Vermont Mushers Association - Cages Lapin

We define mushing as any dog-powered sport. So whether you have one dog or multiple dogs, and whether they pull sleds, bicycles, wheeled rigs, or anything that rolls, or a skier, roller blader or skate boarders, or even weight pull or pull while you run (cani-cross), you are a musher.

The Vermont Mushers Association was established to:

  1. Unite all those engaging in dog-powered sports in the State of Vermont for the purpose of maintaining and promoting statewide trail privileges,

  2. Disseminate information,

  3. Promote the safe and responsible use of trails,

  4. Speak for and represent the Vermont Mushers Association to other organizations.

The largest contribution you can make to help our state-wide advocacy is to join VTMA and to get other mushers to join.

Please fill out a Membership Form and Questionnaire and send it to our Membership Secretary. We also have a Membership Flyer that you can print out and post at your local vet, feed stores, or other locations to help recruit mushers and cage lapin in your area.

Safety & Etiquette Phamphlet for Mushers

As part of our mission we have created a pamphlet on Trail Safety And Etiquette Guidelines For Mushers. We hope you will download and read this important document.

Message Board

Please visit our Message Board to read or post messages of interest to Vermont mushers.

News

June 15, 2021
There will be several informative meetings of the Friends of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail with a slide show presentation by Kevin Russell about his walk last October of the entire length of the trail. Dates and places for these presentations are:
June 20, 2021, 7 pm
Vermont Studio Center Lowe Llecture Hall, Main Street (Route 15), Johnson Village, across from the Johnson
Woolen Mill
July 19, 2021, 7 pm
Sugar Ridge Campground Recreational Hall, US Rte. 2, Danville
July 26, 2021, 7 pm
Abby Restaurant, Route 105, Sheldon

More information from the Friends is available, as is a flyer about the slide shows.

June 14, 2021
The next meeting of the Board of Directors is on Tuesday, July 11, 2021, 6:00 pm in Room 102, Stanley Hall, Vt. State College, Waterbury, Vt. All interested members are invited.

May 22, 2021
Vermont Mushers Association has been working for a while to help the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail become a reality. The trail, a 96 mile long abandoned railroad bed, runs across Vermont from St. Johnsbury to Swanton. We expect that when complete (and before, as sections become usable) the LVRT will become much-used by mushers. We have made numerous accomplishments to that end, the latest becoming involved with the Friends of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. This newly formed group is working towards completion of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and charged with representing the non-motorized users of the trail. Here is the mission statement: “To support the development, maintenance, and promotion of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail as a public resource offering a tranquil and scenic year-round multi-use recreation and transportation corridor; and especially to represent the interests of non-motorized trail users.”

We urge all mushers to join the new group by filling out and mailing a membership form. Dues are $10 for individuals.

Meeting Minutes

BOARD MEETING JANUARY 17, 2021

Meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm. Present were Gail Breslauer. Red Goodman, Ken Haggett and Joan Neely

Gail motioned to accept the previous minutes as corrected. Ken seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Gail reported that we have $702.54. Joan moved to accept the report. Ken seconded. Motion carried.

Make-A-Wish: Bryant Watson needs to clarify some of the details for the newspaper ads.

Some board members will continue to participate in the forming of the non-motorized friends of LVRT.

Trail Design: The Board feels it should make guidelines for safe dog sledding for all the trails with which it will be involved. The Trails and Greenways Council already has such guidelines in place.

We are getting hits on the website. If information is posted on the BBoard, it will be moved to the trails page.

There was brief discussion as to whether we should meet every other month. Also about what to bring to the fundraiser - chairs, tables, cones, brchures, etc.

Ken moved to adjourn the meeting. Gail seconded. Motion carried. Meetong adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Joan Neely

BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2020

The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm. Present were Gail Breslauer, Red Goodman, Ken Haggett, and Joan Neely. Gail moved that we pass the minutes for the last meeting. Ken seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: We presently have a balance of $702.54. Follow up calls will be made to people who have expressed interest in the club. Ken moved that we accept the report.
.Joan seconded. Motion carried.

