Joint Executive Board Meeting Nov. 24, 2013

Meeting Minutes - Ascent NB Joint Executive & Board Meeting

Nov. 24, 2013

Oromocto, NB

 

Present:

Marty Terriault, Greg Hughes, Chris Norfolk (tardy),

Steve Adamson, Joe Kennedy, Adam Morgan

 

Mandate of Ascent NB

A prominent theme throughout the meeting was discussing potential objectives of the organization and potential services to the climbing community:

  • Maintaining Access. All agreed that access is to be the priority of ANB for the foreseeable future. A number of recent events have led to concern (Kingston stereo incident, ticketing of cars at Cochrane Lane, perceived erosion of the UNB Rock & Ice ability to provide access). All agreed that providing security to the climbing community through obtaining access agreements should be our primary service. It was agreed that in the case of large private landowners (CFB Gagetown, J.D. Irving Ltd) a proactive approach would be best. On the question of individual and family properties, it was agreed that it���s best to not raise red flags. However, all agreed that an important role for ANB should be to act as a contact point for landowners who have concerns. We’d work to alleviate any landowner concerns as they arise, and ultimately to communicate landowner wishes to the climbing community.

  • Acting to Represent the Community. All agreed that today we do not have the support to say that we represent the climbing community, but that is a goal ANB is working towards. A major concern is that several prominent and vocal members of the climbing community have spoken out against the organization. Should we make additional efforts to convince these climbers of our value? There was some disagreement about how much effort we should make to get support from all members of the community (although we all agree that it would be ideal). What was clear is that ANB will have to act quickly to demonstrate a benefit and value to climbers if we hope to gain widespread acceptance. Until our membership numbers grow, we cannot claim to have achieved this objective.

  • Funding of Hardware Upgrades. An interesting discussion took place surrounding funding hardware installations. Whereas there seems to be a general willingness in the community to donate to this cause, ANB could be a vehicle to connect donors with those doing the work. There have been some ad-hoc attempts to accomplish this in the past but they have seemed to suffer from lacking �����official’ legitimacy. It was generally agreed that ANB will fund anchor installations and re-bolting of existing routes. Lead bolt establishment was far less clear. The group could not reach consensus on this as an objective so ANB will not fund new lead bolts at this time.

  • Promotion of Climbing as a Sport. This topic, which was raised at several of the initial community meetings, remains a topic of debate. While some believe that ANB should make an effort to grow the climbing community and make it accessible to newcomers, there is not a consensus amongst the executive. Certainly we will partake in actions that raise the profile of climbing (such as developing a website, events, etc). However, there remains concern that explicit advertisement of climbing opportunity in NB will bring undesirable and unsustainable growth. Areas closeby in the United States are cited as the examples. It was controversial enough such that the executive and board could not support it as an explicit objective of ANB.

  • Certification of Instructors. The topic of providing credibility to local clubs who are conducting climbing courses was discussed. This is a service provided by Climb Nova Scotia and similar organizations. There was some discussion about the risk that it would bring to the body. Although an interesting topic it was not deemed a priority issue for ANB.

  • Special Events. A number of potential future events were discussed as means to increase the profile of the organizations. Potential events included: a weekly ice climbing night, a self-rescue course, future trail days. Although there was some support for these types of activities they were deemed a low priority in the short-term.

 

Ascent NB Communications Plan

A recent post on the Climb Eastern Canada forum signed as the ANB president has created much debate. Marty acknowledged that he should have contacted the rest of the exec prior to posting on behalf of the organization on such a potentially controversial topic (cliff closure). After considerable discussion it was agreed that for the time being, all exec and board members will be given reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any online/print postings before they are made. Rather that provide a specific rule around this, we agreed that Marty���s discretion will suffice.

ANB will make an immediate attempt to clarify to the organization���s goals to the community. Joe and Greg will take the lead on this communications piece. They will provide a draft to the rest of the exec aiming to complete the piece within a week. This piece will be an important message given what seems to be an erosion of the general support ANB seemed to enjoy earlier in the year.

Adam has been working closely with a local web developer (Sam Stiles) who has been volunteering his time to launch an ANB website. This will serve as an important central hub for our communications. Although ANB will maintain a presence on the CEC forum and Facebook, the website will be the primary vehicle to release news about the group. As well, it was agreed that ANB will maintain a dedicated forum as a component of the website. ANB execs will retain control over this forum�����������������s content and structure. It will serve as an important place for community members to discuss ANB specific issues.

 

Upcoming Ascent NB Action Plan

  • ANB Communications Piece. Joe and Greg will lead the drafting of an ANB communications piece that will attempt to clarify our goals to the broad community.

  • Meeting with CFB Gagetown. Marty will lead an effort to set up an initial meeting with Base Gagetown. He will determine if there is an appropriate community liaison officer to speak with. The meeting objective will be to what will be needed to secure an ANB access agreement. Do they require a critical mass of membership? Do they require liability insurance? Are they receptive to running a parallel agreement with UNB Rock & Ice or would it work best to transition the existing agreement? Marty will keep the group informed on his progress and to discuss strategy.

  • Meeting with JDI. Chris will have an opportunity in the near future to meet with the JD Irving Ltd. executive. He will make a general inquiry into how JDI manages recreational users on their private lands and whether they have an access policy. He will use this meeting as a first step to work towards an access agreement for Bear Mt. and Parlee Brook.

  • Web Map Development. Chris will work with Sam Stiles to add an online climbing map section to the ANB website. The map will display the location of NB’s rock and ice climbing sites as well as provide important access considerations (parking, landowner concerns, closure concerns)

  • Bank Account TD. Marty will set up a bank account for ANB at TD bank’s Fredericton office on Westmorland St. Chris will act as a second signing officer.

  • T-Shirt Order. Joe will work towards designing a T-shirt featuring ANB’s new logo. Joe will use Key Industries in Saint John for production. We’ll aim to have these available for sale as a fundraiser before rock climbing starts in the spring of 2014.

  • Club Outreach. All exec members will contact local clubs at upcoming meetings to raise the profile of ANB and try and generate support and sign up members.