Draft Minutes of FNRT Board of Directors Meeting
Held via Zoom, October 25, 2023, 5:30 – 6:13 PM
We Were “All Business:” Follow-Up to October 13 Strategic Planning Retreat
Board Attendees: Alex Bernhard, Amy Chan, Steve Darling, George Heaton, Lindy Heim, Cody Hussey, Charles Martin, Myra Mayman, Ricker Miller, Don Moyer, Jo Olimpio, Peter Southworth. (NOTE: some members arrived late, which accounts for the diversity of vote tallies below.)
Committee Members: Craig Heim (Administration), Patrice Rasche (Promotion)
1. Consent Vote. Using a procedure new to the FNRT – but approved by all – a consent vote was taken for regular operational documents submitted in advance of the meeting. These included July Minutes, prior Treasurer’s Reports, and correspondence.
It should be noted that other such routine documents for August and September were not prepared, due to an August social event at “Wine on Main” in Concord, and the Annual Potluck Dinner at the Highland Lake Inn in Andover in September – which substituted for Board Meetings.
2. Approval of Five Goals from Strategic Planning Retreat in October.
The following five goals for the FNRT, reported by the Administration Committee from the Strategic Planning Retreat, were offered to the Board:
1. Develop a Fundraising Strategy
2. Improve Collaboration with State, Towns & Other Organizations
3. Clarify Governance such as: a) working toward geographic representation of Board Members b) maintaining the same size board, c) creating new categories of board members, d) analyzing competencies & skills of the Board, e) working on better description and role of the Committees
4. Build, Maintain and Improve Safe Trail and better Understand the State’s Role In Maintenance
5. Determine the Best Ways To Approach Promotion
Passed with 8 votes in favor
NOTE: goals are not necessarily in priority order, and each should incorporate “Data Driven Decision-Making By Committee and Board”
3. Amend Article 6 of the ByLaws Pertaining to the Annual Election
Under a new procedure, the Administration Committee would develop a slate of nominees to be discussed and voted on by the Board of Directors of the FNRT and presented to the Membership for vote at the Annual Meeting
Passed with 9 votes in favor
4. Establish a New Board Member Category
The Administration Committee proposed a new Board Member category: Directors Emeriti.
This category would be awarded to members who have shown extraordinary service over the years and who now seek retirement from the Board but continuing affiliation.
Passed with 11 votes in favor
5. To Confirm FNRT’s Relationship to the City of Lebanon
In response to internal discussion at the Strategic Planning Session, the Administration Committee proposed the following language to confirm FNRT’s relationship to the City of Lebanon going forward: FNRT will limit the scope of its self-assumed responsibilities within the City of Lebanon, which has a strong and effective Northern Rail Trail support system, to one of assistance as requested by the Lebanon Recreation, Arts and Parks Department.
Passed with 10 votes in favor and one abstention.
Other Actions and News
With no “Old Business,” no unfinished “Action Items,” and no Maintenance Reports, the meeting was adjourned.
Upcoming Events:
• November 15, 2023 – FNRT Board Meeting by Zoom, at 5:30 PM.
NOTE: the 5:30 PM start time differs from the usual 5:00 in the past, and will become the new habitual start.
• December 13, 2023 – Annual Meeting of the Membership, for the purpose of electing the Board of Directors, and other purposes, beginning at 5:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted, George Heaton, Secretary FNRT