Villages Hiking Club – Board Meeting Minutes (via Zoom) 21-Jan-2021
Called to Order: 9:30am by President Al Girolami
Attending Board Members:
President – Al Girolami
VP Hiking & Trails – Faye Swanson
VP Social – Michelle Breslin
VP Membership & Website – Jim Beyer
Treasurer – Sandy Petrin
Secretary – Gordon Carbonetti
Also attending were Dan Kato, Sy Gelman and Karan Foss (9 Total Attendees)
Reports
Secretary
Gordon made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2020 Board Meeting. Sandy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Treasurer
November 2020 General Fund
Beginning balance as of October 31, 2020 $6,384.80
No Income $0.00
Expenses – Donation to Hill Lands Acct. $500.00
Ending balance as of November 30, 2020. $5,884.80
November 2020 Hiking Club Hill Lands Project Fund
Beginning balance as of October 31, 2020. $2,301.82
Income – Donation from Hiking Club $500.00
No Expenses $0.00
Ending Balance as of November 30, 2020 $2,801.82
December 2020 General Fund
Beginning balance as of November 30, 2020 $5,884.80
Income – Membership Dues $14.00
Balance $5,898.80
Expenses – Donations
Ck#1659 Bay Area Ridge Trail Council $100.00
Ck#1660 California State Parks Foundation $100.00
Ck#1661 Greenbelt Alliance $200.00
Ck#1662 Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) $200.00
Ck#1663 Portola & Castle Rock Foundation $100.00
Ck#1664 Santa Clara County Open Space $100.00
Ck#1665 Santa Clara County Parks and Rec. $100.00
Ck#1666 Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society $100.00
Ck#1667 Senpervirens Fund. $100.00
Ck#1668 The Pine Ridge Association. $100.00
Ck#1669 VMA (Steve Ford) Memorial $50.00
Total Expenses $1,250.00
Ending balance as of December 31, 2020. $4,648.80
Note – Book balance is $4848.80 as Ck’s 1664 and 1668 are still outstanding.
– Sandy is awaiting the 2021 Zoom renewal invoice from Michelle
December 2020 Hiking Club Hill Lands Project Fund
Beginning balance as of November 30, 2020 $2,801.82
No Income and Expenses $0.00
Ending Balance as of December 31, 2020 $2,801.82
The preceding Financial Report was approved by a motion made by Jim, and seconded by Michelle, and it passed unanimously.
It was discussed that a check from the Villages will be forthcoming for 2021 dues which will be approximately $7 x 280 members or $1,960.
Al expressed concern that too much money is in the General Account and asked about a withdrawal limit or the ability to shut off the Debit card for this account if the Debit card is lost. He asked for ideas to reduce his concern. Sandy said she is notified at every use of the debit card, and that shutting off the card is not a good idea as it hampers deposits. Sandy will check our daily withdrawal limit. Al thinks it’s $1,000, but we can increase that if necessary. Sandy said there is no minimum balance requirement on any of our accounts.
2020 Donations – All donations went out in December. Thank-You notes were received from the POST (3-times match), Senpervirens and the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. SC Parks and Rec had a 2-times match. Some donation recipients send us a mailer/newsletter which Al receives and is willing to share with interested members. Audubon Society and the POST do that. Those are likely found on the respective websites as follows: www.scvas.org and www.openspacetrust.org. Also, we are now a 2021 honorary member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, as a result of the donation on behalf of Steve Ford.
Sunshine Committee – Sandy sadly advised two HC members recently passed away – Steve Ford and Roy Wash. The HC made a donation to the Paralyzed Veterans of America on behalf of Mr. Ford, and to the Silicon Valley Humane Society on behalf of Mr. Wash. The Villages will refund Mr. Wash’s 2021 HC dues, while his wife will continue her membership. We also have a member, Heroilda Martinez, who suffered a stroke. We are sending her a card and the HC will refund her 2021 dues. Also, Terri Vivoli sends out beautiful hand-made condolence cards on behalf of the Hiking Club, and we thank her for her efforts.
VP Membership & Website
Jim advised we lost 3 members but gained 3 new members. Current membership now totals 283.
Jim will report at the General Membership Meeting next week on member numbers by length of HC membership.
