Villages Hiking Club Board Minutes Special Meeting
July 7, 2020, Outside Cribari, 9:30am
Purpose: Since “the time is right” and a window of opportunity has arisen for the Villages Board to consider the Hiking Club’s proposed 2020 funding recommendations, the purpose of this special meeting was to secure the Hiking Club Board’s prioritization of these initiatives for Al’s presentation at the next Villages Board meeting.
Present: Board Members: President Al Girolami, VP Trails Faye Swanson, VP Membership & Webmaster Jim Beyer, Secretary Cheryl Allmen, VP Social Michelle Breslin, and Treasurer Sandy Petrin. Others: Dan Kato, Hill Lands Committee.
Discussion: Michelle reported having a productive informal meeting relevant to our proposed funding possibilities with Bob Wilk who suggested we move forward with our fiscal recommendations. Al indicated that we’re on a fast track of action items and emphasized the need to prioritize our recommendations with “one voice”. In an effort to remain within the already agreed-upon budget of $2500 previously approved by the Villages Board and not run over this amount, Al recommended that the Hiking Club Board take this opportunity to present our priorities at the next Villages Board meeting. Keeping safety, access to trail maps and remaining a good neighbor with the Gardening Club at the forefront and after much discussion, the following were agreed upon:
Priorities: 1. Garden Steps by making a safer route. 2. New sign in mailbox for the Cul de Sactrailhead 3. 3’x 5 Trailhead maps. Future projects are Upper Meadows Trail widening and Upper Bay Trail widening.
Additional Business:
1. Benches/Tables. After a discussion related to acquisition of benches or tables to be purchased and added to key trail sites by the Hiking Club, Sandy moved/Michelle seconded-motion passed: Three Tables to be acquired out of the Hiking Club funds, one per year. Purchase price is estimated at approximately $250 per table. Cost for installation to be researched.
2. Michelle announced the Monday, July 27, 4pm Hiking Club Zoom Cocktail Hour featuring a(approximately 25 minute) speaker who was previously associated with Backroads. She will purchase the Zoom license to permit up to 200 participants. Al indicated a short business meeting would follow the speaker and social time.
3. Faye shared her plan to showcase the Hiking Club with the membership by forwarding occasional emails about interesting facts found in nature and on hiking trails using the tagline: “ Did you Know”.
Action Items:
1. Dan will talk with Tom to determine if we buy benches that Maintenance will be willing to install them.
2. Al to prepare proposals to be presented to the Villages Board after review of the drafts by
the Hiking Club Board members.
3. Al to speak with Jeff King for a quote on the Garden Steps.
4. Michelle will send notification of upcoming Hiking Club Zoom Cocktail Hour to the Hiking Club membership.
5. As it gets closer to July 27, Michelle plans to purchase a $20 Zoom account good for 30 days for the Cocktail Hour.
6. In an effort to keep the Hiking Club in front of our membership during this shelter-in-place timeframe, Faye will forward “Did You Know” emails to the membership to remain in contact with club members and share interesting facts about nature, hiking and staying active.
This Special Meeting concluded at 10:30am.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Allmen
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary