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Open Board Positions for 2026
Please consider volunteering
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- Preside at the board meeting each month.
- Prior to the meeting, request agenda items from the board members, committee chairs, and the administrative assistant.
- Email the completed agenda and any pertinent documents to the board members before the meeting.
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- Attend the monthly board meeting.
- Present monthly reports of all receipts, disbursements, and financial condition of the Club.
- Have charge of all the current books pertaining to this office.
- Collect, receive, and deposit all monies due the Club in the bank that the Board shall designate, except such monies as the Bylaws or the Board of Trustees make it the duty of others.
- Disburse the Club’s funds only under the authorization of a Trustee. Bills that are designated by the Board as routine bills shall be paid without additional approval.
- Preserve proper vouchers for all revenue and disbursements on a calendar-year basis.
- Be one of the signers, along with the President, Vice President, and Secretary, on the checking account which requires two signatures.
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Before I list the tasks and chores of running the lodge and being an active voting member of the TCO board I would like to stress that he/her that volunteers for this position will NOT be left without support from me and other active Tyee attendees. I will be around as an active Tyee committee member to offer advice as needed. Most of the major projects have been completed, so now the lodge is in a maintenance mode.
Tasks and chores:
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- Attend monthly Zoom board meetings, usually 2nd Tuesday of the month.
- Set the dates for 3-4 work party dates, usually June. July and October.
- Train potential key holders for winter and summer openings. Sometimes done by other experienced hosts. Train potential hosts to the weekend running of the lodge, including revenue and expense procedures.
- Deliver receipts to the treasurer for reimbursement with correct budget coding.
- Create a budget for the following year, using data from the current year.
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Feel free to email me at paulcutter1958@gmail.com or 360 977 8381 if you wish to have more information, regarding Tyee operations.
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Outdoor Education and Outreach Trustee
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Do you have strong feelings about the reversal of DEI initiatives that are happening? Do you have a strong love for the outdoors and want to see this shared with people who have not had the opportunity to be exposed to this amazing resource? This volunteer position might be your cup of tea! Our club has not had this position filled this past year, but the board is eager and willing to support you in filling this position. We have an active member who may help define what is possible, and many referrals for where to contact people interested in such services. Outreach helps our club grow, and outdoor education is part of our non-profit mission!
Please contact our president at president@trailsclub.org
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Annual Achievement Awards
Una Davies High Traveler Award (PCT miles)
Mary Lou Greene High Miler Award
Allen Burrell High Bike Mileage Award
While the club has not had any organized bike rides this year, the other awards are selected from the applicants (details on the TCO website).
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Leader: Bruce Seymour & Lori Leach
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Rescheduled- Hopkins Demonstration Forest Tour – Round 2
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Leader: Sebastian Powers-Leach & Lori Leach
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Fall Tyee private men’s group retreat
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Leader: Rebecca Knudeson & Lori Leach
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Volunteer Weekend at Nesika
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Symbiop/Ant Farm Service Day at Camp Namanu
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Leader: Rebecca Knudeson & Lori Leach
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Halloween Day Hike to Nesika Lodge (10 miles, 1800 ft)
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Leader: John Koger & Lori Leach
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Leader: Lori Leach (Registration will end on 10/30/2025)
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First Readings:
Cara Nixon – Sponsored by Lori Leach and Nancy Schmidt
New Full Members:
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
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Photo: Gerda Eck - Inga and PCT hikers
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Photo: Craig Gwydir - Fall Social
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Photo: Craig Gwydir - Fall Social
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Photo: Trisha Shultz - Nesika Porch
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Photo: Trisha Shultz - Nesika Window Repair
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Photo: Eric Zimmerman - Catherine Creek reconnaissance
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Photo: Craig Gwydir - Douglas Trailhead Cleanup
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Photo: Craig Gwydir - some of the trash
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Photo: Craig Gwydir - CPR/WFA/AED class
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Trails Club of Oregon Board Meeting Minutes
Date: Sept. 9, 2025 Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: zoom
Attendees:
President: Bev Drottar
Vice President: Eric Zimmerman
Secretary: Rebecca Knudeson
Publications: Joel Reitz
Membership: Lori Leach
Tyee Trustee: Paul Cutter
Nesika Trustee: Pete Recksiek
Trips Trustee: Craig Gwydir
Outdoor Ed/Outreach Trustee: Vacant
Committee Chairs: Jeff Churchill (Social)
Absent:
Treasurer: Nicole Rogers
REGULAR BUSINESS
Minutes were approved on 8/15/2025 by email prior to the Blazer publication.
