Board Minutes: January 15, 2025

A Zoom meeting of the board of directors of Western Mass Climbers Coalition (WMCC, a Massachusetts Nonprofit corporation), was held on January 15, 2025 at 7p ET in accordance with WMCC’s bylaws.

The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Stephanie Giguere, Operating Executive.

Attendees: Stephanie Giguere, Regina Madden, Ryan Shumeyko, Ryan Stefiuk, Josh Seamon-Ingalls, Andrew Neuman, Jenifer Dickinson, Danielle Rao, Chris Neil (WMAMC Mountaineering)

1. Reel Rock – Chris Neil present for start of meeting

• Venue discussion – Concerns about screen quality addressed
• Viewed data from last year, members leaning toward CRG vs Hampshire, CRG may draw more people despite being a smaller venue. More details to come.
• Rough budgets for several venue options were reviewed
• April 11-13 for suggested dates. The following is Easter weekend.

2. Financial Update – Financial Report prepared by Stephanie

• Major takeaways:
  • Balanced budget!
  • Strict membership income has remained the same – any increase in funds is likely due to more of the donors making larger donations as members
• As mentioned above, general donations have increased significantly 
• Parking lot cash went down by over $1,000 from last year?
• Fundraising income went up drastically (from $13,776.74 to $23,283.22)
• No grant funds were deposited into our accounts this year, but we spent down previous grants
• Discussion of future projects

3. OE Position Vote and Update – Andrew Neuman

• Stephanie made two requests to the executive board.
  • Stephanie would like to attend the upcoming AF conference in Tucson.  She has requested a travel stipend of $500.  The executive board discussed this and approved the request, a formal vote will happen at the meeting
  • All members present vote in favor of travel stipend for Stephanie
  • Stephanie requested a pay increase:  The executive board is currently working on a fleshed out OF Position description and metrics to evaluate.  Our goal is to have a proposal and recommendation to the board at our next meeting.

4. Access Updates

• DCR (Ryan St) – Doing work identifying ways to increase visibility of climbing at DCR, discussed attending some DCR Stewardship Council meetings

• Rock Property Updates (Ryan Sh) – No action at this time due to cold ground

• Great Barrington Access Committee (Nick F) – agree to form.

5. OE items (Stephanie G)

• Silent Auction – February 22nd- March 1st
  • Still needing more donations to meet auction goals
• T-shirts
  • Consideration of giving out T-shirts at a higher donation value
  • Board agrees to keep shirt design the same and order in different color

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20pm.