Committee Reports

From club-wide strategizing and event planning to trip leadership and outdoor training – here's what our committees were up to last month.

A.T. Management

Most recent meeting: 26-Aug-2024 ✧ Wildlife transects are ongoing, corridor monitoring and maintenance is winding down, and Upper Goose Pond Cabin has been closed for the winter ✧ 3 new sawyers attained their Felling certification ✧ As part of our 3-year plan for the Mohhekennek Fund we are securing quotes for repairs to Upper Goose Pond Cabin ✧ We are exploring the possibility of renovating the Stillwell Property into a year-round facility for hikers and education ✧ Our Annual Volunteer Gathering will be held Saturday 2025-Feb-08 at the Cheshire Town Hall, Cheshire, MA ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs include natural heritage monitors, trail maintainers, corridor monitors, shelter coordinator, vice chair (beginning 2025) and a communications coordinator ✧ Next meeting: 04-Nov-2024

Communications

We updated the Chapter's website and social media accounts with the new AMC logo and color schemes ✧ Facebook: 16 posts (top post: Nan's photo of the solar eclipse) ✧ Instagram: 15 posts (top post: Launch of the Mass Trail Access Working Group) ✧ Newsletters: 4261 messages sent ✧ Website: 1) Revamped the Conservation page with regulatory and conservation news from MA, 2) revised our Volunteer pages with Annual Meeting data, and 3) added the new AMC logos and updated the website for the new AMC style changes.

Family Programs

Installed StoryWalk^® with an inclusive message, "Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You" ✧ Coordinated the All For Fall activities for families, including Slackline, bubble pool, pumpkin decorating, parachute play and Giant Ball Roll ✧ Participated in 3 Western MA Bash meetings ✧ Participated in 3 All For Fall meetings and recruited volunteers for events at All For Fall ✧ Continued planning for Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Family Program activities

Mountaineering

Held the following chapter trips: Wednesday Night Climbing - CRG Hadley (2024-10-23), GYM BOULDERING/DRY TOOLING NIGHT in NH (2024-10-16), Wednesday Night Climbing - CRG Hadley (2024-10-09), and GYM BOULDERING/DRY TOOLING NIGHT in NH (2024-10-02)

Paddling

Most recent meeting: 25-Sep-2024 ✧ Tabled at All For Fall (2024-Sep-28) and held an afternoon paddle on Russell Pond ✧ Held mobility paddle with AOA on 2024-Oct-17 ✧ Held whitewater program kickoff meeting called by Ann Gillard with 6 leaders and whitewater enthusiasts attending on 2024-Oct-18. Included discussion of leader training and possible partnerships for kayak rental or storage or pool sessions. ✧ Planning continues for 2025 whitewater and flatwater programs