In attendance were Roger Boak, John McCleery, Debbie Kempler-Smith, Shawn Smith, Tom McBrayer, David Gaughan, Chiquita Taylor, Barbara Shepard, Mercedes Tarley, Joe Sellers, John Phillips, Chuck Cofer, Tom Woltz, Bill Smith, Diana Floyd, Bob Hoekman, and Annie Hadow.

Chiquita opened the meeting by requesting Board Reports.

Debbie Kempler-Smith reported that the HARRA membership booth at the Marathon Expo was a success. We had roughly 300 members renew their memberships and about 100 new members join over the weekend. Debbie thanked all of the volunteers for their time and participation at the HARRA booth.

Roger advised everyone that there are 35 finisher's towels left. Please pick up your towel if you haven't already done so. The towels will be available at the Tomball 15k.

Shawn reported that Students Run Houston manned the water stations at Miles 3 and 23 at the Marathon yesterday. There were 51 students as well as 14 coaches who participated, so he was pleased with the turnout. The Students had a great time and Shawn feels like everyone found it to be a valuable experience. He also clarified that Greater Houston Track Club donated $1000 to Students Run; last meeting it was announced that GHTC had given $500. Thank you again to GHTC.

Randy Carlson talked briefly about the Bayou City 10k. H.E.B. has agreed to be a race sponsor for 3 years. Also, Swift Energy has given a generous donation. Everything is coming together thanks to Camille and her committee, so it should be a great event.

Chuck gave the Treasurer's Report. He distributed a copy of the 1999 HARRA P&L Statement, which the Board reviewed and discussed. Several items will be examined in greater detail before the next meeting. The primary one is a question posed by Debbie Kempler-Smith; she and others are interested in learning how much is spent per member on HARRA programs such as Iron Foot awards, Footprints, RRCA membership/insurance etc. Roger and Chuck agreed to prepare an analysis of the amount per member before the next meeting. Chiquita reviewed a list of recommendations entitled "Controls Over Your Club Treasury", which was obtained from RRCA. Among the ideas included in the list, RRCA recommends that someone other than the Treasurer keep a copy of all bank statements. It was agreed to that Annie would keep an extra copy of the HARRA bank statements with the minutes and other records she archives as Secretary. Chiquita requested that Barbara provide Annie with copies of the PIM bank statements since PIM has a separate bank account.

Chiquita moved the meeting forward to a discussion of some follow-up items before the Board.

The subject of Runner Misconduct was raised. Tom McBrayer advised the group that HARRA has received the award back from the runner who ran wearing two, his own and his wife's (award winning time), chips in the 20k.

Mercedes advised the Board that the Memorial Park Bulletin Boards will be kept up to date by HARRA member Martin Murdock, who has agreed to manage them. Mercedes made some new posters for the bulletin boards. Martin has the key to the bulletin boards and will keep them up to date going forward.

Roger informed the group that he would be sending out RRCA/HARRA club dues to the individual clubs very soon. Currently no club has paid these dues.

The Just for Kids Run was discussed. Chiquita announced that she would not be involved with the run in 2000. Also, Debbie Kempler-Smith cannot be Race Director this year, so we really need a Race Director. Tom McBrayer suggested that perhaps a club should take this race on. That idea will be mentioned to the various clubs for consideration. Chiquita urged everyone to think about acting as Race Director for this race. Debbie said that she would ask Jerry Smith to put the issue out on e-mail.

Chiquita raised the issue of the 2000 Board positions. She requested that each current Board member contact her before the next meeting let her know if he/she would like to be on the ballot next year, and, if so, which office he/she would like to run for.

Chiquita turned the discussion to some new matters. The first of these is whether or not we would like to post our equipment inventory on the HARRA website to let Race Directors know what is available for rent. Tom McBrayer said that he would contact Jeremy about the project and will let us know what they have discussed at the next meeting.

Shawn told everyone that he is working with Jeremy to post the Runner of the Season award money offerings on the HARRA website.

Joe Sellers proposed that we award singlets to Iron Foot winners again this year. He motioned for the Board to approve the $1500 expense to cover the cost of the singlets. The Board approved the expenditure.

Chiquita raised that it is time to reorder the HARRA T-shirts we provide to our volunteers. Mercedes recommended that we include a VVIP logo on the new shirts. Chiquita proposed that the Board approve the estimated $800 cost of the shirts with the VVIP logo. The Board approved the purchase.

Chiquita brought up a few items that had come from calls to our Hotline. A banner company called requesting to be considered for future banner needs. Mercedes offered that it would be good for HARRA to have a smaller banner because the one we have is quite large. We could use one small enough to display in front of a table for functions where we do not use a tent. Mercedes will look into the cost of such a banner and will report on her findings at the next meeting.

Chiquita also raised the idea of creating a Social Director position. The idea of planning more social events for HARRA members was a popular one at last year's Pizza Meeting. Mercedes agreed to contact the people on her list of volunteers who help with social events. Chiquita will talk to Joann Luco about being a Co-Director.

Tom McBrayer made a correction to the December meeting minutes: HARRA will get Texas Running Club's equipment if Texas Running Club decides to give it away. We have not gotten it yet.

Shawn proposed that the HARRA club awards, which are usually awarded at the Tomball 15k, be given out at the HARRA Bayou City 10k since it is a HARRA sponsored event. The Board approved the change.