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Mary Smith, President, called the meeting together at 4:00 PM. A quorum was present.
Board reports:
Treasury: Al Peters
End of year shows very sound financial condition, with over
$11,000.00 in reserve. Signatures for writing checks were
recorded at Poppy Bank. A tax form filed with the
State of California for the Club was found on a database, though a Federal tax form has not been filed by the Club.
Al recommends we register by-laws with the State. We are a 501C7 Social Club with the IRS.
Motion is approved to research laws and consequence for filing with the IRS.
CORRECTIONS:
1. Al Peters -
“We are registered with the IRS but not the California Secretary of State. The action is to register with the state. I know this is confusing. California has no records that we exist.
Annually I file a federal tax return. We need to apply to California as a 501(c)7 organization.”
Approval of motion to apply for CA 501(c)7 status.
2. Mary Smith -
Many thanks to Marcy Weisshar and Gloria Reid for pulling off our Chili Party. It was a delightful occasion in spite of various issues such as the new alcohol policy. We couldn’t put on our social events without all the help from our hardworking volunteers. 2024 Hike Incidents: Mary Smith
There was 1 Ambler incident and 3 Rambler incidents, none of which required immediate medical attention. The incidents
resulted from either known medical conditions or
need for more hydration.
Membership Report: Anne Squire
The Club has 428 members as of January 8, 2025.
There are a number of overdue renewals, and overdue
notices have been sent out. By February members that
don’t renew will be archived because the web host Wild
Apricot charges a higher fee if the membership goes over 500. Conclusion is that membership is growing.
Also noted that couples sharing an email address will be set up as a couple’s membership at $40, rather than $20 per person. a
New membership followup: Lori Miller-Klein
(9) new members registered in December.
(3) Amblers, (2) Ramblers, (3) Trekkers and (1) Scrambler.
Mary suggested further training in agility, pole etiquette, footwear, map use, AllTrails app use and how to add emergency information to smart phones. Harriet noted to add newcomers’ first aid training as well.
Harriet will follow up on scheduling meetings. One would teach first aid and what to do in a medical emergency. The second meeting would be hike leader training and cover a number of topics including: microclimates in the Bay area and hikes suitable for time of year. Concerns were raised about those hesitant to lead hikes.
Harriet also suggested scheduling scouting sessions on
Mondays.
Trail steward report: Larry Barclay
Larry reported that he is the liaison between the landscape department and MOD for the club promoting upgrading and maintaining the trails.
In 2024 24 volunteers (which includes non-club members)
worked on 25 separate work dates with results:
- 16 general trail maintenance,
- 9 working on clearing trails.
41 New steps were built, 11 wooden steps were rebuilt and work was also done on maintaining dirt steps.
The total volunteer trail work in 2024 amounted to 181.5 hours.
Larry reported that proposed trail name change signage has been done and now new trail post signs will be completed in the Spring. Mary thanked the Larry and the crew.
Hike Leadership mentoring: Harriet Schwartz
Harriet has compiled information to be used by hike leaders and placed the material in the yellow folder in the Club’s Gateway box, as well as in Board binders and posted on the website.
She also suggested that quarterly captains don’t have to scout every hike and can help find partners for hike leaders.
Events: Kathy Devine
Kathy was thanked for organizing two past events, the Chili Fest and the Holiday Party. She in turn thanked the hosts for all their work at those events.
She reported that the Spring Potluck on March 20 will be hosted by Idelle Lipman and and Molly Clopp and held at the
Event Center. The question was tentatively answered that
bringing your own alcoholic beverages to this event may be
allowed.
Idelle reported that a slide show presentation featuring 2024 is scheduled to be shown. Photos for inclusion can be sent to Mark Forrette.
Going forward, not all future event venues have not been confirmed yet by the recreation department. To date confirmation has been confirmed for:
June 3 Potluck at the Dollar picnic area
July 17 Summer Party at the Sportsmen’s Park
August 21 Potluck and Ice Cream Social at Dollar Picnic area
The Holiday Party on December 11 has been confirmed to be held at the Event Center. Kathy will recruit hosts for all the events.
Concerns were expressed for an alcohol policy at our events.
GRF responded to Mary’s query with a written response that said choices are as follows:
1. Have no alcohol at an event where a fee is charged
2. Apply for a one day permit for an event where fees are charged
3. Hire a catering company that does have a license to serve alcohol
4. Include the cost for special events in your dues
Al Peters mentioned that he wrote an editorial for the Rossmoor News stating that the GRF Board should come up with a solution that covers all events held by clubs in Rossmoor.
As better guidance is needed, a Motion passed to table our
position on when alcohol is allowed at our events. Mary will
follow up for clarification from GRF on this question.
Outings: Ros Carol
Ros wants to schedule an outing every 2 months. The next outing is at the Rosie the Riveter Museum on January 26.
Another outing will be at the Chabot observatory. Ros is looking forpeople to help her plan these outings.
Safari report: Anne Squire
Chico, April 2025. Registration began January 1, 2025 and is Full.
Sisters, OR. July 2025. Full.
Joshua Tree. November 2025. Full. Harriet reported there may be cancellations and she will send out an email to check onparticipants who may want to cancel and open spaces. The trip is with Road Scholar
John reported on plans for hiking in Chico. There is a wait list and John will check with hotel to reserve more rooms.
Mary reported that an orientation meeting for the safari in Sisters will be held in February.
Old Business: Mary Smith
Mary expressed the need for changing criteria for the hiking groups. Rich suggested that elevation gain criteria should be changed to reflect actual experience of the group. He also found that only a few people are willing to be hike leaders in the Trekkers group.
The concern is that the need for hike leaders is critical.
Mary is asking for volunteers to help maintain the Notice Board.
She is also asking for a volunteer to create a searchable
database for the website. A number of criteria could searchable
including elevation gain, hike distance, distance from
home, etc.
New Business: Mary Smith
Mary proposed that the Red Cross first aid/CPR class offered with with club reimbursement. The motion was passed to offer the class with reimbursement. Harriet will ask the Red Cross to offer the course here in Rossmoor. It was noted GRF has some liability coverage for people who lead hikes or offer first aid.
Mary is asking for people to review our by-laws. It has been nine years since the by-laws have been reviewed or updated.
Harriet added that policy changes be categorized and
separated out and a summary posted on the website and
also on the bulletin board.
Concerns:
It is suggested that an email be sent out to recruit volunteers for work that needs to be done for the club.
Another concern is teaching the proper use of hiking poles.
The meeting closed at 5:29 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bobbie Berkman
[Formatted by Anne Squire in case of errors]
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