Missoula, Montana
Fort Missoula

The third annual Western Regional Conference of the FFLA proved to be another great success, showing the great strides that have taken place with the organization during the past three years in the western part of the country. The event was held at Fort Missoula, site of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula and the USFS Lolo National Forest and Missoula Ranger District headquarters.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON:

Friday's schedule began with registration at the Museum. Registrants were free to wander about the museum, viewing the museum's lookout display as well as other displays of early Montana life.

The Board of Directors Meeting was held late in the afternoon. During this meeting, the real Montana welcome was provided by Mother Nature. Unbeknownst to those attending the meeting until the lights went out in the windowless meeting area of the museum, a fast moving thunder storm was in progress outside, with lightning, thunder, rain, hail and wind gusts reported up to 65 miles per hour! With the aid of flashlights and light entering thru an opened emergency exit, the meeting continued! Eight chapters were represented at the meeting, with directors from Massachusetts, Virginia/West Virginia, Mid-Atlantic, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alberta chapters present.

John Waverek (Montana) reviewed the conference schedule and had copies of a 2-page feature that had been printed in the Missoula newspaper earlier in the week. John also explained how the Missoula group came about. Local interest in saving the lookouts in the Missoula area led to forming of a small group called the Fire Lookout Association. Later, they learned of the FFLA, and joined, first as a local Missoula chapter, then finally, as the chapter covering most of the state of Montana, but with specific interests in the Missoula area. They plan to adopt up to a dozen lookouts for volunteer maintenance, of which West Fork Butte is the first.

Chapter reports were then given, written reports were received from Bob Spear (NJ) and Dave Lorenz (AZ/NM). The NJ report told of the spring fire activities there, as well as the chapter organization. The AZ/NM report told of 7 members and mentioned the possibility of hosting a conference sometime in the future. Gary Weber (ID) reported 13 paid members and mentioned recent newsletter distribution to most USFS Ranger Districts in the state. Ron Johnson (OR) still has the largest membership with 99, although some are from other states, notably California. Oregon still has 109 lookouts in service, and has 14 rentals. Ray Kresek (WA) reported having 39 members, he mails out about 75 newsletters each time. Washington still has 108 lookouts standing, with 32 of those staffed. The DNR will phase down to 8 from 18 this year.

Four restoration projects are underway. Bob Young (Alberta) reported that there are still 132 lookouts staffed in the province, with the newsletter going to all of them. The oldest lookout tower there is 70 years old, plans are underway toward restoration. Steve Cummings (PA/MD/DE) has 19 members and mails about 40 newsletters. Pennsylvania has 47 lookouts still standing, 37-42 are in service. A new Pennsylvania DNR was just formed, the Department of Environmental Resources is gone. Henry Isenberg (MA) has 20 members, 52 towers are still standing there, 43 are staffed. He also reported that Connecticut has a few standing, but none in service, Rhode Island had 7, but now has 4 in service, one of those is staffed by the City of Providence. He said that New Hampshire has about 20 staffed, while Maine has no paid staffing. Keith Argow (VA/WV) reported that Virginia towers are coming down at an alarming rate. However, two private owners have approached the FFLA for restoration help. West Virginia plans to remove all of its towers, that number is uncertain.

Liability risks resulting from lookout restoration were discussed. When a lookout is equipped with lightning protection, it can be assumed by the public to be safe, so it must be kept functional. Volunteer workers may be responsible for their own accident insurance to cover any injury during restoration work, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is necessary to clarify the positions of the government and the work organization.

Passport in Time (PIT) is one possible funded source for lookout restoration. There is the need to offer incentives to get volunteers involved through publicity, good food provided, good project leadership and organization, funding, and donation of supplies.

The problem of inactive directors was discussed. At least two have not even kept current with their dues, are not sending out newsletters, and are basically dysfunctional. Chairman Isenberg was encouraged by the other directors present to remove them from office and seek new leadership. The Board directed Keith Argow and Ray Kresek to draft a list of minimum requirements for directors, to be presented at the August conference.