Website: Gail moved that we limit the VTMA Bulletin Board to messages of interest to Vermont mushers. Please no classified ads or dog sales. They will not be accepted. Joan seconded. Motion carried.

Rob’s resignation: Rob Farley’s letter was read. Red will formally accept the resignation from the Board in letter form and thank him for his service. We will try to find a replacement for him. Ken moved we accept the letter.Gail seconded. Motion carried.

Make a Wish: Discussion of logistics. We will meet with Bryant Watson before the fundraiser . Gail was told by her local snowmobile club that the Trail Safely flyer was well received by the VAST Washington County members at their meeting.

Joan moved we adjourn the meeting. Gail seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Joan Neely

BOARD MEETING NOV. 3RD, 2020

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm. In attendance were Red Goodman, Gail Breslauer, Ken Haggett and Joan Neely.

Ken moved to accept the previous meeting minutes. Gail seconded. Motion carried.

The minutes for the August 23rd meeting are missing.

Ken moved that we accept the minutes for the Annual Meeting as corrected. Gail seconded. Motion carried.

Membership and Treasurer’s Report: Since the October meeting we have three new members. Joan moved to accept the report. Ken seconded. Motion carried.

Make a Wish: A small group ot VTMA members will participate in the event. Saturday is the preferred day. There were errors in the VAST newsletter concerning our part in the event. Red will talk to VAST about this and hope to resolve the matter. Maybe VAST will consider talking to NESDC about the possibilities of NESDC organizing a race in the future.

Logistics: Red said he would talk to VAST about the following: Will our rides be auctioned off to raise money and will VAST do this for us? Should we have everyone sign a waiver before taking a ride? Would it be all right for us to give rides from about 10:00 to 2:00?

Ken moved to adjourn the meeting. Gail seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Joan Neely

Board Meeting October 11, 2020

In attendance were: Red Goodman,Gail Breslauer, Rob Farley, Ken Haggett, and Joan Neely

Meeting began at 6:10 pm

Officers Report: There were no minutes from the last meeting

Membership and Treasurer: Rob will check with Melissa and Bruce concerning the 50/50 raffle, payment for food, etc. Was everyone properly reimbursed.

Rob moved to reimburse Red and Gail for expenses made for VTMA. Ken seconded. Motion carried

Ken moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Rob seconded. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:
NESDC meeting on Sept. 18 was sparsely attended. We joined as a group for $50.

Kingdom trails in East Burke would like VTMA members to use their trails.

Make a Wish Fundraiser: Much discussion about what might be done and who would do what. Rob will formalize a letter to mushers asking for help.

Website: VT Mushers.org. Members may have individual email addresses here.

Rob expressed an interest in having more responsibility. There was much discussion on the subject. Hopefully it will resolve itself in the near future.

Ken moved that we adjourn. Gail seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:30

Respectfully submitted,
Joan Neely

2nd ANNUAL MEETING
VERMONT MUSHERS ASSOCIATION
September 11, 2020
Eden Mountain Lodge, Eden, VT

Pot Luck & Barbecue 11: -12:30, followed by Annual Meeting, 50/50 Drawing and Raffle

Meeting called to order at 1:15 pm

In attendance: Ken Haggett, Rob Farley, Bruce Linton, Melissa Stavola, Red Goodman, Peter and Nick Lussier, Susan and David Gallagher, Ingrid Bower, Joe St Marie, Amanda Poquette, Laura and Jeremy Bedortha, Lise La Porte, Emily Inoue, Steve Long, James Calloway.

Red asked for someone to move to accept the minutes from the last annual meeting a motion was made that we accept the minutes and was seconded. Motion carried

Red spoke of the accomplishments of the Board of Directors: Need more members just to have a voice.

