| On May 15, 2010, the SCC held a board meeting at my house in Huntsville, AL. While it was a small meeting, several issues were discussed and many actions were taken which are detailed below. There are definitely some good changes that are coming to the SCC right now. And while I know many of you will wonder why Sandrock is not detailed in the below minutes, rest assured that the SCC is tracking this on a daily basis. We will continue to work on this as well as many other access issues throughout the South. The light IS ON in the SCC office and will stay on as long as there is a job to do. Thanks to all who came out and provided input. Especially those from Chatty and ATL who made the drive! Stay psyched throughout this heat. Just think, 2 more months till September. - Paul Morley
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Still bustin' it for Southern Access. |
Meeting called to order May 15, 2010 @t 7:20pm. Previous meeting minutes were accepted.
In attendance:
Paul Morley
Will Eccleston
Allison Williams
James Parker
Rob Dodson
Matthew Gant
Jeremy Boydston
Steve Byrkit
Greg Brook
Kirk Brode
Tim Tow
Adele Gant
Tara Underwood
Phoned in:
Chad Wykle
Gus Fontenot
AGENDA ITEMS
Joe from the Access Fund is coming to visit the south in early July. He will visit areas the SCC is hoping to purchase.
Pepsi is giving $ to non-profits. Currently the SCC is writing a grant which could fund multiple land acquisition purchases.
Gus reports on Area 51:
We still have the 20K AF loan that was intended for Steele. The loan is 0% interest until June. Gus will attempt to contact area 51 owners, but if he is unable to go forward with this we will return the 20k AF loan by June.
Triple Crown Update:
Things are in place, sponsorship is in place for this year.
NEW BUSINESS:
Volunteers:
Paul Morley discussed the need to get volunteers further integrated into the SCC. He discussed the need for delegation of daily activities to volunteers as well as need for organizational and membership growth. Also discussed was the transition of the next President as Paul will be leaving the Southeast for 6 months beginning in February 2011. Jeremy suggested to have to the next President picked by August 31st. The Board agreed.
SCC Website:
Steve & Greg from Entwig gave the board a brief presentation. They are offering to aid the SCC with their website as a tax write off for their company.
Currently, the SCC website does not reflect the SCC very well and it is not user friendly. Right now it is a constant “patch-job” to maintain and we need to get something better. Entwig intends to donate $50K ($15/20 an hour) of work towards the SCC website in 2010. The new website goals would be to revamp design, new web layout/mapping, and to serve as a better way to relay news and volunteer requirements to the climbing public. They have been doing the T-shirts, posters etc for Boat Rock comps, regionals, Dirty South Film Festival etc for a while. (See www.entwig.com for past work). They will be able to print banners/posters at cost, and all website and design stuff they will do for free. They will help with e-blast newsletters, databases, back end usage of website…etc. They propose to start cleaning up database first. SCC board members will check Entwig’s website and email Matthew/Kirk with which design sites/idea they like by June 15th.
Lost Wall Anchors:
The Georgia State Parks are listening to appeals to fix anchors at Lost Wall but want SCC to put together package re bolted anchors we want installed and replacement anchors. There is a lot of webbing tied off of trees and sketchy anchors that need attention. Some routes have no anchors. Rangers are not against re-bolting but do not want to have take on liability. Is there a phrase we can say to cover that? or is the law different in Georgia than in other states? ) ie. Recreational user statue? Jeremy to follow up with Gus to find out rules which will help determine how to move further with State.
LAND ACQUISITION
Hospital Boulders:
Still in the works. Josh Reyes is working hard but was not present to report anything new.
MEMBERSHIPS
Student Membership:
Paul proposed a student membership rate somewhere in the area of $15. An email will be done to vote because there are a number of board members that are not present. The group agreed on $10 for student memberships. A follow on vote will take place. Kirk is also going to streamline the process and redirect some of the membership emails so the process will be quicker.
Membership Drives:
Organization growth is an issue – if we don’t focus on it then the SCC may struggle in the future. One way suggested is the need to send out email blasts and let people know what is going on. We can use the membership data base as well as another list (users chose to sign up). The current website used to do that, but because of security, that function had to be disabled.
Drives are also important. Visits to gyms etc to explain what we do and who we are. Booths at any local events are important.
Membership Discount Card:
Will brought up the idea of an SCC membership card with expiration date. With a valid membership, members would get discounts at certain retail outlets as part of membership. Website will be updated with vendors who participate in discount program. A physical card may be given out, or an email could be automatically sent for a valid membership. Can a name and expiration date be automatically populated onto a membership “card” which the new member now prints and can use as participating store. Will will start contacting vendors/stores to see who is interested and begin researching implementing a program like this.
Membership Box
Matthew wants to implement donation box that will have SCC pamphlets, stickers, donation box, etc. and put them into as many shops/stores and gyms that allow us to. Matthew proposes to work on a “prototype” that
CHATTANOOGA PROJECTS/TRAIL DAYS
SCC NEWSLETTER
Used to be quarterly, but it is very work intensive. Mailed out paper pamphlet became extinct. Email blasting would serve this purpose in the future with a link to sites and just a summary of “what’s happening” on SCC website.
GRANTS
Working on Pepsi grant. Not a lot of info, Andrew Kornylak is working on a video. Gina is doing write up.
SCC PARTNERS PROGRAM
Natalie has sent out a bunch of emails and is trying to get full list is on the partners community board and is on the website. We are looking for 2 more people who can help work on that.
ANCHORS
The SCC has just received a shipment of anchors and stainless steel rings. The next order will be in the fall.
AREA REPORTS
Yellow Bluff – relationships are good.
Steele – working on possible purchase of Area 51. Trailer and deck on property are a liability and need to be removed. Deck should at least be torn down/removed. There seems to be potential for camping at Steele which is a liability and could be bad relations with neighboring land owners.
Boat Rock –
Jamestown – No update.
Castle Rock – No update. Last trail day replaced a few anchors and upper trail was cleaned.
Citadel – Paul sent a letter from SCC regarding the property there to see if they are interested in selling.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments were made to the forum, so nothing to address.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Next board meeting will be sometime in November TBD.
Action items:
Update by end of June for 20K that will be returned
Student Memberships $10 (board will conduct an email vote)
Will/Kirk working on an email to confirm new membership / membership card will be sent out
Lost Wall stuff relate to Prentice Cooper
Gus to find out liability issues in Georgia
Newsletter send out to members/email list with links to website