The topic of the newsletter came up for discussion, it was suggested that we need someone with desktop publishing capability and ability to re-write and edit with an active knowledge of lookouts and the FFLA. Central mailing appears to be favored but there are still several unanswered questions. Keith Argow has offered equipment if we can find someone in the D.C. area to operate it. Two people have submitted samples of their capabilities as Editor. The Board recommended we seek further submissions. It was suggested that we continue to have the Editor forward newsletters to each director, so that state and local interest features may be added and sent on to chapter members in a single mailing. Local features are needed to keep a chapter alive.

Chairman Isenberg would like for everyone to send him photos of each lookout design for the archives. Bob Young brought 100 Bertie Beaver pins for conference attendees. Bertie is Alberta's counterpoint to Smokey Bear. Bertie was born in a Walt Disney 1950's movie filmed with the Alberta Forest Service.
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Due to the time schedule for evening activities, the meeting was adjourned, with plans for re-convening later during the weekend to finish business.

FRIDAY EVENING:

The afternoon's thunderstorm passed out of the area in time for the planned tour to Blue Mountain Lookout. The side trip to the Blue Mountain Observatory was cancelled due to the low cloud cover. About thirty people made the trip up to nearby Blue Mountain. Although the tower was not staffed full time for the season yet, lookout Gene Miller was present to answer questions and relate some of his experiences during his twenty years as the lookout there. Montana FFLA director and Missoula District Fire Management Officer John Waverek showed conceptual drawings of a proposed viewing platform and interpretive setting for the site. The project would be a joint effort between the USFS, the FFLA, the Blackfoot Forest Protective Association, and others.

SATURDAY GENERAL MEETING:

John Waverek, hosting director of the Montana FFLA Chapter, and Missoula RD FMO, opened the conference at the Lolo NF headquarters at Fort Missoula on Saturday at 0900. After introductory remarks, John introduced Western Deputy Chairman Gary Weber. Gary presented a brief history of the FFLA; how and where it originated, where we are today, and some ideas of where we are headed in the future. He also mentioned the newsletter "Lookout Network" and the current search for an editor with desktop publishing capability, so as to improve the quality of printing features and photos. He invited anyone with an interest in becoming the editor to contact Chairman Isenberg with a sample of their capabilities.

Other introductions set the stage for individual networking later. Others present at the session included:

- Keith Argow, Vienna, VA; lookout in Oregon in 1958; now publisher of National Woodlands magazine; FFLA VA/WV director; National Woodland Owners Association director.

- Bob Haight, Bozeman, MT; Mt. Holmes LO, WY 1942; Sheridan LO, WY; Baldy LO, MT 4 years; Morrell LO, MT 1963-1982; Double Arrow LO, MT 1983 (28 years as a lookout).

- Gene Miller, Bonner, MT; Priscilla Peak LO, MT 1955, Blue Mountain LO, MT 1975-present (22 years as a lookout).

- Mary Lou Mills, Missoula, MT; Slide Rock LO, MT 1975, Blue Mountain LO, MT 1976-77.

- Virginia Vincent, Missoula, MT; Stark Mountain LO, MT since 1970, except one season elsewhere (25 years as a lookout).

- Ed Heilman, Missoula, MT; retired USFS, Region 1 Director of Fire and Aviation Management.

- Donna Hartmans, Boise, ID; architect on Historic Preservation Council, did graduate work on Willamette NF lookouts.

- Charles Parker, Lolo, MT; Blue Mountain LO, 1940.

- Jack Puckett, Missoula, MT; Retired USFS, Region 1; Red Top LO, ID 1949.

- Rod Bacon, Palouse, WA; Middle Sister LO, ID 1969-72, 1990-present.

- Molly Morrison, Missoula, MT; Big Hole LO, MT and Williams Peak LO, MT 7 years.

