Social Trustee Needed

The Club needs to fill the open board position of Social Trustee. The main commitments are to set up for the Annual Meeting in November and attend the monthly zoom board meetings. This position has also typically organized a spring picnic or banquet. The previous social chair and board members are happy to provide support. Of course, the job can be expanded as described below.

THE TRAILS CLUB OF OREGON WANTS TO THANK ALL ITS MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
Reminisce a moment on a favorite TCO memory.

Was it a hike or an event?
Tyee or Nesika?

I was introduced on a membership hike. I joined immediately; I had found a tribe of like-minded people.
The Board is currently seeking a Social Chair.
Have great ideas? Want to see TCO grow? Membership, hikes, lodge events, backpacking trips, snowshoeing etc. There is no limit to the creativity here. Perhaps a family retreat or music event.
And you don’t have to do it alone! Grab a friend (or 2) to co-chair. You will have support from members to mentor you through the process.
TCO IS OURS TOGETHER, LET’S MAKE IT GREAT!!!!!
The nominating committee is ready for interested persons.
Please contact the nominating committee chair Julia Carroll at juliamace1993@gmail.com

Vice President Nominee Needed

There is an opening for the board position of Vice President for the 2025-2026 term. All board members serve for staggered 2 year terms. The commitment for Vice President is to attend the monthly zoom board meetings.
The Vice President fills in when the President is not available.
The Vice President also is the parliamentarian, insuring the meeting is orderly, and adheres to the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws.
This is a great way to serve the club with minimal responsibilities, being a voting club officer, and see the inner workings of the club.
The nominating committee is ready for interested persons.
Please contact the nominating committee chair Julia Carroll at juliamace1993@gmail.com

Proposed Changes to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

The Trails Club of Oregon Board of Trustees are proposing to transition the club to a 501(c)3 tax classification. This requires changes to both the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Look for the text of the proposed changes in the November Trail Blazer. These changes will be voted on at the Annual Meeting in November.

Lodge Fee payment notice
When paying on-line for lodge fees, please be sure to include the event name and date to help our Treasurer keep the books straight.
Required fields have been added to the on-line payment forms.
Thank you.

Check the Trails Club of Oregon website calendar for up-to-date event listings.

Meet at Wallace Park between NW 25th and 26th on Raleigh. We start at 6 PM sharp and hike until 8 PM-ish in Forest Park and the West Hills.

Work weekend at Nesika.
Host: Trisha Schultz

Tyee will be open for work being done to rec room.
Host: Sheryl Wagner

It’s a new moon and a clear night! Let’s catch photos of the night sky. White River snow park.
Host: Sheryl Wagner

Come and join our meeting to discuss current plans and events. New participants are welcome. Held on Zoom.
Host: Julia Carroll

 

Meet at Wallace Park between NW 25th and 26th on Raleigh. We start at 6 PM sharp and hike until 8 PM-ish in Forest Park and the West Hills.

Host: Linda Conrad

Join us for a 3 day weekend to learn how to dehydrate food
Host: Dolores Niebergall

The tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the powerhouse and gain fascinating insights into this symbol of technological innovation and regional development.
Host: Lori Leach

Meet at Wallace Park between NW 25th and 26th on Raleigh. We start at 6 PM sharp and hike until 8 PM-ish in Forest Park and the West Hills.

Come and enjoy a spooky weekend at Nesika.
Host: Linda Conrad

Work in the morning, followed by pm hike or socializing in the lodge.
Host: Paul Cutter

Meet at Wallace Park between NW 25th and 26th on Raleigh. We start at 6 PM sharp and hike until 8 PM-ish in Forest Park and the West Hills.

Come enjoy a weekend of hard work and good food.
Host: Linda Conrad

Lodge work parties have been scheduled. There is no charge for meals and overnight stays for work party participants. Check the Trails Club of Oregon website calendar for dates.

At this time, there are work parties scheduled.
Nesika on October 4-6.
Tyee on October 25-27.
Nesika on November 1-3.

