Trails Club of Oregon Board Meeting Minutes
Date: January 14, 2025 Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: zoom
Attendees:
President: Bev Drottar
Vice President: Eric Zimmerman
Treasurer: Nicole Rogers
Secretary: Rebecca Knudeson
Publications: Joel Reitz
Membership: Lori Leach
Tyee Trustee: Paul Cutter
Nesika Trustee: Pete Recksiek
Trips Trustee: Craig Gwydir
Education and Outreach Committee: Vacant
Absent: None
REGULAR BUSINESS
Minutes were approved by email prior to the Blazer publication.
Paul requested via email for Trackers NW use of Tyee on 2/1/25. He will host our members that
weekend and said the lodge could be shared between the outside group and our members.
The request was unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report, Nicole
12/31/24
Beginning Balance: $13,434.90
Checks and Payments: -8,321.49
Deposits and Credits: 3,568.30
Cleared Balance: 8,681.71
Complete reports can be found by the Board in Dropbox
Vice President Report, Eric
Eric attempted to follow up on bank access. He asked Joel for access to the dropbox for these
bank records.
He drafted a Dog Policy that matches our discussion at the December meeting and sent it to
the board. See the record below under Old Business.
He received an email from a member about Lodge safety inspections, stating that an extinguisher was expired at Nesika. He volunteered to do lodge safety inspections on a regular basis.
No change in inventory.
Membership Report, Lori
Resignations:
Chris Seubert, Paul Fusch
Empty Boots:
Julia Davies
Provisional:
Elizabeth Madsen - Sponsored by Nancy Schmidt and Lori Leach
Molly Pool – Sponsored by Olivia Bakke and Lori Leach
Julie Norrander
First Readings:
Abraham Chung - Sponsored by Tom Thrall and Lori Leach
Emiko Chung - Sponsored by Tom Thrall and Lori Leach
Bob Sauer – Sponsored by Paul Cutter and Nicole Rogers
Second Readings:
Marie Van Patten - Sponsored by Paul Cutter and Lori Leach
New Golden Members:
Gerda Eck and Michael Stupek
275 Total: 9 Golden, 3 Junior, 32 Life, 3 Life/Golden,18 Provisional, 210 Regular
Publications Report, Joel
Nothing to report
Nesika Report, Pete
Pete Recksiek hosted New Year’s weekend for 12 people plus day hikers. Lodge was accessible by road. Cougar Rock Trail was cleared, as well as the lower Franklin Ridge Trail. The tractor started blowing smoke while picking up supplies from the parking lot. The engine lost compression and was put away in the basement until spring when we will look at it. Supplies needed to be carried out by hand. The generator seemed to run fine over the weekend, although it needed a jump from a portable battery Ken Potter had in his car. Dave Lechter collected and stacked wood from the road to be processed in the spring. Pete and Dave did a lot of hard work on the trails. We discussed having the fire extinguishers inspected AED batteries need to be checked and a carbon monoxide detector put in the dorm. It would be good to have fire blankets in both lodges. Bev will ask Carl Buchanan, the member who made some safety suggestions, if he’d like to develop a safety checklist for the lodges.
Tyee Report, Paul
In mid December a youth group used Tyee sponsored by Sheryl Wagner. Immediately after Christmas Day the lodge was open for ten nights. Thanks to Sheryl, Lori and Joel who spread their host duties over this period. All weekends through early March have host volunteers with some extra Wednesday and Thursday nights added thanks to Lori and Nancy. Paul will tally the youth numbers for 2024 for The Forest Service and will include the gross revenue and the 100 hours x $34.57/hr we earned for the two litter pickups. Numbers will be reported to the FS, and then we will wait for the 2024 permit bill. Numbers will be reported to the board next month.
Trips Report, Craig
In the month of December, there were 3 day hikes and 1 well attended hosted tour of the Hopkins Demonstration Forest. The TCO Stormy Trails Restoration Committee continued maintenance on the Cougar Rock trail, the High Water trail, the Ornament Trail, as well as the Nesika trail connector to Franklin Ridge. Recent scouting reports have shown these trails to be passable. The Cougar Rock trail had many trees across it as of Dec 30, 2024, but most of these obstacles were removed (thank you!).
Other trails news:
Bonneville Hot Springs is reopening under new leadership on Feb 1, 2025. The trail formerly known as the Dick Thomas trail will be reopened at that time. Details are provided on the Bonneville Hot Springs website. The Dick Thomas trail provides easier access to Table Mtn (Washington).
Please email Tripschair@TrailsClub.org if you are interested in assisting with trail work, including trail scouting, restoration and maintenance.
Call for help: If you are interested in learning about adventures on the Multnomah Plateau and willing to help co-lead hikes and/or join a TCO trips planning committee, please join our "TCO Hike Leaders Meeting" on Zoom this month, or send questions to Tripschair@TrailsClub.org.
Outdoor Education and Outreach Committee, Vacant
Board level trustee needed!! If you want to know more about this position, please contact President@TrailsClub.org
Leave No Trace Committee, Dolores via email
Dolores met with one LNT committee member. We are thinking of hosting a day section hike
with cleanup of the beach as we go in the next couple months. We can’t plan too far in
advance due to weather, maybe a week to 10 days at a time. We don’t want to be out in a
storm. Location TBD. She plans to write to SOLV to ask if there is a recommended section of
beach.
OLD BUSINESS
Trails Club of Oregon: Dog Access Policy
After a long discussion, the below policy was moved, seconded and unanimously passed.
The Trails Club of Oregon (TCO) welcomes members and guests who wish to bring their dogs
to lodge outings while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all visitors. The
following updated points outline dog access and responsibilities at Nesika and Tyee Lodges:
General Guidelines
1. Leash Policy:
- Leashes are not required on lodge grounds. However, owners are expected to use good judgment and leash dogs when necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests and animals.
2. Owner Responsibilities:
- Owners must clean up after their dogs. Waste should be buried at least 6 inches deep and 100 feet away from lodges, trails, or water sources.
- Dog food must not be left unattended overnight to prevent attracting wildlife or rodents.
- Owners are fully responsible for the behavior of their dogs and any damages or incidents caused by them.
3. Troublesome Dogs:
- The TCO board reserves the right to bar dogs that exhibit problematic behavior from future events. Any such activity should be reported to Board@TrailsClub.org Examples of such behavior include excessive barking, aggression, persistent bad odor, or lack of control.
NEW BUSINESS
Policies & Practices document for TCO
Lori will put out a draft document of Policies and Practices for topics that are not covered in
our bylaws. Each board member will address the sections that cover their responsibilities and
report at February’s meeting.
Adjorned at 8:41PM
Next meeting: Feb. 11, 2025, 7 PM, zoom
Submitted by Rebecca Knudeson, Secretary
