Executive Committee meeting September 27, 2017

Executive Committee meeting

Wednesday September 27, 2017

Executive Committee Minutes 9/27/17

Green Mountain Club

MONTPELIER SECTION

Executive Committee Minutes

September 27, 2017

Present: Steve Bailey, President; Sharon Plumb, Vice President; Kevin Ryan, Publicity Coordinator; John Buddington, Webmaster; Andrew Nyquist, Trails and Shelters Coordinator; Morgan Irons, Treasurer; Linda Trono, Membership Coordinator; Mike Wetherell, GMC Coordinator; Nancy Jordan, Trail Talk Editor; Ken Hertz, Web Clerk; and Phyllis Rubenstein, Secretary.

Steve Bailey called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the home of Phyllis Rubenstein

Old Business

Morgan moved that we approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 28, 2017. John seconded the motion. The motion was passed.

President’s Report

Steve thanked Ken for putting past trips on the website.

Publicity on the Front Porch Forum is effective. A woman on his recent hike agreed to post events on Front Porch Forum in East Montpelier. Steve made a list of people at the meeting who could list events on FPF in their hometowns. We had a discussion about the cost to officially publicize as an organization. Ken suggested that Steve rotate asking different people to list events to avoid a cost.

Steve and Heather had 24 participants on their recent hike at Millstone Quarry. The easier and shorter hikes in scenic places are getting the most participants.

Steve provided additional information about Meet-Up and offered to coordinate setting up a Meet-Up group and posting events. It will cost the club $15 per month. Andrew moved that we have a 6-month trial period. Phyllis seconded the motion, and it passed.

Nancy reported that no one is leading Trekkers events right now.

Vice President’s Report

Sharon reported that trips are going well. She will ask people to volunteer to lead trips between 12/1/17 and 2/28/18. Nancy agreed with a deadline of 10/15.

Trail and Shelter Coordinator’s Report

Andrew said he is trying to keep communication open between the trail adopters and members of the Executive Committee. He shared his frustrations dealing with the main club, from which information has not been forthcoming. Dave Hardy told Andrew that the Boardwalk in the Notch will be completed this fall. The dedication will be on 10/27/17 at 10 a.m. In the spring we’ll be re-blazing the area.

Andrew anticipates this will be the last year that we have to clean out the “Big Dig.” He hopes that there will be approval in the spring to relocate the trail in that area.

The next two work sessions are on October 14 (Notch) and 21 (Bamforth Ridge). Meet at Montpelier High School at 8 a.m. Andrew hopes to have some new people doing trail work. Morgan suggested everyone bring a new person.

Dave Hardy told Andrew that the main club will build wooden steps at the bad spot near the parking lot of Bamforth Ridge Trail.

On her LT trip this summer, Morgan saw the new trail work done by the club trail crew near Barnes Camp and was appalled by the areas of raw dirt.

Director’s Report

Mike reported that the main club met last Saturday, which was also Volunteer’s Day. John Page talked about the importance volunteers have played since the inception of the club. The strategic plan was approved. It focuses on protecting and managing trail resources, engaging a diverse membership, strengthening sections, and operational excellence. Mike Debonis is representing the GMC in a new state committee established by Governor Scott called VT Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative. Its mission is to promote the outdoors and land stewardship. Mike reported on trail maintenance performed by the club, efforts throughout the state to engage young people, rebuilding of the tower on Bromley, and staff changes. The Long Trail Guide Retrospective, written by Reidun Nyquist, and the new Long Trail Guide, will be out this fall.

The next board meeting is January 6, 2018. The next Annual Meeting will be hosted by the O Section at Hulburt Outdoor Center on June 1 to 3, 2018. Steve reminded us that in 2019, we are co-hosting the annual meeting with the Sterling Section.

Publicity Coordinator’s Report

Kevin said that he sends publicity to the Bridge, the World, Vermont Sports, the Stowe Reporter, Seven Days and the Burlington Free Press. He is not regularly posting in the Times Argus, except for work hikes. He is also sending out the weekly announcement of events to the list serve. Ken told us that between 1955 and 1960, trail reports were printed in the Times Argus!

Webmaster’s Report

John reported that Ken posts the trip reports to our website and Facebook page. Our website was designed 14 years ago. John invited suggestions to change the website. Ken invited younger people to take over responsibility for the website. John questioned whether we could connect the calendar on our website to Meet-Up.

Treasurer’s Report

Morgan reported a balance of $3,458 in checking, $1,669 in savings, and $3,156 in a CD, for a total of $8,283. Our reserve fund continues to improve. She reminded us that we may want to propose a change at the annual meeting to modify the 150% reserve fund requirement and to make an immediate contribution to the main club. Andrew asked whether there was money left in the training fund so that a member could be trained in chain saw safety. Ken suggested that the money could come out of the Trails and Shelters Fund.

Trail Talk Editor’s Report

Nancy reported that 41 people have opted out receiving a paper newsletter. The deadline for the next newsletter is October 15.

Membership Coordinator’s Report

Linda was unable to download a report about membership information prior to the meeting.

New Business: The membership meeting will be Friday, November 17, at 7 p.m. at the T.W. Wood Gallery. Steve asked for people to submit photographs about trail conditions – the best, the worst, the most unusual.

The next membership meeting will be in January – either January 5 or 26. Possible speakers are Lexi Shear, who hiked the LT with her daughter, George Longenecker, who travels out west every year, Mike DeBonis, who hiked the trail with the clothing and gear used a century ago.

We discussed potential sites and dates for the annual meeting. Sharon suggested we use the new barn at North Branch, that it start in the afternoon, and that we have activities. Dates of April 28 and May 5 were suggested. Morgan said she would check the by-laws to see if there is a requirement that the annual meeting occur in April.

Next meeting: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the home of Ken Hertz.

Andrew moved to adjourn the meeting and Morgan seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at about 9:00 p.m.

Addendum

Linda notified me that we have 33 new members and lost 11 member.

Morgan notified the EC that the bylaws states the annual meeting is to be held in April.

Respectfully submitted on October 4, 2017,

Phyllis Rubenstein, Secretary

Respectfully submitted, Phyllis Rubenstein, secretary