September 21, 2026

Key Updates & Decisions

Branding & New Logo

The Tractor Badge received the strongest ranking in the logo vote and will move forward as the basis for ACBC’s new identity. Seth will continue refining the logo, including color options, typography, layout variations and applications such as letterhead. The board would like to explore blue/blue-green colors, potentially with a red tractor, while retaining a Vermont/National Forest feel.

The board will have an opportunity to review final revisions before implementation. The new branding will eventually be incorporated into the ACBC website and other communications.

Fall Events

Bristol Harvest Festival — September 26
ACBC will have a presence at the event. Sam will staff the table from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and is developing a postcard highlighting ACBC trails and donation information. The board discussed creating a standardized event kit with items such as graphics, stickers, maps, banners and other materials that can easily be used at future tabling events.

Best Day Ever — October 1, Holley Hall
ACBC will support the event through promotion and volunteer participation. Kaitlin offered to volunteer, and Sam plans to attend and be available to answer questions. Sarah will include the event in the newsletter and coordinate with Tim and Sam on messaging.

Lincoln Sports Trail Opening — Tentatively October 17
Carl and Sam are available to represent ACBC. Tim will follow up regarding trail readiness and plans for the opening.

Fall Silent Auction
Sam is developing a silent auction fundraiser for late November and soliciting donations. Tillerman has offered its barn as a potential location for an in-person closing event. Sam will investigate possible dates before the next board meeting.

Season-End Member Event — November 11
The board selected November 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Marquis Café for the season-end membership event. Carl will reserve the space.

The event should serve not only as an end-of-season gathering but as an opportunity to communicate ACBC’s impact and recruit volunteers, committee members and future board members. The program may include trail accomplishments, volunteer contributions, membership impact, committee opportunities and information about how membership dollars support ACBC’s work.

The board discussed incorporating an RSVP that allows members to indicate how they would like to become involved.

Committee Structure & Board Development

The board discussed creating a stronger committee structure so that more work can happen between board meetings and responsibilities can be distributed among a larger group of volunteers.

Rather than immediately launching all six committees proposed in the governance plan, the board discussed starting with a smaller number of priority committees. Events and Fundraising emerged as immediate priorities, with trail-related work potentially organized around existing trail bosses and volunteers.

Committees do not necessarily need to be composed entirely of board members. This creates an opportunity for ACBC members who want to contribute but do not want to commit to full board service.

Recruitment will be increasingly important. Eric plans to step back from leading fundraising, and George indicated that he may also begin reducing his involvement with the club. The board agreed that ACBC needs to actively communicate the specific skills, roles and volunteer opportunities it needs.

The November membership event, website, newsletter and member surveys can all be used to identify people interested in serving on committees, helping with trail work or eventually joining the board.

Monthly board meetings will continue for now. The board may take a winter break in January, with committee planning beginning in February so ACBC is prepared for the start of riding season.

Communications & Membership

ACBC has reached 212 members toward its 2026 goal of 226. Communications should continue highlighting the work members and volunteers make possible.

Upcoming communications priorities include:

• Family Ride Series season recap
• Timberlands DRB information
• Best Day Ever
• Lincoln Sports trail updates
• Fall events
• November season-end gathering
• Volunteer and committee recruitment
• Trail boss profiles/photos and trail-work stories

Sarah will follow up with Amy regarding VMBA login access so ACBC can better communicate with members. Tim and Seth will attend the September 30 VMBA online meeting.

Financial Update

ACBC’s current account balance is $15,950.29, including $4,360 designated for the Timberlands project. The board discussed improving tracking of restricted/project funds and whether ACBC should retain an administrative percentage when accepting and managing funds for special projects.

The board also discussed organizational equipment needs, including a tent, table, banners, promotional materials, branded tablecloth and trail-maintenance equipment.

Trails & Community Relations

Concerns were raised about e-motos being ridden in Battell Woods. ACBC will need to reinforce that Class 1 e-bikes are permitted where applicable but e-motos are not, particularly given concerns about trail damage, neighbors and continued trail access.

New Leaf also has a washed-out steep section that may require additional gravel. The board discussed the possibility of organizing a work event at the pump track.

Family Ride Series

The Chittenden Brook ride drew nine adults and five children, including several newer riders. The series appears to be successfully introducing families and less-experienced riders to ACBC.

For next year, the proposed progression is:

Pump Track → Lincoln → Moosalamoo → Ridgeline

The goal would be to announce the full series earlier, distribute hosting responsibilities among partner groups and avoid scheduling the final event during the difficult back-to-school period in September.

Next Steps

Tim

• Follow up on Lincoln Sports trail readiness and October event plans.
• Lead development of the November member-event presentation, including ACBC accomplishments, trail mileage, volunteer contributions and membership impact.
• Continue planning for implementation of the new logo.
• Attend the September 30 VMBA meeting with Seth.

Sam

• Represent ACBC at Bristol Harvest Festival.
• Continue soliciting donations for the fall silent auction.
• Contact Tillerman about possible dates for the silent-auction closing event.
• Help represent ACBC at the Lincoln Sports opening.

Seth

• Develop final Tractor Badge logo/color/application options.
• Confirm font licensing/usage rights.
• Explore initial branded apparel options.
• Attend the September 30 VMBA meeting with Tim.

Carl

• Reserve the Marquis Café for November 11 at 6:30 p.m.
• Continue investigating PayPal/Venmo options for ACBC donations.
• Continue tracking designated project funds.

Sarah

• Promote Best Day Ever in the newsletter and coordinate wording with Tim and Sam.
• Follow up with Amy for VMBA member/login information.
• Continue fall communications, including trail stories, Family Ride Series recap, events and member recruitment.
• Develop communications around committee/volunteer recruitment.
• Reinforce messaging regarding e-motos and appropriate trail use.

Board / TBD

• Form a small planning group for the November 11 member event.
• Develop an RSVP/interest form allowing members to identify volunteer interests and relevant skills.
• Determine which committees to launch first and identify potential leaders.
• Recruit a new fundraising committee lead.
• Define priority board and committee skill gaps for recruitment.
• Develop a reusable ACBC event/tabling kit.
• Determine ACBC policy for administrative costs associated with designated project funds.
• Determine next steps for pump-track maintenance and New Leaf gravel needs.
• Develop a clearer annual committee/board operating calendar for 2027.

Near-Term Organizational Priorities

The board’s immediate focus should be on three connected priorities:

1. November 11 member event: Use the event to demonstrate ACBC’s impact and turn interested members into active volunteers.

2. Committee launch: Establish a manageable initial committee structure with clear responsibilities and leaders rather than attempting to launch every proposed committee simultaneously.

3. Recruitment and succession: Begin intentionally identifying people who can take ownership of fundraising, events, trails and other organizational responsibilities as existing board members reduce their involvement.

The broader goal is to move ACBC away from relying on a small number of people carrying large portfolios of work and toward a structure in which members have clear, approachable ways to contribute.