New Full Members:

Tonia Whiteside
Mark Barham
Robert Bonner 
Mary Riek 
Tamara Madsen 
Sylvie Zotoff 
Kathrin Dragich 

New Provisional Members:

Mary Schroder
Steve Schroder
Lou Lorber
Suzanne Perra
Andre Perra
Rob Parker

Three Sisters Wilderness backpack turned evacuation 

September 8, 2024

Dolores Niebergall, a TCO member, shares important information after a recent evacuation from Three Sisters Wilderness as reported in the Statesman Journal:

https://archive.is/rxLRa

 

Photos: Craig Gwydir - Angora Peak hike

Trails Club of Oregon Board Meeting Minutes
Date: September 10, 2024. Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: zoom

Attendees:
President: Bev Drottar
Treasurer: Nicole Rogers
Publications: Joel Reitz
Membership: Lori Leach
Tyee Trustee: Paul Cutter
Nesika Trustee: Pete Recksiek
Trips Trustee: Craig Gwydir
Social Trustee: Vacant
DEI Committee Chair: Julia Carroll
Nominating Committee Chair: Julia Carroll
Minute Taker (Guest) Trisha Schultz
Absent: Jennifer Samuels. Rebecca Knudeson (excused)

REGULAR BUSINESS:
Minutes from August were approved by email prior to the Blazer publication.
 
OLD BUSINESS
Education Committee Report, Julia
The next Education Committee meeting is October 7th, on Zoom.  No update from the last
month. Julia noted that this group is cross connected with SIERRA club; there are many people in TCO that would like to access groups that do not have easy access to the outdoors.
 
Nominating Committee Report, Julia
The two open positions, Social Chair and VP were discussed; their priority is to strategize outreach to members that may be interested in serving on the Board.
It was suggested to reach out to active TCO members and those who attend lodge work parties.
The “volunteer/serve” check box will be added to the membership form. The two open positions
were discussed at length, including the needed qualifications and time requirements; this
information will be added to the annual meeting notice. Julia suggested getting the Committee
together for an informational Q&A. It was suggested by a member that the Board offer
incentives; this was discouraged by the Board, as it was a conflict of interest for a volunteer to
receive incentives to serve. It was also discussed that as the Club moves towards becoming a
non-profit, they should avoid remuneration.
 
Treasurer’s Report August, Nicole
Nicole reported that lodge hosts need to be reminded to turn in their expense receipts especially if they are paying themselves from the cash received at the event. The subject of hosts prepaying themselves was discussed at length. It was suggested that hosts should not prepay themselves as all cash received should be submitted to the treasurer for a cleaner audit trail. It was also suggested that hosts that prepay themselves without turning in a receipt within 30 days should be invoiced for the amount they prepaid themselves.

Investments are trending up.
The budget cycle for the 2025 FY will begin in October. Lodge Chairs are encouraged to review
last year’s forms and identify the capital improvements needed. It was noted that operating
expenses are separate from capital expenses. Unanticipated expenses that are not in the budget are currently voted on by the Board as they arise.

                                                          Aug 31, 2024
Beginning Balance                                   9,374.21
    Cleared Transactions
        Checks and Payments -5 items      -1,197.12
        Deposits and Credits -3 items             830.47
    Total Cleared Transactions                   2,633.35
Cleared Balance                                     12,007.56
Register Balance as of 08/31/2024        12,007.56
Ending Balance                                      12,007.56 

Comprehensive reports for August financials can be found at: Monthly Treasurer's Reports -
Dropbox
The most current Fidelity statement value was $455,303.
One new membership application was uploaded on 8/26/24 to: Membership Applications -
Dropbox
 
Membership Info, Lori
Membership Info 9/10/24 
First Readings:
Mary Schroder – Sponsored by Bruce Seymour and Nicole Rogers
Steve Schroder – Sponsored by Bruce Seymour and Nicole Rogers
Second Readings:
Mark Barham Sponsored by Joel Reitz and Rebecca Knudeson
Robert Bonner Sponsored by Joel Reitz and Rebecca Knudeson
Mary Riek Sponsored by Paul Cutter and Bill Yandon
Tamara Madsen Sponsored by Paul Cutter and Bill Yandon
Sylvie Zotoff Sponsored by Brook Winter and Kate Curry
Kathrin Dragich Sponsored by Craig Gwydir and Nicole Rogers
All new members passed.

