Villages Hiking Club – General Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 25, 2024, Foothill Center
Call to Order – Bob Bogdanoff called the meeting to order at 7:08pm with the following
attending Board Members: CoVPs Social – Bibi Bruce, Linda Arbaugh; Treasurer – Bert Tang; VP
Hiking & Trails – Gordon Carbonetti; and Secretary – Cheryl Allmen. Absent: VP Membership
and Website-Jim Beyer. He began the meeting with a trivial question: How many miles of trails
are on the Villages Hills?? According to John Trudeau, it’s 12.5 miles.
Officer Reports
VP Membership & Website – Jim (Bob substituting for Jim who has some health issues and
hopes to be back next month). Presently the Club has 4 new members (Judy Yang, Thomas
Stutz, Karen Allen & Niki Haley) with a total membership of 333 individuals. Since there has
been a few issues with Google Groups related to group emails, Jim recommends the club will
switch our emailing process to Mail Chimp so all members can receive club emails and
announcements. Bob also reminded guests that our membership application is now on line and
our handouts will include that new information.
Secretary – Cheryl announced that both the February and January 2024 club Board minutes are
available for review on the back table along with the February 26, 2024 General meeting
minutes. All will be added to the club’s website as well. Motion to approve the February 26,
2024 General meeting minutes was made by Lucy McProud and seconded by Deb Siedband.
Motion approved.
Treasurer – Bert reviewed the club’s February 2024 fiscal reports: Hill Lands Fund: starting at
$3,215.89 and after payments for tool purchases ending up on February 29 th at $2,279.72.
General Fund: began at $4,977.67 and ended up after payment of the microphone and food
items a total of $4,948.90.
VP Hiking and Trails – Gordon indicated the May 7-9, 2024 Spring Trip is in Nevada City which is
90 minute drive east of Sacramento and shared that a Handout located in the back of the room.
20 rooms have been reserved and members are asked to reserve their room on line with the
National Exchange Hotel with pricing running from $410-$510 (Studio to Queen Suite) for the
two nights. Hikes, dinner, and reception details will be finalized soon. Jim had previously sent
an email to the membership announcing this next adventure. Bob shared approximately 7
reservations have already been scheduled. He reminded the membership that April 15 th is the last
date for reserving rooms after that date, any remaining rooms at that price will be returned if they
have not been reserved.
Bob also announced that he is planning a Backcountry Weekend at Henry Coe State Park on
Saturday, April 27 th ending with a lunch thereafter, assuming the weather permits. More details
to follow via emails and announced in The Villager.
VP Social – Linda shared the March Game night was well attended and also supported by co-
chair Bibi was a lot of fun by all. She also announced that the committee has all menu details
for the Trail Maintenance Day well planned and reminded that a poster will be on the door
advising the volunteers to leave their muddy boots outside to make cleanup easier for the
committee. Related to the Safari Social Supper, 7 pairs have already signed up for the April 20 th
event and additional details will be sent out via email to those registered for the event.
Trail Maintenance Day – Jim Ware reviewed with the audience the details of the upcoming Trail
Maintenance Day beginning at 8:30am at Foothill on March 23 rd indicating several of the
Villages team members including our General Manager, Ostrander, plan to join us. There will
be release forms available for all the volunteers to sign as well as a briefing reviewing safety
features and exchanging phone numbers to maximize communications. Tools will be placed at
each of the hiking sites and several mules will travel up the hills to drop off and return the trail
workers. Lunch planned by the Social Committee will be available starting around 11:30am and
will include various beverages and a special dessert.
President’s Report- Bob indicated that the March 13 th New Resident Orientation added 3 new
members (Thomas Stutz & Karen Allen, Nicki Godfrey) and that there is a need for an updated
main table handout since registration is now on line. Club will be represented at the upcoming
Club & Committee Expo, Saturday, May 4 th . He also had submitted a Villages “Project
Requirements Form” to Julie Meadows for “You are Here” Hill Lands signs.
Next Meetings- General: Monday April 29, 7:00pm Vineyard, Easy Tips to Increase Your
Longevity – Jane Ruona; No May General or Board Meeting; Monday June 24, 7:00pm Foothill
Center, Liz Giarratana -Month Long Hike on the River Thames Path in England; No July General
or Board Meeting; Monday August 26, 7:00pm Foothill Center, Jim Koska – iPhone Tips;
Monday September 30, 7:00pm Foothill Center, Kim Silverman – Professional Life Coach. Next
Board -Thursday, April 25, 9:30-10:30am, Forum Room in Cribari
Break for refreshments and conversations was scheduled for 15 minutes5.
Speaker, Nancy Hooton, Helicopter Hiking and Camping in Canada presented beautiful
photographs of her various trips and shared her fascinating experiences at the lodges,
information of the flights and overviews of what she learned from these hiking trips along with
the supplies available from the guide, menus of wonderful meals and examples of what the
trips entailed, costs and exciting experiences and memories she treasures.
Meeting was adjourned by 9pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Allmen
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary