2024 Annual Meeting Agenda

  • Welcome
  • New Member Introductions
  • Mission/Vision
  • 2023 Highlights
  • Prescott National Forest Service update
  • Public Lands Update
  • National BCHA Update
  • 2024 Goals
  • Calendar of Events
  • New Business
  • Election of Officers
  • Raffle
  • Adjourn

Mission Statement

Our Mission:

  • To perpetuate the commonsense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness
  • To work locally to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.
  • To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resources through volunteer activities.
  • To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wide use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage.

Vision Statement

BCHCAZ is recognized as a valued community of volunteers and a critical partner for federal and state agencies, working proactively for public lands equestrian use and access in Central Arizona

2023 Local Chapter Highlights

Trail Work

A few of us joined the All Trail Work Day to brush out the first 3/4 mile of #345 Mint Wash Trail

We had our first ever Ride-In Work Day to continue the next ¼ mile of #345.  It was a success.  We worked while the horses happily munched.

Our chapter volunteer hours for 2023 was valued at $18,377!

Sedona

We are a proud supporter of the Red Rock Trail Fund with our annual $1000 donation.

Equestrian voices were heard regarding the Turkey Creek proposal which was slated to eliminate a very popular trail area in Sedona.  Because of the many comments logged in online during the public comment period they have decided to go back and revise the proposal.  YAY!  We make a difference.

Fundraising

Rodeo Bartending – We raised $2186 in tips on our night of bartending at the Rodeo.

Bumble Bee Fundraiser Weekend – We had nearly a record attendance and raised over $7000.  We couldn’t have done it without our great team of volunteers and ride leaders.

2024 Goals

  • Increase recognition within the community about what BCH is.
  • Grow Membership – invite your friends/colleagues to join.
  • Member Involvement –Please let us know how you can help. We are a team and the board can’t do it alone. Help is needed in these areas….

Social Media               Youth Program

Grant Writing              Help with BCHCAZ History Book

Ride Leaders

Meetup Hosts

  • More Youth participation – Find organization for BCHA Youth Grant.
  • Member Meetups – every other month (Even Months).
  • Develop a Packing Team to assist PNF with projects.
  • Ongoing Trail Work as well as continuing to work with other Trail Groups to participate in scheduled work days.
  • Increase communication and involvement to help support other chapters in the State.
  • Keep members informed of activities, notices and possible changes to land in Central Arizona that would affect trails and equestrian use so we guarantee the equestrian voice is heard.

Projects / Updates

  • Gate at end of Verde Ranch Road – FS needs our help cleaning up old barbed wire on the property. We will be scheduling a work day for this.
  • Bike Bells at trailheads – They have been ordered. We will need help distributing them.
  • New Horse Gates on Iron King Trail – This is not on PNF so we will need to find out who to talk to about this.
  • Stringfield Trailhead – Clean up overgrown parking lot at trailhead.
  • Fix Wobbly gate post Salida Gulch.
  • Fix the dip at the entrance to Williamson Valley Trail Parking – FS has this in the works.
  • Missing signs on various gates – FS will replace this summer.
  • Del Rio Springs project – update from Dianne Echazabal.

When you are out riding, please let us know if you see things that need attention/repair.  Email bchcaz@gmail.com with info and location.

Remember, we are the Stewards of the Trails!

 2024 Calendar of Events

(see also BCHCAZ.org for up-to-date information)

Trail Work Days (weather permitting)

  • Saturday, March 2nd
  • Saturday, April 5th
  • Wednesday, May 22nd
  • Saturday, June 15th
  • More…. TBD

Member Socials/Meetings

  • February 29th
  • May 18 (Little Thumb Butte B&B/Verde River Ride)
  • July
  • September
  • December (Holiday Party)

Events

  • April 27th – Groom Creek Horse Camp Cleanup
  • May 3-5th – Campout at Groom Creek Horse Camp
  • May 18th – Verde River Ride and Lunch – Little Thumb Butte B&B
  • July 6th – Parade
  • July TBD – Rodeo Bartending
  • August 11th – Cowboy Poets Breakfast
  • November 1-3rd – Bumble Bee Fundraiser Weekend

Trail Rides

Monthly Trail Ride TBD

 

Election of Officers

President – Wendy Timmel (continuing)

Vice President – Jacque Gorman (continuing)

Secretary – Ela Matten (continuing)

Treasurer – Lori Orcutt