Meeting minutes
Annual Meeting, Oct. 12, 2008
Concord University, Athens, W.Va.
1. Call to Order (9:05 am) and Rules of Order. Jolene Koby-Burley.
2. Reading of Minutes from Gathering 2006 Business Meeting by Sue Spring, Recording Secretary. Minutes approved.
3. Coordinator’s Report – Jolene Koby-Burley.
4. Treasurer’s Report – George Andrews. Report submitted.
5. Membership Report – Marsha Lee. Report submitted.
6. Companion Report – Leslie Mass
7. Newsletter Report – Mike Cunningham
8. AT Museum Report – Larry Luxenberg
9. ATC Report – Brian King and Laurie Potteiger
10. Gathering Coordinator Report with Call for Critiques. Greg Walter.
11. Work Trip Reminder – with ATC near Pearisburg. Sanne Bagby.
12. Old business – none.
13. New business – Offices up for Election: Membership Secretary (two-year term), Marsha Lee; Treasurer (two-year term), Scott Wyatt; Members at Large – Mike Wingeart, Laura Reed, Judy Young, all for two-year terms. Sue Williams, one-year term, to complete the unexpired term of Scott Wyatt.
14. By-Law amendments – Motion by George Andrews, second by Leslie Mass. The meeting unanimously approved a proposal that the Treasurer and Membership Secretary positions turnover on January 1 of the year immediately following the election. The outgoing Treasurer will complete the end of the fiscal year report and all transactions from the Gathering prior to turnover of all records to the incoming Treasurer. The outgoing Membership Secretary will complete all transactions from the Gathering and have the Directory prepared and submitted to the printer prior to turnover of all records to the incoming Membership Secretary.
15.Resolutions – Made by Bill O’Brien.
1. President Jerry L. Beasley – In recognition of his 23 years of service to his beloved Concord University as its president and, during that time, his loyal devotion and friendship to the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, we, the members of ALDHA, do hereby wish to express our deepest thanks and gratitude to Dr. Jerry L. Beasley and wish him god speed on his retirement.
2. Concord University – For its hospitality and accommodation, including another great visit to your affordable and filling cafeteria, we, the members of ALDHA, cordially and gratefully thank the folks at Concord University for hosting our 27th annual gathering.
3. Folklife – We, the members of ALDHA, do hereby wish to thank the Appalachian South Folklife center for allowing ALDHA to once again return to its roots and convene in the friendly confines of the center for our 27th annual Gathering.
4. Warren Doyle and Weathercarrot – We, the members of ALDHA, express our highest gratitude to Warren Doyle and Weathercarrot for all their work in making our 27th Annual Gathering a weekend of lots of fun and lots of sun! In short, we just want to say, “You’re doing a great job!”
The first three motions were seconded by Warren Doyle. The fourth motion was seconded by Wayne Krevetski.
16. Chuck Wood – Presented handmade metal sculptures commemorating ALDHA friends who have passed away in the past year, including: a memorial heart for John O’Mahoney (JohnO); a memorial heart for Ron G. Gray (VanGo); and a KINCORA flag for Pat Peoples, wife of Bob Peoples.
17. An Honorary Life Membership was awarded to former Concord University President Jerry L. Beasley – received by Warren Doyle.
18. The 2009 Gathering will take place at Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, with the following chairpersons: Bill O’Brien, program; Scott Wyatt, facilities; and Noel DeCavalcante, campground.
19. The ALDHA Spring Steering Committee meeting is tentatively set for April 5, 2009 at Ironmasters Hostel, Gardners, Pa.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Spring
Recording Secretary
Steering Committee Meeting, Oct. 12, 2008
Concord University, Athens, W.Va.
ATTENDEES: Jolene Koby-Burley, Frank Burley, Laura Reed, Greg Walter, Mike Wingeart, Bill O’Brien, Steve Paradis, Larry Luxenberg, Gary Wright, Stuart O. Smith, Jr., Warren Doyle, Scott Wyatt, Judy Young, Sue Williams, Sanne Bagby, Tom Evans, Robert Sylvester, Marsha Lee, Noel DeCavalcante, George Andrews, Wayne Krevetsky, Richard J. Bailey, Sue Spring (names from sign-in sheet)
1. CALL TO ORDER BY COORDINATOR, JOLENE KOBY-BURLEY, at 2:30 p.m.
2. WELCOMING REMARKS, JOLENE KOBY-BURLEY.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING, RECORDING SECRETARY SUE SPRING. MINUTES APPROVED WITH CHANGE TO CONFER HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP 0N FORMER CONCORD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT JERRY L. BEASLEY.
