PSDC Spring Meeting

at
Gennetti's Best Western
Hazleton, PA

Saturday May 30th, 2009

Spring General Membership Meeting and Annual Awards Ceremony

Event Updates:

May 7, 2009: Updated the auction information, and linked to our guest speakers' website.

May 3, 2009: Updated the listing of vendors.

April 27, 2009: Added Doug Heitz's and Luwanna Krause's candidate statements below. Added vendors.

April 23, 2009: Johnn Molburg's position statement was added below.

Featured Guest Speaker:

We welcome our keynote speakers, Blake and Jennifer Freking, DVM of Manitou Crossing Kennels, home of Jedeye Racing Siberian Huskies. They are 2008 Iditarod all Siberian record breakers.

Registration Form:

The registration form is available for download here: Registration Form. Please see the "Documents Available for Download" section near the bottom of this page or the "Forms and Documents" link on the left side of the page for any other downloadable forms or documents related to this event.

Deadline to register is Friday, May 22, 2009. Registration can be done at event with a $15.00 late fee.

This Event Will Offer:

  • Hear our guest speaker
  • Check out vendors
  • Socialize "off season"
  • Participate in our general membership meeting
  • Vote on club officials and become part of important club issues
  • Participate in our Silent Auction
  • See our exciting annual awards ceremony
  • Enjoy a relaxing meal with fellow club members

Event Description:

The Annual Spring Meeting and Banquet serves as a wonderful opportunity for "off-season" musher recognition and socialization. Members are recognized for their achievements throughout the season, memorial awards are presented and gag awards are enjoyed by all at a banquet style dinner. Members will enjoy a speaker, this year Blake and Jen Freking Jedeye of Manitou Crossing Kennels. A detailed review of the 2008-2009 season and planning for the 2009-2010 season will also take place, along with voting for club officials at the Spring General Membership Meeting.

Important Election Information:

Think you know someone that can make a difference? Nominate a club member that you feel would help our club succeed in the following board seats that are open this year.

Elected Offices Needed for the 2009-2011 (two year) Term Job Descriptions:
These are job descriptions for board seats in a shortened version. Please see the by-laws for a more complete description (section VI. elected Offices A-C).
  • Vice President
    • Exercise all duties of the President in his absence or incapacitation.
    • Supervise all Club activities not specifically assigned to the President.
    • Perform duties as requested by the President.
    • Becomes president for the unexpired term in the event of a vacancy in the presidency.
  • Secretary
    • Keep complete and accurate records of all business transacted at Executive Board and general membership meetings, all such reports to be filed promptly with the editor for publication in the Club's newsletter.
    • Manage all club reports, records and correspondence; including writing (as directed by these By-Laws and the Executive Board), receiving (including receiving copies of all official Club communications), and maintaining an orderly file of such documents.
    • Make reports to the Executive Board when requested and at each general membership meeting.
  • Directors (3 up for election)
    • There shall be five directors, all to be elected by the general membership, three of which will be elected this year.
    • Directors shall:
      • Serve as liaison between the Executive Board and the general membership.
      • Participate in the Club decision making process as directed by these By-Laws.
      • Perform duties as requested by the President.
Nominees and Statements:

Vice President (one position only):

  • LuWanna Krause:

    My name is LuWanna Krause and I am the current VP of PSDC. I have served as a board member, secretary, treasurer & president of PSDC over the years. Although I do not race dogs, I am very involved in the sport and the club. I would like to serve PSDC as your VP for another two year term.

    Thank you, LuWanna Krause, VP PSDC

Secretary (one position only):

  • Christina Gates:

    For the past four years I have enjoyed the position of Secretary for the PSDC. My thirty plus years of experience with sled dogs has been truly impacted by my experiences upon the PSDC Board of Directors. I believe that I am a valuable member to the Board and can offer much. I enjoy my job very much and look forward to continuing for another two years.

Board Seat (total of two positions):

  1. Doug Heitz:

    I would like to campaign for a board member position. I have been involved with PSDC for many years. I have been a mentor for Sled Dog Central for over 6 years. I have really enjoyed helping to get many people started in this great sport.

    I have also done numerous talks and demonstrations for many civic groups to help educate and promote the sport of dog sledding and help with the misconceptions that so many people have with the sport.

    I have been raising Siberians for 25 years and I have been recreational racing for 12 years. I feel I have a pretty good broad base knowledge of sled dog sports.

    If elected, I will serve the club to the best of my ability. Thank you for considering me as a candidate for this position.

  2. Johnn Molburg:

    I have been a member of the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club since 1977. Having been a member, serving 12 years as president and many years as a board member I know how important it is to have voices from all aspects of the sport guiding our club.

    While our club is made up if a majority of breed and recreational mushers, it has always been the clubs goals to make room for all mushers and to run our events as professional as possible. My goal in the next two years would be to help develop an even larger “Dryland” calendar and maybe add another top quality “Snow” race to the schedule if the opportunity arises.

  3. Liz Stanaitis:

    Hi my name is Liz Stanaitis and I have been a member of the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club for many years. I have severed as a board for the last two years and would like to run for re-election. I feel that I have a lot to offer to help our club continue to grow in a positive direction.

Absentee Ballots:

Absentee ballots are available through the Secretary, Christina Gates (315) 831-2025, christina@subzerodogs.org. Requests for absentee ballots must BE RECEIVED no later than May 13th (so I can send ballot and get back in time for meeting).

