IOU Meeting Notes 2/20/06
The February 20th meeting was held at Hard Back Café in the West Des Moines Public Library at 7:00 pm. We were pleased to see several new faces at our meeting! The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Next Meeting will be March 20th at 7:00 pm at the Hard Back Cafe in the West Des Moines Public Library. April meeting will be held at the library as well. We will begin out meetings ourdoors in May.
Meetings:
Hard Back Cafe: March 20th and April 17th at 7:00
Grays Lake Pennisula near the swimming beach: May 15th
Announcements
2006 Membership Dues: Membership dues are $10 per person and due now. Paying members will receive our 2005 photo yearbook on CD. As a new policy in 2006, individuals must pay their dues in order to go on any IOU-sponsored overnight trips.
IOU Blogs: Our blogs have been updated. See http://www.iowaoutdoorunlimited.blogspot.com/ for trip reports. Meeting minutes are now being posted on http://www.iouminutes.blogspot.com/.
IOU Web page: Be sure to check out the photos and calendar of events on our website http://www.iowaoutdoorunlimited.com/. Registered users may post events to the calendar, including events coordinated by other outdoors groups. You can register on the site.
Next Meeting: 7:00 pm, March 20th, 2006 at the Hard Back Café in the West Des Moines Public Library. The WDM Library is located at 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy.
Topics for Next Meeting: We will work on spring and summer event planning at our March meeting. Please email calendar items or ideas for events in advance to iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com. We will need to know applicable details such as who is chairing the event, contact information, event dates, registration dates, number of people required or limited to, estimate of costs, etc. This year we would really like to encourage more people to chair events and to network with other outdoors groups that are coordinating events.
Trip and Event Reports
IOU Skiing at Mount Kato… On February 3-4, six IOU members traveled to Mankato, Minnesota for a day of downhill skiing. It was a great practice run for those going to Colorado, and despite the frigid wind chill, the skiers were able to stay warm and enjoy themselves.
IOU Colorado Trip… On February 9-12, 16 IOU members traveled to Keystone, Colorado for a weekend of downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating. To make the trip economical, the group rented three vans, shared a condo, and cooked their meals. It was a great success!
Old Business
2005 Year-End Report: Sara Hollerich reported that IOU had 24 dues-paying members in 2005. We have already exceeded that number for 2006! Last year, dues went towards initial administrative costs and the purchase of some camping equipment (a first aid kit and picnic gear). Dues are also used to pre-pay for campsites and permit reservations.
New Business
Service day for Polk County Conservation Board at Yellow Banks Park... Melissa Ritter is coordinating an IOU service day at Yellow Banks Park and is looking for volunteers. We will be cleaning up the park's hike-in campsites. The event will probably be in April, and if the weather cooperates, we may be camping out. Sign up at our March meeting or email iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com.
IOU Policy Committee Needed... As we are now over a year old, IOU needs to begin developing some policies for several topics including: driving to events, planning trips and events, website, dues, etc. If you would like to help work on the policies, please email iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com.
IOU Partnerships Needed... IOU is looking to network and build relationships with other outdoor groups around Des Moines. If you belong to any other outdoors clubs or have contacts in other clubs, please share your contacts, websites, event calendars, or emails with IOU. Please email iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com.
IOU Upcoming Trips and Events
IOU Dodgeball at Skate North... Sundays 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Scott Murphy is looking to put together a team of 6. Registration is $25 per person. The league goes for about 6 weeks. Contact Scott at smootermuff@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up.
IOU Cross-country skiing in Wisconsin... This event has been cancelled but may be rescheduled for late fall.
IOU Volleyball... May 7. Scott Murphy would like to know if anyone is interested in playing in a volleyball tournament at the Asian Heritage Festival. Contact Scott at smootermuff@yahoo.com if you are interested.
IOU Camping, Climbing, etc. at Devils Lake... June 2-4. IOU will be taking another trip to Devils Lake State Park in Wisconsin. Devils Lake offers many outdoors activities including camping, climbing, hiking, and paddling. This trip is limited to 12 people and is currently open for sign up. Sign up by emailing iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com. A $50 deposit is due upon sign up.
IOU Biking in RAGBRAI... July 23-29. Lee Hill has researched the possibility of having an IOU RAGBRAI team. He will be creating an IOU team, so anyone interested can then sign up online by the April 1 deadline. The team size is unlimited, but we would need one support-vehicle driver at all times during the week and additional drivers to transport bikes and people to the start and finish lines. Team members can expect to bike 50-80 miles per day. The cost will be approximately $90 per person plus food and gas money. Food can cost $8-$20 per day. Contact Lee at lee.hill@att.net if you are interested. IOU Paddling in Boundary Waters... Aug. 6-12. Mike Coonan has picked at entry point (#30) and a general route for the Boundary Waters trip. The trip will be limited to 18 people and 8 watercraft. Trip details, projected costs, and sign up will be coming in April. A $50 deposit is due upon sign up.
