Board Minutes: October 16, 2024

A Zoom meeting of the board of directors of Western Mass Climbers Coalition (WMCC, a Massachusetts Nonprofit corporation), was held on October 16, 2024 at 7p ET pursuant to notice given in accordance with Article 11, Section 3 of the WMCC’s bylaws.

The meeting was called to order by Andrew Neuman, President of the Board of Directors, at 7:06pm.

 

Attendees

Jenifer Dickinson, Rob Sullivan, Andy Neuman, Stephanie Giguere, Ryan Shumeyko, Regina Madden, Ryan Stefiuk, Josh Seamon-Ingalls, Danielle Rao, Justin Raphaelson

 

General Review of Events

• Tony Gardner’s passing
  • WMCC is planning a memorial of some kind – bench? possibly at the Highlands? During a trail day?
• Board of Directors election follow up:
  • Discussion of what went well and what didn’t – Stephanie will incorporate the questions that the board agreed upon into the nomination google form. Some questions around whether everyone received the voting email or not, but overall, one in five people voted which is a pretty high percentage. 
  • Board-appointed position – Some board members would like to see this filled now to ensure an uneven number to break tie votes and take advantage of currently available candidates. Laura Davis is interested and provided a bio. More discussion will be had over email.
• Secretary and Vice president positions are open
  • Ryan Stefiuk volunteered to be the secretary. No one volunteered for vice president. More discussion will be had over email.
• 4th Quarter board meeting date and location
  • There will be an open, hybrid meeting at CRG Worcester on Dec. 4th. Sound quality was not great last time. Jessica Schiffman has offered to provide a mic and speaker.

Access Updates

• Farley
  • Ryan Shumeyko has been in touch with an engineer – Bucky Sparkle. He could start in Dec./Jan.
  • Ward recommended Chuck Caron to complete the wetland delineation, which would probably cost $600. Ryan just sent Chuck the plans.
• DCR may purchase the Sanctuary. This would be the central division of DCR – we have not made contact with this office yet. 
• Corp wall work is making good progress towards opening.

Other Operating Executive Items

• Oct. Membership Drive
  • Stephanie is working on a direct mail campaign to lapsed members
  • Regina is interested in helping with email marketing and strategy for fundraising campaigns. 
• Tabling opportunities
  • SNECC Boulder Bash at Lynn Woods oct. 19th 3:00pm
  • Jeremy Katz will table at the BBP boulderfest Nov. 9th
• Grants
  • AMC Boston chapter grant was accepted! We will work with the AMC to schedule a two day volunteer workshop with Hermit Woods at Hanging Mountain. 
    • AMC to pay for expenses directly as they arise.
    • We have an AF grant pending for the spring that would add some additional money to this, allowing us to bring on a second trainer and more volunteers, pay for food, etc.
  • Forest Reserves Grant: we will not be receiving this grant – they decided we were ineligible. 
    • There was brief discussion about updating our mission statement so that we are eligible for more of these grants with a conservation focus.
  • MassTrails grant: Opens Nov. 1st and closes Feb 1st

Meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm.