North Coutry Trail Association 2011 Annual Report

Your Adventure StArtS neArbY.

FORTHE

AdvocacyTrail Protection Fund

Easement Acquisition

TornAdo SeASonAllegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge

EndowmEnt Fund

end-to-end Hiker Policy

AnnuAl ExtEndEd outings

NPS OfficE iN MichigAN

north Country Legacy Society

double digit donor GrowthAnnual Conference in dayton, ohionew Corporate Sponsorships

PunCHeon & BoArdwALkS

nPS outstanding Friends Group Award

1

or the North Country Trail Association, 2011 was a threshold year. In an

increasingly challenging nonprofit environment, the NCTA has made great strides

to advance its mission of building, maintaining and telling the story of the North

Country National Scenic Trail. In traversing America’s northern heartlands the

trail illustrates the story of a rugged people in a rugged land—America’s Red Plaid

Nation. Their story is an intimate one, interwoven with one another; bootstrappers

with a pride in the ruggedness of the land and their capacity to live with it.

Our NCTA members annually devote thousands of hours and dollars, investing their sweat equity to

build and protect the trail. 2011 was no exception, with continued growth in volunteer hours invested

as well as the value of those hours—up 2% in 2011, reflecting a value of nearly $1.5 million.

This investment is critical as the NCTA crosses the threshold into a brave new world in completing the

NCNST. Most of the remaining 2,100 miles of trail must be completed with the cooperation of private

landowners through which the trail must pass. NCTA’s pioneers are now blazing new pathways into

the world of conservation easements and land trusts partnerships. A newly ratified Trail Protection

Fund Policy will ensure a stable platform to drive this initiative.

Great strides were taken to embrace long distance trail users in 2011 with the passage of the End-to-

End Hiker Policy. Though public awareness of the North Country Trail continues to be a weakness, the

increase in special outreach events such as the Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge, 24 Hours in the

Chippewa and Annual Extended Outings attract growing interest and help spread our message up and

down the trail.

Our long term stability and security in these uncertain economic times took a major step in 2011 with

the establishment of an Endowment Fund. As the fund grows over time it will provide a steady flow

of critical support to the organization and its chapters and provide for its long term sustainability.

Growth in 2011 in all three donor areas—major giving, annual giving and planned giving provided

further strength to our organization.

We, as NCTA’s volunteers, staff and board of directors, are committed to the notion that a simple

footpath creates the most intimate of connections with the land through which we pass. The North

Country offers up its stories of rugged peoples and lands only grudgingly; often the traveler listens

best when the pathway works with the landscape. These are some of the stories and experiences we

want to share and pass on to future generations.

Bruce Matthews Larry Hawkins Executive Director President, Board of Directors

From the executive director and President of the Board

north Country Legacy Society

L-R: Bruce Matthews, Larry Hawkins

Photo: M

ick Haw

kins

OUR MISSION The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.

NortH CouNtry traiL assoCiatioN 2011 ANNuAl REPORT2

nCTA ProGrAmS

“ During my first big hike, I was captivated by the awe-inspiring landscapes along the Pictured Rocks section of the Lake Superior shoreline. Ever since then, each time I hit the trail I know another “Oh Wow!” moment may be found just over the next hill. That’s what keeps bringing me back.”

Doug Boulee, NCt loNg DistaNCe hiker

2

3

TOrNAdO iN WiScONSiN

two days before the 4th of July, a tornado ripped through the st. Croix Valley in northern Wisconsin leveling trees, destroying homes and wildlife habitat and obliterating a major section of the North Country trail.

In 2011, our volunteers advanced our trail miles on the ground, built needed structures and supported needed reroutes, and improved the experience for hikers overall. Here are a few highlights:

n The Heritage Chapter completed a new section of trail with a 34-foot long bridge over Gold Mine Creek in Wisconsin. This was the final touch needed to complete a 3.4-mile section of trail.

n Spirit of the Woods Chapter’s Ed Chappel has made it his mission to build a boardwalk allowing hikers to traverse the Sterling Marsh in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest. More than a ½ mile of boardwalk was completed making this area accessible to hikers of all abilities.

n Tornados hit trail sections in Wisconsin and Michigan, challenging “disaster” trail crews from Brule-St. Croix and Chief Noonday Chapters respectively. Ed Chappel on boardwalk ribbon cutting day last summer.

In 2011, we saw a 20% increase in the

number of volunteers giving their time

to the nCTA. 928 volunteers reported

68,505 hours, which is worth an

estimated $1.5 Million in volunteer labor.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the North Country Trail. They build and maintain the trail, promote hiking, backpacking and snowshoeing in their communities and fight for the protection of the trail and the natural areas that surround it. In 2011:

n Our volunteers earned the Outstanding Friends Group in the Midwest Region with the National Park Service Partnership Awards.

n We unveiled a new Volunteer Resources section of the NCTA website, a place to find the forms, guidelines and inspiration needed for our volunteers to build, maintain, promote and protect the NCT.

n A new membership committee was started to assist our chapters in sharing recruitment ideas and successes.

n We partnered with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, and conducted a survey of volunteer needs in order to improve our resources and provide better training.

VOlUNTEERISM

Eighty mile an hour winds uprooted

forests of trees covering 130,000 acres

before it subsided. Within hours, the

network of the Brule-St. Croix Chapter

were on the phone sending out their trail

adoptors to assess the damage on their

sections of trail. “As we got closer to the

river valley there were areas where nearly

90% of trees were down. It was difficult

to even find the trail,” said Phil Anderson,

one of the adopters.

Over twelve miles of trail, much of it

certified, was struck by the tornado.

Five to six miles of the trail was totally

obliterated. A two mile section that had

been recently built by the Trail Rovers

crew laying stone piece by piece had to

be completely rebuilt. The “disaster” team

had to prioritize, deciding to start with

those hard hit sections of trail that people

use most. The rest of the areas that were

at least passable were left for later. Small

crews with chain saws and strong backs

started in from both ends of the section

cutting a swath through the pile of trees,

sometimes leaving debris shoulder high

on both sides as they passed. Hours

turned into days as they worked to get

the trail open. “We wouldn’t have gotten

it back in shape without people like John

and Joanne Pearson and Jim Antonson,”

pointed out Phil. “Every organization has

its saints—without them we would have

been in a lot of trouble.”

Within five days the “early strike” crew

had the worst section of trail open.

Within five weeks and with the help of

the Rovers Trail crew, the entire area of

trail affected by the tornado was clear of

debris and restored for hiker use.Bill Menke and Jim Antonson cutting a swath through the tornado treefall.

TRaIl BUIldINg aNd MaINTaININg

Photo: M

ark VanHornw

eder

Photo: B

rian Buchanan


nCTA ProGrAmS

“ When I started my job with the NCT in 2011, my first indicator of what the trail was all about showed up at night when I got home and left my Blackberry on. Emails started coming in all through the evening with questions, comments and ideas from volunteers and staff—from New York to North Dakota—the dedication to the trail is incredible.”

Jeff MCCusker, trail MaNager, NatioNal Park serviCe

EASEMENTS iN NOrTh dAkOTA

Protecting the trails is becoming more and more important in the trail development landscape. in a bold initiative the sheyenne river Valley Chapter in North Dakota has focused a major effort in this area.

The SRV Chapter had received a Recreational Trails Grant, a

federal grant administered through North Dakota Parks and

Recreation to develop up to 25 miles of trail on the NCNST.

The grant called for among other things, assessing and

protecting where possible, the trail corridor. Hundreds of

parcels of privately held land had to be assessed and over

150 landowners engaged.

“Enthusiasm for this project ran high in our chapter at the

beginning of this project even though we felt a little daunted

by the size of the undertaking,” points out Becky Heise, Project

Coordinator. “We quickly learned that it is important not

to expect too much. It’s just not possible to get 100% of the

easements for which you aim.” But with chapter volunteer

assistance and the help of a private contractor, the project

surged forward.

Over the course of the last two years, the SRV Chapter was

successful in obtaining 24 easements for approximately 29 miles

of trail. Several highlights included the two landowners who

The route of the NCT traverses more than 2,100 miles of private land, most of which is still yet to be built. Trail protection is quickly becoming the fastest growing arena in the trail landscape as we seek to secure the corridor for future trail. The NCTA took the following steps to plan for and protect the corridor of the trail:

n A series of workshops at our 2011 Annual Conference on trail protection with the Conservation Fund, Tecumseh Land Trust and Appalachia Ohio Alliance.

n Secured funding from the Colcom Foundation to put in place a protection plan for the trail corridor between two key state parks in Pennsylvania.

n In 2011, the Board approved a Trail Protection Fund Policy providing for effective fiscal stewardship for funds set aside for trail protection efforts. This decision set the stage for this important initiative going forward.

TRaIl PROTEcTION

donated their easements and several more who donated some of

their easement payments back to the chapter.

The project wrapped up in 2011 and the many lessons learned

have been rippling up and down the Trail as the Sheyenne River

Valley team shares their results. As one of the largest scale

easement acquisition initiatives yet undertaken on the NCNST,

the learning was viewed just as importantly as the final product.

“There were many frustrating moments during this project and

some things just didn’t work out the way we planned. However,

we have created some beautiful new segments of trail which

will be a joy to hike across,” said Becky. To be exact, 29 miles of

breathtaking North Dakota hills and prairies are now protected

and ready for trail building. Everyone involved would agree with

Becky’s final reflection on the project; “We had a great time

working on the trail. Over all, this project was a great success.”

Sheyenne River Valley Chapter members set out to blaze trail across new easement.

Photo: M

att Davis

5

Fun events can get boots on the trail and extra hands for big projects. It can also get the community outside and show off the trail as a great recreational resource. Year after year, our chapters, affiliates and partners plan some of the best events around, including:

n Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail held the second annual Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge. Over fifty registered hikers participated in the ultimate hiking challenge: to complete 25, 50 or 100 miles in 50 hours.

n Our 2011 Annual Conference in Dayton, Ohio attracted more than 150 members, volunteers and interested trail users to experience local hikes, helpful workshops and presentations.

n The 5th Annual North Country Hiking Fest at Itasca State Park in Minnesota drew over 75 participants.

hikEr chALLENgE iN PENNSYLVANiA

What started out as a personal challenge, the allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge has doubled in size in its first two years and is quickly becoming a regionally noteworthy event.

One day a few years ago, when Bert Nemcik was out working

his adopted trail section in the Allegheny National Forest, he

wondered if he could hike the entire national forest trail section

in one weekend covering 100 miles in fifty hours. Always

thinking of ways to promote the trail, Bert’s next thought was;

what if he could get other people to do it too? Within a month,

the Allegheny National Forest Chapter was thinking about it

and within a year the first official Allegheny 100 Backpacking

Challenge took place. In 2010, there were twenty participants.

There were no finishers in the allotted time, but lots of fun and

a great success. “We got 17 new members and lots of publicity

for the NCT—that was the best part,” exclaimed Bert.

last year, fifty individuals from five states took part and one

finisher qualified in less than 50 hours. Once again they had

lots of fun and they signed up 47 new members. For Bert the

best part is all the new people he is exposing to the trail and

ultimately getting involved in the trail. That is why the race fee

automatically includes membership in the NCTA. “To think that

there are 47 new members because of a notion that you had is

really cool,” said Nemcik recently, “The dream is that this would

grow big and hundreds annually would begin to realize that the

NCT is right here in western Pennsylvania and great part of a

national trail system.”

The NCTA’s trail advocacy team, made up of staff, board members and volunteers in each state, follow legislation on the national level that affects the trail and takes action on important issues in Washington DC and at home. In 2011, our major priorities were:

n arrowhead Reroute – Officially known as the NCNST Route Adjustment Act, this legislation designates a revised route in northeastern Minnesota and includes co-locating with the Superior, Border Route and Kekekabic Trails.

n National Park Service Funding – to insure adequate funding to administer the Trail and support the NCTA and our volunteers.

n land and Water conservation Fund (lWcF) – full and dedicated funding of the LWCF at the congressionally authorized annual level of $900 million. Full LWCF funding is seen as critical to completing the North Country Trail.

adVOcacy

As more and more sections of single and multi-day stretches of the trail are completed more attention is being focused on trail use. By all accounts, thousands annually venture out to explore and enjoy the beauty of America’s north country on the NCT. For the first year we are including this section on trail use in our annual report to highlight this new trail arena.

n NCTA’s 2nd Annual Extended Outing took hikers on a NCT journey along Lake Superior’s south shore in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Each day the hikers logged 6-10 miles, camping along the way.

n The Board of Directors approved an “End-to-End Hiker Policy” in 2011, spurred on by the extensive work of Joan Young and a committee devoted to formalizing long distance trail use.

TRaIl USE

OUTREacH EVENTS

Two Allegheny 100 hikers set off on the first day of the challenge.

Extended outings hiking group shot at falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Photo: K

aren Klos

Photo: M

ary Coffin


nCTA PHILAnTHroPy

“ Our partnership with the Trail makes a lot of sense. Both Brunton and Primus products are targeted for core users and the activities they pursue. The North Country Trail members are those kind of users who appreciate the innovative and quality designs of our products. We were happy to help with our support.”

JohN sMithBaker, PresiDeNt/Ceo, BruNtoN outDoor grouP

6

7

Membership increased by 37% to a record high of 67 individuals and organizations. A record high gift established a whole new tier of giving for non-grant based gifts at $25,000. Total giving from this group was up 33% from the previous year. As the Association takes more steps to become financially stable and less dependent on our partner, the National Park Service, the philanthropic giving of our members and friends will become more important.

Two major funding initiatives were jump-started this year from members of the Founders Circle. Long time supporters, the Lux Foundation put up a challenge match of $15,000 to push our first ever spring appeal to success. And just as the year was closing, NCTA board member Jack Cohen challenged his fellow board members to match his $5,000 challenge in less than 25 days, which they did, to fund an important marketing initiative.

TrAiL chAMPiON $10,000 aND uPLux FoundationColcom Foundation

TrAiL LEAdEr $5,000-$9,999REI, Inc.Lorana Jinkerson*Brunton Outdoor Group, Inc.

TrAiL gUArdiAN $2,500-$4,999Jack Cohen*Betty A Lewis Environmental Charitable TrustChristopher and Margo LightTom* and Mary Moberg Brian* and Barb PavekGaylord Yost*

TrAiL BLAZEr $1,000-$2,499Lyle BialkDoug and Kathy Brehm Bill and Mary* Coffin Dave* and Jan Cornell Garry Dill*Cecil and Joanne Dobbins Finger Lakes Trail Conference Frey FoundationGordon HamiltonJohn Heiam* and Lois Goldstein Bobby* and Deborah Koepplin Joe and Cindy KruegerMarquette County Community FoundationNPS-RTCA Jim Noble

Lynda Rummel* and Rolf ZergesSRV Scenic Byway AssociationDavid TattanDoug Thomas* and Carol ZazubekRay Vlasak*Werner and Marianne VeitJim Weiske

TrAiL BUiLdEr $500-$999Brian and Elizabeth BachynskiDeena Barshney Ray and Beth Bell Betty BensonCarl Boesel

Cass County Electric CooperativeJohn and Patricia FeyFive Rivers Metro ParkFrazee Sportsmen’s ClubMary and Kathy HamiltonItasca Mantrap Co-Op Electrical Association TrustDonald James JL Microbiology, Inc.Lois Judd Sarah JulienAl Larmann and Mary Kunzler-LarmannLallemand Specialties, Inc. Peggy MacRae Bruce Matthews#

Bill# and Donna MenkeRoger MorrisonTravis and Mink Neely

Nutrition Physiology Company, LLC Orvana Minerals Corp.Ron and Linda SootsmanJanette SweasyT&C Markets IM, Inc. Traverse City Track Club Jerry and Beth TroutJohn and Sandra WagnerGary Werner and Melanie LordMark and Silvia Wilson Diane Winston Marjorie Wright

*Indicates a Director of the Board # Indicates a NCTA staff member

$100-$499Judy AbramsDavid and Jean AdamsAdirondack Mountain Club-Onondaga ChapterAFSCME District Council 85Phoebe AldenWalt AlexanderPat Allen and Mark MillerJane AllmanJoyce Appel*Daniel and Constance ArnoldPatricia Arvilla Richard Ashbacker Thomas Auer David AugeCharles AxthelmBad Medicine Lake Area AssociationSteve Bade Carol Baker Michael BanyaiLen and JoAnne BaronJohn BarrowsDean and Sharon Bartholomew Dan Baumhardt and Joyce Krause Gene and Liz BavisDonald BeattieRon BelskiLewis and Mary BenderDawn BennettMegan BerloBill and Paul’s SporthausMark Bissell

Paul D. BlanchardBert BlekeDavid BlewettBlissfest Music OrganizationDerek Blount Helen Book Jeff BookBruce and Char BostromChris Botkin Doug Boulee Philip Brandt Ernest Brees Ralph Bremigan Robert BridgeMike and Bonnie BrunettEd Brunner Robert Burris Brian Burt Sharon Burtrum Donald BussiesButler Outdoor Club Edward Cable Edward CalhanJoe and Sharon Callahan Jay and Mary Campbell Dr. Robert Campbell Campmor Inc.David and Mabel Casey Chief Noonday Chapter-NCTA Mary Jo ClarkWilliam ClarkFred and Mary ClintonMarilynn Cobb

Donald Collins Robert CooleyBill Courtois and Anne FinlaysonRobert CourtoisTom and Jeanne CrosbyCarl DaikerDakota Plains Cooperative Bill and Margie Darooge Mary and Bill Davis Matthew# and Stacy Davis Richard DavisRobert and Patricia DavisRobert Davis Elizabeth DeBraal Patrick Delaney Jeffrey Dennis Kate DeRosier David Diephouse John DiephouseStewart DeWitt Dinger Lou and Jewel DiOrio Richard DodgeDan and Ruth DorroughSkip DuchesneauSteve and Betsy Duede Scott and Patricia Duemler Scott and Terri Edick Donald EdwardsKathleen EiseleLoyal and Bonnie EldridgeLon and Lynn Emerick EW Nutrition USA Inc. Mark Ewing

Paul and Sheri EwingLee and Eleanor FairbanksAlan FarkFrank and Laura FarwellPatrick and Joann FayJay and Margene FennellMichael Fitzsimmons Jeff and Mary Fleming Nancy FlemingWilliam and Barbara FletcherRichard FlinnMarge and John ForslinTeri Foust Joanna Frank Mark Frankland Bettina Frisse David Galbreath Mary GallTom and Pam GardnerGE FoundationLouis GeeraertsWilliam and Joanne Gerke Tom and Janis Gilbert James GilkeyRichard and Alisha GlasgowJames Glockner Paul Goellner Timothy GoodmanGrande Cheese CompanyRichard GrayJames and Jane GregoireKay GrignonTim and Lauren Groenhof

Michael GuislemanDan and Margaret HamiltonWilliam Hamilton Leroy Hanson William HartTim and Ellen HassBarbara HawkeDr. Larry* and Diane HawkinsMick Hawkins Chuck Hayden Andy HazelDouglas and Jodi Heaney Carter and Flo Hedeen Keith HeinSue Helder Denise Herron John HofrichterTim and Lyn Holschlag Jim and Gladys Hoogterp Tom and Mary HordKeith Horngren and Katherine ErdmanJim and Kaye Houk Ken Howell Theodore Hullar Mark Jenness Karen JohnsonPaul and Linda Johnson Michael and Linda Kaizar Carol and Hans-Peter Kappus Robert A. KazarJerry Keeney James Kelly

cONTRIBUTORS

FOUNdERS cIRclE In 2011, the members of the Founders Circle took philanthropic financial support of the NCTA to a whole new level.


nCTA PHILAnTHroPy

$100-$499 cONTiNUEd Linda KermeenVerlyn and Dorothy KickerSusan Kielb Linda Kielty Ronald Killebrew Sue Ellen Kingsley Eric KirchnerChris Klein and Elisa KorentayerBunk Kofal Frank Kohl Joseph J. KravetzReginald and LuAnn KruegerAndrew Kullen Shirley LaBonte Gordon Lachniet Michael LandryJohn Larch and Mary CampbellPenny Larsen George Lauff Duane LawtonRobert and Jane Leedle Lee’s Adventure Sports Kalista LehrerDick and Christine LightcapJanice Lindstrom Laura# and Phillip LindstromGene Link Rosemary Link Tim LittleGary and Barbara LyallWilliam Lynch and Barbara MangerGeorge and Patricia Maas James and Elizabeth Mackey Cynthia MaczugaJohn MalcolmHenrietta MarkMarquette Board of Power and LightJames and Sydney MasseeJim and Norma MattesonMaumee Valley Heritage Corridor Inc.Dan and Mary MayhewLucy McCabeMelinda and Jerry McCartyMyrna McGregor Richard McKnight Karen McNewMegastarter, LLC, DBA MS Biotec, IncPeter Melcarek Larry Meyer Paul MeyerDon and Joan MillerEeva and Bob MillerJohn Miller and Rosemary EtterSteve MillerSally and Bernie MinerMike MiniumGreg and Mary Mitton Al and Jean Moberly Patrick Monahan Donald MongDiane MorandJean-Pierre MoreauEdwin MorseDavid Moscatello and Ann DixonDan and Peggy Mourer Tim and Sue Mowbray Craig MullenbrockTom and Connie MyersDick NaperalaPeter and Lynne NasonNetwork for GoodErik NielsenPhilip NoltPeter and Deb NordgrenBob NorlinNorth Country Trail HikersConnie Lou OggMichael and Virginia O’KeefeEugene Ollila