Membership Summary 9/10/24
Golden          8
Junior           3
Life               34
Life/Golden   2
Provisional    20
Regular         198
Total             265

Non-Profit Status, Lori:
501(c)3 Status:
Suggested templates for Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws have been received
from StartChurch. Documents from the Mazamas and Obsidians have been obtained,
including: Mazamas restated Articles of Incorporation 3/4/1996, Mazamas Bylaws 1/31/2023,
Obsidian Bylaws 1/2024. The templates and previous documents are being reviewed by the
non-profit committee and the committee is working to restate and edit proposed documents and to include a Policies/Practices document. Reviewing of ORS – Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 65 Nonprofit Corporations  
Lori reported that the bylaws need to be streamlined, and explained what we do in the policy and procedures that is a living document. Lori is putting all the information as needed into the
bylaws and will finish this week.
Next Steps
Documents need to be approved by the Board and voted on by the Membership.
ARTICLE IX: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Amendments:
a. Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Trustees or by ten or more
voting members.
b. Notice of any proposed amendment shall be given to each member at least 15 days prior to a Club meeting.
c. Amendments so proposed shall become effective upon the affirmative vote of 2/3rds of the
voting members present and voting at a Club meeting.
To move forward with StartChurch, we need to send and receive the approved Restated Articles of Incorporation from the State of Oregon. Once approved, the committee will interview with StartChurch to help complete the 1023 IRS application. It will take StartChurch three weeks to ready the 501(c)3 application for us to mail. The IRS will send an acknowledgement letter within 4-8 weeks. Within 3-6 months, the IRS will send the Federal Determination Letter for IRS approval.
Discussion:
The board will have the bylaw draft by the end of September. At the October meeting the Board
will review and approve the revised bylaws to be presented to the Members at least ten days
before the Annual meeting on November 17th . Members can attend the November 12th regular monthly meeting to ask clarifying questions. Joel will create an email link for the very large file.
The location for the Annual Meeting is tentatively scheduled at the Boy Scout Meeting Lodge,
however the location may need to be updated as the Lodge has been sold. This information will
be published in the October Blazer and a Save the Date and a link to the dues form.

Publications, Joel:
Not discussed
Trisha Schultz has volunteered to draft and publish the Trail Blazer.
 
Nesika Report, Pete:
16 people attended the September 6-8, 2024 work party. Pete mentioned the open Board
positions at dinner. Linda hosted a history meeting in August. No one was at Nesika for the
month of August. The next work party events will prepare Nesika to winterize.

Nora Tanner is trained at Nesika but needs to submit the form and payment before receiving the key. The key distribution will be voted on at the October meeting.

The hole near the creek bridge was discussed; it has not changed in size. Solutions were
discussed and determined that many need to review the issue and develop a solution. The
Forest Service was contacted but they have not responded. This same aera was repaired by
TCO ten years ago.
 
Tyee Report, Paul
The lodge was open every weekend in August. The month started with a marriage celebration,
with guests travelling from Nevada and Wyoming, 35 guests total, twenty overnight, (a $900 revenue).

The month continued with a women's weekend, followed by an elders two night stay. Many thanks to Loriann McNeil, Gerda Eck and Olivia Bakke for hosting respectively. It is rewarding to see an active lodge.

The donated laminate floor in the games room is 30% complete with a finish date in October.
There was no work party scheduled in August but there are scheduled work parties for
September and October. The oil tanks were filled 9/6, 330 gallons. Tanks hold 550 gallons.

There is one final Work-in Lieu day scheduled Friday 9/20 with the Forest Service. This will
be at Old Maid Flats, on FS Rd 18 and the Sandy River. Apparently The Sierra Club has
cleaned Salmon River 9/7/24. We should go back to Wildcat Mtn in May 2025.
Discuss funding for outside lean-to water access? $400 contingency funding requested. This is
less than 10%of the existing Tyee budget and does not require board approval.
Jeff Lawton and Bill Langdon have applied and paid for a Tyee lodge key.
Jeff has been trained in open/close procedures. Jeff’s key was approved by the board.
Bill will be trained at the next weekend. Bill’s key was approved by the board.
 
Trips Report, Craig
Sept 10, 2024:
There was 1 day hike, 1 day trip and 3 backpack trips over the past month. The Wednesday
night conditioning hikes continued throughout August.
The TCO day trip to Bull Run was a success - 14 hikers attended the TCO event. The Portland
Water Authority requests to see TCO, is interested in becoming a member. Craig reported that
low activity for trips this month; There was a pause of a online trip leader meetings.
The Nesika Chairs, Pete and Trisha asked Craig to lead the trail clearing efforts around Nesika.
Craig and Eric Zimmerman cleared both segments of the High Water Trail and the Cougar Rock trail during the September Nesika work weekend. New US Forest Service replica signs were placed at both ends of the High Water Trail and at the Cougar Rock Trail. It was discussed that additional signage near Nesika would be helpful. Pete noted that people are getting lost on the Multnomah Basin Road, that a sign would be helpful for hikers. The log that has a sign on it is small and confusing to determine location. The Franklin Ridge Trail connector behind Nesika was discussed with hopes to clear it. The next work party at Nesika they will clear the ornament trail to prepare for winter. TCO members interested in helping flag and/or clear legacy trails in the Multnomah Basin can contact Craig Gwydir at tripschair@trailsclub.org.
Craig will post cleared trails on social media for hikers to use the trails and increase foot traffic.