Treasurer’s Report, Nicole
Beginning Balance, 8/31/25: $7802.29
Checks and Payment: 130.04
Deposits and Credits: 386.43
Cleared Balance: 8058.68
Complete reports can be found by the Board in Dropbox:
Membership Report, Lori
First Readings:
Cara Nixon – Sponsored by Lori Leach and Nancy Schmidt
Second Readings, all approved unanimously:
Catherine Romanaggi – Sponsored by Rebecca Knudeson and Lori Leach
Gregory (Greg) Barrell – Sponsored by Rebecca Knudeson and Lori Leach
Brett Taute – Sponsored by Craig Gwydir and Kate Curry
Rebecca (Becky) Brenton – Sponsored by Barbara Jones and Gerda Eck
Membership Summary
Total: 252
9 Golden, 2 Junior, 32 Life, 3 Life/Golden, 19 Provisional, 187 Regular
Publications Report, Joel
We need to write up a Blazer article to highlight the Board positions that need to be filled at the
annual meeting and post descriptions of club awards with request for submissions. Bev will
describe the Outreach trustee, Paul will write up the Tyee trustee responsibility. Joel will put a
pop up on the website about open board positions.
Nesika Report, Pete
A lost hiker entered the lodge to seek refuge on 8/29/25 by breaking the window of the door
closest to the bathrooms. The 18 year old male high school grad spent the night in the lodge.
He depleted one fire extinguisher, and another is missing. He lit fires inside and out, apparently
trying to send smoke signals for rescue. He left an apology note using 2 pages from theguestbook, along with his name. A police report was filed with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office the next day.
On the work weekend, the front deck chairs and table were repaired and painted by Linda and
Glen Conrad. The ramp in the wood room was restored back to its original specs after repairing
the pipes below. The kitchen floor will be repaired on the next work trip. Six windows were
replaced in the cupola, finishing all the broken glass repairs from the fire. An emergency
charging station was set up on the propane bunker to charge lost hikers’ phones. Signage was
posted to aid lost hikers who arrive at the lodge detailing how to get emergency aid, access to
the lodge, and/or hike out. No money was earned as all trips were working, though $25 was
collected in the coffee can.
Tyee Report, Paul
A women's weekend was held in mid August hosted by Loriann McNeil, ($370). Thank you
Loriann.
In Paul’s absence (he broke an ankle on 7/21), Lori Leach and her son Sebastian spent a
weekend waterproofing the wood chute, inside and out. A second coat will follow. They also
extended the french drain and repaired the existing one under the east eaves. An 8" concrete
block barrier will be installed next month to attempt to keep a rain deluge flowing from the
parking lot, during a very heavy rain and snow melt.
Paul’s second two year term expires on December 31, 2025. He has chosen not to continue in
this position. He has had a very good, productive four years despite the furnace issue, frozen
and burst pipes, flooding in the basement due to the heavy rain runoff outside, flooding in the
games room (his fault!) and then, to cap it off, a major sewer blockage in mid-January. There
are too many names to mention in the "Thanks" list, but you know who you are and should be
very proud of your accomplishments.
Going forward, if the board and new lodge trustee wishes, Paul is more than willing to
coordinate with any outside groups and host when he’s available. He also will be available to
continue to coordinate with The Forest Service regarding the litter pickup towards the work-inlieu program. He will also continue hosting at the lodge and has already signed up for the
weekend following New Year's Day. Volunteers are needed for the week prior.