We published flyers for safety. We joined VT Trails and Greenways federal grant money must go to multi-user projects of forest, parks, and recreation and from there get dispersed, Trails on private lands may apply. We need to lobby for our use.

On the Rails to Project: Bernie Sanders says he has no longer a say. However we need to work on access for us. So far there is not enough money for much development. We need more voices so there well be more money. There are concerns about width of rail bed and roughness of surface. Vast hopefully will take the lead here.

Home Owners Insurance: Some do not discriminate if you have lots of dogs.

Report of the Secretary: We have 26 Vermont members, 4 out of state and two groups (NH Mushers Association and NESDC). The report was presented by Red
in Gail’s absence. A motion was made and carried.

Sept 30th is the end of the 2004 - 2020 membership year. The 2020 - 2021 membership year begins on Oct 1. Renewals and new memberships will be accepted at any time.

Treasurer’s Report: We have $305 as of now with some outstanding bills. At the end of the month, we will have $240 after disbursements are made, plus income from
new and renewal of memberships. The report was presented by Red in Gail’s absence. A motion was made and passed moved and seconded passed.

Trail Committee Report: Ken Haggett, Chairperson: “Where do you run?” Ken provided a map for people to mark their trails; His projects include VASA meetings, mapping, conservation land in Elmore, Lamoille Rails to Trails project, joining the steering committee if he can, carriage roads. Real estate developers do not want this. Ingrid has access to old maps that may prove helpful in conserving these roads for recreational purposes. Becca suggested we contact Agency of Transportation re: land lease rules. A public meeting of Lamoille Rails to Trails Sept 29th, at Hillary’s Restaurant, Morrisville, 7-9 pm.

Database for trails Rob: Equestrian Association access in Hinesburg and Groton. Mountain biking also. Ken contacted Catamount trails - can we use these trails that are not used by others?

VASA’s use of trails for ATV mushers. Can we use their trails in winter?

Adoption of bylaws: Motion carried: Who made the motion, Who seconded, discussion, corrections - passed, etc.

Election of Officers: The board of Directors presented the following slate of officers: President - Red Goodman, Vice President - Ken Haggett, Treasurer, Rob Farley, Corresponding Secretary - Gail Breslauer, Recording secretary - Joan Neely Motion carried unanimously. etc.

New Business:

Weight pull at the Three Stallion Inn in Randolph, VT Nov 12 $ 13th Sept 18th Shelburne Museum Goes to the dogs at Shelburne Museum. Craftsbury Race on Jan 21, 2021 needs people to help out. Ingrid asked for volunteers for positions of responsibility.

Thanks to Jim Blair for the use of his place for our Annual Meeting.

Meeting was moved to adjourn and was seconded—
Meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Joan Neely

Bylaws of Vermont Mushers Association, Inc.

Approved by the Board of Directors
Sept. 9, 2005

Article 1. Name
The name of the Corporation shall be “Vermont Mushers Association, Inc.”

Article 2. Purposes
The Vermont Mushers Association was established to:

  1. Unite all those engaging in dog-powered sports in the State of Vermont for the purpose of maintaining and promoting statewide trail privileges,
  2. Disseminate information,
  3. Promote the safe and responsible use of trails,
  4. Speak for and represent the Vermont Mushers Association to other organizations.

Article 3: Office
The mailing address for the registered office of the corporation shall be Vermont Mushers Association, Post Office Box 514, Waitsfield, VT 05673. 11B V.S.A. § 5.02.

Article 4: Members

Section 1. Membership.
A person engaging in dog-powered sports may become a member of the corporation by completing the following: (1) paying the annual membership fee and (2) completing an application form. An organization may become an organizational member by paying the annual organizational membership fee. 11B V.S.A.§ 6.01.

Section 2. Voting Rights.
Each individual member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. 11B V.S.A. § 6.20& 7.21. Organizational members shall have no vote.

