Opportunities for Everyone

Many priorities were identified, however, some activities stood out as extremely important. Without a doubt, there are opportunities for everyone that has an interest in the Arizona Trail.

Below you will find many tasks where additional volunteers are needed. The tasks are grouped under the appropriate ATA program, and the program manager is listed. Some tasks just need additional volunteers, while others may need a lead individual.

Take a look . . . . and we're sure you will see something that interests you. If you have questions, just call the appropriate program manager and they will be happy to answer you questions.

COMMUNICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT (Fundraising and Membership Recruitment)
TRAIL PLANNING
TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
ADMINISTRATION (Support Services and Information Management)

Monthly Trail Event Calendars
What is involved?

• Assist in designing layout for monthly calendars (a design is already in use that may require changes over time)
• Assist in compiling information for monthly calendar (that includes events well into the future)
• Assist with statewide distribution of calendar (e.g., mail, media, publications, special events, etc.)

Arizona Trail Merchandise
What is involved?

• The Arizona Trail Association is interested in expanding on the current line of merchandise if the new products have potential for good sales, and therefore benefiting the Trail. Discussions have involved a new T-shirt design, hats, window decals, pins, bumper stickers, mugs, and other items.

Public Information Product Needs
What is involved?

• Assist in designing and producing brochures, information packets, certificates, web site info, Arizona Trail video, etc.

The Quarterly Newsletter

What is involved?

• Assist newsletter editor in compiling articles and features that are relevant to the Arizona Trail project
• Develop features that specifically highlight milestones along segments and the people involved
• Develop features that assist readers in appreciating the flora, fauna, history, and topography along the Arizona Trail

Schedule & Manage Events
What is involved?

• Plan, coordinate, and manage special events along the Arizona Trail (i.e., dedications, National Trails Day Events, work projects, etc.)
• Schedule, coordinate, and manage the Arizona Trail Association booth at fairs, art shows, special events, and scouting events

Outreach to Organizations / Speakers Bureau
What is involved?

• Individuals are needed who can speak to various groups/organizations about the Arizona Trail project, and recruit additional members/volunteers. May involve presenting a slide presentation (and in the future, the video).

Media Contacts and Promotions
What is involved?

• Development and distribution of the trail event and work project calendar
• Developing and/or promoting special events associated with the Arizona Trail
• Writing special articles/features that highlight milestones associated with the Arizona Trail project

Outreach to Communities Near the Arizona Trail
What is involved?

• Deliver Arizona Trail Association brochures and literature to Chambers of Commerce, businesses, public libraries, and other high visibility areas in any of the following communities:

  Sierra Vista, Patagonia, Sonoita, Benson, Vail, Mescal, Tucson, Summerhaven, Oracle, Hayden, Winkelman, Kearny, Superior, Roosevelt, Punkin Center, Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Clints Well, Mormon Lake Village, Flagstaff, Tusayan, Grand Canyon Village, Jacob Lake, Fredonia, & Kanab.

PROGRAM MANAGER: Steve Anderson, (520) 721-7095

Fundraising for Trail Construction & Signing
What is involved?

• Work with Program Manager, Arizona Trail Steward, and A.T.A. Board in identifying where monies are needed to build trail and/or purchase signs where planning is complete, or nearing completion
• Develop formal proposals/packages to present to major corporations
• Present information to CEO/Boards of major corporations
• Monitor proposals, secure funding, and assist with setting up collection agreements with appropriate land managing agencies (i.e., U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, etc.)

Fundraising for the Arizona Trail Association
What is involved?

• Work with Program Manager and A.T.A. Board in identifying where monies are needed to further the goals of the Association (e.g., administration, tools, mailings, printing, future development of an Executive Director position and other paid staff, etc.)
• Develop formal proposals/packages to present to major corporations
• Present information to CEO/Boards of major corporations
• Monitor proposals and secure funding

Constituency Building for the Arizona Trail
What is involved?

• Rather than promoting a high level of use on the Arizona Trail, the ATA is continually seeking to bring more people into the project. This task involves assisting with the implementation of the REI-Constituency Building Grant, as well as, assisting with other tasks that relate to outreach for the project.

Resolving Trail Planning Issues
What is involved?

• This task involves working closely with the Arizona Trail Steward and Land Managing Agencies on areas where the progress of the Arizona Trail is slowed by issues and problems.
• May require attending meetings (and officially representing the interests of the Arizona Trail Association), and assisting in developing solutions to problems.
• Interest in becoming familiar with the Arizona Trail Management Guide (which establishes criteria for the Arizona Trail) is desirable.

Specific Trail Alignment Planning
What is involved?

• Involves working with the Arizona Trail Steward, land managing agencies, and ATA Trail Planning Program Managers to find the most suitable and desirable location for the Trail within the formal corridor. Some planning may be conceptual routes, while some may be flagging in preparation for actual trail construction.

  NOTE: This task usually involves cross-country hiking and/or horseback riding through sometimes very challenging terrain and poor weather conditions.

Political Outreach Activities
What is involved?

• Educating Arizona's State and Congressional delegates about the Arizona Trail, and its value to the State. May be required for areas where trail planning is not progressing adequately.

Segment (Trail) Steward Program
What is involved?

• Formally adopting a segment or part of a segment of the Arizona Trail. Requires developing a close working relationship with the respective land managing agency.

Develop, Maintain, & Schedule Tool Caches
What is involved?

• The main ATA tool cache, which also requires many specialty tools, is kept in the ATA trailer in Phoenix, and is checked out by segment stewards for weekend work projects only. The main tool cache requires the following:
  • routine maintenance of tools
  • replacement of broken tools
  • labeling of new tools as "ATA" tools
  • scheduling to avoid conflicts
• Current demands require that secondary tool caches be established (and assistance is needed) for the following areas:
  • Pinal County (for the 55 miles being constructed by Project Challenge)
  • For the Segments of the Arizona Trail between Mexico and Patagonia
  • Northern Arizona (to remain in Flagstaff)

Assist with Trail Work
What is involved?

• Would you like to be on ATA's mailing list for trail work projects?

  Please contact the ATA by email at ata@aztrail.org and let us know any specific areas along the Arizona Trail that are of interest to you. Also, let us know if you have trail work experience or specific talents that you would like to share.

Support Services for Trail Projects
What is involved?

• Many trail work projects require additional support in additional to the actual work participants. Some projects may require the following:
  • Delivering tools and supplies with 4WD vehicles
  • Transporting gear, tools, signs, and water on mules and llamas
  • Preparing meals for trail work participants
  • Setting up an information/AZT merchandise table at larger events
  • Assisting with having each participant sign a managing agency volunteer agreement

Preparations for Future Official A.T.A. Trail Crew(s)

What is involved?

• The ATA envisions forming formal trail crews to assist land managing agencies in constructing uncompleted portions of the Arizona Trail. The crews will travel as a unit with the ATA tool cache to various parts of the State. The crews may perform one or two week-long trail construction projects, and potentially up to six to ten weekend projects per year.
• Participants will need to possess trail work skills, and the ability to travel to different parts of the State. The crews would even become available for other projects that involve building or renovating shelters along the Trail, upgrading water sources, and building trailhead facilities.

Monitor and Report on Trail Conditions
What is involved?

• The ATA is continually seeking to monitor trail conditions, so that problem areas can be addressed. Volunteers are needed to record (and even photograph) conditions as they hike/ride completed passages of the Arizona Trail (or the respective trails that are a part of the Arizona Trail), and provide the information to the ATA, Arizona Trail Steward, and the respective land managing agencies. This involves recording the following:
  • Downed trees or obstructions on the trail
  • Drainage problems
  • Overgrowth problems
  • Signing/directional problems
  • Water sources
  • Other items that may need addressed

Telephone Inquiries on the Arizona Trail project
What is involved?

• Monitor voice mail daily and forward messages to appropriate responder (can be done from any location)

Newsletter Bulk Mailings
What is involved?

• Prepare newsletters (500+) and other occasional bulk mailings and deliver to post office

   

Design, Development, & Maintenance of Software and Document Files for Membership, and Response to Public Information Inquiries
What is involved?

• Individuals with the knowledge or aptitude for work with computer databases, are needed to learn current software and help maintain current system.
• Possibly investigate conversion to a more powerful database software, and methods to continually improve the system.

Letter Production, Photocopying, and Posting for all Multiple Mailings and General Office Activities
What is involved?

• Retrieve mail from Phoenix P.O. Box
• Help with weekly work sessions to handle mailings to members and general public
• Data entry and operation of mail merge programs
• Occasional typing
• Maintenance of hard copy files

Member Services
What is involved?

• In addition to continually attempting to bring in new members, this task relates to providing the necessary services to our members.
• This may involve seeking new ways to provide members with incentives (in addition to four quarterly newsletters) that provide additional bonuses to being a member, and renewing year after year. This could include discounts on AZ Trail merchandise, as well as, other promotions.

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