GULF WINDS TRACK CLUB Minutes

Present: Mary Jean and David Yon, Sheryl Rosen, Peg Griffin, Terry Massa, Pam Jameson, Bill Lott, Judy Alexander, Nadine and Joe Dexter, Mark Priddy, Lisa Unger, Charlie Yates, Jay Silvanima, T.J. Cutchins, Robin Borschel, and Fred Deckert

Mary Jean called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Quorum was established.

The board reviewed the March minutes. A motion was made, seconded and passed by unanimous vote to accept the minutes as presented.

New Business

Pam Jameson of the Gretchen Everhart School thanked the club for awarding the school a $300 running club grant. The school will likely use the money to buy flotation belts so the students may participate in a water jogging class. Pam also asked the board about partnering with the Gretchen Everhart SMILE program for a 21st Century grant. The club could host fitness workshops for parents of the school’s students as an in-kind service that is a requirement of the grant. If the club agrees, Pam needs a letter indicating the club will partner in the program. David made a motion that the club would write the letter if Terry will help coordinate the workshops and work with Mary Jean to compose the letter. The motion was seconded. It passed unanimously.

Nadine informed the board that she and Joe are moving to Orlando as a result of a new job that she has been offered. She then introduced T.J. and Robin who will take over the beginning running class and running boot camp. Robin updated the board on the Springtime training group. It had a great turnout. 115 different people came at least once, and the average crowd each week was about 50.

The World Harmony Run is a relay run that will travel through Tallahassee on April 29. Event organizers asked Mary Jean if GWTC wanted to run with them. She will circulate information on the listserv and ask if members are interested.

Race Director Report – Jay Silvanima, Tallahassee Marathon
The race netted $3,104.34. GWTC keeps 50%, or $1,552.17. Jay will split the remaining 50% between the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, Inc. Jay also submitted a first draft of the 2009 marathon budget. Next year’s race date is Feb. 1. Jay is looking into chip timing but isn’t sure if the budget will allow. A motion was made to approve the $4,000 in Jay’s budget for advertising but not the entire preliminary budget at this point. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Race Director Report – Judy Alexander, Springtime 5K/10K
Judy gave a report on the Springtime races. She is still working to correct the Springtime finish results. She is trying to secure electronic timing for next year’s race, which will be held March 28, 2009. This year’s race had 821 10K finishers and 877 registered. The 5K had 422 finishers and 468 registered. Judy will focus next year on increasing participation in the 1-mile race.

Race Director Report – David Yon, Pine Run 20K
David announced Tall Timbers Research Station is willing to host the reincarnated Pine Run. Tall Timbers will waive any user fees if half of the race proceeds benefit the Tall Timbers Land Conservancy. Gordon Cherr has agreed to direct the race. The Board response was favorable and it was decided to proceed.

Racing Report – Lisa Unger for Tim Unger
GWTC sent 3 teams to the Gate River Run. The men’s overall team placed 5th, the men’s masters team finished 9th, and the women’s team placed 3rd. Tim is recruiting runners for the Gate-to-Gate race May 26. GWTC will again partner with the Northwest Florida Track Club for a joint post-race party. At Springtime, 33 teams registered and 25 finished. 234 people signed up in the team competition.

Treasurer’s Report – Mary Jean Yon for Gene Opheim
The club has $65,861, which is a decrease of $4,795. The Chenoweth Fund has $15,728, which is an increase of $156. The 2008 1st quarter budget was presented which compared predicted versus actual income and expenses. The budget is on track. Mary Jean also updated the board on the 10-Mile Challenge t-shirts. Gene recently reimbursed Judy a total of $1,200 for the t-shirts that had been printed with the incorrect design and adjusted the race budget accordingly. Judy did not prevail in her dispute with the vendor.

Newsletter Report – Fred Deckert
The final newsletter survey results aren’t finished because surveys are still coming in the mail.

Lecture Series Report – Fred Deckert
Fred is planning an upcoming movie night featuring a Steve Prefontaine movie titled “Fire On The Track.” After that, a short Tim Simpkins film that was locally made will be shown. He is considering various locations.

Race Coordinator Report – Charlie Yates
Charlie has been updating the 2008 race calendar and working out any conflicts.

Awards Committee Report – Lisa Unger
The Awards Committee revised the grand prix application, which race directors fill out in order to apply for the grand prix designation each year. The change requires that if an early start is provided, the race must provide an accurate system to record the time, age, and order of finish for all early start participants, and all early start participants must begin the race at the same time. The committee also updated the grand prix age divisions to include 80-84 and 85 and up, instead of simply 80 and up. Additional changes will also clarify the kids’ grand prix age groups. Mary Jean asked Lisa to have the committee complete the policy changes and come back to the board for approval of the changes all at once.

Social Coordinator Report – Mary Jean Yon for Kathy Lindsay
On May 15, GWTC will have a member appreciation social at PoBoy’s on Village Square Boulevard. The social will reach out to new and potential members and let them get to know existing members.

Training Report – Nadine Dexter
Boot camp graduation is May 1 at the Miccosukee Greenway. The class signed up 72 people this year, including many newcomers.

Equipment Report – Joe Dexter
Due to his upcoming move to Orlando, Joe is looking for someone to take over the equipment duties.

Website Committee Report – Peg Griffin
Peg redesigned the buttons on the front page of Gulfwinds.org. She asked the board to let her know if anyone has trouble viewing the site with their web browser.

Chenoweth Fund Report – David Yon
David is working on preparation of the Potluck Bash June 7, which benefits the fund.

Membership Report – Peg Griffin
The club has 883 members in 483 households. 101 people who signed up for Springtime indicated they would like a complimentary copy of the Fleet Foot. Peg will mail the copies with a letter encouraging the runners to join the club.

A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously at 9:13 p.m.