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Secretary's Report - Green Mountain Club Northeast Kingdom
(NEK) Section Business Meeting - Saturday April 13, 2002
By MICHAEL CHERNICK
Introductions
Section President Pat Aubin opened the meeting by asking each
person in attendance to briefly introduce him or herself.
Election of Officers for the 2002-2003 Term
The following slate of new officers was presented for the
membership's consideration:
President Pat Aubin
Vice President* Daisy McCoy
Secretary Michael Chernick
Treasurer Joe Anastasia
Membership Cynthia Barber
Publicity Jim Fearon & Mary Fearon
Trip Coordinator Liz Kennedy
Assistant Trip Coordinator Kevin Williamson
Newsletter Editor Alice Robinson
Assistant Newsletter Editor Stephanie Taylor
Webmaster Manager Jay Collier
Section Director Jean Haigh
Trails & Shelters Coordinator Luke O'Brien
*Vice President will serve as program coordinator for each
of the section's four quarterly meetings
The slate was approved unanimously
Membership Report
Cynthia Barber reported the section now has 22 family members
and 45 individual members. Assuming two persons are associated
with each family membership, there are now 99 voting members
in the section.
Membership List Availability
Jim Fearon moved, and Liz Kennedy and Mary Ann Riggie seconded,
that the section's membership list be made available to each
section member. The issue was raised whether members wanted
their names on a general circulation list to all members.
Daisy McCoy inquired what specific information would be included
on the list. Beth commented she had a master list available.
She also suggested a post card mailing to all section members.
Ben Rose, the Green Mountain Club's Executive Director, who
was in attendance noted each section has its own policy. regarding
the release of its membership list. Beth then suggested that
each member indicate which element of information (i.e. e-mail
address, phone number) may be released.
It was decided to do a post card mailing with members indicating
if they want their names on list and if yes which information
elements shall be included.
Section Director's Report
In her final section director's report, Beth announced again
she would be phasing out of the position. After June, Jean
would fully assume the role as the section's director to the
main club.
Beth addressed these items of interest to the membership:
Mt. Mansfield
The communications towers on top of Mt Mansfield will be consolidated
and reduced over a period of years.
Lyndon Sate College Subsection
Mark Abourjaily, a recreation major at Lyndon State College,
is interested in establishing a subsection of the Northeast
Kingdom Section at the college. He will work with the section
and the main club to bring his proposal into operation. The
Lyndon State College students will participate in the Bald
Mountain step replacement event on June 1, National Trails
Day.
Bald Mountain
On Saturday June, 1, 2000, National Trails Day, the section
will gather at 9:00 A.M at Bald Mountain. Both parking lots,
at the Long Pond fishing access, and across the street, adjacent
to the trailhead, will be used. The day's objective is to
carry up and install replacement steps on the Bald Mountain
fire tower. The section hiked to the mountain's peak in early
February, and a single step was removed as a model. The state
is supplying the wood, and Bob Fisher is constructing the
steps. Joe Anastasia recommended bringing framed backpacks
for transporting the steps. Both the new Lyndon College subsection,
and youngsters from the Vermont Leadership Center, will also
be in attendance. A planning meeting will be held on Sunday
May 4 at 4:00 p.m. at the Burke Mountain Club House.
Champion Lands Trails
The main club, in coordination with the section, will be developing
two hiking trails on the former Champion Lands. One on Sable
Mountain and the second on West Mountain.
Letter from Luke O'Brien
Jean Haig, in the absence of Luke O'Brien, presented a detailed
memorandum from Luke that addressed forthcoming trail maintenance
and management issues. He specifically addressed liaison issues
between the Vermont Leadership Center and the Green Mountain
Club. The letter listed goals and proposed coordinator activities.
Trip Schedule
Location - Date - Leader
Pisgah (Work hikes) To be determined
Bald Mountain June 1 Luke O 'Brien
East Mountain July 13 Jean Haigh & Michael Chernick
*Brousseau Mountain August 3 Kevin Williamson & Robbie
Robinson
Seneca Mountain October 5 Jean Haig & Mary Ann Riggie
*Preceding quarterly business meeting at Burke Mountain Club
House at 5:00 p.m.
Beth recommended coordinating with her for small group hikes
on the Champion Lands
Treasurer's Report
Joe Anastasia reported that the balance as of the section's
January 5, 2000 meeting was $679. Since that date, the section
has received $155 from main club and spent $69. This leaves
a current balance of $765.
Bald Mountain Expense Authorization
Michael moved that the section spend a maximum of $100.00
for supplies related to the step replacement project on Bald
Mountain. Beth seconded the motion which was approved.
Vacation Housing Inquiry
A letter was read from a member of the Montpelier Section
who is looking for a vacation rental in the Kingdom.
Thanks to Beth
Pat Aubin, on behalf of the section, thanked Beth for all
of the work she has done for the Northeast Kingdom section
of the Green Mountain Club.
Ben Rose - Green Mountain Club Executive Director
Ben addressed the section on behalf of the main club. He reported
that NEK is the 14th section of the club. It has, in its brief
existence, become the fastest growing section. He hopes the
section will grow a little more to create the necessary central
mass. He spoke positively of the transition from section founder
Beth Dugger has developed. Ben commented, “ I hope the
section will go out and have a good time."
Ben announced the main club's annual meeting on June 8 at
Bromley Mountain Ski Resort. He detailed the Mount Mansfield
tower location plan. Eventually , the number of towers should
be reduced. None of the new digital towers will be higher
than 200 feet. As part of an agreement with the club, the
broadcasters who own the towers will fund the summer alpine
caretaker program on both the peaks of Mount Mansfield and
Camel's hump. The new Day Hiker's Guide will be published,
and available in the middle of May. The club is accepting
advance offers. The volume's reference to the former Champion
Lands will be a short summary which does not direct readers
to a specific hike. Club dues are to rise this July from $27
to $30 for individuals and $35.to $40 for families. If a person
is unable to pay the new rates, he or she, may pay the low
income-student rate of $20.
Turning to the topic of shelters, Ben explained that 10 shelters
have been replaced in the last 5 years. He made reference
to a comment of Scott Christianson, chair of the Trails Management
Committee, that new sections will draw away from older sections
such as Sterling and Laraway. Ben stated that is part of a
natural process and concluded that is the synergy of our sections.
Adjournment
Prior to adjournment, Pat invited section members to contribute
photos to the section's picture album. The meeting adjourned
at 7:17 p.m.
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