October Newsletter 2020
Proposed Bylaws revisions reviewed and voting available now
The Covid crisis has forced us to review some of our business practices as spelled out in the bylaws, for example, the current bylaws require that this year’s election take place at a November meeting, aka The Banquet! Unfortunately, that cannot occur! This was an opportune time to incorporate the increased electronic means of doing business, such as electronic voting. The Board is proposing revisions to the bylaws, and these were announced at the Fall Gathering meeting on 9/26/20. There are links below so you can either read the bylaws with the deletions and additions tracked or read the proposed version without the tracking. You can then vote to approve or disapprove using the vote button below.
The Boards proposed changes include the following.
The club’s stated purpose of bringing people together from the Capital Region was changed to include the entire region around the Taconics (Cross-Taconics) --which reflects our actual membership -- and it was added that our trail maintenance emphasis is on the Taconic Crest Trail. (Article II)
Electronic election of officers is allowed if a general meeting is not held in late October or November. (Article IV)
The two-year term limit for president was removed. This addresses the shortage of volunteers for Board positions in general as seen in all organizations and allows for continuity for growth of the Club. Obviously if a standing president is not effective the membership can put someone forward to run for president. (Article IV)
There were four outdated references removed which involved the Board’s accepting a name for membership, considering an application for membership, and recommending removal of a member for nonpayment of dues. These have been obsolete for a while. (Articles III, V, VI & VIII)
Board meetings may be held electronically and email votes by the Board need a majority vote to pass. (Article V)
The Nominating Committee was missing from Committees, and we’re not sure when it disappeared! It was included again and a sentence about having two Ad hoc committees was added. Times involved with the Auditing Committee were updated to reflect actual practice. (Article VI)
Quorum at a general meeting was reduced from one-fifth (which could be 42 people) to a more realistic 15 members. (Article VII)
The process of amending bylaws was simplified. Bylaws may be amended at any general meeting where a quorum is present or electronically if the proposed changes are presented at least 10 days before. The ability to vote electronically reduces the time needed to receive votes using the USPS. (Article IX)
Other than that, some edits were made for clarification and conciseness which did not change the meaning of the text.
Voting is easy! Click on the box below! Votes must be received by October 23, 2020 to be counted. Only members are allowed to vote.
Picture taken on hike around Shaver Pond, in front of the roots of a huge blow down, many THC Volunteer hats in evidence! Pic by K Cedar
Fall Gathering a success - - - shall we do it again?
We had a fun and successful Fall Gathering at Grafton Lakes State Park on 9/26! The weather was fabulous! It was easy to social distance in the picnic area along the beach. The reasons for the proposed Bylaw changes were discussed at the meeting. Then volunteers were recognized for their efforts to help the club. After the meeting, many participants chose to hike around Shaver Pond. It was nice to catch up with old friends and talk with the new members who attended. Most of the participants stayed to picnic near the beach and a few went for an afternoon paddle.
Volunteers recognized
Bob Armao was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and awarded a L.L.Bean gift certificate. Bob has been a member for several years, leads numerous hikes and paddles, helps with trail work, promotes the Club at Winterfest, and was helping to arrange volunteers to carry water up Mattison Hollow for the End to End Challenge just before we had to cancel it this year.
Most of the attendees at the Gathering were recognized for their volunteer efforts and were awarded THC Volunteer hats. Various efforts included leading outings, doing trail work, serving on special committees, assisting at Winterfest, and volunteering for various Board functions. The Club is grateful all the work these volunteers do that is necessary to keep the Taconic Crest Trail and its access trails clear and the Club functioning and growing! We will be distributing the hats to our other volunteers as we see them this fall. The new members who attended the Gathering have expressed their interest in volunteering, and we are sure we can match them to projects! If you are thinking of volunteering in any capacity, contact one of the Board members, contact information here. It is fun and rewarding!
Bike Trail addendum
In the last newsletter that included updates on regional bike paths, we neglected to include a nice new addition that is the result of a very active local group, the Corkscrew Rail Trail Association. It is not long, but it is nicely maintained. The Corkscrew Rail Trail is a new hike/bike trail on a rail bed path that runs from Stephentown, NY south 2.5 miles to New Lebanon. The trail goes through a mature forest and someday will hopefully link up to another section that runs beside the Wyomanock Creek. See http://www.corkscrewrailtrail.org/resources/Brochure.pdf for access sites off Route 22 and for more information.
Cormorant at Anthony Kill. Pic by B Armao.
Fall Gathering paddle on Long Pond. Pic by L Siegard.
Red Tail Hawk. Pic by C. Prewencki.
OUTINGS
We have a nice variety of hikes and cycles to choose from in October. Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings, how to register and social distancing protocols. We are scheduling on a short-term basis rather than seasonally, so check the website periodically.
Wednesday, October 7: Ashuwillticook Bike Trail - Cycle
Thursday, October 15, Mahanna Cobble Trail C
Friday, October 16, 2020: Harvey Mountain and Pinnacle Point B-
Tuesday, October 20: Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville B
Friday, October 23: Electric Rail Trail, Nassau - Cycle
Tuesday, October 27: Greylock (Jones Nose, Saddleback and CCC Dynamite Trails) B
Friday, October 30: Dunham Reservoir - Hike
Saturday, November 7: Perry’s Peak loop C+
Shaver Pond. Pic by M Waldman
Gathering near the beach. Pic by K Ross
Wetland at GLSP, fall colors are starting to show! Pic by M Waldman
Enjoying fabulous weather while paddling on Long Pond. Pic by L Siegard