Villages Hiking Club – General Meeting, Monday, 2/26/24
Foothill Center
Call to Order: President Bob Bogdanoff called the General meeting to order at 7:05pm with 46 individuals in the
audience and welcomed the guests. The following Board members were in attendance: CoVPs Social –Linda Arbaugh/
Bibi Bruce, Treasurer – Bert Tang and Secretary – Cheryl Allmen. Absent: VP Hiking & Trails – Gordon Carbonetti and VP
Membership & Website – Jim Beyer.
Officer Reports
Secretary – Cheryl stated that the February Board meeting minutes and the General meeting minute, November 2023
and January 2024, were available on the back table for review. All were already posted on the Club website.
A motion was made by Deb Siedband and seconded by Lucy McProud to approve the November 27, 2023 and January
29, 2024 General minutes. Motion passed.
VP Membership & Website –Bob (substituting for Jim who was recovering from health issues) indicated the Club
currently has 336 members and the Club’s website was functioning well.
Treasurer – Bert shared the January 2024 financial statements: a General Fund started with $3238.67 on January 1,
2024, with income of $2275 plus expenses of $536 (including $500 transfer to the Hills Lands Fund) for a General Fund
balance of $4977.67 (identical to the bank statement). Hill Lands Fund is $3215.89.
VP Hiking & Trails – Bob (substituting for Gordon who was traveling) shared the Spring Overnight Adventure is still being
researched and finalization of its location and dates will be announced soon. Possible date considered is May 7-9 th to
avoid conflicts with other events and Village Voices Concert. Sy and Guy continue their outreach to encourage more
potential hike leadership that are supporting the weekly hike developments
Next Jim Ware serving as the coordinator of the upcoming Trail Maintenance Day scheduled for March 23 rd shared the
details of the day. He plans to meet with Villages Management including Theresa Ostrander GM, Clay Curtin AGM Golf &
Recreation Services & Ryan Bell AGM Public Works to coordinate details and will work with the mule team to arrange for
transporting volunteers to the trail areas needing the most maintenance. Tools will be gathered and transported to
these sites before the start of work. The CoVPs of Social will also oversee the luncheon and beverages for the event.
VP Social – Linda announced the details for the Game Night scheduled for March 11 th at Foothill and indicated attendees
could bring their favorite games to share as well as their beverages. Apple Pie al a mode will be served.
Next, John Smith updated the members on the Saturday, April 20 th Safari Supper starting at 5:30pm at the Montgomery
Center where participants will receive their itineraries at the reception and will proceed to different locations for
appetizers, main course and dessert. Hosts will provide the beverages. He shared that up to 18 pairs can sign up and
that handouts with additional details are available at the table in the back of the room.
President – Bob shared he’ll represent the Hiking Club at the upcoming second Fireside Chat event as well as the
Villages Orientation for new residents. .He encountered King Grading on one of the recent hikes indicating that the step
replacement project & Upper Meadow trail plans have been staked out.
Next Meetings: General -March 25 th beginning 7:00pm at Foothill Center– Nancy Hooton, “Helicopter Hiking”. Monday
April 29, 7:00 at Vineyard, “Easy Tips to Increase Your Longevity–Jane Ruona. No May General or Board Meeting.
Monday, June 24, 2024 starting at 7:00pm at Foothill Center, Liz Giarratana –“Month Long Hike on the River Thames
Path in England.” No July General or Board Meeting. Monday August 26, 2024 beginning at 7:00pm, Foothill Center,
Jim Koska –“Phone Tip”. Monday September 30, 2024 7:00pm, Foothill Center, Kim Silverman – “Professional Life
Coach.”
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 9:30-10:30am, Cribari, Forum.
Break– The business portion of the meeting was completed and a 15 minute break allowed conversations and snacks.
Speaker – Andrea MacKenzie, GM, Máyyan ‘Ooyákma (My-yahn Oiy-yahk-mah) from the Coyote Ridge Open Space
Preserve gave a very informative presentation and explained the numerous preserves, their funding, and answered the
audience’s questions.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Allmen
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary