WRCC General Meeting 11 Feb 2008

Wanaka Rock Climbing Club, Inc.
General Meeting
February 11 2008

Attendance: Greg Johnston, Matt Squires, Callum Urquhart, Anna Simmons, John Hammond, Scott Standen, Sean O’Connor, Ben Eyers, Jessica Winter, Ken Super, Jenny Rayment, Anthony Davidson, Jeromy Wilson, Stu Blennerhasset, Dave Cassaidy, Pat Deavoll, Henry

Apologies: Jon Sedon, Ian McNabb, Toby Johnston

General Business:
- New member Stu Blennerhasset of Basecamp discussed discounts for associated members. Also, he offered continued support for the club in the following areas: advocacy, storage locker, gear support (waratahs, stiles, etc.) and fundraising box. He mentioned there would be sport-climbing competitions in the near future.
- Discussed climbing areas that WRCC would support with gear contribution. Cromwell Gorge was approved and recommended to be put into future Wanaka guide. The greater Wye Creek area was discussed and it was decided that it is not in the Wanaka Catchment area and really fits into Wakatipu/Queenstown Climbing Club. Therefore, we discussed the possibilities of a coop situation where we would support their members to put up new routes in Wanaka if they would support our members with similar gear contribution support.
- A top priority issue was discussed concerning climbing areas from Bake House/Family Crag area and to Kai Whaka Pai. Landowner John McRae was invited to speak to our members but did not attend the meeting. John has been recently upset with climbers disregard for farming operations. Two specific examples are dogs in the paddocks with stock present including lambs and climbers arguing with the farmer about their rights to be there because the crags are in the guidebook. It was decided that WRCC must take a proactive stance with the farmer and DOC. The club agreed that we need the following: 1. Stiles placed over fences. It was suggested we might acquire them from DOC. 2. Signage at the area entrance that indicates private property, no dogs allowed, etc. 3. The track through to Kai Whaka Pai should be marked with waratahs. WRCC will need to consult with DOC and farmer related to these issues.
- Discussed putting signs at Mt. Iron climbing areas requesting climbers to avoid loud profanities. John Hammond taking the lead to get the project done.
-Idea to have a select guide that is less expensive.
-Idea to have an Internet guide where people can download a select amount of routes for a certain amount of money.
-Club is pleased new the new DOC toilets at Hospital Flat and Riverside. Thanks to Ian McNabb for fixing up toilet at Roadside.

AGM President/Treasurers Report

Presidents Report:
- The distribution of guides is going well. We have approximately 375 books left out of 1000. We are selling approximately 250 books per year. It is critically important that we get through those books before introducing a new guide so to that we can finance the next printing. We will need to start considering the next guide but at our current rate of sell, it looks like we won’t need the new guide until the summer of 2010.
- Membership is well up from last year due to an amazing effort from Susie Meyer who went out of her way to call, cajole and coerce membership - job well done Susie.
- Jerry Murray-Orr and Simon Middlemass started up the clubs first Web Blog, which seems to be going pretty well. We will need to discuss the future direction of this site.
- Crag activity has been good with a number of members doing some good work to include: new routing, re-bolting projects, crag and track maintenance.
- The club has done a good job keeping up with demand for hardware and the club drill is in good working order.

Treasurers Report:

- Membership went from 18 to 35 members bringing in nearly $1000
- Income was just over $6,000, which included subscriptions, guide and hardware revenue.
- Expenditure was nearly $3000, spent mostly on hardware