Section 3. Termination of Membership.
The board of directors, by affirmative vote of two thirds of all the members of the board, may suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing, and, by a majority vote of those present and voting at any regularly constituted meeting, may terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel any member who shall be in default in the payment of dues for the period. The process shall be carried out in good faith. At least 15 days prior written notice shall be given to the member to be expelled, suspended, or terminated. Said notice shall state the reasons for the action, and shall give the member an opportunity to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five days before the effective date of the proposed expulsion, suspension, or termination, so as to allow the board of directors sufficient time to decide whether the action shall take place. Written notice of the proposed action shall be given by first class or certified mail and sent to the member’s last address. 11B V.S.A. § 6.31.

Section 4. Resignation.
Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the corresponding secretary, but such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other charges accrued and unpaid. 11B V.S.A. § 6.30.

Section 5. Reinstatement.
On written request signed by a former member and filed with the secretary, the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board, may reinstate a member to membership on such terms as the board of directors may deem appropriate.

Section 6. Annual Meeting.
The annual meeting of the members shall be held in September in each year, at a time to be determined, for the purpose of electing directors and officers for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the election of directors is not held on that day, the board of directors shall call a special meeting of the members as soon thereafter as is convenient. The meeting shall be held at the registered office, unless some other place is specified in the annual meeting notice. It shall be held in Vermont. 11B V.S.A. § 7.01.

Section 7. Special Meetings.
The corporation shall hold a special meeting of members on call of its board or the person or persons authorized to do so by these bylaws; or if the holders of at least five percent of the voting members, with a minimum of 5 members, in good standing sign, date, and deliver to any officer one or more written demands for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held. 11B V.S.A. § 7.02.

Section 8. Place of meeting.
The board of directors may designate any place within the State of Vermont as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of directors.

Section 9. Notice of Meeting.
Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be made in by email or telephone, whichever is more convenient, at least two days in advance of said meeting. 11B V.S.A. § 7.05.

Section 10. Quorum.
At least one-tenth of the total number of members, with a minimum of 10 members, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members. If less than one-tenth of the members is represented at a meeting, a majority of the members so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. 11B V.S.A. § 7.22.

Section 11. Proxies.
At all meetings of members, a member may vote by proxy. 11B V.S.A. § 7.24.

Section 12. Voting.
Any action that is proper for a special meeting may be conducted by written ballot in lieu of a meeting. 11B V.S.A. § 7.08. In the election of directors, cumulative voting shall not be permitted. 11B V.S.A. § 7.25.

Section 13. Rules.
Meetings of members shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (1990). 11B V.S.A. § 2.06(b).

Article 5. Board of Directors

Section 1. Powers.
The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by the board of directors. 11B V.S.A. § 8.01. The board may appoint committees for any purpose, including an executive committee that may exercise any of the authority of the board. 11B V.S.A. § 8.25.

Section 2. Number, Tenure, and Qualifications.
The board of directors of the Corporation shall consist of five to eight members. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of members, and the term of office of each director shall be for three years, ending at the annual meeting of the members and the election and qualification of his or her successor. Directors must be residents of Vermont and must be members of the Corporation at the time of their election. 11B V.S.A. § 8.02& 8.04.

Section 3. Regular Meetings.
A regular meeting of the board of directors shall be held without notice other than this bylaw immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of members. The board of directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for holding additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution. Additional regular meetings shall be held at a mutually convenient place in the absence of any designation in the resolution. 11B V.S.A. § 8.20.

Section 4. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the president or any two directors, and shall be held at such place as the directors may determine. 11B V.S.A. § 8.20.

Section 5. Notice.
Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time fixed for the meeting, by written notice, email, or by fax. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, not less than three days prior to the commencement of the above-stated notice period. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. 11B V.S.A. § 8.22& 8.23.

Section 6. Quorum.
A majority of the number of directors fixed in these bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors. Any action consented to in writing by each and every director shall be as valid as if adopted by the board of directors at a duly warned and held meeting of the board, provided such written consent is inserted in the minute book. 11B V.S.A. § 8.24.

Section 7. Voting.
Any action that is proper for a special meeting may be conducted by written ballot in lieu of a meeting. 11B V.S.A. § 8.21.
Section 8. Removal of absent directors.
Directors missing three consecutive regular meetings are deemed removed at the discretion of the board. 11B V.S.A. § 8.08.

Section 9. Vacancies.
Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the board of directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. 11B V.S.A. § 8.11.

Section 10. Fees.
The board of directors shall establish the annual membership fee and other fees as needed to be assessed from the members.

Section 11. Rules.
Meetings of the board of directors shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (1990). 11B V.S.A. § 2.06(b).

Article 6. Officers

Section 1. Number.
The officers of the Corporation shall be a president, vice-president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and a treasurer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary. 11B V.S.A. § 8.40.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office.
The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually at the annual meeting of the members. If the election is not held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon as possible thereafter as is convenient. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, resignation, or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. No person shall hold office for more than three consecutive years. 11B V.S.A. § 2.06(b).

Section 3. Removal.
Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights.

Section 4. Vacancies.
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the board of directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 5. Powers and Duties.
The powers and duties of the several officers shall be as provided from time to time by resolution or other directive of the board of directors. In the absence of such provisions, the respective officers shall have the powers and shall discharge the duties associated with such offices. 11B V.S.A. § 8.40.
a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in the Bylaws.
b) The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President’s absence and perform any other duties specified in the Bylaws and/or the Board of Directors.
d) The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for:

  1. Recording the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and Meetings of the General Membership.
  2. Recording minutes of all meetings of the Board held by mail or other means.
  3. Furnishing copies of all minutes in a form prescribed by the Board of Directors.
  4. Carrying out such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws and/or by the Board of Directors.
    e) The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for:
  5. Supplying prospective applicants with applications and copies of the Bylaws and Trail Safety and Etiquette Guidelines for Mushers.
  6. Notifying members of the time and place of member’s meetings.
  7. Notifying Directors of the time and place of Directors’ meetings.
  8. Conducting all general Club correspondance.
  9. Preparing and mailing all Club materials/newsletters.
  10. Lending as much assistance as possible to committee chairpeople with mailings pertaining to Club business.
  11. Carrying out such other duties as prescribed in these bylaws and/or the Board of Directors.
    f) The Treasurer shall:
  12. Notify members when dues are due.
  13. Collect and receive all monies due to the Club and keep an up-to-date roll of the members in good standing.
  14. Deposit the same in a bank account approved by the Board, in the name of the Club.
  15. Disburse funds necessary to discharge the liabilities of the Club. Such disbursements shall in no event exceed a maximum limit on all expenditures imposed by the Board of Directors. If liabilities are incurred in excess of this maximum limit, prior approval of the Board must be obtained before payment can be made.
  16. Keep the books open to inspection of the Board at all times.
  17. Make the books available for annual audit by direction of the Board.
  18. Report to the Board at every meeting the condition of the Club’s finances and every item of receipt of payment.
  19. Render at the Annual Meeting a written account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year.
  20. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Section 6. Salaries.
The salaries of the officers may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the corporation. There shall be no right to a salary and a salary may not be paid unless the board of directors so orders.

Article 7. Contracts, Loans, Checks, and Deposits

Section 1. Contracts.
The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific business.

Section 2. Loans.
No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the board of directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 3. Checks, Drafts, or Orders.
All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as from time to time shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors.

Section 4. Deposits
All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the board of directors shall select.

Article 8. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be October 1 to September 30, which shall also be the official membership year.

