JRG Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting

January 27, 2009

By Melanie Stern, standing in for Chuck Waller, Secretary/Treasurer

The January meeting of the James River Grotto was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Brewer House ground floor activity room at Lynchburg College.

Board Meeting:

The board meeting began at 6:30 PM. Board members present were Paul Stern, Melanie Stern, Mike Frazier, Larry Sowers, and Robbie Donovan. At the meeting the Safey & Technique Committee was discussed. Harry had volunteered to chair the committee prior to the meeting but Larry expressed interest in taking over Safey & Technique and turning over the Education/Conservation committee to Harry. Jim Tennant told Paul prior to the meeting that he wished to be the Youth Liason.

General Meeting:

The general meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Members present were George Wortley, Ash Coleman, Keith Cable, Adam Dugger, and New Horizon students, Jackie Malay, David Warner, Melissa Monaco, Janice Blanchard, and Laura Bianca.

Welcome Visitors: David and Jessie Collins

Trip Reports: Mike Frazier and Robbie Donovan reported on a trip that they led with 10 others to Tawney's and Lynx. Harry Sowers, Larry Sowers, Paul Stern, Melanie Stern, Mike Frazier, Robbie Donovan, Chuck Waller, and David Collins went to Starnes on the coldest day of the year. You can read about the event in our online news trip report.

Previous Meeting Minutes Update: None

Finance Report: No report

Committee Reports:

Conservation: Much was discussed about the latest news on WNS.

Safety & Techniques: No report

Education: No report

Membership: No report

Website: A website tutorial was set for the program of the evening to present many of the new changes.

Trips and Events:

Mike Frazier is leading a scout trip to Tawney's and Lynx on February 7. Paul Stern is leading a New Horizon trip to Porter's on February 7 (trip is FULL) and a joint trip with Sweet Briar College on February 22 to Crossroads. If interested in this trip contact Paul. Paul and Mike are working trying to set up a trip to Perkin's for sometime in the Spring (maybe March). Also working on setting up a verticle training at the fire tower or other location.

General Discussion:

George Wortley brought in our new Grotto cave pack that he supplied with lots of first aid items. We got a brief first aid training in various ways to use sam splints.

Program:

Melanie Stern presented a website tutorial to the members. Various changes have been made to the site.

Meeting Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.