Greetings to all and congratulations for surviving as the world's odometer clicks past 2000. This past year kept TMRU busy; we had one of our highest mission counts in many years. As in the past, the many authorities with whom we have worked have praised our performance on missions. All that training seems to pay off.

As I have mentioned before, it requires many folks working behind the scenes to keep the Unit operating. Our Board of Directors is the main nucleus which deals with administrative matters. Recent elections have resulted in some changes of the Board.

Elected to two-year terms are John Kirkman as Secretary and Phil Pletcher as Treasurer. Congratulations and welcome to John and Phil. I'd like to thank Connie Crum (our outgoing Secretary) and Larry Crum (our outgoing Treasurer); they each did a fantastic job and have left big shoes to fill for John and Phil.

Rick Wire has graciously accepted the position as Safety Education Chairman.

Tracy Berryman has her hands quite full with kit sales and would like to step down from the Callout committee. This is a grand opportunity for newer members, family members or support members to pitch in with a vital component of our operations. Please contact me if interested.

Some new projects for this year:

1. Leadership training--we are in the final stages of developing a training program for our Operations Leaders and will then extend it to all levels of leadership in the Unit.
   
   
2. Advancement--we are in the process of instituting new standards for all levels of rescue membership; if you have any ideas please, input them to Chris Berryman.
   
   
3. Cache review--we will determine short and long-term plans regarding the Cache; the kit parties will now be at the Cache so we'll see how cramped we are and what adjustments need to be done.

Finally, our biggest project this year should be rededicating ourselves to the spirit of mountain rescue and respecting all of the people in our group who help make it happen.

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments about Unit functions or activities.

Wishing you all a peaceful, safe and prosperous New Year.

Alan Givotovsky, President

Two climbers are overdue from a winter ascent of Mt. Rainier. You are on a search team halfway up to Camp Muir on a perfectly rotten evening in whiteout conditions. A stinging sleet is pelting your face as you stop to check compass headings. Teammates only five feet away are barely visible by the glow of their headlamps. And you ask yourself, "What am I doing here?"

Then there was that clear, sunny Saturday in spring--a truly rare event in the Pacific Northwest. A beautiful day to be out climbing or even watching your kids at softball practice. But you are with the mountain rescue team at the annual Children's Safety Fair showing off rope and pulley systems, stringing a highline between two buildings. Will you educate some of the adults to be safer in the mountains? Will you plant a seed of excitement in one of those children to become a member of mountain rescue ten years from now? Shouldn't you be finishing up those tax forms that are due in a few days? So you ask yourself, "What am I doing here?"

A hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail has broken his ankle; it's 19 miles from the nearest road and the weather is too poor for air support. After two grueling days you've nearly got him carried out to the parking area where an ambulance is waiting. He's not been the most pleasant patient--complaining that the trail is too bumpy, disliking the selection of food you've offered him from your pack and wondering, "Why aren't you moving faster?" You are exhausted and glad that this ordeal is almost over. Meanwhile, you are wondering how many vacation days you have left this year; you had to take one for this mission. But more importantly, you can almost smell the aroma of those wonderful homefries that you are going to order from the diner in that little town on the way back home. As you reach the trailhead the Sheriff radios that another mission has begun just down the road. It's three miles of rough trail above a steep riverbank; some kid has his leg crunched between two large boulders and reports are that he is in bad shape. The Sheriff wants your team to head to the site as soon as you get the first patient to the trailhead. At a time like this you ask yourself, "What am I doing here?"

That last meeting at work took a lot longer than expected. So you had to rush to the mountain rescue board meeting without getting much for dinner. The treasurer announces that the truck insurance increased $500.00 this year. The equipment chairman says the truck needs new tires and that one of the litters needs to be replaced. Unfortunately the finance chairman states that donations have been down this year. As training chairman you're requesting $500.00 to send two members to an advanced rigging class. But the treasurer says, "Our bankbook is in the red this month." As usual, it seems your project is put on hold again and so you ask yourself, "What am I doing here?"

You are running the belay on a lower system to retrieve the body of a ten-year-old child at the bottom of a sixty-foot cliff; she had disappeared ten days ago during a church outing. The family is at base; you heard their cries of grief as you arrived at the scene. Somehow a friend of the family is at your station trying to peer over the edge to ensure the team is careful with the body. This all seems so absurd; why isn't the Deputy keeping bystanders down at base? You think about your own ten-year-old daughter and how devastated you would be if she were at the bottom of the cliff. And so you ask yourself, "What am I doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" It is a question I often ask. For me it goes back more than a decade ago when a friend of mine was lost on Mt. Rainier. Hundreds of volunteers searched day after day. Why? None of these people knew Jim or his family or his friends. What was it that drove these folks to be so selfless and dedicated to the service of others?

There are many good climbers who are not cut out for search and rescue. Conversely, there are many well-intentioned citizens who have the interest but none of the skills to operate in a wilderness environment. We are a select group in mountain rescue for we can truly help where others cannot.

Tacoma Mountain Rescue is lucky to have founding members of the MRA still active in our organization. The original volunteers set a precedent for mountain SAR and outdoor safety education. We have grown since then and adapted to changes in techniques, equipment and search management.

However, the spirit of helping those in need will always be the bedrock of our existence. I believe that spirit is alive and well in the mountain rescue community and it helps me answer that question I inevitably ask myself at stressful times: "What am I doing here?"

Alan Givotovsky, President, Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit

I feel that it is important for me to put down on paper some thoughts I have on being chosen as the "Shorty Williams" 1999 award winner. I would like to start by once again thanking our president Alan Givotovsky for the selection and presenting me with the award. At the banquet, I was truly surprised and at a loss for words at the time; thus, the need for this letter. I am very excited and feel great about being recognized by the Unit in this manner. Unfortunately, I was only able to know Shorty Williams for three years but that was plenty of time to know that having my name associated with his is truly an honor. He was a great person as you all know and a lot of fun to be around. I don't think I ever missed a kit party in my first three years with the Unit and it was partially because I enjoyed the time with Shorty and his family. They seemed to enjoy the events so much and made everyone feel welcomed and part of not only T.M.R.U. but their family as well. Both Shorty and Mrs. Williams will be missed not only by their family but also by the many people whose lives they touched over the years.

My first three years with T.M.R.U. have been very exciting, worthwhile, and satisfying both physically and mentally. I have been taught, shown and hopefully have applied all the techniques and systems that are part of mountain rescue and our Unit in particular. Without the help, patience, and willingness to share of some of our members I certainly would not have been in a position to win this award. These individuals know who they are and have helped me develop as a "climber" and as a "rescuer". As we all know being one doesn't make you the other. Special thanks to Chris Berryman for making my entry into the Unit an easy transition. As a new member it is sometimes hard to feel accepted and part of the "team" until you actually become active within the Unit, respond to missions, kit parties, training, etc. In the interim there was Chris, offering advice, extra training, and someone to ask all the "stupid" questions to. (He didn't make you feel that way). Chris, still in charge of new membership, is certainly in the right position. I would also like to thank the many members who have conducted quality training over the past three years for me, and many years before that, I'm sure. These outings and sessions not only reinforce the need for certain skills, but also allow the needed interaction between Unit members. To practice, prepare, plan and climb with those you rescue with is a worthwhile and necessary experience, in my opinion. Training has been well defined, organized and very well received not only by myself but hopefully by all who have attended. Thanks again, trainers.

Finally, and more as a side note, I would like to thank all the members who have assisted me, especially in this last year. This would include all those daring enough (huh!) to invite me on their Rainier climbs: Tom Miner, John Miner, Mike Mixon, and the list goes on. Special thanks to Tom Miner, Jeff Sharp, and to Fran McFarland for the last Rainier trip of this year. You guys all made it a trip to remember, even if we didn't get any pictures. Thanks again.

In closing, I would like to once again thank the Unit for the award and the friendship I have received over the past three years. I hope that I am able to continue to contribute to this Unit any way I can in the years to come, and look forward to that opportunity.

Ken Capron

Convened 19:32

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Alan Givotovsky, Fran McFarland, Bill Weber, Connie Crum, Ken Capron, Larry Crum, Chris Berryman, Russ Brinton, Jeff Sharp, Phil Pletcher, and Gus Bush.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Tegner, Mike Mixon, Rick Wire and Steve Platt.

The October, 1999 meeting minutes were accepted with the following clarification: Fran will be overseeing membership services which includes pro deals and stores (announced during the SAR Council Meeting Report)

TREASURER'S REPORT: Larry Crum

• Monthly report accepted as presented for 11-1-99 through 11-24-99 (Full report is attached to the official meeting minutes.)
• Pager bills for '99 have been sent.
• 2000 dues are due. 7 members have paid.
• Larry presented the form to the Board which is used for filing the Annual Report with the State of Washington. This is the form that officially lists all of the officers. The form was revised by Alan. Rick Wire replaces Phil Pletcher as the Safety and Education Chair.

KIT REPORT: Chris Berryman for Tracy Berryman

• No report.

OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush

• See the December Rucksack for the report on the two lost hikers on the Muir snowfield.
• There was a discussion regarding the callout procedure for missions. Alan emphasized that standard callout procedures need to be followed for all missions.

TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton

• The Saturday November 13^th training was ELT and radios. The radios did not work well when they got wet.
• Steve Platt will be doing the December training on first aid.
• Remember to call the hotline if you are in doubt regarding the status of training missions.
• Russ is checking into scheduling a MOFA re-certification for TMRU members.
• Russ is planning to keep folders on all members with copies of their training and certifications.

EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron

• Two 2 inch rescue pulleys have been purchased. The Nitrile gloves are in plastic bags and Ken is working on the labels. No update on the PIEPS . Stan is working on this. Rick Wire was issued a key to the Cache and Tom Minor needs a key to the Cache. Steve Platt requested an additional $50.00 be allocated towards the purchase of the EMS pack. The original pack that he was going to purchase turned out not to be a good option. The board voted and approved the additional $50.00 for a total of $300.00.
• ID tags on equipment are now waterproof.
• Fran reported on the revision of the rigging kits.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT: Stan Kartes (absent)

• No report.

SAFETY AND EDUCATION REPORT: Phil Pletcher

• Phil is working on the final plans for the 2000 shows.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Chris Berryman

• Chris is currently reviewing three applications.

FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber

• No activity.

AIR OPERATIONS REPORT: Jeff Sharp

• No Report.

SARVAC: Fran McFarland

• No report.

MAST: Bill Weber

• No activity.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Phil reported one of the door prizes (a head lamp) arrived after the November 17 annual banquet. It was agreed that this door prize would be given away at the December 8^th meeting.
• Fran is continuing to work on the team vests and/or jackets. There was a discussion regarding the purpose of the gear. Is it for rescue work or for general wear? There was no final agreement.
• Steve Platt will bring a vacuum pack splint to the December 8^th meeting.
• Phil reported companies which donate door prizes to the annual banquet would like a 2-3 month notice.
• Alan thanked all of the members who helped with the annual banquet.
• Fran will follow up with Tracy Berryman regarding the Adventure Medical Kits.
• Fran is continuing to work on the truck insurance issue.
• Pagers - Stan was able to get Unit pagers to issue to members. There was a discussion if we could get a better deal on pagers and have that company do all of the billing.
• The Annual Meeting for elections was the general meeting on November 10^th.
• Rick Wire was appointed the chair of Safety and Education.
• The December kit party has been canceled and all future kit parties will be at the Cache.
• Gus asked if the Unit should consider internet postage for the Rucksack. Larry commented there is no benefit, it costs more.
• Ken Capron was awarded the Shorty Williams Memorial Big Piton Award at the annual banquet.
• The MRA meeting is in Las Vegas in January. The board voted and approved to allocate $500.00 to send one member.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Tracy Berryman would like to resign from the callout committee. Currently the other members include; Rick Wire's wife, Gary Dunn's wife and Keith McIntosh. Gus will put a note in the Rucksack to help find someone to fill this very important position.
• Forty Below plans to donate overboots to the Unit. These would be used as group gear for the truck.
• Gus reported that Ron Sharp has flight suits if anyone is interested.
• The Cache remodel project was briefly discussed. It has been on hold the last few months and will be revisited the first of the year. Chris feels the building is in need of a new roof.
• Steve Platt requested the Unit pay for tuition to go to an outside training in the summer of 2000. A discussion was held regarding how many members per year should we sponsor for outside training and how much of the expenses should the Unit pay. The board voted and approved to allocate $1100.00 to send two members to a rigging class in 2000. Steve filled out an application form for consideration to go to the rigging class in the summer of 2000.
• SARVAC standards were discussed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

• No items

Adjourn 21:28

Respectfully submitted

Connie Crum
Secretary

Tacoma Mountain Rescue Board Special Meeting, December 8, 1999

Convened 21:30

A special board meeting was called following the December 8^th general meeting. A quorum was met and the board voted and agreed to allocate $146.32 to Fran for expenses for Shorty and Gwen's Memorial on the 28^th of November.

Adjourn 21:34

Respectfully submitted

Connie Crum
Secretary

As the new year rolls around it's that time again to pay your $15.00 annual membership dues. Members who have joined the Unit after October 1st, 1999 are covered for the next year. Your dues pay for both your memberships in the Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit and the Washington and National Mountain Rescue Associations. It also pays for the postage for this wonderfully written little newsletter that you're reading now (I'm not modest, Editor). You have until the 31st of January 2000; after that no more Rucksack and no more 2:00 A.M. calls

The Kit party will be on the 5th of January at 7:00 P.M... The Kit party is the first Wednesday of the month and as of Jan will be held at the cache. If you need directions, call 531-2120.

The next Kit Component & Pizza Party will be at the Cache, Jan. 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. We need your help.

If you have a spouse or significant other who would like to get involved in the unit, but doesn't have the time or the inclination to want to go out in the mountain's. Ask them if they would like to be a member of the call out committee. They would be involved in getting the team into the field, and though it could mean the loss of a little sleep it is an important duty in the unit. And after the call out you can go back to the warm covers. If anyone is interested please call Tracy Berryman at 253-581-6614

©Copyright 2000 Tacoma Mountain Rescue