Notes from Meeting, Monday, May 8, 2023

NEXT OUTREACH MEETING - MONDAY, MAY 22. 6:30-8:00

Meeting was held at at Ann and Billy's House (6:30-8:00pm), 303 Prospect St, Bennington
Present: Steve, Hamilton, Lorna, Lin, Reed, Robin, Barb, Stuart, Diane, Ann, Billy

Meeting Overview
Meeting was to present and explore an expanded view of GMC Bennington section. Our section agrees that an outreach is needed in order to help as many persons as possible connect with the outdoors. This connection to the outdoors is also being provided by many other organizations in our community, town of Bennington and southern Vermont area. Why don't we use our resources (meetup, website, section business cards, trifold brochures) to fulfill the connections to any and all.
Below is a summary of the 2 groups that met separately to begin the task of reviewing and determining the new presentation of our BenningtonGMC website and a trifold brochure for use by all to accomplish this goal.
A big welcome to Diane and Stuart who recently moved to our community and took an active part in our discussion.

---

General Outreach

• Vermont Institute Natural Science, Lake Paran Camps, Community Garden (master gardeners), BATS, Bike Hub, Snowbusters, SVMC, Park McCullough House, Bennington College, Front Porch Forum (All GMC meetup events to be posted there), Dutch Hill, Rail to Trail, Town of Bennington, town Library, Bennington Blotter, Bennington Museum, Kiosk on Rt 9 LT trailhead, Education classes, document plant, tree, and nature walks on website for future viewing
• One topic came up frequently: we need a comprehensive community calendar to put in one spot all the activities of all the organizations that have an outdoor connection. Our thoughts were that would be a natural for the town to implement and support.
• Idea: describe various trees around Bennington with weather proof signage. Species, importance, contribution in the eco system, QR code to Wikipedia for further info
• Expanded membership activities: Local GMC club sponsor students who participate in activities, persons noted in the community for contributions to the outdoors, encourage Meetup only members to gain credit for membership by actively participating in activities, occasionally have 'GMC member ONLY' event on Meetup, allow limited sign up for Meetup activities with priority being given to GMC members.
• Concensus agreed that we should also publish our events on Front Porch Forum.
• Also decided that we could offer to host other organizations events on our Meetup page. This is what we would call and FYI event. No signups, just a redirect to the other organizations webpage or contact info

---

Website Design

• Welcoming home page - quick, easy access to what various community members are interested in.
• GMC offers outdoor engagement, camaraderie, adventure, connection to others and nature, 
• specific web design thoughts: no backs to cameras, kids in picts, stewardship and accomplishments of GMC in Vermont,
• Font Clarity
• Search Engine visibility
• Cross linking between various websites - town, chamber of commerce, Bike Hub, Adirondack Mountain Club, AT Club, Rural Lands, other LT sections
• Bennington Banner link to website; periodic publication in the banner
• Keep in mind many people see website on phones or pads and not bigger screen computers. Photos should load quickly and preserve clarity. Photos are good to click on instead of a lot of words.
• Community Services:  Stories, wildflower walks, plant ID walks, Dayhikers, section hikers, through hikers
• Reorganize info on website - Hiking (Day and Thru), Biking, Paddling, Snowshoeing/Skiing, Trail Maintenance, Learning
• Connect with Realtors and employers in the area for a benefit to those moving to town or already in employ.
• Bios of various members of our section
• Include info on how to join GMC

---

Trifold Brochure 

• What do we want to say about ourselves?
• How big is our circle of  "ourselves"? Just GMC members? affiliated outdoor organizations? Schools? 
• ​Many activities that are written in the Website Design area also apply in the trifold brochure.

---

Followup Activities/Plans

• Robin mentioned something about the nature observatory history in making signs for outdoors
• Billy to connect with Bike Hub and BATS organizations
• Ann to research new tools for Weebly website design that provide expanded viewing and interaction
• ​and begin review and reorder website
• ​Need a volunteer to publish any meetup events to Front Porch Forum.
• Need someone to followup on VINS in schools
• Schedule a field trip to VINS
•  Town of Bennington contacts - Jonah Spivak, Steve Love, Others...??

---

Answering the question to WHO are 'US' 
The following picts show a progressive increase in our view of 'US': beginning with GMC mothership, -> GMC Sections, -> Bennington Section, -> Bennington outdoor organizations, -> community organizations, -> southern Vermont/Northern Massachusetts/Eastern New York areas. Some of these graphics will be used at a meeting Tuesday, May 23, as part of an Appalachian Trailfest meeting. 3rd floor of fire station, 6 pm.  All are welcome!
Our 'US' is as big as we choose to devote our energy.