Inception and the Seventies

 

 

The Eighties

1980

 Bruce Archibald, an expert sailor, adds sailing trips as a new dimension to the club. First annual Christmas Party with "Santa" and gift-exchange is held at Linda Priestley's parents place. The Forbidden Plateau 'round-house' becomes a base camp for ski trips to Forbidden Plateau.

1981

Matthew leaves Victoria to travel in Africa. Norm Tandberg is president. Dave Cotter designs and produces a silk-screened CHA T-shirt which is sold to members. The Rossalan trail is built by the Outdoors Club of Victoria and they invite the CHA chapter to use it. The number of social events is expanded and includes evenings at Harpo's.

 

President

Norm Tandberg

 

1982

Friday night "Sports Night" is established after a summer of softball. Organizers include the president, Linda Priestly, Bruce Archibald, Jeff Hawker, Dennis Haller, and Norm Tandberg. All are welcome at the Oaklands School gym for drop-in activities including volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer, and floor hockey. First ski trip to Mt. Washington organized by Bruce Archibald and Norm Tandberg. A condo is shared by 12 members. Jeff Hawker and Dennis Haller produce the first newsletter. It contains the event schedule, club news, book reviews, camping recipes, etc.

 

President

Linda Priestly

 

1983

Each quarterly schedule contains about 10 events and is printed on one side of standard size paper. Approximately 80 percent of the events are outdoor activities. Members include: the president,  Linda Priestley, Gary Norris, Norm and Gill Tandberg, Russ and Marjorie Raine, Rick Roberts, Sue Wilson, Bruce Archibald, Marilyn Simes, Dave Cotter, Nick Evans, Dennis Haller, Ron Armstrong, Bill Nicholson, Sarah Ebell, Felicity Page, Bill Bradley, Ray Hall. An effort was made to schedule a wider variety of activities and to make a commitment to completing events as planned. Car-pooling costs were set at the cost of gas plus 10%.

 

 

1984

The quarterly activities schedule is expanded to include club news and is printed on both sides of legal size paper. Each schedule contains information about the new Victoria Hostel, the B.C. Federation of Mountain Clubs, outdoor recipes, and a book review. The number and title of positions in the executive changes throughout the year. The schedules contains between 13 and 18 events. Norm Tandberg and Dennis Haller represent the Club at the B.C. Federation of Mountain Clubs. The Federation is designed to liaise with government and private industry to establish a provincial policy on land use with special attention focused on Strathcona Park and Mt. Washington. Other participants include the Sierra Club and the Alpine Club. Discussions become heated as the government proposes mining and logging contracts for these areas. The Friends of Strathcona Park, a political advocacy group, is established. The Victoria Hostel is established.

 

 

1985

A new executive structure is established. The schedules contain around 20 events. Newsletter-oriented "trip reports" begin to appear on the schedules. The recommendation to form an outdoors club, independent of the CHA, is met with an even split in votes.

 

 

1986

Concerned about liability, the Canadian Hostel Association decide to sever relationships with the Victoria Outdoor Section in December. A group of VOS members decide to carry on in the following year as an independent group.

 

1987

The new club is formed. Ron Armstrong coins the name "Club Tread" and Betty Walsh designs the boot-print logo for the newly founded club. Dues are charged for the first time - $8 per year. Buddy Bhandar offers his house in the hills of Shawnigan Lake as the site for the annual Halloween Party.

 Year end membership: 44

 

1988

The new Club Tread experiences significant growth. Dues are increased to $12 per year and the quarterly schedules contain between 26 and 43 events. The composition of the executive is expanded early in the year. The location of the departure point is changed from Mayfair or Tillicum malls to the Saanich Municipal Hall. "Official" Club Tread T-shirts are created and sold. Annual Christmas party is moved to the Norway House and a D.J. is hired. This continues to be a potluck event. Rob Denny takes over as a leader in sailing events with his 30' sail boat Waxwing.

 Year end membership: 60

 

1989

Founding members begin to leave the Club for a number of reasons including new-found family responsibilities and a feeling that the group has grown too big. Some begin to feel that the Club is evolving into a "singles" group and are discomforted by this. A small faction opposed to the proliferation of social events emerges. Two different schedules of activities are produced - one available to Club members and the general public containing only outdoor events, and the other for Club members only containing just social events. Dues are increased to $15 per year and the quarterly schedules contain between 25 and 41 events. New memberships are actively pursued.

