It has now been eight months since our last Cascadians in-person general meeting, and it is still unclear as to when we will be able to meet as a group again. As this is being written COVID-19 rates in Washington more than doubled this week compared to last week. The good news is that the rate has leveled off in Yakima County, and the county has been upgraded from “Modified Phase One” to “Phase Two” in the recovery plan. The bad news is that the restrictions for group gatherings for those two phases are almost identical. This means that we continue to be restricted to no more than five people who are not in the same household unit from gathering together in a group. For the time being we can only continue to be very careful to avoid catching the virus and spreading it to others. If you participate in informal, non-club outings we continue to recommend adequate social distancing and the wearing of masks whenever you are in close contact with others who are not members of your household.

Fourteen Cascadians participated in the Zoom social hour on September 30 during our regular general meeting time. Everyone got a chance to talk if they wished to do so, and good information was exchanged. Donna Devine announced that she and Steve were in the process of moving to the Curlew Lake area in NE Washington near the town of Republic. The Zoom call gave participants a chance to say goodbye before the Devines left the Yakima area. A new potential member also joined in on the call and was invited to join our club. We plan to have another Zoom social hour on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m.  The link to this meeting can be found on the members only Zoom Meeting page, and will also be listed in Bill Dezellem’s “Cascadian Activities Happening Soon” email. We encourage your participation.

The Cascadians Board had another board of directors Zoom meeting on October 7.  It was reported that club membership remains at 274 memberships. Many of these are family memberships, so the total member count is higher. The board took the following actions:

1. Decision to continue Zoom social hours during regular general meeting times for the next few months at least.
2. Purchase of a one-year Zoom membership to enable board meetings and social hours to extend beyond the 40-minute time limit of the free Zoom membership. Camera club can also use it.
3. Per a request from a non-board member it was decided that minutes of each monthly board meeting will be posted on the Cascadians web site for all members to view.
4. Earl Paronto is stepping down as leader of the Adopt-a-Highway group of Cascadians who keep Highway 410 clean west of Hell’s Crossing. Anyone interested in accepting this important job please step up by contacting club president Mark Kushner or any board member.
5. The following policy was adopted for members who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that make payment of Cascadians dues a hardship: Individual members experiencing significant financial hardship can petition for their 2020 membership dues to be extended to cover their membership through 2021 by contacting any Board member or the Cascadians Membership Chair, Darlene Fay.
6. The board voted to approve two appointees to fill the positions of two board members who have chosen not to complete their terms. Satch Ludington will fill Linda Gabel’s position effective immediately, and Lee Hunsperger will fill Judy Hinrich’s position starting January 1, 2021. Both of the terms they are filling will end on Dec. 31, 2021. Because these vacancies occurred mid-term there is no need for a vote of the general membership for their appointment. If they choose to run for another term in their own right next fall, then their nomination will be voted upon by the membership at that time.
7. Current board terms for Mark Kushner, Jerry Kobes, and Jeff Hagen expire on December 31, 2020, but all three have agreed to be nominated for new two-year terms. At the November 4 board meeting options will be discussed to enable the general membership to vote for these candidates or to nominate alternative candidates. Simple things like board elections are far from simple during a pandemic.

That’s it for now. Stay safe and pull out those skis and snowshoes for some socially-distanced outings with a few friends!

The Centennial T-Shirts sales have closed for now.  Whenever we get to actually celebrate our Centennial, sales may open again.  Thanks to all of you who purchased for your support!