15 Present: Bill B.(President), Alma M. (Secretary), Joan G., Sandy C. (Membership), Jim D., Eric O. (Treasurer), Julie R. (Hiking group: Mama’s Move), Jane G., Steve G. (Ranger), Jim R.(Newsletter), Malcolm N., Robert H., Lars A., Pam J., Carl

1) Opening Remarks

Bill noted that Steve C. (VP) was absent, but had applied for a $500 NEMBA grant for a shed and tools, and was able to get the grant. He is also going to apply for a National Recreation Trail Grant, which would be used to clear some of the debris on the old railroad track bed to turn them into mellow trails. They could be used for families and for handicapped people. He will put in the grant request through NEMBA, since they are already a 501c3 organization.

 

2) Secretary’s report

Alma briefly reported on the March minutes, and they were accepted by the membership.

 

3) Treasurer’s report

Eric gave our balance as $6481.46. Our biggest expenses were the Board of Directors insurance policy and the 1023 application form for our non-profit status. As part of this process, some changes were made to our bylaws. We also received about $250 worth of new memberships. Eric also applied for permits for the Landmine Classic.

 

4) 501c3 application (progress)

Eric said we’ve had a lawyer working for us pro bono and, it was submitted on Friday morning. We are now awaiting acceptance, which takes several months. A revised copy of the bylaws was given to the Secretary. Having this status will allow us to get bigger funds for the park.

 

5) Recent Trail Care event

Steve C. was unable to be here so Bill reported. He said our goal was to do as much trail cleaning/maintenance as possible at our Trail Care event. We had over 30 people, and split up into 3 groups to work in the park. The various users of the park, including equestrians, were represented. Steve C. would like us to build some bridges on our next outing. The trails are much more stable than they used to be. Pembroke Ski Market was there, and would like to organize some kids’ rides. They would also like to organize a NEMBA explorer group for kids.

 

6) HCLT hike

The Hingham Land Conservation Trust took place recently, and was led by Steve G. who gave a wonderful historical talk on the park, and Jim Rose also spoke about some of the things that were happening in the park during WWII. The HCLT would like us to do another one, and we may probably do one in the fall. The age of the group ranged from 8-70.

7) FOW Swag (t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, window stickers, etc.)

Carl said he passed information on this to Steve C., who is absent. Malcolm reiterated last month’s idea, asking if we would like to begin with just a regular t-shirt. AC Moore, near the Hanover and Westgate Mall, has t-shirts for $2. Bill will contact an organization who does t-shirts to find out how many different types of sizes we could get. We will try to place an order with the same people who did our Landmine volunteer shirts or at AC Moore. Malcolm mentioned that AC Moore might only have a lot of one size or just one color.

 

Jane has been in the printing business, and gave some ideas of companies that could be used and ways we could work out the sizes with them. She said that cheap t-shirts could cost about $1 each, but they wouldn’t last long. We could spend $7-$8 on a very nice shirt that would last, but could also spend less and still get good quality. Eric discussed the shirts he’d bought in the past that cost the company about $3.50 to make, and they were good shirts. Malcolm said we should go with the people who did the Landmine shirts. This was put to the membership, and everyone agreed. It was suggested we put small FOW letters on front and a large Wompatuck logo on the back, which was also put to the membership and accepted by a majority rule.

 

Steve G. suggested we pick orange (for safety reasons in the woods) and another color. Bill also said that orange would help people to “stick out” during our work days. Other color suggestions included gray, blue, white and forest green. A motion was made to have orange shirts with black lettering, and forest green shirts with white lettering, which was accepted by a majority rule.

 

Steve G. will give us an unused closet to store the shirts. Jim D. suggested we wait to see what the split on the shirts will be before we decide how many we want. It was suggested that we look at our Landmine purchases for the past few years to see what the breakdown of popular sizes was, to see how many we want. It was also suggested that we have an order of 200 t-shirts, and break it down by sizes. Other suggestions included selling the green ones at events, and saving the orange ones for FOW trail care and membership or to write “member” on the sleeve, and have a tiered price in the membership dues that would include a t-shirt.

