4-24-24 Villages Hiking Club Board Minutes
Forum Room, Cribari
Call to Order Meeting was called to order by President Bob at 9:33 am with the following board
members in attendance: VPs Social – Bibi Bruce & Linda Arbaugh; VP Membership & Website –
Jim Beyer; Secretary – Cheryl Allmen; and VP Hiking & Trails – Gordon Carbonetti. Treasurer
– Bert Tang, online via phone.
Reports
Treasurer – Bert followed up on all the fiscal reports dated March 2024 Reports previously
emailed to the board members. Via phone he shared that the Hill Project Lands Fund balance
remains the same: $2,279.72. The General Fund Financial Report has an ending balance of
$5,443.93 (bank statement: $5,608.70 since some checks have not cleared yet). Total income
of $902.00 included new membership dues and several Nevada City Hotel outing payments.
Expenses covered membership refunds, 5 months of Mail Chimp subscription payments and
social committee food reimbursements. Jim will pay the next 6 months of the Mail Chimp via
PayPal. Remaining action item includes Bob’s signature of the Villages Webmaster Guild
agreement and return to Bert and Dave Cook. Motion was made by Bob, seconded by Gordon
to approve the reports. Motion passed.
Secretary – Cheryl emailed both the March 21, 2024 Board Minutes and the March 25, 2024
General Meeting Minutes to the Board. After a few wording/grammatical changes offered to
both minutes, Gordon moved acceptance of the board minutes, seconded by Bob. Motion
passed
Membership & Website – Jim reported the current membership is 333 members including 3
new members: Mary Lou Guzman, Amy Luong and Duc Luong. The website continues to be
current. He has completed 14 new name tags and then handed them over to Bob since Lucy
McProud has agreed to be the designated badge person to support Jim given his health
concerns. Board members supported that decision. In the future, Jim agreed to continue to
develop future nametags via the template/supplies. Given the large amount of emails that are
needed, Bob suggested to Jim and the Board that Marisue Cody serve as backup in order to
share the workload and responsibilities.
VP Hiking & Trails – Gordon updated the board on the status of the Spring Overnight in Nevada
City, scheduled for May 7-9, 2024 along with information about the hikes already planned for
rambler lite, rambler and long distant hikers. He reviewed the plans and indicated both the
historical hotel and the Norther Queen Inn are available. He covered the adventures available
at the meeting place: Empire Mine State Park and emphasized that carpooling is highly
recommended since parking is somewhat congested in downtown Nevada City. He added that
those with Handicap Parking pass, bring it as it will come in handy. People are on their own to
arrange carpooling. Bob indicated that he plans to send a full email indicating the attendees
planning to hike/or view the area along with their contact information as well as a list of
carpooling options. Reception will be available on Tuesday and Dinner on Wednesday.
Attendees will be asked to meet up on Wednesday at the state park for details on the hikes and
potential tours.
Lastly Gordon indicated both Guy and Sy are planning the local hikes and contacting leaders for
marketing information to be included in emails and The Villager newspaper. More leaders are
really needed for the rambler hikes. Bob reminded the board of the Saturday April 27 th
Backcountry Weekend at Henry Coe State Park.
VP Social – Bibi & Linda shared the dropping of the Talent Show and secondly the April 20 th
Safari Dinner since there were not sufficient number of rsvp’s to arrange different groupings. It
was also announced that the End of Summer Picnic is planned for September 19 th beginning
around 4:30pm at the Gazebo with some lovely music.
President – Bob indicated the hiking club’s attendance for the Club & Committee Expo,
Saturday, May 4 th to be arranged and hosted by Gordon and Michelle Breslin and including 1- 2
laptops/tablets to sign up new members. Bob and Cheryl plan to attend the New Resident
Orientation on May 15 th .
Old Business- Bob indicated progress is being made with King’s Grading related to the Garden
Step & Upper Meadow Trail Improvement projects and Michelle is still remaining in contact
with updates on the Hill Lands Grazing project.
Next Meetings
General Meetings: Monday, April 29, 7:00pm moved to the Vineyard, – Jane Ruona “Easy Tips to
Increase Your Longevity; No May General or Board Meeting; Monday June 24, 7:00pm back to
the Foothill Center, Liz Giarratana-“Month Long Hike on the River Thames Path in England;
Monday August 26, 7:00pm, Foothill Center, Jim Koska – “iPhone Tips”; Monday September 30,
7:00pm Foothill Center, Kim Silverman – “Professional Life Coach”; Monday October 28, 7:00
Foothill Center, Margaret McDaniel – “Travel”.
Board Meeting: Thursday, June 20, 9:30am, Forum Room in Cribari.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:50am.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Allmen,
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary