Trails Club of Oregon Board Meeting Minutes
Date: August 12, 2025 Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: Zoom
Attendees:
President: Bev Drottar
Treasurer: Nicole Rogers
Secretary: Rebecca Knudeson
Publications: Joel Reitz
Membership: Lori Leach
Tyee Trustee: Paul Cutter
Trips Trustee: Craig Gwydir
Outdoor Ed/Outreach Trustee: Vacant
Committee Chairs: Jeff Churchill (Social)
Absent:
Vice President: Eric Zimmerman
Nesika Trustee: Pete Recksiek
REGULAR BUSINESS
July minutes were approved by email on July 15, 2025.
Treasurer’s Report, Nicole
Beginning Balance, 7/31/25: $9886.23
Checks and Payment: 5780.22
Deposits and Credits: 3696.28
Cleared Balance: 7802.29
The most current Fidelity statement value: $457,425.
Complete reports can be found by the Board in Dropbox:
Membership Report, Lori
Provisional:
Pierre Provost – Sponsored by Joel Reitz and Mark Barham
Kathy Ottsen
Howard Davis
First Readings:
Catherine Romanaggi – Sponsored by Rebecca Knudeson and Sebastian Powers- Leach Gregory (Greg) Barrell – Sponsored by Rebecca Knudeson and Sebastian Powers- Leach Brett Taute – Sponsored by Craig Gwydir and Kate Curry
Rebecca (Becky) Brenton – Sponsored by Barbara Jones and Gerta Eck
Second Readings all unanimously approved:
Christena Keller – Sponsored by Bill Yandon and Lori Leach
Ember Kauth – Sponsored by Beverly Drotter and Nina Rohr
Rob Parker - Sponsored by Pete Recksiek and Jeff Lawton
Membership Summary
Total: 252
9 Golden, 2 Junior, 32 Life, 3 Life/Golden, 25 Provisional, 181 Regular
Publications Report, Joel
Nothing new to report.
Nesika Report, Pete
Jeff Lawton donated his wood splitter to the TCO, which was delivered on 7/18/25. Wood was split and stacked in the wood room, kitchen and both bays of the wood shed. A new battery and an ignition switch were installed on the generator. 4 solar panels were installed by Jeff Lawton on the cover of the propane bunker to charge phones and run lights. The array can be used to charge the generator/tractor/Kubota batteries. Trees were cleared and watered by the crew. A 55 gallon drum was fitted with a spigot, filled with water, hauled up to the top of the Monster Trail with the Kubota, and a hose was attached to water the newly planted firs on the grounds. Trisha Schultz and Nina Rohrs made excellent meals for the hard-working crews. The tractor was assembled and did not start. We are debating the next step: haul it into town for professional advice or have another diesel mechanic come to the lodge to look at it.
3 TCO membership applications were received, all supported by Trish Schultz and Pete Recksiek: Paul Neiffer, Jayllen Davis, Akasha Benke
Tyee Report, Paul
July started with a day use activity for a Costa Rican/American partnership. Later in the month, Tyee was used by a men's group, then The Weds morning hiking group, and, finally, a private memorial service weekend. Thanks to all the hosts that hosted these events.
The wood chute has been prepared for sealing in late August when the extension on the French drain has to be dug. A concrete storm run-off wall will be built later in the fall from the north fire escape to the wood chute. Fire extinguishers were re-certified and returned.
Trips Report, Craig
There was 1 paddling trip, 1 scheduled trail clearing day, as well as the weekly Wednesday conditioning hikes during the month of July. Wednesday night conditioning hikes are posted on the TCO calendar at https://trailsclub.org/activities/calendar/.
A CPR/AED/Wilderness First Aid custom certification class has been posted for Sept. 28, 2025 at Tyee for Trails Club members. There are still spots available for TCO members to join this event. Adventure Medics Training will be teaching this class. Please see the TCO Meetup site or contact Craig Gwydir at tripschair@trailsclub.org for more information. Paul will host for this event.
The TCO Stormy Trails Committee cleared brush from the Basin road and cleared the following Nesika Lodge trails during the month of July: Elevator Shaft Trail and the Ornament Trail. Thank you volunteers on the committee for this work.
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" this month, or send questions to tripschair@trailsclub.org.
Outdoor Ed and Outreach, vacant
Social Committee, Jeff
Jeff has arranged for our September 7 social to be held at Milo McIver State Park.
OLD BUSINESS
Progress on 501(c)(3) Status, Lori
On Tuesday, August 5, Beverly Drotter, Rebecca Knudeson, and Lori Leach had a conference call with StartChurch regarding our IRS 501(c)(3) application. Their representative confirmed our Revised Articles of Incorporation have been acknowledged and filed with the State of Oregon. We were asked a series of questions to aid StartChurch in completing our application for the IRS. On Friday, August 8, 2025, we received the draft of the IRS Application. Once approved by our committee, it will be sent by StartChurch to the IRS.
Policies & Practices document for TCO 501(c)(3) Status, Lori
We read through from the start to the end of Section 2, making needed changes to the document. Bev requests that each board member read through the section covering his/her position and edit it appropriately. We’ll continue with the document at the next meeting.
Insurance for the Kubota, Eric via email
Eric has not made progress yet on Insurance alternatives for the Farm Utility vehicle we have purchased for Nesika and comparisons of comparable plans for insurance across the board. He hopes to have a summary of information for the next board meeting in September.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Adjourned at 9:03
Next meeting, Sept. 9, 2025, zoom
Submitted by Rebecca Knudeson, Secretary