Timothy O’Rourke Peter Ostrowski Charles OtisBob and Annette PappPaige PattersonBob and Janet PattonRichard PaulViviana PawlickJohn and JoAnn PearsonDr. Scott A. PendletonWilliam PetersonAaron and Shannon PhippsDan and Jan PilonMark ShermanBrian and Jennifer Prather Richard and Elizabeth Pratt Paul PrausProbioferm LLCJohn and Patti PrusilaDaniel RaishBill and Avis Rambo John Regenhardt Daniel RehnerPaul and Evelyn ReidJohn RestallDouglas and Kathleen RhineNeil RinneSusan Ritter and Gregg SutherlandBrian Roberts Michael Robinson Darrel RodekuhrDan and Betty RogallaRon and Maureen RonquistDonald RouthRobert and Grace RuddMike Schaeffer and Debby Page Joann Schmidt and Roy Schwarz Donald SchottJohn SchroederLee and Polly ScotlandDoug SeaneyBill and Mary Seeger Jeffrey Seiple Stephen SeldenPerry SeveranceDr. David and Elvera ShappirioDick and Marty ShawTim and Mary Shepardson Carl and Mary Shroeder Frederick SilverRonald and Amy SnyderArnold Soderholm Tom and Liz Solka Steve and Pat Somers Gerald SpitlerJames SpraguePatrick St. Germain and Maggie MacDeVittSt. Ignace Visitors Bureau Mike and Carol Stasik Robert SteeneckWayne and Nancy StegerRobert SteinRobert and Linda SteinerRichard StevensonPhilip and Brielle StoykeKay StremlerSunday Creek Associates Superior Hiking Trail Association Robert SwansonIrene SzaboDr. John and Mary Lou TantonDick and Linda Taylor Kathleen Taylor Gabriel TempletonMichael and LouAnne TenKateJune E. Thaden Anthony Travis Charles Truscon Roger Tuuk William Twiddy Jerry Valka

Gail Van HarenJohn and Ayleen VanBeynen Jeffrey and Nancy VanWinkle Mike VeenWilliam VogtWalker North Country MarathonJay and Darlene WarrenDennis Weaver William Welch David WellsMichelle A. Wenisch Joseph Wenzler William WesnerNeil C. WesterSteven WesterTed WeyerhaeuserNeil WhitbeckDon and Terrie WicksDonald WickstraScott and Julie WilhelmsenMichael Wilkey Larry Willis Kevin WilsonGene WimmerVince and Antoinette Winklerprins Todd and Jennifer Winnell Frederick and Eleanor Winston Alan WisemanDouglas and Barbara Wood Bill and Shelby Woodard Dave WrightGary WrightQuinn WrightRonand Laurie WurstJack WykoffMary Kay WyshamDuke YostWalter Zarnoch

UP TO $99Mitchel AafedtAlan and Lou AdsmondDan Adsmond Eric Aiken Rayanne AikenKim and Kevin AlfordAllegheny Outdoor ClubJerry Allen and Connie Pausits-AllenJack Amelar Kim Amthor Robert AmundsonClyde and Jane Anderson David and Joyce Anderson Galen AndersonPhilip Anderson and Valerie KozlovskyJohn Andersson Cindy Angerhofer Julie Ann Arneth Robert AshmeadCarol Atwell and Philip LenkoLarry BaarLoren Bach and Dave MartusGreg and Laurie BaileyLori Baker and David KoskiDr. R. Alan Baker James Baldwin Ken Ballema William J. BandyCarole and Zane Bard Wayne and Joann Barry Don and Kathy Bashaw Elizabeth BatesTanis BeadleMary and Robert BealsRonald J. Beavers Mitzi Beckman John R. BeguhnBob and Nancy BenhamHenry Bent Jim Berch Gerry BergNelda Bergsten

Joe and Willi BevirtBob BeymerP. Florine BialekAndrew BiddleDan and Jann BidwellJan BildenAnne and Greg Billiard Remster and Cathy Bingham Bruce BishopVee BjornsonKenneth Blakey-ShellJack Bley Richard Bliley Ken BlinnFrank BlumenthalPatrick BlummMary Jo and David BobholzRoger BoelioRichard and Sue Boettner Richard and May Bohjanen Jim BolickSusan BondKen BordwellDebra and Joe BorerEvert BosBrad and Cheryl BosleyRandy BossRobert A. BouchardLynda BouwsmaEd and Karla BowenJeff Bowen Leslie Bowen David Bowers Carolyn Brandeen Ruth BrandelSally Brebner Anastasia Bremmer Leona Brewer Belinda Brewster David BriggsEugene and Mary BriggsBill and Mary Beth BrinkmanJim BronsonAllan BrouilletCharles and Janet Brown Keith and Dorothy Brown Jerry and Lynda Bruce Jim BruceRobert Bruce Nancy Brucken Jerry Brucksch Ronald Bryant Boy Scout Troop 35-Sheffield, PARobert and Phyllis BuchwalderJack and Elaine Buege Larry and Nancy Buege Robert BuerkiJoyce BufanoJames and Sharon BuhrLaura BulleitElly Bunzendahl and Chris EdlinBob and Annette BurchellBureau of Reclamation-Bismark, NDMarilyn Burfiend David Burgan Edward BurmanTerry Burns and Claire DuquetteDavid BusseButler County Chapter-NCTADavid Byrne Miguel Cabanela Jonathan CallRaymond and Sara CamilliThomas CampbellPat Carlson Janet Carpenter Robert E. Carrier Ed Carrigan Michael Case Frank Casenhiser Kay Caskey Charles Caster Richard Causley

Charles Chandler Eric ChapmanEd and Nancy ChappelJim CharvatDonnan Christensen Kay Christensen Tom ChurchPeter Cline Peter Clover Lora CochranMike Collins and JoAnn Brede Walter and Kathleen Colyer David and Jan ConleyTim and Christine Conners John Cooley and Victoria Kelly Dennis CouchLinda Coughenour Valerie A. Counard DeWayne and Joan Cox Helen CoyneJohn CraigJames CrandallJohn and Nancy CrowleyJoe Dabes and Kathy BrennanDiane and Larry DahlBill and Beva DahnkeTom Dandridge and Lynn MartinVerl DasherKenneth and Maura DavenportThomas and Barbara DavidsonJohn and JoAnne Davis Don and Bonnie Dealing Dennis DeanJeffrey and Susan DeanRobert Decker Laura DeGolier Roland Derksen Charlene DeWitt Roderick DibbleDon Dickmann and Kathleen McKevittHannah Dietz Mary Dineen Andrea Dlesk Douglas DoddTed and Melissa Dohnal Tim and Janice Donahue James and Debbie Donaldson Donald and Brita DornJames and Maureen DoullErik Dovre Roy Dray Eric DreierErich and Alex DrescherDavid Drum Rick Duemling John DulikMichael and Pam Dundas Duane Dupon and Linda Buist Carol DurlingRon and Jane DziurdaM.J. EberhartGary EckardFred and Jean Eckel Henry Eckhardt Carolyn Edmunds Clifton EdwardsJohn EdwardsBill and Cathy EgererMartin EggenerPeter and Michelle EldridgeDonna Ellinghausen Cyrus and Phyllis Elliott George ElliotWilliam Endres Gordon Engdahl Barbara Enger Maureen Engle Stephen J. Eno Jacque Erdman Frank Evans Lynn L.M. Evans Bridget Evens

