Attending: Michael Bartmess, Carol Beckman, Mary Burger, Steve Jennings, Ed Lynch.  Guests: Barry Dolan, Mike Cotter.

Meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Board Discussion:

Steve worked on the operating plan.  Jack sent passes with the copy of the operating plan with his signature.  Steve talked to Scott about signing it.  Scott said he will look at it.  He talked to Mary.  Scott signed it.  Steve can pick it up from Kathy.  Steve talked to Frank and tweaked the plan.  Frank will sign that copy.  Michael would like a copy to post when it’s approved.  Steve will send it.

Mary talked to Frank.  Frank wants to ensure that Saint Mary’s Falls remains a bicycle route.  Frank wants to meet with Mary at Horsethief Park to discuss the trail through the wet section. 

Eric met with Frank.  They discussed liability, relative to the Pikes Peak Corps.  RMFI will handle the training.  Proper training is the main concern.  Steve will talk to Eric B. about it.  RMFI has experience in South Colony Lakes and Garden of the Gods projects.  It’s a topic to discuss for next meeting.

Mary received an e-mail saying that a person was looking to donate money. 

Steve received an e-mail from a mother-daughter group looking for a project to help on.  Mary suggested inviting them to the Saturday Saint Mary’s Falls project. 

Barry asked what areas the board needs help in.  Mary mentioned that FOTP has been around since 1995, and would regularly get thirty or so volunteers on a project.  For projects, notices would go out to media groups, for public service announcements.  Since that has stopped, attendance at projects has declined.  Someone for publicity for projects would be good.  Another possibility is generating more board members.  FOTP has received money from individual donors and from the Ascent and Marathon and Barr Trail Mountain Race.  Donations from the races have dropped.  Meanwhile, FOTP has started spending more money for youth corps projects and such, and might need money for a NEPA evaluation.  Project leaders are another need, people to identify needs and lead projects.  Michael is webmaster and data master, both which could be much work.  Education efforts are another thing that the board once did but no longer does.  One aspect of that was hikes with a leader providing information.  There were also seminars.  Michael mentioned the Earth Day presentations that FOTP participates in, and finding more of those.  Those help the community realize that the organization exists.  Mike asked if any documentation on a marketing plan exists, or a budget.  The previous marketing person did put together a marketing plan.  Mary believes she has a copy.  Steve noted that FOTP doesn’t employ anyone full time, but relies on volunteers.  People in the community seem to know about other organizations, but not about FOTP.  Increasing volunteers and visibility seems to be the first need.  Mary has tried organizing a project support committee, but it doesn’t seem to continue.  The sign committee has survived.  Volunteers for Thursdays are around fifteen.  Steve had a reasonable turnout for the first Barr Trail day.  Media organizations will run public service announcements if they go to the right person and reaches them at the right time.  Barry asked about the signage in Red Rock, which is quite good.  The Forest Service has a system of trails that they maintain information on and have numbers.  Steve and Mary will look for the old marketing plan.  Old board meeting minutes are available on the website.  Michael checked and found the link. 

Some newsletters were returned.  Michael had them to update the database.  People in the database are coded, for example as member or resource.  Expired is another category, so that no label is generated.  Resources could be reviewed and updated.  Mike asked about going to an electronic newsletter.  Project information goes out via e-mail.  Most volunteers register online.  Two regulars do not. 

Michael was unable to attend the Teller County meeting. 

Michael intends to check calendars in the area that post public events.  Once those are set up, they should be easy to update.  Steve has a contact to send to.  Michael asked about linking to other organizations that have similar interests.  Some bike races require volunteer hours.  The Incline Club is another possibility.  Another website that posts general outdoor projects is voutdoors.org.  Michael can contact Karl about it.

The decals and anchors arrived.  The three signs on Seven Bridges disappeared.