Major Excursions
Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2008
Attendees: Ralph Blumenthal, Erika Bloom, Trish Niece T. Walley Williams, Art
Paradice, Bob Bentley, Pam Madigan, Betsy Goeke, Jan Taylor, Stacia Zukroff, Lynne
Zimmerman, Mike Berry and Sue Lach (Author).
Guests: Liza Hayes (AMC Staff), Jerri Bernadini, Ledge Clayton, Aaron Gorban (AMC
Staff), Roger Scholl (AMC Staff), Marianne Page, Lynn Matt and Elaine Kerrigan.
Agenda
 Introductions
 Approval of Minutes from Annual Meeting (1/26/08)
 Action Item Review from Annual Meeting (1/26/08)
 Update on 2007 Budget, 2008 Trips and 2009 Projections
 Travel Program Coordinator Replacement
 Summer Leader Weekend
 Future Spring Gathering Plans/Retreat
 New Breakdown of Committee Members’ Responsibilities
 St. Moritz Trip Finance Update
 Trip Listings
 Approval of Trips
The meeting was called to order by Stacia Zukroff at 8:10am.
 Approval of Minutes from Annual Meeting (1/26/08)
There were no comments on the minutes.
Ralph motioned to approve /Erika seconded - Unanimous.
 Action Item Review from Annual Meeting (1/26/08)
The “Action Item Log” was reviewed and updated accordingly. Please refer to the
“Action Item Log” for current updates and new task additions.
 Update on 2007Budget, 2008 Trips and 2009 Projections
Ralph distributed the “Projected Major Excursions Revenue and Expenses – 4/12/08”
document and reviewed it in detail.

2007 – 34 trips ran successfully.

2008 – There are 35 approved trips. Trips are in progress. The concern with 2008
trips is cancellations. Six trips already cancelled. Ralph pointed out that we need to
look at trips that do well and offer more of those. We should also understand which
trips are cancelling such the more intensive trips. Stacia pointed out that the economy
is playing a big factor. Huge number of cancellations can be attributed to financials
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and fuel costs. T. Walley pointed out that over the years when money was an issue
with oversees travel more trips were offered in the States.
Financials for 2008 are projected at breakeven however there is a concern if
additional trips cancel.

