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Minutes - 2014 November 2014 Election Returns to: Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club from: Ted Tenny reply to: PotsdamDan@mile204.us subject: 2014 AZHC election returns Polls are closed, and these results have been verified by the club Secretary. 1. AZHC officers for 2015 President [X] Jim Buyens, elected, 24-0 Vice President [X] Michael Humphrey, elected, 24-0 Secretary [X] Ted Tenny, elected 24-0 Treasurer [X] Monika Moreland, elected, 24-0 2. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws [X] passed, 24-0 November 2014 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes November 18, 2014, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] Various topics were discussed from the Executive Committee meeting of October 28. Speakers are still needed for the meetings next September 15 and November 17. If you have ideas for guest speakers, please send them to Jim. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of November 18, the club has 80 paid members and a bank balance of $4250.97. Our net income for the past two months is $366.43. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Ted got an AZHC web site analysis from SEO Gears. Our page rank has improved from 3 to 2. Previous Hikes Sept. 20 Shaw Butte Phoenix Lance Ware Sept. 28 Wild Bill Hill Flagstaff Bill Zimmermann Oct. 4 Abineau / Bear Jaw Flagstaff Dave French Oct. 11 Black Canyon Camp Verde Bill Zimmermann Oct. 11 Parsons Spring Clarkdale Quy Nguyen Oct. 18 Willow Lake Loop Prescott John Richa Oct. 25 Oak Spring Trail Mogollon Rim Chuck Parsons Nov. 1 Goldwater Lakes Prescott Jim Buyens Nov. 8 Bulldog Canyon to River Goldfields Andy Zaharchuk Nov. 9 Hiline-Templeton Sedona Quy Nguyen Nov. 15 La Barge Narrows Superstitions John Richa Nov. 16 Gold Ridge Loop Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Upcoming Hikes    Nov. 22 Hell's Hole Crown King Jim Buyens Nov. 22 Dinosaur Wash Wickenburg Quy Nguyen Nov. 29 Sabino Canyon Tucson Chuck Parsons Dec. 6 Verde River Trail Carefree Dave French Dec. 6 Andrews-Kinsey Trail Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Dec. 13 Garden Valley Arch Superstitions Michael Humphrey Dec. 20 Chalk Canyon Cave Creek Jim Buyens Dec. 27 Bulldog Canyon Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Dec. 28 Black Mesa Loop Superstitions Quy Nguyen Dec. 31 Turk's Cap Hill Superstitions Andy Zaharchuk Jan. 3 <<open>>     Jan. 10 <<open>>     Jan. 17 Overton Trail Cave Creek Wendy Rennert Election of Officers for 2015 Candidates nominated by the Executive Committee: ____ President: Jim Buyens ____ Vice President: Michael Humphrey ____ Treasurer: Monika Moreland ____ Secretary: Ted Tenny There were no additional nominations from the floor. Changes to the Constitution and Bylaws: ____ Various changes were described online. Ballots cast at the meeting will be counted when email votes have been received from the paid members who were absent. Guest Speaker: Michael Humphrey subject: Thunder River     Thunder River is in the primitive area of the Grand Canyon. The water shoots out of the side the canyon wall and then thunders down to the Colorado river. Michael’s slide show was about this wild and remote area of the Grand Canyon, which is reachable only after a couple of days walking. See Map. Next Meeting Tuesday, January 20, 2014, 7:00 PM, at Coco’s Restaurant in Mesa. Executive Committee, October 28, 2014 attendees: Jim Buyens, Monika Moreland, Chuck Parsons, Wendy Rennert, Ted Tenny Hiker of the Year Awards The top 5, in terms of miles hiked with the club, will receive awards. Leaders who led at least 5 hikes in 2014 will receive their next year’s membership free. Recipients of awards will be named at an Executive Committee meeting on January 6. Ethnic Potluck, January 17, 2015 A ramada will be reserved from 9 AM to 1 PM. The club needs someone to stay there while we are hiking. Paper plates and plasticware are needed. AI [Wendy] → Complete the announcement