Article 9. Waiver of Notice
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any member or director of the corporation under the provisions of law or these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

Article 10. Amendments
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board; provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be increased or decreased nor shall the provisions of Article 4, concerning the members, be substantially altered without the prior approval of two-thirds of the members. 11B V.S.A. § 2.06.

Article 11. Books and Records
The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of directors and committees having and exercising any of the authority of the board of directors, and shall keep at the principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the members entitled to vote. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by any member, or his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.

Article 12. Dissolution or Sale of Assets
A two-thirds vote of the membership shall be required to sell or mortgage assets of the corporation not in the regular course of business or to dissolve the corporation. 11B V.S.A. § 12.02& 14.02. Upon dissolution of the corporation, any assets remaining after payment of or provision for its debts and liabilities shall, consistent with the purposes of the organization, be paid over to charitable organizations exempt under the provisions of Section 501©(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or corresponding provisions of subsequently enacted federal law. No part of the net assets or net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be paid or distributed to an officer, director, member, employee, or donor of the organization.

Accomplishments of the Board of Directors of VTMA during the first year of organization:

• Organizational set-up:
Creation of Board of Directors with board members taking on the roles of officers, incorporating with the State, opening a checking account, creating bylaws

• Creating a Mission Statement:
The Vermont Mushers Association was established to:

  1. Unite all those engaging in dog-powered sports in the State of Vermont for the purpose
    of maintaining and promoting statewide trail privileges,
  2. Disseminate information,
  3. Promote the safe and responsible use of trails,
  4. Speak for and represent the Vermont Mushers Association to other organizations.

• Writing and producing a pamphlet on Trail Safety & Etiquette Guidelines for Mushers

• Joining the Vt. Trails and Greenways Council and attending meetings

• Alerting the membership about statewide meetings, attending meetings, and providing written and oral testimony on behalf of Vermont mushers to the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), the Green Mtn. National Forest draft service plan for recreation and trail usage in the national forest for the next 10 years, and state plans for ATV regulations

• Meeting with Congressman Bernie Sanders regarding the general economic benefits of mushers to the state and specifically the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

• Following several bills in the legislature with specific potential impacts on Vermont mushers and providing written and oral testimony to legislators and committees:
home insurance and domestic dogs, dog houses & tethers, vicious dog legislation, regulations on puppy mills and the breeding and selling of dogs

• Attempting to set up a bulletin board on Yahoo for communication and feedback

• Beginning dialog with VAST, including talking with some of their officers and directors about mushing, and passing on information on bridge construction that, if followed, may ease use by dog teams

• Presentation to NESDC and NHMA about VTMA and their joining the association

• Travels to both Maine trade fairs to recruit members

• Starting a survey on trails and trail usage statewide

Contacts

Dues are $10 per person annually and may be sent to:
Gail Breslauer, Membership Secretary
P.O. Box 550
Moretown, VT 05660
membership@vtmushers.org
Membership Form, Questionnaire, and a Membership Flyer are available online.

Any question related to trails in the state should be sent to:
Ken Haggett, Vice President
P.O. Box 165
Lake Elmore, VT 05657
trails@vtmushers.org

Any general questions about the Vermont Mushers Association should be directed to:
Red Goodman, President
P.O. Box 514
Waitsfield, VT 05673
president@vtmushers.org

Contact information for other VTMA officers is:
Joan Neely, Recording Secretary
1513 Cole Hill Road
Morrisville, VT 05661

The Board of Directors and Officers of Vermont Mushers Association are:
Red Goodman, President
Ken Haggett, Vice President
Joan Neely, Recording Secretary
Gail Breslauer, Membership Secretary & Treasurer

