President's Logbook
By Jim Fetig
It’s almost crunch time.
The time when crispy leaves litter the trails and crunchy steps mark the change in seasons. Think of breakfast hikes. Each footfall stirs the dry leaves in the same way a spoon searches a cereal bowl full of Rice Krispies. The familiar snap, crackle, and pop mark time and the passing miles. It’s a glorious symphony of sound and color.
Always mind the dry leaves. I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve stuck a hard landing after my sliding feet have launched me airborne. It’s slick out there.
It’s also crunch time for the club budget cycle. Now is when we are planning next year’s budget.
First, the good news. Council directed that the club reduce its budget deficit. As of this writing, we are on track to meet expectations. Furthermore, the finance committee, led by treasurer Allison Kirsch, has added rigor to the budget development process.
The bad news is that financial modeling suggests a large deficit for next year. We will have to make the proverbial “hard choices” to bring it down to earth.
We have applied to the National Parks Foundation for a significant grant to support our centennial celebration. In so doing, we plan to feature our National Park Service partners, recruit and recognize volunteers, and use selected paid media to tell our story more broadly than ever. We really don’t want to be the best kept secret in the National Capitol Region any longer.
Of note, we’ve received several donations from non-members who appreciate our trail stewardship. There is a certain amount of self-satisfaction in volunteer work, but it is especially nice to know that members of the hiking public acknowledge our efforts.
As we slide into fall, several events are noteworthy. The Hoodlums will be doing trail maintenance demos at Dickey Ridge for Wilderness Day on September 6 and National Public Lands Day on September 27. In addition, the Hoodlums annual training workshop on September 20 – 21 is fully subscribed.
Volunteer service is the heart of PATC’s ethos and culture. More than a thousand of us regularly commit time and effort. We want to honor our volunteers’ efforts and offer an opportunity to network, meet the club’s leadership, and ask questions. Please join the celebration of our volunteers at VolunteerFest on October 11 at the Caroline Furnace retreat center.