Please note, according to the PSDC by-laws, you may only vote via absentee ballot if you were present at, and signed in to the previous (Fall 2008) General Membership Meeting. If you meet this criteria an absentee ballot can be mailed to you along with instructions. All absentee ballots must be returned to Christina Gates by TO BE ANNOUNCED, in order to be counted in voting at the Spring 2009 Meeting. Those voting via absentee ballot may only vote for those individuals who have been nominated for and accepted nomination to run prior to the Spring 2009 Meeting. Above you will see a list of those (some with candidate statements) that have currently been nominated for and accepted nomination to run for elected offices of the PSDC Board of Directors for the 2009-2011 term.

Annual Memorial Awards Description for Spring 2009 Banquet:

Every year the PSDC honors two individuals who the club feels has gone above and beyond in either kennel, and dog care, club involvement, or sportsmanship. Please review the definitions of our two special awards and contact Nancy Molburg or Christina Gates with your nominee. Please have your nominations to Nancy or Christina no later than May 5th 2009

Jim Gauger Award:

This award was put in place by the PSDC Board of Directors in 1983 in honor of past club member Jim Gauger. This is awarded to a person(s) who exhibits the good sportsmanship so many of the members remember in Jim Gauger. The club will not be bound by a time frame, or a limit on the number of persons eligible for this award. There may be years when no one is nominated or that the board feels no one stood above all other club members.

Harvey Saltzer Award:

The Harvey Saltzer award shall be awarded annually to the person or kennel, which in the opinion of the Board of Directors, best exemplifies all mushers' love and concern for their own dogs as well as for sled dog sports and dogs in general. Nominees for this award must promote a positive image of sled dog sports within the sled dog community, to the public at large, and to the media through both their words and actions. The winner of this award shall be presented with a trophy. In addition the PSDC will donate $100 to the humane society of the winner's choice in memory of the work done at the East Shore branch of the Harrisburg Humane Society by the late PSDC president, Harvey Saltzer.

Event Schedule:

Saturday, May 30, 2009:
8:00AM - 11:30AMBoard Meeting
12:30PM - 2:30PMSpeaker - Blake and Jen Freking Jedeye Siberians/Manitou Crossing Kennels
3:00PM - 4:30PMGeneral Membership Meeting
6:00PMHospitality Hour w/ cash bar
7:00PM - 9:00PMDinner, Awards Ceremony

Entry and Event Fees:

Sorry, but we cannot accept foreign currency. All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

EventFee
Speaker$15.00
Child Dinner (under 12)No Cost
Adult Dinner$27.00
Child Dinner & Speaker$20.00
Adult Dinner & Speaker$35.00
Vendor Space$25.00

Event Organizers:

Chris Bannister
Address: 121 Marysville Rd., North East, MD 21901
Phone: (763) 229-2294
E-mail Address: xtremeweather@comcast.net
Kennel: Xtreme Weather Kennels
Web Site: http://www.xtremeweather.net/

Event Information:

Event Registration Notes:

When making room reservations - you must say you are with PSDC for the discounted rates. The phone number is (570) 454-2494. The special room rate for PSDC members is $85.00 + tax for up to 2 people.

Auction:

The Bannisters and the Molburgs are putting together a raffle basket - "Everything's Coming Up Cherries" - the basket will include brandied cherries, cherry wine, chocolate-covered cherries, cherry preserves and anything else cherry we can find. Tickets will be $1 each, 6 for $5. Drawing at end of awards banquet.

Vendors:
Gag Awards:

If you have any "nominations" for gag awards, please contact Liz Stanaitis via musherette@verizon.net or Carolyn Appleton via knegakennel@comcast.net.

Food:
Dinner:

Buffet with choice of one of three entrees, beef, chicken or fish.

Question & Answers e-mail: Chris Bannister, xtremeweather@comcast.net

Race Registrar:

Nancy Molburg
Address: 2842 Butternut Rd, Tyrone, PA 16686-3501
Phone: (814) 684-3594
E-mail Address: arcticstarsleds@yahoo.com
Web Site: http://www.arcticstarsleds.com/

Deadline to register is Friday, May 22, 2009. Registration can be done at event with a $15.00 late fee.

Make checks payable to the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club or (PSDC).

Documents Available for Download:

Directions to the Event:

You can click this link to visit Google Maps to get directions to the race site (site address is preloaded). This is the recommended method to get directions, unless you have a GPS you can use with the coordinates below.

Directions are also available from the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites Website, at http://www.genettiinnandsuites.com/hotel-information.htm.

To use your GPS or electronic instruments to find the way for you enter the coordinates: 40.984022N, 75.980680W

From I-81:

Take EXIT 155 toward Dorrance, follow .2 miles, turn slight left to take the ramp toward PA-309, and Turn left onto Blue Ridge Trl. Follow for .3 miles. Turn right onto S Main Rd and follow for .7 miles. Turn slight right onto N Hunter Hwy/PA-309/Wilkes Barre-Hazelton Hwy. Continue to follow PA-309 S for 7.4 mi. End at 1441 N Church St Hazleton, PA. Hotel is on the left.

Onsite Lodging:

Details about the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites is available at http://www.genettiinnandsuites.com/. The phone number is (570) 454-2494. The special room rate for PSDC members is $85.00 + tax for up to 2 people.