I. MEETING ATTENDANCE AND OPENING

Voting Members: Paul Guyas, Mark Priddy, Robert Skrob, Kat Sack, Tristan LaNasa, Chika Okoro, Zack Scharlepp, Sarah Thompson, Judy Alexander, Heather York, David Yon, Sarah Thompson, John Sivyer and Mary Jean Yon

Non-Voting Members: Jillian Heddaeus, Zach DeVeau, Bill Lott, Mark Tombrink, Dominic Milner, Keith Rowe, Thomas Biance, Chris Turner, Tec Thomas and Nico Wienders

The meeting was called to order by Paul Guyas at 7:32 p.m. A quorum was established. The December meeting agenda was approved with no objection.

A motion to approve the meeting minutes for the November meeting was made, seconded and passed without objection.

II. OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENTS

GWTC Annual Meeting
The 2020 GWTC Annual Meeting will be held, via Zoom, on December 16, 2020. Start time is 7:00 p.m. Paul Guyas will send out a reminder message to the membership.

II. OLD BUSINESS

Amended Sickle Cell Wrap-Up
Paul amended last month’s wrap-up for this race to include a change in allocation of $105 resulting from a refund request having been previously recovered by the Sickle Cell Foundation, but delivered to Paul subsequent to the last board meeting.

A Community Thrives (ACT) Grant Program Update
Paul mentioned that good news would be forthcoming regarding the Club’s efforts to secure a grant from this program. A total of $7,665 was raised through Facebook and that total will be added to whatever the grant amount will be.

III. NEW BUSINESS

GWTC Election Results
Kat Sack announced the following results from the GWTC Election:
President – Mark Priddy
Vice President – Heather York
Secretary – Brittney Barnes
Treasurer – Peg Griffin
Directors-At-Large: Charlie Johnson, Jerry McDaniel, Gary Johnston, Judy Alexander, Tom Perkins, David Yon, Herb Wills
Social Director: Vicky Droze
Education & Lecture Coordinator – Kat Sack
Race Director Coordinator: Mary Jean Yon

Turkey Trot Wrap-Up
Mary Jean & David Yon reported that the Virtual Turkey Trot was a success with 1,564 participants and a large number of people (247) participating in the Turkey Trot Hero program. David stated that over $21,000 net profit is anticipated for the race and promised to bring a full report to the board at the next meeting. Direct donations from runners for the three charities totaled $9,594.01 Of that the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend was to receive $2,779.33, The Kearny Center $3,407.34 and the Refuge House $3,407.34. David requested permission to send that money, which is separate from race proceeds, to the charities right away. A motion to share these donations with the Refuge House, Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend and the Kearney Center was made, seconded and passed. Additional funds will be shared with these same three organizations once the race financial wrap-up is completed and approved.

GWTC 30K/15K Approval & Budget Request
Jillian Heddaeus and Zach DeVeau presented a plan for the GWTC 30K/15K, to be held January 16, 2021. The plan includes capping the number of participants (30K- 50 runners and 15K – 100 runners), wave starts for both races, no post-race activities, masks requirements whenever feasible and especially for volunteers, minimizing the amount of congregating and limited use of indoor facilities. A copy of the plan is attached. A motion to approve this plan was made, seconded and passed.

In addition, a proposed budget was presented that incorporated the implementation of these safety protocols. Discussion ensued about the club purchasing standard equipment for all races to use such as gloves, trash grabbers, signs, thermometers for screening race participants and volunteers and other safety related items related to COVID-19. A motion to approve the budget and allow the purchase of all items needed was made, seconded and passed.

Flash 12K/6K Approval & Budget Request
Keith Rowe presented a plan for The Flash 12K/6K, to be held on February 13, 2021. He stated he has received permission from the City of St. Marks and the State Parks Division to hold the race in accordance with his proposed safety plan and barring any unforeseen issues with conditions related to the presence of COVID-19. His plan closely followed the 30K plan and also includes capping the number of total participants at 100. Keith stated he still had some things to work out with his proposed budget and deciding whether to hold a packet pick-up. He received positive feedback and promised to return to the next board meeting with both his amended plan and budget for approval.

