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

I.  Opening and Introduction: Jerry McDaniel opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2024 meeting. Motion was passed.

II. Announcements from Officers: Jerry noted that the Sickle Cell race did not have a budget approved beforehand, nor did they have a GWTC member involved in the race for the first time this year. Jerry committed to notify Mary Jean Yon of this issue in hopes to rectify (in terms of engaging a GWTC member for Race Director). Jennifer indicated that the next edition of Running Shorts would be out soon and would help advertise the upcoming DEI event.

III. Old Business/Race Closeouts:

a. Sickle Cell 5K/1m Budget Closeout: Peg reported that the total revenue was $8,638.40. The total expenditures were $5,263.89. The net revenue was $3,374.51. The proposed split was 50% to GWTC and 50% to the Sickle Cell Foundation. With direct donations, the total given to the Sickle Cell Foundation is $3,396.90. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget closeout. Motion passed.

b. Women’s Distance Festival 5K/1m Budget Closeout: Lisa Unger reported that the total revenue was $3,993.06. The total expenditures were $3,218.61. The net revenue was $774.45. The proposed split was 50% to GWTC and 50% to Brehon. GWTC will receive $411.12. With direct donations of $237.00, Brehon would receive $624.23. Lisa asked for approval to round up the donation amount to Brehon to $650.00. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget closeout with the $650.00 donation. Motion passed.

c. Prefontaine 5K/1m: Allen Blay reported that this race was cancelled because of the weather from Hurricane Helene and the possibility of trees down in the forest area. Allen would like to donate the proceeds to the Suwannee River Area Council and he will refund anyone who asked for a refund since he had not spent much yet. Motion was made and seconded to approve the donation. Motion passed.

d. Social for October: Jerry was hoping to hold a club social in October, but in light of the DEI committee’s event on Oct. 22, the social will be postponed.

e. Bylaws Revision: Jerry updated the Board that the revision process was complete, newly created and merged positions were identified, and the 2025 elections would be conducted taking into account these revisions. The Board and members would have 30 days for review (roughly 10/1 to 10/31) at which point the election would ensue on or about 11/1. The plan is that the new Board would be known around the time of the November Board meeting and newly elected members could attend the December Board meeting if they chose.

f. Miccosukee Greenway Update: Jerry reported that the next meeting regarding the Greenway management plan is going to be for citizen input on November 7th. After that input, the last step is to go before the County Commission.

g. World Cross-County Championships: Jerry indicated that he was scheduling a meeting with the Executive Director for the 2026 Worlds to be hosted here in Tallahassee. Judy Alexander was scheduled to meet with him as well.

h. Update on the Tallahassee Marathon: Robert Skrob provided an update on the planning for the Tallahassee Marathon, securing title sponsorship, announcement and launching marketing to target demographics including attending the FSU Panhellenic Association meeting.

IV.  New Business:  

a. Five and Ten-Mile Challenge Budget Proposal: Mark Tombrink and Lisa Unger will co-direct the race this year. Mark reported that the proposed budget includes a total revenue of $3,310 based on an anticipated 110 runners. The total expenses are expected to be $2,959. The net revenue should be $351. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget proposal. Motion passed.

b. Extreme Challenge Renewal: Mark Tombrink requested approval for a continuation of the GWTC Extreme Challenge opportunity. Board members agreed that if any club members do participate, that $300 would be allotted for awards.

V.  Reports:

a. Treasurer: Peg Griffin reported that as of September 30, 2024, net assets are $241,695.35, and net operating loss as of September 30 is $15,676.05. Peg reported that the club’s application with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for exemption under the Solicitation and Contributions Act had been filed and accepted. She also reported that she had filed GWTC’s 2023-24 Form 990, previously approved by the Board, with the Internal Revenue Service and that the return had been accepted.

b.  Triathlete Club: The new Tri Club Board members will be announced at their next meeting. Averi Lewis will be the race director in 2025 for the Duathlon. 

c.  Race Director Coordinator: No report.

d.  Newsletter: The deadline for the Fleet Foot newsletter is October 20.

e.  Membership: Robert McNeal reported that as of October, 2024, there are 1,352 individual memberships (1,239 last year at this time). There are 767 family memberships (701 last year at this time).

f.  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The DEI Committee is hosting an event on Oct. 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Ology at 2708 Power Mill Court. Gabrielle Gabrielli will lead a discussion on running with persons with disabilities.

g.  Education and Lecture: See the DEI committee report listed above.

h.  Website: Nothing to report.

i.  Chenoweth Fund: No report.

j.  Merchandise: No report.

k.  Equipment: Nothing new to report.

l. Chip Timing: In September, one non-Club race (Bluebird Run for Brookie B. 5K) and two Club races (5K for Sickle Cell Anemia/Tim Simpkins 1M; and Women’s Distance Festival 5K/1M) were chip timed. Another Club race (Salute to Steve Prefontaine Forest Run 5K/1M) was scheduled to be timed in September, but was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene. For October, one Club race (Pine Run 20K at Tall Timbers) and one non-Club race (Boston Half Marathon/5K) will be chip timed. Scheduled to be timed in November are one non-Club race (Memorial to Memorial Veteran’s Day 5K) and one Club race (Tallahassee Turkey Trot !5K/10K/5K/1M). For non-Club races held during the fiscal year to date (July-September), chip timing revenue totals $1,462.00.

m. Grand Prix: Lisa Unger reported that the race directors of races selected for the 2025 Grand Prix calendar were notified. Race directors that applied to be on the Grand Prix but were not selected have also been notified. The next work for the committee is working on the Annual Awards and Grand Prix awards. The nomination period for Annual Awards is now open. The nomination form was sent to Peg and Robert for publishing.

n. Social: No report.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Jeanne O’Kon, Secretary