The following members of the HARRA directors and officer attended the meeting: Noah Matthews, Doug Spence, Annie Hadow, Esme Fantozzi, Bill Crich, Katrina Price, Randy Carlson, Audrey Christiansen, Tom McBrayer, Paul Cooley, Caroline Burum, Marla Burum, Roger Boak, John Cody, Geoff Guenther, Jo Ann Luco, and Tom Stilwell.
Additionally the following club representatives and visitors: Chris McClung, Bruce A. Mansur, Kay Morris, Eddie Rodriguez, Gregg Felts, Darlene Miller, Kate Mason, Austella Whittington, Peter Tyler.
The board elected Marla Burum and Caroline Burum to the open VVIP position. Additionally, Kate Mason will take over the position for the discount program.
Kay Morris attended and informed us about the Marathon Kids Program. The program teaches elementary school kids about fitness by helping them run a marathon over a six month period in their p.e. school classes. The program targets low income children and is free – there is no cost for the program. The program has been a success in Austin and Dallas, and this year will take place in Houston.
The Marathon Kids program will “kick-off” on October 22, 2005 at Rice University. Though it has the support of Rice University Athletics, Marathon Kids needs volunteers to help with the October 22, 2005 event.
HARRA agreed to help with the program by providing volunteers at the Marathon Kids “kick off” at Rice University. Approximately 150 HARRA members will be needed to support the event.
The Just for Kids Run will take place on Saturday, November 26, 2005. In past years, Memorial Hermann sponsored the event. However, Memorial Hermann has decided not to sponsor the event this year, so HARRA must find a sponsor. The event needs approximately $7,500 in order to keep the entry fee at $5.00 per child.
In order to help race directors and competitors achieve a fair and safe start, HARRA voted to score the team competition using chip time rather than gun time. This will not affect or change each race’s overall and age group scoring, which are based upon gun times per USATF guidelines.
The Water Fountain Committee, chaired by Katrina Price, has contacted the River Oaks home owners association and the City of Houston concerning the placement of a water fountain in the River Oaks Rose Garden on Lazy Lane. The River Oaks Home Owners Association has not been responsive. The City of Houston estimates that the cost to run the fountain will be approximately $16.00 per month.
The Practice for the Tour has been attempting to work with potential sponsors to provide fluids and prizes at the events.
Newsletter: The next deadline is August 1 for the next newsletter.
PIM: The power in motion program will start on September 7, 2005. Online registration begins on August 1. The board discussed PIM’s apparent independence from the HARRA races and programs, despite being a HARRA sponsored program. The board did not reach a conclusion concerning how to correct these issues.
VVIP: The VVIP program will start planning HARRA’s party in the park.
Website: The website began publicizing the fall series races. Additionally the website started a new running route creation tool for use by HARRA members.
Memorial Park Conservancy: The Memorial Park Conservancy finished a new trail between Crestwood and Memorial Drive. The conservancy invited volunteer help in planning the positions for new trails. Additionally the conservancy will begin working with the Department of Transportation to discuss a trail along the access road of Loop 610 to accommodate runners.
Membership: The HARRA membership has increased by 251 new members.
Treasury: HARRA will start working on a budget for the current year. July dues are still being posted, but final expenses from the Spring Celebration have caused a loss to date for the fiscal year.