9

Eileen Fairbrother James and Peggy Falk Mary FarrellTim and Noreen FarrellTerri Feola Catherine Ferguson Laurie and Tim Fill Joseph FinleySarah and Jeff FisherFaith Fishman Frank Fishman Douglas Flanagan Peter Fleszar Michael Fogarty Geoffrey ForceJerry and Linda ForriderVivan FossJerry FreelsPeter and Eileen FreiburgerDoug FrenchCharles and Anne FrihartDawn FroslieMelanie Fullman and Bill BaerBronson Funke James Funke Catherine Gadbaw Laurence Galen Clark H. Galloway John Ganey Donovan GardnerFred and Nan GauntDuane Gebhard and Jennifer Therkilsen-GebhardDaniel GeigerC. Mitchell George Terry Giarrosso Amanda Gibson Layne E GieringRuth and Dennis GilgenSusan GilleAnita GilleoWayne and Zita GillisJohn E. Gilrein Chris Gladieux Curt GledhillGlens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the ADK Mark and Gail GlendonDr. Lynn Glesne Donald Godfrey Nathan Goetzinger Dave Goodman Carol GortonLorna GoshmanJoan Gossner Peter Gradoni David Granger Brian GrayJohn and Carol GregoryRoss GridleyJames and Brecken GriesConnie Grisell Barbara Grissop Gerald Groebe Richard Grossman Karen GrupeGary GulishJohn and Cindi Haag Ann and John Haglund Matt HahnfeldRick and Chris Halbert Dwight and Donna Halfmann Chris and Helen HallerMark and Sarah HalvorsenMarshall Hamilton Jeff Hammond Harvey HannaRoger and Laurie Hanson

Harvey Harris Laurance Harwood Patrick and Mary Hayes James HealdHealth PartnersBeau HerbertEric and Holly HedeenJames Heffner and Donna HaganKathleen Heide Jerry L. Heiman Thomas HeinrichBecky and Daryl HeiseRandy Heldt Cynthia Heltunen Ellen Heneghan Dr. Bruce Henke William HenkeTom and Mary HerdtKathy HessDavid and Frances HerringRandall HetfieldDouglas Heym and Debra HuffSteven HicksGerard HilfertyGail Hill and Jim OverzetMiriam HiltonJames HinerFrank HinterleitnerBill Hinton Myrna Hixson Raymond HoagKurt Hochstein and Nancy DavisMarc Hoeksema James Hoffman Joel Hoffman Mark HoffmannJason and Carissa Hofstede Matson and Deborah Holbrook Bill Holland and Kim Steffes Marilyn HolmesBeth and Tim HolstAlice Holwerda Tim Holzkamm Lori HonrathJames HoogestegerJames and Margaret HooverJames and Tena HopMike Hoppus Jan Horak Ronald Horn Dan HornbogenBob and Pat HornickPeter HudelsonWilliam and Janice HudsonMary L HuntBrian HuschleJames and Patricia Huston Grace and Ronald Hutchinson Gilford and Nelda Ikenberry David IrishKaren IsenseeMark IskenBarbara Isom and Charles ToddDonald and Donna Jacobs Mary and Tim Jacobs Lance and Dee Jacobson Randall JacobsonMartin and Leslie JanKen JefferyJeffrey JensenBernhart and Anna Mae JepsonWilliam JindraMott JohengenBruce and Linda JohnsonCarol Johnson Deanna Johnson Gerald Johnson Laura Johnson

Mark and Mary JohnsonMatt and Erika Johnson-BaileyRuth Johnson Martin Johnston Dale JonesRamon and Janette JonesCaroline JordanRon Justi Robert Kahl Martin Kalishek Andrew Karnavas Eileen Karnavas James KatonaSteven Kaufmann Catherine Kelleher Robert and Carol Keller Brendan KellyPhyllis KephartJohn and Barb KerseyDawn KindelDavid KinnamonSteve and Anne KinneKristine Kipka Lynn Kistler Susan Kitchen Peter Klaver Barbara KletzkePeter and Paula Klima Paul and Joyce Kline Peter and Lonhilt Klose Sherry KnoppersGray KocherA.A. KoellerCheryl Konkol-Broullire Gary and Marta Konrad Anne and Ron Koontz David KotzianKaren Krajeck Donald KrauseJoshua KrbezDrew Kreidelcamp Cheryl Kreindler Andy KrellJohn KrohaKurt KruegerRay and Mary Krum David J. Kubicek Richard KudnerQuinton and Pat KueblerRonald KulakKarl KunzThomas and Geraldine KurdelskiRonald KustraJohn and Kathy KwapinskiJohn and Karen LaFond Scott and Mary Lagaard Neoma LakenCal and Jean LamoreauxRay Landfair Harold Lane James Langemo David LarsonJohn Latterell and Rebecca SvatekRobert and Beverly Laughna Shemaya LaurelEdward Lawrence and Catherine McLaughlinElmo LaymanDon LeeHarold LeemanGary LeffJohn and Pat LeinenRiley and Patricia LentzEdwin Deane and Judith LeonardMartha LeppanenDavid LeRoyJohn and Lisa LetarteMary Letts

Kenneth and Andrea LewaineJon and Beth LindbergRon LindquistLittle Cities of the Black Diamond CouncilRobert Livrone Eric Longman Tom Lorentzsen Ron Lovasz Steven Lowery Terry Lowery Bruce LowingCheryl and Jeff Lowney Randi and Scott Lyders Mike and Scott Lynch Frank LynnSusan MabeeMartha MacCleery and Eric PiehlMary MacDonald Kathy Maginity Hugh MakensWalter and Karen Maki Dan and Deb Malesevich Jerry MarekRebecca Marjonen Lynn Marron Marion MarshPat MartinWilliam and Shirley MartinusFred and Pamela MartsolfRobert MarunaJeff and Joan MastersArvan MathenyArlen and Arlene MatsonPhyllis MatthewsRuth MatthewsLori Mattison and Marcia PaulsonEric and Jon MaturiRichard MayEdith MaynardFred and Kathy Maynard Jerry and Susan Maynard Steve and Kathy McBride Curt and Betty McCabe Drew McCalleySteve and Linda McCallumMark McCenskyJim McClenahenChuck and Bev McCreadyDennis McCurdyJoseph and Michelle McGinnCharlotte McIvor Charles McKay Tamara McLain Jean McLean Patrick J. McNabbBob and Pat McNamaraMarjorie McRobertsKim and Terry MeachamNelson MeadeDonn and Sally Mechling James and Marcia Mellen Hugh MellingMike and Sal Metcalf Heino F. Meyer-Bahlburg Emily MeyersonRichard Micka Paul Miedona Brian MierasJean MiewaldCatherine B. Miller and Bernie MillerRoger Minch Lisa A. Mink Terry MittonEdward Moellering Doug Moericke Rick MooreJames Morford

