October 7, 2024
NRAC monthly meeting minutes
October 7, 2024
Present: Jeff, Lloyd, Drew, Erica, Kate, Izzy, Keegan
Minutes taken by Izzy Davis
Call to order: 6:10
NRSAW presentation
§ Lloyd: There will be no pro night. Certain we can get a slot at the regular workshop to present. Will follow up when confirmed.
§ Jeff: Requesting earlier slot so we can answer questions at breaks. Can we get a table? (Lloyd will follow up)
§ In regards to when we will have our usual NRAC meeting, Drew asked if we can have the meeting on Friday night. We wouldn’t be rushed (as opposed to having meeting the morning before NRSAW)
§ Silver can attend a Friday evening meeting
§ Schweitzer can attend a Friday evening meeting, but Leigh and Steve are not available the weekend of NRSAW
§ Start time TBD
Review of the presentation Jeff put together for NRSAW
§ Jeff is requesting feedback, and unanimous agreement to keep presentation short and concise
§ Estimated time for presentation is 15 minutes
§ Jeff: Presentation should focus on the who, what, where and why
§ Erica: Erica emphasized the importance of keeping it simple, but hitting the highlights-Leave out testing standards. Everyone in agreement.
§ Lloyd: Under “the why” mention how sporadic teams have been available, but our communities haven’t had a consistent resource.
§ Jeff: Good time to also mention increased user groups. Mention IPAC and the 2 fatalities?
§ Erica: Emphasize that handles are ski patrollers
§ Jeff: Agrees with Erica, and that each ski area trains at a high level, and that NRAC is the overseeing organization.
§ Jeff: “in summary”- end on we are here to get our organization known, but stress this is a resource for SAR groups- not public. Deploy at request of local agency.
§ Jeff: Looking for everyone to brainstorm “the goals” and give feedback. Dog and handler on stage?
§ Erica: Nominate Annie?
§ Erica: Mention why avalanche dogs are important and they work with other resources, dogs vs. transceivers, etc..
§ Jeff: Suggested to include stats that support our “why”
§ Kate: Suggested group photo would be a good opener slide
§ Speakers for presentation: Jeff, Lloyd, Erica. All agreement that they will divide up talking points amongst themselves.
§ Drew: Suggests emphasizing how dogs fit into the broader picture. Stat of dog vs. probe line coverage?
Review of Drews flyer
§ Make sure flyer matches info on the power point
§ Drew: how many people to expect at NRSAW?
§ Lloyd: Estimates 200-300
§ Drew got 500 stickers printed to hand out
§ Shout out to Aaron Mahan for helping with the flyer
§ Drew: Website is pretty much ready to go. Asks everyone to refresh. Website: Nrac.dog. Password: avalanche
§ Unanimous agreement to get website posted prior to the presentation and that it is ready to go
§ Erica: In the future, meeting minutes will be added to a private tab on the website for record keeping and consistency
Update on Out there Outdoors article
§ Erica: Article on Silver Mtn avy dogs will be published in November. Can we add a section about NRAC in there?
§ Unanimous agreement to add info on NRAC.
Other
§ Erica: Bylaws attached to last email.
§ Agreement to have another meeting right before NRSAW to ensure everyone is on the same page.
§ Shoot an email to the group to add any additional thoughts.
Adjourned: 6:59