- Don Stalter, Silverdale, WA; Riverbed LO, OR and Desolation LO, OR 1969-75, Gisborne LO, ID 1995.

- Ralph Thompson, Glide, OR; Umpqua NF, 30 years with USFS.

- Bruce Dreher, Slate Creek, ID; USFS contract restoration carpenter; moved Sawyer Ridge L-4 tower to their home.

- Nancy Dreher, Slate Creek, ID; relief lookout on Anderson Butte LO and Chair Point LO, ID; present owner of Sawyer Ridge tower.

- Gina Owens, Sula, MT; in charge of McCart LO restoration, planning work on Medicine Point LO, MT.

- Janet Spencer, Helena, MT; Patrol LO, MT 1987; Morrell LO, MT 1988; Saddle Mountain LO, MT 1989-90; Sula Peak LO, MT 1991-present.

- Dale Gaskill, Kooskia, ID; Frisco Peak LO, ID 1954; Coolwater LO, ID 1994.

- Karen Feary, Powell RS, ID; USFS dispatcher.

- Marj Claflin, Wallace, ID; Little Guard LO, ID 1990-present.

- Al Claflin, Wallace, ID; Little Guard LO, ID 1990-present.

- Pady Dusing, Kalispell, MT; Cyclone LO, MT 1993-present.

- Jane Richards, Missoula, MT; curator at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.

- Patricia Wilkinson, Canyonville, OR; Coos LO, OR 1950; Cougar Pass LO, OR 1956.

- Alice Allen, Coos Bay, OR; Cougar Pass LO, OR; Trail Butte LO, OR; Dean Mountain LO, OR; Vaughns Point LO, OR 1944-58 (10 years).

- Frances Vanderburg, Arlee, MT; interested in Flathead Reservation lookouts.

- Chuck Butler, Yakima, WA; Suntop LO, WA 1951.

- JJ Butler, Yakima, WA.

- Ray Kresek, Spokane, WA; Aeneas LO, WA 1955; Heavens Gate LO, ID 1988; WA FFLA director.

- Rita Kresek, Spokane, WA; Heavens Gate LO, ID 1988.

- Kevin Drake, West Milford, NJ; State Fire Warden; Budd Lake Tower, NJ; Milton Tower, NJ.

- Bob Foley, Napa, CA; retired fire captain.

- Carol Foley, Napa, CA.

- Jeannie Haight, Bozeman, MT; Baldy LO, MT 1958; others with Bob.

- Dave Fellin, Missoula, MT; Wallace RD Fire 1948-52; USFS since.

- Paul, Bonnie, & Jennifer Harrington, Fairfield, WA; maintenance of Mallard Peak LO, ID with Inland Empire Lama Club past three years.

- Daniel Mattson, Newport, WA; Colville NF Archaeologist, restoring Timber Mountain LO

- Mike Hardy, Missoula, MT; USFS fire research.

- Dawna Fazio, Moscow, ID; Woodland Enterprises Smokey Bear catalog.

- Jim Fazio, Moscow, ID; Forestry professor at University of Idaho; Medicine Point LO, MT.

- Coon Dog (Charles Schroeder), Superior, MT; Up Up LO maintenance; Historic Savenac Nursery maintenance.

- Carol Patterson, journalist for Sunset Magazine.

- Jim Black, Yakima, WA; Monument 83 LO, WA; Goat Peak LO, WA; Bonaparte LO, WA (lookout for 6 years).

- Vicki Black, Yakima, WA; Tunk LO, WA 1966-67; Knowlton, Buck, Aeneas LO's, WA 1968; Goat Peak, Monument 83, First Butte, North Twentymile LO's, WA 1968; Bonaparte LO, WA 1970.

- Bob Young, Tofield, Alberta; FFLA Alberta Co-director; Alberta Forest Service Detection Co-ordinator for 132 lookouts.

