The Adirondack Forty-Sixers Spring 2009 Meeting Minutes

 

Annual Spring Business Meeting

May 24, 2009

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Lake Placid, NY

 

 

CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The meeting was called to order by President Jim Barnshaw at 7:20 PM.  Jim offered his thanks to Sheri Martin, Pam Keida, and Don Kinnear for their work at the welcome desk, to Doug Arnold for the slide show, and to Tom Wheeler for handling the ticket sales.  Members of the Executive Board were then introduced, and the following past presidents who were present at the meeting were acknowledged: Mary Lou Recor, George Sloan, and Phil Corell. 

 

Jim noted that there were 173 new 46R finishers for the year with 63  present at tonight’s meeting.  Jim acknowledged the difficulties of becoming a 46R and that it was a shared experience for most.  Citing the often-quoted phrase “It is easier to become a 46R than to be one”, Jim encouraged all members to give back to the organization through volunteer efforts.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT.  Phil Corell announced that the membership dues would remain at $8.00 per year, and that the organization is able to maintain a low fee due to contributions to the Club.  Last year the Club received approximately $19,500 in donations from members.  These donations go to support trail maintenance and other Club activities.  Acknowledging the work of Jean Burks, Merchandise Clerk, Phil announced that the Club sold $16,700 in merchandise for the year. Phil noted that some items are one-time issues, and that people should take advantage of these when they are offered. 

 

PEEKS.  Melissa Eagan encouraged everyone to consider submitting new articles and photos, particularly about any “mishaps” that hikers may have had while hiking.

 

TRAILMASTER.  Len Grubbs reported that trail work was performed by 46 people on the trails to Indian Pass and the North Trail to Giant Mt. yesterday.  He thanked the participants and encouraged new workers to come out and help.  Conservation Service Award patches were awarded to John Rutledge for 46 hours, Dave Dietrich for 146 hours, and to Trailmaster Sam Eddy for 746 hours.

 

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP.  Speaking on behalf of Don McMullen and himself, Phil Corell announced that there were 19 participants in this year’s Outdoor Leadership Workshop, down from recent years.  In the future they may change the name to “Outdoor Skills Workshop”, to emphasize that the program develops “skills” for the outdoor experience and is not just for “leaders”.  Citing the cost of only $30 for the weekend, plus a refund of $10 and a free T-shirt upon completion, Phil encouraged people to attend.

 

46ER CONSERVATION TRUST.  L. John Van Norden paid tribute to Grace Hudowalski (#9) and Helen Menz (#42).  He announced that the 46er Conservation Trust, celebrating its 20th anniversary, was the biggest and best of its kind in the world, citing the current Summit Steward Program and the successful summit reseeding project spearheaded by Ed Ketchledge. L. John then encouraged everyone to become involved, and to help save the mountains for future generations of hikers.

 

GRACE PEAK COMMITTEE.  Doug Arnold gave a brief history of the proposal to rename East Dix Mt. as Grace Peak, and South Dix. Mt. as Carson Peak.  He cited Russell Carson’s vision for the Adirondacks and his book, Peaks & People of the Adirondacks, as well as Grace Hudowalski’s devotion to the Club, and the over 10,000 letters she wrote to climbers as they pursued their quest to climb the 46 peaks.  Doug announced that the 5-year waiting period after Grace’s death, which is necessary before a peak can be re-named, has passed, and that an official vote by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names is expected soon.

 

HISTORIAN’S OFFICE REPORT AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES.  Tony Solomon welcomed new, old, and future 46Rs and acknowledged the work of the correspondents.  He offered thanks to Jane Meader Nye and Mindy Jatulis for their work for the Historian’s Office, and cited the accomplishments of Clark Gittinger (#103 and the 8th winter climber), Helen Menz (#42), and retired Ranger Pete Fish (#1396) and his 707 climbs of Mt. Marcy.  Tony then announced that the total number of official 46er members is now 6,385, and that there were 37 winter finishers this year.  The class of 2008 then received their certificates. 

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE.  Phil Corell, Chair of the Nominating Committee, placed the following names in nomination:Tom Wheeler for President, Sally Hoy for Vice President, Jane Meader Nye for Director, and Mike McLean for Director.  With no additional nominations from the floor the nominations were closed, and a motion made and seconded to approve the nominees.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

President Tom Wheeler then spoke briefly, and announced the appointments of Phil Corell as Treasurer, John Barron as Recording Secretary, and Tony Solomon as Chair, Office of the Historian.  In closing, Tom acknowledged the good work that Jim Barnshaw had accomplished during his presidency.  The date of the fall meeting will be Saturday, October 3rd, 2009.  The Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Dick Hihn, Recording Secretary

 

 

Information presented on this website is copyright protected and may be downloaded or copied only for personal, noncommercial use. It remains the intellectual property of the Adirondack Forty-sixers, Inc. and may not be otherwise reproduced or published without their express permission.

 

 

This page updated 20 Jan 2010.