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DAIRYLAND WALKERS MONTHLY MEETING MONONA TERRACE CONVENTION CENTER JUNE 11, 2002  Officers Present:  Jerry Wilson (Co-President); Bob and Jo Sparks (Co-Vice Presidents); Russ Crane (Treasurer); Karen Reger (Secretary); Barbara Borde (Member at Large)  In Attendance:  25  Meeting  New Members or First-Time Attendees  Mr. and Mrs. McCrill attended their first meeting.    Meeting Place  Jo indicated that nonprofit groups could meet at Monona Terrace once a year, if some other event is going on at the same time.  Food is not to be brought in, but coffee and cold water were available gratis.   Treasurer's Report  Russ reported that at the last Board meeting, on May 7, the club had a balance of $6,544.79.  For the past month, the club has had no expenses for year-round events.  The present balance, as of today, is $9,629.38, but of that amount, $7,261.82 is earmarked for the Mackinac bus trip.  $2,367.56 is uncommitted.   Secretary's Report  Karen had paper copies of the last general meeting and the last Board meeting for those interested.    Walk Box Coordinators  Bruce Dewey indicated that there was a need for new walk box coordinators.  The Picnic Point walk is the one most in need of a new coordinator.  It's a fairly easy job, giving Bruce the totals at the end of each quarter, and checking the supplies in the box.  This would be a good way to get additional people involved in the club.  The names of walk box coordinators have to be submitted for the Starting Point in August.    Capitol Walk  Jerry has taken over the coordinator duties of the Capitol walk.  He indicated that he left notes in the Capitol walk box explaining about the temporary inconvenience that might be experienced during the Conference of Mayors which will be held in Madison.  The conference will be from this Thursday to early Tuesday morning, and during this time it will not be possible to get near Monona Terrance, the capitol will be closed, and various other places may be closed to the general public for a length of time.  This may also affect the East Side walk as there will be events at Olbrich Gardens.  Mackinac Bus Trip  June Doyle indicated that there are three seats left on the bus.  There is a picture of the bridge in the June/July issue of The American Wanderer.    New Glarus Woods State Park Walk  Jim McMillan reported on the progress of this walk.  It was listed on the agenda as being two days, but it will only be held on one day, August 3.  The walk will start from a city park in New Glarus and go to a state park.    Russ mentioned that when he gets a copy of a walk brochure, he submits more details about the walk on the AVA website.   Middleton Good Neighbor Festival Family Walk  This will be held on August 24, starting from the grounds of the festival located near the high school.  The festival will include a craft show.    Year-rounds and Seasonals  Jerry indicated that we should get out and do our established walks during these great walking days.    Bike Box  The question was asked as to who had the bike box now.  Ed Reid is presently in possession of it, due to the closing of the Williamson Bicycle Works store.    Membership Committee Announcement  Tom Doyle indicated that the AVA is in a financial crisis.  They are trying to find ways to cut costs and raise funds.  From June 1 to September 30 of this year, they are conducting a membership drive (for the national organization).  If you renew or upgrade your own membership during these four months, you will receive special benefits.  Those people who become Associate Lifetime members will receive a New Balance warm-up suit.    (Pam and Jerry Wilson were mentioned in the latest AVA Checkpoint by Jo King, the new Executive Director .)  Slower Walkers  Tom has received calls from a few members on this subject.  Some new walkers have a slower pace and/or would feel more comfortable walking with someone.  It is possible for a walker to do a walk accompanying a slower walker, and then do the walk again at a faster pace, earning two distance credits.    Board Meeting  The next Board meeting will be held on July 10 at the MARC Center on Lien Road.  Anybody is welcome to come to these meetings.  A major topic will be walks for the coming year.    General Meeting  The next general meeting will be on August 14 at the Arboretum.  Since we cannot use the McKay Center, the meeting will be held outdoors at the council ring.  Dress accordingly.    Program  The theme of the program was walking adventures by club members.  First to speak was Bruce Dewey, telling of his trip to Hawaii, island hopping in Massachusetts (Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard), and the Crazy Horse walk in South Dakota.    Ed Reid showed slides of Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina.  This is the biggest house in the U.S., with 250 rooms.    Bob and Jo Sparks showed slides of a trip they took in the U.S. in January and February.  In between bridge tournaments, they finished off the lower 48 and now have only Alaska left to complete their 50-state goal.    Bonnie Hamer and Barb Borde spoke about their trip to Florabama in February on Presidents Day weekend.  Four other Dairyland Walkers went down also (Gwen Kraemer, Bruce Dewey, Tom Doyle, Ed Reid).  There were a lot of events packed into the weekend.    Barb Borde spoke about a walk she had done in Minneapolis.    The meeting adjourned at 8:40.    Submitted by Karen Reger.