Nebraska
March 8th, 2006, 10:45 PM
Just wanted to say that this was the best CTNEMBA BOD meeting I've ever been to last night. Yea, I know I've only been going for a few months, but it was very up beat, things seem to be moving forward, and hopefully the BOD will be able to engage the membership better this season compared to the last few seasons.
Another reason last night was great is that we had a really awesome guest speaker. Patty Pendergast (a.k.a. Gailforce) from the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, she gave a very informative talk on CFPA, including a lot of organization and operational items that CTNEMBA might be able to gleam off of. Now, CFPA and CTNEMBA are a little like comparing apples to oranges in a lot of ways, but there are a number of things we as an Non-profit Volunteer organization could learn from them. Also during this conversation with Patty there was much open discussion on the opportunities for a growing relationship between CTNEMBA and CFPA.
There were a number of things I learned last night about CFPA.
CFPA is over 110 years old.
CFPA was instrumental in helping form the State Forestry Dept.
CFPA maintains, the now 800 mile, Blue Blaze Trail System
Membership is around 2700
They have:
90 Trail Managers (people whom are assigned to sections of the blue trail)
425 listed trail volunteers who log over 10,000 hours a year in trail maintenance
CFPA has 6 full-time Staff and 1 part-time Staff Employees
Also last night in appreciation for helping CTNEMBA become more aware and involved in the events in Hartford within the state legislature, CTNEMBA was proud to present to Patty an honorary Trail Ambassador Kit. Which included a TA ride Jersey, TA t-shirt, a bike tool kit and folding trial saw. Along with all of this TA swag we slipped in copy of IMBA's Trail Solutions (for those of you out there wanting to become part of the MTB Trail Advocacy thing this is a must buy).
Please say tuned to more things in the near future, which will include but not be limited to :
A new CTNEMBA Website
Trail Boss training schools
National Trails Day June 3 will have a number of TM events and rides.
The Annual Fall Fiesta
Another reason last night was great is that we had a really awesome guest speaker. Patty Pendergast (a.k.a. Gailforce) from the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, she gave a very informative talk on CFPA, including a lot of organization and operational items that CTNEMBA might be able to gleam off of. Now, CFPA and CTNEMBA are a little like comparing apples to oranges in a lot of ways, but there are a number of things we as an Non-profit Volunteer organization could learn from them. Also during this conversation with Patty there was much open discussion on the opportunities for a growing relationship between CTNEMBA and CFPA.
There were a number of things I learned last night about CFPA.
CFPA is over 110 years old.
CFPA was instrumental in helping form the State Forestry Dept.
CFPA maintains, the now 800 mile, Blue Blaze Trail System
Membership is around 2700
They have:
90 Trail Managers (people whom are assigned to sections of the blue trail)
425 listed trail volunteers who log over 10,000 hours a year in trail maintenance
CFPA has 6 full-time Staff and 1 part-time Staff Employees
Also last night in appreciation for helping CTNEMBA become more aware and involved in the events in Hartford within the state legislature, CTNEMBA was proud to present to Patty an honorary Trail Ambassador Kit. Which included a TA ride Jersey, TA t-shirt, a bike tool kit and folding trial saw. Along with all of this TA swag we slipped in copy of IMBA's Trail Solutions (for those of you out there wanting to become part of the MTB Trail Advocacy thing this is a must buy).
Please say tuned to more things in the near future, which will include but not be limited to :
A new CTNEMBA Website
Trail Boss training schools
National Trails Day June 3 will have a number of TM events and rides.
The Annual Fall Fiesta