Michelle suggested consideration for adding a social media presence for the HC, such as Instagram or Facebook. She said this might attract new HC members. There was a spirited discussion among the Board members resulting in Al asking Michelle, Jim and others to look into this and report back at a future meeting.
VP Hiking & Trails
Faye thanked Mary Fullerton for reporting downed Hill Lands trees from the recent storms so Faye can follow up appropriately.
Faye reported three levels of unsanctioned hikes (Rambler, Rambler Lite, Long Hikers) are well attended and following health/safety protocols.
Faye again stressed the importance of getting outside, exercise and socializing when hiking, especially for the Rambler Lite hikers. She wants these hikes to continue as sanctioned hikes after the pandemic.
Since Rambler Lite is a new hiker category, Faye says guidelines need to be established for it in the standing rules to be protected from any problems that may arise. She asked the Board to think about this or volunteer to help her in this effort. Dan Kato said years ago the HC had three hiker categories (Walkers, Rambler, Long Hikers), but after a while the Walkers were eliminated for not being very active. Dan also said there was a Pole Walkers Club, but that was separate from the HC. Dan suggested if a third category is added again, it should simply follow the rules and guidelines of the other two. Faye thinks the Rambler Hiker category should be a bit more restrictive, such as they must stay in the Villages. She would create a fourth category below Rambler Lite if necessary. Al suggested Faye, with Bonnie and Sy, do further research to see what has been written previously on Rambler Lite. Al feels Rambler Lites should be able to go out of the Villages if they want.
Sy commented that he and Bonnie previously presented to the Board that Rambler Lites would go with the Rambler hikers but go a shorter distance or shorter trail in the same area. Sy also wondered why members are not notified about long hikes like the other categories. Faye will look into this and report back at a future Board meeting. Sy has his Rambler hikes planned through the third week of February 2021.
VP Social
Due to the Pandemic, no events are planned for the next few months, but Michelle hopes to be able to do a Summer Picnic if possible.
The outing to Chico planned for April 2021 will not happen due to conflicts.
Alternatively, an outing to San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay can be investigated for Fall 2021. Sandy and Michelle will look into this and report back.
Old Business
Hill Lands Committee Report
Al provided an update on Hiking Club on the following projects – #1 Steps Trail, #2 Picnic Table in NE corner of the Hill Lands, #3 Sign-In mailbox at the Joe Marsh trailhead and #4 Two-by-three-foot signs at each trailhead. Al sent a letter to the Villages (Julia Meadows) on December 31, 2020 asking about the status of each project, and to make sure we get included in the next budget cycle. A response was received January 4, 2021 from her saying the Villages Board will be reviewing project requests during the budget development process. She will resend the HC submittal and subsequent answers to Tim as a reminder. She will let us know as soon as she hears back. Al thinks we have to let the new Villages Board to get settled in, but Tim will likely make the final decision.
Dan says by his experience, if any smaller projects arise it will be easier and quicker to accomplish with a Work Request.
Regarding Cattle Grazing, Al says that nothing will likely happen until the grass grows higher. Al also said one HC member emailed a suggestion to have the Fire Department inspect the Hill Lands. Al said the Villages should do this, and it is not our place to do it. The HC could suggest this if asked by the Board. However, a fire department inspection may give rise to other issues related to insurance and land maintenance. Our position is to support Bill Johnston as he has a good rapport with the neighboring ranchers. HC member Jim Koski is willing to help as well.
Al and Jim advised the QR codes are all installed. However, the plastic coverings are not holding up well. Michelle will work to improve this perhaps via laminating or will talk to John Trudeau who put up all the new trail signs.
New Business
Al asked for help with future zoom programs. He has Greenbelt Alliance for Feb 2021, but he needs March, April and beyond. Michelle suggested a new charity (based in Menlo Park) for the Pacific Crest Trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. They are helping Yosemite Park raise money for restoration after last year’s fires. Al will check it out.
Next Meeting
General Membership – January 25, 2021 at 7:30pm, via Zoom. Program: Bay Area Ridge Council.
Next Board Meeting – February 18, 2021 at 9:30am, via Zoom with details to follow.
Meeting Adjourned – The meeting adjourned at 10:41am by motion and second by Jim and Gordon
Respectfully submitted
Gordon Carbonetti – Secretary