​Voting Members Present: Jerry McDaniel, Jennifer Hay, Jeanne O’Kon, Peg Griffin, Mark Tombrink, Mark Priddy, Judy Alexander, Herb Wills, Robert McNeal, Debbie Peters, Elizabeth Kamerick, Tom Perkins, Beverly Harrell. Voting Members Absent: Mary Jean Yon, David Yon, Allen Blay, Robert Skrob, Tina Bahmer. Non-Voting Members Present: Sherri Wise, Bill Lott, Lisa Unger.

I. Opening and Introduction:

Jerry McDaniel opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the December, 2023 meeting, Motion was seconded and passed.

II. Old Business/Race Closeouts:
a. Ten Mile Challenge Budget Closeout: Mark Tombrink reported that the total revenue was $2813.20 and the total expenditures were $1998.13. The net revenue was $815.07 even though the race was cancelled due to inclement weather. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget closeout. Motion passed.
b. Tannenbaum 6K Budget Closeout: Herb Wills reported that the total revenue was
$2193.22. The total expenditures were $2617.75. The net loss to GWTC was $424.53. There were not as many registrants as last year: there were 98 finishers and 111 registered. Herb pointed out that when the race is on the Grand Prix, it gets more registrants. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget closeout. Motion passed.
c. TUDC Budget Closeout: Peg Griffin reported that the total revenue was $4783.96 with total expenditures of $3716.94. The net revenue was $1067.02. This will be split 50/50 with Friends of Wakulla Springs and GWTC. One of the bigger expenses is for three Sheriff’s Deputies to block off the road all day. The date was the same as the USATF Club Nationals and this seemed to reduce the number of TUDC registrants. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget closeout. Motion passed.
d. USATF Cross-Country Club Nationals: Judy Alexander reported there were 12 reimbursements for club participants. Thirty-eight runners participated. One runner registered but could not run because he was hospitalized. Motion was made and seconded to support his expenses for the event. Motion passed.

III. New Business: None.

IV. Announcements from Officers:
Jennifer Hay reported that the group runs are going very well. They are doing a January Streak and everyone is encouraged to participate. Twenty minutes a day is all that is required. There are prizes for participation every week. The group schedules for the runs are on Facebook, and Jennifer is improving the app for getting the information out. Some Board members asked about getting the information to those who are not on social media. The Google group is small and does not reach all club members. Jennifer would like to make all the running groups “official” groups. There is a waiver to be signed for these running groups on RunSignUp. The Tri Club has the same problem in getting information out to its members. The information needs to be located at one hub and be kept up to date. Mariah Perez is helping the Tri Club develop better social media to reach the members. She will be invited to a future GWTC Board meeting.
Jerry mentioned that Event Vesta will help race directors to advertise their races for a base fee across 15 sites. They will be invited to the next Race Directors meeting. They need a minimum of five events for $75 a year. Jerry viewed a demo on it.
Sarah Babchuck from Habitat for Humanity approached Jerry and asked that GWTC be a
$100 sponsor for a 5K race they are having on March 23rd. Board members were not supportive of this.

V. Reports:
a. Treasurer’s Report: As of Dec. 31, 2023, the net revenue $75,833,84. The current assets are $304,432.61. The sales tax was paid for last year, and the 1099s will be issued by the end of the month. Race directors who purchase items (cups, Gatorade, awards) from Amazon are not eligible for tax exemption, and Peg recommended that the club get its own Amazon account. Certain discounts are available this way. The treasurer can pay for the order in advance. Motion was made and seconded to open the account. Motion passed.
Lisa Unger provided Peg with additional club memberships that came to the club mailbox. The backup mailbox responsibility is being transferred to Jeanne O’Kon.
b. Triathlete Club: Beverly is the race director for the Duathlon on March 3rd. The Awards meeting will be on Jan. 22nd at Momo’s. There is no Red Hills Triathlon this year.
c. Race Director Coordinator: Lisa Unger reported for Mary Jean Yon. The new requirement that those eligible for Grand Prix awards volunteer at one GWTC club race to encourage volunteerism went into effect on 1/1/24. Lisa distributed the 2024 Grand Prix schedule and a description of the new requirement for volunteering. There is a form to validate volunteer participation, to be signed by the race director. Volunteers can sign up on RunSignUp for most races. (Beverly reported that the Tri Club requires five hours per member.) There are enough races with multiple jobs, and everyone will be able to find a way to volunteer during the year. The Grand Prix Committee reserves the right to settle discrepancies. There was some discussion about what activities would qualify for volunteerism, and that may be revisited in the future. Lisa answered questions about how the membership criteria must be met in order to be eligible for awards. The new requirements are (1) volunteering at least one GWTC race during the competition year, and (2) membership in good standing as of 12/31 each year.
d. Newsletter: No report.
e. Membership: Robert McNeal reported that there are 1266 current memberships (1121 last year at this time) and 716 families (656 last year at this time). There was a question about family memberships; everyone in a family membership should be living at the same address. Robert feels that this should be spelled out more clearly for members.
f. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: No report at this time.
g. Education and Lecture: No report at this time.
h. Website: No report.
i. Chenoweth Fund: No report.
k. Equipment: Bill Lott reported five new 5-gallon Gatorade water coolers were donated to the Club by Visit Tallahassee. There are no other equipment issues to report.
l. Chip Timing: Bill Lott reported that during December 2023, two GWTC races (Tallahassee Ultra Distance Classic and Tannenbaum 6K) were chip timed by the Club. A third Club race (GWTC 10 Mile and 5 Mile Challenge) was scheduled to be chip timed, but the race was canceled due to severe weather. During January 2024, only three Club races (Swamp Forest Trail Run, GWTC 30K/15K, and Bowlegs 5K Run for Scholarship) are scheduled to be chip timed. In February, two Club races (Tallahassee Marathon/Half Marathon/Marathon Relay and Flash 12K/6K) and one non-Club race (MAD Dash 10K/5K) will be chip timed.
m. Grand Prix: Lisa Unger reported that the Annual Awards ceremony is on January 21 at 5:00 p.m. at Goodwood Museum and Gardens. An additional $500 was requested for the Grand Prix budget, because the cost for everything has increased this year. Motion was made and seconded to increase the GP budget by this amount. Motion passed. Two positions remain open on the committee. Lisa proposed that the term for committee members be changed to Feb. 1st-Jan. 31st to cover the period including the Awards meeting. Motion was made and seconded to change the term. Motion passed.
n. Social: No report.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne O’Kon
GWTC Secretary