Mohawk Hudson Chapter AMC Executive Committee East Greenbush Library Minutes 10/4/10 Attending: W. Herrod, S. Bonk, K. Helfrich, J. Carden, K. Cox, A. Fontijn, S. Michon, M. Waldman, E. Dufur, B. Dufur, J. Tifft Chapter Chair Wally Herrod called the meeting to order at 6:50 PM. August 9, 2010 Minutes: Enny Dufur moved that the minutes be approved, and Stacey Michon seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. In the interest of encouraging outreach, John Tifft presented his ideas for two programs he suggested: (1) John talked with Carole Fraser of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and learned that her office will be opening a new overnight camping facility for the disabled at Scargo Lake in the western Adirondacks. Carole is interested in developing a cadre of volunteers to assist those who will attend a weekend of introductory camping in the spring and/or to do other work at the camp, and she would like to give a power point presentation on that subject to potential volunteers. Her office has already worked with the disabled and, in fact, conducted a weekend program for Wounded Warriors last August. Sharon asked what are their needs and goals and what are they looking for in terms of time and talent. Wally said it would be a stretch for our AMC chapter to do something in the western Adirondacks, and John will ask Carole if she has any needs in our area. (2) John suggested that our chapter conduct beginning hikes for older people and/or overweight people. Enny said that, early on in her hiking career, she took a how-to-hike course. Sharon observed that the chapter would need to have available leaders and come up with a schedule of hikes. Considering the small percentage of active members, would enough members be forthcoming to lead such hikes? Kathleen asked if there would be liability issues if the people on those beginning hikes were not members, and Sharon responded that the attendees would be asked to sign a waiver form. After mentioning that several non-members repeatedly go on HARP hikes, Enny suggested the chapter require such people to become members after a few hikes. Wally said his approach is to hand out newsletters on his hikes and tell people how they can become members. Wally suggested that John ask around at WeightWatchers to determine how much interest there would be in a beginners
hike and to ask the managers there if they would be willing to advertise a once-amonth beginners hike. Wally commented that people tend to join the AMC for their own recreational interest and not to perform public service. Wally therefore thinks it would be better for our chapter to focus on assisting people who may be afraid to venture out on a hike, rather than help handicapped persons at a distance. Our chapter expresses an interest in finding out how we can be of help to people on WeightWatchers. Treasurer s Report: Wally reviewed the Treasurer s Report for August September 2010. The significant net inflow in that period was largely due to the receipt of a dues allocation (at $4 per member). There was only one new online membership, bringing $20 to the chapter. Wally discussed year-to-date revenues and expenses and compared actual with budgeted amounts. Based on the trend in these figures, the cash balance at the end of 2010 will be down slightly from the balance at the end of 2009. Wally noted that the chapter saved $150 on the latest issue of the newsletter by going to four pages. Enny observed that the chapter has not sold any books this year and therefore has not earned the income expected from this source. Sharon explained that the chapter receives the books first and, keeping the profit, remits the cost to the main club only after the books are sold. She thought the available selection of new titles this year appeals to too narrow of a market. Wally, however, thinks people will still buy books on Berkshire and Catskill trails, and he asked Sharon to talk with Martha about how to set up book sales. Wally moved that the Treasurer s Report be approved; Art seconded the motion. The Treasurer s Report was approved. Membership: Wally thanked Martha, Art, Stacey, Mary Folsom, Wally, and Kathleen for manning our booth at the EMS store in Niskayuna on October 1 for EMS Club Days. On the Western Slope: The snafu in sending out the most recent issue was due to the mailing labels being routed to a person who is no longer at Mailworks. Sharon reported that Tracy Kachadurian at Lane Press did the work of cramming the material into four pages, and Sharon edited down trip descriptions. Conservation: Art will attend the Conservation meetings at the AMC Fall Gathering. Publicity: A new Publicity Chair will be needed when Stacey becomes Chapter Chair. Stacey reported that the chapter is now on Facebook. Although our Facebook page mentions particular outings, it refers friends to the chapter s website for details.
