HIKING CLUB BOARD MINUTES
April 23, 2020, 10:05am via Zoom
Roll Call of Board: President Al Girolami. VP Trails Faye Swanson. VP Social Michelle Breslin. VP
Membership & Webmaster Jim Beyer. Secretary Cheryl Allmen. Treasurer Sandy Petrin. Others: Trail
Maintenance Chair Dan Kato.
Secretary’s Report – Cheryl Allmen. The Board approved the updated March 26, 2020 Board minutes. She shared that Terri Vivoli, head of Sunshine, reported no new activity in the last month. Al added that Chris Edward’s memorial donation was sent and Rose is recovering well. He also communicated with Bernie Loth’s daughter, Rachel, who indicated that her father’s recovery is slow and may take over a year before his possible return to the Villages. Although he’s unable to communicate via the phone at this time, he would welcome emails at: bloth@hotmail.com
Treasurer’s Report – Sandy Petrin. We welcome Sandy as our new treasurer. She reported currently: $6,578.06 in the Club’s account including $75.59 in expenses (AV service and trail map copies) and $2,281.82 in the Lands Project Fund. The Board unanimously approved the March financial reports.
Attachments l, 2.
Membership Report – Jim Beyer. Our membership totals 291 with the addition of one new member, Betty Olsen, and the departure of Ramon and Marianna Reza who left the Villages to be closer to their children.
VP Trail Report – Faye Swanson. She reported that the Upper Meadow trail is overgrown and especially in need of maintenance . Dan and Faye agreed to report this to Villages Maintenance and in the event we experience softened ground after rainfall to take a small, informal group (following in-place precautions, of course!) with shovels to maintain trails needing attention (actions). Sandy indicated she obtained up-to-date copies of our tool/equipment inventory for the Cribari Hiking Club locker and our Equipment Cage along with equipment sign-out sheets for both. Attachments 3, 4, 5 . Faye and Dan volunteered to add the check-out sheets and inventory list to the storage areas (action). It was recommended to add some identification to each tool (action) to help with returns. For safety reasons, we were reminded to bring along first aid kits housed in these storage areas on Club hikes. After soliciting input from a few members, Faye plans to s end an email to our Club members showcasing wild flowers and a sampling of the beauty to be currently seen from the Villages trails and accessible area parks (action) . She’ll run it by a few individuals prior to forwarding . Faye shared the trails are getting increased usage during this time of sheltering in place. Al reminded the Board of Peter Holmes’ Report showcasing a multi-year history of the hills sign-in log. Attachments 6, 7. According to his sampling, Peter estimates that only l out of every 4 actually sign in. The Board agreed a more accurate system would not only validate trail usage but enhance our advocacy for increased support while supporting greater hiker safety measures. Jim indicated he is working with Anahid Gregg to create a virtual sign-in system to increase the accuracy of hikers’ log in and trail usage. Board members brain-stormed other options including exploring camera, solar/power systems, bar code readers, downloaded/laminated maps and availability of hand sanitizers. Dan agreed to report his progress on this project at the next board meeting (action).
VP Social Report –Michelle Breslin. She reported the Variety Night would most likely be cancelled should the Villages continue its sheltering in place protocols. Sandy continues researching options/trails for our fall outing most likely to be held in September in the San Luis Obispo/Avila Beach area. She is contacting the Chamber for trail possibilities and indicates the Oxford Suites personnel have agreed to $112/suite, including breakfast and cocktail time.
OLD BUSINESS:
Hill Lands Standing Committee Report – Dan Kato indicated there has been no response to our letter most likely because of virus-related shutdown of business and agreed to send a reminder once shelter in place is lifted (action).
NEW BUSINESS
Future Programs– Al has two programs in the queue: Joel Pollack (Villages resident on Asia Tour) andKiomi Yamamoto (Greenbelt Alliance) and asked for other recommendations Michele agreed to check with Backroads (Action ).
Next Meetings – Board: May 21 st and June 25, 2020 at 9:30am (Zoom or location, TBA).
General Meetings – April 27, 2020 cancelled by VGCC. No May meeting. June 29, 2020 at 7:30pm atFoothill Center.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:30am.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Allmen
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary
Cc: Attachments 1-7