Voting Members Present: Jerry McDaniel, Jennifer Hay, Jeanne O’Kon, Peg Griffin, Judy Alexander, David Yon, Mary Jean Yon, Herb Wills, Tom Perkins, Mark Priddy, Debbie Peters, Robert Skrob, Tina Bahmer, Mark Tombrink, Elizabeth Kamerick. Voting Members Absent: Beverly Harrell. Non-Voting Members Present: Lisa Unger, Bill Lott, Charles Kelly, Emily Webster, Ashlee Blake, Bill Hillison, Kory Skrob.

I Opening and Introduction: Jerry McDaniel opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2024 meeting. Motion was seconded and passed.  Jerry stated that Holy Comforter School has finished their permitting process and they will work on the holding pond through the spring. It is possible that GWTC may have access to the track by late spring. He will let Robert know when this becomes a reality.

II. Announcements from Officers:

Jennifer Hay mentioned the possibility of having a regular meeting place rather than a rotation system. She asked the Board members to think about it. Some Board members said they enjoy hosting the meeting.

III. Old Business/Race Closeouts:

a.  Pine Run at Tall Timbers 20K Budget Closeout: The race proceeds are $650 which will go to Tall Timbers, plus their direct donations for Tall Timbers which total $450. GWTC is receiving $1,158.00 from the race.

b.  Election Results: The new officers are: Jerry McDaniel, President; Allen Blay, Vice-President; Jeanne O’Kon, Secretary; and Peg Griffin, Treasurer. Mark Priddy announced that the following members were voted as the Directors-at-Large: David Yon, Herb Wills, Tom Perkins, Debbie Peters, Hawthorne Hay, and Emily Webster. Judy Alexander and Tina Bahmer will actually share the responsibilities for the Director of Education and Socials, with Tina being the voting member. Jerry suggested that there should be at least five Education/Social club events each year. Jennifer Hay will serve as the Director of Communications and Recruitment. Mary Jean Yon will serve as the Director of Race Directors. Motion was made and seconded to approve the results of the current election. Motion passed.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the amendments to the By-Laws that were submitted 45 days ago. Motion passed.

c. Prefontaine 5K Budget Closeout: Peg reported for Allen Blay. The revenue was $820.14. After refunding those who requested same following cancellation of the race due to storm damage, expenses are $367.90, for a net profit of $452.24. In addition, $147 in donations to the Suwannee River Area Council Scouts BSA were received. Allen requested that, since little effort and GWTC resources had been expended that 100% of the net profit be donated to the Council. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget closeout. Motion passed.

IV. New Business:
a.  Bowlegs 5K/1m 2025 Proposed Race Budget: The race date is Jan. 25. Bill Hillison pointed out that Felton Wright’s father started the race to raise funds for FSU scholarships. Over 240 scholarships have been given from the race proceeds. Larry Giunipero is the co-race director. The Faculty and Friends Club gives out prizes at the end of the race. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget proposal. Motion passed.

b. GWTC 30K/15K 2025 Proposed Budget: Peg reported for Zach DeVeau. Zach anticipates revenue of $4,141.50, and expenses of $3,487, for a net profit of $654.40. It was noted that there was nothing budgeted for registration gifts, and Mary Jean will check with Zach regarding his intentions. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget proposal. Motion passed.

V. Reports:

a. Treasurer: Peg reported that as of October 31, net assets are $267,399.23, and net income as of October 31 is $10,027.83.

b. Triathlete Club: No report.

c. Race Director Coordinator: Mary Jean Yon discussed Turkey Trot and the registrations are increasing. There are 2,000 registered now. There are a few volunteer positions that need to be filled. It is truly a community event with many families participating, and they can go at any pace. Ashlee Blake leads the Turkey Trot Training Group (about 39 members), and Elizabeth Kamerick leads the Beginning Running Group. Emily Webster pointed out that some of the training groups are being promoted by a separate Facebook page. These groups truly get people involved. Robert Skrob gave a status report on the Tallahassee Marathon. They are on track for record attendance. He has reached out to Visit Tallahassee to help with marketing. There are almost 1,000 registrants right now.

d. Newsletter: Robert suggested that Board members consider submitting a Member Guest column, where they could write a short article on a race experience or anything they wish that is running related. Kory requested that the Training Group coordinators and Board members help with the Volunteer Spotlight suggestions.

e. Membership: Robert McNeal reported that there are currently 1323 members (1239 last year at this time), and 750 households (701 last year at this time).

f. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Jeanne provided the lengthy reported sent by Gabrielle Gabrielli about the DEI event on October 22 at Ology. The topic was the importance of DEI to GWTC, and about 40 people attended. GWTC works with underrepresented groups in so many ways, and Gabrielle said she is proud to be a member of the best running club in the country. Danny Manuasa’s work with the IRC program and so many efforts by David Yon including SMIRFs and Striders (plus promotional materials featuring diversity), and great ideas and support by Paul Guyas have enabled this committee to have a positive impact on the community.

g. Education and Lecture: Mark Tombrink commented on the success of the DEI event, and was pleased that it was well-attended.

h. Website: Nothing to report.

i. Chenoweth Fund: One request for $1,000 has been made by Lincoln High School for timing at an event and the committee voted to approve it. A motion was made and seconded to approve this. Motion passed.

j. Merchandise: Club clothing will be sold at Turkey Trot.

k. Equipment: Bill Lott reported that a flip-digit clock stopped working at a recent race and it was subsequently determined that the battery was not holding a charge. The battery was replaced at a cost of $13.98. Several 10-gallon water coolers have broken handles and the availability of replacement handles is being researched. There are no other equipment issues at this time.

l. Chip Timing: In October, one Club race (Pine Run 20K at Tall Timbers) and one non- Club race (Boston Half Marathon/5K) were chip timed. During November, one non-Club race (Memorial to Memorial Veteran’s Day 5K) and one Club race (Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K/10K/5K/1M) will be chip timed. Scheduled to be timed in December are three Club races ( GWTC 10 & 5 Mile Challenge; Tallahassee Ultra Distance Classic 50M/50K/Marathon; and Tannenbaum 6K). Revenue totals $2,180.00 for chip timing non-Club races held to date during the current fiscal year (July-October). Not included in that total is the revenue from the October Boston Half Marathon/5K.

m. Grand Prix: Lisa Unger reported that the Catfish Crawl was the most recent Grand Prix race. The committee is establishing a meeting time to review Annual Awards and Grand Prix awards. A few members are rolling off at the end of the year. Nominations for Annual Awards are open until mid-December.

n. School Grants Coordinator: Jennifer reported for Amy O’Kelley. Conley Elementary received a school grant check, but they will have to set up a separate account. Instead they would like to purchase a bar code scanner to record running laps. They will return the check and they would like the club to purchase the scanner for them. A motion was made and seconded to approve this purchase. Motion passed.

o.Training Groups: Emily Webster and Ashlee Blake introduced themselves and spokebriefly about the training groups they are working with.

p.Social: Tina Bahmer reported that the Christmas Party is on Dec. 7th this year, to avoid conflict with the Ultra. The band and food are already in place. Some memberscomplained that the band was too loud to carry on conversations, and more activitiesmay be needed for kids. Tina put an announcement on Facebook to recruit volunteers.This date conflicts with the Jingle Bell Run, so some members will be tied upvolunteering downtown for the race.

Other announcements: Tom Perkins asked everyone to keep Loranne Ausley in their thoughts. She is still in the hospital in Panama City and will have a long recovery after her bicycle accident. She will eventually be moved to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne O’Kon
GWTC Secretary