HTC Meeting –
Attendees:
Board Members Present:
David Purinton (President), David Cain (VP-Programs),
Harold Tinsley (VP-Communications), Richard Rodenhausen
(VP-Races & Equipment), Clare Purinton
(Secretary), Jim Oaks (Appointed member – Cotton Row Director), and John
Roberts (Appointed Member).
Board Members Absent: Kathy Youngren (Treasurer), Malcolm Gillis (Appointed Member –
Guests
Present: Louise Tinsley.
David opened the meeting
by stating that the HTC domain name had been renewed for five years.
Discussion
of the Rocket City Marathon began.
Malcolm Gillis had stated at the general meeting that he would be taking
a one-year sabbatical from directing the RCM, but following the sabbatical he
would like to return to directorship. It
was decided that we could not ask someone to take over the marathon for one
year and then have Malcolm resume his responsibilities. Discussion focused on either finding a
permanent replacement or folding the marathon.
Topics of concern focused on finding a director who had adequate time
and the necessary organizational skills to direct a major event like the
marathon. There was also extensive
discussion about reoccurring traffic concerns and the complaints received by
the city government, and the contract signed by the HTC with the City of
Discussion
then moved to a possible date change for the Monte Sano 15K. To avoid police conflict with Alabama A&M’s Homecoming we may need
to change the race date to the second Sunday in October or the third Saturday
in October. As more information from
A&M comes available, this discussion will be revisited and a suitable date
determined.
The
RRCA/AARC meetings were discussed and it was stated that there was probably no
need for David to attend the RRCA convention in
Discussion
then focused on the Rocket City Half Marathon and concerns from the race
director involving overall/masters awards.
It was determined that a standard needs to be followed by all races in
regard to award determination when a masters runner wins the race overall. David said that he would discuss the issue
with Mike Allen who had some thoughts on the matter. It was also questioned whether the name for
the race was too long or was confusing runners who were trying to register for
the marathon. It was decided that the
name would stay the same until the club knows that status of the Rocket City
Marathon. Additionally, it was decided
that the race director could determine how to award participants. It was left to the race director’s discretion
whether to continue with five-year age groups and go with a less costly award
or to begin the practice to ten-year age groups in the 5K event. The race director had stated that due to
lower numbers in the 5K, ¾ of the participants received awards.
The question of fee waivers was discussed in reference
to a request by an HTC Coordinator who asked if that position could be afforded
the same benefit of waived race fees and HTC dues as received by race directors
and board members. After extensive
discussion it was decided that all positions within the HTC are volunteer and a
distinction needed to be made somewhere.
Therefore, it was decided that only race directors and board members
would receive waived fees as a benefit for their leadership efforts and hours
of work required throughout the course of the year. It was stressed that there are many club
members who volunteer a great many hours to the club but if a clear line was
not drawn it would be difficult not to hurt some members with apparent random
decisions.
The
topic then shifted as to what requirements constitute the top HTC finisher in
the marathon. It was determined that the
board needed to give race directors guidance in this area and that in general:
LOCAL
–
HTC
– Can live anywhere but must be a member in good standing
LOCAL/HTC
– A member who lives in
It
was also stated that if an award is going to be presented based on residency or
HTC affiliation, then it needed to be clearly stated on the entry form and
proper information received from the participant. David took an action item to generate
detailed definitions of the above terms.
Information
on various races was then presented.
Clare Purinton stated that she was stepping
down from her position as race director for the Recreation Run 5K and had asked
Kim Foss to assume race-directing responsibilities with Lisa Parker. Kim was voted on and approved by the
board. Also, Keith and Tracy Roberts
asked that Eurocorss be changed to a once a year
race. It was agreed and the date of June
7th was approved. Richard Rodenhausen confirmed that all parade permits have been
filed with the city.
Clare
Purinton presented an idea from Anne Park called the
“Shoe Amnesty Program” in which Nike recycles old running shoes. Anne wants to have a bin at all HTC races and
will handle the transport of shoes to Nike.
It was decided that this program was very worthwhile and that Anne will
coordinate the effort.
Jean
Grotophorst volunteered to take over the Adopt-A-Mile
program.
David
adjourned the meeting at