10/17/05  MINUTES

Attendees:  Tom Stilwell, Roger Boak, Bob Hoekman, Annie Hadow, Doug Spence, Audrey Christianson, Esme Fantozzi, Eddie Rodriguez, Ramona Zamudio, Tom McBrayer, Paul Cooley, JoAnn Luco, Chris Rampacek, Caroline Burum, Theresa Drago, Scott Michelman

1.            HARRA 25K Race Review:  The race has been approved.  Eddie Avila will be the lead EMT.

2.            RRCA—Offer to Sponsor Hospitality Suite at Convention: Doug Spence gave a presentation regarding the opportunity for HARRA to sponsor the hospitality suite at the RRCA convention.  After significant discussion, it was determined by majority vote that HARRA will not sponsor the suite.  HARRA will consider at a later date the possibility of sponsoring a booth at the convention.

3.            Race Recap—Cross-Country Relay—Speaking on behalf of the Tornados, Ramona Zamudio acknowledged the race violated HARRA’s medical guidelines by failing to have appropriate medical personnel on site.  She also acknowledged the severity of this violation.  She presented the Board with a resolution from the Tornados whereby the race in the future will use only paid medical staff instead of medical volunteers.  Significant discussion resulted in a proposal that the Cross-Country Relay not be banned as a HARRA race, but that the Tornados be assessed a financial penalty equal to the cost of hiring two EMTs and be required to do clean-up work on the Ho Chi Minh trails on a date to be determined.  The Board also accepted the resolution regarding the use of paid medical staff for all future Cross-Country Relays. This proposal passed by a majority vote.

4.         Race Recap—Space Alliance 10-Miler—The race went well, albeit on a hot day.  It was well-organized and all clubs were represented.  Dr. Bob Hoekman addressed some confusion that occurred with the medical personnel during the race whereby an on-site ambulance took 35 minutes to reach a downed runner.  He again stressed the importance of having adequate medical personnel on site, and reminded everyone that an ambulance must be at the race until 30 minutes after race closure.

5.         Just for Kids Run—Through tremendous support from the various clubs, the running community, and other generous donors including Houston Masters, the Chevron Houston Marathon, Finish Line Sports and Gary Mulvihill-Runners High Club, this event has received sufficient funding to avoid operating at a loss. 

6.            Marathon Kids Program— The event has plenty of volunteers, but is still accepting help if other wish to volunteer.

7.         Club Competition—Runner of the Season information has already gone out.  Team information will be out shortly.  A question was raised regarding Desiree Skinner, who lives outside the designated area for the club competition, but has competed for the Tornados at the Cross Country Relay and the 10-miler.  A motion that Desiree be permitted to compete in the Club Competition for this year passed with no opposition.

8.            Practice for the Tour—The race had a good turnout for the first two stages, with approximately 120 people showing up.  Shoe certificates were provided to division winners at the first race and will be done for the second race as well..

9.         Water Fountain Committee—Kirksey has agreed  to provide architectural services and will develop some graphics that can be used for presentation to the River Oaks Homeowners Association, as soon as such a meeting can be arranged.

10.       New Event—New Year’s Eve Resolution Run—This is an event, not a race.  Pending one more approval, it will be held at Memorial Mark on New Year’s Eve at midnight.  All money raised will go to support the Park.  There will also be a pre-event singles mixer held in conjunction with meetsinglerunners.com.

11.            Memorial Park Concessions—The City of Houston wants to develop small concessions around the tennis center.  It is interested in ideas from the running community and encourages people to submit ideas.  This can be done either directly or through the HARRA Board. 

12.            Activity Updates:

            Newsletter update:  Inside Texas Running now wants submissions for Footprints by the first of the month, so club submissions must be in by the 25^th of the preceding month.

            Membership:  Currently at 1450, up 100 from last month.

            Treasury—Audrey provided a financial overview.

            Web Site—the race calendar is now interactive so race directors can post their own events.

            CPR/AED presentation—Dr. Bob Hoekman gave a presentation on cpr/aed and provided information for those interesting in becoming certified.

            Power in Motion—Although PIM missed the first week ever because of Hurricane Rita, it’s already up to week seven with a very strong 50% retention of participants.  The end-of-season race will be the Run for the Saints on 11/5/05.