Hello WNMS members and friends.

January has been a busy yet unusual month for the WNMS. With the lack of snow, we were able to clear some fallen trees on some of the trails by walking in with chainsaws and even an ATV (thanks Dan Milne!). We had enough snow last week to do a partial groom of the ski trails around the golf course and now, of course, with above-zero conditions, the trails are not in great shape for skiing. We are all hoping for a big snowfall in February. On a positive note, some of the trails are still open for hiking! A few groups have walked up Barbour Creek to the falls (the creek is solid ice) and the trail to Nesbitt's Knees has almost no snow on it. The falls are spectacular with a mix of ice and falling water.

The Board of Directors is busy working on the new website which we hope to introduce at this year's AGM, which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28th at 7PM at the TR Visitor's Centre or on Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89872889886?pwd=QUlRMnIxdDR1OXBGNktaNUtkM0I5UT09

Meeting ID: 898 7288 9886
Passcode: 042196

One of the new website features will be the ability to register as a member and renew if you are a "lifetime" member. As per our society bylaws (see below), we are required to charge an annual membership fee for members to be considered "in good standing". Fees will remain at $20/year for individuals and a special $40/year for families. Annual fees go toward trail maintenance and membership benefits include newsletters, early access to registration for WNMS events such as the Emperor's Challenge, and the ability to vote at the AGM.

Excerpt from the Society Bylaws:

Part 2 — Membership

3 The members of the society are the applicants for incorporation of the society, and those persons who subsequently become members, in accordance with these bylaws and, in either case, have not ceased to be members.

4 A person may apply to the directors for membership in the society and on acceptance by the directors is a member.

5 Every member must uphold the constitution and comply with these bylaws.

6 The amount of the first annual membership dues must be determined by the directors and after that the annual membership dues must be determined at the annual general meeting of the society.

7 A person ceases to be a member of the society

(a) by delivering his or her resignation in writing to the secretary of the society or by mailing or delivering it to the address of the society,

(b) on his or her death or, in the case of a corporation, on dissolution,

(c) on being expelled, or

(d) on having been a member not in good standing for 12 consecutive months.

8 (1) A member may be expelled by a special resolution of the members passed at a general meeting.

(2) The notice of special resolution for expulsion must be accompanied by a brief statement of the reasons for the proposed expulsion.

(3) The person who is the subject of the proposed resolution for expulsion must be given an opportunity to be heard at the general meeting before the special resolution is put to a vote.

9 All members are in good standing except a member who has failed to pay his or her current annual membership fee, or any other subscription or debt due and owing by the member to the society, and the member is not in good standing so long as the debt remains unpaid.

With this in mind, and in consideration of the current and past contributions of certain long-standing WNMS members, the Board is accepting nominations for "Legacy Membership", which will be the equivalent of lifetime membership and will hold a special honourary status in the society. Legacy Memberships (while still annual) will have their membership fees waived in perpetuity. Nominations can be submitted via email to contact@wnms.ca and initial recipients will be announced at the AGM.

2024 Emperor's Challenge Update

The Emperor's Challenge Committee for 2024 has announced that this will likely be the final year that the event will be held on Babcock Mountain, due to the upcoming re-start of the Quintette Mine by Conuma Resources. The mining activity will affect significant areas of the current Emperor's Challenge route within the next 2 years. Alternate routes and events are currently being discussed for 2025 and beyond. The Committee is asking for new volunteers who are willing to help organize this year's event. Please contact the committee at contact@wnms.ca if you are interested in helping out.

See you all at the AGM on the 28th!

Dave Thompson

President, WNMS

on behalf of the Board of Directors