COMMITTEES
Veit- standing committee assignments

• Exec com- Pres, VP Finance, Division VP's, Sec
• Awards- chair Helen Coyne, plus Lucas, Blount, Young
• Field Grants- change in method. Papp described
• Max raised to $750
• Separate categories merged
• Need a group to decide the awarding instead of Papp lone decision
• Need will now be considered
• Separate accounting will not be done-
• transfer to applicants general fund, but report must be submitted
• Chair Amy Clark, plus Reimers, Leinen

COMMENTS ON FIELD GRANT FORMS
Tait- needs space for appoval/ disapproval and reasons
Needs opportunity for input from State coordinators- regional distribution
Cornell- grants important, but rebate from dues should be primary
Young- small chapters need grants
Blount- suggests getting corporate grant to support this fund-
He will approach Ameritech

• Nominating- Chair Yost, Williamson, Tait, Reimers
• Land Trust- chair Pat Allen, plus VP Finance, Pres, Yost, Papp ex-officio
  • Papp- application form in the works
  • Committee will set some ground rules
  • Only $12,000 there now, but money is to be used.
  • Successful connection with only $500 by Arden Johnson
• Legislative- chair Blount, plus Tim Cullenen
• Ad Hoc committees current- Development, Millenium Trails, Historical

COMMENTS
Miller- is there any analysis of the grant awarding?
Papp will generate and distribute to board and with applications
Blount- publish awards of grants quarterly in North Star
Send list to legislators so they can see where money goes
Veit- more free copies of NS to be distributed- add legislators
Tait- is there a definition of what commitees are to do, reporting structure, etc
Veit- no, nothing formal

Tait- Land Trust needs guidelines for what the money can be used for, matching etc

FINANCIAL REPORT- Cornell
Budget process- Papp creates, sends to Veit, Cornell for comments, etc then to board
Budget is not a fixed condition, but a projection to be used as a guideline

COMMENTS
Papp- does not include restricted grants, chapter generated income, gifts to chapters
Miller- what is philosophy of projecting deficit budget?
Cornell- so close to breaking even he's not worried about it, improved from projected -$6K
Cornell- not acceptable to take monies out of salaries
Veit- no where to trim line items
Tait- need to spend MORE money on training, promotion
Papp- budget includes Millenium Trail grant award, but that may be more than the $10K

Move to accept budget Williamson, second Blunt, approved

Papp- expenses Year To Date- report given, open for questions
Above projections in revenue
All other costs also above projections
Cornell- reviewed accounting procedure and communication
Papp doing excellent job

CARTOGRAPHY PROGRAM
Veit- cartographer leaves in January
In process of appeal to Grand Rapids Foundation to continue program for 3 years
No projection as to whether we will get this
Our proposal does fit their criteria quite well, only a couple of problem areas
Should know in April if we have it
Papp- want program to continue and expand
Good maps lead to awarding of money
Good maps aid marketing, promotion
Use of interns helpful
Hope to absorb salary in budget 2003
Veit- Grand Valley State cartography program supplies potential personnel
Program can continue with volunteers, but slower
Cornell- maps are a boon to chapters
Young agreed
Tait- let's do cost- benefit analysis in future
Papp- currently very expensive, but a constituency building program

MEMBERSHIP
Papp- report on annual appeal over past 4 years
Papp- Chart of membership growth, current 1820 members
Second direct mail campaign has gone out to 25,000
Extra letters available
Next year budget includes 25,000 piece mailing
Must be continued
Cornell- comment on rapid growth of Baw Beese- Rich Saur needs "reward"
Tait- asked about participation of direct mail members
Reports from chapters who contacted direct mail members
Cornell- about 5% participation Chief Noonday
Young- no participation Spirit of the Woods
Veit- one wanted to help West Michigan
Williamson- efforts need supporters who may not participate
Veit- tried to have new member barbeque
Waldron- possible orientation session with new members
Use of "buddy system"
Papp- gave some description of how membership projections were created

DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Report from committee
Leinen (chair)-
Need to address problem of repeated budgetary shortfalls
Appreciation to Tom Garnett for researching other organizations
Papp does excellent job writing grants, etc

Recommendations
• No need to hire full time DD, but add staff to free up time for Papp
• Upgrade office manager position to full-time
• Part time staff to work as Development Administrator in support of Papp
• Send Papp to a seminar for development
• Board needs to create "case statement"
• Goals and costs
• Circulate to potential donors
• Apply for a capacity building grant (pay for development start-up)

Cornell- committee also had input from Del Bjerkness, Marlene Yost
Cornell moved to develop case statement and apply for capacity building grant, Waldron seconded,
approved

Veit- Papp will need help to develop statement and make contacts- don't leave him to do alone
Don't assume that this will solve our fund-raising problems
Leinen- 7-state trail means that no one will know all the contacts.
Need people "on the ground" in each state
Structure of people to aid development staff
Cornell- consensus of committee that fund-raising by staff and board is HIGH priority
Staff may help chapters seek funds as well

Veit- reminder that each board member was to bring in one business membership.
Not many have done this
Please take packets and follow through

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Yost (chair)-
Discussion of fund-raising approach has shaped the task of this committee
To be free of federal funding we need to rely on board-generated funds
What do we want to see happen when vacancies occur?
Committee must go to states for assistance
Recruit people with skills which can help us meet our needs

Do we want formal guidelines?

COMMENTS
Cornell- if committee would find helpful, then yes
Veit- need more time to identify people than we have had in past
Young- guidelines not only help direct committee but help potential members understand role
Veit- will not fill vacancies just because they are there, but look for appropriate people
Will give better guidance as to what role of board member is
Will present more positive list of what responsibilities are
Blount- need better idea of NCTA membership demographics
Occupation, company they work for
Many commented- people won't give us this info
Young- information must come from personal contacts
Yost- put guidelines for board in North Star
People may not have direct connections to power, money, but can network to others
Bjerkness- large donors usually won't serve on boards, but through social events
Create "Advisory Council" to include large donors to give them input at lower level
Veit- AC idea is long-range idea
Cornell- AC idea should come from the Development Committee
Yost- connecting with powerful friends
Try to identify people within states to target
Cornell- positive feedback on Chapter President's meeting
Need to get Presidents involved in the fund-raising, political action processes
Leinen- want to have development plans in place for councils, states, all levels eventually
Need precise identification of needs
Lists of projects/goals and people who can answer questions about them
Veit- has requested land info needs from Chapters/Councils, but this is just the beginning
Bjerkness- get involvement at level of National Congresspersons
Miller- feels the document identifying needs to be most significant work of board
Councils should help meet with Chapter Presidents to help this along
Leinen, Bjerkness, Tait- identify similar interests-hunting, environmental, greenways

RESOLUTIONS
Cornell- bank fees
Shifting our account to different bank
CD's sometimes work for us, sometimes not
Banks require 501c3 orgs to sign resolutions
He wants a motion to allow Ex Dir, Pres, or VP Finance to enter into continuing agreements with banks
Blount so moved, Waldron seconded, approved

Veit- Memorandum of Understanding with NPS has expired
Asked for approval to renew unchanged
Cornell so moved , Blount seconded, approved

Veit- asks for approval for a chapter charter which is not yet presented
Name will be Rock Chapter
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Tait- have members, officers, charter just needs signature
Park and Rec dept of Slippery Rock University
Students are excellent resource
Want web-based trail work training program

Present hold-up is in assigning trail range (1 mile existing, potential N to Allegeny)
Cornell moved to allow approval in standard format, Leinen seconded, approved