IOU Loess Hills and DeSoto NWR... TBD in June. Tim and Anna Whipple will be organizing a trip to the Loess Hills and DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge on the Missouri River in June. Details will be provided at the March meeting.
IOU Coralville Dam... TBD in May. Sara Hollerich will be organizing a trip to see fossils near the Coralville Dam in May. Details will be provided at the March meeting.
Other Opportunities
"Wild Edibles" Workshop through Polk County Conservation Board... April 22, 9am – 5pm at Jester Park Lodge. This is a popular workshop about how to live off the land. Spend a day foraging for wild edibles, including greens, flowers, shoot vegetables, roots, tubers, and mushrooms. Identification, habitat, conservation, harvest methods, and preparation will be discussed. Participants will have the chance to get some hands-on collecting experience along with instruction, and at the end of the day we will prepare a delicious meal from things we have gathered. Registration is $25 and space is limited. Pre-registration is required and the deadline is April 7. Bring a sack lunch. Sign up by calling 515-323-5300.
Focus Group for Iowa Conservationist Magazine... Iowa DNR is looking for people to participate in a focus group. They want ideas, opinions, insights and suggestions for a formal review process for Iowa Conservationist Magazine. They want to gather input from people who participate in outdoor activities in Iowa (boating, kayaking, hiking, climbing, cross-country skiing, camping, cycling, and canoeing). The next meeting will be March 9th (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. You will be paid $50 for your time. To register email Michelle Yeoman at MYeoman@Selzerco.com or call 1-888-509-5700. Participation is limited. They need more people in the 20 to 40 year old age range.
Challenge Course Facilitators at Camp Sacagawea... The Girl Scouts are looking for challenge course facilitators. Training will be held in May. For details, contact Emily Vaughn at eev23@hotmail.com.
Saylorville Eagle Watch... Feb. 26, noon – 4pm at Saylorville Visitor's Center. There will be several sites to view eagles on Saylorville Lake. Call 515-276-4656 for details.
Next Meeting will be March 20th at 7:00 pm at the Hard Back Cafe in the West Des Moines Public Library. April meeting will be held at the library as well. We will begin out meetings ourdoors in May.
Meetings:
Hard Back Cafe: March 20th and April 17th at 7:00
Grays Lake Pennisula near the swimming beach: May 15th
Announcements
2006 Membership Dues: Membership dues are $10 per person and due now. Paying members will receive our 2005 photo yearbook on CD. As a new policy in 2006, individuals must pay their dues in order to go on any IOU-sponsored overnight trips.
IOU Blogs: Our blogs have been updated. See http://www.iowaoutdoorunlimited.blogspot.com/ for trip reports. Meeting minutes are now being posted on http://www.iouminutes.blogspot.com/.
IOU Web page: Be sure to check out the photos and calendar of events on our website http://www.iowaoutdoorunlimited.com/. Registered users may post events to the calendar, including events coordinated by other outdoors groups. You can register on the site.
Next Meeting: 7:00 pm, March 20th, 2006 at the Hard Back Café in the West Des Moines Public Library. The WDM Library is located at 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy.
Topics for Next Meeting: We will work on spring and summer event planning at our March meeting. Please email calendar items or ideas for events in advance to iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com. We will need to know applicable details such as who is chairing the event, contact information, event dates, registration dates, number of people required or limited to, estimate of costs, etc. This year we would really like to encourage more people to chair events and to network with other outdoors groups that are coordinating events.
Trip and Event Reports
IOU Skiing at Mount Kato… On February 3-4, six IOU members traveled to Mankato, Minnesota for a day of downhill skiing. It was a great practice run for those going to Colorado, and despite the frigid wind chill, the skiers were able to stay warm and enjoy themselves.
IOU Colorado Trip… On February 9-12, 16 IOU members traveled to Keystone, Colorado for a weekend of downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating. To make the trip economical, the group rented three vans, shared a condo, and cooked their meals. It was a great success!
Old Business
2005 Year-End Report: Sara Hollerich reported that IOU had 24 dues-paying members in 2005. We have already exceeded that number for 2006! Last year, dues went towards initial administrative costs and the purchase of some camping equipment (a first aid kit and picnic gear). Dues are also used to pre-pay for campsites and permit reservations.
