Villages Hiking Club – Board Minutes
Thursday, June 22, 2023 9:30 – 11:15 am
Call to Order. Meeting was called to order by President Bob at 9:33am in the Forum Room, Cribari. Attending Board Members included: President – Bob Bogdanoff, 2nd VP Social –Carmel Smith, VP Membership & Website – Jim Beyer, Treasurer – Gordon Carbonetti and Secretary – Cheryl Allmen. Absent: VP Hiking & Trails – John Petrin (vacation) and 2nd VP Social -Bibi Bruce. Guest: Hillside Grazing-Michelle Breslin
Hill Grazing Update- Michelle shared updates on the Hill’s options relevant to the safety of the Villages, cattle grazing information/scheduling and potential fire prevention plans involving one of the ranchers, Richie Vargas and cattle. Numerous discussions/meetings involving our General Manager Theresa, Tom Muniz, and Village’s Board, and other relevant individuals have occurred leading 4 options involving the cattle and the Villages. She also shared a typical Cattle year-long lifecycle that impacts the grazing process along with impact on the Villages property, fencing, and water available for cattle. It appears this is a work-in-progress with decisions made in the near future on how to proceed. As a result, a motion was made by Bob, seconded by Gordon to appoint Michelle as a Representative for the Hiking Club Board on Rancher Issues, motion approved.
Reports. Secretary – Cheryl thanked Gordon for writing up the minutes of the last
Board meeting and Deb Siedband filling in as secretary while she was on vacation. Gordon moved to approve the minutes and Bob seconded, motion approved.
Treasurer – Gordon previously emailed to the Board members financial reports covering April & May 2023 account statements. Through April 30, 2023, the General Fund Financial Report ended with a bank balance of $5,210.44. Through May 31, 2023, the bank balance for the General Fund was $2,952.42. For those same timeframes the Hill Lands Project Fund balance continues unchanged at $2,715.89. Gordon also indicated that the Club is waiting for the check from the Villages covering the Sonora Outing Dinner proceeds. Motion to approve the April and May 2023 fiscal reports was made by Bob, seconded by Carmel, motion approved.
VP Membership & Website – Jim indicated the total membership is 326 individuals with 3 members choosing to drop and 8 new members including David Cook, Bobby Farhat, Monona Tang, Bertram Tang, Cheri Reid, Barbara Kieker, Irene Cheung, and Hanne Loiacono. Jim is currently waiting for David Cook’s support to update the website related to potentially include adding member’s emails who wish to have theirs included. This will occur in the near future. He also added that Russ is inquiring whether announcements from ad hoc groups wishing to announce additional hikes could be added to our email announcements of upcoming hikes. After group discussion, that decision will be made later.
VP Hiking & Trails – Bob in John’s absence indicated the Hiking Club Pt Reyes Fall trip is scheduled for October 10-12, 2023 at Tomales Bay Resort, approximately 110mile drive. 20 rooms, a meeting room and a $1200 discount are included on the contract. Bob moved and Cheryl seconded to approve the 15% resort discount and the $7.932 payment to the Resort from the Club fiscal account, motion approved. Additional research will be conducted to locate the various hikes, communications/instructions for members to arrange their room reservations (charging members in advance) and a restaurant for the October 11th evening.
VP Social – Carmel announced the Saturday, July 8th, Summer BBQ, Gazebo, 4:30 – 8:00 pm, BYOB was canceled due to reduced funds, some members away on vacation and not enough timing for planning. Gazebo reservations would also be canceled. Instead, the committee will focus on the September 21st picnic. Jim shared that the July BBQ had been removed from the Club’s website and notification emails sent out to the membership.
President – Bob. Beyond the issues of the hill grazing, Bob shared updates on the General Meeting Speakers which include: June 26 – Panorama of The Villages – Annette Mach. July – no meeting. August – Whole Food Plant Based Diet – Global Village Club – Mary Mackey. Sept – TBD. Oct – Pine Ridge Assoc – Henry Coe State Park, Al Henning.
Old Business none
New Business- Cheryl shared the concerns communicated by several members who wanted additional information and training on how to handle situations when a hiker is injured on a hike and when is important to call 911 for additional support.
Next Meetings include: General Meeting: Monday, June 26th, Panorama of The Villages – Annette Mach. No July Meeting. Board Meeting: No July Board meeting. Thursday, August 24th, 9:30-10:30am, Forum Rm, Cribari.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:21am.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Allmen
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary