Attendees
Board members: Susan Maher, Pat Brown, Ed Grant, Matt Pyle, Sarah Clements,
Ian Clements, Jim Hage
Also attending
Bob Platt, Howell Posner, James Scarborough, Lesley Stanfield, RRCA Executive
Director David Dobrzynski..
Maher called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.
Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting
Brown said that in the previous meeting he reported on the Bon Air 5K race,
not the Belle Haven 8K. The board approved the minutes with this correction.
Committees/Reports
Treasurer: Pyle reported that the club is in good financial shape. He distributed
a spreadsheet showing the club’s income and expenses, which are nearly
equal. He also noted that the club has a certificate of deposit that is about
to mature.
Membership: Membership Chair Jason Gross was not in attendance.
Training programs:
Marathon Training Program - Maher summarized a written report
from Gary Guenther. The program has 72 people. A few have dropped out because
of injuries. Participants now have DCRRC Marathon Training Program singlets.
The runners are participating in several local races to prepare for their
marathons. The group’s new D.C. meeting spot is working out well, but
has presented additional challenges in finding accurately measured routes
from the new location.
Wed. night track workout - Grant reported that about 50 to
60 people participate every week in the workout at Washington-Lee High School
in Arlington, and that participation has not decreased as a result of the
move from Georgetown to Arlington. He said that Georgetown University is negotiating
with D.C. to build a rubberized track of one-fifth of a mile at Duke Ellington
High School on 37th Street. The university would use it only part of the time
and make it available to the public the rest of the time. However, Grant said
he doesn’t want to move the workout there because the track won’t
be regulation distance. The university also plans to have a track-only facility
in the North End, but he doesn’t know whether it will be open to the
public. He also reported that it’s likely that the lights will be on
at Washington-Lee for the workouts in the winter. The board continued its
ongoing discussion about the need to offer events and workouts in D.C. Grant
reported that a small group of runners work out at American University every
week. The board wants to continue to explore ways to accommodate the D.C.
members of the club.
Saturday Long Run - Platt reported that the runs are going
well. A predicted time run is scheduled for early November.
Newsletter: Hart reported that the newsletter will be sent out soon and preparations are underway for the next issue.
Races: Platt said that the Greenbelt 15K and 3K race was successful and had 167 finishers.
Other Business
Teams: Ian Clements expressed concern that the club may not be fielding teams
for some races that we have in the past. Maher said she sent an e-mail message
to members showing the fall races for which the club will organize teams.
Ian Clements said he would make a list of races and work with team coordinator
Aaron Cheskis and Maher on the matter.
RRCA issues: Dobrzynski discussed RRCA President Freddi Carlip’s request
to clubs to donate $1 per member to RRCA. RRCA is in a financial crisis, with
a debt of about $100,000, which could grow to $121,000 by the end of the year,
Dobrzynski said. He described several reasons for RRCA’s dire financial
situation:
The RRCA office has grown, but there was no plan of how to fund the growth
in staff.
The advertisements in Footprints magazine were underpriced.
The annual convention has lost money.
He said that efforts are underway to reduce expenses and increase advertising
revenue from Footprints.
So far, Carlip’s request has brought in about $11,000, according to
Dobrzynski.
Clubs currently pay membership dues to RRCA of $2.25 per member. However,
three clubs pay less than that: New York, Atlanta, Chicago.
Maher then read the board Carlip’s letter.
Grant moved that the club donate $1.25 per member.
Brown moved that the club donate $2 per member.
Pyle said the club could afford these amounts with no problem.
The board unanimously approved donating $2 per member to RRCA, for a total
of about $2,600.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m..
The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2002.