 

Steve G. reiterated that orange was for safety purposes, regardless if one was a member or not. After discussion, Bill said we’d get the 2 colors (orange and forest green) and encourage those leading groups to wear a colored shirt. We’ll sell either one to anyone. Alma suggested including medium shirts for smaller women, and it was also suggested that we include a small size for children. The suggestions were passed by the membership with a majority rule.

 

Bill said we could have supporting memberships at a higher price. Current prices are Benefactor $100, Corporate $200, Individual $15, and Family $25. Thus, if one joined at $100, one would get a free t-shirt. This money would go towards helping the group and not just towards a t-shirt. Malcolm suggested that if we did this at a lesser value, like Family $25 plus $5 per t-shirt, it might increase memberships. Sandy, Membership Director, said that we’d have to pay postage to send out the shirts and it would be cheaper overall if we just sold them at functions. Bill said if the t-shirt cost $5, then the postage and time involved would wind up being more than the shirt. Steve G. said campground people may not want to be members, but may want one as a souvenir. It was decided to just sell them at various events.

 

Bill asked Malcolm and Carl if they would like to be on a t-shirt committee. Both accepted and will speak with Kevin at Bike Barn to find out the vendor that was used in the past. They could pay out of pocket or get a check from Eric.

 

Carl passed around some sample drawings of the lettering. Jane said the vendor would best be able to make the decision on how to arrange the letters and what would look best on the shirt. An idea was also made to make the letters look like an acrostic:

Friends
Of
Wompatuck

Another idea was to round out the “Friends” and “Wompatuck” words and have it as a pocket symbol with the Wompatuck symbol on the back. Malcolm and Carl will be in charge of making these decisions. Robert will also join the committee, after he pays his membership fee.

 

8) Mama’s Move

Steve G. introduced Julie (Julie@mamasmove.com), who is with Mama’s Move, a center for moms offering birthing and fitness classes (www.mamasmove.com). They would like to do a 3 mile hike on non-paved trails this Saturday from 10-12 AM for 20-30 moms, and she would ask them to leave a small donation for FOW. They are doing a mom challenge to raise money for a charity in Quincy, and the hike is one of their challenges. There are 40 moms participating in the challenge, but all of them may not come. Steve G. would put together a loop, and Carl volunteered to lead the hike. It would last about 1 hr. 15 min., and include a type of fitness challenge in a flat area.

 

Suggestions were made for Julie to have them bring their own water, have comfortable shoes, give everyone a map, give out her cell phone and park phone number, have partners, and have someone at the end to marshal stragglers. The leader should also wait for stragglers before making intersection turns. Bill said if she wanted to take photos, we would post them on our website.

 

9) Park Service Day (Sat., May 17 at 8:30)

Steve G. said we would do pavers, planting, and pick up trash on the trails. Jim D. would like to put some curvy brick edgings around the flag pole, as well as around the plants with more loam. Any extra expenditure by the Park would be covered by FOW. Malcolm asked if there would be one at Ames Nowell, and Steve G. said he has a lot of stock so if he would like to do something to let him know. Malcolm has a lot of brush in the way, and would like to move it. Steve G. suggested he move it to a place where a chipper could get to it, so Malcolm will use his Park Service Day to work on this.

 

Bill said we would get publicity out for our day, as press needs to be notified at least 2 weeks in advance. Jim D. asked who would be in charge of publicizing the FOW portion of it. Steve G. said the state is supposed to do this, but Jim said that no one knew about it when he contacted them.

 

11) Upcoming meeting dates

Our next meeting will be on May 19 th, and June 16 th.

 

12) Membership report

Sandy and Bill talked about membership, and noted that we made a decision to have people renew since there has not been any renewals in the history of FOW. The cutoff date for new renewals would be anyone who joined after Sept. 1 st. Rather than renewing on the anniversary of their join date, it would be on a yearly basis. Thus, if anyone joins after Sept. 1 st, they would be covered through the end of the year and through the next year. Renewal letters and e-mails will be sent out to current members, with online renewals being preferred. Eric said we get charged for everyone who uses Pay Pal, and they asked if we could have credit cards on our site. Bill will find out from Vicky if this is possible. Information on types of sites that could make us secure would be e-mailed to Bill, who will discuss it with Vicky.

