General, opening discussion about trail planning initiative Needs to be a collaborative process between WTA and City of Warrenton, each with key roles (the City will benefit -- materially and image -- from this project and has a key role in leadership [show ownership in the process and its ultimate product; invite participation] and commitment of city resources [supporting staff time, use of facilities, coordination of programs and services]).

WTA -- internal, developmental work and external, visible programs and projects
Getting established -- organizational development for a vibrant and
sustainable non-profit group
Young organization needs to:
establish credibility and a track record
nurture relationships and partnerships
Structural approach
Strategic Plan (long-term and short-term)
Subcommittees to undertake the organization's work
Admin -- elections, budget, reports, etc.
Funding -- donations, grantwriting, fundraisers (membership
fees?)
Programs - a calendar of activities and events
Volunteers Corps
Trail Planning Project -- '05 partnership w/ City and NPS-RTCA
as cosponsors
Promotion and Public Relations

2005 Objectives (target dates and task assignments to be determined) Promote Warrenton Trails Programs
Monthly walks (lead by WTA board members, or partners like Audubon,
Native Plant or historical society, Senior Center or WIC program, etc)

Volunteer Activities
Clean-up Day (Down by the River [SOLV])
Fort to Sea Trail Construction -- WTA/City to sponsor/organize a group
of Warrenton trail advocates

WTA Brochure -- audience and message? (who WTA is, activities, programs, new project and partners)

Trail Planning
Inventory resources -- public lands and easements; historical areas and
sites; 1994 trail plan
Identify Constraints and Opportunities -- e.g. hunting, existing city
ordinance that precludes public access
Revisit assumptions and feasibility --
Title research (dike lands, etc.)
Public participation
Need to start most city residents and partners off at beginning
before showing concept paper (created by WBA subcommittee to satisfy
themselves of feasibility of loop concept, and use to measure support
among key stakeholders ): roots in '94 city plan, recent catalysts,
and WTA's loop vision; baseline inventories; considering
opportunities and constraints; etc.
Outreach/participation to include presentation to groups (civic
organizations [e.g. Kiwanis and PTA], community programs [e.g. senior
center], and to stakeholders and partners), city/WTA sponsored open
houses or workshops, and _____________ (city newsletter, flyer or
survey with utility bills, poster display in public buildings [city
hall, library, community center, schools])
Building Partnerships -- Clatsop County Soil & Water gave mixed review
(e.g. Dave Ambrose declined to endorse the concept plan), etc.