DAVIS HOLLOW OUTDOOR HOUSE
Tait has been negotiating for lease to Butler Chapter of House for $1/year
200 year old building
150 feet from trail
only place within 24 miles you can camp
generates interest in trail
State Park very interested in agreement
state prepared lease protects them from any liability
they did agree to some changes we requested in lease
they insist on NCTA signature
Miller- if we don't sign the lease can we still provide camping?- Maybe
Bjerkness- access?- you can drive or walk in, simply check in at park office
On park roads or trail
Night access possible
Cornell- difficulties

• Comments based on protection of organization
• No desire to hurt Bob or his efforts
• This lease imposes liability on the NCTA
• Liable for damages to building
• Liable for damages to persons
• Sets precedent for future agreements- need to plan ahead

LUNCH

SLIDE SHOW ON NCTA VISION by Young

MILLENIUM TRAIL
We are one of 16 trails so designated
We must host a celebration as part of the acceptance
We have to put up 3 signs to get the American Express Grant
Opportunity for event at the Labor Day Macinaw Bridge Walk

Blount- invite president of AmExpress
Gilbert- invite Hillary Clinton maybe to NY event
Cornell- very cheap way to get lots of exposure
Young- great event to support the trail with lots of potentially interested people
Camping and other facilities are available but need to be nailed down
Many suggestions offered
Need to combine fall board meeting with this event
Veit- polled board for attendance to assure a quorum- looks possible

Tait- need to provide states with some promotional materials for Millenium Trail celebration

GOALS
Papp- Input from past board meetings- Where should we set priorities for staff?
See documents in packet
COMMENTS
Cornell- improvement in materials sent to chapters from national is great

Papp- revised goals for 2000
Asks for input as to priorities
COMMENTS
Cornell- wants to "force" chapters to acquire business members- punishment and rewards (!?)
Tait- must help presidents to gain expertise to sell these- provide training
He is going to help chapters make initial contacts by letter from a target list
Benefits- use of facilities, advertising, exposure
Cornell- hike from restaurant to restaurant to try to get them to sign on
Veit- good topic for President's Meeting
Papp- perhaps create a document with these ideas
Yost- keep business logos in magazine- best visibility
Cornell- sees business members as high source of revenues in future
Cornell- spring is logical time to discuss goals with budget

Papp- still wants input on priorities
Leinen- are they currently in order? NO
Papp- maybe pick the top 3
Cornell, Veit- national is stretched thin- work should be moved to chapters
Blount- financial support and training
Yost- growing membership
Emphasize Trail Councils
Young- financial, expand membership, public relations, revitalize planning process
Leinen- development priority will make some of the other sub-goals happen
Creating structure to raise funds and case statement will ease some other problems
Veit- about a third of the chapters understand the vision, 2/3 have no interest beyond their little piece
Need to inspire them to this common vision
Leinen- agrees that we need help people see our a common goal
Cornell- movement in the right direction is happening-
chapter Presidents are becoming more oriented to entire trail
Young- does this meet Bob's needs for direction?

Papp- NO, but what he has heard
• Greater financial support
• Membership growth
• Coordination - add Trail Councils
• Expand public relations
• Revitalize trail planning process

PERSONNEL HANDBOOK
Just making us aware of changes
Papp- changes to generalize specific wording from previous situations
rate of pay- stike out specifics
separate paragraph on COL increases not necessary
vacation time- increase limit of total vacation days
administrative leave- tightened up guidelines for earning it (comp time)

• applies mainly to weekends and holidays
• increased amount to be carried

PENNSYLVANIA GAMELANDS
Tait- Pennsylvania needs signed agreement
Most states have State Game Lands
Many opportunities for trail placement
No camping in Pennsylvania
But- they will not prohibit horses and mountain bikes
Thus probably will not be certified
Wants permission to sign agreement so we can build trail with hope of future protection
COMMENTS
Cornell- PA is unique in the they want signed agreement from NCTA

Parenthetical topic- CERTIFICATION
Miller- challenges legality of certifying single-use trail
Gilbert- no future multi-use trail will be certified

