moved to approve the minutes as read. Terry Steiner seconded, minutes were approved. (At this time Raenette Didier came and took control of the meeting.)

TREASUERS REPORT – was given by Treasurer Gretel Kleint (see copy attached to these minutes). Raenette & Gretel reviewed the BCHI Budget line by line to make us aware of what our income and expenses are exactly for. It was noted that we are still getting income from our ‘Horse Sense’ video. We were selling them for $10.00, but if any chapter has any of these VHS tapes left, give them away to anyone you wish as they are getting very old. It is a hope that this video can be transferred from VHS to DVD in the future.

WEBSITE: Our new website is up and running. Raenette advised that the flow of getting information onto the website is to get it to the State Secretary, who will then make sure it gets to the webmaster. Heartland is now using the same webmaster, along with Panhandle. Other chapters should do the same. The charge for set up is $200.00 and a $20.00 monthly maintenance fee.

The calendar page needs to be utilized, which is a link to the site. One person from your chapter needs to contact Sherri to get the password to utilize the BCHI calendar. Any updates will then be directed to the webmaster. The Foundation needs to get updates to the webmaster also. Issues are the next tab. We don’t have a lot on it right now. If you have something that you think it should be on there, let Raenette know. The Chairman should review to make sure it is something that the Board is supporting.

Should we have the BCHI minutes posted onto the website? After discussion everyone felt we should, but not to include the Treasurers report. Only state that the Treasurers report was read and approved. It will be the Secretary’s responsibility to get this information posted to the BCHI website.

The BCHI Annual report, which is now done on CD can also be put onto our website, eliminating copies for each chapter. This will also be the responsibility of the Secretary.

Mary Beth Conger said that she and Dale Schrempp (Co-Education Chairs) are working on redoing the Educational booklet and brochure. She would like to see this on the website too. That will happen in the near future.

Raenette said she visited with Mark Bogar and Karen Parks regarding the Outdoor Show and they suggested that we have a link on our website for the Outdoor Show and include all the vendors. Mark thinks this would be a good sales hook in asking for vendors to be a part of the Outdoor Show. Is this something we should do? Web advertising is big business. Do we want to do it for a $500 ad? Robin suggested we ask the webmaster to see how many hits on the website we get; we should be getting a report from the webmaster on this. Barbara Z-Smith moves the vendors and sponsors of the Outdoor Show, have a link from our website in support of them. Norman Smith second and motion carried.

Terry Hoover had stated about having an alert on our website to our membership of any items of concern. Every chapter needs an email tree and/or phone tree in getting alerts out to everyone. Raenette encouraged chapters to at least have your minutes/newsletter done electronically. Some chapters do not want the internet exposure. Raenette is going to ask in November how many chapters are forwarding emails to your members of items of importance.

BCH OF MONTANA annual report DVD was shown and the Directors all agree that BCHI should do the same. BCH of MT used a production company, which two of their members own, but they have the outline we could use and just change pictures and whatever wording we want. Everyone agrees we should consider doing the same.

WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE: Phil Ryan reported on the upcoming 2009 Calendar that will be ready in September. 66 photos were submitted and it is being put together as he speaks. Phil & Kaye will be making a road trip and will deliver the calendars to each chapter. If each member sold 2.5 calendars, the 2,000 would be sold. The monthly winners will be put on the website and their name will be in the grand prize drawing. 10% of the sales go back to the chapters. The calendars are $20.00 a piece. An 8 x 10 poster will be distributed so folks can see what we have. However creative you can be, please sell them. A calendar should be easier to sell than a raffle ticket, plus the opportunity of winning a prize. The grand prize is either a 4 horse trailer or ATV. We need to inform the webmaster of the calendar information, to contact Phil if they want some. If WY can sell 2,000, there is no reason we can’t do the same. The calendar also will fit in a calendar photo frame. The calendars will be individually shrunk wrapped. A business could even put their own logo on it. A feed business, veterinarians, etc. would be a good place to sell them to.

A count was taken from each chapter as to how many calendars they will commit to sell. The tally is as follows: Boise = 25, Eagle Rock = 75, Heartland = 100, High Desert = 100, North Central Idaho = 150, Panhandle = 200, Priest River = 100, Salmon River = 75, Selkirk = 25, Squaw Butte = 250, Treasure Valley = 120 and Twin Rivers = 300. This is a commitment from the reporting chapters to sell 1,520 of the 2,000 calendars.

OUTDOOR SHOW REPORT: Raenette spoke to Mark Bogar of Twin Rivers BCH and he said there is no question it takes a lot of time to put this event on. The reason they ordered 300 calendars is because they think they can get more money for the state on sales of calendars, vs. the Outdoor Show. Raenette said if we can make the Outdoor Show a go, maybe we should consider giving more than 10% of the proceeds to Twin Rivers. The arena presentations are an expense that takes away from our profits. Mark Bogar can’t believe someone from BCHI can’t do a presentation, which would help reduce expenses. We need new demonstrations coming into the arena. Mark would like us to come back in November with talking to your chapter and getting fellow BCHers to do a demo of some kind.

Discussion was brought up about each chapter bring two raffle items and one nice item for the live auction? We need to revitalize the bucket raffle as it did not bring in much money. We need to upgrade to quality items that are of a $50.00 value each. That would entice people to buy tickets and generate more money. After discussion, it was decided that each chapter will have two bucket raffle prizes of $50.00 each and $50.00 silent auction item. A bucket raffle prize can be a combination of items, with a value of $50.00 and put in a gift basket/box of some kind.

Now that we don’t have people tied into a half day meeting, we need more ideas of things like the dog competition and such. It is asked that directors to go back to their chapters and ask for BCHers to do some kind of demo. After discussion it was decided that we will have a Sunday BCHI Dutch Oven cook-off and the charge will be $3.00 each to cover the cost of the building. We would have three dishes and judge. Sharon Bruce volunteered to put a flyer together and Panhandle will organize it. She will need to have prizes and keep track of it. If you have ideas, please forward them to her. Twin Rivers has been looking into ways of making more money and we aren’t sure how long they will continue to do this unless we are going to help them out in any way we can.

Raenette would like to give Mark Bogar; Rod & Karen Parks’s recognition for their personal efforts and would like to give them a gift. Everyone approved.

BCHI CONVENTION: Val Johnson reported that it will not be at the Elks Lodge, it will be at the Salmon City Center on Saturday, Nov 15th in Salmon, ID. It is their 30 year anniversary. Salmon River BCH is the oldest Idaho chapter. They will not sell raffle tickets. They may have a live auction instead to earn money for their Chapter. The State Directors meeting will be held Friday, November 14th in the Lemhi Room of the Stagecoach Inn. There will be a photo contest, but no categories. They would like to see each chapter (look in your archives) come up with the best photo you have had since inception. They can be framed or matted, but please limit size to 8x10 or a 3-picture collage. If you can provide a digital copy as well, that would be appreciated.

They would like for each chapter to provide a picture and bio of their special heroes (founders, charter members, spark plugs, whatever) so we can give them special recognition. In addition, they would like to do an “In Memoriam” section. Deadline for these submissions needs to be 9/15/08. Email to Val Johnson at valbjohnson@yahoo.com. These need to be submitted in digital form, if possible.

They will not provide lunch at the State Directors meeting on Friday nor during the convention on Saturday. Everyone will be on their own.

They also want, from each chapter a two minute yarn of a worst or best event, a highlight from the past, or whatever. Raenette asked that as soon as they get their registration form put together, it needs to be put on the website. We need to get support from our chapters to attend and to have all 15 chapters present. Remember, your chapter has eight delegate votes.

BROOMTALES REPORT - Marilyn was not present to report. If you want copies, please contact her. Robin Schindele asked about getting a different printer and he feels we could get a better deal and quality. Robin said he will check around and get some quotes and report in November on what he finds out.

FOUNDATION REPORT: Sharon Bruce reported that she learned the Tax Identification number from the IRS was expired. The same for the State of Idaho. She has been working on this and has since gotten both reinstated.

BCHA is now a 501(c)3 and they are looking to see if states can umbrella under them. If Idaho does go under the umbrella, contributions can be tax deductible. Val Johnson doesn’t know if it can be done and a lot of the states are already a 501(c)3, so it probably will not happen.

QUIET COMMOTION meeting was attended by Phil Ryan. It is put on by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). The underlying feel he got was getting motorized folks out of the forest. It appears more restrictions will come in future for motorized vehicles. They were amazed as to our volunteer hours and what we do in the back country. Phil felt it was worth attending the meeting. It was education for them also in that they had no idea that they are predators to the horses. The FS and BLM were in attendance also. There were about 150 in attendance from all over the country.

NATIONAL DIRECTORS REPORT: Val Johnson reported that they brought on a Director of Development - Kande Hartel. The solicitation letter she sent out was successful. 3% response is what was received with contributions which helps pay for her position. BCHA reported 5.3 million was contributed by volunteer hours from the states. There is still a major controversy regarding LNT. LNT is an organization - a patten name (entity). Somehow they have taken over the LNT concept and believe they are the only experts. Insurance is the issue. NOLS wants a $3 million dollar insurance policy for BCHA to insure NOLS to put on this program and it was voted down. BCHA has a member that sits on their board. NOLS signed a confidentiality statement and our board member can not tell us what happened at the board meeting because of it. The only thing Val sees we get out of this program is we get a certificate stating you are a master trainer. We have members that are strong believers of the LNT program.

BCHA created a new executive committee. It is a sounding board for the Chairman during the ensuing year to help him in the decision making process. Steve Didier said the FS is to use the El Dorado Forest Management (in CA) plan as an example for all states. A huge problem with this is not being able to camp one car length from the road. Someone hauling a horse trailer can’t do it. The FS is being sued right now over this management plan. Steve also reported on the status of Trail Classifications that a meeting will be held in the Clearwater National Forest on Labor Day week with North Central hosting this meeting with the FS. Wisconsin and Kentucky are now affiliates and Alabama was brought in as a State organization.

PUBLIC LANDS REPORT - Bernie Lionberger was not present to report.
TRAIL/RECREATIONAL COUNCIL - Mary Beth Conger has not been to a meeting since 2006. The group knew we had representation there when she attended. There was one issue, in particular, that we were silent on and that was wilderness areas. They want to open up wilderness areas to motorized vehicles. It was presented in the paper that horse people were in favor of that, but Mary Beth was not in attendance and did not vote on that issue. It is important someone attends. They meet three times a year, and are very informal. Robin gets all of their emails. Their primary issue has been to expand & fight the reduction of ORV traffic to see that it is not being reduced. Val said BCH has a positive image and credibility and we need to make sure it is not being squandered. Terry Steiner was the Chair at that time and he requested a retraction from the newspaper and REC council. He said it was taken care of as soon as it was done. Mary Beth will no longer be attending these meetings. The meetings are in Boise and Phil will attend if it doesn’t conflict with another meeting he would need to go to.

RAENETTE Didier gave a plaque to Robin Schindele in honor of Dr. Sally Schindele for her contribution and dedication to BCHI education.

SPORTSMAN CAUCUS - Sportsman Advisory Council will meet again in September. Phil Ryan attended and felt our presence was important to be there.

IDAHO HORSE COUNCIL & IDAHO HORSE BOARD reported by Barbara Z-Smith. The horse slaughter is still an issue and not resolved. The Idaho Horse council is the one united organization of any type of horse user. The group that is not represented is the back yard horsemen. We BCH folks should be reaching these folks and let them know this organization exists. If they do away with the brand inspections, the Horse Board will not function as they depend on this money. The IHC voted yes to support the Horse Identification program. The health benefits were the main reason they voted yes. This is the chip program. Anita VanGrunsven of Heartland BCH is opposed to it and gave her report. NAIS is the program (National Animal Identification System). Western Horsemen (June 2008 issue) has an article titled “Identity Crisis” concerning this issue.

She said, if approved, every horse will have to be chipped. The State of Idaho is asking for volunteers to do this now. This is the first step of the program. We already have ID and it is called a brand inspection. Idaho Horse Council is one of the supporters of this program, as Barbara stated they voted for. Anita proposes that BCHI should insist that Idaho Horse Council withdraw its public support of NAIS in Idaho (see copy of report attached). She feels we should not have our name listed as a supporter of this program. Anita would like for us to bring this back to our chapters and report back in November. Raenette said Heartland BCH needs to have this issue come back in a form of a resolution. This will be brought forward to the delegation and voted upon. Also, that we have attendance at the next Idaho Horse Council meeting and bring this up. The Governor of Idaho is endorsing this program. Anita just wants to exclude horses from this program. The breeders and horse racing industry support this program. Anita wants to see it a voluntary program, not mandatory. Heartland BCH needs to get this resolution to Raenette and Sherri one month prior to the November meeting.

EDUCATION REPORT: Dale Schrempp reported that he will work with Mary Beth Conger in getting material onto the BCHI website. He discussed the Chainsaw and Crosscut Saw Certification. The FS is working on getting this program in unison nationwide, to have all agencies use the same program.

MTDC has a questionnaire to be completed on the Chainsaw Certification program.

DIRECTOR ASSIGNMENTS FOR APRIL 2009 OUTDOOR SHOW: The slots need filling are Logistics, Food Chair, Live auction, Raffle Chair, Bucket Raffle, Photo contest, Decoration, Chapter Display and BCH Booth. Karen Parks suggested we go to Lewis & Clark College and they have a program for Dutch oven cooking. Karen Parks will set up the catering for dinner. (Robin will email the ticket format to Karen and have Twin Rivers do them). Food will just be the continental breakfast and set up for dinner. Raenette asked each chapter what they will do and results are as follows:

Logistics: Twin Rivers
Food Chair: Priest River & Selkirk
Live Auction: North Central Idaho
State Raffle: (It was decided not to do one because of the calendar sales)
Table Raffle: Salmon River, Squaw Butte, High Desert & Heartland
Photo Contest: Panhandle
Decorations: Treasure Valley
Chapter Display: Eagle Rock

Raenette will see to it that tasks are given to the chapters not in attendance. Norm asked that these assignments be sent out to the chapters again. Maybe include notes from those who did it last year to help those doing it next year.

Topics for Nov State Board of Directors meeting: We will need the Resolution from Heartland. Each chapter needs to have a two minute presentation of Worst or Best event from the past. On the photo contest if you have a digital, it needs to be done by 9/15/08 (we need clarification from Salmon River if this is a contest or not.)

Idea for a speaker for Convention is to have the State Brand Inspector there.

No need to bring the Chapter Display to the November meeting due to the photo contest.

Kathy Kerley moved that we adjourn. Second by Robin Schindele and carried.

Respectfully Submitted:
Sharon Bruce (Acting Secretary for Sherri Lionberger)

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Raenette Didier, Chairman opened the meeting at 0830 am and everyone introduced themselves. Secretary Dorothy Bailey held roll call. All chapters were present except Sawtooth and Eagle Rock. Minutes were read and approved as corrected. Motion to accept the minutes by Gary Towle and seconded by Kathy Kerley. The 2008 BCHI Annual Report, Service Hours and volunteer Hours Report Summary will be posted on the BCHI website. Raenette announced the BCHI 2009 state membership is 890 compared to 848 members in 2008. Raenette reported the BCHI volunteer hours report/contributions for 2008 was a cost savings of $373,614 to government agencies.

Treasurer’s report: Gretel Kleint gave the treasurer’s report. We received three Broomtales ads for $95.00 per ad. Rod Parks suggested removing the projected sales for the Horse Sense video because we are donating those VHS copies to libraries, 4 H groups, etc. Motion made by Wayne Nishek to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Gerald Aebischer. Motion carried. Anita VanGrunsven and Kay Ryan volunteered to audit Gretel’s accounting records.

