Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago

Meeting Minutes 31 January 2012

General

• Approximately 30 members and guests met at 6:30 on the 8th floor of the Helix Building, 310 S. Racine at Jackson.
  • New Members:
  • Guests: Marcy Maller
  • Guest Speaker -Ralph Freese owner of the Chicagoland Canoe Base.
• Tonight's meeting was conducted by our new President, John Bell. Refreshments were provided by Bob and Claire Gadbois.

Board and Committee Reports

• President - John Bell
  • Welcome
• Secretary - Outgoing Secretary John Bell provided copies of the minutes from the last meeting, which were approved.
• Treasurer – Bob Gadbois reported the status of the treasury
  • Several more renewals were received for 2012
  • Contact Bob for further details
• Membership – Rosters were provided by Scott Reimer No new changes.
  • Renewal notices for 2012 have been mailed to all members. 2012 dues are due by January 1st.
  • Some renewals have been received for 2012, including at tonight's meeting.
• Web Site - Jack Bolous
  •  The website has been updated with special features. Most notably there is a Members Only area featuring new, detailed content such as the latest WreckChecker and members' forum.
  • Send any information or suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Content always appreciated.
• ICSSD – Claire Gadbois reported on the Illinois Council of Skin and Scuba Divers: Signup sheets available for working the ICSSD booth and the OWU show at large.

• Upcoming 2012 ICSSD events are:
  • March 25th Sunday - Underwater Competition from 11 am to 5 pm, at the Pavillion in Elk Grove Village. ( UASC are the reigning champions. )
  • October 6th Pumpkin Carving at Haigh Quarry sponsored by the Tritons.
  • President's Night - Oct 27th or Oct 13th

• DiveHeart Liaison - Diane Gulczynski
  • Trip to Cozumel planned.
  • Don Doherty: Diveheart is looking for donations of old scuba gear for pool training.
  • Trip to Cozumel planned.
  • Don Doherty: Diveheart is looking for donations of old scuba gear for pool training.
  • Check the DiveHeart web site for info on upcoming events.
• Survey Coordinator - John Gerty
  • Nothing to report at this time.
• Safety - Chet Childs
  • Nothing to report at this time.
• Other Items:
  • A Survey Report Template has been developed by John Bell and is available at the UASC Members’ Only area at the UASC website
  • A storage space has been provided to UASC by Helix Photo. Artifacts and other UASC materials will finally have a common home. Cataloging of UASC materials shall be conducted in the course of 2012

  Our Current UASC Officers and Committee Chairs:

  • Officers:

    • President: John Bell
    • Vice President: Bob Rushman
    • Treasurer: Bob Gadbois
    • Secretary: John Gerty

  • The following committee heads are either continuing or taking on new posts:

    • Newsletter Editor:  Delphine Pontvieux
    • Speaker Coordinator:  Jim Jarecki
    • Survey Coordinator: John Gerty
    • Webmaster:  Jack Bolous
    • Refreshments Coordinator:  Dan Kasberger
    • Membership Chair:  Scott Reimer
    • ICSSD Liaison:  Claire Gadbois
    • DiveHeart Liaison:  Gene Hasiak
    • Safety Coordinator:  Chet Childs
    • Training coordinator: Beth Plotner

  Recent Events

  Upcoming Events

  • Our World Underwater - Feb 17-19 2012
    • This is an excellent show for UASC members to attend. Pay special attention to the shipwreck room.
    • UASC will have a booth, and will be looking for volunteers to help man it.
    • Watch also for several UASC members to make presentations. More info should appear on our Facebook page.
  • Chicago Maritime Festival - Feb 25, 2012
    • UASC will also have a booth at this festival, and possibly some speakers
    • Focus of this show is all things Chicago Maritime, of which shipwrecks play a part. A true "festival" of song and dance.
  • Ghost Ships Festival - April 13-14, 2012
    • This festival is held in South Milwaukee, and focuses exclusively on shipwrecks, mostly in the Great Lakes, mostly Lake Michigan.
    • UASC will have a booth and probably some presenters.
  • Shipwreck Research Workshop featuring Brendon Baillod
    • Saturday, March 10, 2012 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
    • Conducted by Brendon Baillod, Author, Historian & Researcher
Cost:
    • $85 (includes instruction, handouts, lunch & refreshments)
    • Helix Building, 310 S. Racine Ave., 8th Floor, Chicago

• Other Business

  • Next meeting: Wednesday February 29, 2012.
    • Speaker: An update and planning review of ongoing UASC Projects
    • Refreshments to be provided by: John Bell
  • THANKS to Bob and Claire Gadbois for providing tonight's refreshments
  • Requests:
    • Presenter for 5th Grade Class
    • Historical Society of Ogden Dunes looking for a presenter
    • Chicago Shipmasters Association- Group of Ships captains running tugs, freighters, etc. on the great lakes. Looking for a program for the springtime. Pete Chval is the contact.
  • Sign up for meeting refreshments - Dan Kasberger Refreshments coordinator.
    • Jan -
  • OTHER: Miscellaneous new business items should be brought up – briefly – now.
    • Speakers are always needed.

  Guest Speaker Ralph Freese, Described his canoe & diving experiences in around Chicago

  • Popularly known as "Mr. Canoe," Ralph has paddled and promoted our local waterways for over 50 years. Chicago attained its prominence due to the Chicago River and the portage that connected it to the Illinois and Mississippi River systems. Ralph's historical review and canoe projects were also accompanied with the revelation that he was an early Chicago area scuba diver. He built his own scuba system from war surplus parts. He was investigating local quarries at the dawn of sport diving. Who knew? A fascinating presentation by Ralph, a Chicago treasure

  Other Business

  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00, after which a number of members retired to Ricobene's for further discussions and socializing.