Cornell moved to allow NCTA to sign agreement with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to build trail in
SGL, Blount seconded, approved

WHITE CLOUD SCHOOLHOUSE

Veit- original national headquarters
• Moved to Grand Rapids as organization grew
• Facility still cherished by those who restored
• Drain on the rest of the association
• Set out to make it self-supporting
• Controversial, emotional topic
• It is moving towards, perhaps now is self-supporting
• Problems of vandalism
• Wants to see chapter take over the schoolhouse

COMMENTS
Needs to not result in any financial burden on the association
Williamson- general agreement for structures needs to be written
This needs to be presented in North Star
Veit- wants chapter approval of wording

NEXT MEETING
May 5-7, 2000- Two Harbors, Minnesota, with SHTA Conference
Williamson-
SHTA usually 1st Sat in May with meeting, events, food, sales
Use this same format with NCTA added
At Gooseberry State Park
Friday- will add hikes, work/training related hike
Many hiking opportunities there
Just north is Split Rock SP with lighthouse
Friday night dinner, box lunches, continental breakfasts
Accomodations to be arranged by individual participants
Speaker- Sparky Stensas
Rudy Harshberger SHTA president
3 hour drive from Minneapolis airport
NW flies in to Duluth
Registration will be open Thursday night
Veit- mutual invitations to boards to each other's meetings

NPS REPORT
Menke- comment in addition to written report
Land acquisition LCW funds in WI-
the state has responded to potential of funds
willing to match monies

CCS projects
• Interim or final reports are due
• Funds must be expended or turned in
• Will be reapplied to supplemental trail fund or for other projects
• New proposals are due December 10
• $37,800 applied for at present

New certifications-
• increse 2.2 miles in Ohio
• 4 miles in NY
• 2.6 Pattison SP
• 3.1 Brule River SF
• 1587.0 total

OLD BUSINESS
CENTRAL NEW YORK
Papp- report of current status
Letter concerning dispute over Link Trail vs. Onandaga Trail
Onandaga Chapter of ADK objects to side trail status idea
The bottom piece of the loop route will not be designated side trail
CNY chapter is amenable to this agreement

NEW BUSINESS
COMMERCIAL WEB SITE REFERRALS
Papp- trying to tie idea to business membership programs
Purchases made on sites that came through ours give a rebate
Example- REI gives 5% of sale
Veit- just like selling ads in North Star
Young- becoming standard procedure on the web
Just tell people that purchases made through this link result in money for NCTA
Menke- can add statement- "you are now leaving the NCT site"
No one has any problem with going ahead

INVITATION FROM APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONFERENCE
Papp- we can go have training sessions with them to gain from their expertise
They will train us on whatever issues we want
No time schedule set yet
Very open at this point
Don't know about charges associated
Yost- potential to share resources
Gilbert- wishes NPS still had money to pay for this- legitimate expense

BY-LAWS CHANGE
Veit- small change because of early annual meeting this year
Now says officers will take office after the annual meeting.
Needs to say that they will take office at the meeting immediately following the election.
Blount moved to accept this change, Yost seconded, approved

DIRECTORS REPORT
Papp-
See document in packet
Chapter Presidents handbook- in development
Other booklets in development such as the trail maintenance booklet by Reimers
Tait- communicate to presidents that it is to be kept current and passed on
Lucas- great start and much needed
Volunteer Ginny is working on it

TRAIL COUNCIL REPORTS
Waldron has left
Miller- thanks to Lucas for help on report
Need more input, direction and better communication
Work on 5-year plan
Next meeting in Mellen, WI- invitation to attend

OTHER COMMENTS
Meyer- trail shop sales, patches, pins, calendars
Open to other ideas

Lucas- corrections to roster
sheet passed around

Miller moved to adjourn, Tait seconded, approved

Adjourned 3:10 p.m.