 

 Year end membership: 99

1990

Gord Warrenchuk champions the effort to have the Club registered as a non-profit society, complete with Constitution and By-laws.  This comes about through much hard internal negotiation.  The new constitution defines the composition of subsequent executive.

A dispute regarding "ownership" of the Sports Night emerges and the Club decides to release involvement with Sports Night making the Sports Coordinator position obsolete.

In addition to "Single", new membership categories of "Couple" and "Student" are introduced.  The quarterly schedules contain between 31 and 43 events.

For the first time, the annual Christmas Party is catered and is held at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre.

The concept of two schedules, outdoor events and social, is scrapped and both events are again included in a single schedule.

The first annual Oktoberfest night at the Victoria Edelweiss Club is organized by Charlotte Bowie.

Year-end Membership: 136

President:                              Rob Denny

Treasurer/Membership:       Gord Warrenchuk

Outdoor Events:                   Dave Steffy

                                                Ray Hall

                                                Elaine Lewis

Social Events:                      Cathy Edmunds

Sports:                                    Cathy Quann

Publicity:                                Ross Boast

Newsletter:                            Phyllis Kynas

1991

The effort to establish the Club as a non-profit society results in the executive extending their term of office past the traditional calendar year-end.  Election of the new executive occurs at the planning meeting in late February and the February planning meeting is thus established as the annual general meeting during which the new executive is elected.

Charlotte Bowie establishes the Swan Lake Nature Centre as the site of quarterly meetings.  She is also responsible for introduction of Club membership cards.

As a non-profit society, the Club obtains liability insurance for the first time.

Bev Bacon volunteers to take responsibility for coordinating the Club ski trips thus relieving the Outdoor Event Coordinator from this task.

"Official" Club Tread badges are created through the efforts of Val Townsend and sold by the Club to members at cost.

As new memberships continue to grow steadily, it is felt that this growth will continue on its own and active pursuit of new members is suspended.

The annual Christmas Party is held at the Princess Mary and is fully catered.  Charlotte Bowie manages to get a number of door prizes donated from various outdoor stores within the city.  The event is not subsidized by the Club and makes a minimal profit.

After extensive debate in three different quarterly planning meetings, the Club adopts a uniform car-pooling policy of each passenger paying their driver 3-cents per kilometer.

The first official annual report is submitted to the registrar of non-profit societies.

The quarterly schedules contain between 41 and 53 events.

Year-end Membership: 149

President:                              Charlotte Bowie

Vice President:                     Vic Dove

Treasurer/Membership:       Gord Warrenchuk

Secretary:                              Marie Vautier

Outdoor Events:                   Russ Page

Social Events:                      Lorraine Marchand / Charlotte Bowie

Publicity:                                Ross Boast

Newsletter:                            David Fisher

1992

A system for rating hikes based on the model developed by the Victoria Outdoor Club is established.

The checklist for event coordinators is expanded.

The quarterly schedules contain between 49 and 71 events.  The number of scheduled ski trips doubles to 8.

Year-end Membership: 161

President:                              Paul Turcotte

Vice President:                     David Fisher

Treasurer/Membership:       Gord Warrenchuk

Secretary:                              Betty Walsh

Outdoor Events:                   Don MacNeill

Social Events:                      Nicole Aube / Don MacNeill

Publicity:                                Mary Kingsley

Newsletter:                            Michael Motek

1993

Initiated by Steve Graham, the hike rating system is simplified to use boot-prints to indicate levels of endurance.  The easiest hikes are rated with one boot-print and the most difficult are rated with four.

Audrey Stibbe creates a newsletter, called "Keeping Track", that is published quarterly and distributed with the schedule to members.

A paper describing outdoor etiquette is produced and distributed to all members in an effort to promote no-trace camping and hiking.

The Club plays an active role in the CRD Trail Coordinating Group and creates an interest in the establishment of a continuous protected area from Jordan River to Port Renfrew.

Kayaking trips, organized by Steve Graham, become popular.  Michael Motek introduces caving trips.  A number of one-boot walking events begin to appear on the schedule.