New Business
Service day for Polk County Conservation Board at Yellow Banks Park... Melissa Ritter is coordinating an IOU service day at Yellow Banks Park and is looking for volunteers. We will be cleaning up the park's hike-in campsites. The event will probably be in April, and if the weather cooperates, we may be camping out. Sign up at our March meeting or email iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com.
IOU Policy Committee Needed... As we are now over a year old, IOU needs to begin developing some policies for several topics including: driving to events, planning trips and events, website, dues, etc. If you would like to help work on the policies, please email iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com.
IOU Partnerships Needed... IOU is looking to network and build relationships with other outdoor groups around Des Moines. If you belong to any other outdoors clubs or have contacts in other clubs, please share your contacts, websites, event calendars, or emails with IOU. Please email iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com.
IOU Upcoming Trips and Events
IOU Dodgeball at Skate North... Sundays 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Scott Murphy is looking to put together a team of 6. Registration is $25 per person. The league goes for about 6 weeks. Contact Scott at smootermuff@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up.
IOU Cross-country skiing in Wisconsin... This event has been cancelled but may be rescheduled for late fall.
IOU Volleyball... May 7. Scott Murphy would like to know if anyone is interested in playing in a volleyball tournament at the Asian Heritage Festival. Contact Scott at smootermuff@yahoo.com if you are interested.
IOU Camping, Climbing, etc. at Devils Lake... June 2-4. IOU will be taking another trip to Devils Lake State Park in Wisconsin. Devils Lake offers many outdoors activities including camping, climbing, hiking, and paddling. This trip is limited to 12 people and is currently open for sign up. Sign up by emailing iowaoutdoorunlimited@yahoo.com. A $50 deposit is due upon sign up.
IOU Biking in RAGBRAI... July 23-29. Lee Hill has researched the possibility of having an IOU RAGBRAI team. He will be creating an IOU team, so anyone interested can then sign up online by the April 1 deadline. The team size is unlimited, but we would need one support-vehicle driver at all times during the week and additional drivers to transport bikes and people to the start and finish lines. Team members can expect to bike 50-80 miles per day. The cost will be approximately $90 per person plus food and gas money. Food can cost $8-$20 per day. Contact Lee at lee.hill@att.net if you are interested. IOU Paddling in Boundary Waters... Aug. 6-12. Mike Coonan has picked at entry point (#30) and a general route for the Boundary Waters trip. The trip will be limited to 18 people and 8 watercraft. Trip details, projected costs, and sign up will be coming in April. A $50 deposit is due upon sign up.
IOU Loess Hills and DeSoto NWR... TBD in June. Tim and Anna Whipple will be organizing a trip to the Loess Hills and DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge on the Missouri River in June. Details will be provided at the March meeting.
IOU Coralville Dam... TBD in May. Sara Hollerich will be organizing a trip to see fossils near the Coralville Dam in May. Details will be provided at the March meeting.
Other Opportunities
"Wild Edibles" Workshop through Polk County Conservation Board... April 22, 9am – 5pm at Jester Park Lodge. This is a popular workshop about how to live off the land. Spend a day foraging for wild edibles, including greens, flowers, shoot vegetables, roots, tubers, and mushrooms. Identification, habitat, conservation, harvest methods, and preparation will be discussed. Participants will have the chance to get some hands-on collecting experience along with instruction, and at the end of the day we will prepare a delicious meal from things we have gathered. Registration is $25 and space is limited. Pre-registration is required and the deadline is April 7. Bring a sack lunch. Sign up by calling 515-323-5300.
Focus Group for Iowa Conservationist Magazine... Iowa DNR is looking for people to participate in a focus group. They want ideas, opinions, insights and suggestions for a formal review process for Iowa Conservationist Magazine. They want to gather input from people who participate in outdoor activities in Iowa (boating, kayaking, hiking, climbing, cross-country skiing, camping, cycling, and canoeing). The next meeting will be March 9th (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. You will be paid $50 for your time. To register email Michelle Yeoman at MYeoman@Selzerco.com or call 1-888-509-5700. Participation is limited. They need more people in the 20 to 40 year old age range.
Challenge Course Facilitators at Camp Sacagawea... The Girl Scouts are looking for challenge course facilitators. Training will be held in May. For details, contact Emily Vaughn at eev23@hotmail.com.
Saylorville Eagle Watch... Feb. 26, noon – 4pm at Saylorville Visitor's Center. There will be several sites to view eagles on Saylorville Lake. Call 515-276-4656 for details.
posted by IOU... | 10:31 AM
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