- Susan Hillstrom, Noxon, MT; Seven Point Lookout restoration leader.

- Bob Hurford, Newberg, OR; Castle Rock LO, OR 1943.

- Howard Verschoor, Keizer, OR; Squaw Peak LO, OR; Whiskey Peak LO, OR; restoration work at Pechuck LO, Sand Mountain LO, OR.

- Forrest Clark, Snohomish, WA; Everett Mountaineers restoration leader for Pilchuck LO, Three Fingers LO, and currently, Heybrook LO, WA.

- Mike Duffy, Athena, OR; lookout staffing contractor in NE Oregon for Desolation, Johnson Rock, Lookout Mountain LO's.

- Tom Pell, Priest Lake, ID; USFS dispatcher supervising four lookouts.

- John Agars, Ellensburg, WA; Indian Mountain LO, WA (IPNF) 1984-present.

- Stephen Cummings, Arcola, PA; FFLA founder, Chairman 1990-1994; five years as a lookout.

- Jessie Smith, Eugene, OR; fiction writer.

- Bob Smith, Eugene, OR.

- Bill Meadows, Thompson Falls, MT; USFS retired smokejumper; Cougar Peak LO, MT.

- Josef Warhank, Montana Historic Preservation Office.

- Ron Johnson, Oakridge, OR; FFLA OR director, retired USFS dispatcher; manages Adaptive Use Network to share lookout materials, information.

- Henry Isenberg, Hopedale, MA; FFLA National Chairman; charter member of FFLA; lookout since 1985.

- Milo McLeod, Missoula, MT; Lolo NF Archaeologist;

- Ken Duce, Missoula, MT; Lolo NF facilities manager.

The National Historic Lookout Register (NHLR) was next on the schedule. Founder Keith Argow reviewed the ten simple steps for nomination. The goal is to register 1,000 lookouts in all 50 states; this could be a problem in Kansas, where the tallest hill is the University of Kansas. The 100th was achieved in 1994, the fourth year of existence of the NHLR.

Oregon has 16, Washington 15, and New York 13. It is imperative that we make every effort to preserve each and every existing ground lookout structure, and all the towers that are feasible to save. Getting the lookouts nominated to the NHLR is a good first step toward getting their recognition and getting the interest of the community involved, which in turn will provide the volunteer labor forces necessary to restore and maintain them.

The NHLR was conceived at Pechuck Lookout near Salem, Oregon, when Keith and his son were eating their lunch upon climbing the mountain in 1984, Keith made a promise to his son that he would find some way to save it and others like it from becoming extinct. With the help of the late Doug Newman, the NHLR was born in 1991.

NHLR registration certificates were presented for Fall Mountain, OR; Huckleberry Mountain, OR; Aeneas, WA; Little Snowy Top, ID; St. Mary, MT; and McCart, MT.
Keith made an impassioned plea, that today, like never before, there is a need for volunteers like the FFLA to come forth with support to government efforts on behalf of lookouts! If anyone can help an any way, contact state FFLA directors, or the NHLR at 1-800-GRO-TREE. America is run by those who show up!

The Doug Newman Award, sponsored jointly by the American Resources Group and the FFLA, was presented by Dr. Argow to Ron Johnson of Oakridge, Oregon, for his dedication to lookouts.

Ed Heilman gave a short presentation on setting up a local FFLA chapter. He handed out a 14-step guideline to everyone present. Briefly, the steps included: Have a specific identified need; Gain acceptance by area agencies; Have at least six people eager to organize and work; Get approval of FFLA; Have a permanent address and at least three officers; Obtain Employers Identification Number from IRS; Establish checking and savings accounts; Obtain non-profit corporation status with state; Seek 501C3 IRS tax-emempt status ($300 non-refundable filing fee). If successful, you must submit IRS Form 990 each May 15. 501C3 is necessary if you intend to seek significant donations of funds or materials for your projects; Prepare a project list; Raise funds; Recruit; Obtain publicity as you complete projects; Establish a local newsletter. Besides being involved with the formation of the Montana FFLA chapter, Heilman has been one of the key figures in the National Forest Service Museum organization in Missoula.

