GULF WINDS TRACK CLUB Minutes

Present: Judy Alexander, Brian Corbin, Bill Lott, Jeff Nielsen, Bonnie Wright, Sheryl Rosen, Lisa Unger, Charlie Yates, Peg Griffin, Shaw From, Gene Opheim, Jay Wallace, Kevin French, Mark Priddy, Judi Taber, Janet Borneman, Cathy Heimbecher, Nancy Laux and Jay Silvanima.

In Mary Jean Yon’s absence, Bill Lott called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Quorum was established.

A motion was made, seconded and passed by unanimous vote to accept the July minutes as presented.

Shaw From spoke to the board briefly and offered his store, Shaw’s Athletics, as a packet pickup location for additional GWTC races. He is happy that several races already utilize his store. Shaw also offered to give race directors raffle items or awards to be given away at races. He has trophies he is willing to give away as well.

Cathy Heimbecher, Judi Taber and Janet Borneman from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and the TMH Foundation informed the board they hope to plan a race sponsored by TMH to benefit the Foundation and the hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center. They asked for direction and insight from the board, including help finding a suitable race date. Judy Alexander suggested considering working with an existing race. Judy, Lisa Unger, Jay Wallace, and Bonnie Wright offered to meet with the women at a later time and discuss possibilities in further detail.

Bill introduced new club member Kevin French to the board and requested approval of Kevin as the new equipment manager. A motion was made and seconded to approve Kevin as the equipment manager. The motion passed unanimously.

Bill announced a boy scout named Wilson Smith is requesting permission from the board for a project. Wilson hopes to improve the 9/11 Victory Memorial Garden in front of Forest Meadows Tennis Center by installing a small solar powered sprinkler system and two side benches. The Eagle Scout Review Board needs a letter of approval from the club to allow Wilson to proceed. Sheryl volunteered to write the letter. A motion was made to have Sheryl write a letter of approval for the project on behalf of the club. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Sheryl read a proposal from Fred Deckert in his absence. Fred suggests issuing a yearly report to the community. It would contain a list of donations made by the club to individuals and organizations, a list of community events the club assisted with, and the estimated number of participants at club events. The report would be sent to city and county commissioners and other local leaders. After considering the idea, several board members felt the issue should be tabled until next month’s meeting for discussion with Fred. Bill Lott agreed to table the issue until next month.

Race Director Report – Bonnie Wright, Breakfast on the Track Bonnie announced pre-registrations are on track for this weekend’s race. She presented a race budget to the board. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget as presented. It passed unanimously.

Race Director Report – Jay Silvanima and Nancy Stedman-Laux, Tallahassee Marathon Jay and Nancy would like to appoint the American Lung Association as the race charity. A motion was made and seconded to approve the choice. The board voted unanimously in favor of the decision.

Race Director Report – Jeff Nielsen, Prefontaine 5K Jeff presented a budget to the board. The race will again split proceeds between the Chenoweth Fund and the St. Francis Wildlife Foundation. Also, the high school and open divisions of the race will run together this year. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget as presented. It passed by unanimous vote.

Race Director Report – Lisa Unger, Women’s Distance Festival Lisa presented a budget to the board. The race is not on the grand prix schedule this year. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget as presented. The board approved it unanimously.

Racing Report – Lisa Unger for Tim Unger Lisa reported Tim is hoping to create a team for the Carrabba’s Summer Beach Run in Jacksonville.

Awards Committee Report – Lisa Unger The race application period for the 2009 grand prix is closed. The Awards Committee will meet this month to discuss the grand prix schedule. The committee hopes to present a suggested schedule to the board at the September meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Gene Opheim The club has $68,149, which is a decrease of $1,007 for the month. The Chenoweth Fund has $12,485, which is an increase of $519 for the month.

Newsletter Report – Sheryl Rosen for Fred Deckert Fred would like the board to approve giving away a free year’s membership each month to a member who answers quiz questions correctly in the Fleet Foot. A motion was made to approve awarding one free individual or family membership per month for quiz answers for the September through December 2008 newsletters. The board will ask Fred to report back in December on the popularity of the giveaways and reconsider for 2009. The motion was seconded. It passed with 7 favorable votes and one dissenting vote.

Lecture Series Report – Sheryl Rosen for Fred and Margarete Deckert Fred and Margarete have tentative plans for a lecture on yoga/stretching for runners in September or October.

Race Director Coordinator Report – Charlie Yates Charlie has completed a preliminary 2009 race schedule. It is now posted online.

Equipment Report – Bill Lott The club provided equipment for the Greeks in the Streets 5K last month.

Membership Report – Peg Griffin The club has 997 members in 446 households.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:54 p.m. It was seconded and approved unanimously.