2009 – Projected trips are 11 compared to 18 last year at this time. Stacia has seen an
increase in summer submissions and a decrease in spring submissions. Summer trip
submissions tend to come in the month of October.
 Travel Program Coordinator Replacement
Interviews are in progress. There are three scheduled for Monday, 4/21/08. A target date
has been established for mid-May to get the person on board.
Stacia discussed the Travel Coordinator Position and past behavior of the MEC. She
requested the committee to keep feedback on position to yourself. If there is an issue it
should not be taken up with the AMC board and not the staff or the person in the
position. Roger pointed out that if there are issues with the position or his staff to call
and address it with him. There are people on the committee that feel that there is not a
need for this position. Stacia pointed out that there were a number of major accidents
that this position addressed. The AMC Board of Directors recommended this position
and the insurance company requires a full time position.
This role is responsible for reviewing prospectus’ and proposals from a risk management
perspective. In order for more time to devote to this activity, day to day tasks were
transferred to Liza’s positions. Liza has made tremendous progress by automating the
evaluation and developing packet process. These positions are adding value to the
program. AMC is running a million dollar plus program there needs to be a various level
support structure in place.
 Summer Leader Weekend
This is scheduled for the June 27-29, 2008 at Nobel View. Formal invitations were sent
out last week. Erika currently has 6 people registered. The agenda has been reduced due
to the lack of committee members that will be present. The summer meeting will be held
on Sunday morning for Leaders to participate. Ralph recommended to reverse the agenda
and cover the trips first so Leaders do not have to stay for the committee meeting. Also,
do not put noon cap on time so that there is time to address all topics. Bob recommended
having information out to the committee well in advance for feedback. Stacia does not
foresee any big agenda items at this point.
 Future Spring Gathering Plans/Retreat
Spring Gathering has been postponed for the next few years. In lieu of Spring Gathering
a more formal retreat is being recommended. The planning and logistics would be the
responsibility of a sub-committee that will be formed. Ralph recommended that the
location be rotated. People are in favor with moving toward a weekend long retreat.
Betsy recommended offering CPR training as part of the agenda.
Fall Gathering will be held from 10/17-19 in Maryland. Stacia presented the option of
renting a van and carpooling to help with more committee attendance.
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 New Breakdown of Committee Members’ Responsibilities
The goal is to move more towards an executive committee format with an Executive
Committee and Sub-Committees. This would also help to move leaders into Major
Excursion Committee members. The past years activities were reviewed and broken
down into major categories:
 Leadership
 Trip Approvals
 Marketing and Communications
 Trip Planning
 Finance
 Secretary
 Treasurer
Stacia would like to see each person on the MEC to take on a roll either as a chair of a
sub-committee or a member. This will help get the committees established and off the
ground.
The following volunteers have been established:
Jan – Trip Planning Sub-Committee Chair
T. Walley – Trip Planning Sub-Committee Member
Pam – Trip Planning Sub-Committee Member
Merri – Leadership Sub-Committee Member
Mike – Marketing and Communications Chair
Betsy – Trip Approvals Sub-Committee Member
Erika – Leadership Sub-Committee Chair
 St. Moritz Trip Finance Update
Ralph provided an update on the issues faced with this trip. The drop in the US Dollar is
having a significant impact. Ralph has been communicating to Leaders to carefully
budget for foreign travel. This trip ran over budget considerably. The Leaders choose to
go back to participants and request $75 due to increases.
The main issue with this trip was with the Foreign Currency Company which the leaders
were working with. The relationship with this company was established by past leaders.
The process is such that money was posted to an account for $17,000 that was converted
to 19,000 Swiss Franks for future use. There was a rouge trader that embezzled money
and accounts were frozen. The impact on this trip was that a deposit to the hotel was not
made. AMC has advanced the money for the deposit and the trip is still on. This issue is
now being addressed by AMC Finance to try and recoup the money. Roger pointed out
that AMC’s first concern was customer service to the participants and decided to address
the issue. Roger is not expecting resolution on this for a year. Stacia pointed out this was
not intentional on the Leaders part. She also commended all parties (Leaders, Ralph,
Darcy, AMC Staff) of the work involved to address this in the best manner. Bob pointed
out that there is a need for additional training with new leaders so that information and
process is communicated.
 Trip Listings
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It is ok to leave a listing on the web at least for a few weeks as wait list. There have been
complaints because there are more people going to the web for information.
 Approval of Trips
The following trips were reviewed and action taken:
Backcountry Skiing – Yellowstone NP - Approved (0906) – 1/23/09-2/1/09 Robert
Zimmerman (L) and Lynne Zimmerman (C). There was discussion regarding
contingency and the snow catch capacity.
T. Walley motioned to approve. /Erika second – Unanimous.
Mountain Ranch in the Heart of the Rockies – Approved (0904 ) – 7/17-24/09 Lynn
Matt (L) and Elaine Kerrigan (CL). Lynn presented the itinerary and reviewed the
budget. There was a concern with the 14,000 foot hike. It is at the end of the trip but
there needs to be an alternate plan for those that can not deal with the altitude. There also
needs to be an alternate activity planned for this day and two leaders on the 14,000 foot
hike plus a back assistance. There was a recommendation that the prospectus reviewed
so that the appropriate level of participant is selected. Ralph recommended to not put this
in the prospectus but offer it if the participants
T. Walley motioned to approve/Lynne second - Unanimous.
Hiking in Germany’s Harz National Park - Approved (0905) – 9/10-20/09 Phil
Mecagni (L) and Marianne Page (CL) – Phil and Marianne will both be in the area in
2008 so there will be an assessment prior to the trip. Marianne feels that the budget is
very generous since it includes B&B accommodations along with an 8% contingency.
Marianne looking into hostel accommodations that could reduce the lodging costs
significantly.
Erika motioned to approve. /Trish second - Unanimous
Colorado Cross Country Skiing – Approved (0907) - 7/7-16/09 Bob Bentley (L) and
Art Paradice (CL) – This is a new area for Bob and Art. This will be Bob’s 29 trip. There
is a concern with group status that Bob will revisit. Erika requested more info on
deposits. A $500 deposit is required ASAP that is non-refundable with considerable
dollars down in August.
Ralph motioned to approve. /Erika second - Unanimous
Morrocco Trek & Sights – Approved (0908) 2/13/09 – 3/2/09 John Lisker (L) and
Robin Melavalin (CL) – The main concern is with 15% versus 20% fee. Backpack in the
High Atlus appears to warrant 20%. Ralph sited and commended the cover letter that
John presented which was extremely helpful in addressing questions. Erika sited that
insurance coverage was left blank and needs to be addressed.
Jan motioned to approved. /T. Walley second – Unanimous.
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Engleberg Switzerland – Conditionally Approved (0909) - 2/14 – 22/09 Betsy Goeke
(L) and Ginette Beaudoin (CL) – This trip is an easy cross country trip. The budget did
not include the Leader and Co-leader airfare. They will be covering their own. Betsy
needs to confirm this with Ginette. If this is an issue for Ginette her airfare will be
subsidized. Betsy is fine with that.
Erika motioned to conditionally approve trip. Ralph second. Unanimous
Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling – Approved (0910) – 2/21-3/2/09 – Ralph
Blumenthal (L) and Cliff Gerenz and Jenny Blumenthal (CL) – No issues.
Erika motioned to approved. /Trish second – Unanimous.
Cinnamon Bay National Park Camping – Approved (0911) – 3/20-29/09 – Pam
Madigan (L) and Merri Fox (CL) – No issues.
Erika motioned to approved. /Trish second – Unanimous.
Austrian Hiking Adventure: Hike Stubai – Approved (0912) – 7/10-24/09 – Terry
Peters (L) and Ginette Beaudoin (L) – Bob has concern with the price. Points made that
it is two weeks and there are two 2008 trips in this price range that filled.
Ralph motioned to approved. /T. Walley second – Unanimous.
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