Josef Warhank of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office provided information on how his office could be a used as a resource. Under the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 provides the process for review of projects eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. 106 preserves the integrity of the site, and can help toward the success of a restoration project. Josef provided the following handouts: "A Five Minute Look at Section 106", "The National Register of Historic Places", "The Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings", "National Register of Historic Places Workbook", and "Montana Historic Preservation Services Directory". To obtain additional copies, contact Josef at (406) 444-7719 or FAX (406) 444-6575.

In preservation projects, one of the objectives is to replace all visible materials with similar material. If the exact original can not be obtained, use the closest thing that is available. Never use plywood on a 50-year old building (it wasn't yet invented!). Very slight alteration of materials will not in itself be grounds for rejection into NHRP, if it does not degrade the historic integrity. It is ideal to restore an old building to its original state, however, it may be restored to whatever it was at another date, at least 50 years ago.

The Passport in Time (PIT) program is another means of accomplishing lookout restoration. Milo McLeod told of the program and its details. It is a USFS program to involve volunteer labor forces with direct supervision of the USFS Heritage staff or other professionals in such projects as archaeological digs, documentation of oral histories, and historical structure reconstruction. The "PIT Traveler" is published twice a year to announce upcoming projects. To obtain a free subscription, write to: PIT Clearing House, P.O. Box 18364, Washington, DC 20036. There are several lookout projects in the 1995 program. Milo showed slides of some of his previous PIT projects, as well as of the Cougar Peak Lookout project to be undertaken later in June. Daniel Mattson told of his Timber Mountain Lookout project on the Colville NF.

The McCart Lookout project was one of the earlier PIT projects in the area. With McCart now in the rental system, this has been a showcase project. The entire process of the restoration project, from planning through rental, was explained in detail by Gina Owens, with a slide presentation. Examples of "Murphy's Law" were told, such as the chain of events which occurred when it was decided that the railings should be re-installed two inches higher to comply with current building codes. The higher railings meant that the shutters had to be raised two inches in order to clear the railings - a nearly impossible task! Not being careful to observe screw head width of shutter hinges meant having to walk out and drive 50 miles to buy the right ones. When somebody announced that the original stovepipe had asbestos in it (it didn't), somebody had to drive all the way to Missoula (100 miles) to get another that doesn't even come close to resembling the old one which could have easily been rebuilt. Many such experiences need not be repeated by each of us when restoring an old lookout.

Considerations of NRHP eligibility vs. cabin rental were discussed. Today's building codes and OSHA safety standards sometimes need to be compromised in order to comply with NRHP standards when restoring old lookout towers.

Slide Rock Lookout, it's history, and how it was moved to Fort Missoula, made for an interesting presentation by Milo McLeod and Jane Richards. Slide Rock Mountain is 40 miles east of Missoula. In 1919 a small log cabin was built (it is still there), followed in 1928 by the smokechaser cabin that is also still there, as is the crow's nest tree. In 1935 a 40' L-4 tower was built. In the late 1970's, the lookout began to need major maintenance. A plan by the district to obtain funding backfired and the tower was declared a safety hazard and condemned, prompting the determination that it should be removed. It was moved to the Fort Missoula Museum grounds in 1983 through the efforts of the Society of American Foresters and the Friends of the Museum. Milo presented slides showing how the roof was removed with ceiling intact by a mobile crane, lowered to the ground, sawed in half, then loaded onto a truck. The remainder of the cab, minus all window sash, was likewise lowered, sawed in half, and hauled on trucks. Pole legs and spreaders were replaced, but the diagonal cable braces are original. Nearly all restoration is to the original state. It probably should have been restored at its original site, but it looks great at Fort Missoula!
Jane gave some thoughts from her perspective as a museum curator. It is best to restore the original as is, where is. If that is not possible, it is better to preserve it at a museum, in as original condition as possible. If that is not possible, the next best thing is to display its history with photo documentation. A museum strives to exhibit the real thing, not replications, for that is what people go there to see. Yet, it must also strive to seek out the best of choices when considering a fire lookout. If a lookout is available that must be removed from its site because of being replaced with a new one that will go in the same place, move that tower, even if inferior or further deteriorated than another one which could be restored on-site. Given what we feel today for old lookouts and what we didn't feel in the early 1980's, we should have taken the L-4 tower from Thompson Peak instead and preserved Slide Rock's L-4 right where it was, alongside the remaining three other lookout structures still on the site.

