Date: September 8, 2026 Time: 7:00-9:00 PM Location: Zoom
Attendees:
President: Bev Drottar
Vice President: Eric Zimmerman
Treasurer: Sydney Jackson
Secretary: Rebecca Knudeson
Publications: Joel Reitz
Membership: Lori Leach
Tyee Trustee: Eric “Zinger” Eisinger
Nesika Trustee: Pete Recksiek
Trips Trustee: Craig Gwydir
Outdoor Ed/Outreach Trustee: Sebastian Powers-Leach
Absent: None
REGULAR BUSINESS
Minutes of the July board meeting were unanimously approved by email on July 14, 2026, prior to the Blazer publication. No August meeting was held.
The use of Tyee by the 22nd Wildwood Outdoor Service Guides on March 5-7, 2027, passed unanimously on Aug 27, 2026 by email vote. There will be about 25 youth and 10 leaders/parents. Paul Cutter or another responsible TCO member will host.
Treasurer Report, Sydney
Beginning Balance: $13,557.79
Checks and Payment: $1,579.68
Deposits and Credits: $444.86
Cleared Balance: $12,422.97
Complete reports can be found by the shared folder in Google Drive.
Membership Report, Lori
Provisional: K. Jeffery Eriksen, Irene Foster, Jeff Foster, Heather Brunner
Membership Readings unanimously approved:
Atif Zaman, Sponsored by Paul Cutter and Lori Leach
Doreen Roozee, Sponsored by Paul Cutter and Lori Leach
Membership Summary: 270 total
9 Golden, 3 Junior, 34 Life, 4 Life/Golden, 16 Provisional, 204 Regular
Publications Report, Joel
We have moved all mail to new accounts. The thermometer for the matching challenge is set up on our website.
Nesika Report, Pete
The spring box cover was delivered 7/13 and installed by 4 men using rope and pulleys to get the heavy cover up the steep slope behind the generator shack. Rob painted the top green to abide by Scenic Area regulations.
Cheryl Rice from Hood River Soil and Water Conservation visited the site to assess the area for our land stewardship efforts. The area around the lower fountain was mapped out to accommodate, identify and remove invasive species and reseed native species.
A volunteer weekend was held on 8/8. Curled siding was removed and replaced with painted wood and screwed down to prevent cupping. The propane bunker cover was repainted, sapling trees were cleared and watered along the pedestrian path, and pollinator species were counted for background data on our conservation program.
Trail signs were posted along the Franklin Ridge connector trail by Rob and Ember Parker, top and bottom, as well as on the pedestrian path from the Monster Trail. Thank you for donating the treated 4 x 4s!
Forestry personnel were seen along the Basin Road conversing with a contractor to get a bid on fixing the road by straightening the switchbacks, grading the surface, and fixing the water bars. They swore it was NOT for logging trucks! Pete will talk with the Forest Service about moving on the road repair and our interest in being a partner in the repair.
Pete will change the combination on the lock on the back of the lodge.
Tyee Report, Eric E. (Zinger)
We have had a couple exciting events at the lodge over the last few weeks. The Grasshopper Fire had us a little worried. Thankfully, the hard work of more than 1000 firefighters, support crews and pilots contained the blaze. Joel noticed that PGE had relocated the incoming feed directly to the lodge. Eric E. immediately reached out to PGE and had a visit with a PGE Project Manager last Thursday. They are going to install a new power pole by the end of October. Fuel oil will be delivered on 9/18, maybe up to 200 gallons., estimated to cost about $1200. More good news is that Timberline has dropped the price on season passes if purchased by the end of September! One last bit of exciting news is that we saw a pair of bear cubs on West Leg road in the Summit ski area. Eric E. will be hosting a work party in October and is planning a Thanksgiving feast on November 21.
Trips Report, Craig
In July, there were 2 day hikes, 2 backpacks, as well as the Wednesday night conditioning
hikes. Tyee successfully hosted an introductory Backpack class.
In August, there was 1 day hike, as well as the Wednesday night conditioning hikes.
The Basin Trails were cleared and brushed by the TCO Stormy Trails Committee. As of
Saturday Sept 5, the Multnomah Basin trail conditions were as follows:
- Ornament Trail - clear and brushed as of Sept 5
- Cougar Rock trail - clear and brushed as of Sept 5
- Elevator Shaft user path - top half of trail cleared and brushed Sept 5. Rock field path looks good.
- High Water trail - clear
- Basin Cutoff trail - cleared and brushed Sept 5
- Nesika/Franklin Connector trail - clear
Outdoor Ed and Outreach, Sebastian
The OEO Committee met virtually August 27 to discuss our Tyee Open House event in July and to begin planning future events. This first outreach event went well and will set the groundwork for successful future events. The committee also began compiling a list of lodge hosts who would be interested in hosting for outside youth groups. This should make serving these organizations easier going forward. We have a tentative committee meeting set for October 1st.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Fundraising, Lori
Bottle Drop
TCO now has a BottleDrop account. Blue bags are available for the lodges, socials and any members wanting to collect returnable bottles and cans for our account. The blue bags are deposited at the same sites that collect green bags. Use the QR code on the bag to open the collection site door. No key fob or card is needed. Lori will write up something for the Blazer about the bottle drop.
TCO Matching Funds Campaign
The fundraising campaign is underway. A notice was placed in the September Blazer.
Facebook posts will begin this month. A notice will be sent by post along with the 2027 dues notice and annual meeting notice. Donations can be made on our website and directions will be added about how to send a check. Joel will explore Zelle for a fee-free bank transfers.
So far, we’ve reached $1,700, or 15% of the goal of $11,000!
2) President Report, Bev
The annual state report was filed 2 months late. The treasurer used to do it and in the future will continue to file it. Bev is assembling all the docs & signatures to file our nonprofit status with the state.
Threadneedle account:
Bev needs to talk with Chris Monti about moving this account to Fidelity.
NEW BUSINESS
Annual Meeting
Lori will check with Trackers about the availability of one of their locations and the Boy Scout office that we used last year for Nov 8, if possible, 2-4 PM.
Board elections: President, Vice President, and Treasurer need to be filled this year. (Our
president is resigning midterm after serving several successful consecutive terms. Our Treasurer is moving to Canada and will not be able to continue her position internationally.) Eric Z will draft an email to the membership to solicit qualified candidates. Trips, OEO, Publications and Secretary are willing to continue for another term. We are also looking for a Blazer editor who would be supported by the Publications Trustee.
Budget
The annual budget process begins in October. Sydney will prepare the budget framework and send it to Bev for review. Board members are expected to review previous spending and prepare estimates for their departments.
Tyee Use
Trackers would like to use the lodge for days only on Dec 21, 22 and 23. It was unanimously approved.
Reciprocal relationship
The Bowline Climbing Club in the Snowdon area of Wales may be interested in a reciprocal use of our mountain lodges. Joel and Lori are contacts for them.
Adjourned at 8:52
Next meeting, Oct. 13, 2026, Zoom
Please submit all monthly reports by Sunday 10/11/26 for the agenda.
Submitted by Rebecca Knudeson, Secretary
