FoOTNotes Vol. 4 / No 1 (November 2007)

• FoOT Annual Meeting The annual membership meeting of Friends of the Ouachita Trail was held Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Camp Clearfork in the Ouachita National Forest. Approximately fifty members showed up to hear about FoOT accomplishments in the past year, to elect FoOT directors, recognize FoOT members for individual contributions, and enjoy a great meal of jambalaya prepared on site. Due to the nice weather, the entire meeting and lunch was held outdoors.
  FoOT President Jim Gifford summarized some of the achievements of the organization in the past year, starting with the recognition by the IRS of FoOT as a tax exempt, non-profit organization, under section 501(c) 3 of the federal tax code. This was the first annual meeting since 501(c) 3 status had been achieved, and the benefits of that status were evident in another significant milestone this year, the first grant applications for funds to improve the trail. In fact, three grant applications were submitted this summer and fall, with two still pending. FoOT teamed with the Ouachita national Forest on an Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department trails grant program, requesting approximately $5000 for two trail re-routes. FoOT also applied for $5000 from the American Hiking Society to hire contract labor for two trail maintenance projects in badly overgrown areas. Both of these requests will be announced after the year. The third request was declined: FoOT requested $1500 from the Hot Springs Village Community to purchase tools.
  FoOT volunteers recorded over 2500 hours of trail work this year. In the past three years, FoOT volunteers have contributed 8600 man-hours to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Results of this effort are reflected in the sharply higher trail usage in the past year.
  Financially, the organization is stronger than it has ever been, with over $5000 in the bank. The increase from last year is largely attributable to a donation of over $3000 from the Ouachita Challenge. FoOT members again helped stage the Ouachita Challenge, one of the premier mountain bike events of the year. Secretary-Treasurer Glenn Wortham reported that the current financial position has allowed the Directors, for the first time in our history, to allocate $2000 in next year’s budget, specifically for trail maintenance projects. Kris McMillen, Vice President for Maintenance discussed some of the needs that these funds can address.
  With 163 members eligible to vote in this year’s elections, interest in FoOT remains strong. Loretta Melancon, Vice President of Recruiting, reported that as of the meeting, all sections of trail were currently adopted. This does not lessen the need to continuously recruit new members, however, as the adoption list remains very dynamic.
• Election of Directors The primary legal purpose of the annual membership meeting is to elect three members to serve on the FoOT Board of Directors. FoOT is governed by nine Directors, elected from and by the membership. Directors serve staggered three year terms, with three positions up for election each year. Ballots had been sent to members prior to the meeting, including the recommended slate. Members in attendance were given a final opportunity to vote as well.
  Secretary Wortham reported that all ballots returned had supported the re-election of Todd Henne, Pete Ireland, and Glenn Wortham to another three year term. Membership present voted to accept the results of the election and the three nominees will serve FoOT for 2008 through 2010. The three Directors elected represent three different trail user groups – mountain bikers (Henne), and trail runners (Ireland), and hikers (Wortham). This diversity on the board is important to keep all user groups involved and represented.
• FoOT Members RecognizedPresident Gifford continued a tradition started at the first FoOT membership meeting three years ago by recognizing a few individual members who have made significant contributions to FoOT during the year. The following members were recognized and received certificates and one of the traditional wooden “OT” trail markers (resembling our FoOT logo):
  
  • Ken Schultz: For being the ‘paint master’. Ken manages the paint used for blazing the trail. He stores the paint, allocates it in bottles to individual members who want to blaze their sections, and keeps the brushes clean.
  • Sid Wood: For his efforts in developing the first grant applications.
  • Becky Thurman: For her efforts in developing the first grant applications.
  • Bo Lea: For helping with the first grant applications and for initiating a plan for the possible addition of more shelters along the trail.
  • Brenda Lea: For taking over FoOT publicity, and getting stories about FoOT and about the trail into local newspapers across the state.
  • Billy McMillen: FoOT Tool Master. Billy has been the only FoOT Tool Master since we obtained our first tools. Billy has maintained an inventory, has kept tools clean and repaired, has stored tools, and distributed them to members when needed for work. Billy will be resigning as tool master at the end of this year.
• Volunteers Needed As the recognition awards indicate, running an organization like FoOT takes a lot of individual effort. We are all volunteers with a variety of skills, abilities, and time available. Some of us are willing and capable of doing more than just the work on our adopted section of trail. We are constantly looking for people who can contribute to the many additional tasks beyond trail maintenance that the organization must perform to keep increasing our contribution to the trail. We are also looking for people who might be willing to serve on the FoOT Board at some time in the future. Anyone interested should contact one of the directors or use the FoOT email address to volunteer.
  In particular, right now we need people who think they could help as:
  • FoOT Tool Master: This position requires someone who can store tools, keep track of tools distributed across the trail in tool cribs or with District Captains, maintain records of tool condition, and assist with getting tools repaired when necessary. Our concept of tool distribution is changing to keep tools more evenly distributed across the trail, so this job will evolve into one with more responsibility for record keeping and inventory than the hands on storage and repair of tools.
  • Grant Application writing/submittal: We are all learning as we go in the process of preparing and submitting grant requests. Anyone with experience in this area, please let us know.
• FoOT annual meeting is not all work and food. FoOT Director Seth Buys and wife Tanya (left) enjoy the day on their bicycle-built-for-two. Director Ed Hawkins and wife Sue (right) also took a ride on the fall afternoon.
• Tom Ferguson to Retire Tom Ferguson, USFS, has been the primary contact person for FoOT in the Ouachita National Forest office since our original organizational meeting with the forest staff four years ago. Tom has been a strong supporter of FoOT and the Ouachita Trail and has become a good friend as well. Tom is retiring on January 3, 2008. We will miss working with Tom, but wish him the best in retirement. Maybe he will have time for some volunteer work now?

Thanks Again for All You Do.
Jim Gifford, President
FoOT is organized exclusively to provide assistance for the maintenance, enhancement and use of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail