Executive Committee meeting January 4, 2017

Executive Committee meeting

Monday January 04, 2016

EC Meeting

Green Mountain Club

Montpelier Section

Executive Committee Minutes

January 3, 2017

Those present: Steve Bailey, President; Sharon Plumb, Vice-President; Andrew Nuquist, Trails and Shelters Coordinator; Mike Wetherell, GMC Director; Kevin Ryan, Publicity Coordinator; John Buddington, Webmaster; Ken Hertz, Web Clerk; Morgan Irons, Treasurer; Nancy Jordan, Trail Talk Editor; Steve Lightholder, Secretary.

Those absent: Christie Carter, Membership Coordinator; Eric Seidel, Alternate GMC Director.

Steve Bailey called the meeting to order at 7pm at Ken’s house.

Old Business:

The minutes of the September 28, 2016 meeting were unanimously approved.

President’s Report:

Steve recognized Morgan and Alan for their well-received slide show on the 100-mile Wilderness at the last membership meeting, and Ken for his efforts in digitizing the section’s archives.

The January 25 membership meeting will feature storytelling by attendees on the theme of “Let me tell you about the time when” Wiling storytellers are being sought. The section’s new slide projector will be available. Mike will provide a laptop to work with it. Kevin will advertise the meeting in his weekly “Upcoming Outing” email.

Kristen McLane of the main club has informed Steve that the Berlin Mall is planning to decorate their hallway as an abbreviated Long Trail, complete with a shelter; mall walkers will be able to log their hikes. The promotion will last from MLK Day, January 16, to sometime in April. The section plans to “man” a table there at appropriate times. Stay tuned.

The section’s annual meeting is planned for Christ Church on either the 7th or 8th of April to avoid conflict with a dance class on the floor above. Sharon will determine which date. Sharon will also present the evening’s program.

Steve will be forming a nomination committee. A new membership coordinator and a new secretary will be needed.

The section will be sponsoring the March 9 Taylor Series event at the main club in Waterbury. Steve and Heather will present their Worcester Range slide show. Steve and Kevin will decide on appropriate advance publicity.

Vice-President’s Report:

Sharon reported that there were only a few trips this past quarter, with generally four to six participants each.

It’s helpful to both Sharon and Nancy if folks follow the suggested descriptive format when scheduling trips.

Trails and Shelters Coordinator’s Report:

Andrew reported that fall clean-ups were minimal at best due to poor weather conditions.

In the spring there will be a need for strong and experienced workers both for impending tasks and to guide others. Advance scouting from trail adopters would also help. Adopter Steve Titcomb has identified a wet area that requires a concentrated effort and may require a special work day.

Andrew and John have scouted a proposed trail relocation between the Gleason Brook swimming hole and the River Road canoe access. This route appears to be extremely difficult to build. There was discussion of the section providing a negative recommendation to the main club, but it was decided to hold off on that for now.

Proposals for trail relocations in Smuggler’s Notch are still in flux.

Work hike dates will be the 13th and 20th of May.

Director’s Report:

Since there had not been a board meeting since September, Mike had little to report. He did note that the main club budget is soon to be formulated and a new Long Trail Guide is about to be published.

Publicity Coordinator’s Report:

Kevin continues to send our weekly calendar items to the media and weekly announcements to the membership.

Webmaster’s Report:

John noted that our website has been up for fourteen years and has become a great source of information. He is now building a new support system which will include new search capabilities.

Treasurer’s Report:

Morgan reported a balance of $2,804.71 in checking, $3,667.60 in savings, and $3,115.35 in a certificate, for a grand total of $9,587.66.

Membership Coordinator’s Report:

Christie reported, by email, that we now have 367 members. Over the past quarter 21 dropped, 1 joined or rejoined and 10 renewed.

Trail Talk Editor’s Report:

Nancy noted that only 39 members out of a print run of 375 have elected to receive the newsletter electronically.

New Business: There was no new business.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on March 15 or 16. Steve will email the final selection.

Respectfully,

Steve Lightholder, Secretary