Villages Hiking Club MINUTES, General Meeting
Monday, September 25, 2023, Vineyard Center
- Call to Order -Meeting was called to order at 7:34pm by President Bob
Bogdanoff with the following Board members present: President – Bob
Bogdanoff; VPs Social –Carmel Smith accompanied by committee
member, Linda Arbaugh; VP Membership & Website – Jim Beyer;
Treasurer – Gordon Carbonetti; Secretary – Cheryl Allmen and VP Hiking
& Trails – John Petrin. Absent: Bibi Bruce. 43 in attendance. - Officer Reports: VP Membership & Website – Jim welcomed guests to
the meeting and announced our current membership totals 333
members including our 5 new members: Juliet Kwok, Joanne Fraser,
Larry Henig, Dave Loomis and Dan Hanle. The audience was reminded
that it they wish to become a member, they can register online. Yearly
membership is $7.00 and it’s free through this December, 2023.
Secretary – Cheryl announced the Villages website contains the minutes
for both the Board and the General meetings and a copy of the August
General Meeting minutes was at the back table for review. Motion to
accept the minutes was made by Tim Robertson, seconded by Laura
Gelman. Motion was passed.
Treasurer – On the whiteboard Gordon presented the following fiscal
reports indicating a larger than normal amount contained funds
submitted to cover the attendee’s upcoming Pt Reyes lodging:
General Fund- balance=$12,195.39 (approximately $7,527.97 is
associated with the submitted Pt Reyes Villagers’ funds) and the
Hill Lands Project Fund remains the same, $2,715.89. Jim Ware made a
motion and Al Girolami seconded to approve the financial report.
Motion approved.
VP Hiking & Trails – John thanked the Rambler Lite, Rambler and Long Hike
hiking leaders for their support along with Sy, Jim, and Guy. Next, he
updated the members on the fall trip outing to Point Reyes, scheduled for
October 10-12, 2023 with 44 members planning to attend. Bob will be
sending an email outlining driving directions, activities, maps, etc. within
the next week to the registered participants. He reminded everyone
interested in a pre-hike to meet at the Visitor’s Center for a Tuesday
1:30pm hike toward the San Andreas Fault to observe the result of the
1906 San Francisco earthquake. He also had available brochures for pickup
about the entire Tomales Bay area.
VP Social –Linda shared that over 70 people enjoyed the September 21st
Hiking Club picnic at the Gazebo, had yummy potluck food and beverages
with Ed Knott providing music that encouraged guests dancing the
afternoon away. Earlier a Thai Chi demonstration was given.
Carmel reminded everyone to bring a snack and beverage along with their
favorite game to the November 9th Game Night from 5:30-9pm. Thursday
December 14th from 5:30-9pm will be our Holiday Party at Cribari
Auditorium.
To try something brand new, John Smith introduced the possibility of a
Safari Dinner Event which involves moveable dinners hosted at Villager’s
homes with an itinerary allowing approximately 6 guests to meet different
people along the hosted locations throughout the event. More information
will follow soon.
President – Bob announced the 2024 Calendar has been submitted for
approval and reminded the group that beginning in January 2024 our
General Meeting will start earlier, 7pm.
He advised the audience that the 2024 Hiking Club Officers will be elected
at the November 27th General meeting and our club is looking for 3 new
Board Officers: President, VP of Hiking & Trails, and Co-VP of Social.
The upcoming General Meeting Speaker for the October 30th meeting at
Foothill is Al Henning, Pine Ridge Association at Henry Coe State Park.
3. 15 Minute Break occurred after the business portion of the meeting giving
the attendees the opportunity to enjoy some snacks, talk with others and
pick up handouts of upcoming Pt Reyes outing and surrounding attractions.
4. Speaker Bob introduced out speaker, Theresa Ostrander, Villages General
Manager who enjoys walking through the Villages and hiking thought our
Hills. Her very informative and interesting presentation included a variety
of topics and updates on the Hill Lands Management status, permit delay
on the trails project, cattle grazing status with rancher neighbors, future
cell tower additions, water/drought issues etc. and answered many
questions from the audience.
5. Adjourn At the conclusion of the presentation, the meeting was adjourned
at 8:55pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Allmen
Cheryl Allmen, Secretary