GULF WINDS TRACK CLUB Minutes

Board/GWTC Members present: Beth Alexander, Peg and Gary Griffin, David and Mary Jean Yon, Gene Opheim, Brian Corbin, Judy Alexander, Joe and Nadine Dexter, Bill Lott, Keith Rowe, Lisa Unger, Sara Cleveland, Tom Perkins, and Jeff Nielsen. 

Mary Jean Yon called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM and quorum was established.   The July minutes were reviewed.  A motion was made, seconded and passed by unanimous vote to accept the minutes as corrected. 

REPORTS:  Race Director – Jeff Nielsen presented a budget for the Prefontaine 5K. There is a lot of competition for this race date and Jeff expects low race turn out.  He is still deciding on age group prizes.  He found an inexpensive source for pint glasses but shipping costs were prohibitive.  T-shirts are more expensive.  He was encouraged to ask Rupp shirts about the possibility of a donation of T-shirts.  He will still have a push up contest.    A motion was made, seconded and passed by unanimous vote to accept the budget as presented.  

Race Director Coordinator – Charlie Yates no report.   Newsletter – Fred Deckert no report.

Clothing Coordinator – Beth Alexander for Margarete Deckert reported 2 caps and one white singlet sold. She remitted $30 to Gene. 

Membership – Peg Griffin reported there are currently 816 members represented by 460 households. 

Awards/Grand Prix Committee –  Lisa Unger reported  the  Committee will meet on August 12 to discuss a preliminary Grand Prix schedule for next year.  She thinks they have a good list to consider.  The Summer Track Series is over with medals awarded to winners who attended the last meet.  Goody bags were also provided to the children.

Website Committee Report – David Yon thanked Judy Alexander again for writing the Volunteer Spotlight section.   He also stated he appreciated Lisa Unger writing the story about being a race director.  The Web Committee is looking into enabling people to join Gulf Winds (or renew membership) online.  Decisions still need to be made about several items including using PayPal or active.com if we want this, and should we lease or buy versus.  David also thanked Fred for the pictures he has provided for recent races.

Equipment – Joe Dexter purchased ribbon for the chronometer and turned $325 for various races to Gene.  Joe brought a copy of the East and NE Chronicle of the Tallahassee Democrat that has the article about GWTC membership.  The Track Series is highlighted in the Tallahassee Matters program on the local cable station.  Judy Alexander provided a synopsis of the timing system equipment over the past several months:  a remote starter and computer have been purchased, while further discussion of the HY-Tek software is required.   Brian Corbin presented options for software licensing.  The cost to use the software is $1000 per year or $100 per event.   Chris Sumner uses mostly Leon County equipment when he times, so he is licensed legitimately to use the HY-Tek software.  Brian described an option to purchase a yearlong license to use the software and a per event license.  Since Brian only times two events per year, the Board agreed it was better to pay the $100 per event licensing fee than to purchase our own copy of the software with our own license.  

Lecture Series – Beth Alexander for Fred Deckert reported on Fred’s question to gwinds about poor attendance at the Lecture Series. He received one suggestion that perhaps the lecture was not well enough advertised, yet it appeared in two successive months in a prominent box on the front cover of the FF.  Also, MJ used most of her column with a nice story on Eric and the proposed lecture.  In addition, David advertised it on the website. Lastly, Fred advertised at Premier and the Track Series.  Nadine suggested mailing post card reminders of the lecture for people to post in a prominent area.  Gary Griffin suggested posting the lecture information in the Democrat. The second suggestion was not enough interest to the membership, which may well be correct.  It did cover the outdoors and trail areas, which Fred thought was pertinent.  What is the proper subject?  Currently Fred has a tentative fall lecture planned by Dr. Thompson of TOC, at their facility.  He’s an orthopedist and triathlete, but will this be of interest? The Board agreed that Dr. Thompson should be a hit.   Sara Cleveland said she would forward the Tri club the news about the next meeting.  Also, Lisa Unger suggested offering the Tim Simpkins movie as an event.  The third suggestion was that lectures have continuous advertisement in the FF and be scheduled for the whole year.  Fred rebutted that scheduling a year ahead of time will be tough to get commitments.  And, what subjects/presenters would bring out people?  And, if it still flops, a significant outlay in money and time would be wasted.  Maybe Friday night is a difficult evening for people.  Summer is a down time, and with Track Series on Thursday, some people do not attend two events in successive evenings. Mary Jean and the rest of the Board appreciated Fred’s efforts in planning the Lecture Series.  Also, Mary Jean encouraged Fred that twenty people attending is a good turn out.

Triathlete Report –Sara Cleveland reported the next Tri Club meeting is August 20 at Po Boys in Killearn.  Roger Hawkes will give a talk about Bike Fit.  Some discussion ensued about the possibility of future speakers form Gulf Winds participating at these meetings.

Chenoweth Fund – David Yon reported that Frank Rudd made a $500 contribution to assist Joe Franklin in his running efforts over the next year.

Treasurer’s Report – Gene Opheim reported that the Club has $55,578, which is $3867 less than last month; the Chenoweth Fund has $16,226, which is an increase of $116.  Gene ate lunch with the CEO from Envision Credit Union and asked about photo signatures on checks.  It is not clear if they will provide this service.  Sarah Dugas was mailed her gift certificate.  The current winner is Mary Lou Manasa.  She will receive a $50 gift certificate to AMC movies.

Racing Team Report – Lisa for Tim Unger no report.

Training Report – Nadine Dexter reported she has received permission to use the FSU Track for the Beginning Running Class.  TJ Hutchins will be the new intermediate group leader.  Class begins September 5.  Nadine reported for Julie Clark that 18 runners at the Monday night half marathon training group.  A few new people attended in addition to the hard-core regulars.  Southwood YMCA is available for the Wednesday night 15K training group with Turkey Trot as the target race.  The conference room and restrooms will be available for them.  This group begins meeting September 5 also.

OLD BUSINESS:  Mary Jean Yon spoke to the Sunset Rotary Club about running and volunteer possibilities.  Amy Antimucci invited her.   Nadine mentioned that the first Ladies Night Out was held with a good turnout of about 18 members.

There was a motion to adjourn at 9:03 PM, which was seconded and passed by unanimous vote.   The next board meeting will be held on September 12, 2007 hosted by David and Mary Jean Yon.  These minutes have been reviewed and accepted by the Board. Beth Alexander, Secretary.