---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: William Way <way001@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, Apr 25, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Subject: Fwd: April 22, 2015 NEWT meeting notes
To: lbway321@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: William Way <way001@xxxxxxxxxx>
Begin forwarded message:
*From: *"Lynn O'Connor" <lynntoconnor@xxxxxxxxx>
*Date: *April 24, 2015 12:36:39 PM PDT
*To: *"Rick Moore (Google+)" <
reply-103824036672746334926@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, William Way <
way001@xxxxxxxxxx>, Jason Edwards <jason@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject: **April 22, 2015 NEWT meeting notes*
Here you go…
Northeast Washington Trailblazers (NEWT) Incorporation meeting notes 4-22-15
What a way to celebrate Earth Day!
6:30 Bill Way opens the meeting with introductions. Lots of folks show up -
maybe... 24 or more? A sign-up sheet went around for names, emails and
phone numbers. Elaine Clough has that sheet.
Rick Moore says the purpose of this meeting is to discuss, amend and
approve the by-laws, drafts of which were emailed to the original formers
of the group. Two copies at the meeting, and copies can be emailed to
anyone that asks.
He speaks about the purpose of forming the group: trail maintenance,
primarily, of the trails the group likes to use and for non-motorized
purposes. Most people who use the trails bring tools anyway, and do work
when they go out, and there have even been organized work parties. Land
agencies no longer have the resources to keep trails open and maintained.
They need groups of trail users to work together with, but it has to be
more organized than just ‘people’. Rick mentions that NEWT had a meeting
with the Forest Service (FS) last week that was only marginally successful.
As an officially formed group, there is a stronger voice for non-motorized
recreation. The first meeting was in February where it was decided to go
ahead with article of incorporation and by-laws, all required by the state.
It is not a 501(c)3 just yet. That can happen when and if necessary.
Bill Way says April 23rd is the official ‘form’ date, and mentioned the
meeting with the FS.
Ed Kowitz said that the March 23rd meeting with Eric Quaid, Carmen Nielsen
and Rod Smoulden of the Three Rivers Ranger District of the FS was a
success. The FS was excited to hear that a group like NEWT was forming.
They said they would support it in the following ways: provide training
(tool use, safety), lend tools, provide insurance for work days. Ed
followed up with Carmen a few days after this meeting. She replied with
three priority projects: logout and drainage on Taylor Ridge; Logout and
drainage on Sherman Tie Trail and tread work on the Snow Peak Trail. She
also stated they were open to hearing about our priority projects, and
stated that users were the best source of information for the FS. She also
provided the Adopt-A-Trail Program paperwork. Others present at that first
meeting besides Bill, Rick and Ed were: Jan Berube, John And Patti Boyd,
Dave King and Jason Edwards. The Adopt-A-Trail program can be sent out with
proposed by-laws for those interested.
Bill Way says he is encouraged by Ed’s report of the meeting. He recommends
we start work on Taylor Ridge, which got washed out in 1977. An explanation
of the Taylor Ridge trail ensues with the point being that it is the
beginning of NEWT’s desired work plan. Also that the group’s purpose is to
bike / hike / play and advocate for trails to add to the system. Dan Price
mentions NEPA (http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/).
Bill mentioned that a work day occured the previous Sunday with 22
volunteers showing up to work on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area (different
Land Agency - WDFW - easier to get approvals for work parties) trail with
cleaning, pruning, a re-route, a picnic after and lots of fun had by all.
He envisions that this would be typical of NEWT work parties. Some hiking
or biking, some trail work, and eating. He mentions that there is the
potential for more work parties on the same trail on the North side of
Highway 20, but that this side is more hardcore for mountain biking. The
bottom half is family friendly. He mentions that Jason Edwards and Amy
Hodler have been instrumental in facilitating communications.
Jason Edwards thanks him and mentions that he has created and registered
http://newtrailblazers.org, which has a mail list that will send out
pertinent information to all who subscribe. Anyone is welcome to take over
managing the site, however. Jason has received a copy of the sign-up sheet
sent around this evening, and has added all to the maillist by the time
these notes are transcribed. There will be a forum for advertising events.
Jason also asks if NEWT will have ‘members’ and ‘dues.’
