MINUTES FROM TRAIL MAINTENANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
NSA Trail Program Advisory Council Meeting
January 7, 2008, Missoula, Montana
At 0900 hours on January 7, 2008, Jon McBride called the meeting of the NSA Trail Program Advisory Council to order. In attendance were more than enough old NSA Members and Associates to meet or exceed any requirements for a Quorum. Jon reminded those present that this is our one required meeting for the year.
Duties of the Advisory Council: No comments or questions were generated on this topic.
Policies:
Number 5: NSA Membership Participation: Jon reiterated the policy that precludes family members from being on the same volunteer project. He has received criticism from several NSA members who want to have their wives/husbands participate in the same project. The only exception to this policy is if both husband and wife are/were jumpers and are NSA members. The last sentence in Policy Statement # 5 should be changed to read as follows:
No family members will be allowed on the same Project unless both were/are smokejumpers and are currently NSA members.
On one project in 2007, non-NSA personnel who had not signed up for a project showed up. Action was quickly taken and a larger problem was avoided. Squadleaders are charged with handling these types of situations in accord with existing Policy.
Number 6: This policy statement is changed to read as follows:
NSA Trail Maintenance Project personnel will abide by policies of the hosting Agency, i.e. Leave No Trace, Food Storage Requirements in Bear Country, First Aid and CPR certifications, etc. Squadleaders will make sure volunteers are advised of requirements and assure compliance.
Financial Health of the Program: Jon provided copies of transaction registers detailing the business activities of the NSA Trail Program for 2007. He also provided copies of bank statements for the year. The Program is financially healthy at this time.
Jon McBride and Bob Whaley initiated a discussion of the scholarship program expenditures and financial condition. For Leslie Ann Mackey, who is employed as a cosmetologist, we authorized $2000 for advanced training she needed in order to address needs of some cancer patients. This was paid for out of the NSA Trail Program budget because funds were available and there was little reason to go to the NSA treasurer to get the costs covered. Based on what we now know, we have adequate funding in the Scholarship Program to cover projected needs. There is $17,000 in the fund at this time.
Bob Whaley is engaged in discussions with Bobby Mackey and his mother regarding Bobby’s career field and associated training requirements. He appears interested in avionics at this time and he is being encouraged to look at a range of flight related career fields. At this point, he is the only additional person planning on going to college that meets our criteria for consideration under this Scholarship Program.
Payments from Hosting Agencies: Jon advised the group that he is having difficulties working with the current USFS payment system. He submitted bills for three projects where the amounts were exactly the same. He has been paid for one of the projects, but he is unable to determine which one. He requested help from Tim Aldrich to work thru this matter.
The grant funding from the American Hiking Society ($4000) to acquire tools and equipment needed for the Trail Program has been spent within the prescribed time frame. Among the speciality items acquired are eight additional approved Bear Proof Boxes. Jon worked with some of our volunteers, including Rod McIver and Chuck Fricke, to bolster the supply of other tools. Chuck was again able to get a significant donation of tools from the Fiscars Company.
Rod McIver is an expert in the use and care of tools and has a strong interest in becoming the “keeper of the Trail Program tools.” Rod has knowledge and skills in the use, maintenance and repair of the tools we use, and he has facilities wherein tools could be safely stored. A decision on this is imminent.
The National Smokejumper Association Leadership Initiative: The draft Initiative produced by Bill Ruskin was reviewed and discussed at some length. Each of the four individual parts was considered by itself and in the context of the whole package. Bill’s initiative, insights, knowledge and skills were recognized and praised by several members of the Council. The common concern expressed was the fact that the personnel involved in the Trail Program are already very busy and hesitant to take on additional significant responsibilities and duties. It was agreed that Bill would need to utilize resources outside of the NSA Trail Program to implement the Initiative. Jon McBride will draft a letter that will document the position of the Council. This draft will be sent to Council member for review and comments.
In conjunction with the discussion of the Initiative, Barry Hicks provided the group with a brief introduction to the planned National Smokejumper Center. The group working on this plan has moved ahead to create its own 501 (c-3) corporation. The facility is to be in West Yellowstone to take advantage of the huge tourist business there. That group will soon meet with personnel from the Gallatin National Forest in an effort to acquire the historic Hebgen Lake Ranger Station as the home for this program. A number of Bill Ruskins basic goals and objectives will be to provide part of the basis for structuring the program that is intended to inform and motivate youth. The group’s analysis leads them to believe that the Program will be self-supporting.
Review of 2007 Projects and Proposed Projects for 2008: The Trail Report for projects undertaken and completed in 2007 is in the mail as of today. There is nice coverage of the Mann Gulch Project completed during the rainiest period of 2007. (rain at camp and snow on top of the mountain where the project was done) Our interest in the protection and appropriate management of Mann Gulch continues. We will meet with the Ranger of the Helena Ranger District on the 16th of January to discuss the draft of a Historic Preservation Plan for Mann Gulch. This draft we will discuss was prepared by Jim Hagemeier with significant assistance from his son. Jon McBride and Tim Aldrich plan to participate in this meeting.
To the credit of the individuals involved, Projects in 2007 were completed without accident. The severe fire season added very significant challenges that were addressed in the professional manner we would expect of smokejumpers. The Trail Maintenance Special Report 2007 should be in your hands at this time. This great production includes lots of information on all the projects and offers statistics that speak to our interest, productivity, skills and senses of humor. Included with the Report is a signup sheet for the 2008 Trail Program. Based on discussions with various USFS units, there will be plenty of projects proposed for 2008. Jim Cherry is currently working to finalize a project proposal for work in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This would be a first for us in this area and it would involve some new and different situations and challenges. The Council encourages folks to get their forms filled out and sent in so that more definitive plans can be made for all proposed projects.
The Council is encouraging squadleaders to engage in conversations with potential project hosts to develop specific project proposals. At the same time, they are also encouraged to begin recruiting volunteers for their projects. Some called this the establishment of an “unrestricted free agency” approach, but it was recommended that we not establish a super competitive system that might detract from the amazing commitments made by NSA members and Associate Members.
Paul Evenson made a very informative presentation on Back Country Horsemen (BCH), their history and their involvement in trail programs around the Country. Based on information he had obtained, the Forest Service puts a value $18.77 per hour for each volunteer on trail projects. (When I started smokejumping, I was getting $2.04 per hour and may not have deserved it.) With food prices going like they are, maybe we are not working too cheaply! The BCH affiliates have been supporting our projects for a number of years and are also doing many projects with their own resources. Whereas we require the use of the Volunteer Agreement as the instrument documenting our relationship with the Forest Service on Trail Projects, they are often using a Challenge Cost Share Agreement. We will have members involved in the discussions that the BCH is having with the Forest Service with regard to the types of agreements to be used in the future.
New Business: Jim Phillips moved that the Council assign a small group to develop a draft Business Plan for the Trail Program. It was seconded by Tim Aldrich. This plan would capture our current objectives, policies, methods, etc., and it would also address the changes in smokejumper population and a “marketing plan” that would focus on maintaining and sustaining the Trail Program. It would be much more than a “business” oriented document. The group briefly discussed Jim’s motion and gave approval for him to initiate the effort.
Jon McBride gave his irrevocable commitment to continue on as the leader of the Program through completion of the Report in the winter of 2009. (one more year!) This provided a sobering culmination to an otherwise very cheerful and constructive meeting. Jon, your commitment, leadership and energy have been crucial to sustaining and growing this program. We again offer our sincere thanks for the job well done.
Jon McBride, Trail Boss, NSA Trail Maintenance Program