4.REPORTS:
A. TREASURER’S REPORT: George Andrews
B. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Marsha Lee
C. GATHERING 08 REPORT: Warren Doyle and Weathercarrot
D. NEWSLETTER REPORT: None.
E. DIRECTORY REPORT: No current changes.
F. MERCHANDISE REPORT: None.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: PAYPAL – “30-30” and Sly will investigate and report at Spring Meeting. CASS approached by Marsha Lee, but not an issue at his time.
6. ENTRY CONTROL – Not an issue this year.
7. REGISTRATION – More signage suggested, with minimal moving around of Registration table.
8. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. BUDGET PROJECTION: The only anticipated expenses between now and the Spring Steering Committee Meeting are for the Newsletter and the Directory, per Coordinator Jolene Koby-Burley.
B. NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL: Consider putting a button on the website to indicate a preference to receive the newsletter by email.
C. SPRING BUSINESS MEETING – April 4, 2009, at Ironmasters Hostel, Gardners, PA.
D. LIABILITY ISSUES – ie, “Cliff Jump,” to be considered at the Spring Meeting.
9. MEETING ADJOURNED: 4 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Spring
Recording Secretary
Steering Committee meeting, April 4, 2009
Ironmasters Mansion Hostel, Gardners, Pa.
1. Call to Order (8 a.m.) – JoJo
2. Welcoming remarks – JoJo
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting – Mama Lipton. Minutes accepted. 3030,Hatter. Unanimous.
4. Reports –
a. Gathering 08 report (Concord) – no official report. No campground issues. No folklife center issues. JoJo will ask for Gathering 08 summary reports from Weathercarrot and Warren Doyle.
b. Gathering 09 progress report (Gettysburg) –
Facilities: 30-30 reports 02-09 Gettysburg problem – you can’t come…. Bill, JoJo, 3030 met with Gettysburg rep 04-04-09 – at this moment “not a lock,” and won’t know until ca 04-15-09 – in conflict with “travelling wall” exhibit. Model T, Horseman, and Raven are Vietnam war vets. Sponsored by Office of Experiential Education, John Regentin. If GC doesn’t work out for the program location, perhaps the new Gettysburg High School could be utilized.
Program: Bill O’Brien – things pending event location. Walking Jim is scheduled for Saturday night, with some new material included. Bart Smith has been photographing national scenic trails and has a slide show from these hikes, done over the past 16 years. Use this as an opening program. Also – want to think about offering a program opposite the contra dance – an ALDHA-led ghost tour of downtown Gettysburg. Another idea for this year – invite someone to come from Florentine Films – doing a film on the national parks, Ken Burns. Will be at the ATC biennial….
Theme for program – maintain our mission to teach future hiker/dreamers and to provide a reunion for current year hikers – encourage coming to the Gathering to find out where your next years’ dream awaits…. Ideas for new programs: basic first aid…. Dr. Gary Buffington. Preventing health issues on the trail…. Yoga for hikers/beginners…. Try for Thursday night programs for the students at the College… offer ourselves to the OEE. Continue the “diploma” program.
Redding Farm – need to note, camping is part of registration and not to camp on campus.
c. Directory/Website Report -- Bill O’Brien – cost should have been cheaper this year, with fewer pages. Steve Paradis a big help in “scrubbing” the database. On the website “button” for receiving the newsletter by email, it should be noted that the Directory should still be received by hardcopy. The word is that having the Companion available online actually helps sales.
d. Membership Report – no report.
e. Newsletter – Mike Cunningham. Next issue will have a deadline just after Trail Days. GrayJay will represent ALDHA at TrailFest in HotSprings, NC On April 24-25.
f. Companion Report – Mike Wingheart for Sly. New size-style. Layout works well for cutting up into sections.
g. TrailDays hiker reception report – RedWolf – TinMan has portable screen – Hatter will show LongTrail slides. Shorten the program to an hour. Try to operate with “donations.” HH will be from 11-12 noon on the Friday of Trail Days. RW looking for ALDHA people to volunteer to be there to represent ALDHA.