Ray Kresek closed out the indoor session with a presentation on the evolution of the firefinder and lookout structures. A brief history of the Osborne firefinder was given, with each model on display. Along with handouts, his 100-slide presentation depicted the firefinders used in the West, and various lookout cabin and tower designs of the world. Featured were: trees, from the simplest crow's nest to the 178' tall tree with a 20' tower and cab built in its top near Glouchester, West Australia; the "Guardian of the Gulch", a bell tower still present at Helena, Montana; the first forest lookout (Bertha Hill, ID 1902); one, two, three, and four-legged tower evolution; the first standard cabin design (D-6 cupola 1915); D-1 and D-3 log cupolas; some 30 original and unique designs; the first L-4 (1929), and 1930, 1933, and 1936 variations of the L-4; L-5 cab; L-6 (8' x 8'); and classic, spectacular, and precarious lookouts of the world.

To close out the afternoon's activities, the group moved outside onto the covered porches of the Lolo NF building for three hands-on demonstrations.

Glazing techniques were presented by Forrest Clark. One of the tips Forrest gave was to have surfaces clean enough to eat off of. Old putty should be cleaned out, no chunks should be left. Putty should be tacky, it can be thinned with linseed oil, hand warmth while kneading will also soften it up. Putty should be applied with the heel of the hand. Glass should be back puttied; that is, putty applied to the sash, the glass pushed into place, excess putty trimmed to the sight line, glazing points placed, putty applied to front side, corners wiped out, and putty tooled - top first, then sides, and finally the bottom, with a single stroke on each edge. The easiest cleanup is to wait about three weeks and use a razor blade to scrape.

Paint removal was covered by Coon Dog (Charles Schroeder) and Dave McEldery. The peeling paint on a portion of the porch deck was actually removed as a part of this demonstration. Various heat guns and heat plates were demonstrated. One tip given was to always know where you set your hot tool (and where your partner's leg is). Other methods of paint removal discussed include chemical stripping, sanding, and of course, scraping. Lead paint and precautions were also touched upon. The advantages and disadvantages of latex and oil paints were also discussed.

A roofing mock-up was used by Ken Duce to demonstrate methods and techniques of working with shingle roofs. Number one shingles should be used, 2's or 3's can be used for the edge, and for siding. Length of shingles to be used is determined by the desired exposure. Three times the exposure plus 1" should equal the shingle length; thus, for a 5" exposure, a 16" shingle is needed. Methods of staggering joints between shingles were shown, as were techniques in replacing shingles, installing roof jacks, and tapering roof edges. Staining of shingle roofs was also discussed.

SATURDAY EVENING:

Saturday evening's barbecue supper was on the lawn beneath the Slide Rock Lookout. The L-4 cab sitting on its 25' tower was the perfect backdrop for the occasion. The barbecued burgers, chicken, and hot dogs hit the spot, followed by the traditional "lookout" cake. After supper, the lookout was opened for tours by the group. Inspections were made of the minor damage done to a couple of the shutters during the Friday afternoon storm.
Just as another squall approached, many of the group retreated into the museum for a slide presentation on the Heybrook Lookout project in Western Washington. Forrest Clark told of many of the challenges being faced with this project of rebuilding the cab on a 67' tower.

