Fall 2005 Board of Directors Meeting

The 2005 fall Board of Directors meeting and elections was held Sunday, October 23, 2005 at the Grand Canyon National Park Recreation Center. The meeting began shortly after 10:00 AM.

Agenda:

Board members present:

Other attendees:

Minutes

The minutes of Spring 2005 Board Meeting  and the August teleconference meeting were approved as published without being read.

Elections

A discussion of the election and ballots took place. Gene Fowler was listed on the ballot as a choice for proxy, so he may be designated on some ballots as proxy, but Gene was unable to attend this meeting, so Doug Nering has been designated by Gene to act as proxy in those cases in his absence. A motion was made by Hank to allow Doug to act as proxy where Gene has been designated. The motion was seconded and the vote was unanimous.

A motion was made by Cliff to turn over the meeting to the election committee. The motion was seconded by Hank, and the vote was unanimous.

Election Results:

26 mailed and/or hand delivered ballots (filled in)
5 blank ballots with designated proxy
3 invalid ballots (blank with no proxy or invalid proxy indicated)

30 Doug Nering *
30 Cindy George *
30 Cliff Beck *
30 Pat Davis *
8 John Azar *
3 Wayne George
1 Steve Keinny
1 Lynn Davis
1 Gene Fowler (Invalid, Already on Board)
1 Mike Coltrin (Invalid, Already on Board)
1 Art Christianson

* Elected to board, 5 seats up for election

Doug will give John Azar a call to see if he will accept the election to the board. If he declines, then the board membership will go to Wayne George. [John later accepted the election.]

Cliff made a motion to re-elect the current slate of officers. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Hiking Symposium

The selection committee consists of Doug Nering, Hank Schnieder, Pat Davis, Tom Martin, Mike Anderson, and Mike Buchheit. There have been 6 formal submissions so far. The talks will take place at the Shrine of the Ages. We will need to be out of there by 5:00 PM. We can have an informal reception later (after everyone has dinner) perhaps at the Community Center.

Tom Martin motioned that we allocate up to $100 for cookies, tea, coffee, and other reception items. Also, up to $250 per presenter will be reimbursed for travel expenses at 40 center per mile (round trip) to any presenter who submits a request with receipts. Pat seconded the motion. The approval vote was unanimous.

Spring 2005 Service Project - Cottonwood Campground

There was an excess of food because some people who signed up did not show up and others who showed up left early. In addition some of the participants had bad camp etiquette.

To prevent such future occurrences Mike and Gene will screen participants for every project. The project has a ranger sponsor who directs the work.

Doug mentioned that the people for the most part really work hard. We are learning from our mistakes in organizing and conducting these projects. We can help avoid some of the problems by having a written "expectations for workers" that participants need to read and sign before participating in one of our work projects.

GC Historical Society Symposium

The idea of increasing the donation was brought up. Tom feels that we should "guard the treasury" and stick with the original $350.00. Tom will get the address to send the donation to, and Hank will forward a check for the $350.00.

Treasurer's Report

Hank reported the treasury balance as $6314.87.

T-Shirts

Hank also reported that we have at least one of each size of T-shirts.

Bumper Stickers

We are out of bumper stickers, the last were sent out with newsletters. Doug motioned to accept the design of the new bumper sticker.  Pat seconded. The vote was unanimous.

The question was brought up of whether renewing members get bumper stickers. It was decided that all new and renewing members should get a bumper sticker. We can add a checkmark to the online and paper renewal form, and a renewing member can choose whether to get one or not, also for patches and T-shirts for the higher membership levels. Cindy will talk to Gene about adding this to the online renewal.

Trailhead access

The Park has failed to describe access to various areas. Backcountry Wilderness management needs to have a statement about EACH trailhead access.  Various examples and trailheads with problem access were brought up. Great Thumb and the Boundary Road were two that were discussed at length.

Great Thumb - The tribe should identify areas for public use. Wednesday-Thursday of this week Tom will contact Rex Talusi to see what the issues/rules are, Then find out what we can do to help. It is essential that we build trust with them and gain understanding about their concerns. They have been abused by the Park, and are hesitant to make agreements. Tom will make an effort to find out what their expectations are.

Boundary Road - trail access - the park back roads are bad. They are dangerous and not maintained.

Doug will is working on developing a definition of what a "Trail Access Advocate" is, and we can go from there.

Overflights

Tom and Doug are alternate representatives to the Grand Canyon Overflights Working Group, sponsored by the FAA and NPS. This group was formed in response to the Clinton Directive for "natural quiet" by 2008. This group will decide what "natural quiet" is specific to the Grand Canyon and in relation to the 1987 Act and subsequent legislation, and what should be done to accomplish it. All 19 seats must have unanimous support of any motion. What this group decides will almost certainly be supported by the NPS and FAA. There will be meetings throughout the next year.
At the next meeting, we will have 10 minutes to present ourselves and our position. What do we want? Minimum impact extending to overflights. Rules being followed. Maximized wilderness experience. Tom will put together the presentation.

New Business

The issue of internet voting was discussed. We feel the need to have a way of making board decisions in addition to phone conferences and the semiannual board meetings for issues that require board decisions that cannot or should not wait until the board meeting. A rough motion was formulated:

In compliance with our existing bylaws regarding written voting, the board may conduct business via email or preferably the GCHBA Board Yahoo Forum. If a motion is presented in accordance with the bylaws, and there is a direct vote by each board member, and the vote is unanimous, the motion may be approved. A respond-by date will be included in the motion. The motion may be made by any board member.