Message Board

Name: Gail (AtiiSledDogs@madriver.com)
Date: 5/8/2006 10:09:07 AM
Subject: Canicross race in Maine–May 27, 2006
DESDC (the Down East Sled Dog Club) has a message board posting for an upcoming canicross race in Maine on May 27, 2006. (humans running while attached by a towline to their dog(s) who run in front of the human. Dogs wear a working harness–no lead attached to collars. For more info about the race, fees, entry forms, etc. go to the organizer’s site: The main race events (pun intended :-) are the 50k and 25k races–but the organizers are including a 6k cancicross race to help introduce the sport to folks. This is a great way for “newbies” to canicross to see the sport in action, talk to experienced canicross racers, etc. Here’s an excerpt from the original posting I found on a mushing website : “…The start time is set for 9:55am Saturday May 27th at Pineland Farms, 5 minutes before the 25K runners start. … The entry fee is $25 before May 13th after that it will be $35. The link below brings you to the race web site you can print an entry form there; just add to the form that you’re entering the 6K canicross. The entry fee includes the post race BBQ ticket and a t-shirt.” (working harnesses on the dogs, towlines to the human from the harness’ tug loop at the rear)
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Name: Carol Denick (carolvt@together.net)
Date: 5/2/2006 11:04:18 AM
Subject: Ideal Dogsledding property in Eden, VT
We are selling a log home and new post & beam barn in Eden, VT. It has lots of snow and trails on 36+ acres. It’s just one mile from the Long Trail, VAST and Nature Conservancy Land. Eden Mountain Lodge is also nearby where they have dogsledding and skijoring races. It’s really a beautiful place. We’re asking $479,000. Please call us at 802-635-2613 and I will email you pictures!
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Name: Ken (kenhaggett@pshift.com)
Date: 2/2/2006 7:13:13 AM
Subject: Exploring Trails
Anyone interested in finding new trails in Vermont? I would like to get together with other mushers looking for trails in the fifteen to thirty mile range in Vermont. I’m sure they’re out there, it’s just a matter of checking them out to see how runnable they are and I would prefer to go with another musher rather than alone. I have a flexible schedule and can run most any day of the week. Contact me via email at kenhaggett@pshift.com or call 802-888-7733 if interested.
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Name: Becka R. (beckar@NOSPAMFORME.PLEASEREMOVE.sover.net)
Date: 2/1/2006 11:35:04 AM
Subject: Skijor group starting in Montpelier
Exciting news here in the Capitol City! The Onion River Nordic Club (a new group itself) is starting a weekly skijor group to take advantage of Morse Farm ski center allowing dogs on Tues & Wed. Although the nordic club’s website advertises this as a Tuesday event, the details are actually still being worked out. (see http://www.onionrivernordic.org ) Please contact me if you are interested. If you are new to skijoring, I am trying to get a spare harness set to loan. Humans who enjoy dog training, and dogs who like to run are good candidates. I’m a beginner myself, but I’m having fun so far!
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3

Name: Ed Hawkins (auroralight@cox.net)
Date: 1/30/2006 6:57:14 PM
Subject: Yahoo/email based “unofficial” club
There is a new “unofficial” mushing club that has started in the Connecticut area. C.A.R.M.A. (Connecticut Area Recreational Mushers Assoc.) You can find us at www.gotcarma.com There are no dues to join, basically what we are is place where musher’s can learn who is mushing where, thus, giving them an opportunity to go some places new and try new trails, and meet new mushers. This message is not intended to steal members from the NHMA, but a request to have communications between the two groups, to further provide places dates and times that mushers can participate in the sport with other like minded individuals. Thank you Ed Hawkins note to webmaster: If for any reason you find this message of pour taste and choose to delete it, feel free to do so with my appologies in advance.
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Name: Ken Haggett (trails@vtmusher.com)
Date: 12/14/2005 5:55:37 PM
Subject: Trail Information
This is another request for mushers in Vermont to share trail info, good places to run, conditions etc. Not much here in Elmore yet but things may open up if we get some more snow Friday. If VAST opens on schedule there should be some good distance in this area by using the new Lamoille Rail Trail. I’ll try to keep updated notes here on the conditions of this area as well as some upcoming information about staging areas around here. Ken