Bethann MorganLarry and Sophia Morton Craig and Kathi Mulder George and Judith MullisonLee and Debra MundyMark Murphy Mary Murphy Deborah MuzzyScott and Barb MyckowiakKaren MyersAndrew and Elwira MytysRobert NagelkirkAmy NarumJohn NeitgeBert and Cheryl Nemcik Gordon and Vernie Nethercut Mary Lee and Steve Nielson Jeff NiemanEmily NieteringNi-Miikanaake Chapter-NCTAPhil NimpsLaura NitscheDr. John Norlund Tom and Gail Norris Earl and Anna NorrodNorthwestern Ohio Rails-to-Trails AssociationLaura Norton Jane Norton Paul Nyhuis Daniel O’Toole Wendy Ogilvie Jesse Okie Roger Olsen Douglas Olson Prudence Olson Ric OlsonPat and Judy Ormiston Merry Ossenheimer Richard Ostheimer Martin O’TooleDavid OttoBarbara OwensDale and Kathy PainterEdgar PalmerJeff and Sandra PalmerElizabeth Paque Brian Parks Lawrence Parmelee Leo G. PaveglioKarl Pearson Don Penly Peggy L. Penny Fran Perkett Steven Perucco Kenneth Peshl Mary PetersKim Peterson Orville Peterson Rhonda Peterson Dale PettyStephen Pew and Kathleen Keelan-PewThomas PfluegerGerald PhillipsJim and Linda PhillipsLarry Pio and Suzanne DarlingEllen and Robert Pisor Sandra Planisek Randal PodollChuck Polonowski Gail Poterack Roxanne Potter David PotzlerRalph and Barbara PowellTim Premack Thomas Prieto Holly Puk Jett

ThANk YOU TO ALL Of OUr cONTriBUTOrSThe generous support of the North Country Trail community continues to build and grow the mission of the organization. Without these faithful contributions, we could have never accomplished all that we did in 2011. We sincerely appreciate the sacrificial giving and thoughtful support of all of our donors.


UP TO $99 cONTiNUEd

Bruce and Cheryl PummellCraig and Sue QuimbyKen RadlickScott RadtkeDonald and Jeanette RantalaPatricia RathmannJulia RawlingsKen and Kay ReaderRod Reamer and Yini ChenBrend Reeb Thomas Reeber Joel ReedPete and Kathy ReemeLinda RehorstDavid ReichenbergerThomas ReimersRick and Deb ReisEugene and Arlene RenicoBrian ReusDr. David Reynolds Kenneth Rhoads Thomas RiccioPaul Richards Christina Rizzo R. Quincy RobeTimothy RobenaltJanie RobertsonKeith and Ardath RobertsonMichael RobinaughWalter and Jodell Rockenstein Barb and Mike Rodenberg Todd and Laurie RogersRound Icecracking Lakes AssociationJames Rowe Helen Rudie Paul RudolphKen and Barb Rugaber Alan Rumbaugh Gregory RussoMike and Pamela RyanPatricia Ryan Arthur Saari Ronald Saccol Kevin SadajRon and Nancy SaegerPaula SagalaDavid and Joyce SalisburyLarry SampsonMichael and Erica SanDrettoJim and Kris Sanford Bill and Sue Sanger Evelyn Sarns-Holiday Daniel SathreKari SauerSault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa IndiansMichael SaxtonSharon SayerDr. Edward ScanlanGordy ScheldeDan and Nancy SchiebelFirman Schiebout Kurt H. Schindler Jay SchissellMerl and Pat Schlaack Rick Schlauderaff Douglas Schleef Jennifer SchlickLona Schmidt Tina Schmidt

John SchmittPeter and Emily SchmitzDan Schneider Dennis Schoenick Jackson SchollWalter and Mardene SchuilingMichael Schultz Willliam Schumell Jon SchusterTony SchwallerMike and Cindy SchwehrDavid Schwenker Marian Schwitzgoebel Brenda ScurryCarol Seacord and Tracy BaijPeter SeedBrian SeelyJohn Seidel and Deborrah FrableBernard and Phyllis SenskeGary SextonWilliam R. SeyboldTom Shaffer and Carol HeglandJames ShaumDerek SheehanSheyenne River Valley Chapter-NCTAAlfred Shikany Randy Shoemaker Allen and Mary Shoup John ShrevesGeorge Shumar James Siegel Brett Simmons Curt SlabaughHarold and Karen Slater Ann and Mark Smith Carol SmithDena SmithJeffrey and Denise SmithJoseph Smith Kevin Smith Robert Smith Steve SmithDon Snowdon and Lynn MoonSuzanne Snyder John Sobaszko Louis SolomonStephen and Betty Sondrol Wes and Betty Jo Sorenson Dominic SosnowskiSharon SouthallMichael SpencerSandra Spiewak and Otto BaconLeslie and Bonnie Spitz Mike and Michelle Springer Jim and Nancy Stamm Clifford StammerWilliam Stegman Neil Steinbring Bill StellemaMary Stenberg and Rick PomerleauMark and Barbara StenderEllen H. Stephenson Carole Stevens David B. Stevens George StojicPam StonehouseJan StowmanMark and Tiffany StramGary StrandKathryn StrengMargaret Strobel and William Barclay

Bill StrongCraig Swaggert and Tanna MooreTerry SwankDavid SwansonDavid and Nancy Swanson Ray and Marvel Swanson Fred and Judy Swartz Charles SwitalskiDouglas Szper Carol Taberski Marjory Tavernini Jay TaylorMichael Teeter Thomas Tefft Kenneth Terpstra Chris TewsStella and George ThelenWilliam and Laura Bethany ThomasCharles and Frances ThompsonKay Thompson Robert Thompson Antonette Thomson Jim TimmermanDean and Diane TobiasClinton TomptDavid TonniesMike and Tina Toole Anne Townsend Joanne TraceyKen TranaFrank TrautmanDuane and Gay TravisJohn TremoreBrennan and Carolyn Trese Mike and Cheryl Trieschmann Michael TrinkoFred and Chris TritschlerPeter TrussellTyler and Emma TufteLarry Turner Tana Turonie Dieter Uckert Don Uden Robert UlrichMichael UnsworthJuanita Van DykeTim and Nancy Van NestDouglas VandenbergDavid VanderBee Ginger Vanderkelen Nicolaas Vanderkloot Lisa VanDykeMark VanHornwederJames and Ellen VanIwaardenSarah VanLeer Phillip VanNoord Theresa Vanveelen Tammy Veloski Mary Jo VentPaul and Deena VlasakScott Vlasak Dan Vogel Christopher VreelandJerry and Kathleen WachterRichard Wade Nancy Wadopian John W. Wagar Lawrence WalesDorothy Wallace Family Ed and Monica Wallen James and Heather Walsh

