Sweet Irene! Sweet Jean! They don't come any sweeter than Irene Christie and Jean Trask! Reliable, convivial, enjoyable, cheerful, friendly, caring, considerate and dependable are all good words to describe these very special ladies who, after six years and five years on the job respectively, are stepping down from their role as our club's social convenors. They will be greatly missed by all those who enjoy the fine dining at our club events. While we often celebrate with a pot luck there is always lots to do behind the scenes to make sure the pot luck is a success, and Irene and Jean could always be counted on to make sure every little detail was attended to. Need ketchup? Just ask Irene or Jean. Running low on coffee? Just ask Irene or Jean. Linda Amos shared the social convenor's duties with Irene during Irene's first year on the job, and Linda paints a picture of a friend who was willing to go to great lengths to make sure everything was in tiptop shape for every event. Part of the job even requires ensuring that fuses don't blow and Linda confided that on more than one occasion Irene had to scramble madly to rescue the coffee urn from a wayward outlet before thirsty hikers descended on the hall. And of course both Jean and Irene brought home-made goodies for each and every activity that won't soon be forgotten either. Fortunately both of our good friends have promised to keep the home fires burning (baking?) for some of our future club events too. How sweet is that? Thank you, Jean and Irene! Jean Kerins |
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AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR TREASURER : IRMGARD RICHTER Around 1977 I joined the Toronto chapter of the Alliance Francaise, a worldwide organization that promotes the French language. Different venues were chosen so people could practice their French. One of the outings was a hike on the Bruce Trail . I was absolutely astounded that there was this beautiful trail and none of my friends and acquaintances seemed to know about it. I joined the Toronto Bruce Trail Club and in my enthusiasm signed up for their End to End hike. I had no idea how long 25 miles would be, when done on foot. Well, at the end I knew only too well. I must have finished it, since I have the badge. At that time backpacking outings were also on the club program. Out I went and bought an 11 lbs ‘back packing' tent and a sleeping bag, long enough for a 6.5+ ft. person (I am around 5.4ft). I only survived that trip because a fellow hiker, Trevor Stock, kindly offered to carry my tent for me. Trevor at that time was the editor of the Bruce Trail News and the B.T.A. guide book and I knew him as a hike leader. We are still ‘an item' today – 32+ years later, one of the many relationship stories that began on the Bruce Trail . In the following years I hiked most sections of the Bruce Trail repeatedly and kept records of the total End to End twice to get my badges. I also became the proofreader of the Caledon Comment and sometimes an unofficial assistant hike leader. Many lasting friendships developed during these outings. |
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In early 2005 then-Vice President Janice McClelland asked me whether I would consider taking on the job as Treasurer for the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club, since my good friend Margret Plue wanted to step down. I had retired a couple of years earlier and although definitely not bored, a nagging feeling that I should do something a bit more useful with my life kept bothering me. Having an accounting background, Treasurer seemed a perfect fit. I took that role in 2005. It gives me the satisfaction of contributing my little bit to a great project. My immediate goal is of course to keep the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club on a sound financial footing so we will have the means of having the best section of trail possible. I hope many people will take advantage of the footpath we provide. For the club I hope that we will attract new members and retain existing ones to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise and mental relaxation while forming new friendships on hikes, as I have done, while contributing to the BTC's and the club's goal of securing the trail in perpetuity. While written by Irmgard herself, this is another installment in Ross McLean's series of portraits of our club's volunteers. |
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In the spring of 2004, Peter Leeney was advertising his “Living on the Edge” end-to-end series, and Jean thought that it would be “so neat to do the whole trail.” She called Peter, and he was “so encouraging.” The first hike was in June and she found it hard work, but continued the schedule. Part of the attraction was the friendliness of the people: in addition to Peter, Caledon Hills executive members Trevor Stock, Irmgard Richter and Janice McClelland were participating. As a result of this contact, in November Janice asked Jean to be the club secretary. Jean attended a meeting to see what business was transacted, looked at some sample minutes, and thought “I can do that.”
Her memories of the end-to-end hikes are “quite wonderful.” She has tremendous respect for Peter's dedication and organization; “he was an incredible role model for me”, she says. Jean remembers the first hike from Queenston. At the end of the 20 km, she was “so tired” and on getting home, for two hours she “just sat immobile,” exhausted. Yet to keep at it and to complete the entire Trail became a “real personal accomplishment for me.”
She talks about the friendships she made on the Trail. For example, the next summer after that tiring first hike, fellow hikers helped Jean by accompanying her on some make-up hikes. As the group got further north on the Trail, a few of them decided to make long weekends of their adventures, heading north on Friday to do part of the Saturday and Sunday hikes so they could take time on their walks to “smell the roses.” “It gave us time to see and explore”, says Jean. “We got to know the little towns along the Trail.” The folks with whom she hiked “still connect” and have become good friends; for example, two years ago a number travelled together to Newfoundland for a hiking vacation. Through her experience, Jean came to discover the beauty of our country; “You do not have to get on a plane”, she says; “it really is a treasure. Not enough people know about it, even the [natural areas] within Toronto .”
A year later, Jean was asked to be vice-president, and she held that position for four years. The joy of that title is that it has no defined role; as she says, she could work “wherever I saw a need.” For example she spearheaded upgrading the website, helped to edit the CHBTC history collection, and organized the historical plaque for the Lime Kiln Side Trail (in addition to being the trail captain there.)
Then in 2010 she became president.
I asked her why she accepted the role. As Jean says, “It's not the pay! It's being a part of something bigger.” She talks of “being out there on the Trail; it is so peaceful that everything is put in perspective. It's very satisfying to be part of protecting that.” It is also “giving a bit to posterity”, something she realized especially with her Lime Kiln work. With the presidency, she was “fulfilling a need; this is my turn. It is my chance to give a little something back.” She says that she had never been an outdoors person and through the Trail, “discovered a new world.”
She says the presidency is about encouraging and supporting other volunteers; the role is not onerous. Jean enjoys people and says that “hikers are really very nice people.” She sees her specific function as being a facilitator. The people working for the club are volunteers, and she wants it to be an enjoyable, rewarding experience for them; she wants them to achieve their goals. For example, she wants to give committed volunteers whatever support they need to continue to do the wonderful work that they do. As well, she is always looking for ways to find new volunteers willing to commit.
As well, Jean has been very successful in applying for grants, and has helped raise over $10,000 with the TD Friends of the Environment and other organizations . In addition to the presidency, Jean is the Caledon Hills Director on the BTC Board. To some this is “double duty” but she was motivated by another club president who said that this position “really helped him become a good president.” She is “still learning”, she says, and is now involved with the BTC's Steering and Strategic Planning Committee which oversees the Board's governance issues. At times during the discussions, she said “my head spins but I know it is important work.”
Jean has joined an illustrious line of presidents, going right back to Philip Gosling who founded the club in the 1960's. With each comes growth, but the chain must never be broken. The Bruce Trail needs active volunteers who will step forward into a position of leadership to help realize its dreams. For people such as Jean who accept such a role, we all should be thankful.
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