of this event. Amendments to the AZHC Constitution These will be on the ballot at our November meeting. Ted will print the ballots. AI [Monika] → Send Ted the current list of paid members. AI [Ted] → Before the November meeting, send an email to all paid members asking them to review the proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Speakers for 2015 January 20:  Ted Tenny Footloose from Phoenix slide presentation March 17: Karen White, VA Hospital  First Aid and Wilderness Emergencies May 19, July 21, Sept. 15, Nov. 17: <<open>> Hungry Hikers, ATA, SSAR, Tracks & Scats, and other authors are being considered. AZHC Tablecloth Some organizations at the Freescale Health Expo had a colorful tablecloth calling attention to themselves. We concluded that it isn’t needed by the Trailblazers, but we should improve the method of attaching our banner to a regular tablecloth. Hike Leader Training The amphitheater on Jacob’s Crosscut Trail looks like a good location. It will be in February, 2015, on the Prospector’s View hike. AI [Jim] → Send Ted a list of possible days. AI [Ted] → Prepare a suitable announcement. September 2014 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Dobson & Baseline in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] Various topics were discussed from the Executive Committee meeting of September 2. Questions arose involving a Personal Locator Beacon for the club, and a First Aid course. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of September 16, the club has 77 paid members and a bank balance of $3894.54. Our net income for the past two months is a loss of $533.49, because the largest bill of the year, insurance, was paid. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Trip Reports proliferate. We’ve hiked so much in Flagstaff during the summer that there are north and south pages for the reports. Previous Hikes July 19 Schultz Creek Loop Flagstaff Jim Buyens July 26 Inner Basin Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Aug. 2 Fat Man’s Loop Flagstaff Michael Humphrey Aug. 9 Kelsey-Dorsey Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Aug. 16 Sycamore Rim Williams Jim Buyens Aug. 23 Sandy’s Canyon Flagstaff Dave French Aug. 30 Arizona Mineral Belt Flagstaff Scott Green Sept. 6 Campbell Mesa Flagstaff Ted Tenny Sept. 7-13 Bryce and Zion Utah Chuck Parsons Sept. 13 Adobe Jack Sedona Mark Purcell Upcoming Hikes Sept. 20 O’Leary Peak Flagstaff Lance Ware Sept. 27 Wild Bill Hill Flagstaff Bill Zimmermann Oct. 4 Abineau / Bear Jaw Flagstaff Dave French Oct. 11 Black Canyon Camp Verde Bill Zimmermann Oct. 18 Willow Lake Loop Prescott John Richa Oct. 25 Oak Spring Trail Mogollon Rim Chuck Parsons Nov. 1 Goldwater Lakes Prescott Jim Buyens Nov. 2 Hiline-Templeton Sedona Quy Nguyen Nov. 8 Bulldog Canyon to River Goldfields Ted Tenny Nov. 15 La Barge Narrows Superstitions John Richa Guest Speaker: Joel Pearson, chief photographer and naturalist for the North Mountain Visitor Center, gave a presentation on the life of three desert tortoises who had become his friends. “Chippie’s Last Day” featured many videos of tortoises doing their thing, until they fell victim to the flash flood of August 19, 2014. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 7:00 PM, Coco’s.  Elections. Executive Committee, September 2, 2014 attendees: Jim Buyens, Monika Moreland, Chuck Parsons, Wendy Rennert, Ted Tenny Review of Past Hikes at AZHC Meetings Takes time, although some people like it. AI [Jim] → Keep the meeting going, and optionally include past hikes if there is time and interest. Freescale Health Expo, October 21-22 The club has been invited to participate. We usually have two representatives there. AI [Chuck] → Find out the details. Hiker of the Year Awards REI gift cards are under consideration. Miles hiked with the club are being recorded. Camping trips can include multiple hikes, so leading camping trips could be a separate category from leading day hikes. Officers for 2015 Jim, Monika, and