Board Minutes: December 4, 2024

A hybrid Zoom/In-person meeting of the board of directors of Western Mass Climbers Coalition (WMCC, a Massachusetts Nonprofit corporation), was held on December 4, 2024 at 7p ET pursuant to notice given in accordance with Article 11, Section 3 of the WMCC’s bylaws.

The meeting at Central Rock Gym Worcester was called to order at 7:15pm by Stephanie Giguere, Operating Executive.

Attendees

Andrew Neuman, Stephanie Giguere, Josh Seamon-Ingalls, Ryan Shumeyko, Rob Sullivan, Laura Davis, Regina Madden, Danielle Rao, Nick Friedman, Ryan Stefiuk, several WMCC members in attendance at CRG.

Introductions and New Board Members

• New board member introduction for public meeting
• Cards and mugs for previous board members

Farley Kiosk Map

• Map to come, feedback window is still open
• A lot of feedback has been given already in the board-plus email thread

Membership Recap

• 400 members
• 61.53 per giving member

Financial Updates/Grants

• Grant funding totals include 75k unrestricted funds and 1k restricted funds
• Active Grant – AMC CT Grant
• In queue
  • AF GRant

Trail Stewardship Recap

• 26 Trail Days!
• ~800 volunteer hrs
• 155 volunteer visits
• Examples of work include trailbuilding and invasive plant management at numerous crags in WMCC purview

Access: General Updates

• Rattlesnake Gutter – sale pending, area still without access
• GB Wildfires along the ridge affecting Reservoir Rocks/Darkside. Area is open.
• Sanctuary – DCR may purchase Sanctuary, useful as an overflow area for Farley

2024 Access Wins

• USACE/Corps Wall – 5yr contractual agreement
• Stevens Property – MOU w/ Hilltown Land Trust

Other items

• Silent Auction
• Member Partnership Program
• PortaPotty Fundraiser
• Climb with Gratitude Signs

Upcoming Events

• Gym to Crag clinics
• Silent Auction – online again in late Feb, WMCC is seeking donations and sponsorships
• Reel Rock with AMC in March?
• Tony Gardner Memorial Trail Day dates unclear
  • Crag X infrastructure
  • Bench?
• Trail Stewardship Training with Hermit Woods in May
• WMCC Board Retreat June 27-29

Member T-shirts and Tank Tops

• Burleap Printing – a discussion was had about t-shirts and a women’s tank top

Access: Rock Property Updates

• Discussion of proposals
  • Have not heard back from contact from Justin
  • Bucky Sparkle – Ryan Sh had good impression, word of mouth he is highly regarded
  • Chris – Question regarding organization level
  • Having a third proposal would be helpful – will wait until holiday season

OE Collaborative Meetings Recap

• Stephanie has had meetings with:
  • Nick Rossi, land protection specialist, from DCR regarding Rock Property CR
    1. Possible that DCR/State could be CR holder and offer payout to WMCC for the Rock property (minus area of parking lot)
    2. The CR would not close until after the WMCC closed on the property and were deed holders
  • Dave Rothstein, land protection specialist, from Mass Audubon
    • Mass audubon is the Second largest landowner after State
    • Raises the possibility of purchasing more of Farley
    • They may be able to give contributions towards land purchases, such as the Rock Property, pay for due diligence costs, etc.
• MassTrails Grant
  • Could receive a 100,000 reimbursement grant for Rock property. In order to be eligible for this grant, the WMCC must purchase the property outright with money from our bank account. The AF would likely need to have some sort of collateral. Question about using other WMCC assets as collateral for the AF loan (like Hanging Mountain parcel). There were no explicit objections, though Andy said he would like to see a draft of the plan and have Justin review it.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.