List of attendees recorded:
Name Forum Name 2012 BRAMBA Member?
Charley Rome charley rome Yes
Wayne Cox Pivot 5.7 Yes
David Cox dcox Yes
Bob Walker bwalker Yes
Burns Decker red dog Yes
Yvette Woodward ripniner Yes
Robin Diamond robin Yes
Holly Ratcliff holly Yes
Kim McCormack kim No
Diana Strebel batgirl Yes
Jason Hoggatt Jason
Ryan Bettencourt ryan b Yes
Jeff Vaughan jvaughan99 Yes
Jeremy Cobb gpjeep Maybe*
* Secretary’s note – technically speaking, “maybe” was not an option
Officers Present: Jeff, Holly, Yvette, Bob, Robin, Burns
Topics of Discussion:
1) BREC/BRAMBA Meeting
Jason and Brandon met with BREC. We want a cooperative agreement between BREC and BRAMBA. Their feedback to us is that we need a mission statement, written goals, annual plans (work to be done, etc.), and year-round insurance. We used to have insurance through a company partnered with IMBA. Jeremy may have additional information from the 4x4 club.
We can get a “non-profit” price for the X-Trail Shootout which is $150 so we will plan to have the X-Trail shootout this year.
Trail Maintenance: We only get credit with BREC for work days if Burns is present.
We do not have to pay a fee for Kerry Stamey Day. We could have “fun” races such as a slow race and a time trial on the X-trail. BREC will only charge a fee if we take in money for an event as a registration fee. Lloyd will cook for KS day.
We could possibly give a discount to BRAMBA members for the Comite Classic.
2) New Website Deployment
The new BRAMBA web site will include a calendar for events.
The Spillway trail map is difficult to display because it is a long, skinny trail and the photo image is much wider than it is tall. Maybe we can split the image file into two halves. The old trail map is no longer valid because they rebuilt the trail after the Spillway flooded.
Action item: Jeff to get BREC to correct the link to the trail maps so that BREC’s web site will point to the correct maps/forum.
Action item: Jeff to check with Paypal to see if we can upgrade our account since we are a non-profit.
3) Membership
Jeff distributed the new membership forms to some members present who had paid their 2012 dues but had not signed the waiver.
The new espresso and cream BRAMBA T-shirts are in!
Need to send out reminders to people who have not yet renewed for 2012.
The club should have a table at Velo Louisiane to help sign up new members. Sunday would be the best day for us to set up for BRAMBA. The club used to have a tent but it is in bad shape and will need to be replaced. Some members will man the tent in the morning and others will come out after the Hooper Hustle.
Action item: Jeff to check out the validation of new members on the BRAMBA forum.
We have a new group ride participation sign up form that includes a waiver.
4) WFSP Trail Donation
We have around $2,000 in the bank account. We want to donate $500 for cost of materials.
Nine new bridges have been built across the creeks at WFSP. They are 4’ wide and high enough to keep them above the rain level. Wayne has gotten some donation of lumber from the WFSP. The escalator needs to be rebuilt. It is in bad shape from erosion. That will be a big job that will require much material and labor. Wayne Cox has already organized one trail maintenance day, mostly with BRAMBA members. On another occasion Charley Rome helped Wayne with building bridges.
Wayne needs help to haul lumber and drive pilings for bridge supports. Wayne can possibly get a discount on lumber. Wayne identified and numbered 23 bridges. The park agreed to improve building standards for the bridges. More volunteer labor is required to haul lumber to the isolated construction sites. . Individual volunteers can sign release forms and come work on their own. Wayne can show them where the lumber needs to be carried. This is good PR for the club.
Next volunteer day will be posted on the Facebook site and the forum. Saturday, April 7th. Wayne’s goal with that work day is rehabilitation of the trail, not bridge work.
5) BRAMBA non-profit fee
Action item: Jeremy to pay the BRAMBA annual non-profit fee.
6) Recent Events
Kim, Ben, and Holly rode in the Rouge Roubaix race.
Robin is back on a bike. Yeah!
7) Upcoming events
March 18th - Next Saturday is the first LA XC series race, Walk the Plank in Lake Charles.
March 24th - Next Hooper work day is Saturday, March 24th to prep the trail for the race and fill in low areas holding water. The trailer will not be ready for the next maintenance day.
March 31st - Trek Demo will be held March 31st and it might be a good time to sign up more members.
April 1st – Hooper Hustle and Velo Louisiane
Trail ClosureEven when Burns locks the gate when the trails are too wet to ride the maintenance folks may leave the gate open so this is not a completely effective tactic to keep people from riding the trails when they are too wet. When we see people at the trail when it’s too wet to ride we should speak up to tell them it’s too wet.
We could possibly add a “weather at the trail” widget to the BRAMBA web site.
The new BRAMBA web site could possibly have a display to inform people if the trail is open or closed.
Other topicsWe could add some flyers to the trail sign at the Comite trailhead. BRAMBA used to have a tri-fold brochure but it is now outdated.
Action item: Yvette to email Jeff the spreadsheet of LS/Hoodie orders.
Possible location for next BRAMBA meeting: Fox and Hound. They will let the club use their private room if it is not reserved.
Meeting adjourned.