Ted are willing to run again. Wendy is ineligible because of term limits, so we are seeking candidates for Vice President. Some names were prioritized. AI [Wendy] → Contact the first three candidates to determine their interest. Amendments to the AZHC Constitution These will be on the ballot at our November meeting. AI [Ted] → Before the November meeting, send an email to all paid members advising them of the proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. PayPal A PayPal account must be in the name of a person, rather than an organization. Jim will find out more. Ethnic Potluck Scheduled for January 17, 2015. It will be at our awards event. AI [Wendy] → Figure out the details. Hike Leader Training February, 2015. It should be on an easy, scenic hike. Speakers for 2015 January 20:  Ted Tenny Footloose from Phoenix slide presentation March 17: Karen White, VA Hospital  First Aid and Wilderness Emergencies May 19, July 21, Sept. 15, Nov. 17: <<open>> We brainstormed on possible speakers and topics, including Phoenix Parks & Rec., Game & Fish, cave explorers, and great vacations. AI [all] → Think of speakers and topics for those meetings in 2015. July 2014 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes July 15, 2014, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] So far this year 118 people have hiked with the Trailblazers, with Michael Humphrey covering the most miles. Other topics were discussed from the Executive Committee meeting of July 1. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of July 15, the club has 75 paid members and a bank balance of $4428.03. Our net income for the past two months is $367.23. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Changes approved by the Executive Committee include Pre-Payment of Camping Trip Fees (new guideline by Jim Buyens), and Emergency Medical Information (added to “Rate Yourself as a Hiker”). Also, Chuck Parsons updated Planning and Organizing a Car-Camping Trip. Previous Hikes May 24 Yaeger Canyon Loop Jerome Chuck Parsons May 31 Dirtyneck Canyon Mogollon Rim Bill Zimmermann June 8 Kachina Trail Flagstaff Jim Buyens June 14 Browns Peak Mazatzals Michael Humphrey June 21 Oaks and Willows Trail Prescott Jim Buyens June 28 Pumpkin Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons July 5 Horse Lake Flagstaff Jim Buyens July 12 Slate Mountain Flagstaff John Richa Upcoming Hikes July 19 Schultz Creek Loop Flagstaff Jim Buyens July 26 Inner Basin Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Aug. 2 Fat Man’s Loop Flagstaff Michael Humphrey Aug. 9 Kelsey-Dorsey Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Aug. 16 Sycamore Rim Williams Jim Buyens Aug. 23 <<open>>     Aug. 30 <<open>>     Sept. 6 Campbell Mesa Flagstaff Ted Tenny Sept. 7-13 Bryce and Zion Utah Chuck Parsons Guest Speaker: Monika Moreland Finding a geocache has become a popular pastime, and was used by the Club for GPS training. Monika introduced geocaching.com, which has all the information you need to enjoy geocaching. She has found geocaches from our local area to the Highline Trail to Ruppertsklamm, Germany; and in many other locations. Next Meeting Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 7:00 PM. Executive Committee, July 1, 2014 attendees: Jim Buyens, Wendy Rennert, Monika Moreland, Ted Tenny, Chuck Parsons, Linda Szyjko Executive committee voting procedures Should be specified in the Constitution and By-Laws. Any change requires a vote of the club membership. AI [Ted] → Propose suitable changes to cover this topic. Procedure for including appointed officers on the Executive Committee Should be specified in the Constitution and By-Laws. Any change requires a vote of the club membership. AI [Ted] → Propose suitable changes to cover this topic. Handling of advance camping fees Jim’s process and a paragraph added to “Guidelines and Policies” were approved. AI [Ted] → Put these changes on the web. AI [Ted] → Send out a link for review of Chuck’s updated guidelines for leading a camping trip. Membership renewal dates No changes needed. Special emergency medical precautions Paragraphs added to “Rate Yourself as a Hiker” were approved. AI [Ted] → Put the changes on the web. Ethnic potluck This is best done in the winter, after an easy hike, so it can be outdoors. AI [Wendy] → Coordinate the ethnic potluck. AI [Wendy] → Contact Wendy Kennedy about the summer pool party. PayPal account for Trailblazers Linda led a discussion on PayPal, which would allow the club to collect money online. AI [Monika] → Investigate PayPal, and make a recommendation. Insurance forms Don’t have to be mailed in, Monika confirmed. May 2014 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes May 20, 2014, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President Our top hikers so far this year are Michael, Quy, and Chuck. The total miles hiked by everyone with the Trailblazers would reach from San Diego to St. Louis. In 2014 the club needs a guest speaker for the September 16 meeting. [Jim Buyens] Treasurer As of May 20, the club has 73 paid members and a bank balance of $4060.80. Our net income for the past two months is $324.00. [Monika Moreland] Webmaster Ted shared two articles with the club: Taking Pictures on Hikes, which was originally a PowerPoint slide show presented at the club meeting on July 16, 2013, and Some Thoughts on Hike Leading. [Ted Tenny]   Previous Hikes Mar. 22 Weaver’s Needle Loop Superstitions Michael Humphrey Mar. 29 Massacre Site Rock Superstitions Ted Tenny Apr. 3 Mt. Ord Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Apr. 5 Horton Creek Loop Payson Chuck Parsons Apr. 12 Loy Canyon Sedona Ted Tenny Apr. 19 Woods Canyon Sedona John Richa Apr. 27 Bell Trail off I-17, Sedona Dave French May 3 Pine Mountain Dugas Chuck Parsons May 9-12 South Rim Camping Grand Canyon John Richa May 10 Little Mt. Ord Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann May 17 Munds Wagon Trail Sedona Jim Buyens May 17 trail maintenance Sierra Ancha Bill Zimmermann Upcoming Hikes May 24 Yaeger Canyon Loop Jerome Chuck Parsons May 31 Dirtyneck Canyon Mogollon Rim Bill Zimmermann June 6-8 Blue Ridge Camping Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey June 14 Browns Peak Mazatzals Michael Humphrey June 21 Oaks and Willows Trail Prescott Jim Buyens June 28 Pumpkin Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons July 5 Pivot Rock Canyon Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny July 12 <<open>>     Discussion: [Jim Buyens] Pool Party — We’re in favor of it. Details to be worked out. Pre-Payment of Camping Fees — An open discussion featured many points of view. It isn’t fair to other participants, and especially the leader, when drop-outs cause everyone to have to pay more. The club needs a definite pre-payment policy. Guest Speaker: Michael Humphrey presented a slide show from his travels in Turkey. Highlights of the show included sights of Istambul, a dug-out city, hoodoos, Cappadocia, amazing architecture, and a Trojan horse. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014, 7:00 PM March 2014 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes March 18, 2014, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President Club flyers can be left at outdoor supply stores, as is done by AzOTC. Although it costs $0.38 to $1.50 each to have another company print them, they can be printed at home for much less. Jim passed some examples around. Awards for the most miles hiked with the club, most hikes led, etc. this year will be made at the January, 2015 meeting. Leaders of five or more hikes during their membership year will get a free 1-year membership renewal. A survey on club meeting attendance is planned. [Jim Buyens] Treasurer As of March 18, the club has 70 paid members and a bank balance of $3736.80. Our net income for the past two months is $347.00. [Monika Moreland] Webmaster It is such a joy to see our calendar fill up and so many new trip reports! My thanks to the hike leaders. [Ted