Trips Report, Craig
There was 1 scheduled day hike, 1 online Trips Leader Zoom meeting, as well as the weekly
Wednesday conditioning hikes during the month of August.
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.
The TCO Stormy Trails Committee cleared more brush from the Basin road and cleared the
following Nesika Lodge trails during the month of August: Nesika/Franklin Ridge Connector
Trail, Basin Cutoff Trail, Cougar Rock Trail and High Water Trail. Thank you to the volunteers of
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
Board level trustee is needed for this position. If you want to know more about it, please
contact president@trailsclub.org
Social, Jeff
We had a VERY successful club picnic at Milo McIver State Park on Sunday, 9/7/2025. Linda
Conrad had a lovely history display. There was a hike led by Craig, and a paddle outing led by
Lori prior to the barbecue lunch. Burgers and sausage were grilled for us by Derek Atterbury.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Policies & Practices document for TCO, Bev
The work we did last month was tedious and slow. We will vote on this document at the
October board meeting. All board members should be able to edit the document.
2. 501(c)3, Lori
Lori had a meeting with our StartChurch representative to review our IRS application and make
the suggested changes. She will email Lori the updated application. Lori’s hoping to receive it
soon and will then submit it to the IRS.
3. Nesika Tractor Insurance, Eric
No progress on this yet.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Board positions to fill: Tyee Chair, Treasurer, President, Education & Outreach. Next month we will discuss preparations for annual meeting. We discussed the treasurer’s job,
specifically getting mail and the receipts and submissions process. The position needs to
be streamlined to take some of the burden off the treasurer’s plate. Craig will talk to Nicole
to get feedback on what can be done to ease the treasurer’s position. Eric and Craig will
coordinate taking mail to Nicole. Paul will be willing to do it when he’s able to drive again.
Bev will continue for another year (1/2 term) in her position as president until we are
finished with the 510(c)3 process.
2. Nesika damage We voted unanimously to send a letter to the young man who damaged
Nesika, along with an itemized expense list of damages. Pete will follow up on this.
3. Lodge keys We voted unanimously for Rob Parker to receive a Nesika key and Sebastian
Powers-Leach to receive Tyee key.
4. We will try to hold the annual meeting on November 16 with November 9 as a backup date.
5. Merrill Hugo’s petition for Lifetime membership needs about 13 more member signatures.
Pete will take it to Nesika on the next trip and attempt to solicit more.
Adjorned at 8:37
Next meeting, October 14, 2025, zoom
Submitted by Rebecca Knudeson, Secretary
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Outdoor Education and Outreach
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Adds from TCO members for mutual benefit can be placed in the Trail Blazer
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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:
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- Class A - Shorter, less strenuous activity, typically 4 to 8 miles, less than 1500 feet elevation gain.
- Class B - Moderate to difficult, typically 6 to 12 miles, up to 3000 feet of elevation gain.
- Class C - Long and difficult, strong experienced participants only, typically over 8 miles, and over 3000 feet of elevation gain. Boots are recommended for B/C hikes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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All activities must be approved by the appropriate activity coordinator or the Trips Trustee.
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P.O. Box 67095
Portland, OR 97268-1095
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Organized 1915 Incorporated 1923
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Member of the Federation of Western Outdoors Clubs (FWOC)
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Electronic subscripton is included with membership.
Send address changes and club correspondence to:
Membership@TrailsClub.org or the address above.
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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.
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Usually second Tuesday of the month, 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.
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Trails Club of Oregon & Meetup Websites
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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.
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Send write-ups to: Blazer@TrailsClub.org
Submissions are due by the fifteenth of the month prior to publication.
Trail Blazer Editor: Joel Reitz
Send pictures, new events, corrections and anything else for the
Trails Club of Oregon website to: webmaster@TrailsClub.org
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