 

When someone joins they get a letter, a copy of the newsletter, FOW stickers, maybe a t-shirt, as well as information on how to access the FOW forum. Whoever is running the e-mail list serve will also sign them up for it if desired. Bill suggested we add Vicky to our officers, making her Vice President of Web Design so she can be part of our discussion. This was passed, and Steve C. will invite Vicky.

 

Bill said that Sandy proposed sending out an e-mail membership card. A hard copy will be sent out with the FOW stickers. Some of the major outdoor stores will accept our card for a discount. We have 53 membership listings, which also includes family members.

 

A discussion was had stating that we need to have current e-mail addresses, so when renewal information goes out; this information would be current. Also, when members change their e-mail addresses, they need to notify Sandy (Membership Director) with the change on the renewals. It was also suggested that when we become a 501c3 organization, additional contributions could be made on renewals for a tax deduction.

 

Steve G. said that Carol Anne is working on the new FOW brochures, and they will probably be ready in the spring. Pam is putting brochures in 3 locations, and needs many more brochures. Steve G. is concerned about the number of brochures that are being put in those locations, and thinks someone might be taking them. She has left over 400 at Mt. Blue in 7 visits, plus Steve G. sent his crew there twice. Jim D. said he’d done it last year, and he never put in that many for all 6 sites. It was suggested she not leave as many, since less brochures will be less incentive to take them. Bill thanked those who put out the brochures and maps, and feels it might have led to our increased membership and participation.

 

13) Old Business

• At our last trail maintenance day, two equestrian riders volunteered the use of their tractor to help clear these beds. We will get back to them when the time is near. Steve G. would be interested in seeing what type of equipment they have.

 

Jim D. wanted to know why we would be opening new trails when we have so much work to do on our current trails. Steve G. said that the power line maintenance vehicles washed out many of our trails, but our larger grants could go towards the rail trails. When we have our volunteer days, we will need to make bridges and work on washed out trails.

 

A suggestion was made to have Jim D. buy wood for water bars and bridges. He will purchase some pressure treated wood from Cape Cod lumber that is being sold at a good price.

 

• The last minutes incorrectly reported that Bill met with the MBTA Chairman, when it was actually Rick Sullivan, DCR Commissioner.

 

14) New Business

It was brought to the attention of the Secretary that Jim Dillon has an article in the April 10 th issue of Hingham Journal entitled “Remember the Ammo Trains.”

 

15) Landmine Classic

Eric (Race Director) discussed some new guidelines from the Series Promoter, which we need to abide by in order to stay in the Series. One guideline is that a Medical Person needs to be at the start in order to have the race. They have to be in one place, not wandering. Malcolm mentioned that he saw a mountain bike patrol of EMT’s at an event, and Eric will get more information from him about that.

 

We need to have someone who has a basic understanding of first aid, and a first aid tent. It was mentioned that 2 people were sent to the hospital last year, needing stitches. Steve G. said when we apply for a permit we can ask for rangers that are certified and would have to pay about $35/hour. Malcolm said if we have our own tent, we may need a defibrillator, but Steve said the ranger would come equipped with it.

 

Another stipulation is that we need to provide prizes, other than the medals the Promoter provides. We could solicit from local merchants, but Eric would rather not have generic bike parts as they’re rider specific, like music. He suggested getting gas cards or Dunkin’ Donuts cards. It was suggested we put the vendor names that participate onto the back of our membership cards. We may have to purchase cards if we don’t get enough from the vendors. He may talk to Kevin about items that bikers would all need, as opposed to something that only a few bikers could use. Eric will be authorized to talk to vendors and, if necessary, purchase what we need after he has brought prices and information before the membership. Alma suggested that he contact members about this to find out what others could get through their contacts. They could let him know of items they could get that could be used for swag bags and/or prizes.

Eric redesigned the course to make it longer and contain a little less pavement. It will be about 25 miles for one lap, and we will need to decide where we split off the beginners. NEMBAfest will be on Sept. 6 th and the Classic will be on the 7 th.

 

The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 19 th. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.

 

Submitted by,

Alma Ramos-McDermott

Secretary