Website: Jeff e-mailed a compilation of web statistics to Executive Committee members. After a brief discussion, Jeff said he will phrase a portal to the effect: Easiest way to join Click here. Outings: Kevin will e-mail trip leaders to say he needs to know what January and February outings are being planned, by November 13. Sharon needs the information for the newsletter by the end of November. Trails: The person Wally talked to about becoming Trails Chair declined to accept. So although Clark Galloway wants to retire from the position, for the moment Clark is still the Trails Chair. A question is whether Clark or whether someone else will submit the report the chapter is supposed to make on the portion of the Long Trail we maintain. Wally will talk with John Tifft about this. Old Business Wally reported that many of the Rensselaer Land Trust members on the co-lead hike with that group to Berlin Mountain on October 2 expressed interest in joining the AMC. Wally said he is under pressure from the AMC s Chapter Chairs Committee to post clear, detailed descriptions of volunteer positions on the chapter s website. This topic will be a major issue of discussion at the AMC Fall Gathering. The arrangement of mailing labels according to zip code would allow us, for example, to hold new members socials in local areas. It was decided to hold the first new members social from 7 to 9 PM on November 12. Art volunteered his house for this occasion. The first new members social will focus on cold weather hiking, and light refreshments will be served. Martha, Art, Wally, Enny, Billy, and Kathleen plan to come. Wally asked Martha to zero in on identifying the people to invite and to put together an invitation, with directions to Art s house. Highland Center Weekend: The chapter is interested in holding this event at Cardigan Lodge next year. Five members of the Executive Committee will attend the AMC Fall Gathering in Charlton, Massachusetts. There was a brief discussion about sharing rides. November Annual Meeting: Wally asked if a different price will be charged members and non-members at the annual chapter meeting, to be held at the Crossgates Restaurant and Banquet House on November 18, and Sharon said there will be one price, figured on a cost plus basis (as approved by the Executive Committee on June 14). Those planning to attend should pay Sharon, and state their dinner choice, by November 8.
Wally needs three people to sit at the sign-in table. Roger Scholl is bringing a book to raffle, and Billy Dufur will conduct the 50-50 raffle. Book sales are planned. Wally is bringing the chapter s banner, screen, and white board. Sphere Chapter e-mails: Once a month, AMC headquarters will send out an e- mail containing information we want to send to our chapter s members. Sharon will contact Kelly Powers at headquarters because almost no one present at the Executive Committee meeting received the e-mail sent out on September 24. New Business Sharon showed everyone the Maine chapter s attractive T-shirt, and she said they kept the cost down because someone volunteered to design the front. Enny noted that Goldstock has on file the logo used on our chapter s green leaders jackets. Wally thinks the production of a chapter T-shirt is something we may move into during the coming year. On a related note, Enny wants to know how many people have qualified for a trip leaders jacket and what their sizes are. Randy and Amy MacDonald are setting up a winter chapter outing, to be held January 7 9 in Weston, Vermont. The registration deadline is November 7. Wally will include a notice about this event in the next chapter e-mail. Wally needs to reserve a room in which to hold Executive Committee meetings during 2011, and he asked if a Monday meeting is okay for everyone. Based on the feedback received, Wally will put down that second Mondays of the month are best. Jeff reported that the Grafton State Park s Winter Fest is slated for January 22. He expects to receive an exhibitors pamphlet in November. There was the beginning of a discussion of what we might do for the event. Sharon wondered if there is a way to piggyback with Eastern Mountain Sports. She also suggested that we schedule any activities at times not being taken by the Taconic Hiking Club. Wally found the trail routes confusing on an outing to the Indian Kill Preserve in Niskayuna. After discovering that chapter member Harry Willis lives next door to the Indian Kill Preserve, Wally and Harry got in touch with Steve Feeney, who is in charge of preserves for Schenectady County, and learned that the county not only is willing to have us do a service project at the Indian Kill Preserve but would also be supportive. We might make an accurate trail map, improve signage, and better position rocks needed to ford a stream to the trail on the other side. Wally thinks this would be the perfect thing for our chapter to take on as a service project. Wally and Art are willing to be on a trail committee, and those present suggested Gerry. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held on November 8.
Wally distributed Mohawk Hudson Chapter business cards on which we can put our contact information. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Helfrich 10/6/10