A contingency fund is established to ease financial impact on members affected by unfortunate property damage while participating in outdoor events.

A number of outdoor stores begin to give discounts to card-carrying members.

The checklist for event coordinators is enhanced.

The Club experiences a significant growth in membership.  The quarterly schedules contain between 48 and 93 events.

Year-end Membership: 189

President:                              Gerald Person

Vice President:                     Anna Mears

Treasurer/Membership:       Gord Warrenchuk

Secretary:                              Jackie Evans

Outdoor Events:                   Steve Graham

Social Events:                      Sheila Robertson

Publicity:                                Wynne Arden

Newsletter:                            Michael Motek

1994

The cost of car-pooling to each passenger is increased to 5-cents per kilometer on paved roads and 10-cents per kilometer on logging roads. Dues are increased to $17 per year.

“Official” Club Tread t-shirts are created through the efforts of Gerry Person and sold at cost to Club members.  A local outdoor store also buys some for resale at profit.

After review by the membership, the contingency fund established in the previous year is dropped.

Attendance at the annual Christmas Party is down from previous years and the subsidy level is down accordingly.

Year-end Membership: 194

President:                              Gerald Person

Vice President:                     Anna Mears

Treasurer/Membership:       Gord Warrenchuk

Secretary:                              Jackie Evans

Outdoor Events:                   Steve Graham

Social Events:                      Sheila Robertson

Publicity:                                Pat Doheny

Newsletter:                            Brian Latta

1995

Gord Warrenchuk submits the document A History of Victoria Club Tread for inclusion with the Club’s artifacts.

The timing for election of officers is changed from the Annual General Meeting to the last planning meeting of the year.

Year-end Membership: 183

President:                              Michael Motek

Vice President:                     Russ Page

Treasurer/Membership:       Pat Brown

Secretary:                              Pam Corzatt

Outdoor Events:                   Michael Slaney

Social Events:                      Joyce Danby

Publicity:                                Johann Amering

Newsletter:                            Brian Latta

1996

The summer schedule is dominated by backpacking trips.

?

Year-end Membership: ?

President:                              Audrey Stibbe

Vice President:                     Russ Page

Treasurer/Membership:       Pat Brown

Secretary:                              Pam Corzatt

Outdoor Events:                   Ray Potvin

Social Events:                      Joyce Danby

Publicity:                                Anne Watt

Newsletter:                            Steve Graham

1997

Pat Brown spearheads Club Tread's entry into a volunteer agreement with BC Parks to maintain the emergency shelter on the Juan de Fuca Trail.

?

Year-end Membership: 161

President:                              Steve Graham

Vice President:                     Ron Armstrong

Treasurer/Membership:       Pat Brown

Secretary:                              Pam Renney

Outdoor Events:                   Brough Warren

Social Events:                      Alex Lopez

Publicity:                                Bob Crane

Newsletter:                            Michael Motek

1998

Club Tread rejoins the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia. To cover the increased dues for affiliation club dues rise to $26 per year. Couple and student membership categories are dropped.

A cross-country ski trip to Yellowstone National Park highlights the January to March schedule.

?

Year-end Membership: over 163 ?

President:                              Steve Graham

Vice President:                     Ron Armstrong

Treasurer:                              Pat Brown

Membership                          Jackie Hunt

Secretary:                              Pam Corzatt

Outdoor Events:                   Geoff Chiddell

Social Events:                      Judy Low

Publicity:                                Bob Crane

Newsletter:                            Diane Corner

1999

Michael Motek takes over duties as the webmaster for the club and the club's website is moved to the Crosswinds web server. The schedule becomes "active" with links to the trail descriptions and more frequent updating of the schedule to reflect additions and changes.

?

Year-end Membership: 164

President:                              Gerry Person

Vice President:                     Ron Armstrong

Treasurer:                              Pat Brown

Membership                          Jacquie Hunt

Secretary:                              Pam Corzatt

Outdoor Events:                   Geoff Chiddell

Social Events:                      Paula Yewchuck

Publicity:                                Bob Crane

Newsletter:                            Diane Corner

2000

Gas subsidy issues are raised at the September planning meeting.  A formula is presented by Michael Motek to address the issue. This formula would see the subsidy rate pegged to the current price of gas.

Vic Wood leads a trip to Utah and the Grand Canyon.