h. Merchandise Report -- Hatter -- not sure if we as a group are committing to purchase more inventory. Do not have an inventory list now. Hatter – wants more specific inventory of merchandise AND “items.” JoJo plans to draw together the inventory list. Will contact Marsha for Tshirt info – order 75 to 100 shirts in a limited number of sizes. Have a “limited edition” and sell them out at the full price. Also spoke of creating quilts with leftover shirts and mapdanas – or wallhanging…. Partner with an online printing agency – like cafepress.com. Wayne to take a look at what inventory to invest in and carry…. Re teeshirts, JoJo asks Wayne to research Tshirts – will work with Marsha and Leapfrog…. Have ironman logo and ying/yang hike in harmony.
Re bumperstickers, Bill O’Brien -- MOTION: Hatter and 30/30 -- To have Bill O’B get printed bumpstickers with the hiker feet and Hike in Harmony logo and Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association across the bottom. Unanimous.
i. AT Services report – 32 members on an online list, 50 percent ALDHA, 50 percent hostels. Focus of group is so that hostels will be able to pass along info up and down the trail. Originally tied in with the endangered species effort. Manager of group is JoJo and Skeeter helps out….
Generic request by recording secretary for all committees to submit reports, per Roberts Rules of Order.
5. Unfinished business:
a. PayPal – unfinished business
b. Liability issue – cliff jump, a great liability issue – cliff jumping and other potentially dangerous activities will not be supported by ALDHA. MOTION: ALDHA does not support or encourage potentially dangerous activities at its functions – including but not limited to bungee jumping, cliff/bridge jumping, and/or firewalking. Hatter and 3030. Unanimous.
6. Laurie Potteiger –
a. Companion – 2,286 copies sold to date – up 25 percent through 3/31/09. Improved sales with change of shape and binding over the years. BB King will be giving Sly electronic files soon.
b. Thruhikers – Amicalola Falls (552) and Neels Gap numbers are up for the current year. Anecdotally, people are hiking because they don’t have a job. AF number typically represents 55 percent of true number of starting hikers.
c. Memorials/testamonials and “final blaze.” Woodchucks’s testamonials are his personal testimonial.
d. ATC will be having a special National Trails Day event in Harpers Ferry June 6. We will be dedicating a new trail relocation through lower town that will allow for continuous blazing through the historic district, possibly for the first time in the AT’s history. We will also be dedicating a series of new directional and interpretive signs and the rehabilitated side trail to ATC. Finally, the celebration will include the rollout of our new trailwide AT volunteer clearinghouse, where volunteer opportunities from Georgia to Maine can be found in one place at the ATC website: appalachiantrail.org
7. Trail days expense – MOTION: ALDHA will authorize funds up to $250 for the cost of the shared tent at TrailDays 2009. Hatter/GrayJay. Unanimous
8. Treasurers Report (deferred) $11,200 now in bank account, including a bit of recent life member activity – ca $11,000. Shopping around for a better rate on CD’s. Bill O’Brien – when set up the promise was that the principal would never be touched. By Trail Days there will be a financial analysis of ALDHA’s accounts.
9. AT Museum –
a. Coordinator appoints Model T and Noel as ALDHA representatives to the AT Museum board length of term not specified, to be reviewed on an annual basis at the ALDHA spring business meeting.
b. Larry Luxembourg report – making progress on the building here at Pine Grove Furnace; took down the Earl Shaffer shelter – will be the centerpiece of the museum; Walking Jim did a benefit program in the fall at the theatre in downtown Carlisle; got first “serious” grant from Quimby foundation to digitize the AT photos from Harpers Ferry -- 12,779 photos; will hire someone to put this online and have photos available; raffling off two books from Rodale….
10 . Picture puzzle idea – Hatter will research this under “merchandise.”
11. Coordinator – reminds all to sign bylaw change document approved at Fall 2008 Gathering business meeting.
12. Rutland Long Trail Festival – August 7 to 9, 2009. Most of activities will take place Saturday, August 8, 2009.
13. Positions up for election in October 2009: Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, and Three Members at Large positions – Richard Bailey, Wayne Krevetski, and Sue Williams.
14. Steering Committee Meeting 2010 – Saturday, March 20, 2010 – at Ironmasters Hostel, Gardners, PA.
15. Adjournment – 1:55pm – One Pint/GrayJay.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Spring
Recording Secretary