MINUTES FROM THE HOUSTON AREA ROAD RUNNERS ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

JULY 17, 2006

 

The following people were in attendance: Anna Sumrall-Helm, Bruce Mansur, Sarah Troscher, Audrey Christiansen, Cheryl Esposito, Deb Taylor, JoAnn Luco, Eddie Rodriguez, Brett Woody, Karen Traub, Tom McBrayer, Roger Boak, Annie Hadow, Randy Carlson, Christopher Rampacek

 

Anna called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and introductions were made.

 

PIM:

The first item of business was PIM. Anna reported for Jack McClintic that PIM is on schedule to run from September 13 to November 15, with the Shriner 5K on November 11 as the goal race. On-line sign up will be set up in the next few days. PIM is in need of additional coaches, so if you or anyone in your running club is interested in coaching, please contact Jack. PIM sponsor Koala has agreed to pay $300 for PIM brochures. Many thanks to Koala.

 

Marathon Meeting Recap:

Bruce Mansur attended a meeting held by the Houston Marathon to solicit input from the various Houston running clubs. They held discussions related to setting up a dedicated area for running clubs in Hall C on marathon day and The Pasta Party. The clubs suggested setting aside the South wall of the GRB for running clubs to set up tents/ staging areas for members to use the day of the race. The Marathon Committee requested that the clubs get back to them by September 1 with the approximate number of clubs and  members running the Marathon and Half-Marathon so that they can determine how much space will be needed. The Marathon Committee encouraged clubs to utilize the Marathon bag drop off area.

 

The clubs suggested that the Pasta Party be changed back to Friday night instead of Saturday night. The Marathon Committee confirmed that it is already scheduled to be held on Saturday night in 2007, but will be held earlier than in 2006. They said they would consider moving it back to Friday night in the future.

 

Additionally, requests were made for there to be more chairs in the enclosed area at the finish. The Marathon Committee also asked each club to do what they can to deter walkers from starting prior to the official start. For any finisher who did not receive a medal or finisher’s shirt in 2006 due to limited supply, those are now available. The Marathon Committee is also soliciting volunteer assistance on marathon weekend (at the Help Desk at the GRB, elite runner shuttling etc.) and increased participation in Run For A Reason. It is their goal to have each runner raise $350 for charity.

 

Party In The Park:

Anna announced that the Party In The Park is scheduled for August 26 from 9-12 AM. She recruited volunteers to handle various tasks needed to be completed beforehand. Randy Carlson submitted our permit request with The Parks Department. Setup will begin at 7 AM. Tents will be set up just west of the Tennis Center. Volunteers are needed to set up, beginning at 7, and post party.

 

Just For Kids Run:

No updates

 

Rose Garden Water Fountain:

No updates

 

VP - Communications:

Anna reported for Jon. He needs club reports by the 25th of each month. He updated the Board on the publicity work he has done on behalf of HARRA.

 

Membership:

Anna reported on behalf of Erin. There are currently 525 members, 63 of whom are new.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Audrey informed the Board that HARRA presented a check for $10,000 to the Hermann Park Conservancy to cover a pledge we made to them in 2003 to be used for improving their running trails. The money has been earmarked in the Trails Fund for this purpose since 2003.

 

She discussed the 2006 year to date Financials, which show a small surplus. Club invoices are due to be sent out in the next few weeks.

 

Website:

Anna updated for Sarah. All updates such as ROTS, Team Competition, 2006 Board, discounts, calendars etc. have been made. Sarah plans to move the site to a new hosting service, and will put it into HARRA’s name when the current service expires in October.

 

Member Discount Program:

Anna announced that this position is open and is looking for someone to take it over.

 

VVIP:

VVIP tallying from Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 is still incomplete. A suggestion was made that we check with Camille for specifics on how points are calculated and assigned. Cheryl offered to help tally the points and will follow up with Camille.

 

Memorial Park Conservancy:

Deb Taylor, who is the new Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for The Memorial Park Conservancy, introduced herself. She advised the group that Peter Tyler is lo longer with MPC due to relocation. She urged anyone with projects for the project lists to submit them to her. deb@memorialparkconservancy.org.

 

PIM:

Tom added that Jack did very well with the PIM group. In addition, the program is financially healthy.

 

VP – Clubs:

Roger brought up that Lisa Tilton-McCarthy’s Park to Park Run time wasn’t included in the original ROTS standings. Including her time would move her from 4th to 2nd place in the Women Under 40 category. The issue was discussed and Roger motioned that we award Lisa $30, which is the prize money difference between 4th and 2nd. The Board approved.

 

Club Reports:

 

Christopher Rampacek from Team PTI presented his planned  New Year’s Eve event to be held during the evening/ night of December 31st and asked for HARRA’s support.

 

Joanne and Tom reported that the Houston Masters website has been updated. Mary Anne McBrayer has put in a lot of time and effort to make their site very interesting and informative for Houston runners. Thank you Mary Anne.

 

Randy Carlson discussed Memorial Park Consverancy’s desire to showcase the Park, without crowding it with events. There is currently a proposal before the Parks Department which would call for joint approval from MPC and HARRA for any running event to be held at the Park, with a limit of 5 per year. Randy discussed some other ideas such as having a separate HARRA series in the park, to be considered in the future.

 

Randy told the Board that  a private individual had come forward offering to pay for an additional water fountain in the Park, to be installed at one of a few locations as requested by that individual. The Board considered the location options and will recommend 2 to the Memorial Park Conservancy to review. The first choice is on the south side of Memorial and Crestwood. The second choice is near the trailhead at the rugby field.

 

Karen Traub from Pearland Area Running Club introduced her club. They are 50-60 members strong and are currently working with the city of Pearland to build new running trails there.

 

Marathon Kids:

Kay Morris will attend the August HARRA meeting to ask for support for the kickoff event, which will be on October 21.

 

New Business:

 

It was announced that the Tornados Cross Country Relay is scheduled for September 16th. We will invite the Race Director to attend the August HARRA meeting to address race requirements.

 

Anna asked the group about the possibility of discounting first time members because she has been approached about it on several occasions. The Board discussed the idea and decided against having ongoing discounts, but considered offering a discount as incentive to sign up at the Party in The Park. Anna moved that we offer a one-day, paper only $5 discount for new members and renewals, to be offered at Party In The Park.

 

There was no further business to discuss. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.