5 minute read
Board Report
A Message from the President of TRTA’s Board of Directors
The Tahoe Rim
Trail Association and the Tahoe Rim Trail have faced the occasional challenge over the years since the loop was completed in 2001. But none may prove as formidable as the impacts of the current pandemic. Every non-profit, business (large or small), government agency, family, and individual is asking the same questions : When will the pandemic end? What will the medical and financial recovery be like? While some have been venturing answers to these questions, we are in, to use a term used frequently lately, uncharted territory. We probably won’t have definitive answers for some time. by Dave Schnake Board President Starting in early March the TRTA Board of Directors has been holding regular video conference meetings to compile and discuss information as it seems to flood in. States, counties, local municipalities, tourism boards, government agencies, and other trail organizations are releasing a variety of edicts, laws, recommendations, and requests. Some have stated end dates, some will continually re-evaluate how long it will be in effect, while others are left open-ended. The Board is constantly tracking those that could have an impact on TRT users, trail construction and maintenance, guided hikes, youth programs, and fundraising. Examples of these impact questions are: Will TRTA be able to resume its trail maintenance/construction activities this summer? Delayed start? What about working with larger groups such as our backcountry camps or National Trails day? Will our agency partners at Nevada State Parks and the Forest Service see significant budget cuts to trails and recreation programs as our economy rebuilds? These are just a few of the numerous questions we are seeking to answer.
There remain too many unknowns to make predictions. Instead the Board has been working on a list of scenarios ranging from best case to worst imaginable case. Discussing and building on these various scenarios is not a pleasant task for the Board, who tend to be hard-core optimists! But by doing so we are much better situated to avoid crises or, at least, respond to them quickly. The focus of these discussions tends to revolve around four main points, our volunteers, expenses, revenue, and institutional memory.
Our volunteers are sure to be impacted by either the pandemic or its economic consequences. For the immediate future, their
focus may rightly be on their wellbeing or that of their families and others in their community. Which TRTA expenses can be postponed or canceled? If it isn’t clear we will be allowed to hold an event, like a backcountry camp, how long can we wait to decide whether to cancel the camp or buy supplies? The donor plaque at Big Meadow trailhead
Will members, donors, and sponsors be able to continue their strong support of the TRTA if there is a significant economic downturn? Can we depend on the revenue from the segment, thru, and Taste of Tahoe hikes since land agencies or the government could ban some or all of them this summer? Institutional memory is the concept that among our volunteers, staff, and Board there is a core level of experience and knowledge that must be retained in order to recover from a severe downturn. An organization that loses too much of its institutional memory through attrition or reductions loses its ability to eventually recover and may even risk its ability to continue its mission. It’s critical to do all we can to protect this ability.
TRTA Staff and Board are seeking and evaluating new sources of financial aid such as the recently announced assistance for non-profit organizations through the Small Business Administration. Once Morgan was able to locate a financial institution that was open to applications, we had to act quickly to complete the required forms and make other adjustments required by the institution. The Board managed to hold an e-mail vote, with the legally required 100% participation of the Board, in a matter of hours. The changes were made, the forms signed, and Morgan got the application in on the first day the program was open. We’re near the front of the line!
The TRTA is very fortunate to have a Board of Directors composed of a mixture of experienced TRTA volunteer guides and crew leaders along with members knowledgeable in business management, investment, law, local non-profits, and government agencies. One thing many of you may have noticed during this period of sheltering-in-place is the strong desire of people to get outside to walk or bike ride. They are probably experiencing a heightened appreciation for the freedom of the hills. No doubt when the pandemic fades into memory there will a renewed demand for time spent out on the trails around Tahoe.
On a more personal note, whenever I’m at either the Tahoe Meadows or Big Meadow trailheads I take a moment to look at the plaques listing the Charter Trail Guardians who made contributions to the Tahoe Rim Trail Endowment in 2001. I have been fortunate enough to meet a number of these folks who believed in and supported the preservation of the Tahoe Rim Trail into perpetuity. I find myself thinking of them often while sitting in Board meetings recently. The Association may be in for its share of challenges and changes, but I remain fundamentally confident that their vision will not be denied.
Dave Schnake joined the TRTA Board of Directors in 2014 and has served as President since 2018. Dave served two terms as the Vice President of Trail Operations and has been volunteering for the TRTA since 2010.
Help support the Tahoe Rim Trail Association during this time of great uncertainty.
We may not be able to physically get out on the trail for a while but we are taking advantage of this time in our (home) offices. We are working diligently to redesign our kiosks and other trail signs, develop plans for major trailhead improvements, write curriculum for our youth programs, and overhaul our Trail Management Plan. Donate now and help get us through this challenging time and ensure we can quickly return to building and maintaining trails and inspiring stewards when the time comes.