Patti Boyd has done some research regarding this subject that shows that
similar groups do a variety of options from annual dues to lifetime dues to
any donations to no fees. Sometimes a membership will include an incentive
gift - keychain, t-shirt, ball cap, or the like. Her opinion is that an
annual nominal membership of $12 or so could give access to the maillist
service of newtrailblazers.org, and creates a level of commitment for
potential members. The $ could cover the work parties for the time being,
but ‘membership’ creates an organization with clout for communicating with
land agencies.
Rick Moore says that some groups are administration centered, but he is not
seeing that for this group. Admin is necessary, but would prefer to see the
focus of activity for this group is recreation, not meetings. The
organization of it is secondary. Group tools could be useful, though...
trailbuilding specific tools that not every garden shed is likely to have.
A fee schedule for membership could also cover the work parties, but fears
then a ‘treasurer’ is required. Suggests a nomimal $10 lifetime membership,
making $ tracking unnecessary.
Dues discussion:
Elaine explained how co-ops typically work; that every co-op she’s ever
worked with that had a ‘lifetime’ membership lived to regret it. There will
be continuing expenses anyway. Dave (King) drops his previously stated
opposition to dues. Leslie Waters talk about some of the ongoing expenses
as the benefit to annual dues. Bill likes $12 per annum. Dues payment he
feels shows ongoing commitment and interest. Dan suggests $10. Diana
(Michaels) suggests that memberships can be based on $s only. Rick says
that annual membership requires a NEWT calendar year, and that requires
admininstration, unless members remain personally responsible. Jason says
that ‘membership’ needs to be defined as well. Bill suggests that Elaine is
known to be good a Treasurer positions :-) and what is her opinion of
managing dues and membership? Hard? Easy? Elaine answers that Janice Berube
is also good at it; that is requires database management - notices,
reminders, etc. Lynn (O’Connor) suggests member dues could be more casual -
more like a ‘kitty’ jar to be at all work parties that folks can donate to
at will. Elaine likes this. Diana asks how ‘membership’ is defined. Brian
(Rowley) suggests $5 per year. Danny (Todd) likes the ‘kitty’ idea. He
suggests it would bring more dollars from more people than a limited ‘due’
amount. Will (Bruse) says the membership could grow to be quite extensive,
and the management of such requires a sophisticated system, and NEWT should
be prepared for that. Rick talks about the website’s subscription options
of either in or out could be the defninition of ‘membership,’ and as far as
dues goes, the ‘kitty’ is appropriate. In case there are needs (new tools
or whatever), we put a call out on funds needed or do a fundraiser. Bill
feels a ‘signature’ (as on a membership form)is better than (just) an
electronic ‘list .’ Rick says that whatever we chose will be defined in the
by-laws. Elaine says that no one, ‘member’ or not, should be excluded from
work parties, regardless of having signed a form or not. Diana points out
that for safety reasons, those using tools should be trained on them. Dan
also talks about tracking ‘member hours’ and how useful this information is
for a variety of reason, one of which is a free America the Beautiful Pass (
http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html).
VOTE: to become a member, one signs a membership form (forms available at
the meeting) and donates any or no amount. At events, any dollar amount may
or may not be given. Passes unanimously. BOARD ELECTIONS Rick does not
envision many meeting, but a board is required. Diana Michaels, Danny Todd,
Elaine Clough, Bill Way and Janice Berube volunteer and are approved.
By-laws will be amended by Rick to reflect the evenings vote and available
to all. He points out that the board should contain 5 - 9 members, and that
the other four positions are available to anyone who wants in. Rick
mentions that there had been an email discussion of the by-laws as regards
an exit strategy for members. Can ex-parte participation in meetings occur?
Yes. Approval of final by-laws will occur by email.
Post meeting discussions:
Bill Pifer, newly elected City of Colville Councilperson talks about the
Colville Mountain bike/hike trail project. He discusses the current status,
but suggests it may need NEWT’s help in the future for both advocacy and
work.
Erick Bakken, general manager for 49 Degrees North Ski Resort talks about
the trail proposal from 49 N to Calispell Peak. He would like NEWT to join
in the exploration of completing the trail from the six miles that
currently exists from Burnt Valley. He will keep the group informed. A
question about downhill trails as 49 N is asked, and Eric confirms that
they are being developed.
The group agrees to work on the Taylor Ridge System Trail, but no date is
set.