2009 Outdoor Show Report: Karen Parks reported this year’s Outdoor Show expenses, are possibly not going to meet their goal for donating money to BCHI –there were several vendors that cancelled their booth space, the economy climate has an impact and competition in the community with another outdoor show. Last year the outdoor show gave the state organization $187.00 in 2008.We may be about $1000 short this year and Karen may be asking BCHI to help cover some of the expenses for the Outdoor Show. Mark reported the Outdoor Show is a three day show, and he reminded that when some of the chapters have volunteered and then had to cancelled participating in events, it is the responsibility of the chapter to resolve/find the solution and then call Mark Bogar with the chapter’s solution, and not to call to make it the organizers’ problem. Chapter displays should not be torn down until 3:00pm on Sunday, March 29. Mark would like to keep the Outdoor show as a state function in line along with the State BOD meeting, and possibly partner or combine the Outdoor Show with the Chamber of Commerce or other local organizations. The question that was brought forward: should the Outdoor Show be a BCHI state event or a Twin Rivers event? State Directors- please discuss with your chapters- will they help and support the Outdoor Show or will it be a Twin Rivers Event. More discussion about the Outdoor Show at the July BOD meeting.

Calendar Sales: Phil Ryan thanked everyone for selling the BCHI calendars- there are 40 calendars left to sell. We had 1550 calendars committed by all of the chapters and several chapters took extra calendars on consignment in November 2008.A few chapters still owe money for the calendar sales: Sawtooth, Eagle Rock and Priest River. North Idaho purchased their calendars from Priest River. Raffle winners are posted on the website. The expense for the raffle items (will be paid later in the year), the trailer is $5700, and the 4 wheeler is under $6000. Expenses are under $20,000 and profits are approximately $15,000. 1400 calendar raffle cards have been received by Kay Ryan. Mary Beth and Bill Conger commented the calendars have been an outstanding resource for promoting our organization. The calendar sales have helped many chapters increase their membership numbers. Calendars have been sent to Idaho legislators and BCHA organizations across the United States. Wayne Nishek made a motion to reduce the cost of the calendar to $10 at the 2009 Outdoor show. Motion seconded by Debbie Gullo. Motion carried.

Life Flight: Phil Ryan reported this is our second year-700 memberships this year, 400 last year. Three chapters have bought 100 blocks of their own- there are 40 Lifeflight memberships left in the state LF block. The numbers on the key cards are not relevant. You can only purchase a Lifeflight membership if you are a BCHI member, or direct family members- adult children over the age of 18, grandparents, parents, immediate relatives are eligible for the LF membership at $5.50 per person. LF helicopters need a flat surface, 75 sq feet in daylight, 100 sq feet at night and less than 10% angle/grade. Lifeflight has been accessed by four of the BCHI members. Bill Conger presented information about radios monitored by Idaho State Communications for contacting LifeFlight- VHF statewide network radio frequencies for EMT.

Report on Chapter issues: Raenette reminded the State directors: Please consider if you may need a letter of support from BCHI you need to draft a letter of resolution, send it out to the chapters 30 days prior to the BOD meetings and also discuss it at the chapter level- We are all here to help support each other in the state. Raenette circulated a copy of a sample resolution for the new State Directors for their binders to use for submitting any resolutions in the future.
Twin Rivers: Rod Parks- Land access issue- Fifteen years ago, FS purchased private land to build a trailhead. Slow progress in developing the Rapid River Trailhead off of the Little Salmon River-access road to the Idaho Power Fish Hatchery. Mike Cook is putting a request for recreational Trail grant, right of way was purchased several years ago.
North Central: Steve Didier encouraged the state directors that it would be helpful if we give input and support on a state level-Every state is involved in a writing a Travel Management Plan- California- has initiated a one car parking width on forest service roads- we should become involved. Region One, IPNF is a 300 foot parking width.
Priest River: Dale Schrempp- IPNF is working on a Visitor Use Map that should be completed by the end of the year and working on trailhead improvements area that accesses Chipmunk Rapids Trail. State budgets are tight and there is a reduction in grants for trail maintenance funds. Kathy Anderson reported - Dale and Kathy are both retiring/from the USFS -and it is essential to maintain communication and relationships with the current USFS offices. Dale Schrempp has been elected as the PRVBCH President and Terry Steiner will be filling the State Director position in May.
High Desert: There has seen a significant number of new foresters in their area, High Desert invites them to all of their meetings- We are building new highlines at Porcupine Springs. The November BOD meeting- is on Friday, November 13. The BCHI Convention is November 14- Convention packets will be available at the July BOD meeting.
Boise: Gary Towle discussed problems with a metal replacement bridge being delivered to a project- problem has existed over the last 2 years.
Panhandle: Bernie Lionberger - Bernard Peak Trail- a developer wants to purchase a land parcel and their chapter representative, Karen Kimball has been attending the Bernard Peak meetings. Land Management Plan for the Panhandle District-focused group safety issues- horse and motorcycle use – made progress for multiuse- awaiting decision of the committee.
Squaw Butte: Bill Conger - Forest Management plans: Multiuse discussion with motorcycles, equine users, hunters, four wheelers. Issue with Potlatch has purchased a parcel of Boise Cascade land and has landlocked FS land for horse riding.

NAIS Discussion: Raenette opened the NAIS discussion talking about the Idaho Horse Council (they support the horse industry) supports the NAIS. Raenette was asked to write a letter –She spoke with the IHC and they said that the 6 BCHI members on the IHB had no objections to the NAIS- Raenette discussed the emails she sent to all of the state directors within the last month regarding NAIS.BCHA supports voluntary NAIS. Six BCHI members: Connie Bowcutt, Don and Loraine McPherson, Barb and Norm Smith, Whit Whitman and are our Idaho Horse Council reps through 2010- we are not limited to six member on the IHC. None of these BCHI members are current state directors. Raenette would like to encourage more BCHI participation and make sure we have the current IHC Representatives submit a written report of every IHC meeting to BCHI. Any BCH member can attend one of the IHC meetings. They can become a director at the annual meeting if someone nominates them to attend the IHC meetings. Anita VanGrunsven (Heartland) –continued the discussion stating is this an issue of importance, does it affect the use of horses for BCHI riders, 4 H groups, horse owners in the state of Idaho, do we as BCHI become involved in the NAIS issue in Idaho-most of the BCHI are opposed to NAIS. USDA is saying it is voluntary at the federal level and attempting to drive the states with money incentives to make it mandatory. Anita’s focus is to take a proactive approach. The state of Idaho has an incentive to have residents sign up for Premise ID. Kathy Anderson stated Federal/State Partnership Premise Idaho is for animal producers with at least $1000 as an annual income. Animal Registration- the state of Idaho’s recommendation is for animals that are moved off their property where animals co mingle- recreational use, fairs, trailheads, sales, etc. After discussion a Motion made by Steve Didier that we send a position statement as BCHI to the State of Idaho showing support only for voluntary participation of NAIS and totally oppose mandatory NAIS. Rod Parks reminded us that we need to keep perspective of any issue. Mark Bogar asked what is the positive side- tracking diseases and identifying those animals that are affected, i.e. Coggins, EIA. Bill Conger discussed the responsibility and the lack of communication from those BCHI members who serve on the IHC whom have not have not been reporting from the meetings. A motion was made to have an official BCHI representative for the IHC. Motion seconded by Bill Conger. Motion carried. Motion made by –Steve Didier -BCHI position statement to oppose mandatory equine NAIS chipping in the state of Idaho

Position statement: Motion to amend by Kathy Anderson- The BCHI position statement is : BCHI is opposed to equine involvement to mandatory NAIS, including Premise Registration, Animal Registration and Animal Tracking-Motion seconded by John Burns. Motion carried. Motion made to vote on the original amended motion/statement made by Kathy Anderson. Seconded by Bernie Lionberger. Motion carried.

Val Johnson- encouraged the State Directors to discuss with our chapters: What is the purpose and the philosophy of BCHA, and to review the BCHA mission and value statement:
1) To perpetuate the common sense, use and enjoyment of horses in America’s roadless back country.
2) To assist the various government and private agencies in their management of said resource.
3) To educate, encourage and solicit active participation by various members of the general public in the wise and sustaining use of horses and people commensurate with our heritage and the back country resource.
4) To foster and encourage the formation of new member organizations and BCHI. Phil reminded the state directors we should try to limit our interested to our stated purposes.

State Insurance: Bill Conger discussed he has been researching other liability insurance carrier sources- He has contacted the insurance agency that covers BCHW (Wa) and bill presented the cost of the annual insurance premium. Most of the insurance carriers cover horse show events. Most carriers consider public events to which we might be charging a fee for the public to participate in. He is still looking for other possible insurance carriers.

Bill will contact Peg Griewe and ask information about other insurance carriers for other BCHA organizations. Our current insurance carrier will not cover the Twin Rivers Kids Camp- because our current insurance carrier doesn’t cover overnight events. Mark Bogar asked if we can’t cover Kids Camp what are our options? Kid’s Camp consists of instructing the kids attending the camp about horse care, saddle, trail rides, survival, LNT classes and the BCH mission. Val Johnson stated the liability insurance coverage is only for the public not for BCHI members. Our current insurance policy is limited to 20 public events during the year. There is additional fee for each chapter if they have more than two events in one year. Our insurance expires May 21, 09. Every ride and every work party- anytime you invite someone from the public – this makes any event as a public event!!! That means we have more than 20 events in a year—if you have several people coming on a ride- try to promote them to join your chapter.

Liability wavier form: Raenette asked the group did you come prepared to discuss if you chapter has a liability waiver. Kathy Anderson stated that PRVBCH members that renew their annual membership- sign a liability waiver; nonmembers sign a liability form at a public event ride. Mary Beth will send out her copy of what Squaw Butte uses for their liability release form and it was recommended that all of the BCHI chapters should have the same statement and language on their liability waivers- Each BCHI chapter should send a copy of their liability wavier form to Mary Beth Conger. She volunteered to review these and have one liability waiver form for all of the BCHI chapters to use. This will be reviewed at the July BOC meeting. Raenette Didier stated The Equine Immunity Act, Idaho Code Chapter 18, Section 6.1801-6.1802 should be posted at all public events at each public chapter event; the cost is $10.00 for a metal sign and $5.00 for a plastic sign available from the Idaho Horse council.

Bike Poster: developed by Robbin Schindele. Raenette and Phil passed out the Bike poster for everyone to review. BCHI would like to send this poster to all of the Bike shops/Sporting goods stores and ask them to post the flyer in their store as both a bike/equine educational poster and to also email the poster to the school districts in the state of Idaho- A motion was made to adopt this poster as an educational poster for BCHI. Steve Didier suggested that this poster should be presented at the BCHA Annual Meeting and possibly BCHA would endorse the poster on a National level. Printing costs are 18 cents per poster. Jack Lamb suggested that the Foundation may have available funds for postage. The poster reads: “What the Horse Sees; Horses are a Prey Species, Anything Moving Fast, Quiet And Or Above Them is a Potential Predator. When meeting horses on the trail, please stop, if possible on the low side, beside the trail, remove your helmet, and Most Importantly, TALK TO THE RIDER. TRAIL SAFETY IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS. Brought to You by the Back Country Horsemen of Idaho”.

Jack Lamb reinforced talking to the rider is the most important action- a suggestion was made to change the last four words “TALK TO THE RIDER” in red ink. Val Johnson and Rod Parks, our national Directors will presented this poster at the BCHA Annual meeting and the possibly of endorsing the poster on a National level. Motion was made by Kathy Anderson to mail the 150+ bicycle posters and requesting educational funds and postage costs from the Foundation or from the BCHI Education Funds. Seconded by Val Johnson. Motion carried. Gary Towle made a suggestion to add the BCHI website address to the poster. Kathy Kerley made a motion to change the wording on the poster to read: “remove your bike helmets” and to add the BCHI website address on the poster- Second by Val Johnson. Motion carried. A suggestion was made to add a section about backpackers to the letter of endorsement- A draft letter about backpackers will be presented at the July meeting .

Raenette presented thank you gifts: BCHI logo embroidered coats for Mark Bogar, Rod
and Karen Parks for their contributions and efforts in planning the Outdoor Show. Gifts were also given to Phil Ryan, he received a BCHI shirt. BCHI carry totes were presented to Gretel Kleint, Treasurer, Sherri Lionberger, Past Secretary, Dorothy Bailey, Secretary and Marilyn Rousher, Newsletter Editor.

Broomtales Report: Marilyn Rousher reported that we should go back to the Burley Reminder for better quality and Marilyn has the authority to choose the printer at her choosing. Tribute to the BCHI heroes will be in the next newsletter.
Motion made by Val Johnson as above. Seconded by Debbie Gullo. Motion carried.

Ways and Means/Calendar Sales: Mark Bogar is looking for a second prize for the 2010 Calendar Grand Prize, possibly fencing from a fencing company $6000 and possibly a grand prize from Cabelas? either one or both vendors for a grand prize. Mary Beth made a motion to continue the calendar sales for 2010, Val Johnson seconded- Raenette will contact the two chapters that did not support the 2009 Calendars.
When chapters commit to selling a certain number of calendars they need to fulfill their commitment. The calendar sales were the best return for the investment. Kay Ryan has received $36,620 in sales, minus cost of the prizes and the printing and 10% return to the chapters-

Photos for the Calendar: Phil Ryan recommended that each chapter should submit 10 photos for the calendar for 2010. Every BCHI Chapters- send Bernie Lionberger at least 10 pictures by digital format on a CD , by May 1st- photos will not be accepted by email please include work party photos. Please include the location of where the photo was taken, the name of the photographer and the names of the people in each photo.

Bernie will add this information on each month’s calendar page-- visit the BCHI website: www.bchi.org for Bernie Lionberger’s address. Prior to the July BOD meeting each chapter should have had a discussion with their chapter regarding how many calendars their chapter will commit to sell; state directors be prepared to bring this information to the July BOD meeting. Mary Beth Conger made a motion to continue the calendar sales for 2010. Seconded by Val Johnson. Motion carried.

National Director’s Report: Val Johnson and Rod Parks
The BCHA Board meeting is in April at Port Townsend, Wa. Expansion- successful in additional states- has created some conflicts- East vs west and North vs South- Raenette will be facilitating the BCHA Board meeting. In 2010, the BCHA Board meeting will be in Missouri. Val stated as BCHI members we need to be proud of our membership in BCHA, BCHA is recognized as the predominant national authority of equine use in the back country.

Discussion: What does BCHA do for BCHI-?Steve Didier, BCHA Chairman of Public Lands- he reported on the following issues: Travel Management Plan- Eldorado River in California hopes they will change the parking plan regarding the single vehicle parking width rule. We now have 48 states with membership, state organizations or affiliates. BCHA has been acknowledged as the agency standard. There has been discussion in Michigan that horse riders could not ride on DNR land. Steve spoke at a group in Michigan regarding land use for horse riding and state legislators regarding a Right to Ride bill. This bill is being introduced in the Michigan state government. If it passes it will be the first Right to Ride bill in the US. New Mexico: Limited chainsaw use proposal, Forest Service is asking for clearing downfalls across trails and to clear hazard trees that are off or along the trails. What kind of trail impact for USFS trail classification will have an impact outside of Region 1, to define classifications based on what they saw, and not what is was designed for. Designed for pack and stock trail- the majority of, about only ½ is now classified as managed pack and stock use and designed use. Training will be available for BCHA and they will bring the training to BCHI BOD meeting in July.

Public Lands Report: Bernie Lionberger, Idaho Public Lands Liaison commented there are no Idaho public land issues to report.

