Windeler MOU Signed at Annual Meeting
Published: Spring/Summer 2007

by Marianne Russo

WCC's annual public meeting was held on January 27, 2007, at the home of Bill and Peri Frantz in Los Gatos, California. For the WCC officers and directors, the meeting was an all day affair.

In the morning closed session, the directors and officers addressed many of the issues scheduled for the public afternoon session. The purpose of these morning discussions is to answer directors' specific questions, address concerns that may be sensitive or confidential, and make sure that no important points have been overlooked.

The public session convened at 1:30 pm. Approximately 20 people attended, to observe, comment, and ask questions. A full agenda started with officer and committee chair reports, followed by detailed discussions of current projects. First up was the Weller Natural Preserve (Rippled Cave). Highlights of this discussion included information about brush clearing, the need for a biological survey, and recognition of the great job the Hartwigs did organizing the Nov. 18th (2006) workday. One concern was that use of Rippled Cave for youth groups and beginner trips could lead to trespassing issues, as happened a few years ago.

The second big item of discussion was the Windeler Cave project. Stewardship Chair Joel Despain talked about the creation of the Windeler Management Subcommittee and the need for baseline inventory work before sightseeing trips into the cave could be contemplated. He warned that the cave reopening would not happen immediately, but invited interested people present at the meeting to join the subcommittee. Several people volunteered, and Joel has a good start on his committee. In an incredible stroke of luck, the WCC had finally received the Windeler Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from the Stanislaus National Forest just a few days before the meeting. The official "signing" took place after Joel's presentation, with much fanfare and picture taking.

Various other issues were also addressed, mostly having to do with the internal workings of the conservancy. These included long term planning strategy, committee restructuring, conflict-of-interest policy, implementation of an automatic checking account withdrawal donation option, and a proposal to adopt management plans as standard policy for all conservancy properties or special projects. While motions were being crafted for the New Business section, attendees were entertained with a presentation of the Rippled Cave Slide Show.

The New Business voting session finished off the meeting. Directors Bruce Rogers and Martin Haye were re-elected for three-year terms. Two other motions were passed. The first created substantial changes for the basic committee structure. Now committees like Public Relations or Stewardship would consist only of one person, a director, assisted by an advisory committee whose membership can be fluid, eliminating the need for a quorum of members in order to meet and accomplish anything. This and other aspects of the motion will greatly streamline these activities. The second a motion was a proposal to adopt management plans as standard WCC policy.

The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. and the Diablo Holiday Season party began!