The tables were all set, the loaves of beer bread out of the oven, the fudge was delivered along with 5 bottles of wine.  The presenters were ready, the silent auction items were stacking up, brochures were bagged and ready to pass out.  The hand waxers and foot massagers were ready and the lady masseuse all limbered up.  The shooting range was reserved.  Dinner was on the stove and the oven was warming to bake the potatoes.  A case of cabbage was delivered and Jim was sharpening his knife in preparation for the big chop.

The guest list was long - 24 for inns and 41 people. Unfortunately, no one thought to invite Mother Nature and SHE didn't cooperate.  By Thursday evening about 1/2 of the inns had cancelled and Friday morning the calls were coming in fast.  Anxious faces were glancing one minute at the tv weather station, and another minute outside.

The decision, of course, was to cancel our conference.  Of the members present, and the very few who braved their way to Pierre that day, the meeting was held.  We started as early as we could, and ended as quickly as possible.  The following are the minutes and other reports you might want to read.  (Next time there will be an engraved invitation for "you-know-who")

At the last annual meeting we set as a goal membership growth.  In an effort to reach out, we sent approximately 30 letters or emails to inns across the state that appeared to be actual bed and breakfast inns.  We had NOT ONE response!  That was disheartening, but informative.  Clearly a more direct approach is necessary.  We will have to focus more on personal contact.  I would like to mention Pat and Bob Meakim as examples of inns that have been very good at stopping to visit neighboring inns as they travel around the Black Hills.  They have recruited several new ones that way.  It is the personal contact that makes the difference.  (Attached to this report is a copy of the letter that we sent out for you to have available to pass on to individuals you might meet or know of in your area).  We are counting on each member inn to reach out to their areas for new members. 
 
During the last April Retreat the board worked over the old S.W.O.T analysis that had been done about 7 years ago.  It was interesting to look back and see just how far we have come.  In that time we have had, then dismissed, a part-time executive director/treasurer.  We have overcome regional issues that are no-longer a part of our organizational thinking.   We started the Retreat format meeting in order to have time to bear down on issues that require more than a brief discussion with a quick vote.  Out of the retreats we have grown to be a much more cohesive unit and friendships abound.
 
An issue that will come up this April for discussion and possibly a by-laws change is the question that some of our inns are not preparing breakfasts for their guests.  This could be a violation of our existing bylaws, or maybe just an interpretation of them.  Inns that do a continental breakfast with an extra charge option for a full breakfast, inns that do only a continental breakfast, inns that offer coupons for breakfast at a restaurant, inns that leave a wrapped muffin and a pot of coffee in the room will have to be discussed at length during that meeting. 
 
Another item for consideration at our retreat is our new member inspections.   It is sometimes difficult to get a new member inspection done prior to putting out their information into the brochure. I recently read where the Florida Bed and Breakfast Association dropped their inspection requirement.  The reason is that the traveling public is much more consumer-wise and that non performing inns are readily identified by online evaluations such as Google or Yahoo, and that the inspections are really superfluous.  This is a subject we can be thinking about also.  We only inspect inns one time, but many states do an annual inspection. 
 
During a phone call conversation with the secretary of the Minnesota B and B association I got some very interesting information.  They charge their member inns a membership fee of $375 per year.  This money is automatically withdrawn from their bank accounts and put into the association account.  They have a $30,000 a year Executive Director who does their inspections, manages their books, sets up their brochures and other advertising, plans their conferences totally, does the minutes for each meeting, and takes care of the myriad of other duties.  We do our rates based on the number of rooms an inn has.  MN apparently does not use a sliding scale but charges all the inns the same price.
 
It was interesting to me to see what real value our volunteer board members provide to our constituents:  about $30,000  a year! 
 
There is no question in my mind that the traveling public has become much savvier in recent years.  Inns that have kept up are getting the business, those that haven’t, aren’t.  Website presence is what it is all about.   Some of the inns in MN even have web cams at their location.  It is interesting to think about how that might enhance your/our program.  All members should routinely check their Yahoo and Google sites to see if there are evaluations that are helping you or hurting you.  There is a way to respond if you feel someone has given your inn a bad rap without cause.  Also, it is good to gently remind your guests who are clearly pleased with your product that they can be of help by writing a review.
 
As we roll into the next decade it is a good time for BBISD to become introspective.  This organization is pushing along toward 20 years old.  Are we doing everything we can to attract guests for our members?  Is there anything else we can do or should do as a member based organization to enhance our effectiveness?   Are we ready for any major changes in our operation or are we content to proceed as we have been doing? 

For the last two to three years we have concentrated some of our out-reach efforts on the Tourism Community.  Our presence at the Tourism Conference has solidified BBISD as a viable working organization.   Are there any other areas where we could be working to expand our quality-based image in the state, or out of the state?
 
Thank you to our Board of Directors -
I would like to take this opportunity to gratefully and sincerely thank the many members of the board of directors who put zillions of hours being the oil that keeps this association running smoothly.  It takes many hours to set up and get the brochures printed, pick them up, bag them and get them out to where they need to be.  Did you know that our brochure is taken or mailed to AAA’s, Chambers of Commerce, Tourism boards, throughout the Midwest and farther on demand, and taken to trade shows around the country.  Did you know there is a phone that rings in a member’s inn that is answered literally 24 hours a day to respond to requests for information, to mail out brochures, or sell cookbooks?   There is a member who stands ready to contact potential new members at a drop of the hat.  Another member puts in hours and hours to create an interesting and valuable newsletter each quarter.  Many of you have been driving half-way across the state three or more times a year for this organization.  There are members across the state that may be the only representatives in their area of BBISD but still manage to put a strong positive image out to others of our association.  You all deserve recognition and praise for the time you have dedicated to this group. 

Hey Innkeepers! The BBISD 2010 Brochures are printed and ready for distribution. If you were not able to attend the BBISD 2010 Conference, a packet of brochures, comment cards and other “stuff” will be mailed to you shortly.

Two new inns have joined BBISD for the 2010 Membership Year. They are:

LEGEND SUITES Bed & Breakfast
20809 Legends Ln.
Sturgis, SD 57785
Innkeepers: Wes and Nancy Nelson
605-578-2780
Website— www.blackhills.com/legends
Email—bhlegends@blackhills.com
Legends Suites B & B is just one mile east of Historic Deadwood. They have four romantic themed suites each depicting a “legend” of Deadwood (Lakota, Aces & 8’s, Oriental, and Bordello Rose).

COGAN HOUSE Bed & Breakfast
31133 Bon Homme Road
Tabor, SD 57063
Innkeepers: Greg, Diana & Grant McCann
605-589-3320
Website—www.thecoganhouse.com
Email—mccann@thecoganhouse.com
Built in 2009, the log cabin style lodge is located on Lewis and Clark Trail with panoramic views of the lake.

A HEARTY WELCOME to Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of South Dakota!!

The BBISD Retreat is scheduled for March 27th 1:00 pm until Noon March 28th at Summer Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast. All are welcome. Please notify Marilyn Oakes if you plan to attend (605-666-4781).

We are pleased to announce that a contract for the rewriting and updating of the BBISD Website has been awarded to Gideon Oakes of Keystone, South Dakota. Watch for updates on the new and improved site.

The annual meeting for the Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of South Dakota was brought to order by president, Marilyn Oakes, at 12:30 pm on January 22, 2010. The location of the meeting was Eagle’s View Bed and Breakfast in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota. The inns in attendance were Eagle’s View B & B, Triangle Ranch B & B, Buffalo Rock Lodge, Summer Creek Inn, Foote Creek Inn, Elk Ridge B & B, Peregrine Pointe B & B, Sweetgrass Inn, and The Norbeck House B & B.

The minutes from the 2009 annual conference were read and approved on a motion by Eileen Rossow and a second by Carla Kaaz.

The 2009 treasurer’s report and the 2010 proposed budget was presented by Eileen Rossow. The reports were accepted on a motion by Carla Kaaz and a second by Nancy Evangelisto.

In the absence of the membership chair, Marilyn Oakes reported that we lost three members - Prairie B & B, Elk Point; Deerfield Inn at Borderlands B & B, Hill City; and Black Forest Inn, Hill City. We have gained two new inns - The Cogan House B & B, Tabor and Legends Suites B & B, Deadwood.

The VIA report was given by Marilyn Oakes also. Jim Shade is the new president of VIA and the two items that they are working on is the “After Labor Day School Opening” legislation and the doubling of billboard fees.

Region Reports
Linda Steele gave the report for the Great Lakes Region. Curry’s Red Door B & B has closed their doors so will not be interested in membership. The Hitching Post B & B has received all the paperwork for membership, but at this point has not made the move.

Lyndy Ireland gave the report for Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Region. The inns in the region were quite active. Triangle Ranch hosted the BBISD Spring Retreat in April. During the summer The inns participated in a vacancy listing report that helped all inns to fill their rooms. In October inns participated in an “I survived the tourism season pot luck at Anchorage B & B. During the Holiday Season several inns had an open house and there was a good write-up in the Rapid City Journal. Leslie Passons of Elk Ridge B & B has been elected to the BHBL&L Board and Marilyn Oakes of Buffalo Rock Lodge continues on the board.

Carla Kaaz reported that the 2010 Brochures were complete and ready for distribution.

Marilyn Oakes reported that over the course of the year she sent out approximately 30 letters to potential members and received no response. She reiterated that personal contact with these inns is very important.

New Business. It was moved by Carla Kaaz to have the AAA Table at the 2011 Governor’s Conference. The motion was seconded by Linda Steele and approved. A motion was made by Carla Kaaz to continue the BBISD Booth at the 2011 Governor’s Conference. The motion was seconded by Nancy Evangelisto and approved. Nancy Evangelisto moved that we offer the $165 Conference Scholarship in 2011. The motion was seconded by Leslie Passons and approved.

Five new inns were elected to the 2010 Board - Summer Creek Inn, Elk Ridge B & B, Foote Creek B & B, The Norbeck House B & B, and Sweetgrass Inn. Election of officers will be done at the retreat.

It was moved by Ron Kaaz that the Association extend a website contract to Gideon Oakes with the stipulation that the contract be completed by April 1st. The motion was seconded by Jim Steele and the motion was approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted
Eileen Rossow
Secretary Protem

Bath salts are simple to make and with proper storage can have a shelf life of several months. While most commercial bath salts are full of chemicals, you can make your own with just a few ingredients. One of the major ingredients in moth bath salt recipes is Epsom salt. It is made of magnesium sulfate which helps facilitate the removal of acids through the skin. It is also well knows for its power to alleviate muscle soreness, aches and pains. Another simple ingredient found in most kitchens is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Baking soda added to a bath salt recipe adds the affect of softening your skin. An alternative to baking soda is liquid glycerin, a by-product of soap making. Glycerin offers the power of a skin moisturizer and is available at many drug stores or health food stores.

Bath Salts Recipe
2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup Sea Salt, Rock Salt or Course Salt
1/2 cup Baking Soda (1/4 Tablespoon of Glycerin can be substituted for the Baking Soda)
Food Coloring
20—30 drops of Fragrance Oil

In a large metal bowl combine salts and baking soda. Mix with your hands until the combination is thoroughly blended and resembles a fine powder. Add the food coloring, a few drops at a time. Try to thoroughly mix the salts with the food coloring to make sure each salt grain is colored. Add the fragrance oil a few drops at a time, mixing thoroughly to prevent the salts from clumping. Spread the salts in a single layer on a wax paper covered cookie sheet and allow to air dry for several hours. Spoon the dried bath salts into a wide mouth container with a good airtight stopper or lid.
Add approximately 1/2 cup bath salts to your bath water, stirring the water thoroughly to dissolve the salts.

Tips:As salt will absorb moisture from the air, try to make your bath salts on a day with low humidity. You can get creative with the color choices and fragrances in your recipes by dividing the bath salts into separate containers and adding different colors and/or fragrances to each container. The more fragrance you add to your bath salts, the less salt you will need to add to your bath water. Let your nose be your guide. Although bath salts are ready to use immediately, storing the salts for a few weeks will allow the oils and fragrance time to merge with the salts.