Idaho Horse Council: Phil Ryan reported the last IHC meeting was attended by nine BCHI members. In the future a report from the meetings will be sent to the BCHI secretary to be distributed to the state directors and also post on the BCHI webpage.

IHA is working on a coloring book for grade schools, containing sponsored pages from different support groups. Phil suggested having a discussion at the July BOD meeting if BCHI would like to sponsor a page in the coloring book. Raenette asked the state directors if the chapters would like the chapter members to receive the IHC newsletter- several chapters would not like the names of their members sent to the IHC- instead members can request a newsletter from the IHC website- so only the chapter officers will receive the quarterly newsletter. The web site for the Idaho Horse Council is www.idahohorsecouncil.com.

Sportsmen’s Caucus/Recreation Council: Phil Ryan reported that BCHI joined this group two years ago, he attends their monthly meeting. Currently there are 28,000 Sportsmen’s’ members which includes several members who are involved in hunting and fishing related activities- it is important that we remain involved in this organization. They will be conducting an analaysis of public lands, if any lands become a public hunting ground, the organization will be promoting the land issues for public access.

Education report: Mary Beth Conger and Dale Schrempp discussed updates for the
Educational Manual- additional topic- Back Country Emergencies will be added to the manual and will be available on the BCHI website. Horse Sense- information available for clinic presentations, Mary Beth and Dale plan to put the information on the website. Mary Beth and Dale are interested in education outreach with the state chapters for communication with the chapters’ education directors. Dale and Mary Beth asked what they can do as a state resource to help the chapters for educational needs, please contact them if you have any needs. They thanked the Idaho chapters for over 1700 hours of education they contributed to in their local communities for a total of $25,000volunteer education hours. They thanked the state chapters for the volunteer education they have provided in their communities. Dale reported he is retiring in May 09. He proposed the question can he provide Chainsaw Certification and Defensive Horsemanship classes as a volunteer throughout the state? Bernie Lionberger reported that Bud Bailey from Selkirk Valley BCH received RAC funds to attend LNT Master Educator (Stock) Course in May at the Ninemile Wildlands Training Center in Huson, Montana. Rod Parks reviewed the information about the Packing for the Real World (5 day packing class) that he sent by email to the state directors regarding the packing course offered in Shawnee, CO in May 2009. Application deadline is April 4, 2009.

Membership Recruitment PowerPoint for BCHI: was presented at the Salmon BOD meeting in Nov 08. Comments Raenette received: Not enough verbage, not enough pictures from the whole state of Idaho, input regarding liking the Montana PowerPoint format, we can use Montana BCHM’s graphics. John Burns asked as a group what is the target audience that we want to focus the presentation, who are we trying to recruit for BCHI membership, targeting multiple community groups (Rotary, etc)., will discuss in July.

John is willing to provide additional photos/slides, adding work projects and assisting government agencies for the presentation and bring the new PowerPoint presentation to the July BOD meeting.

Discussion/Vote 2009 Proposed Budget: Gretel presented the BCHI proposed budget. The Great Western Trail and the BCHI Convention was removed from the proposed budget (a BCHI Chapter will be sponsoring the convention, not BCHI). Anita and Kay reported the BCHI Treasurer’s bookkeeping records are correct and accurate. The Education budget was increased from $100 to $300. Gifts budget was increased to $700. Motion made by Steve Didier to accept the budget as proposed .Seconded by Wayne Nishek. Proposed budget passed.

State Board Elections: Sherri Lionberger presented the slate of officers for 2009. Phil Ryan has agreed to run as Chairman, Mark Bogar has agreed to run as Vice Chairman, Val Johnson has volunteered to run as National Director, Gretel Kleint as Treasurer, and Dorothy Bailey as secretary. There were no nominations from the floor for these officer positions. Motion made by Gary Towle to unanimously accept the ballot for those officers that are nominated. Motion seconded by Mary Beth Conger. Motion carried. Val Johnson presented Raenette with a BCHI State Chairman pin for her outstanding leadership and years of service as our Backcounty Horsemen of Idaho Chairman from 2007-2008.

July meeting agenda items: Insurance policy, liability waiver form, Outdoor Show 2010, Calendars: each chapter should decide the number of calendars for their chapter to sell, Idaho Horse Council- Coloring book ideas, sponsored page by BCHI, Radios-? Spot locators, Membership Recruitment PowerPoint for BCHI.

Meeting adjourned at 4:15 pm
Submitted by
Dorothy Bailey, BCHI Secretary

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November 13, 2009
BCHI State Directors Board Meeting
Twin Falls, Idaho

Phil Ryan, State Chairman, opened the meeting at 830am. Phil thanked the High Desert BCH chapter for hosting the meeting in Twin Falls. BCHI 2009 state membership was 890 in March 2009, memberships in September totaled 1052 members. Secretary Dorothy Bailey held roll call- all chapters were present except North Idaho. The minutes from the July 2009 BCHI BOD meeting were read and approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Gretel Kleint gave the treasurer’s report. Motion made by Terry Steiner to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Gary Towle. Motion carried. Gretel gave each chapter a BCHI Dues Reminder form- each chapter’s dues for 2010 are calculated on your membership list as of 12-31-09. Make the check payable to BCHI and send with the form she distributed to each chapter by 01-31-2010, send to Gretel’s address.

Life Flight Report: Kay Ryan reported in 2010 there is a fee increase for Lifeflight memberships.. Individual memberships will be $35.00 and a family (husband, wife, immediate family) will also be $35.00. THERE WILL BE A 25 FAMILY MINIMUM, BUT NO BLOCKS OF 100 ARE REQUIRED. If your chapter has less than 25 members, your chapter is covered as the BCHI group. Sections of Eastern Idaho may not be covered by Lifeflight network. BCHI chapters in eastern Idaho should contact LF to check if their region is covered by LF Network. Each of the BCHI chapters has a designated contact person for the Lifeflight Network program. The names of the chapter contacts have been sent to Carol Huteson, Lifeflight Network Coordinator in Boise. Lifeflight Network will be sending each chapter an individual application form with their chapter’s name on the application form.

2010 Twin Rivers Outdoor Show Report: Karen Parks reported the 2010 Outdoor Show in Lewiston is partnering with the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce. The Outdoor show will be held at the fairgrounds March 26-28, 2010. The Lewiston Chamber of Commerce would like to move the Outdoor Show in June 2011 to the Hell’s Gate State Park and the event may include vendors for user groups including archery, fishing, helicopter events, mountain bikes, etc. TRBCH will host a Dutch Oven Cook off and a BCHI Packing Clinic. See information regarding the event at www.inlandnorthwestoutdoorshow.com

State Liability Insurance for BCHI Public Events: Dorothy Bailey encouraged the chapters to submit the Annual Schedule of Events Form Open to the Public Form by the end of today’s BOD meeting. If a BCHI chapter has not submitted their scheduled public events for the next calendar year by the November 13,2009 BOD meeting there is an additional $45.00 per day insurance fee for the public event and the additional insured charges of $20.00 for each event for the party that is listed (FS, govt agencies, BLM, ranch, residence, fairgrounds). The payment of the additional fees is the responsibility of the individual BCHI chapter to pay for the coverage of the insurance premium.

BCHI membership and Liability Waiver- BCHI encourages each chapter to have new members read and sign the liability waiver when they join a BCH chapter. BCHI encourages each chapter at their annual membership renewal to have the chapter’s members read and sign this wavier. Discussion regarding guests on BCHI chapter rides: rides that have guest riders are considered public events and require liability insurance certificates. The chapters should encourage the guest(s) to join the chapter on the day of the ride. The BCHI membership has numerous benefits, LifeFlight, Broomtales and BCHA newsletters.

Radios for Chapters: Bill Conger reported SBBCH sent a request to the Idaho Emergency Communications Commission and received permission to use the VHF channel for the EMS frequency. VHF frequencies can’t be used without authorization from the State. This frequency can only be used for contacting EMS.

If a chapter wants to request the VHF frequency information from the State, contact Bill Conger and he will send the information to your chapter. Once your chapter has been approved to use a VHF frequency, your chapter should hold a training session for the members to learn the operations of the radio. BCHI strongly encourages and recommends for each chapter to purchase a radio which enables Lifeflight to locate an injured person in the backcountry. You can also program the radio on the other channels for your chapter communication needs for work parties. Steve Didier reviewed the definitions of VHF channel frequency radios, spot locators and emergency beacon signals.

Broomtales Report: Debbie Samovar presented Marilyn Rousher’s Broomtales report which included information about the nonprofit status designation for the newsletter which includes return services and a new format of the newspaper (govt regulations). Please forward all addresses changes to the State secretary who maintains the current membership list of all BCHI members for the mailing list for Broomtales and the BCHA newsletters. There have been several newsletters that have been returned to the Salmon PO Box office, without a forwarding address, etc.

Solutions to reduce printing costs and returned newsletters (cost was $70.50 from returned mail for the Oct 09 Broomtales issue) to the BCHI mailbox in Salmon:
1- Update BCHI mailing list three times a year.
2- NCOA (National Change of Address System) - An organization sends the membership mailing list to this service, old addresses are purged. The state secretary would send the BCHI membership list on the Excel spread sheet to the Burley Reminder, they will initiate the NCOA.
3- Request that each secretary of the fifteen BCHI chapters send a current membership list to the BCHI state secretary by March 1, June 1 and October 1 each year in the current BCHI membership excel spread sheet format.

Karen Kimball emphasized the importance of renewal membership applications and encouraged the state directors to remind all of our members to complete their renewal membership applications in its entirety with their current address and have each member/family members sign the liability waiver.

Raenette Didier suggested Marilyn should write an article about the BCHI bike poster for the BCHA newsletter or forward the Broomtales article about the bike poster to BCHA.

National Director’s Report: Rod Parks reported that he sends the Executive BCHA meeting minutes by email to the state directors/state officers- and asked the state directors to share the minutes of National Director’s meeting minutes with your chapters. BCHA has 27 state organizations and several affiliates. Rod thanked Steve Didier for his dedication, service and support for horsemen across the nation and for our state organization as the BCHA Public Lands Chair. The new Public Lands Chair is Barry Reiswig of Cody, WY. Val Johnson reported the BCHA Foundation will be discussing in- kind donations in comparison to cash donations. If you would like to receive automatic BCHA email alerts- you can sign up for the alerts on the home page of BCHA. The BCHA webpage address is: www.backcountryhorse.com

Education Report: IHC Coloring Book: Phil Ryan thanked Bonnie Shields for donating a mule picture and Elise Dix for donating the picture of horses on a highline for the Idaho Horse Council Coloring book. Raenette stated the Horse Sense DVD has been converted to various media formats and thanked Steve Didier for his expertise with the conversion. There is a link to preview the DVD on the BCHI website under Education with 10 minute increments. The Horse Sense VHS was created by Steve and Raenette Didier and Don and Loraine McPherson. There is additional link on UTube: Pets and Animals, key words are horses or horse and mule packing. Marybeth Conger reported the Education Committee is developing a list of Idaho LNT trainers (both Masters and Certified Train the Trainers) in order to build a directory for BCHI who are still willing to train. When we get requests for LNT training from individuals, chapters, or even the state we could use this directory to help coordinate LNT Training. Having this list will also identify regions in Idaho where there may be a need for a Master trainer. Please notify Marybeth if your chapter has LNT trainers.

Marybeth and Dale will be contacting the chapters regarding the chapters 2010 upcoming education programs and post these on the BCHI website under the activities calendar. This will give chapters the ability to view any BCHI educational programs available in their region and throughout the state.

Trailer Stickers: Wendy Coome from TVBCH presented information about the User tag for horse trailers for a livestock recreation fund that would only be allocated for equine activities. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is divided into six regions. The amendment of the bill would create an Advisory Board (appointed by IHC) to determine who would be the recipients for grants for equine projects, examples such as trail projects, building and improving trails and equestrian opportunities on Idaho Public lands. Wendy is asking BCHI chapters to support the proposal. Cost would be $15.00 per sticker per trailer. Wendy would send updates on the draft of the Bill to the state directors. This bill is supported by the Idaho Parks and Rec Dept and the Idaho Recreational Council. The BOD had a discussion regarding that in the bill there should be a clear definition of what defines a stock trailer. Whit Whitham made a motion for BCHI to support the concept of the trailer stamp. Motion seconded. Motion carried.

HDBCH Porcupine Springs Campground Project: Scott Nannenga, from the Minidoka Ranger District, USFS presented a Power Point presentation on the 2009-2010 joint project with the High Desert BCH and the USFS in the Sawtooth National Forest. The project involves building four overnight horse units for camping. The project should be completed within the next 9-12 months. The HDBCH chapter provided a delicious lunch with BBQ chicken, pork, Dutch oven spuds and side salads.

Recruitment PowerPoint for BCHI: Raenette Didier sent a copy of the Montana BCH PowerPoint presentation to each of the 15 BCHI chapters to review.

The BOD voted unanimously to allocate money from the BCHI Education fund and use the format from the Montana BCHI promotional video, insert new photos and wording on the PowerPoint slides describing the photos images. Steve Didier volunteered to create a Power Point presentation for BCHI. Debbie Samovar will send the calendar photos to Steve and he asked the chapters to send 2009 summer and fall pictures to him by CD in the mail, please don’t send the photos by email. Loraine Genzmer will contact a songwriter from Idaho Falls.

BCHI would like to thank John Burns for his efforts in the presentation he developed and presented at the 2008 BCHI State Convention. The BCHI BOD recognizes there will be a different product needed for different audiences. If anyone would like a copy of the wonderful pictorial of the BCHI photos, please contact John Burns.

Public Lands Report: Gary Towle reported the Owyhee Initiative proposed wilderness area boundaries are not defined as of yet. BCHI will be involved in the travel management plan and the implementation of posting signs.

Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council: Phil Ryan reported that BCHI joined this group two years ago, he attends their monthly meetings. There are 30,000+ Sportsmens’ members. They will be conducting an analysis of public lands, if any lands become closed to public hunting and public access the organization will be promoting the land issues for public access. The Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council’s web page address is www.idahoscac.org and the site is also available on the www.bchi.org webpage listed under Links. Recent discussion regarding the landowners that own greater than 640 acre tracts of land and permits that are issued for elk or deer hunting on private land.

Gift for the Lionbergers: Phil presented to the BOD a metal art sculpture that will be given to Bernie and Sherri Lionberger for their outstanding years of service and dedication to BCHI.

Bike Poster: Robbin Schindle has received outstanding compliments from several organizations throughout the United States about the BCHI Bike poster. He is developing a new poster for hikers: the poster has a bear imposed on it instead of a cougar.The poster is also available on the BCHA website at: www.backcountryhorse.com/trail_bike_poster.pdf

Ways and Means Report- Debbie Samovar and Dorothy Bailey developed a form to submit information for the 2011 calendar photos that are submitted by the Idaho BCH chapters that includes the location, names of people in the photo and the name of the photographer. Mark Bogar would like the chapters to sell the calendars by the end of the year.

Reports from Chapters/Directors/Projects
Boise: Gary Towle reported the BBCH chapter had a work project at Jenny Lake Trail and are planning in 2010 a 30-40 mile ride in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area to improve trails and work on cabins at a ranch in the wilderness area.

Cache Peak: Lorraine Genzmer reported their chapter has several new members. Their chapter had rides at the City of Rocks and Castle Rock. There are two new Forest Service Rangers and they attend the CPBCH membership meetings. CPBCH adopted the Ranger Trail as a work project.

Eagle Rock: Lane McVey reported their chapter had a fall ride at Harriman State Park. ERBCH had a work party with the USFS removing old bridge abutments at Palisades Creek. They received a grant for the Water Canyon work project improving main switchbacks. ERBCH adopted the Tie Canyon Trail, the USFS is proposing to install hitching rails and improve the trailhead. Tie Canyon was slated by the USFS to be eliminated as a public trail.

Heartland: Linda Hemminger reported their chapter adopted the Council Mountain Trail; their chapter offered a Trail Clinic and a Mountain Trail Challenge in June. HBCH has a trail work project on the Arling Trail near Donnelly. The chapter has had several trail rides this summer

High Desert: Bonnie Stacy reported the HDBCH chapter work project as the Porcupine Springs Campground, building four horse corrals for overnight camping. The Rim View Trail is the chapter’s adopted trail, the USFS had a controlled burn and the trail is not detoriated. HDBCH had three work projects and three overnight campouts.

North Central: Don McPherson reported their chapter has made a significant impact on many trail heads and trails and roadways with weed spraying in both the Nez Perce and the Clearwater National Forest Districts. The weed spraying is the main source of income for their chapter. NCBCH cleared windfalls on a loop trail. Roger Inghram, one of their members is an actively involved in the stewardship education program with the USFS. He has conversations with hunters, hikers, horsemen in the wilderness and discusses minimal impact, weed seed free hay and shares BCHI information with multiple user groups.

Panhandle: Karen Kimball reported their chapter worked on the Marie Creek Trail clearing the trail from deadfalls, and packed in 400# of fertilizer for a meadow. The PBCH chapter cleared two trails at the Red Ives Ranger Station and stained siding on a historical building. PBCH had several trail rides and a Trail Challenge event in September.

Priest River: Terry Steiner reported the PRVBCH chapter had the Peewee Creek Trail Challenge event in July and in September they had a work party at Hughes Meadows and PRVBCH packed in supplies for an eighteen mile loop USFS project.

Salmon River: Marcella Hendricks reported the SRBCH chapter hosted a pack Clinic a the Salmon Mule Sale in April and the chapter members volunteered as side riders for 60 horse riders at the Whitewater Therapeutic Riding Clinic. SRBCH worked on the Nez Perce Trail and had several chapter summer and fall rides.

Sawtooth: Jo Heiss reported the USFS provides personnel to clear trails in their area. Sawtooth BCH has a new web page. Problems identified with the BLM management plan in Blaine County master recreation plan are specific to user groups. The plan may revert back to specific user groups on certain trails.

Selkirk Valley: Bud Bailey reported the SVBCH chapter provided pack animals and horses to transport USFS personnel and their chainsaws to Keno Mtn. At the drop off point, the USFS personnel hiked 12 miles on foot to clear deadfalls on the Goat Mountain trail. Divide Lake work project- hauled 1200 pounds of water (150 gallons) for IPNF (Bonners Ferry District) USFS. Trail Creek trailhead work project in August tractor work was completed in the parking area and the old log landing was dismantled and restacked for burning at a later date. The USFS rebuilt the trail relocated the creek crossing for easy access across the creek bed. Highland Flats Snowmobile Park work project: plan to install hitching posts/rails. SVBCH is working with the Snowmobile club. Our chapter had several summer and fall rides.

Squaw Butte: Rob Adams reported the SBBCH chapter had a successful ride and campout at Grandjean. USFS gave training sessions on First Responder and Sawyer classes. Trail work projects at Bull Trout Lake, Yellow Jacket bridge project and cleared 15-20 miles of trails. SBBCH had two public events: Backcountry Skills Clinic and a Packer Play Day

Twin Rivers: Rod Parks reported the TRBCH had a successful Kid’s Camp with 27 participants. TRBCH cleared a 5 mile loop on the feather Creek trail. Their chapter made a recommendation to the USFS to reroute a section of the Milk Creek trail due to a boggy section in the trail. At Joseph Creek, the chapter worked on leveling out a parking area, installed a hitching rail and welded a stock access gate. TRBCH adopted a cabin on Craig Mountain and cleared a fire brake around the cabin. At Hell’s Gate Park, the horse area at the park was turned into an archery area and the chapter relocated the hitchrails.

Treasure Valley: Whit Whitham reported the chapter teamed with the Boise and Squaw Butte chapters at the Horse Fair and Horse Expo. TVBCH had a trail clinic at Thistle Ranch, a trail clearing project at Whoop Em Up, packed tools for the USFS, had a group brand inspection for members and cleared several trail this summer.

Proposals from chapters/discussion

Rob Adams presented this proposal to the BOD, the instructors of the Packing clinic would be BCHI chapter members. Discussion included that SBBCH should organize the logistics of the clinic. The BOD supported the proposal.

Proposal

The Squaw Butte Chapter of Backcountry Horseman of Idaho presents the following proposal to the state board of directors.

WHEREAS: One of the prime mandates of Backcountry Horseman is providing educational opportunities for our members.

WHEREAS: Opportunities for attending comprehensive multiday packing skills clinics are limited and can be expensive.

WHEREAS: Backcountry Horseman of Idaho has a number of members with extensive packing experience and a developed curriculum for such a clinic.

BE IT PROPOSED: That Backcountry Horseman of Idaho sponsor and hold a five day Wilderness Packing Clinic open to members of Backcountry Horseman of America. The first Wilderness Packing clinic will be held adjacent to the Sawtooth Wilderness at the Grandjean trail head and campground in August 2011.

Submitted to BCHI, Board of Directors by the Squaw Butte Chapter, BCHI
(Rob Adams & Mary Beth Conger delegates)

Details of the Proposal:

Backcountry Horseman of Idaho Wilderness Packing Clinic BCHI host a five day wilderness packing clinic open to members of Backcountry Horseman of America. Attendees will at the end of the clinic be able to safely and confidently pack and transport a variety of loads from a trail head to a destination. They will be able to travel and camp in the backcountry with minimum impact using LNT techniques, produce hearty meals and maintain healthy stock.

The BCHI mentors will guide the attendees through a curriculum that is both fun and comprehensive. Some of the items covered will be:

--The function and fitting of the pack saddle and its’ uses
--How to make up loads that will ride
--How and why to tie different hitches
--How to safely lead a string of mules or horses
--How to deal with hard to handle pack stock
--"Leave no trace" methods of livestock camping
--Basic back country first aid for livestock and humans
--Backcountry meal planning and preparation
--Traditions and history of packing in the in backcountry

Location: This inaugural clinic will be held at the western gateway to the Sawtooth Wilderness at the Grandjean trail head and camp ground. This facility located in Boise National forest next to the head waters of the South Fork of the Payette River provides outstanding stock camping facilities, and is a perfect venue to learn the skills needed to pack into the Sawtooth Wilderness.

Time: The clinic is planned for August of 2011

Costs: There will be no fee for active members of Backcountry Horseman of America to attend this clinic. There will be a $75 dollar per person fee for food required at registration, and certified weed free hay will be available for purchase.

What will be provided by BCHI: Training material, mentors, a variety of loads to train with and a rich history of packing experience to draw from: Community Meals will be provided. A very limited number of training pack stock will be available.

What Attendees need to provide: Camping gear for both Trailhead and a backcountry overnight? Riding stock, pack stock if they have it and all required tack and stock containment for use at the trail head, and a highline for the over night.

Sponsors: Backcountry Horseman of Idaho, US Forest Service Boise National Forest

Logistics:
1. Special Permits to hold the event at the Grandjean Trail head from the Boise
National Forest
2. Certified Weed free Hay for stock
3. Base camp wall tent to serve as clinic office
4. Potable water
5. Preparation of training materials (assist mentors)
6. Clinic kitchen for preparing meals
7. Porta-Potties for the duration of the clinic
8. Food for attendees’ and staff at the Trail head Camp
9. Food for attendees’ to pack in and cook during their overnight
10. Packing Mentors
11. LNT mentors, Forest Service presenters, cross cut training
12. Advertising in the State and National news letters, maybe national magazines
13. Support and Logistics staff
14. On site EMT

Costs:
1. Travel, food and forage expenses for staff and mentors
2. Food ($15 dollars per day for each attendee, collected at early registration)
3. Certified Weed free hay will be provided for sale at cost to attendees.
Number of bails attendees need will be indicated at early registration.
4. Backcountry meal kits for the attendees overnight meals.

Chapter Support: Squaw Butte will take the lead on providing the logistics for this first five day clinic

Other Chapters: Mentors and other staff positions

Misc: As envisioned this clinic could support 20 Attendees slots. A slot could be a single person or a couple assuming that couples will work as a team. If successful in 2011, it is envisioned this clinic could become an annual or biannual BCHI event and move to other locations around Idaho.

Marybeth Conger presented the following proposal.

Proposal

The Squaw Butte Chapter of Backcountry Horseman of Idaho presents the following proposal to the state board of directors.

WHEREAS: One of the purposes of Back Country Horseman is to assist the various government, state, and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource.

WHEREAS: Doing trail work to insure that public lands remain open for recreational stock can be expensive.

WHEREAS: Back Country Horseman of Idaho acquired some net monies as a result of the calendar sales in 2009.

BE IT PROPOSED: that Back Country Horseman of Idaho set aside a total of $3,750 to reimburse chapters for Trail work activities. Each of the 15 chapters could request reimbursement up to 250.00.

By the Squaw Butte Chapter, BCHI
(Rob Adams & Mary Beth Conger State Directors)

Details of the Proposal:
This fund could be transferred to the Foundation who would then handle the reimbursement details or remain with BCHI to handle the reimbursement.

Discussion was to designate an amount from the calendar sales towards a legal fund instead of reimbursing chapters for trail work activities.

Calendar updates from chapters Phil reported 99% of the comments from the calendar sales are positive. Debbie Samovar reported the calendar photo committee selects the photos for the calendar based on constructive feedback from the 2010 calendar. Mark Bogar reported on the calendar’s improvements for the selection of prizes for 2010. The chapters need to send the photos in the correct format to the calendar committee. Each chapter was given the Photo submission form for the 2011 calendar, deadline to submit the photos is May 1, 2010. Discussion regarding to continue the calendar sales for 2011 will be presented to the BCHI delegates at the State Convention.

Web Site Update: Raenette Didier will be the contact person for submitting articles and information on the BCHI website. Each chapter’s secretary could submit the information from their chapter that they would like posted on the webpage to Raenette.

2010 March BOD meeting will be hosted by North Central Idaho BCH, March 13, location to be announced.

2010 July BOD meeting will be hosted by Priest River Valley BCH July 10, 2010 at Peewee Creek Trailhead, Priest River, Idaho

Meeting adjourned at 1630 pm
Respectfully submitted
Dorothy Bailey, Secretary

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Phil Ryan, Chairman, opened the meeting at 830am. Phil thanked the Eagle Rock BCH chapter for hosting the meeting in Idaho Falls. Everyone at the meeting introduced themselves. Secretary Dorothy Bailey held roll call- all chapters were present except North Idaho BCH. The minutes from the March 2009 BCHI BOD meeting were read and approved as corrected. The minutes are sent by email to the State Officers, State Directors and are also placed on the BCHI website.

Treasurer’s Report: Gretel Kleint gave the treasurer’s report. Motion made by Anita VanGrunsven to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Bud Bailey. Motion carried.

2010 Outdoor Show Report –Karen Parks reported the 2010 Outdoor Show in Lewiston most likely will be partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and the show will not be a BCHI state event . The Outdoor show may be held at the fairgrounds in 2010, which could be the last year that it is held at the Nez Perce Fairgrounds. Karen stated she has vendors scheduled for the spring show at the fairgrounds. The Lewiston Chamber of Commerce would like to move the Outdoor Show to June and have the event at the Hell’s Gate State Park. Follow up discussion at the November BOD meeting. Val Johnson thanked Mark Bogar, Karen and Rod Parks for their hard work, dedication and contributions with the Outdoor Show over the last several years.

Calendar Sales - Phil Ryan reported BCHI chapters sold 1965 calendars in 2008 and 114 calendars were sold at the Lewiston BCHI Outdoor Show in March 2009. Phil Ryan presented a list of individuals who have sent in an interest card (located in the calendars) that are requesting additional information about BCHI. State Directors please contact these individuals in your local area.

Ways and Means Report- Karen Parks-the 2010 calendars have been printed and at this board meeting the BCHI chapters’ state directors committed to the number of calendars for their chapter’s calendar sales:
Boise 65 ~ Cache Peak 100 ~ Eagle Rock 100 ~ Heartland 100 ~ High Desert 200 ~ North Central 150 ~ North Idaho 0 ~ Panhandle 200 ~ Priest River 100 ~ Salmon River 75 ~ Sawtooth 35 ~ Selkirk Valley 25 ~ Squaw Butte 300 ~ Treasure Valley 150 ~ Twin Rivers 400

Each chapter receives 10% of the calendar sales. Comments regarding 2011 BCHI calendar: each chapter should be represented in the calendar. Who will be the contact person for the 2011 calendar? Phil thanked Bernie Lionberger, Debbie Samovar and the Panhandle BCH chapter for their dedication and efforts producing the 2009 and the 2010 BCHI calendars. The 2010 BCHI calendars were distributed to the State Directors of the Southern BCHI chapters at the BOD meeting. Karen Kimball will be contacting the northern Idaho and central Idaho State directors at a later date for the calendar distribution for their chapters. Dorothy Bailey volunteered to create a form to use to submit information for the 2011 calendar photos that are submitted by the Idaho BCH chapters that includes the location, names of people in the photo and the name of the photographer. The form will be presented at the November BOD meeting.

Karen Parks stated Mark Bogar made a request for the chapters to turn in the money from their calendar sales for each chapter at the November BOD meeting. He would like the chapters to sell the calendars by the end of the year.

Reports from Chapters/Directors/Projects
Boise: Gary Towle reported the BBCH chapter has been working on two projects. One of the projects is the Warm Springs Trail by Lowman. The FS wants to remove and reinstall fences covering a two acre area. The FS will have horse corrals and a pasture area for horse use available. The chapter had a summer club ride and potluck north of Idaho City. Gary reported the Rocky Mountain Regional Pack String Clinic/Training Program at Shawnee, Colorado. Eleven BCHA members attended. The clinic was offered as a free clinic to BCHA members. The clinic was an intensive five day, very thorough packing clinic with farrier clinics, packing demos with saws, wheelbarrow, batteries; safety was stressed as the most important issue.
Cache Peak: Lorraine Genzmer reported the National Trails day event on June 6 was rained out. The chapter has a work project scheduled packing out wire from the Castle Rock State Park. Two new forest service rangers are attending the CPBCH monthly meetings.
Eagle Rock: Lane McVey reported the chapter had a Fun Day at Connie Bowcutt’s. The chapter had a ride at Spencer. Several new members attended the work party at High Canyon Trail. ERBCH adopted this trail a few years ago. The trail is used by horse riders, hikers and bicyclists. Their chapter has received a FS grant for Water Canyon; the trails have heavy use near Palisades Creek Trail. ERBCH organized a work party to tear down an old bridge.
Heartland: Linda Hemminger reported their chapter had a Trail Clinic and a Mountain Trail Challenge in June. HBCH has a work project on Council Mountain, the Desary Cabin Trail head and a trail work project on the Arling Trail near Donnelly, Squaw Butte BCH is partnering with HBCH with this work project. The chapter has had several trail rides this summer.
High Desert: Susan Lehman reported the HDBCH chapter has been having their monthly meetings/potlucks at member’s homes. Susan initiated a chapter web page: www.highdesertbch.org. A FS ranger has been attending their meetings, same FS ranger for Cache Peak BCH. HDBCH has been working with the Off Road Association and the Geo Cache Club cleaning the North Rim. They filled five dumpsters with trash. The National Trails day event on June 6 was rained out. It is rescheduled for August. Porcupine Springs Campground work project in June involved working with the FS as a trail maintenance project and to build a horse riding loop and trailer parking that doesn’t require reservations. Liberty Pipe in Jerome donated materials for new corrals and a hitching rail. HDBCH has several trail rides and campouts scheduled for the summer.
North Central: Don McPherson reported NCBCH has 138 members. Their chapters had a work party on National Trails day on the Lochsha. Their chapter has made a significant impact on many trail heads and trails with weed spraying in both the Nez Perce and the Clearwater National forest districts. The chapter weed sprays on four wheelers, by foot or by packing with mules and horses. The weed spraying is the main source of income for their chapter. NCBCH installed two feed bunkers at Big Fog Saddle. John’s Creek Trail trailhead on the south fork of the Clearwater River is a work project that the chapter starts at both ends of a 15-20 mile trail loop and the chapter members work they way inward doing trail maintenance. Eleven chapter members attended the Defensive Horsemanship training class in Grangeville. NCBCH had an information booth at the Rapid River Fish Hatchery for the Free Fishing Day for kids. Don is a Resource Advisory Committee member for the Clearwater RAC. NCBCH has been granted $400,000 in grant money; $150,000 will be allocated in September for a construction project of a trailhead that Don has been instrumental in attaining for the work project.
Panhandle: Karen Kimball reported that their chapter is looking at a new direction with work projects. PBCH has been clearing and cleaning trails located closer to town. PBCH cleared trail at Fourth of July Pass. They have weed spraying projects planned for the summer months and a trail clearing project at Red Ives in September. PBCH has a Trail Challenge scheduled for September 19. The PBCH chapter gave a farewell party for the Lionbergers who will be truly missed!! Karen reminded everyone to wear safety equipment during work parties.
Priest River: Terry Steiner reported the PRVBCH chapter members participated in an Equine Safety class and a chainsaw certification class. PRVBCH public events for the summer were the PeeWee Creek Poker ride in June with 115 participants and a Trail Challenge scheduled in July. The chapter has scheduled trail rides the first Saturday of each month in the summer months. PRVBCH sponsored a LNT booth at the Priest Lake Free Fishing day for Kids with approximately 220 kids and their parents visited the PRVBCH information booth. The chapter’s work project on Memorial Day weekend involved approximately 100 volunteers from several organizations clearing 100 miles of trails. On National Trails Day, PRVBCH had a LNT booth at the Pend Oreille Winery in Sandpoint. The Bike poster was part of the display. 300-400 people visited the booth.
Salmon River: Val Johnson reported the SRBCH chapter has several summer rides scheduled on their calendar. The chapter has a work project near Leadore with a boundary fence of the BLM and private land removing the barrier for wildlife. John Burns reported on the importance of wearing safety equipment on work projects: Helmet, gloves, long sleeve shirt, chaps, etc. and suggested on every BCHI chapter ride or work party every chapter should have a safety meeting to discuss who will be responsible for carrying the first aid kit, chaps, chainsaw, etc.
Sawtooth: Pati Sprague reported the STBCH chapter has developed a web site: www.sawtoothbch.org. Their chapter work projects have been mostly with chainsaw work opening trails. They had a breakfast ride and their chapter has been sending a representative to attend the land developer meetings in their area.
Selkirk Valley: Bud Bailey reported SVBCH has purchased a chainsaw and built pack boxes to carry the chainsaw, shovel, ax, etc. Summer rides and work parties include Ruby Ridge near Snyder Guard Station, Camp Nine, and Callahan Creek. The Rummy Creek trail rebuilding has been put on hold due to two wolf dens in the area. Work parties are scheduled to pack in water into work sites for the USFS in Boundary County. Another work project is the Trail Creek Trailhead for rebuilding the parking area, build corrals and hitching posts using well casing and to rebuild the creek crossing.
Squaw Butte: Rob Adams reported the Cascade Ranger District Trail Day project was cancelled due to standing water, it has been rescheduled. Another work project is scheduled in September with the Payette National forest to install signs. Members of the SBBCH attended a Wilderness First Responder class for advanced first aid in the backcountry. Several SBBCH members completed a chainsaw certification class. Their chapter sponsored a Backcountry Skills Clinic in March. SBBCH and HBCH will be participating in a combined trail project. SBBCH has been very successful in recruiting new members. The chapter encourages potential members to attend a chapter event and meet members of the group. Rob stated the BCHI calendars and the Lifeflight memberships have increased their memberships in the SBBCH chapter.
Twin Rivers: Rod Parks reported the TRBCH sponsored a chili ride and the poker ride scheduled for early May had to be moved to another location due to snow levels. The chapter had a work project at Feather Creek on the Palouse district. TRBCH built two stock access gates at Corral Creek in the Nez Perce National Forest. Work project in the Umatilla Forest in Washington state- TRBCH moved wire fencing in a wilderness area. The FS reimbursed TRBCH for their work project.TRBCH adopted a cabin, and installed new hitching rails, and at Billy Creek installed new corrals. Kids Camp-TRBCH made it a requirement for the Kid’s camp registrants (children), the parents had to become members of TRBCH.
Treasure Valley: The chapter has a scheduled work project on the Crooked River to pack in explosives to remove rock. The chapter sponsored an Education clinic /obstacle course. Another work project is to post a sign on the More’s Creek summit at the horse camp site to recognize TVBCH for their volunteer work at the site. TVBCH has been asked to assist with the mustang roundup at Challis to offer a pack demo and to provide foster care for a mustang. Wendy Coome and Ken Nungesser attended a State Legislature meeting in June regarding the future allocation of RAC funds.

Radios for chapters will be discussed at the November BOD meeting

State Liability Insurance for BCHI Public Events: Dorothy Bailey, state secretary presented the following proposal regarding the BCHI liability insurance: BCHI should enact/adopt a state wide policy for submitting the public events and BCHI chapters are responsible for paying for those events that are submitted after the insurance renewal deadline.

Proposal
1-Each chapter needs to be accountable and responsible for submitting their public events for the next calendar year by the established deadline. The chapters will receive a three month notice to submit their public events for the upcoming calendar year prior to the November BOD meeting and prior to the insurance renewal deadline.

2-If a BCHI chapter has not submitted their scheduled public events for the next calendar year by the November BOD meeting there is an additional $45.00 per day insurance fee for the public event and the additional insured charges of $20.00 for each event for the party that is listed (FS, govt agencies, BLM, ranch, residence, fairgrounds). The payment of the additional fees is the responsibility of the individual BCHI chapter to pay for the coverage of the insurance premium.

Annual Schedule of Events Open to the Public Form: Each BCH chapter should complete the form and send the form to the BCHI secretary. The BCHI secretary will submit the completed BCHI Annual Schedule of Events Forms to the BCHI Insurance carrier. The deadline to submit this form is by the November BOD meeting. The state secretary would send the Annual Schedule of Events Open to the Public Form by email to each BCHI chapter in August, September and again in October (3 reminders) for submitting their public events that are scheduled during each calendar year of Jan 1, (2010) through Dec 31, (2010) and if a chapter submits a public event after the deadline, the chapter will be responsible for the additional costs- of $45.00 each day of the event and the $20.00 fee for the additional insured.

Each BCHI chapter is limited to two public events annually (each calendar year) between Jan 1, 2010 through Dec 31, 2010. If there are more than two public events, the chapter is responsible to pay the $45.00 per day insurance fee for the public event and the additional insured charges of $20.00 for each event for the party that is listed (FS, govt agencies, BLM, ranch, residence, fairgrounds).

Definition of sponsored BCH public events:
The annual insurance policy includes coverage for Public Event Days. Public Event Days are defined as those events or activities to which non-club members and/or the general public are invited or reasonably expected to be present. Standard rating includes one day of setup and one day for takedown per event.

The BCHI Insurance carrier’s definition of a 'Public Event Day' is ANY BCHI activity that is open to non-members (the public) which includes all trail rides, poker rides and work parties, as well as pack clinics, fun days, fund raisers, etc. where stock is involved such as a packing clinic...and it is an event that the chapter is sponsoring (for example, not a parade in which you are participating). Again that is ANY event put on by Back Country Horsemen of Idaho and/or its Chapters which a non-member may attend. Please notify the state secretary of any changes such as additions and cancellations to ensure adequate coverage.

Cancellation of a public event: If one of the BCHI chapters has to cancel a public event due to inclement weather, and they need to reschedule the event, contact the state secretary as soon as possible.

The state secretary is required to notify the insurance company by the following Tuesday (at the very latest) to reschedule the public event and have the certificate of insurance reissued. Motion made by Rod Parks to adopt the statewide policy for submitting BCHI public events and BCHI chapters are responsible for paying for those events that are submitted after the insurance renewal deadline. Seconded by Terry Steiner. Motion carried. The proposal was voted on and was adopted.

BCHI membership and Liability Waiver: Dorothy Bailey will email a copy of this wavier for each individual chapter. Print the liability wavier on the back of your chapter’s membership application. BCHI encourages each chapter to have new members read and sign this waiver when they join a BCH chapter. BCHI encourages each chapter at the annual membership renewal to have the chapter’s members read and sign this wavier. Marybeth reviewed liability wavier forms she received from five chapters. ERBCH‘s form was the most comprehensive and was selected for the BCHI state liability waiver. John Burns suggested on every BCHI chapter ride or work party every chapter should have a safety meeting to discuss who will be responsible for carrying the first aid kit, chaps, chainsaw, etc. Motion was made by Rod Park for the BCHI Board of Directors to approve this liability waiver and to send a copy to each chapter and strongly encourage every chapter to use this wavier for all new memberships and have all chapter members sign this wavier for all annual membership renewals. Seconded by Terry Steiner. Motion carried.

Bike Poster: Phil and Kay Ryan presented a list of 120 Idaho Bike shops/bike clubs that have been sent a BCHI Bike poster to post in their store as a bike/equine educational poster. State directors: please make a follow-up visit to the bike shops in your local area. Dorothy Bailey will be sending a copy of the original letter of introduction/ endorsement to each of the chapters for their review. A copy of the bike poster on a CD will be sent to each chapter to allow the chapters to make additional copies, please deliver a CD to your local Forest Service Ranger district and encourage the FS to post the poster at trailheads. The poster is also available on the BCHA website at: www.backcountryhorse.com/trail_bike_poster.pdf
Each BCHI chapter received three copies of the bike poster at the BOD meeting and an Idaho Equine Act sign purchased by BCHI.

Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council: Phil Ryan reported that BCHI joined this group two years ago, he attends their monthly meetings. There are 28,000 Sportsmens’ members who include several members who are involved in hunting and fishing related activities- it is important that we remain involved in this organization. They will be conducting an analysis of public lands, if any lands become closed to public hunting and public access the organization will be promoting the land issues for public access. The Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council’s web page address is www.idahoscac.org and the site is also available on the www.bchi.org webpage listed under Links.

Education Report: Kay Ryan presented the Education report from Marybeth Conger & Dale Schrempp- Unfortunately neither of us are able to attend the July Directors meeting, so please accept this report. Dale is now retired from the USFS, but is continuing to volunteer to put on Defensive Horsemanship. There have been volunteers teaching some of the Defensive Horsemanship concepts at either chapter meetings or other public presentations. This demonstrates our commitment to safety.
Chainsaw certification put on by the Forest Service is continuing across the state so we can get and keep those trails cleared. It sure would be nice if the USFS could adopt a national Chainsaw Certification to get more consistency. Several Packing clinics have been put on by various chapters promoting Back Country Skills and Ethics.

These demonstrations also help the organization to grow. One chapter went to Cabella’s to discuss light weight camping and food techniques along with hands on packing with Woody, the pack mule. Still working on getting Horse Sense on our website, which is not the easiest technical task. At the last directors meeting we asked each Director to get with the chapter and ask what the State Education Program could do for them. So far we have heard from 2 chapters but would like to receive more input.

Feedback has been in the following areas:
1-What’s the easiest way to get information from the Education manual?
2-Can I get a copy of the Horse Sense DVD?
3-Should we get a current list statewide of all the Master Trainers and Certified
Train the Trainers? Are these folks still interested in training when the need arises?
So please email us with your input. Until next time, continue to have fun out there, educate yourself and others, and always find time to ride.

IHC Coloring Book: Val Johnson made a motion for BCHI to sponsor two pages of the coloring book at $50.00 per page, for a total of $100.00 and we should include our BCHI mission statement on the coloring pages. The $100.00 for the coloring book pages should be allocated from the Education budget. Phil Ryan will contact Bonnie Shields if she would create the coloring pages for BCHI. Ron Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Broomtales Report: Marilyn Rousher reported the deadline for the next issue is October 7. Please send articles for the newspaper on the “Word” computer program and send the article to Marilyn as an attachment. Please send her chapter reports or your chapter newsletter. When you submit photos for the newspaper please include the names of the people in the photo, listing names left to right, the location, date and the name of the photographer. The BCHI Broomtales newspaper has been approved by the Postmaster General to be designated as a nonprofit status newspaper which results in a 50% reduction in the cost of producing the newspaper.

National Director’s Report: Val Johnson reported BCHA adopted the BCH of Idaho bike poster. Kandee Haertel is the BCHA director of Development. She has requested for chapters to send published news articles of their BCH chapters to BCHA. If any of the chapters has media coverage at any events or any newspaper articles published in local newspapers; send a copy to Rod Parks and he will forward the article to Kandee. Rod Parks reported BCHA will be working with the Wilderness Society in developing Management plans. Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief USFS is involved with the Right to Ride legislation. Historic/Traditional Use Rides-most likely to only include horse riders and hikers and involving other user groups. Rod stated the key is for BCHA to partner with other agencies. A training session will be provided in the future for the BCHI Board of Directors.

Recreational Trail Programs: It is beneficial to BCH chapters to send letters to their congressmen to help with future funding. BCHA has been updating their website.

If you would like to receive automatic BCHA email alerts - you can sign up for the alerts on the home page of BCHA. The BCHA webpage address is: www.backcountryhorse.com

BCHA has a new recruiting display- if your chapter would like to use the display, BCHA pays for the shipping one way, and your chapter is responsible for the shipping costs to send to another chapter or back to BCHA. 2008 BCHA volunteer hour’s value is $6,600,000. BCHA will be attending the fall meeting of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The 2010 BCHA meeting will be held in Branson, Missouri in April 2010. Rod reported Walmart will donate $250 for every 20 hours of volunteer service performed by the employee, to a nonprofit organization whom the employee is a member of. (Example: BCH member/ Walmart employee who has performed volunteer hours on a BCH chapter work party) Each chapter should check if any of their members are employees of Walmart.

Public Lands Report: Phil Ryan reported Bernie and Sherri Lionberger are moving to Montana. Phil Ryan and all the BCHI officers and state directors would like to personally thank Bernie and Sherri for all the work they have done for BCHI over the years and they will certainly be missed. Phil appointed Gary Towle as the BCHI Public Lands Liaison.

Life Flight Report: Phil Ryan reported BCHI purchased 700 Lifeflight memberships in 2009. There are only 11 memberships that are available out of the 700 that were purchased.

Recruitment PowerPoint for BCHI: John Burns asked the state directors what is the target audience that we want to focus the recruitment presentation, who are we trying to recruit for BCHI membership, targeting multiple community groups (Rotary, 4H, USFS informational). Who are we trying to present a presentation for those who are interested in joining BCHI? John asked for each state director to ask their chapters who in their local areas would be the target groups, those that are potential members to join BCHI and share this information at the November BOD meeting. Raenette Didier will send a copy of the Montana BCH PowerPoint presentation to the 15 BCHI chapters to review.