NEW BUSINESS
TCO is a member of the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs (FWOC). The group names are
represented on the fireplace at the Nesika Lodge. The FWOC is a coalition of outdoor recreation and hiking groups that was founded in 1932. The FWOC's mission is to promote environmental conservation in the eight western states by uniting its member clubs around a shared agenda of conservation goals. The FWOC also supports conservation campaigns from allied groups, and helps member clubs find solutions to operating problems by sharing information. 

The 2024 FWOC Annual Member, Business, &  ExComm Meeting is Saturday, September 21, 2024, 10:00–12 noon. Bev requested a member of TCO be represented. Trisha Schultz agreed to attend the meeting and cast the vote as TCO’s representative; Bev will send the information to Trisha.
 
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Next meeting: Tuesday, Oct.8th, 7-9pm
Minutes submitted by Trisha Schultz

President
@TrailsClub.org

VicePres
@TrailsClub.org

Secretary
@TrailsClub.org

Treasurer
@TrailsClub.org

NesikaChair
@TrailsClub.org

TyeeChair
@TrailsClub.org

MembershipChair@TrailsClub.org

PublicationChair@TrailsClub.org

SocialChair
@TrailsClub.org

TripsChair
@TrailsClub.org

 

For activities such as bicycle, snowshoe, and XC skiing check with the leaders for the difficulty level. Good equipment for the specific activity is required for all events. For hikes, snowshoes:

Harsh conditions may increase the exertion and skill required; be prepared. Contact the trip leader if you have any questions and to let him or her know that you will be attending. Bring the 10 Essentials and please, no alcohol. Pets allowed on designated trips only. 

Stay with the group and follow the leader. The leader is responsible for the group's safety. The leader determines which route is taken. The leader has authority to determine if a participant is prepared for the activity. Group safety must come first.

There is no charge to Trails Club members for day activities; non-members pay $2. Please contribute to any carpooling expenses at the rate of $.20 per mile. With multiple riders the driver can collect up to $.50 per mile shared by all the riders. Other fees may apply. 

If you have RSVP'd for an activity at a lodge involving food expense and are unable to participate, you are obligated to do one of the following: Cancel before the food is purchased, find someone to take your place, or pay for your share of the food. 

All activities must be approved by the appropriate activity coordinator or the Trips Trustee.

Published monthly by the

Organized 1915                            Incorporated 1923

Member of the Federation of Western Outdoors Clubs (FWOC)

Electronic subscripton is included with membership.
Send address changes and club correspondence to:
Membership@TrailsClub.org or the address above.

The purpose of the Trails Club is to foster and stimulate interest in hiking, climbing, skiing, camping and
other similar outdoor activities and to promote activities of a social nature for the benefit of its members.
The Club’s interests and concerns are conservation of natural beauty and resources of the country.
All Club activities are affected by the voluntary participation of the members.
Membership requirements include an approved outdoor activity, a scheduled lodge visit, recommendations by two members within a one-year period, approval by the Board of Trustees, and payment of $50 in dues and a $15 entrance fee. 

Usually first Tuesday of the month when the date is at least the 4th, 7:00pm, over Zoom.
See the calendar on the TCO website for the link if you wish to attend.
Contact the President prior to a meeting if you have an issue to bring to the board. 

Our website (TrailsClub.org) is the official site for club events and information.
There is also a Trails Club Meetup site that allows event planners to organize TCO events online, and
publicize these events to a wider audience (Meetup.com/Trails-Club-ofOregon/events/).
However, all events posted on the TCO Meetup site should be added to our TCO website as well.
While we try to get every event in the Trail Blazer and on the Trails Club website (www.trailsclub.org), some events, especially those planned on short notice, may not appear in The Blazer.
Use the Calendar menu item for a listing of events.
Registration on the website is not required to view the events.
Also: All may use the Payment menu item on our website to pay your membership dues.
You can pay for all members in a household in one transaction. 

Send write-ups to: Blazer@TrailsClub.org
Submissions are due by the fifteenth of the month prior to publication.
Trail Blazer Editor: Lee Ko
Send pictures, new events, corrections and anything else for the
Trails Club of Oregon website to: webmaster@TrailsClub.org