Certificates were presented to all present and former lookouts registered, with notation of number of seasons as a lookout. Bob Haight took top honors with his 28 seasons, followed by active lookouts Virginia Vincent (25 seasons) and Gene Miller (22 seasons).
Several displays were set up here for viewing, some had been set up at the general meeting in the Lolo NF facility, others only here.

SUNDAY TOURS:

About 35 people gathered Sunday morning for the days's touring activities. After a group photo on the walkway leading up the mound to Slide Rock Lookout, the group loaded into vans and got underway. Under threatening skies, the caravan traveled along the Lewis & Clark route. Along the historic Lolo Trail, the group stopped twice to hear historians tell stories about the Army's Fort Fizzle and to witness the incredible hardships of the Lewis & Clark expedition and those hardy pioneers who followed in their footsteps. Frances Vanderburg gave some of the Native American perspective while she related some of the stories of the area told to her by grandparents and other elders of the Flathead tribe.
At West Fork Butte Lookout, the focus of the tour, the group "inspected" the works of the FFLA and others who are fully restoring the 61-year old L-4 cab built on the rocks. Even with the groups two-cents worth of expertise and critique, the project will be completed in three or four more work days. Sack lunches were eaten under the threatening skies, followed by the return trip to town via a different high road. The rain held off until the group was well underway, but it didn't seem to bother the one old cow moose along the way.
After the return to Missoula, the sun broke out, and several continued on to the Aerial Fire Depot for a tour of the Missoula Smokejumper base. Inside the visitor center was the opportunity to see the restored Blackpine Lookout 1933 model L-4 cab, fully outfitted with the furnishings of the era. The cab had been moved from atop its 50' foot tower on the Deerlodge NF, piece by piece, by the smokejumpers. Outside, the group viewed the replica of Hornet Peak's 1922 D-1 log cupola cabin. This replica was constructed over several years by the smokejumpers. A few members of the group took advantage of the opportunity to climb up into the cupola, normally off-limits to visitors.

SUNDAY EVENING:

At 1700, the board members reconvened (under a dinner schedule time limit) to complete unfinished items from the Friday meeting.

Much discussion took place over an article which was printed in the June 1995 issue of "Shape" magazine, whereby FFLA and Steve Cummings' phone number was printed as a source for details on fire towers nationwide. It resulted in Steve receiving several hundred calls from all over the nation, calls which he has not had the time or funds to return. Those who left addresses will be contacted by Keith Argow. Others who left only a phone number were divided among the directors present for contact by phone.

A proposal was made to draft an amendment that members' address and phone not be revealed to anyone except the FFLA Board. Most felt that if all directors use the registration form that asks this, such an amendment is unnecessary.

IRS 501C3 status was discussed. The phone calls from the magazine article have resulted in Steve not being able to devote the time required to the 501C3 application. He will proceed with it, now that he has received help in dealing with replies to the calls.
Director's duties were discussed, with further input into the task assigned to Ray Kresek and Keith Argow.

More discussion on the future of the newsletter occurred. Gary Weber will write up some of the options and submit to Chairman Henry Isenberg in order to decide exactly which direction we are going, before we get too far along soliciting sample work from prospective editors.

Appreciation was expressed to John Waverek for the job done in hosting the conference, another very sucessful one.

Most of the directors (along with those spouses there) adjourned to a nearby restaurant for dinner and more informal discussions. Among topics discussed was the site for the next Western Conference. Along with previously mentioned possibilities of Arizona, Idaho, and Western Washington, Alberta became a possibility. Bob Young will explore possibilities there.

(Report by Ray Kresek, edited by Gary Weber)

Conference Photos

The Group at the Smokejumper Visitor Center

FFLA Directors

Group Photo up at Missoula

Photos courtesy Gary Weber