November State Convention Report, Twin Falls: Bonnie Stacy reported the BCHI BOD meeting will be held on November 13 at the Idaho Fish and Game office in Jerome, and the BCHI State Convention and Banquet will be held on November 14 at the Red Lion Canyon Springs Hotel in Twin Falls. A photo contest will be held at the convention and BCHI Heroes will be honored at the convention. Bonnie distributed Convention packets to each chapter- State directors, please share these packets and the convention information with your chapter members. High Desert will be having a silent auction instead of a live auction. It is voluntary for chapters to donate silent auction items. High Desert BCH will have a raffle for three items.

First place prize- a Traefer Grill, second place prize is an 8x12 wall tent, and third place is a pair of leather chinks handcrafted by Vivian LaRue, a member of High Desert BCH. Raffle tickets are available to sell for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Please contact Bonnie Stacy for tickets to sell in your chapter area.
The State Convention information and application will be posted on the BCHI website.

RESOLUTION
WHEREAS the Recreational Trails Program is due to expire if not reauthorized by congress.

WHEREAS this program has provided significant funding for trail construction and maintenance on public lands.

WHEREAS the Backcountry Horsemen of Idaho has an interest in the construction and maintenance of said trails both as users and cooperative maintainers of recreational trails.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Backcountry Horsemen of Idaho encourages our congressional delegates to support the reauthorization of the Recreational Trails Program.

Submitted to BCHI, Board of Directors by the Priest River Valley Chapter, BCHI(Terry Steiner, delegate)

Val Johnson made a motion to adopt this resolution. Raenette Didier seconded the motion. Motion carried. Phil Ryan encouraged the state directors to review this Resolution with your chapters and encourage your chapter members to write letters of support of this resolution to our state congressmen. The American Horse Council supports this resolution. Phil Ryan will submit this Resolution to the Idaho State Congressmen.

Chapter Issues:
Phil discussed the Owyhee Initiative Corporation (Owyhee Public Lands Management Act of 2008 to protect the Owyhee Wilderness area in southwest Idaho) Mike Crapo specifically asked BCHI to serve as the representative for the equestrian group of the corporation. Phil Ryan is on the Board of Directors. Phil asked for a volunteer to serve as an additional member. Ken Nungesser volunteered to serve on the Board of directors. The Owyhee Initiative Corporation web site is www.owyhee initiative.org.

Raenette presented information regarding Phil Foster, NCBCH Public Lands Liaison reviewed the Allison-Berg and Kelly Creeks Allotment regarding sheep grazing and its Environmental Impact statement regarding the No Grazing Alternative. Phil Foster responded with writing a letter to the Forest Service stating outfitters, hunter and other recreational stock users ride and camp in the area. To not allow any grazing would affect the use of equine use in the area.

Agenda for Nov 2009 BOD meeting:
Topics are:
2010 Outdoor Show Report
PowerPoint BCHI- John Burns
Radios for Chapters- Bill Conger,
Wavier Liability form- did the chapters use the one provide by the state or what do they use
Form for submitting information for the 2011 calendar photos
IHC Coloring Book

Meeting adjourned at 3:40pm

Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Bailey, Secretary

Back to Top

Respectfully submitted,
Secretary Dorothy Bailey

BCHI Board of Directors Meeting
ATK Training Center Bldg - Lewiston, Idaho
March 13, 2010

Phil Ryan, State Chairman, opened the meeting at 830am. Mike Burghammer of CCI/Speer gave a presentation of their business history and an overview of their ammunition products, power loads and related products for law enforcement, military and the public. CCI/Spear has been very supportive of BCHI at the annual Outdoor Show in Lewiston.

Phil thanked the Twin Rivers BCH chapter of Lewiston for hosting the meeting, and the delicious Dutch oven lunch prepared by the TRBCH chapter. New state directors were introduced: Al Simspon from Salmon River BCH and Marcy Ott, Alternate State Director from Selkirk Valley BCH. Secretary Dorothy Bailey held roll call- all chapters were present except Cache Peak, High Desert, North Idaho and Sawtooth. The minutes from the November 2009 BCHI BOD meeting were read and approved as written. Dorothy presented the 2009 BCHI Annual Report. She reported the BCHI Insurance carrier renewal date is now Feb 15, instead of May 21.

Treasurer’s Report: Gretel Kleint gave the treasurer’s report. Motion made by Terry Steiner to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Ken Nungesser. Motion carried. Gretel presented the proposed March 2010 to March 2011 BCHI budget. Motion made by Terry Steiner to accept the proposed budget. Seconded by Rod Parks. Motion carried. Phil announced Gretel will be retiring as the BCHI state treasurer and thanked her for ten years of outstanding service and dedication as the state treasurer of BCHI.

Broomtales Report: Marilyn Rousher reminded the state directors and chapter presidents to submit articles about work projects and chapter events for the Broomtales. Rod Parks made a motion to post the Broomtales newsletter on the BCHI website. Robbin Schindele seconded. Motion carried. Debbie Samovar reported she has been working with the Burley Reminder to help reduce the mailing costs of the newsletter with the NCOA (National Change of Address System) that will eliminate duplicates and incorrect addresses. For the next mailing she will be adding a key code specific to each chapter on the address label.

National Director’s Report: Rod Parks reported on issues for discussion at the National Convention in Branson, MI in April: One state hasn’t met the conditions of participation of the BCHA bylaws. The BCHA Public Lands Committee will be developing a DVD for BCH organizations that helps guide the process of contacting the state legislators. Rod forwards all of the information he receives from BCHA to all of the 15 chapters in the state. Rod encouraged everyone if you send an article about your chapter to Broomtales, to also send a copy to BCHA for the national newsletter to Peg Griewe, BCHA executive secretary, email address: peg2@mashell.com. The BCHA web site is: www.backcountryhorse.com

Complimentary mailings lists for the BCHI and BCHA newsletters:-Rod Parks discussed the chapter lists of the complimentary names that receive a copy of the Broomtales or the BCHA newsletter. Each chapter needs to review the agencies and make a decision regarding which agencies they would like to receive the newsletters and send the names of the agencies to Dorothy Bailey, secretary by May 1. The BCHI state secretary will send a reminder to the chapters twice a year in January and October to review the complimentary mailing lists for the Broomtales and the BCHA newsletters.

Criteria determined by the BOD for the Broomtales complimentary mailing list: Idaho Governor, Idaho Congressmen: Mike Crapo, James Risch, Walt Minnick and Mike Simpson and the Idaho House and Senate State Legislators, USFS Ranger districts in Idaho, and consider County Commissioners.

Criteria determined by the BOD for the BCHA of America complimentary mailing list:
Idaho Governor, Idaho Congressmen: Mike Crapo, James Risch, Walt Minnick and Mike Simpson, the two regional US Forest Supervisor offices in Ogden and Missoula, possibly BLM and Parks and Rec offices.

Education Report: Dale Schrempp reported that Marybeth Conger manages the training manuals on the state website. Dale submitted his request to resign his position as the BCHI Education Co-Chair. Phil Ryan and the BOD directors thanked Dale for his years as service as the Education Co-Chair for BCH of Idaho. BCHI would like to recruit a BCHI member from one of the northern chapters. Contact Phil Ryan if you know if anyone is interested.

Mountain Manners Booklet: Raenette Didier reported that this brochure is available on the state website. Each chapter can print off the booklet on legal size paper, and take it to a print shop, Staples, Kinkos, etc and print on bright colored paper. The information is tailored for a younger audience such as 4H or scouting groups.

BCHI events: Rod Parks suggested the BCHI chapters should post their planned chapter events such as rides, work projects on the BCHI website. Gary Towle suggested if BCHI receives information about events such as rides, fundraisers from other equine organizations or BCH groups from other states we should encourage those groups to purchase an advertisement in the Broomtales newsletter to promote their event.

Public Lands Report: Gary Towle reported the Owyhee Initiative proposed wilderness area boundaries are not defined as of yet. BCHI will be involved in the travel management plan, assisting with the marking of the established boundaries and the implementation of posting signs.

Robbin Schindele and Rod Parks attended the initial Trail Coalition advocacy organizational meeting to address trail management in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area to identify trail maintenance projects with several user groups. Those attending included Trout Unlimited, Fishermen and Anglers, BCHI, Idaho Trails Council, Wilderness Society, Idaho Conservation League, Idaho legislators, and USFS and several other agencies. Next meeting will be April 8 in McCall at the Payette Ranger District office. The Bob Marshall Foundation will collaborate with those attending the coalition meeting in April. This is an excellent opportunity for BCHI as a support group for packing in materials on trail projects. Raenette Didier suggested BCHI should submit an article on the Trail Coalition involvement in the next Broomtales and BCHA newsletters.

Boy Scouts of America: Marlene Schafer, the BSA District Executive discussed developing a BCHI partnership with the Boy Scouts with involvement in community service projects, such as trail clearing and cleanup of campground sites. BSA files a trip permit and has its own liability insurance coverage. The Boy Scouts in the Lewiston area are planning at least 4four camping trips this year. Rod asked Marlene to send Mark Bogar the contact names of all of the Idaho Boy Scout Districts. The BOD was very supportive of the BCHI and BSA partnership.

Ways and Means- Mark Bogar reported that he has received several phone calls from chapters that had difficulty selling calendars, problems identified were due to the economy, cost of the calendar and several businesses that give away free calendars. Several of the chapters discussed the difficulty of selling the calendars in their local area.
Ways and Means- Four chapters still owe money for the calendars that they have not been able to sell.
Robbin Schindele created two promotional posters for selling the calendars. Several chapters posted these signs at feed stores, vet offices, liquor stores and grocery stores- the poster can be posted on any public bulletin board, there is a blank space on the poster for a chapter to place a contact name and phone number. Mark reminded the BOD that we should all share in the responsibility of the number of calendars/chapter and to encourage the members of all of the chapters to sell calendars.

Suggestions about the 2011 BCH calendars:
Whit Whitham suggested printing the previous year’s winners on the back of the calendar. Rod Parks suggested that chapters can list the calendar with a checkbox on the chapter’s membership application.
Wayne Nishek suggested members to purchase calendars for gifts for family and friends.

Beth Wykle suggested keeping a list of those who purchased calendars the previous year and call them when the newest calendar is available to purchase. It was recommended to stitch the raffle card to the month of January, instead of locating the raffle card half way in the calendar.

Mark asked the chapters at this meeting to commit to the number of calendars for their chapter- delivery of the calendars will be at the July BOD meeting in Priest River.

Chapters:

Boise 65
Cache Peak not present
Eagle Rock
Heartland 75
High Desert not present
North Central 200
North Idaho not present
Panhandle 200
Priest River 80
Salmon 75
Sawtooth not present
Selkirk 45
Squaw Butte 300
Treasure Valley 150
Twin Rivers 300

The BOD discussed the photos that are selected for the BCHI calendar. Potential guidelines should include a horse photo as the main monthly photo. Rod Parks and Robbin Schindele will work with the Photo committee to help develop the photo selection guidelines. Mark asked the chapters to consider new ideas as a fundraiser for BCHI. Anita VanGrunsven suggested future fundraisers should be focused on the BCHI mission statement. Anita offered the information from Heartland regarding planning a Trail Challenge. The Heartland chapter has a Trail Challenge scheduled for June; the information is available on the Heartland website.

Reports from Chapters/Up Coming Events:
Boise: Gary Towle reported the chapter has rides scheduled at Hidden Springs, Bruneau Sands Dunes, Whoop Em Up, and Bear Creek at Fairfield, Horseshoe Bend and Avamore. They have a work project in July for 10-14 days with the Fish and Game restoring and cleaning remote cabins.

Eagle Rock: Connie Bowcutt reported their chapter will have a Spring Fling in May. Rides planned are at Stoddard Creek, Elk Creek, a pack in ride at Soda Springs, and a ride at Harriman State Park.

Heartland: Linda Hemminger reported their chapter will have a Mountain Trail Challenge in June at Al Becker’s. Helen Glidden will teach a two day trail class. Rides planned are Deseret Cabin Trailhead or Council Mountain to clear the trails, a work project at Arling trail to install signs. A bridge project with the Cascade Ranger District is scheduled at Stone Meadows. The chapter is planning monthly rides throughout the riding season.

Heartland: Jean Revaul has been representing HBCH at the Payette Forest Coalition on recommendations to the Payette National Forest concerning logging biomass project study to insure they consider turning closed roads into loop trails for non motorized and to consider these trails as they formulate the plan.

North Central: Beth Wykle reported their chapter work projects include Pittsburgh Landing corral repair in March, trail maintenance at John’s Creek Loop in April, Black Lake Trail install puncheon in the Seven Devils in September. Chapter rides: Carr Ride in May, Gospel Hump Chapter fun ride in August, Weed spraying in the Selway and Lochsa in June. The chapter also has individual projects for their members with the Red River Ranger District performing campsite inventories for the Frank Church and Gospel Hump Wilderness Areas in August. During hunting season Sept, October and November NCBCH participates in a Trailhead stewardship at the Orogrande and Red River Ranger Stations. NCBCH is involved in work projects assisting with packing supplies in partnership with the Selway Bitterroot Foundation. Three projects in July are the Moore Creek pasture fence, Meadow Creek cabin re-shingle/corral work project, Surprise Creek Puncheon pack support for smokejumpers and in September a pack support project for the Fish Lake Cabin. North Central BCH will be hosting the November BOD meeting and the BCHI State Convention on November 5 and 6th in Grangeville.

Panhandle: Karen Kimball reported their chapter presented a three session map, compass and GPS program with hands on training. PBCH had a ride at Fish Trap in March; Farragut State Park ride is planned for April. Work projects for the summer include weed spraying on their chapter’s adopted trail at Marie Creek, and two other projects, Lost Creek and Red Ives.

Priest River: Terry Steiner reported the chapter will host a defensive horsemanship certification class in April. Any BCH member of the North Idaho region is welcome to attend- for those interested contact Dale Schrempp or Lou Lemieux at the chapter. There is work parties scheduled with the Priest Lake Ranger District in May, July, and August and in September. A poker ride scheduled in June, a trail challenge in July. PRVBCH will be hosting the July BOD meeting at the PeeWee Creek trailhead. Activities and entertainment are planned for the BOD meeting. Julie Copley will be catering lunch and dinner. The chapter will have highlines set up for anyone bringing horses/mules and a few loaners will be available for riding the trail system. Julie will be asking for RSVPs on the meals by mid June- info will be sent out to chapters in the near future. Don and Kim West are new members of the chapter. Don is a State Parks and Rec Ranger for Priest Lake.

Salmon River: Al Simpson reported the chapter will be hosting the Annual Easter ride in April and a Packing Clinic at the Annual Salmon Select Horse and Mule Sale at the fairgrounds. Work projects include Wagonhammer Trail clearing in May; Cougar Point Trail maintenance in June and on National Trails Day, SRBCH will assist the Whitewater Therapeutic Riding Association with preparation for fundraiser/trail ride at the Eagle Valley Ranch. The chapter is planning monthly rides throughout the riding season.

Selkirk Valley Wayne Nishek reported the chapter in February and March had a series of three GPS classes. In April a six hour Back Country First Aid Class is planned for chapter members and also a Packing Clinic and a class in Emergency Hoof repair and in May a USFS Chainsaw Certification Class. The chapter is planning monthly rides throughout the riding season. Our chapter has work projects scheduled with the Bonners Ferry Forest Service on Grouse Mountain (camp August 8-14 with the Sierra Club), Myrtle Creek and Goat Mountain, and packing in lumber and paint to Shorty’s Peak, replacement signs for Boulder Meadows and the Orville Heath trail.

