Reports

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BCHA Vision Committee Report (5/2/99)

First Draft

Committee Members: Alan Hill Chair, Val Johnson, Ann Lange, Betty Applebaker, Edd Blackler, Mylon Filkins DVM, Mike McGlenn, + attending: Gordon Keough, Jerry Kempf, Dan Applebaker + others attended at different sessions

1. It was agreed there was a need to reaffirm and maintain our narrow focus of the purposes of BCHA developed by the founders of the organization.
   
2. The various areas of identity that come under the BCHA organizational umbrella and are, therefore, areas of responsibility of BCHA are listed below.
   
   1. Legislative - the political process
      
   2. Expansion
      
   3. Affiliations - need to consider very cautiously and carefully - need common ground or may cause embarrassment and incompatible goals.
      
   4. Volunteer Work - volunteer service work has been the backbone of our efforts to assist the agencies with our mission of keeping the trails open and has been very successful. Need to continue to emphasize the service aspect of our mission statement. Have concerns about the insurance issues that are coming. Need to develop a proactive program of dealing with the insurance issues for workman comp claims.
      
   5. Participation in public land management issues and recognition of the required partnership role with the agencies. Litigation needs to be considered as a last resort and needs the careful scrutiny of BCHA public lands people before authorization of any legal action involving BCHA or its state chapters. Needs an oversight committee of BCHA to work with mgmt plans, wilderness issues, science, research, and an environmental attorney who is knowledgeable.
      
   6. Education - Need education of BCH members in purposes, packing skill, traditional values, and LNT. Need interaction with other horsemen and users and good MEDIA articles.
      
3. How are we going to provide the tools, organizational structure and communication to accomplish the above? What is BCHA going to do for its members?
   
1. Media/Publications. Show strength of group when negotiating and making public presentations by
   
   1. Getting articles into national publications about BCH
      
   2. Attend meetings and become credible
      
   3. Need web development, corporate sponsors
      
   4. Need to continually present the past and present volunteer hours and total dollars contributed but also need to re-emphasize that BCHA accomplishes many other areas of service, i.e., education, etc. The National Newsletter is our best voice to members, agencies, the public, etc., to communicate what we are about on a consistent basis.
      
2. Education (same as above) and need policies, philosophies, skills (what are our goals as BCH) at local level - non BCH members - wilderness riders - scientific study and research, public lands info in a resources center.
   
3. Representation at national level - We are currently affiliated with organizations CDTA, AHS, PCTA with similar goals and objectives. Are also currently involved with agencies, i.e., MOU with USFS, BLM, and NPS. Will require additional networking and representation from each state and local chapter.
   
4. Provide wilderness management plan/resources information and guidance committee. Committee will be set up to identify needs and communication. Wilderness issues are growing and this can provide guidance to others to help protect our heritage and rights in the backcountry.
   
5. Volunteer program, very successfully provides credibility to organization; can and should affect legislation. Press releases are important.
   

The Vision Committee recommended.

1. The Board reaffirm the original five-point mission statement of BCHA and recognize we cannot be all things to all people. Our focus on wilderness issues is narrow and must remain for our organization to meet the goals and mission established at the time of formation.
   
2. The Board approve the formation of a standing committee chaired by Ann Lange to be called the Wilderness Issues and Management Plan Review Committee. The charter of the committee is to deal with wilderness issues at the national level and to provide a resource of expertise and knowledge that is available to all the states and chapters to assist them in their management planning efforts. The committee will start work immediately and will bring back a report at the 2000 meeting with an outline of its operational policies and plans for committee operation. The Chairman shall have the opportunity to obtain members, organize the committee and start to function.
   
3. The Vision Committee requested the Secretary put a "To Do" list together again this year for all board members to remind them of the things they were responsible for completing.

The above motions were made and approved by the Board.

Reported by Alan Hill (with thanks to Betty Applebaker for keeping the notes and Mylon's visionary chart that only a currently licensed DVM with advanced degree in Latin or Egyptian hieroglyphics could hope to interpret)

BCHA/Vision/5/99

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