On April 30 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, representatives from the International Appalachian Trail in Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland Labrador met for the Annual IAT Council Meeting. The agenda included a review of planned Chapter activities for 2011, and recent IAT developments in Western Europe.
Left to Right, Dick Anderson, Leo Gill, Don Hudson, Paul Wylezol, Will Richard, Ellen Wilcox and Poul Jorgensen.
Also on the agenda was a discussion of teleconferencing options for future meetings, IAT branding and website, and the creation of a draft document for IAT Responsibilities.
After lengthy and thoughtful discussion, a list of Responsibilities was agreed to that will be circulated to all IAT Chapters for review and comment. It will then be submitted for approval to all Chapters during the 2011 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Quebec, Canada in September.
For the first time at an annual meeting, IAT representatives appeared online via Skype, including Denis Dunne of Prince Edward Island and Eric Chouinard of Quebec.
Denis discussed a recent trail conference in Pennsylvania (also attended by NB’s Poul Jorgensen and NL’s Kevin Noseworthy), while Eric reviewed plans for the 2011 AGM, held during the 10th Anniversary of the dedication of IAT Quebec.
The time and location of the 2012 AGM was also discussed, with a suggestion that it be held in Iceland near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge separating the continental plates of Europe and North America. In the coming weeks all IAT Chapters will be asked for input on a preferred location.
The Council Meeting was also attended by Debra Ryan of Hike Nova Scotia, who graciously picked up the tab for lunch.
After adjourning the meeting, Council members headed to a local Irish Pub for
cold beers ….
pub grub ….
and IAT cameraderie ….
including Captain Morgan and his Merry Band of Men!
P.S. It was great to have IAT veterans Bob and Ann Melville join us again for the “closing ceremonies”!