Squaw Butte: Robbin Schindele reported the chapter has monthly Night Rides playing cowboy polo in an Indoor Arena.

A Fun Ride is scheduled at the Snake River Birds of Prey. Members of Squaw Butte will be manning a BCHI information booth at the Sportsmen Show at the Boise fairgrounds. In April the chapter will have a Wilderness First Responder First Aid Class at the Emmett Ranger District office.

Squaw Butte: Events in May: Hwy 52 Spring Cleanup, NSFS Sawyer Certification Class, Backcountry Skills Day -Defensive Horsemanship and Beginning & Advances Stock Packing - SBBCH Trails Projects in June at the Peace Creek Trailhead, Boise National Forest and the Payette Forest Signing Project- two locations in the Council & Hitt Mountain areas. Horse Camping Weekend at North Fork of the Boise, Deer Park area, East of Idaho City. SBBCH Trails Projects in July include the Arling Trail, West Mountain –Wilson Corrals trail head. Trails Projects in August that are planned are the Kennelly Creek. There are a number of trails in the area with rides to Needles and Blackmare summits and the Warm Spring Guard Station near Lowman. The project is to refurbish the Guard Station and grounds and a new trail are a team effort with other BCHI chapter and the Lowman Ranger District. There is a newly designated non-motorized trail across the highway from the Guard Station that is mostly an old logging road which the Lowman Rangers just got cleared through NEPA to begin work on. September SBBCH Trails Projects-Yellow Jacket TH - located south of Warm Lake, Cascade ID and in the Sawtooth Wilderness –Grandjean. October Fun ride - Triangle Peak Lookout, near Smiths Ferry. October Packers’ Play Day, October Highway Clean-up, Wild Rose Park, Hwy 52 - Fun Ride –in November Diamond Basin, Owyhee Area.

Treasure Valley: Ken Nungesser reported the chapter will have a trail clean up/Fun Ride at Wilson Creek. In April trail ride planned at Bruneau Sand Dunes. The chapter will help host the Horse Expo booth in April. The chapter is hosting a Pack Clinic in May. The chapter plans on scheduling a work party to clean the trail at Crooked River. In July TVBCH will pack in materials for the roof repair at the 44 Cabin and work on trail clearing at Bear Valley/Bernard Lake.

Twin Rivers: Rod Parks reported at the March Outdoor Show in Lewiston TRBCH will host a Recreation Hands on Packing clinic and the Dutch oven competition. Work projects for the summer months include a Fish and Game project at Green Creek, removing old fencing at Red Bird Canyon, the chapter has applied for a grant to tear out hazardous barb wire and to replace the fencing. In August TRBCH will pack culverts and gravel for the USFS. The chapter has adopted a cabin on Craig Mountain and plans on building a picnic shelter at Hellsgate state Park. Other work projects are Bob Mountain road to replace the loading ramp, and the July Kids Camp. Rides are planned at Red Bird Canyon, and an annual chili ride and a Poker ride at Asotin Creek in May.

Trailer Sticker Update:
Discussion at this BOD meeting: It was identified by a majority of the BCHI chapters that the BOD did not receive information about the trailer stamp bill regarding a proposed user tag for horse trailers for a livestock recreation fund that would only be allocated for equine activities, 30 days prior to the November 2009 BOD meeting. The state directors did not have the opportunity to discuss the information with their chapters. The state directors discussed the Trailer stamp proposal with their chapter after the Nov BOD meeting and several of the chapters throughout the state do not support the draft bill. The BCHI BOD consensus at this meeting was that the membership of BCHI does not support the concept of the Trailer Stamp legislation. The current draft of the bill is not what was presented at the November 2009 BCHI BOD meeting. Phil Ryan, Chairman will send a letter to the Idaho Horse Council explaining the position of the BCHI chapters and why BCHI does not support the current draft of the bill.

Panhandle BCH presented a three page position letter regarding the trailer stamp to the BCHI chapter prior to this BOD meeting.

Web Site Update: Raenette Didier will be the contact person for submitting articles and information on the BCHI website. Each chapter’s secretary should submit the information from their chapter that they would like posted on the webpage to Raenette.

Resolutions, proposals and chapter issues.
Treasure Valley suggested teleconferencing of board meetings. It was concluded after discussion the consensus of the state directors that the BOD meetings are a great networking opportunity for the state directors throughout the state
Robbin Schindele made a motion for the state directors of BCHI to continue the BOD meetings three times a year. Motion seconded by Gary Towle. Motion carried.

Heartland lead a discussion regarding the calendar sales and designate an additional amount of the sales back to the chapters or place some of the sales into another type of BCHI fund.

Mark reminded the chapters that the chapters support the state organization and that we need to continue to build our state treasury over the next several years. Anita VanGrunsven informed the BOD that the USDA has dropped the Animal ID system.

North Central: Raenette Didier informed the state directors she is now a member on the Board of Directors on the Idaho Horse Council, along with Whit Whitham and Connie Bowcutt. Raenette will be sending information from the IHC to the BCHI state directors and the directors can determine what information is pertinent to share with their chapters. The IHC coloring book will be issued in July. Raenette volunteered to present at the July BOD meeting a proposed rotation system of the BOD meetings and a rotation system of the annual State Convention, alternating locations between the north and south chapters. Gary Towle and Linda Brooks, Boise BCH offered to host the 2011 Spring BOD meeting.

Hiker Poster- Robbin Schindele has developed a Hiker poster. He distributed one of the posters to each of the chapters present. He will be sending the Hiker poster electronically to Idaho wilderness areas, USFS districts offices, and backpacking magazines. Raenette Didier made a motion to accept this poster as a state BCHI poster and post it on the BCHI website. Wayne Nishek seconded the motion. Motion carried. Rod Parks will present the BCHI Hiker poster at the BCHA National Convention in April.

2010 BCHI State Elections

Slate of officers:

Phil Ryan, Chairman
Mark Bogar, Vice Chairman
Val Johnson, National Director
Rod Parks, National Director
Terry Steiner, Alternate National Director
Dorothy Bailey, Secretary
Nancy Kay Ryan, Treasurer

Robbin Schindele made the motion to accept the appointment of Nancy Kay Ryan as the state Treasurer. Rod Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried. The checking account requires two signatures and the second signature will be Mark Bogar, BCHI Vice chairman. The BCHI state officers and state directors at the BOD meeting agreed Phil Ryan, Chairman will no longer be the co-signer for BCHI. Motion carried.

Robbin Schindele made a motion to accept the 2010 slate of officers by acclimation. Wayne Nishek seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Reminder for all of the chapters if anyone has a chapter proposal or resolution – send the information to Dorothy the state secretary by June 1, so that the chapters will have the time and opportunity to have discussions at their chapter meetings prior to the BOD meeting in July.

Topics for July10, 2010 Board meeting, hosted by PRVBCH at Peewee Creek Trailhead, Priest River
-Rotation of BOD meetings and the rotation of the annual State Convention alternating locations between the North and south chapters
-Trailer Sticker legislation

Meeting adjourned at 1645 pm
Respectfully submitted
Dorothy Bailey, Secretary

BCHI State Board of Directors Meeting      July 8, 2011
University of Idaho Video Teleconferencing Sites

Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Moscow, Salmon and Twin Falls, Idaho

Mark Bogar, State Chairman, opened the meeting at 8:15am. Mark thanked the Treasure Valley BCH chapter for organizing the University of Idaho Video Teleconferencing sites for the chapters throughout the state for the BOD meeting. Secretary Dorothy Bailey held roll call. All chapters were present except   Boise and Selkirk Valley. The minutes from the March 2011 BCHI BOD meeting were approved as printed.

Treasurer’s Report: Kay Ryan, Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report. A motion was made by Val Johnson to reimburse Robbin Schindele for his expenses for attending a Stock Access and Use Meeting in Yellowstone National Park in April 2011. Seconded by Connie Bowcutt. The treasurer’s report was accepted as submitted. Motion made to accept the treasurer’s report by Robbin Schindele. Seconded by Kathy Kerley. Motion carried.

Robbin Schindele was congratulated by Mark Bogar and BCHI for receiving the BCHA Double Diamond Award for the “What the Horse Sees” bike and hiker posters. Karen Kimball presented how the Panhandle BCH chapter has utilized the posters on trailheads in their local area.  Local bicyclist groups have built kiosks at some of the trailheads. The PBCH chapter placed the posters on some of these trail kiosks. Karen presented a photo of one of the kiosks/ posters display.

National Director’s Reports: Rod Parks reported on the April BCHA National Director’s meeting in Butte, MT. BCHA will be hiring  an Executive Director. Val Johnson’s National Director’s meeting report is printed in the current Broomtales newsletter.  The 2012 National Director’s meeting will be held in Eugene, Oregon.  BCHA is establishing a library of references and documents to be available on their website. New BCHA officers were elected. BCHA elected Mike McGlenn from Washington State as Chairman.

Broomtales Report: Marilyn Rousher reported she received articles from only four chapters for the last issue. She asked the chapters to send her articles of their summer work projects to be published in the November Broomtales issue. The deadline for the next issue is October 15. Ken Nungesser and Beth Wykle suggested for each chapter to elect or appoint a member to submit their chapter articles for the   Broomtales newsletter.

Owyhee Initiative: Phil Ryan reported the BLM has purchased 320 acres south of Grandview to be designated as the new trailhead. BLM has a fencing project for BCHI at Nickel Creek. The Selway Bitterroot Foundation has established a working relationship with the southwestern chapters of BCHI to work as packers for their packing projects. There is a packing project at the Marble Creek Trail July/August 2011.

Horse Expo: Treasure Valley reported the Heartland chapter will be joining the Squaw Butte, Treasure Valley and Boise BCH chapters next year at their Horse Expo booth.

Trail Classification Standards Update: Rod Parks will send the TCS chapter contacts a TCS cheat sheet developed by Dennis Dailey. Rod discussed with the BOD the importance of each chapter to review the TCS to help preserve our access to trails to accommodate pack and saddle stock. Each trail has a TMO reference sheet (design parameters of the trail). Trails can have only one designed use, but can have multiple managed uses. If the trail is designed for pack and saddle, it is encouraged for the trail to be listed as managed for pack and saddle. If a trail is designed for pack and saddle stock and it is not listed as pack and saddle stock: be proactive, discuss and encourage your local USFS office to add and/or change “managed for use” for pack and saddle stock for the trail classification designation. The change must be listed on the USFS TMO documents. Request the USFS to send your chapter TCS contact person a copy of the TMO changes.

BCHI Chapter             Chapter TCS Contact                         Idaho National Forest
Boise                           Bill Murphy                                         Boise
Cache Peak                Pike Genzmer                                     Sawtooth
Eagle Rock                 Connie Bowcutt /Phoebe Pelot           Caribou/Targee
Heartland                    Al Becker                                            Payette
High Desert                 Kathy Kerley                                       Sawtooth
North Central              Steve Didier                                        Clearwater/ Nez Perce
North Idaho                                                                             Kanisku
Panhandle                   George Miller/Debbie Samovar          St Joe /CDA
Priest River                 Dale Schrempp                                   Kanisku          
Salmon River              Val Johnson                                        Challis/Salmon
Sawtooth                     Jo Heiss                                              Sawtooth
Selkirk  Valley             Merle Olsen                                        Kanisku
Squaw Butte               Robbin Schindele                                Boise
Treasure Valley           Keith Lambrecht                                 Boise
Twin Rivers                 Rod Parks                                           Clearwater/ Nez Perce

Chapter Reports
Boise: Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, April 2011, repair and upgrade existing stock corrals, added 150 ft water line and frost free hydrant. 14 people worked on the project. 39.5 hours of unskilled labor, 10.5 hours of skilled labor with chainsaws, 3.5 hours of skilled labor operating backhoe, 520 miles were driven. Warm Springs Guard Station, Lowman, May 2011, annual spring maintenance, 6 people worked on this project, 24 hours of unskilled labor, 730 miles were driven. Saddle Up for St. Jude’s Charity Poker Ride, Idaho City, June 2011, charity benefit for St. Jude’s involving all three local BCH chapters and the horse community.  30 people worked on this project, 200 hours of unskilled labor, 1000 miles were driven, 20 hours of stock use. Horse Expo, April 2011, promoting Back Country Horsemen with the horse community, 20 hours of education.  Board of Directors Meeting, March 2011, hosting the board of directors meeting and providing luncheon, 24 hours unskilled labor. Sportsman Show, March 2011, promoting Back Country Horsemen with the outdoor recreation community, 24 hours of education.

Cache Peak:  Lorraine Genzmer reported the chapter has not been able to do anything but have meetings until now.  Snow is still up in the area, the FS had contemplated rebuilding or rerouting a trail at Lake Independence and Castle Rock & City of Rocks are still working on their EPA program before we can do much up there.  Both entities are to contact us whenever they are ready. Summer ride at the Cottonwood area.

Eagle Rock: Phebe Pelot reported the chapter hosted a Spring Fling Horse Tune Up at Connie and Mike Bowcutt’s residence in June.  They have had several meeting with the FS regarding TCS.  The chapter packed out the bridge from the Palisades Bridge. Other summer and fall trail work projects include Tie Canyon, Lander Cutoff, Water Canyon and Indian Creek. In September, the chapter will be hosting the Harriman State Park Fall Ride at Island Park.

Heartland: Gretel Kleint reported the chapter has been working with the Payette Ranger District on trail classifications. The chapter will be hosting a Mountain Trail Challenge in July. In August, the Council Mountain Trail Maintenance project is planned to work on the chapter’s adopted trail.

High Desert: Kathy Kerley reported in January- Chili Feed and Auction in Jerome. We had 60 in attendance. April - Poker Ride at Niagra Springs Wildlife Management Area. We had 23 participants in the ride and had a potluck afterwards. We took in $371 and netted $279. May 14 - we had a day ride at Cottonwood Canyon. We had a bad wind which should have blown in a huge storm. However not one drop of rain. June - we had a work project scheduled to build new horse corrals at  Porcupine Springs between the materials not arriving in time and the snow cover there we had to cancel and have not been able to come up with a time to reschedule.

North Central: Beth Wykle reported the chapter conducted CPR and first aid classes for their members during their winter meetings. We are still working on our trail classification task with the FS. Weed spraying is their main fundraiser and this year they have permission to perform weed spraying in the wilderness areas.

North Idaho: Debbie Gullo reported the chapter started the year slow, probably like most of the other chapters, due to the rain.  We've had guest speakers at our meeting throughout the year so far.  On June 4th 5 members cleaned up the debris and trash at the Wylie Knob trail head.  A few of our members went to speak to kids at the local elementary school during National Bike week.  They discussed how to approach horses when riding a bike. We're hoping it makes a difference with this generation as far as horsemen and bikers relationships go.  We had our annual Coggins, shots and health certificates day at a member's ranch, followed by a potluck. We'll also be helping a local ranch with their competitive trail ride and some of the members will be clearing various trails on their own, as they did last year.

Panhandle: Marilyn Rousher reported on March 19th the chapter had their Chainsaw Maintenance Clinic at Bob and Linda Funk's place. April 9th, Bob Williams organized and trail bossed our annual Tune-up Clinic.  It was held at Red Top Stables in Post Falls and 49 horses were vaccinated and others had their teeth floated.  May 7 & 8th Jerry and Diane Shriner trail bossed the Remount Ride in Montana and had 20 people in attendance. May 27th a group, organized by Karen Kimball installed a horse gate to keep motorcycles off of Canfield Mountain's hiking and riding trail.  The group also posted signs so that persons riding bicycles would understand how to safely approach a horse on the trail.  June 2nd, Karen and Jim Kimball trail bossed the spraying of weeds at Marie Creek. June 4th, for National Trails Day, PBCH installed two hitching rails at English Point.  Karen Kimball acted as trail boss. June 11th was the Marie Creek Trail Clearing. Les Erikson handled the trail boss job. June 18th, Marilyn Rousher and Angela Parsons Trail Bossed the Marie Creek Fun Ride.  16 people were in attendance and the ride had rain, mud and lots of water crossings.

Panhandle: June 19th, a group from PBCH, individuals from the Nordic Ski Club and a local bike club joined together to clear the 4th of July Pass Trails.  June 25th, Joni Lueck organized and bossed the 4th of July Pass membership drive/fun ride.  It was a very well organized event with homemade cookies being passed out at the half way point of the five mile loop ride, the ten milers received cookies as well.  The food was fantastic, approximately 30 riders attended.  Three new members signed up, three members that signed up a week before were also in attendance.  New members received a free lunch.

Current general meetings are enjoying the videos "Road to the Horse" after all the business has been taken care of. Sept 10th, at Farragut State Park, McKinlay and Peters Equine Hospital is sponsoring a fund raiser that will benefit PBCH.  McKinlay and Peters Equine Hospital has done this kind of fund raising for other horse groups over the past three years.  The day's events will include a Trail Obstacle Course, LNT Packing Clinic, De-spooking Clinic, and Trail Ride, Horse first Aid, Trailer/break Inspection, Horse Pucky Bingo, Silent Auction, Mounted Shooting Demo and lunch.

Priest River: Terry Steiner reported several of the members participated in teaching educational skills to the Boy Scouts helping them earn their Horsemanship badge. Chapter members completed Chainsaw Certification and Defensive Horsemanship classes in the spring.

Jack Lamb and Julie Copley held their annual Dutch oven gathering and trail ride at the Highland Flats Snowmobile Park in late April and many chapter members attended for both the ride and the dinner. As usual the potluck was great. We were stopped by snow after only one hour up the hill, but got to see two big moose. The abbreviated ride just got us back to the food more quickly. The Forest Service postponed the big Memorial Day work party because of the equine herpes virus scare. The new dates for projects are July 16/17 PeeWee Creek trailhead improvements: information kiosk, gate, build an accessible handicap mounting ramp, and install 3 manure bins.

In August the chapter will be working on improvements at the Chipmunk Rapids Trailhead near Priest Lake: information kiosk, highline poles, build an accessible handicap mounting ramp, and install manure bins. Both of these projects were RAC funded. Packing plans are in the works for materials to repair some of the Lakeshore Trail.
Even with the herpes virus scare we held our Poker Ride on June 11. We only had 26 riders this year and fifty+ dinners served, but still figured the event to be success morale wise if not financially. Terry Steiner and Bonnie Shields did their LNT booth at the Priest Lake Sportsmen’s Club “Kids’ Fishing Day” that same weekend.

Bud Bailey ramrodded a spectacular trailhead project up Trail Creek out of Naples, Idaho. Almost everything for the project was donated. With the time of the professional welders and all of the steel for the high lines, hitching post  and  four stall horse corrals, plus timbers and crushed gravel for three  tent pads we figure well over $10,000.00 was put into the project.  The Forest Service did install a super vault toilet on site. Get up there if you get the chance. The trailhead has opened much of the west-central Cabinet Mountain trail system to better access.  We also have some social rides planned and are looking forward to a weekend at Squaw Valley August 13/14. 

Salmon River: Val Johnson reported the January meeting/potluck was highlighted by election of officers, payment of dues, and information re: a new vendor with local and Missoula MT ties for Life Flight Insurance. A committee was selected to work on the Trail Classification process in our assigned BIG area, and hopes were proffered that we could get some money-making work projects this year. February's meeting on Valentine's Day was festive and fun. An upcoming Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting was discussed. We'll be hauling/packing water for the County Weed Superintendent in July---much cheaper than using a helicopter to get to road fewer areas. In March our Chapter was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by the USFS "for work above and beyond" by Middle Fork Ranger Chris Grove. This involved rebuilding the historic Loon Greek Guard Station corral and packing out 28 mule loads of cut-up pieces of abandoned culvert. The Work and Ride and Event Schedule was presented----a busy summer coming up!

In April we presented our annual Packing Demonstration at the Fairgrounds as a precursor to the annual Mule Sale. We had our annual Easter Ride with 30 folks riding and 25 others joining for breakfast, fellowship, music and an Easter service. We enjoyed the great article in Broomtales about our members, Chris and Cindy Walker, who will be going to the Nine-Mile LNT Training session in May. May brought us together for a Kentucky Derby party, hats and all, at a member's home. We are working on some programs with the folks at the Sacajawea Center for their Heritage Days August 20th in exchange for a meeting place in the winter. Topics are: (1) Navigating the Rivers and Rockies (No GPS in those Days). (2) Lewis and Clark and the Shoshone Horses. (3) Paddles, Packsaddles and a Lot of Rawhide. And (4) Mysteries of Knots & Hitches---Tie Your Own Diamond. John Burns is the dedicated individual behind this. Then we'll have two more field trips or presentations to put together.

June's meeting brought Lost River Ranger (Mackay) Diane Weaver to our meeting, asking for suggestions on developing an equine facility at the Star Hope Campground in the Copper Mountain area off the Trail Creek Road. We also got information on a pack-out project for non burnable materials from the damaged Little Soldier Lookout. We had 17 folks gather 11 bags of trash on our semi-annual highway cleanup. We had an enthusiastic report from Cindy and Chris Walker's LNT Training---they are gung-ho to share their knowledge with members and local groups. The planned Memorial Day work project in the Wagonhammer Complex was weather-shortened. A ride up the Pahsimeroi was cancelled due to lingering snow and road washouts.  A few folks took a ride up Perreau Creek; another group helped the USFS place cairns and markers on a trail near the Williams Creek Summit.

Squaw Butte: Robbin Schindele reported in January the chapter created a new Internet based system for registering to attend events and activities and recording, mileage and volunteer hours. Arena Night Ride- various horse education activities by our Education Team, Charles and Lorraine Chick. February-Arena Night Ride- various horse education activities by our Education Team, Charles and Lorraine Chick. Celebration Park Fun Ride in the World Center for Birds of Prey Area on the Snake River. March-Arena Night Ride- various horse education activities by our Education Team, Charles and Lorraine Chick. Set up BCHI booth at the Idaho Sportsman Show, in Boise. The booth was manned during the 3-day show by members of the Squaw Butte, Boise and Treasure Valley chapters of BCHI. Emmett Horse Park Fun Ride, the Emmett Horse Park is an area of land east of Emmett set aside by the owners for equine activities.

Squaw Butte: April-Set up BCHI booth at the Idaho Horse Expo in Nampa.  The booth was manned during the 3-day show by members of the Squaw Butte, Boise and Treasure Valley chapters of BCHI. Little Butte Fun Ride, Emmett, followed by another excellent potluck.

May-BLM Owyhee Work Project-RESCHEDULED. AQHA/BCHI co-sponsored fun ride, at the Wilson Creek Trailhead, no AQHA riders showed up but 2 groups of BCHI riders had a good ride and great lunch. Adopt a Highway Spring cleanup. Our 2 miles was trash less, for a while. USFS Sawyer Certification Class, Emmett Ranger District offices, Emmett, ID. BLM Owyhee Work Project-Cancelled. Annual SBBCH Yard Sale, Emmett, ID the chapter netted about $2,800.00. June- SBBCH sponsored First Aid/CPR Certification class taught by chapter member, Dan  Murphy, a certified instructor. Warm Spring Guard Station, Lowman District Boise National Forest, our National Trails Day event.  Worked a new section of trail. Peace Creek Trail work project, on the Middle Fork of the Payette River, canceled due to snow. July- Crooked River trail Project, Idaho City District, and Boise National Forest.

Treasure Valley: Ken Nungesser reported TVBCH will pack in supplies and tools to the 44 Creek Cabin on July 20th for a project to restore the bottom logs of the historic 44 Creek Cabin.  The USFS is bringing in log replacement specialists from Montana to do the log work.  During the week the cabin log work is being performed, chapter members will be clearing 44 Creek trail.  At the end of the project the chapter members will pack the tools and supplies back to trailhead. Celebration Pack Tire Pack-0ut. National Trails Day—On a beautifully cool, Saturday, June 4, sixteen TVBCH members and three friends saddled their horses and pack animals and headed down Celebration Park trails to gather tires, which had been rolled off the cliffs above the Halverson Lakes, littering the area.  Packing out the tires was the project chosen by the Treasure Valley Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen for National Trails Day 2011—the 19th annual celebration of American’s magnificent trail system— put on by the American Hiking Society.  That morning, a few members of the group left early to gather the tires, after which the rest of the group arrived to pack out the tires. Some members handled stock while others packed tires onto animals.

When the last riders came in, Ashley Talbert, employee of Les Schwab Tire in Nampa, met them in the parking area with his truck.  Members Ken and Linda Nungesser also joined the group at this time. Ashley was there to haul the tires away, Linda had come to take photos of the occasion, and Ken recorded information for the project report. Shortly after the photo shoot, members gathered for lunch and conversation.  It was a very successful project: 24 tires were safely packed out, and Les Schwab Tire of Nampa hauled and disposed of the tires for free. “Thanks” goes out to Corey Miner, manager of Les Schwab on 12th Avenue Road in Nampa for disposing of the tires and to the many TVBCH members and their friends, who participated to make it a successful project. Poker Ride at Wilson Creek, May 10th, Thanks to Patty Pennington, Alice Millington, Jim Fox and Bonnie Fox for organizing the Poker Ride at Wilson Creek on May 10th... Alice and John Millington cut cards at the stations. A dozen riders and guests turned out for the Poker Ride, a runaway, and the cattle drive. Thanks to those who donated prizes. Wilson Creek Fun Ride, April 23rd, Approximately 10 members participated in a fun ride at Wilson Creek.

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in the Nampa- Caldwell area.  There are plans to close a   five mile trail to completely exclude horseback riding. Rod Parks suggested viewing the BCHA website to view a Public Lands Workshop program developed by Dennis Dailey that can be presented at a BCH chapter meeting. Rod Parks made a motion for the   BCHI Chairman to draft and send a letter addressing the concerns of the elimination of stock use in the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge with the assistance of Keith Lambrecht from TVBCH. Seconded by Phil Ryan. Motion carried.

Twin Rivers: Rod Parks reported this spring was full of rain, snow and cancelled projects. The Don Uhlman Memorial Shelter at Hellsgate Park in Lewiston is completed. A plaque is installed and a picnic table is at the shelter. We have offered $300.00 to help with printing costs of a trail map for the trails that will be open to ride stock on at Hellsgate Park. The trails at Hellsgate Park are a work in progress with monthly meeting still going on. TRBCH hosted a basic First Aid/ CPR class March 9th.  Eighteen members attended the 3.5 hour class. April was the Inland Northwest Outdoor Show at the Nez Perce County Fairgrounds. Our chapter was co-sponsor of this event with the Lewiston-Clarkston Chamber of Commerce. We set up a camp display and info booth, help a hands on packing clinic, sponsored two trainers working with horses in round pens and put on a Dutch Oven Competition. This will be our last year for the Outdoor Show as a sponsor. Multiple work projects have been at Black’s Ranch, the location of our Kid’s Kamp for 2011. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has been very co-operative with improvements to the house and grounds for a nice facility to host the camp. We purchased 20 panels with proceeds from this year’s Outdoor Show and are looking into buying or getting 30 more donated. The trail was cleared for our Poker Ride and then we decided to cancel the Poker Ride over concerns of liability from the risk of the EHV-1 virus. Next our National Trails Day project was cancelled due to snow still over the trail.

We completed our grant from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife on Asotin Creek drainage. There is now a non-motorized access gate at Sourdough Canyon, a fire ring, hitch rail, non-motorized access gate and one set of highline poles at Sheep Gulch Trailhead, and a hitch rail & fire ring at Asotin Creek Trailhead. We also built 1000’ of new fence to restrict access by motorized vehicles and removed a mile of old fence that was in disrepair and a hazard to stock and wildlife. Two members cut out the trail to our Adopt a Cabin in the Craig Mountain WMA for Idaho Fish & Game. Over 100 trees across the trail in five miles. We are still working on our trail classification task with the FS.

BCHI Wilderness Pack Clinic Update: Robbin Schindele reported the Squaw Butte 2011 BCHI Wilderness Pack Clinic, August 14-21, 2011 at the Grandjean Trailhead, Sawtooth Wilderness has been cancelled due to a low number of registrations of attendees.

Ways and Means Report: Karen Kimball discussed the 2012 calendars are now available for the chapters to sell and will be delivered to the chapters in the next few weeks. Karen, Mark Bogar and Debbie Samovar carefully proofread the calendars for typographical errors.  Robbin Schindele will write an article for the Broomtales newspaper regarding camera settings for taking photos with suggested proper resolution settings for submitting photos for the BCHI calendar. Mark reviewed with the chapters at this meeting the number of 2012 calendars that each chapter made a commitment to sell at the March 2011 BOD meeting as the BCHI state fundraiser. Any unsold calendars cannot be returned to the state.

Ways and Means Report: The calendars belong to the chapters and the chapters cannot give them back to the state. The number of calendars that each chapter made a commitment to are to be paid for in full by each chapter, $20.00 per calendar at the March 2012 meeting.  Mark discussed that Selkirk Valley BCH has requested to reduce their commitment from 85 to 35 calendars.

Discussion regarding if chapters can make a request to decrease the number of calendars for their chapter after they have stated the number they made a commitment at the March 2011 BOD meeting.  Mark Bogar called for a vote. Val Johnson made a motion that Selkirk Valley BCH may reduce their commitment of 2012 BCHI calendars from 85 to 35. Motion seconded by Connie Bowcutt. Motion passed.
Boise                             75
Cache Peak                  75                  Priest River                   90
Eagle Rock                   40                  Salmon                        75      
Heartland                      75                  Sawtooth                       20
High Desert                 150                  Selkirk                           35     
North Central              250                  Squaw Butte               250 (+50)
North Idaho                  10                  Treasure Valley           150     
Panhandle                   200                  Twin Rivers                 400

VIP Ride:  Rod Parks discussed BCHA was inquiring if BCHI will sponsor a VIP ride in the future on a trail regarding specific equine use trail issues in Idaho for USFS and legislators. Possible VIP ride in the Owyhee Initiative Wilderness area, organized by Phil Ryan.  It was suggested the BCHI Chairman, Vice Chairman, the two National Directors participate in the VIP ride.

Robbin’s Proposal by Squaw Butte BCH update: Discussion of the reply letter from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation  regarding  the Idaho state wide trails web site at: http://trails.idaho.gov/# . The website provides details for most trails in Idaho, but in its detailed descriptions of non-motorized trails does not include horsemen. Robbin will send a copy of the BCHI letter sent to the Idaho Department of Parks and Rec and the response letter BCHI received from the Idaho Department of Parks and Rec to Butch Otter, Idaho’s governor. Phil Ryan will send copies of both letters to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo’s office.

November 2011 State Board meeting: Discussion of November’s BOD meeting at a single meeting location or with the University of Idaho teleconferencing site locations. Val made a motion to schedule either the first or second Friday in November as a video conference. Nov 4 or Nov 18 to start at 0900 PST and 1000 MST. If the U of I sites are not available. Salmon BCH will host the November BOD meeting. Seconded by Terry Steiner.  Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at   2:15 pm

Respectfully submitted by,
Dorothy Bailey, BCHI State Secretary

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