HTC “Meet the Board” Meeting

April 27, 2010

 

The Huntsville Track Club held a “Meet the Board” meeting at Monte Sano Lodge on Tuesday April 27, 2010.  In attendance were all board members plus over 100 guests.

 

Jim started meeting by introducing key people that help the club.

·         Buck Jones – state records

·         John DeHaye – course measurement

·         Carl Smith – timing

·         Race Directors

·         Board Members – each spoke briefly discussing their roles in the club.  A strong emphasis was placed on volunteerism and the fact that the club needs new people to step up and give time to our club.

o    Craig Armstrong

o    Joey Butler

o    Kathy Youngren

o    Eric Fritz

o    Dink Taylor

o    Suzanne Taylor

o    Jim Oaks

o    Harold Tinsley

o    David Purinton

§  RRCA recap

§  Insurance

§  volunteerism

 

Jim passed around a survey about Local Running Heroes. Guests were asked to choose on a potential speaker for a future HTC meeting.

 

Jim allowed people to leave if they wished.  Next he opened floor to guests for ideas/comments.  This was done to allow an open discussion of ideas between guests and the board.  Nothing was voted on at this meeting.  The board will meet at a later date to discuss these topics.

 

Mike Greene proposed that Carl Smith get free entries or perks to all HTC races for all that he does.

·         Jamie Burnum asked question about worker coupons.  Was noted that was probably not enough for the magnitude of the work Carl does for the club.

 

Denny Yarges– Is the A&M 10K the longest running 10K in the state?  Harold noted that the Monte Sano races are likely the oldest.  Question also about why there is not a shirt for a race that is among the oldest in the state. 

 

Roger Chassey – Gave presentation about Couch Potato Generation.  His proposal focused on a way to encourage kids to run.

·         Harold brought up idea of bringing back the Spring Fever Run that would be in April and is similar to Autumn Chase.

·         Jamie – is there a federal program that is similar to what Roger proposed.  Suzanne noted that the schools just turned in applications for grants for school run programs.  She noted several schools that already have run programs.  Programs ranged from running games for younger kids to preparing for a 5K for older kids.

·         Jamie noted that when he lived in Florida, all races had a kid’s run.  Not necessarily a 1-mile fun run, but a shorter (50-100 yard) run.

·         Harold noted that the RRCA awards several grants per year for children’s running programs.  We would just need to apply to be considered.

 

Jeff Kyser – thanked the club for allowing races to donate to rescue mission and salvation army.  Noted that extra race shirts have been given to homeless.  Jeff said he could donate any extra shirts to the homeless.

 

David – noted that we are lucky that we don’t have to pay for police support.  We get great support from the city.  Because of that, the club makes an effort to give back to our city and to local charities within the community.  He re-emphasized that we can donate old racing gear to charities.

 

Jamey asked about going to chip timing for all of our races.  David noted that we have looked into it.   For now with the size of our runs, our system is working well and is just as quick and reliable as any chip system that we have looked at.  It doesn’t seem that chip timing would buy us much right now.  Suzanne noted that no track club is able to post race results as fast as Jim.  David noted the same thing. 

 

Julie Zingarelli asked about headphones.  Noted that Mooresville race is out in middle of nowhere and headphones would be nice.  David noted that this is and all other HTC courses are not on a closed course.

 

Linda Scavarda noted the dangers of not running with traffic and that we should always follow rules of road and run against traffic.

 

Marty Eaton – does that fact that HTC members help at non-HTC races and/or that the club rents equipment to non-HTC events put our club at risk to be sued for headphone or other liability issues?

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:09.