Executive Committee Meeting June 28, 2017
Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday June 28, 2017 EC minutes by Phyllis Rubenstein
Present: Steve Bailey, President; Kevin Ryan, Publicity Coordinator; John Buddington, Webmaster; Andrew Nuquist, Trails and Shelters Coordinator; Morgan Irons, Treasurer; Linda Trono, Membership Coordinator; Mike Wetherell, GMC Coordinator; and Phyllis Rubenstein, Secretary.
Absent: Sharon Plumb, Vice President; Ken Hertz, Web Clerk; and Nancy Jordan, Trail Talk editor.
Steve Bailey called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the home of Steve and Heather.
Old Business
The minutes of the March 15, 2017, meeting were unanimously approved.
President’s Report
Steve reported on the annual meeting and thanked Sharon for her contributions.
The GMC Main Club Annual meeting was hosted by the Breadloaf Section. We had a discussion as to whether we wanted to host the 2018 annual meeting. We did not feel ready to undertake the effort and agreed to offer to host in 2019.
August 5 is trail magic day. Last year there were three crews who distributed food and beverages to hikers at the River Road trailhead. If interested in providing trail magic this year, contact Steve.
We agreed that the membership meeting will be on November 3, 2017, and that Andrew and others will present about trail work in Vermont and beyond. We will serve refreshments.
If anyone wants to do a presentation at the Taylor series, contact Steve.
Trail and Shelter Coordinator’s Report
Andrew said he did not know whether we can go around the “Big Dig.” He thought cutting trees and grubbing would take two trips.
The May 13 and 20 trail work days had good turnouts. Work was done to fill up mud holes on Bamforth Ridge and stone steps were built on the Barnes Camp trail.
Andrew is going to contact the Main Club about the issue of cows on a section of the new trail that he and Reidun have adopted.
Director’s Report
Mike reported on the Main Club Annual Meeting at the Common Ground in Starksboro. The Club had a great fiscal year and has a little surplus. The Club is working on a 5-year strategic plan and a possible capital campaign, with potential state and federal funding sources. The Club has a new education and volunteer coordinator. Next winter the Club
will test a Long Trail News for kids. Reidun’s Long Trail Guide Retrospective is in
production. Summer trail work was productive.
Publicity Coordinator’s Report
Kevin missed some publicity in the beginning of June because he was away. George Plumb wants a disclaimer regarding his bicycle trips. It can be printed in the Wednesday list serve notice but not in newspapers.
Phyllis raised the problem of scheduling issues, such as two trips to NH in the same week- end. Andrew said we should not compete with each other and have similar activities in the same week-end.
John discussed a technical issue with Kevin about the bottom border on the weekly list serve.
Treasurer’s Report
Morgan reported a balance of $2,937.19 in checking, $1,688.88 in savings, and $3,142.47 in a CD, for a total of $7,748.54. Our reserve fund has improved since the annual meeting. Andrew would like to purchase some new tools, which expenditure is in the budget.
There was a discussion of the 150% reserve fund requirement. The CD is not part of the reserve fund. Andrew explained the history of the reserve fund. He thinks it is excessive. Given our current financial situation, at the next annual meeting, we can propose a immediate contribution to the Main Club.
Trail Talk Editor’s Report
Steve reported for Nancy that she is looked for someone to write an article (400+/- words) including a photograph. She is looking for ideas for articles. Andrew offered to write two articles: trail work sessions and (2) trail work in UK. Steve will talk to Nancy and notify us of the deadline for the next newsletter.
Membership Coordinator’s Report
Linda reported that we have 350 memberships and 512 voting members. We discussed how to increase membership, such as inviting at-large members in Washington County to attend a membership or annual meeting, reaching out to new members, directing more people to the weekly list serve, surveys (done in the past), and posting our hikes on Meet- Up. Steve will find out about Meet-Up and will talk to Rob about the Main Club application.
New Business: There was no new business.
Next meeting: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 7 p.m. at Phyllis Rubenstein’s home.
Respectfully submitted on July 19, 2017, Phyllis Rubenstein, Secretary