Section Spring AGM Meeting - May 13, 2009

According to reports received, 17 members were present for the Section Spring AGM Meeting, held in Saskatoon at Amigo's. A few items to report from that meeting:

At the time of the meeting, there was discussion about the upcoming move for the Section's website. By now, of course, the move has happened and we're considering changes and updates to the appearance and functionality of the website. We hope to have a few of those changes ready in the not-too-distant future. One item being discussed is how to post information from Section meetings. For the time being, we will probably just write up a summary as a blog post, like this one.

A reminder: The Section's website is found here.

Our developing photo archive is found on Picasa. Contact us if you have Section-related photos that would be of interest.

Activities, both past and upcoming, were discussed. Given the popularity of the Ice-Climbing weekend, there was talk about offering a second event. This idea will be explored as there are a number of practical considerations that need to be worked out. The XC Ski evenings were impacted by the unfavourable weather this past winter, but there are plans to tempt fate once again and organize similar events this coming winter. Social nights were poorly attended and, given the cost of room rental, etc., there seems little point in trying to continue with them. Climbing night hasn't been well attended either, but it has no cost implications for the Club so they will probably be continued. A backcountry ski trip at Roger's Pass had to be canceled because of avalanche hazards. The Summer Mountaineering Camp is going ahead and appears to be fully booked. Since the meeting, the per-person costs have been determined and the final participant list is being organized.

There was a report about the two Banff Mountain Film Festival screenings held a few months ago. The previous blog entry noted the success of both events.

The Urban Adventure Race is going ahead - information has been posted on the Section website for some time now.

The Prairie Pitch Adventure Race will be organized by J2 Adventures for this coming fall. There will be a discussion later in the year to consider what should happen after that.

Watch for information about an upcoming photo competition.

Section membership is holding pretty steady at somewhat just over 100. Executive members were asked to consider ways to attract more members and how to get new members involved.

Finally, some executive members are investigating leadership development options and looking into resources and information from the National Club.

As always, the Section exec is happy to receive comments and/or suggestions from other members. We hope to have our new e-mail lists and contact e-mail addresses available soon, once we get them set up at our new webhost's locations. Watch for information about this.

Film Festival Results

The Sask Section hosted two screenings of the Best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival this year. Both were successful.

In January, the location was Saskatoon's TCU Place. According to the report discussed at the last Section meeting, attendance was nearly 800. Plans for the next Film Festival, probably next January, will be starting up soon.

At the end of April, the Regina people hosted another show. The venue there is much smaller, although it IS free! The theatre at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum was filled to capacity at just over 300. The same location will be used for next year's showing, although there is a search for a larger venue to meet the apparent growth in demand.

Good to hear that both events were successful and looking forward to next year's shows. Thanks to all the many volunteers and sponsors who, once again, made this event possible.

The Times They Are A-changin'

It's been a few years, but the Saskatchewan Section is about to undergo some changes to it's "web presence".

As of June 1st, our website is being hosted on a different server, one powered by 100% green power. We have decided that it's probably a good time to do a website makeover. We're trying out ways to include our blog posts as well as other blogs of possible interest, also links to the beginnings of more photo albums and a possible host of other improvements.

So, for the next little while, bear with us as we start the design process and put those changes into effect. In the meantime, we hope you find our "welcome page" more informative. If you have suggestions that we might be able to include, contact the web guyz at webmaster@accsask.ca

A Century of CAJs on DVD

The ACC's recently completed DVD entitled Ever Upward: A Century of Canadian Alpine Journals has been produced and sent to members who subscribed to the 2007 Canadian Alpine Journal.

The DVD is available through our online store and you will find a link to purchase it on this webpage too.

More information about the DVD is on the ACC's website at:
http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/news/EverUpward.html

Back in the Rockies

by Dave McCormick

I managed to arrange a trip to Calgary to coincide with the ACC's Board Meeting on May 1 & 2. Since I moved to the Koots and handed over the Board Rep position, I hadn't managed to attend an ACC meeting in Canmore in over 2 years.

The main purpose of the trip was to have a planning discussion with the ACC's maintenance people about the upcoming Hut maintenance projects and what they would need for volunteer help. Members and others should know that the ACC has quite a number of volunteers who help out on various alpine hut maintenance projects each season. If you haven't ever been involved in this way, you might want to consider it. Past projects have involved complete hut rebuilds to log replacements to painting, roof repairs, interior makeovers, exterior painting, and so on. The Club provides the food and refreshments and often a helicopter ride in to the worksite. All of this and the opportunity to spend a few days working with other interested, talented volunteers and staff makes the personal effort very worthwhile.

I also have to point out the snow that was still plastering most of the mountains around Canmore. In the photo above you will see snow on Yamnuska almost down to the parking lot. It was still a ways away from spring here. Some of my old favourites like Heart Mtn, Baldy, Yam, the 3 Sisters and Rundle had more snow than there was at times during the winter.

I also sat in on part of the Board meeting just to catch up on what's been happening recently. We expect a report on the meeting highlights shortly. All in all, it was a good trip back out to the Rockies and I actually felt a bit of nostalgia seeing all the old, familiar "hills". It was good to visit with friends and catch up on the news and I hope it won't be as long until the next time.