Presidential Ponderings
By Shelley Rose
March 2012
Some interesting issues come my way as president of GATC. For example, I have received several emails in the past few months relating to using the AT to raise funds for various organizations and causes. Is this an appropriate use of the AT? Should GATC as an organization support and publicize these efforts? If so, within what parameters? Our local management plan states “Use of the AT by large groups or for fund-raising "Hike-a-thons" is incompatible with the concept of the AT as a wilderness footpath." Should GATC have a say in the individual hiker who seeks to raise funds and bring attention to the AT? What do you think? I’d be interested in hearing from you on this.
Tom Ottinger, Frank Wright and I met with the US Forest Service at the end of January to begin outlining an updated volunteer services agreement with the US Forest Service. As I mentioned in a previous column, the agreement GATC helps develop will serve as a model for other clubs along the AT. This document provides GATC the authorization to work on Forest Service land and protects volunteers in this capacity. The idea is to update the agreement to include the different volunteer components that GATC members engage in and provide some consistency throughout the region. Our first meeting was productive and we made good progress. We hope to have a draft ready soon.
The CoTrails group had a successful weekend workshop at the end of January. This group is an important one for GATC members to engage in. It is a way to meet and interact with other users of the Forest and to learn some additional skills for trail management. CoTrails’ mission is to “provide diverse, quality trail experiences that are maintainable and ecologically sustainable” on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.” There will be a series of workshops and other opportunities to volunteer for this. If you are interested in becoming involved let me know.
See you on the trail,
Shelley Rose, GATC President