Tenny]   Previous Hikes    Jan. 25 Black Canyon Trail off I-17 Jim Buyens Jan. 26 Union Peak Phoenix Quy Nguyen Feb. 1 Thunderbird Loop Glendale Wendy Rennert Feb. 8 Barnhardt Trail Mazatzals John Richa Feb. 9 Peralta Trail Superstitions Quy Nguyen Feb. 15 Aylors Caballo Superstitions Dave French Feb. 22 Overton Loop Cave Creek Jim Buyens Mar. 2 Richinbar Mine Bumble Bee Michael Humphrey Mar. 8 Lost Goldmine Trail Superstitions Quy Nguyen Mar. 9 Table Top Mountain Casa Grande Chuck Parsons Mar. 16 Deem Hill Phoenix Dave French Upcoming Hikes Mar. 22 Weaver’s Needle Loop Superstitions Michael Humphrey Mar. 29 Massacre Site Rock Superstitions Ted Tenny Apr. 5 Horton Creek Loop Payson Chuck Parsons Apr. 12 Loy Canyon Sedona Ted Tenny Apr. 19 <<open>>     Apr. 26 Bell Trail off I-17, Sedona Dave French May 3 Pine Mountain Dugas Chuck Parsons May 9-12 South Rim Camping Grand Canyon John Richa May 17 Munds Wagon Trail Sedona Jim Buyens Guest Speaker Karen Larson presented a slideshow and narrative about trips to Zion National Park. The main focus was the world famous Narrows hike which Karen has done 7 times. Highlights included the trails on our upcoming September trip and some pieces of Bryce Canyon as time permits. She also talked about the Zion camping experience and what to expect up there. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 7:00 PM at Coco’s. January 2014 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes January 21, 2014, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Reports President Our objective is to have the best hikes, and the best club, possible. Topics from recent Executive Committee meetings include new awards for hikers and hike leaders, promoting the club, finding the best location for club meetings, a second club pack, and hike leader training which is scheduled for February 1. If you have ideas or comments on these topics, please send them to Jim. [Jim Buyens] Treasurer As of January 21, the club has 72 paid members and a bank balance of $3389.80. Our net income for the past month is $288.82. [Monika Moreland] Webmaster Our AZHC web site has thousands of HTML files, many of them composed years ago. Changes in popular web browsers have resulted in some of the older formatting not being recognized. I have brought many of our HTML files up to the recent standards. But if you see a file on our web site that no longer looks the way it should, please send me its URL so I can bring it up to date. [Ted Tenny]   Previous Hikes Dec. 8 Butcher Jones Trail Saguaro Lake Quy Nguyen Dec. 14 Watson Lake Loop Prescott John Richa Dec. 21 Cathedral Rock Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Dec. 21 Cienega Creek Rincon Valley Scott Green Dec. 22 Gardner Canyon Santa Rita Mts Scott Green Dec. 28 Cave Creek Loop Carefree Jim Buyens Dec. 31 Windgate Pass McDowells Jim Buyens Jan. 1 Sunrise Peak McDowells Quy Nguyen Jan. 4 Sidewinder Loop McDowells Quy Nguyen Jan. 11 Meridian Mystery Trail Goldfields Ted Tenny Jan. 12 Cathedral Rock McDowells Quy Nguyen Jan. 18 Dripping Spring Superstitions Chuck Parsons Upcoming Hikes    Jan. 25 Black Canyon Trail off I-17 Jim Buyens Jan. 26 Union Peak Phoenix Quy Nguyen Feb. 1 Thunderbird Loop Glendale Wendy Rennert Feb. 8 Barnhardt Trail Mazatzals John Richa Feb. 9 Dinosaur Wash Wickenburg Quy Nguyen Feb. 15 Aylors Caballo Superstitions Dave French Feb. 22 Overton Loop Cave Creek Jim Buyens Mar. 1 Table Top Mountain Casa Grande Chuck Parsons Mar. 8 Lost Goldmine Trail Superstitions Quy Nguyen Mar. 15 <<open>>     Guest Speaker: Ted Tenny    He told the inside story of Hike Arizona, the Trailblazers’ free on-line resource of hike descriptions from all over the state. The never-ending controversy over hike rating systems has been finally resolved, sort of, twice. See also: Ted’s HTML Approach. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 7:00 PM, Coco's. Club History Minutes Archive Constitution & Bylaws AZHC Home Page  top of page updated November 27, 2014 Ted Tenny, Secretary