Year-end Membership: 165

President:                              Paula Yewchuck

Vice President:                     Ron Armstrong

Treasurer:                              David Hoadley

Membership                          Jacquie Hunt

Secretary:                              Pam Corzatt

Outdoor Events:                   Kevin White

Social Events:                      Hazel Medlyn

Publicity:                                Bruce Dickey

 

Newsletter:                            Diane Corner

 

2001 - 2008:  Missing - if any has this history please forward to the website coordinator

 

2009

President	Gail Clarke
Past President	Tom Gore
Vice President	George Welsh
Secretary	Liz Williams
Treasurer	John Ward
Outdoor Events:	Don Ferster
Membership	Jacquie Hunt
Webmaster	Mike Motek
Publicity	Judy Brown
Schedule Editor	Sue Ward
Newspaper Editor	Barry Gaetz
Social	Dana Waite
Social	Liz Williams

 

 2010

President	Gail Clarke
Past President	Tom Gore
Vice President	George Welsh
Secretary	Janine Silk
Treasurer	John Ward
Outdoor Events:	Don Ferster
Membership	Jacquie Hunt
Webmaster	Mike Motek
Publicity	Judy Brown
Schedule Editor	Sue Ward
Newspaper Editor	Barry Gaetz
Social	Dana Waite
Social	Liz Williams

 

 2011

President	Gail Clarke
Past President	Tom Gore
Vice President	George Welsh
Secretary	Janine Silk
Treasurer	John Ward
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Donna Medgyesi
Webmaster	Mike Motek
Publicity	Carol Madsen
Schedule Editor	Fred Trudell
Newspaper Editor	Barry Gaetz
Social	Sue Warren

 

2012

President	Gail Clarke
Past President	Tom Gore
Vice President	George Welsh
Secretary	Janine Silk
Treasurer	John Ward
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Donna Medgyesi
Webmaster	Mike Motek
Publicity	Carol Madsen
Schedule Editor	Graham Hayes
Newspaper Editor	Barry Gaetz
Social	Sue Warren

 

2013

President	Barry Gaetz
Vice President	Henry Dembicki
Secretary	Veronica Allan
Treasurer	Judy Leonard
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Donna Medgyesi
Webmaster/Communications	George Welsh

 

2014

President	Barry Gaetz
Vice President	Anne McCormack
Secretary	Christine O'Leary
Treasurer	Judy Leonard
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Graham Hayes
Webmaster/Communications	George Welsh

 

2015

President	Donna White
Vice President	Anne McCormack
Secretary	Christine O'Leary
Treasurer	Sue Ward
Outdoor Events:	Wendy Keeping
Membership	Sheila Hunter
Communications	Penny Pattison
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2016

President	Donna White
Vice President	Gail Clarke
Secretary	Jane Burford
Treasurer	Sue Ward
Outdoor Events:	Leanne Ihmel
Membership	Sheila Hunter
Communications	Penny Pattison
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2017

President	Donna White
Vice President	Gail Clarke
Secretary	Jane Burford
Treasurer	Sue Ward
Outdoor Events:	Leanne Ihmel
Membership	Sheila Hunter
Communications	Penny Pattison
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2018

President	Larry Pontus
Vice President	Pamela Smirk
Secretary	Jane Burford
Treasurer	Katherine O'Leary
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Sheila Hunter
Communications	George Welsh
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2019

President	Larry Pontus
Vice President	Pamela Smirk
Secretary	Jane Burford
Treasurer	Scott Sedman
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Sheila Hunter
Communications	George Welsh
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2020

President	Larry Pontus
Vice President	John Peebles
Secretary	Pamela Smirk
Treasurer	Scott Sedman
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Tara Fenwick
Communications	George Welsh
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2021

President	John Peebles
Vice President	Don Ferster
Secretary	Pamela Smirk
Treasurer	Donna Fleming
Outdoor Events:	Donna White
Membership	Tara Fenwick
Communications	George Welsh
Webmaster	George Welsh

 

2022

President	John Peebles
Vice President	Don Ferster
Secretary	Pamela Smirke
Treasurer	Donna Fleming
Trip Leader Coordinator	Saurabh Ray
Membership	Tara Fenwick
Communications Director	Eva Gnech