Run To Posey’s
Mary Jean Yon noted that her recent posts on Facebook and Gwind regarding this traditional Christmas Eve run were intended to explain that there would be no organized efforts to support the run this year due to concerns with COVID-19. While not considered one of GWTC’s official races, this popular event does draw a loyal following that prompted the inclusion of safety recommendations for those that choose to do the run on their own.

Training Groups
Tristan LaNasa reported that he has inherited the job of leading the Wednesday Night Intervals from Jim Halley when Jim moved away. Tristan is looking for a new venue for these workouts and is giving some thought to moving around to various locations, including Lincoln High School. He requested permission to proceed. A motion to allow training groups to open up again, provided the coordinator submit a COVID-19 plan, was made, seconded and passed.

Keith Rowe added that the Winthrop Park Express has continued to meet on Monday nights and has a COVID-19 safety plan that they follow. He offered to submit that plan for approval but asked for clarification for why his Facebook post was taken down after announcing a recent Run To the Lights at Dorothy B. Oven Park. As a result of that action, Keith had removed the Winthrop Park Express from GWTC. Discussion ensued and clarification was offered that training groups had been previously suspended (due to concerns with the pandemic) which triggered the need for discussion of this action. A motion to reactivate the Winthrop Park Express as part of GWTC and to continue the Run To the Lights, contingent upon having an approved COVID-19 plan, was made, seconded and passed.

End of Yahoo Groups
Mark Priddy shared a notice from Yahoo notifying GWTC that, effective December 15, 2020, all Listservs will go away…including the club’s Gwind Listserv. Mark will send out a notice to the current group members. It was also decided to explore other options to create a members-only private discussion group as a replacement.

Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Membership
David stated that it is time to renew the club’s RRCA membership for 2021. Membership includes liability and medical insurance that covers all club events, Directors & Officers and volunteers. The premium is based on the number of club members and is estimated to cost $3,366. A motion for David to proceed with this renewal was made, seconded and passed.

IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

GWTC Election – Zack Scharlepp
Covered above. Notice of the results will be sent to all candidates in the election.

Treasurer – David Yon
David provided the treasury report as of December 9, 2020. Assets were reported at $281,000 and Net Revenue Year To Date was $31,000.

Triathlete Club – John Sivyer
John reported after the meeting that the new President of the Gulf Winds Tri Club, starting in January, will be Tina Bahmer. He thanked everyone on the board for their service this past year.

Race Director Coordinator – Mary Jean Yon
Mary Jean reported she has been working with the race directors for the GWTC 30K/15K and the Flash 12K/6K on their safety plans which were discussed under New Business.

Newsletter – Robert Skrob
Nothing new to report.

Membership –Mark Priddy
Memberships and households for the year were reported at 1,223 and 652, respectively, as of December 9, 2020. These figures are compared to those at this time last year, which included 1,416 memberships and 766 households. There are also 275 Tri-Club members.

Diversity Committee – Chris Turner
No report.

Education and Lecture – Kat Sack
Kat shared that she is exploring ideas for a panel discussion on “Running During COVID” and welcomed any ideas, speakers and assistance.

Trail Work Committee – Dominic Milner
Nothing new to report.

Website – David Yon
Nothing new to report.

Chenoweth Fund – David Yon
David reported that a record number of donations have been made to the Chenoweth Fund in honor of Mike Boll and Jim Phillips. To date, over $2,000 has been received.

Merchandise –Laura McDermott and Sherri Wise
No report.

Equipment – Bill Lott for Tec Thomas
Bill reports that equipment was rented for one race in November. No other new issues to report.

Chip Timing– Bill Lott
One race was chip timed in November. No races are scheduled to be chip timed in December. One race, and possibility a second one, may be chip timed in January.

Trail Running/Racing Coordinator
No report.

Grand Prix Committee – Mark Tombrink
No report.

Volunteer – Lyssa Oberkreser
No report.

Training Groups – Thomas Biance (Interim)
Thomas reported he will work with all training group coordinators to open back up and reminded everyone, once again, that he will be leaving this position.

Youth Council – Kaari Guyas
No report.

Social – Vicky Droze
Paul reminded everyone of Vicky’s planned holiday “Car Lights Parade” scheduled for December 19 at the Tallahassee Developmental Center.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 P.M.

Mary Jean Yon, Interim Secretary