Those in Attendance: Mac Basinski, Ed Carmines, John Christmas, Karl Cover, Daniel Cunnane, Jim Davenport, Bob Ericson, Linda Fournier, Don Garber, Michael George, Marcy George, Mark Guzzi, Faith Hecht, George Hedges, Nancy Jakubec, Barry Kreisa, Richard Lampe, Mike Levins, Pete Neal, Kevin O’Connor, Dan Scott, Robert Woo, Anne Zielinski
Scholarships: Scholarships awarded to Christopher John McNamara and Sarah Byrd Hall.
Treasurer Report: Cash Balance: $57,357
Checking Acct, CD, Money Market $18,000
Outstanding Bills ~$3,000
Cash flow since last report $122
A few bills from the Carytown 10K race are still outstanding, as well some revenue from Active.com is due the club. Dan Scott estimates the net income from the Carytown 10K to be ~$5,000.
Newsletter: Late this month due to production issues. We continue to attract the interest of advertisers. An attractive, interesting, and well-written newsletter will attract advertising and has the potential to help defray the cost of the newsletter.
Website: Hits are increasing. Ed Carmines suggested applying the membership race discount only to those members registering online. Discussion was non-conclusive but seemed more in favor of not changing the status quo. Michael George argued that we should not be discouraging members from racing in any way.
Membership: Membership has steadily decreased by 185 members between February 2005 and May 2005 according to numbers provided by Ed Carmines. Richard Lampe questioned what the numbers for “total member”, “new members”, “renewals” and “failed to renew” represented as they do not add up to next month’s total. Ed explained that there were discrepancies because of non-renewing members.
Don Garber had a recommendation and a question for assistance. He would like to staff a table at Sports Backer’s Stadium for the Saturday Marathon Training team. The table would contain applications for RRRC. Linda Fournier and Anne Zielinski volunteered to staff the tables—Ed Carmines may also be there.
Race reports:
Anne Zielinski thanks the membership for all the help with the Carytown 10K.
Pocahontas 10-20 miler. There is a need for an experienced race director—Ed Carmines has been in touch with BBBT as a potential race sponsor. Ed proposes that they pay for the brochures and for all advertising associated with the race.
Barry Kreisa reports:
Moonlight 4-Miler will be run in August. (August 20). Karl Cover reports the course will be run near Deep Run Park through Twin Hickory neighborhood starting from Twin Hickory Elementary School. Karl asked for an information or check sheet for race directors. Don Garber has a sheet he made up and he will e-mail it to Karl. There was a suggestion for pizza and beverages after the race, however, because the race is on school property—it was decided that the club could probably not do that.
Race calendar changes: the Mark Wilson 5K will be moved to first week in November (Saturday, November 5). The venue will be changed from the Columbian Center to some place near UR stadium. Salisbury 6K is now October 22. This leaves open a date for a new race—October 29.
Barry is still having problems getting race insurance forms from race directors; this presents a problem for him (lateness). Barry is going cross-country on his motorcycle between June 16 to July 5.
Michael George: Mr. George reports that he needs volunteers for Race against Domestic violence on Saturday June 11, 2005. On June 18 and June 25, George will not be in Richmond. Gary Leader may need some help on the 18th and 25th. The SPCA 5K (18th) requires volunteers, specifically starting line help—where exactly is the start? Our Lady of Hope race (25th) also needs finish line help.
James River Scramble 10K on July 2: Need chute people to help work the finish and also to handle the timing.
Other July races: Cul-de-Sac three race series. “Volunteer opportunities abound.”
Michael George proposed buying a new time machine. Linda Fournier seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished business: Mike Levins reports on the Stratford Hills 10K: Dehydration incident at the end of the race was discussed. There were 231 total finishers (same as last year). Race has doubled in size over last three years. Seventy percent of entrants were club members. RRRC netted about $1,100.00. Breakfast afterwards was liked by Levins. Breakfast was a little late.
New business: Move meeting times to 5:00 PM for summer (July and August).
Don Garber proposed a potential Boston Marathon Training team—organized through RRRC. Last year there were 30-40 members who participated in the Boston race. Last years Boston training took the form of a group run. Don proposes a more structured program. Would the RRRC want to advertise and contribute to this effort as a club?
Is a vote necessary? Kevin O’Connor: “If we commit funds, yes.” Don Garber is willing to put together a formal proposal to present at the next meeting.
Ed Carmines proposes we again buy and sell long sleeve marathon shirts we did last year. RRRC is out of club clothing. Ed proposes to replenish the stock of clothes as well as buy running hats with the RRRC logo.
Don Garber: “Marathon Training team is out of control” There are 687 runners signed up—over 500 on Saturday alone. This is up 33% from last year with about 200 repeats. Beware if they come out en masse to club races. They may do the cul-de-sacs, but Don is downplaying the Battlefield, which has a low cap.
George Hedges: Introduced and discussed the ideas of Clydesdale and Athenian divisions. Clydesdale division is a division for men over 200 pounds. Athenian division is a division for women over 150 pounds. Positive feedback from many people. Mike Levins will institute it in the Stratford Hills 10K for next year. Also for the Carytown 10K next year. George would like to see it implemented in all club races. George made a motion to have these divisions included in all club races and in the Grand Prix.
Discussion included the fact that Clydesdale division attracted 7 runners in last year’s Toy Run—and this was more competitors than in 11 other age/gender groups. Some members objected to having terms “dictated” to race directors.
George amended proposal to “recommend to race directors that they include Atheneian Clydesdale divisions in RRRC club races”. The motion was seconded by Linda Fournier. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to adjourn by: Anne Zielinski.
Seconded by: Barry Kreisa
Motion passed unanimously.