Narragansett Chapter Board Meeting
April 14, 2015
235 Promenade St . Providence, RI
Call to Order – 6:10
Attendance: Bob Tessitore, Mike Krabach, Chris Shafer, Gregg O’Brien, Debra Huntington, Dav Cramer, Russ Miller, Bill Rafferty, Linda Pease
Business Meeting
Minutes - The minutes for the meeting approved with a correction to the date.
Treasurer’s Report – The treasurers report was distributed and reviewed. The report was accepted.
Chapter Vice-Chair - Russ reported on a request from Maria Earley to promote stewardship. Bob read the email from her. She would like to promote trail stewardship by asking the sub-committees to ‘talk-up’ participating in trail maintenance amongst their members and participants. There was a discussion regarding how to promote trail maintenance. Mike suggested that he be sent pictures of their projects. There was a discussion regarding building a work day into the calendar when there would not be anything else going on. Bob discussed that we also need to promote participating in northern projects.
Russ and Dav will plan the date to have a project workday. They will send information to Chris who will promote it to the committees.
Chris commented that the trail committee is considering participating in the Cardigan trail maintenance weekend Oct 24 and 25.
Chapter Chair Report – Bob read an email from Tom recapping the regional chapter meeting. Among other topics they discussed diversity. Tom mentioned the spring chapter’s committee retreat May 15, 16, 17 in Delaware Water Gap, at the AMC Mohegan Lodge. Anyone from the executive committee is invited to attend. Bob is going.
Old Business
Spring New Member Gathering - May 30th – Gregg spoke about the insurance rider that is needed for Haines park. Chris is working on getting the rider. Chris explained that he is working on getting insurance coverage for all chapter events that occur on a state property.
There will not be a rain date. Gregg will purchase paper goods. It will be a potluck and people with the last names starting with A-l will bring appetizers N-Z salads. A Palagi ice cream truck will be there providing dessert. She estimates it will cost approximately $100.
Mike will send out an email blast to the members. There was much discussion about putting the event
on Meetup. It was decided that the event will be promoted via Meetup but people will need to sign up.
Fall Gathering 2016 – Bob listed the people who have volunteered to participate on the planning committee. Bob has contacted Alton Jones to reserve the dates. Joy St. will take care of registration and taking money. Bob reviewed the calendar.
Bob will coordinate a meeting of the committee. He will also coordinate conducting an on-site visit to look at the site.
Annual Speaker Dinner
Bob will send out the list of speakers to the board. The board will review the list and come back with suggestions.
New Business
Wood River Bridge Project – Chris explained that a Joy St., a grant and/or the state would fund the project. He wanted to inform the board that there would be expenditures of approximately $500 that will be spent upfront but will be reimbursed.
WFA (Wilderness First Aid) – There are 29 people are signed up. It will also have CPR training.
Committee Reports
Communication: - Mike reported that he had meeting with Joy St and other chapters regarding their website. They are developing a new one.
Conservation: She reported that she and Colleen Q. will be doing a conservation hike on May 17 Barn Island/Venture Smith History hike.
Membership: Gregg reported that there is a new member event May 9 and Big River Conservation hike. There are three new members events planned between now and the end of May.
Trails: Dav reported that he had a grant to work on Step Stone Falls trails and area. But, before they could use it the building collapsed. He will need to return the $4,000 grant.
The United Church of Christ contacted Chris because they would like to build trails in their camp and retreat center, Irons Homestead in Glocester RI. Chris and the committee will be visiting the site.
Russ reporting that he attended a meeting of the RI Land Trust they discussed High Rock Farm preserve/Scott Brook Conservation area property and other. It ties into the blue bird trail. They discussed a project that will tie together numerous trails. They will ‘own’ the trails. Russ will keep the board updated on this project.
Motion to Adjourn – 7:45 – Next meeting scheduled for May 12th