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Orient Land Trust
Information Systems
P.O. Box 65
Villa Grove, CO 81155-0065
The Orient Land Trust is a non-profit land trust created around Valley View Hot Springs, its unique culture and environment.
With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, naturist open spaces, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony. Read more...
Updated 07/26/24
Executive Director is an ex officio/non-voting member of all committees, except the Governance Committee.
Note: OLT Board Committees should have no more than a quorum (a majority of directors) minus one of board members on the committee. Currently this would be no more than 4 board members on any committee.
Membership: Patrick C, Susan H
Membership guideline: Board Chair, Board Vice-Chair, Treasurer
Board of Directors shall elect an Executive Committee by the election of officers at the Annual Meeting that shall serve until the following Annual Meeting. Committee membership is defined in the Bylaws.
Responsible for the general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation.
Shall meet at such times and places as designated by the Board Chair.
May, between regular meetings of the board, but never in substitution for such meetings, exercise the powers as authorized by the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by the Colorado Corporation Act.
A majority of the members of the EC present and voting shall be binding as to the action taken by the EC.
Co-Chairs: Jim Manly, Aleia S ()
Membership: John S, Dan J, Myron H, Mike A, Terry S, Scott M, Bill M, Martin J, Allegra T, Roger C, Jon F
Membership guideline: Board and public
Responsibility: Advertise for, recommend and familiarize new Board members. Educate and improve current Board members. Addressing matters of the overall health and effectiveness of the governance of the organization.
Mission Statement (short): To select and recommend to the Board a diverse and thoughtful candidate pool for future Director positions and to oversee the Board evaluation processes as well as promoting adherence to OLT policies.
Mission Statement (full): To foster a strong OLT Board of Directors by promoting Board vacancies to an audience of viable candidates; researching, interviewing and screening Board applicants; seeking directors with a diversity of skills, expertise and minority representation; recommending candidates for election to the Board; mentoring newly elected directors; administering self-evaluations to existing and retiring directors; offering ongoing support, education and development to directors; and ensuring Board compliance with the by-laws of OLT.
Membership Guidelines:
• GC will consist of at least 5 members
• One Co-Chair will always be a BoD member and the other a non-board member appointed by the board
• As per OLT resolution, there will never be more than a Board quorum, minus one, of Board members on the GC
• The GC will actively seek non-board members for committee membership
• The Executive Director may not be a member
• The term of participation on the GC shall be no longer than three (3) years, renewable at the discretion of 2/3 of the majority the committee
• Committee selection of the non-board Co-Chair will take place yearly prior to the July Board meeting
Membership: Dorothy L, Doug Bates, Suzanne R, Lindsey H, Cherrye O, Jon F, Suzanne M, John M, Will L
Responsibility: There is consensus that public relations, publicity, outreach and the overall clarity and consistency of the OLT message is intimately tied to fundraising and resource development and so this committee will help with policy related to these areas.
Mission statement (short): To take a substantial role with staff to research, develop, and conduct comprehensive fundraising activities, and to create outreach activities to OLT members and the public.
Mission Statement (full): The External Affairs Committee is responsible for the direction and oversight of OLT's fundraising and resource development needs, public relations, outreach to members, publicity, and marketing as determined by the Board and staff. This committee promotes development of partnerships with business leaders, organizations, and others to accomplish the mission of OLT through collaborative efforts where possible. This committee provides active leadership in the planning and operation of the following:
Members: Martin J, Myron H, Scott M, Patrick C
Membership guideline: In an effort to establish processes and procedures for an effective financial oversight function that will span future Boards.:
Responsibility: There is consensus that this committee be created with the prime directive of financial oversight and related areas of responsibility including budget, investment, administration and human resource policies.
Mission Statement (full): The mission of the Internal Affairs Committee is
Membership guideline: Chair: appointed by Board; 1+ Board members; 1+ non-Board members and/or staff; ex-officio members: Executive Director, Treasurer
Membership: Don G, Mark J, David M, Scott H, Randy S
Membership guideline: Board, staff and public
Responsibility: To make recommendations regarding short and long range facilities in the Valley View village building envelope.
Mission Statement (short): Develop by research, consultation, and consensus a step-wise series of plans for short and long term development of facilities and village preservation in the VVHS building envelope for Board consideration.
Mission Statement (full): Within the scheduling framework of the Site Plan Task Force timeline, the Site Plan Committee will create and recommend a site plan for the Valley View village area of OLT. The Site Plan Committee will explore options, integrate temporary needs and long range goals, and recommend short and long term village site plan changes based on overarching communal values of the OLT community, Board, Staff, Visitors, and Donors, weighing visitor desires, safety, and budget constraints:
maintain the simple, historic, rustic nature of the village
encourage the community feeling of like-minded people of all ages and walks of life
preserve personal contact with nature
promote naturism while preserving choice
engender respect of nature, other people, alternative energy and natural resources among the OLT community
optimize visitor experience of the hot springs through carefully considered limitation of use
preserve village environment by careful design of placement of new facilities
promote the cycle of sustainability
maintain the quality of the visitor experience at a reasonable price
preserve and promote the natural environment
uphold the requirements of The Nature Conservancy Conservation Easement
uphold the components of the OLT Mission Statement and guidelines
Membership: Geneva M, Victor K, Cynthia N, David M, Sarah H, Martin J, Brent N
Membership guideline: Board members, ED, and interested public
Mission Statement (short): Identify conservation priorities and opportunities at OLT; support efforts to monitor and improve conservation; advise and advocate conservation priorities to the OLT Board of Directors with the goal of attaining the highest standards for land preservation.
Mission Statement (full): The Conservation Committee will work to:
Membership: RJ, Henry H, Crystal E, Doug B, Shannon M, Mark J, Bill M, Scott M
Membership guideline: Board members, ED, and interested public
For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, Orient Land Trust:
promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine and Everson Ranch;
preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition;
protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources, in the northern San Luis Valley.