Unofficial
Executive Committee
 Meeting Minutes
as submitted by
Secretary Bob Zeller

Minutes of Trail of Tears Group Executive Committee meeting, August 27^th 2002

Meeting was convened at about 6:30 p.m. at the home of Alan Journet and Kathy Conway.  Present were Brian Alworth, Kathy Conway, Frank Dieteker, Alan Journet, Gloria Kiehne, Bill Mallonee, Shiela Pardee, Kristin Smith, and Robert Zeller.

Group Representative to the Chapter Executive Committee Brian Alworth reported that the state Executive and Conservation Committees would be meeting in Cape Girardeau September 14-15.  He noted that we need to arrange for a meeting place, a potluck dinner, and accommodations for people who would be spending Friday and/or Saturday night in town.

Journet said he would arrange for a room on campus to use as a meeting place.  The potluck will be held the evening of September 14 at Journet and Conway’s.  The following people said they had space available to put up varying numbers of visitors: Journet and Conway, Kiehne, Dieteker, Mallonee and Pardee, and Zeller.

Alworth also reported that the state campout would be held Oct. 11-13 at Camp Pinoak.

As treasurer, he also reported that the chapter account currently has a balance of $1,341. Given the absence of an income from Fair St. Louis this year, Alworth also encouraged members to buy more 2003 Sierra Calendars this Holiday Season.

Alan Journet reported that Percy Schmeiser, a Canadian farmer currently engaged in a legal battle with Monsanto, will be touring the state with the Green Party’s Senate candidate.  He will be in Cape Girardeau Sept. 21 to speak at the Great Wall Restaurant from 11:00 to 1:00.  It was decided not to host a separate event for him, but to encourage people to attend and to notify Mike Brown, proprietor of Natural Health, because of his interest in GM foods issues.  Journet volunteered to do this.

He also reported that a couple who will be cycling to D.C. in support of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be in town on Oct. 25.  They would like for people to join them to “travel with them a bit.”  They would also like to do a slide presentation.  Various options were discussed, including asking POP to become involved, perhaps having the presentation at noon and perhaps in the evening. Journet will contact POP about this.

He then recounted the story of R. B. Welty, who has been trying to get assistance the Sierra Club in his battle with the NRCS over a wetlands issue.  Journet helped draft a letter to Senator Carnahan.

He then passed around a packet of materials he had received on lead shot, the purpose of which was unclear.

Finally, Journet noted that that the national club will host a workshop for newsletter editors and Webmasters in San Francisco Nov. 22-24.  Journet and Smith discussed going.  Journet said he had replied to the notice but had received no reply in return.

The group then discussed upcoming chapter elections.  The terms of Frank Dieteker and Jan Gieselman are expiring.  Dieteker will run again; Gieselman will not.  Various people were suggested as candidates, and Smith will contact them to see whether they are willing to run.  She will try to get the ballot in the next newsletter, which should appear soon in order to notify members about the state meeting.

Frank Dieteker then began a discussion of upcoming programs and outings.   The following was decided upon:

Oct. 6              float trip to Jack’s Fork
Nov. 7             program—Journet and Conway, Hawai’i slides
Dec. 13            holiday party, location to be determined
Jan. 23             executive committee meeting at Zeller’s
Feb.                 trip to Eagle Days at Mingo, date to be determined
Mar. 8              hike, location to be determined

The meeting adjourned about 8:30.

Robert Zeller, group secretary