Jon and Judy Walter Thomas WappesJeffrey WardJan and Cynthia Warren Jim and Linda Warren Nancy WarrenG. Neal Watson and Patricia YaleSheila Watson Steve Webster Lois WeedKris WegersonWesley WehnerDean and Marci WeimerWilliam WeissDoug WelkerJohn and Lynn WellinghoffFrederick WennJacqui WensichJames Wessel Walker Charlie and Margie West Western Michigan Chapter-NCTAGreg WestrickMaureen Whalen Mike Whelsky Steven A. WhistlerJohn and Mary WichitaJerry and Mary WickAmy Wilks and Dave WhitlockEleanor WilliamsChannan WillnerJack and Sanda Willsey Jim and Bonnie Wilson David WingroveJohn WinnenbergChris Wise Jean Wise David WissinkDewey and Kay Wobma John and Patti Wojtowicz Rodger and Denise Wolf Andrew WrightWilliam Wuerthele Virginia Wunsch Richard Wynalda Hugh YemanDale Yerkes Alan Youel William Young John Zadvinskis David ZavadskyAndrew ZbikowskiGary and Nancy ZebkoRobert ZeilengaGail Ziegler and Marshall SecundaCynthia ZientarskiKenneth ZimmerBill and Jan Zimmermann Dana and Lisa Zintek Chuck ZoselTeresa Zweering

cOrPOrATE MATchiNg gifTS3M Foundation GE FoundationKimberly-Clark FoundationNational Grid Pfizer Foundation Walmart

TriBUTE gifTS in HonorEric Aiken, Honoring Rayanne AikenRobert Ashmead, Honoring Steve Ashmead Erik Dovre, Honoring Paul Dovre Health Partners, Honoring Pat LeinenBrenda Scurry, Honoring Ed ScurryJerry and Beth Trout, Honoring Lorana Jinkerson

TriBUTE gifTS in memoryPatrick Blumm, In Memory of Marian SchwitzgoebelLeona Brewer, In Memory of Bea AndersonDenise Herron, In Memory of Bea Anderson and Marian SwitzgoebelLorana Jinkerson, In Memory of Bea AndersonCarol and Roger Johnson, In Memory of Bea AndersonKaren Krajeck, In Memory of Marian SchwitzgoebelJanice Lindstrom, In Memory of Bea AndersonWalter and Karen Maki, In Memory of Bea AndersonRuth Matthews, In Memory of Marian SchwitzgoebelDon and Joan Miller, In Memory of Bea AndersonGreg and Mary Mitton, In Memory of Al Mitton Philip Nolt, In Memory of Naomi Eby Brutus Susan and Gregg Sutherland, In Memory of Bea AndersonMarjory Travernini, In Memory of Bea AndersonJerry and Beth Trout, In Memory of Al MittonCharles Truscon, In Memory of Marian SchwitzgoebelJohn and Ayleen VanBeynen, In Memory of Bea Anderson and Marian SwitzgoebelJim Weiske, In Memory of Al Mitton

This Annual Report lists those

individuals and organizations that

made gifts to the NCTA in addition

to basic dues from January 1, 2011

through December 31, 2011. We

have made every effort to make

these lists as accurate as possible

and to publicly acknowledge all

of our donors in accordance to

their wishes. If we have omitted or

incorrectly reported your gift, please

accept our apology and contact

our Director of Development, David

Cowles at (616) 897-5987 ext. 6.

“ Planned gifts provide one last chance to make somebody else happy. Why not leave a happy glow in a trail behind me by benefitting those struggling organizations I love best?”

ireNe szaBo, North CouNtry legaCy soCiety MeMBer

nCTA PHILAnTHroPy

11

The North Country Trail Association and North Country National Scenic Trail are going strong because of the generosity of our many dedicated members and supporters. Thousands of hours of volunteer support are poured annually into trail building and maintenance, as well as chapter leadership and administrative help. And then there’s the financial support that makes all of these physical improvements and the promotion of the trail possible. Perhaps this 2011 Annual Report has inspired you to join the many others who support the trail and you would like to make a meaningful contribution. Take a look through the list below and consider getting involved in the trail today. It truly will make a difference.

n Become a Member – Join the 2,500 members already involved nationwide. You can join a local chapter if you wish. The easiest way to sign up is at our website: www.northcountrytrail.org.

n Volunteer – Whether it’s building trail or stuffing envelopes to get the message out, we need your help. Call us at (616) 897-5987 and let’s discuss how we can match your interests to our needs.

n gifts of cash – This area of giving, outright gifts of cash, benefits the trail immediately and helps us leverage other grants and funds for the work we need to do each year.

n gifts of land and Stock – A gift of land or stock is often a very tax-wise way to make a generous gift to the trail and receive a significant tax benefit. Call David Cowles, Director of Development to discuss this option.

n Planned gifts – Deferred or planned gifts such as bequests, charitable remainder trusts or retained life estates can make great tax sense for you and your heirs, and benefit the mission of the NCTA well into the future. Talk with your tax or estate planner about this option.

n company Matching gifts – One great way to double or even triple your giving power is with matching gifts from the company you work for. It’s easy to do. Check with your human resources department before you give your next gift.

n corporate giving – If you represent a corporation or work for a corporation that is interested in the mission of the NCTA and would like to support that mission there are a number of marketing and philanthropic opportunities that will give maximum exposure to your corporation.

The North Country Legacy Society was established in 2010 to acknowledge those individuals who had included the NCTA in their estate plans or had made a planned gift to the Association. The Legacy Society doubled in size this year making it the fastest growing segment of our giving arena. Though no gifts were realized in 2011, eleven individuals made us aware that we have been listed in their estate plans, bringing our total number of members to 22.

To gain membership in this group, one must simply make the Association aware of your intent to benefit the organization with your estate. There are a variety of planned gifts recognized by the IRS and the NCTA recognizes many of them. Planned gifts can be restricted by the donor in the estate plan or some other agreement with the organization or they can be unrestricted. Due to the size of these gifts they are sometimes referred to as the “ultimate gift” because they provide not only important funds to an organization but they often provide stability and security for the future. This year, the NCTA Board of Directors established an endowment and determined that all unrestricted planned gifts would support the endowment.

NORTH COUNTRY LEGACY SOCIETY

ESTABLISHED 2010

If you still have questions or want to make a special donation to the NCTA but want to talk about the best way to go about making the gift, contact David Cowles, our Director of Development, at [email protected] or call him at (616) 897-5987 ext. 6.

