All Statistics Updated
All the Birchleggings Statistics have been updated. See Membership Lists below.
Birchleggers Club Becoming Non-Profit Organization
We have been discussing the idea of incorporating the Birchleggings Club for several years. When we were a small organization, we did not see a need to rush into it, but we now number over one thousand and, of course, we continue to grow.
There are many advantages and some genuine needs for us to become a non-profit corporation (501 c). First of all, putting together a leadership structure (bylaws, board of directors, officers) will assure our continuity. Secondly, it will give all of you an opportunity to be involved in planning and carrying out projects and activities that we will promote. Also, in order to properly and legally use the money we raise, we need to secure tax-exempt status from the IRS.
To get this ball rolling, we now have a temporary "steering committee" made up of the following volunteers: Dave Balsiger, John Kotar, Ed Eroe, Nona Goertz, Carolyn Senty, Jeanine Evenson, Steve Carmazon, Russ Roberts and Don Becker. This committee will be replaced by a board of directors elected at our first annual membership meeting (date and place to be determined). A seemingly easy, but important, first task for the committee, is to properly frame a statement of our purpose that will not only focus on activities related to the Birkie, but will include a broader mission that will satisfy the IRS requirements for tax-exempt status.
Progress with this task will be posted here on the Birchleggings Club website.
Birchleggers Sponsoring and Funding a Warming Hut on Birkie Trail
Last year, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation board of directors approved a plan to build several equipment storage / warming huts along the trail. Funding was to be raised mainly through sponsorships.
The first hut was built last year at the Boedecker Road crossing. This year a plan was approved for a second hut at the Mosquito Brook Road crossing. Because of good road access and strategic location along the Birkie Trail, this hut will have great appeal to skiers and year-round users.
The Birchleggings Club was presented with an opportunity to solely sponsor and fund this desirable-location hut. This is our first real opportunity to build something tangible and put our name on it. We plan to name it the Birchleggings Hut (with an appropriate rustic and aesthetic sign).
The hut was designed by architect and fellow Birkie skier, Terry Penman. The Birkie Executive Director has given us great leeway in designing the hut and equipping and decorating the interior. Many of you saw the hut while skiing the race this year and we will have additional updates as they happen.