Board of Director Meeting Minutes December 3, 2011

Submitted by:  Laura Fiske,  Jonathan Lane, Linda Ranado

·         The club estimates the financial loss from Tropical Storm Irene is approximately $100,000.  This encompasses the closure of the woods by the DEC over the Labor Day weekend and several days afterward and weak lodging and campground revenue in September and October.  Initially, the club thought October would be a busy month, based on history, but revenue was below budget.  They think people were not aware the Loj and the trails were open.   The club received an insurance settlement worth $20,000 from its primary insurance carrier and is in negotiation for an additional $40,000. 

·         Three recent appointments to the Adirondack Park Agency are currently ADK members. 

·         There are four upcoming public hearings on hydrofracking across the state.  The DEC extended the comment period on the regulations to govern hydrofracking an additional month (to mid-January 2012). 

·         The ADK professional trail crew successfully repaired ADK's footbridge over Johns Brook that guests use to access the backcountry cabins and lean-tos.  The bridge was raised significantly and secured to boulders. 

·         The annual Falls Trail Day had a record number of volunteers.  Over 26 miles of trails in the High Peaks were patrolled and 24 blown down trees were chopped. 

·         Two new publications are planned.  The Catskill 67 by Alan Via should be available for sale in December and next spring a new canoe and kayak guide, written by Phil Brown, is planned. 

·         The DEC spoke with the winter host volunteers about increased avalanche risks.  Tropical storm Irene created many new slides. They are concerned about the welfare of backcountry skiers this season.  ADK will see about getting more avalanche brochures for guests and also research laminating some brochures and posting them strategically. 

·         Preliminary November membership statistics indicate an increase of 28 households from October 2011 and an increase of 212 over November 2011.  Total households as of November 2011 16,283.

·         ADK acquired two family life memberships in November.  One the of life memberships was a new member.  This is unusual. 

·         The new home page for the website was approved.  ADK is working on the content.  The new website is expected to be up and running the first week of March 2012.  One of the goals of the new website is to increase ADK's e-commerce capabilities. 

·         The Wilderness Legal Defense Fund, established at the June 2011 Board of Director meeting, has reached $7,329.  The internal goal is $10,000 to obtain a donor match.

·         Through October revenue was below budget in donations, publications and lodging and campground revenue.  Expenses are lower than budget primarily due to cost control, but not enough to offset lower revenue.  Historically, ADK is able to control expenses to offset any revenue shortfall.  This year, revenue is below budget by $250,000 and expenses are only below budget by $28,000 leaving a deficit of $222,000. 

·         Club management presented the 2012 budget.  The 2012 budget is a breakeven budget with a 3.0 percent increase in revenue and expenses basically flat over 2011.  It will be a challenging year ahead especially in the area of publications.  ADK will be looking at this area closely in 2012.  The budget was approved by the Board, but it was not unanimous.  Two directors opposed the budget.  They thought it was too optimistic. 

·         A motion was approved to hold a 90th anniversary celebration of the opening of the North Placid Trail in 2014.  The vote was not unanimous.  There were two oppositions.  The two oppositions did not feel a separate 90th anniversary celebration for the NP trail was necessary and might lead to confusion.  The club is having its 90th anniversary celebration in 2012. 

·         The investment committee is altering its portfolio management strategy to reduce portfolio risk.  They will be using more of a balanced portfolio approach.

·         Some of the 2012 extended outings trips are already full.  To see the trip schedule go to www.adk.org and click on travel.  The 2012 fall outing will be hosted by the Cold River chapter with its home base in North Creek. 

·         Dave Harrison is the new club secretary.  He replaces Robert Manning, who resigned to take a different position in the club.  Noel Davis and Tom Andrews were nominated to open positions as Board of Director representatives on the club's Executive Committee.  These changes are effective January 1, 2012.