HOW TO gET INVOlVEd aNd SUPPORT THE TRaIl

NORTH cOUNTRy lEgacy SOcIETy

Pat Allen

Cecil and Joanne Dobbins

Tom Funke

John Heiam* and Lois Goldstein

Martha Jones†

Betty A. Lewis†

Roderick† and Peggy MacRae

Tom* and Mary Moberg

Bob and Annette Papp

Ron and Linda Sootsman

Walter Srogi†

Harmon Strong†

Irene Szabo

Doug Thomas* and Carol Zazubek

Joan Young

†Deceased*Indicates a Director of the Board

••• LEgAcY SOciETY MEMBErS •••

11


Expense by category for 2011, in $1000’s

n Administration $124.5 13.6%n Advocacy $15.4 1.7%n Chapters $152.1 16.6%n Development $97.8 10.6%n GIS/Cartography $33.5 3.6%n Outreach $244.9 26.7%n Trail Management $250.2 27.2%

total eXPeNse $918.4 100.0%

n Membershipn Donations n NPS Base Support and Projects n Grants n Trail Shop Sales n Programs and Events n Other Income

income by Source for 2011, in $1000’s Balance Sheet

As of 12/31/2011, in $1000’s

assetsChecking/Savings $259.8 Accounts Receivable $123.5 Other Current Assets $14.7 Total Current Assets $398.0Fixed Assets $20.5total assets $418.5

liabilitiesOther Current Liabilities $99.3total liaBilities $99.3

total eQuity $319.2 total liaBilities & eQuity $418.5

income and Expense Through 12/31/2011, in $1000’s

iNCoMeMembership $116.0Donations $114.3NPS Base Support and Projects $469.6Grants $100.2Trail Shop Sales $23.3Programs and Events $39.7Other Income $42.9total iNCoMe $906.0

Cost of Trail Shop Goods Sold $7.1

gross Profit $898.9 ExPENSESalaries and Benefits $443.2Administration $96.5Communication and Outreach $142.0Trail Management and Projects $163.2Travel and Meetings $65.6Advocacy $7.3Depreciation $0.6 total eXPeNse $918.4

Net iNCoMe (loss) ($19.5)

the North Country trail association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. audited financial statements are available upon request.

51.8%

12.6%

12.8%

11.1%

2.6%4.4%

4.7%

2011 FInAnCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Summary of NcTA’s 2011 financial Performance

In a year in which many nonprofit organizations continued to struggle due to the economy, the North Country Trail Association’s financial performance reflected its growing maturity and ability to adapt and modify as required. NCTA’s solid foundation will provide a strong basis for moving into the future.

The key points in reviewing the organization’s financial activity in 2011 are:

n A decrease in dependence on National Park Service funding (3.7%)

n A reciprocal increase in combined Donations and Grants funding (3.5%)

n A solid increase in Cash Position from December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011 ($52,235)

n A healthy balance of program-based expenses over administrative expenses

n A net income loss for the year

Our primary funding source for the year was once again our partner the National Park Service. We realized a slight gain in our efforts to reduce our dependence on the Park Service as the primary funding source in 2011. Although we registered a net income loss of $19.5K or 2.1% of our overall expenses, we ended the year with a strong cash balance.

The best indicator of NCTA’s financial health is its cash position, which stands at almost $260K at the end of 2011, $52K better than at the start of 2011. Adding to the NCTA’s financial security was the decision in 2011 by the board to establish an endowment fund. Monies collected in 2010 from two bequests totaling $28,000 provided the seed money to set up the fund.

NCTA’s membership and the accompanying member dues income have remained remarkably stable in 2011, as it has since 2009. A core group of dedicated individuals continues to support NCTA through both their membership and sweat equity.

2010 2011

$207.6

$259.3

NcTA cash Position As of december 31, in $1000’s

13.6%

1.7%

16.6%

10.6%

3.6%26.7%

27.2%

13

Andrew Bashaw, Regional Trail Coordinator – Ohio/PennsylvaniaDavid C. Cowles, Director of DevelopmentMatt Davis, Regional Trail Coordinator – Minnesota/North DakotaRose Ann Davis, Office Manager/IT/CommunicationsJill DeCator, Administrative Assistant/Membership CoordinatorAndrea Ketchmark, Director of Trail DevelopmentLaura Lindstrom, Finance AdministratorBruce E. Matthews, Executive DirectorBill Menke, Regional Trail Coordinator – WisconsinMatt Rowbotham, GIS Coordinator

North CouNtry trail assoCiatioN NatioNal BoarD of DireCtors

Larry Hawkins, President, Lower Michigan Repr.Tom Moberg, First Vice President, Minnesota Repr.Lorana Jinkerson, Secretary, At-Large Repr. Mary Coffin, VP East, New York Repr.Gaylord Yost, VP West, Great Lakes Repr.Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Repr.Jack Cohen, Pennsylvania Repr.Dave Cornell, At-Large Repr.Garry Dill, At-Large Repr.John Heiam, At-Large Repr.Bobby Koepplin, Immediate Past President, ND Repr.Brian Pavek, Minnesota Repr.Lynda Rummel, New York Repr.Doug Thomas, At-Large Repr.Ray Vlasak, At-Large Repr.

ChaPters, PartNers aND affiliates of North CouNtry NatioNal sCeNiC trail

NORTH DAKOTAn Sheyenne River Valley Chaptern North Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapter MINNESOTAn Star of the North Chapter n Laurentian Lakes Chaptern Itasca Moraine Chapter n Arrowhead Chapter n Kekekabic Trail Club (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Border Route Trail Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Superior Hiking Trail Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)

WISCONSINn Brule-St.Croix Chapter n Chequamegon Chaptern Heritage Chapter

MICHIGANn Ni-Miikanaake Chaptern Peter Wolfe Chaptern North Country Trail Hikers Chaptern Superior Shoreline Chaptern Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chaptern Harbor Springs Chapter n Tittabawassee Chapter n Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chaptern Spirit of the Woods Chapter n Western Michigan Chaptern Chief Noonday Chaptern Chief Baw Beese Chapter

OHIOn NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Buckeye Trail Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Adams County Chaptern Little Cities of the Forest Chaptern Ohio Valley Chaptern Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter

PENNSYLVANIAn Wampum Chaptern Butler County Chaptern Butler Outdoor Club (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Clarion County Chaptern Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy (Trail Maintaining Affiliate)n Allegheny National Forest Chapter

NEW YORKn Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC) (Trail Maintaining Partner)

Maintaining Organizations Coordinated by FLTC - Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) - ADK-Genesee Valley Chapter - ADK-Onondaga Chapter - Cayuga Trails Club - Foothills Trail Club - Genesee Valley Hiking Club - Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18

n Central New York Chapter

North CouNtry trail assoCiatioN staff

PhOTOGRAPhY CREDITSCover: Matt DavisPage 2: Bart SmithInside front cover, page 6, inside back cover, back cover: NCTA Archives

This report printed on recycled paper with 10% post-consumer waste.

offiCial feDeral trail PartNer

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

feDeral laND MaNageMeNt PartNers

n U.S. Forest Servicen U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicen U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

“ The best part of working the trail is when I go out and spend the whole day and I come walking down the part I just worked on. I look forward and back at the newly groomed trail and think no one will ever know who did this—but I do.”

Bert NeMCik, trail aDoPter, allegheNy NatioNal forest ChaPter

13

North CouNtry trail assoCiatioN

229 East Main StreetLowell, MI 49331

(616) 897-5987 northcountrytrail.org [email protected]/northcountrytrailtwitter.com/NCTrail

North Coutry Trail Association 2011 Annual Report

Documents

Transcript of North Coutry Trail Association 2011 Annual Report