FoOTNotes Vol. 5 / No 1 (February 2008)

• FoOT Receives Award from Forest Service We learned last week that FoOT received the "Director's 2007 Exemplary Volunteer Service Award." This award, from the national offices of the USFS in Washington, DC, further reflects how much our Forest service partners value the work that we do for them. All FoOT members should reflect on this award with pride. The award letter states:
  "I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the Friends of the Ouachita Trail, 2007 awardees of the Director's Exemplary Volunteer Service Award.
  "It is impossible to measure or overestimate the importance, usefulness, value of the volunteer work accomplished, and the public service provided by volunteers. The personal contributions of the Friends of the Ouachita Trail members have added immeasurable benefits to this agency. Because of their service and others like them, we are more ready to accomplish our mission.
  "In recognition of their exemplary service, it is my pleasure to present them with the Director's Award. They exemplify what the Forest Service stands for, 'Caring for the Land and serving the People', and they can look at their volunteer service with satisfaction and pride."
• 2008 FoOT Officers As most of you are aware, Friends of the Ouachita Trail is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the full membership of our organization. Day to day operation of FoOT, however, is carried out by officers elected by the board, in accordance with the by-laws. Officers (with the exception of the President), may or may not be board members.
  Officers for 2008 include four re-elected positions and one new member:
  
  • President: Jim Gifford
  • Vice President / Maintenance: Kris McMillen
  • Vice President / Recruitment: Loretta Melancon
  • Vice president / Resources: Bo Lea (new assignment)
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Glenn Wortham
• New District Captain Allow me to introduce Bill Sears of Talihina, Oklahoma. Bill has taken over as FoOT District Captain for the Oklahoma sections of the Ouachita Trail (Sections 1 & 2). Bill is the leader of Boy Scout Troop 469, who has the trail adoption of Mile 2.4 to 5.8--Potato Hill Vista to FR 6010. Bill replaces JD Blackwell, who held this position for several years. We thank them both for their effort on behalf of the trail. Bill has a daunting task ahead of him, as the Oklahoma sections have fallen into pretty bad shape in the past year. He will need a lot of help in the coming months, as we try to get this section back into good shape.
• Work Report Notes Several hiking and biking clubs adopt sections of trail. These user groups are a big part of the FoOT team. If you are submitting a work report for one of these organizations, remember to include that in your work report. Include your name and the names of the individuals who worked, but also state that it is “for (name of the club)”.
  For example, “Glenn Wortham for Ouachita Mountain Hikers”

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