Fair Seeking Board Candidates

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The Alaska State Fair is seeking candidates to serve on our board of directors. Completed applications must be received by Monday, December 17, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

There will be two seats open on the board, and the Fair general membership will vote to fill the seats at our annual membership meeting on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Interested in applying? Here’s what you need to know. Qualified candidates must be:

• State of Alaska residents
• At least 18 years old
• Current members of the Alaska State Fair, Inc. (Learn more about membership and join today on our website!)

The Alaska State Fair board of directors is a policy-setting board and director responsibilities include:

• Having an understanding of the Fair’s Mission Statement, Articles of Incorporation, Board Policy Manual, and Robert’s Rules of Order
• Various other obligations set forth in the board policy, such as preparing for and attending monthly meetings, and actively participating in committees
• Directors are also required to make annual financial contributions, which helps the Fair obtain needed grant funds.

To receive an application packet, contact jerry@alaskastatefair.org or 907.746.7155.

There are several options for returning your application packet to us:

• Mail or personal delivery to 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645
• Fax to 907.746.2699
• Email to jerry@alaskastatefair.org

Completed applications must be received by Monday, December 17, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

Thanks for your interest in serving on the Fair board of directors! Want to stay in touch with the Fair? “Like” the Fair on Facebook and sign up to receive email and mobile updates!

Check Out the Fair Annual Meeting Results

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Wow, what a night! We held our Alaska State Fair annual meeting last Thursday, and have lots of exciting things to report.

The Alaska State Fair board of directors. Back row, left to right: Danny Consenstein, Richard Stryken**, John Tracy, Stephen Brown*. Front row, left to right: Carol Kenley, John Harkey**, Kristy Bernier*. * New member, ** Re-elected

About 150 people, mostly Fair members as well as some interested supporters, attended the meeting. We held an election to fill four open seats on the Fair board of directors, and we’re pleased to report that Stephen Brown, Kristy Bernier, John Harkey and Richard Stryken were elected to the board.

Brown was elected to the one-year board seat, Bernier took the two-year board seat, and Harkey and Stryken were re-elected for full, three-year terms.

Members also voted on changes to the articles and bylaws that would allow mail-in and electronic voting. Such changes must be approved by two-thirds of the membership present, and the bylaw vote failed by a narrow margin.

During our food vendor showcase, meeting attendees sampled tasty bites from potential 2012 food vendors and then voted on their favorite. The vendor with the most votes was offered a booth at the 2012 Fair. We’re excited to announce the winner is The Reuben Haus – be sure to check them out at this year’s Fair!

We also announced the performers confirmed to date for our 2012 AT&T Concert Series, and Fair members had the opportunity to reserve tickets in advance. Mark your calendars – tickets go on sale to the general public March 23! Watch our blog, website and Facebook page for forthcoming details.

Finally, meeting attendees got a sneak peek of the video we are putting together with the help of Alaska Channel. Using footage and interviews from the 2011 Fair, the film explores how we are striving to truly be “Alaska’s Fair” by encouraging participation by all Alaskans. Check it out for yourself by viewing this short clip.

Did you attend the annual meeting? Have reviews on the food vendors? Feedback on the concert series? Thoughts on the video clip? Share your thoughts on the Fair’s Facebook page! Want to stay in touch with the Fair? “Like” the Fair on Facebook and sign up to receive email and mobile updates!

Food, Film, Concert Tickets and More at Fair Annual Meeting

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The Alaska State Fair 2011 Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, February 9, 2012 in Raven Hall on the fairgrounds. Voter registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m.

We’ve invited a select group of potential 2012 food vendors to the annual meeting, where they will be offering tasty samples.

All current Fair members, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend the meeting. However, please note that only 2011 Fair members who signed up by December 15, 2011 are eligible to vote.

There are lots of fun reasons to attend the upcoming annual meeting:

First dibs on concert tickets. We will be announcing the confirmed entertainers to date for the 2012 AT&T Concert Series – and 2012 Fair members will have the opportunity to reserve tickets right there at the meeting! That’s an entire month before tickets go on sale to the general public on March 9. Not a Fair member? Not a problem – you can sign up as a member at the meeting. Learn about all the benefits of membership on our website.

Food vendor showcase. We’ve invited a select group of potential 2012 food vendors to the annual meeting, where they will be offering tasty samples. Meeting attendees can vote on their favorite and the winning vendor will be offered a booth space at the 2012 Fair! The participating potential vendors and the types of food they make include:

• Alaska Berry Pops and Salmon Sticks – the name says it all!
• Alaska Stuft Bananas – selection of banana treats
• Caribbean Taste – Caribbean cuisine
• Center of Russian American Friendship and Trade – Russian dishes
• Pioneer Peak Popovers – desserts made with Alaska Grown produce
• The Reuben Haus – known for their Reuben sandwiches
• The Soda Jerk – made-to-order specialty fountain drinks
• Wicked Goods – variety of crepes

Fair film premiere. This winter we’ve been hard at work with the folks at Alaska Channel putting together a short film using footage and interviews from the 2011 Fair. The film explores how we are striving to truly be “Alaska’s Fair” by encouraging participation by all Alaskans, and the importance of bringing together and sharing the many different people, cultures and talents of our great state.  We’re excited to premiere a short clip of the film at the annual meeting!

Board election. The main order of business at the annual meeting will be the election of four members to the Fair board of directors. A total of 10 candidates, including two incumbents, applied to serve on the Fair board. Learn more about each of the candidates by visiting our website. Fair members will also vote on changes to the articles and bylaws that will allow mail-in and electronic voting. Remember – only 2011 Fair members who signed up by December 15, 2011 are eligible to vote.

Mark your calendar for February 9 and we’ll see you at the annual meeting! Questions or comments? Share your thoughts on the Fair’s Facebook page! Want to stay in touch with the Fair? “Like” the Fair on Facebook and sign up to receive email and mobile updates!

Meet the 2012 Fair Board Candidates

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Ready to meet your candidates for the Alaska State Fair board of directors? Four seats will be open on the Fair board, and eligible Fair members will vote to fill the seats at the 2011 annual meeting.

Eligible Fair members will vote to fill four open seats on the Fair board of directors during the 2011 annual meeting on February 9.

The meeting will take place Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 7 p.m. in Raven Hall on the fairgrounds.

A total of 10 candidates applied to serve on the Fair board of directors. Below, the candidates state why they wish to serve on the board. You can visit our website to read the full profiles.

The board candidates include:

• Josh Anderson. “I am passionate about the fair! As a child growing up in 4-H, FFA, fair concessions, as a livestock superintendent and judge, I desire to continue my involvement. The fair has been a huge part of my life. With 2 young children of my own, I want to ensure that the fair traditions, programs, and educational possibilities are concreted for generations to come. I want to extend my ‘Fair’ experience, knowledge and abilities along with my ‘Business’ experience in policy origination and implementation. I want to give back to the fair what it has given to me … success!”
• Kristy Bernier. “I love the Alaska State Fair. I’m on the grounds everyday either in my capacity as the liaison between MTA and the fair or as a fairgoer enjoying all that it has to offer. I also help other community organizations with their fundraisers and events throughout the year on the fairgrounds. I believe I could be a tremendous resource to the board of directors and would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from our community and the organizations that I volunteer with. I’m always available to do whatever I can to make the Alaska State Fair as great of an experience as those I remember growing up in Palmer.”
• Stephen Brown. “I wish to serve on the Alaska State Fair Board of Directors because it is an iconic part of Alaska’s agricultural heritage. I have extensive experience working with the New York State Fair, the Kansas State Fair, the Alaska State Fair and numerous county fairs. I believe these experiences could provide valuable insight for continuing to expand the education and fun to be found at the Alaska State Fair. I would also like to help the fair become an even greater destination event for those beyond the Valley and Anchorage.”
• Stu Graham. “The Alaska State Fair is an essential gathering place for the people of South Central Alaska and for others throughout the State. As a showcase for agriculture, manufacturing, resource development, entertainment and cultural themes, the Alaska State Fair is a multi-faceted experience which broadens the knowledge base of all who attend and I want to ensure this experience continues to be available and enriches the lives of Alaskans and our visitors.  As a member of the Board of Directors I can help assure resources are properly allocated to maintain and enhance the quality of the Alaska State Fair.”
• John Harkey. “To see continuing improvements to the Fair’s infrastructure and improve our Fairgoers experience. I’ve worked very hard with other Directors to prioritize and find funding to upgrade the aging system and buildings. One of the most important upgrades and ONE of the more expensive projects is the sewer system. Until this is completed, we won’t even be able to build another bathroom. To achieve what was only a dream five years ago is now becoming a reality.”
• John Klapperich. “My mantra has always been ‘if it can be done the Valley can do it. My 30 years of business experience may help the Alaska State Fair remain the ‘jewel’ of what we do.”
• Lorie Koppenburg. “In the spring of this year when the log cabin vendors were notified by the Administration of their intention to remove those landmark structures, the timing and delivery of that decision and the impact on the involved vendors sent a ripple through the vendor community and the state fair community. Since that time, I have been asked by many Alaska State Fair members and community members to consider running for the Board of Directors. Their confidence in me, the support of my family, and my own desire to participate in the development and direction of the Alaska State Fair inspire my decision to run for this position.”
• Red Secoy. “I have been involved with the Fair for many years. I am familiar with all aspects of the Fair.”
• Richard Stryken. “Having served as a temporary director for the past six months, I wish to continue serving on the board. We have just celebrated our 75^th year, and our slogan this year was 75 and growing’. The reality is, we are busting at the seams. Although we have done tremendous work in the past I believe it is time for us to look into substantially expanding our infrastructure as well as developing our overall appearance and our fairgoers experience. I wish to contribute my knowledge of both horizontal and vertical construction to move us forward.”
• William Tull. “My family and I have watched the Fair grow during the past 40 years from one of an agricultural nature to the present. We initiated the petting zoo at the Fair and garnered many blue and purple ribbons in the livestock and vegetables categories. It is with this background that I seek membership on the Fair Board to promote increased Fair participation in Valley youth interests. The Fair can be more dynamic than it is today. Horse Racing at the Fair is still a viable option and a program that will make use of the Fairgrounds and, if properly promoted, weekend four-month use of the Fair facilities.”

Are you coming to the annual meeting? Share your thoughts on the Fair’s Facebook page! Want to stay in touch with the Fair? “Like” the Fair on Facebook and sign up to receive email and mobile updates!

Want to Vote at the Annual Meeting?

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!!! Please note that this deadline has passed. !!!

Do you want to vote at the 2011 Alaska State Fair annual meeting? Then be sure to return your completed application and membership fee by the deadline of Thursday, December 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Become a lifetime member by December 15, and you’ll receive one of our beautiful Diamond Quilting Bee prints, created by talented Alaska artist Barbara Lavallee.

Who can become a Fair member? To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a legal resident of the State of Alaska

Only 2011 Fair members are eligible to vote at the annual meeting, which will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012. There are four seats open on the board, and Fair members will vote to fill them at the meeting. (Interested in applying as a Fair board member? Read more in our previous blog post.)

Please note that becoming a 2011 Fair member only entitles you to vote at the annual meeting in February. To receive benefits at the 2012 Fair, including first dibs on concert tickets, invitations to the Director’s Reception and more, you’ll need to renew your membership for 2012.

How much does it cost? Good question! Annual memberships are just $25 a year and lifetime memberships are $250.

Speaking of lifetime memberships, we have a special offer if you join as a lifetime member by December 15, 2011. When you become a lifetime member by December 15, you’ll receive one of our beautiful Diamond Quilting Bee prints, created by talented Alaska artist Barbara Lavallee in celebration of our 75^th birthday, for FREE (a $65 value)! You’ll also receive all of the other lifetime membership benefits (check them out on our website!).

If you’ve already paid for a 2011 annual membership, we’ll credit your $25 annual membership fee toward your lifetime membership fee. To take advantage of this upgrade offer, please call us at 907.745.4827 by the December 15 deadline.

Ready to sign up? Just fill out our online membership form or download, complete and return a hardcopy form. Or to upgrade your annual membership to a lifetime membership, call us at 907.745.4827.

Already a Fair member? Tell us why! Share your thoughts on the Fair’s Facebook page! Want to stay in touch with the Fair? “Like” the Fair on Facebook and sign up to receive email and mobile updates!