FoOT Annual Membership Meeting - 2009

The 2009 annual membership meeting of Friends of the Ouachita Trail was held Saturday, Nov. 21, at the lodge in Queen Wilhelmina State Park.  As usual, the meeting was held at a location near the trail, so that members could combine a trail outing with the meeting.  Jim Gifford, President of FoOT, presided over the meeting.  Thirty-eight members attended the meeting.  District Ranger Jim Zornes (Mena District) and Larry Ross represented the USFS as guests of FoOT.

Gifford explained that the meeting had two important purposes.  The first is a legal purpose.  As a non-profit corporation, FoOT is required by its by-laws to hold an annual membership meeting  to elect members of the Board of Directors.  Three of the nine board positions are elected each year, for three year terms. Glenn Wortham, FoOT Secretary-Treasurer,  conducted the business meeting.   An overview of FoOT finances showed the organization in its strongest financial position ever.  The election of Directors followed the financial report.   This year, the membership re-elected Seth Buys, Jim Gifford, and Loretta Melancon to the board for terms expiring in 2012.  Board members whose terms expire at the end of next year include Todd Henne, Pete Ireland, and Glenn Wortham.  Board members with terms expiring in 2011 include Ed Hawkins, Kris McMillen, and Mike Sims. 

The second reason for the meeting is to celebrate FoOT's accomplishments and to thank the membership for their contributions to the organization and to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.  Gifford pointed out that membership and volunteer hours were both at an all time high.  Kris McMillen, FoOT Vice President for Maintenance and Loretta Melancon, Vice president for Recruitment, both pointed out highlights for the year in their comments to the members.  District Captain Bill Sears shared a slide show from the recently completed West End Extravaganza, the biggest work party event in FoOT history.

As a final agenda item, President Gifford continued the tradition of recognizing members  for contributions above and beyond that expected.  This year the Certificates of Appreciation, accompanied by historical Ouachita Trail markers, were presented to Carolyn Shearman and Bill Sears (see photos).  Carolyn has taken over the task of tracking all the work reports and volunteer man-hours reported during the year.  Bill planned and coordinated the recent West End Extravaganza, working with the VP-Maintenance, Kris McMillen.

Following the meeting, all attendees were invited to lunch, compliments of Friends of the Ouachita Trail, as a small way of saying "Thank You" to the members.