Executive Committee meeting October 10, 2019

Executive Committee meeting

Saturday October 10 2020

Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting

Green Mountain Club

Montpelier Section

Executive Committee Meeting

Home of Phyllis Rubenstein

October 10 2019

Present: Andrew Nuquist, President; Ken Hertz, Vice President; Steve Bailey, Treasurer; Kevin Ryan, Publicity Coordinator; John Buddington, Webmaster; Alan Paschell, Trails and Shelters Coordinator; Nancy Jordan, Trail Talk Editor; Phyllis Rubenstein, Secretary; and George Longenecker, GMC Director.

Absent: Linda Trono, Membership Coordinator.

Old Business

In July, George notified us that Andrew resigned as president and a plan was put in place that Steve would become president. Ken moved to elect Steve as president. John seconded the motion. It was passed. Andrew will continue as alternate director. Steve will continue as treasurer.

Minutes of meeting of July 10, 2019. Ken clarified that Robert’s Rules orf Order provides that unanimous consent is required for simple procedural matters such as to accept minutes or adjourn. The minutes were accepted.

Phyllis reported on the Trip Leadership meeting. Ten people attended. There was a lot of interesting discussion. We discussed whether there should be any requirements for trip leaders. Most of us had attended first aid or wilderness first aid training. We discussed asking the Main Club to schedule a training in April or May. Phyllis agreed to contact the main club, which she has done. We also discussed having our section subsidize members who are trip leaders or plan to become trip leaders. Andrew moved that the Executive Committee authorize expenditure of up to $1,000 for the purpose of section members who have led or intend to lead trips to attend a first aid training workshop sponsored by the main club. Ken seconded the motion. We will finalize details when we know cost.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included what should trip leader bring, how do we encourage members to become trip leaders, what to do if a participant is unprepared. Andrew said what we didn’t resolve at the meeting was the conflict between scaring people away from being a leader by having too many requirements and encouraging new leaders. The Trip Leader’s Manual is a good resource.

Phyllis will follow up with club about wilderness aid training and will write a paragraph for Trail Talks, including in the paragraph that current leaders are willing to co-lead with new leaders.

President’s Report

Steve reported that the Walkers Guide is being updated and there is need for people to check on trails. George and Cynthia checked on a number of trails including Rokeby Historic Site, Kingsland Bay, Mt Philo, Litttle River Trails, the new Middlesex Town Forest, and a trail in Dumme State Park. Steve and Heather checked on 3 new trails. Phyllis offered to do 2, but hasn’t done them yet. Steve said the deadline of September 30 has been extended. There are some trails that still need to be re-surveyed. Kevin and Ken both offered to survey a trail.

Vice President Report

Ken said our bylaws do not allow us to vote by email. Andrew said if it is not forbidden, why not ask the members to approve. Ken said that based upon what main club did, there would have to be a change of the bylaw.

John opposed the proposal. He likes meetings, which only occur four times a year.

George said we could make an exception for business that has to be decided between regular meetings.

John said if there is something that needs to be decided, we should call a special meeting.

Steve asked for an example of when we would need to make a decision by email.

Nancy asked when the bylaws were last revised. Steve said we amended last year to allow for annual meeting in April or May.

Trails and Shelters

Alan said he and Morgan hiked to Sterling Pond and on Bamforth Ridge trail. He has some ideas of what needs to be done. There are 2 workdays upcoming. One possible project is dealing with the reroute in the Bamforth Ridge Trail, which hasn’t been taken care of by the main club. Some water bars need to be put in. He filed reports on both of the scout hikes and enumerated projects that he hoped the main club would address and none have. He spent the $200 budget in total and bought a pack. Keegan said he put the Bamforth Ridge Work Hike on his calendar. George asked whether this problem should be raised to main club Trail Management Committee.

John said the club did some decent work at Sterling Pond. Alan said the Vermont National Guard made two trips to carry up lumber to build two tent platforms.

Director’s Report

George reported that the Long Range Financial campaign has begun with a goal of raising four million dollars, with half to go to the endowment. Most of the land that the trail crosses is now preserved. Two staff members are working almost full time on the campaign. The club has net assets of $12 million dollars. The club functions as trail management and conservation. The AT portion of the trail is owned by the National Park Service but is managed by the Green Mountain National Forest Service. The northern portion is owned by the GMC or in land trust. On the AT, they are restoring old pasture and apple trees, which is important for ground nesting species. George encouraged everyone to donate. There has been 100% participation by the Board of Directors. A survey of directors showed that there are same areas where directors are not that aware, such as finance. Mike DeBonis is doing a great job as executive director.

Publicity Coordinator’s Report

Kevin reviewed where he publicizes events and asked for suggestions for other publications.

Webmaster’s Report

John said that at the last meeting some people said the website has slow response time. Ken explained that the web post we use does not respond quickly. John downloaded a page continuously over 24 hours. It took 5 seconds,, which is unacceptably. He has looked at some possible domain hosts, which were most faster – 2/3 second. John plans to migrate to a different domain host, which would provide unlimited email accounts and unlimited storage. Currently Ken uses a manual backup. John and Ken can probably do this at a time so that no one will notice.

Treasurer’s Report

Steve reported that we spent $236 on printing and postage, we got $1230 from the club. Our balance went up $1,000 so we have $3515 $1672 in savings for a total of $5,300.

Membership Report

Linda sent Steve an email. Ken gave a membership count which gives up 345 memberships. The past 3 months, we have a net increase of 54 members.

Ken said if one doesn’t pay dues on time, you go into default and receive extra communications.

Ken outlined the number of club members, including life members, business members, and complimentary members.

Phyllis suggested we print in Trail Talks: “Please support our business members”

Phyllis will contact the club and ask how one becomes a complimentary members

.

Editor’s Report

Nancy reported that our next deadline for Trail Talks for the winter issue is October 20; for the spring issue the deadline is January 13; for the summer is April 20, and for the fall issue is July 20.

She needs ideas for articles. Andrew suggested a photo issue. Ken asked Nancy to find out the cost of one page of color photos.

New Business

Update to trip report form

Ken updated the form by adding contact information for non-members. We reviewed what happens with that information. The membership chair used to contact non-members who participated in events. Kristy, former membership chair, was uncomfortable contacting people, and Linda has not done that. Andrew suggested sending non-members a follow-up letter with copy of Trail Talk. Steve said that the Burlington section gives out a card, stating if you will join our section, we will send you a LT map. Nancy said years ago we used to give everyone a packet. Steve will write a blurb that can go to non-members. Phyllis suggested that the membership chairperson send out the blurbs. Steve said the website could be set up so the list of non-members goes to membership chair or another designated person. Trip leaders could also send out the blurb.

Speakers for upcoming membership meetings

Last year we had three speakers, Zach Porter, Andrew, and Phyllis. Ideas for January and March: John Snell, Chip Darmstadt, but he is resigning from North Branch Nature Center, Mark Labare, from Audubon, someone from North Branch Nature Center (inaturalist, any nature subject). Steve will ask John Snell. Phyllis will contact NBNC. We’ll plan for Thursday programs in January and March.

Next meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. at Andrew’s home.

The meeting was adjourned.

Addendum: Alan reported that he invented an idea. He puts a sock on his sleeve to use as a handkerchief. It can be removed and laundered.

Phyllis Rubenstein

11/17/2019

Respectfully submitted, Phyllis Rubenstein, secretary