MINUTES FROM THE HOUSTON AREA ROAD RUNNERS ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

APRIL 19, 2010

The following people were in attendance: Joe Carey, Carol Watson, Tom McBrayer, Ron Morgan, Bob Hoekman, Mark Fraser, Roger Boak, JoAnn Luco, Helen Grant, Jay Hendrickson, Bob Schamus, Eddie Rodriguez, Audrey Christiansen, John Phllips, Jen Brown, Gail Stewart, Lee Greb, Gail Stewart, and Annie Hadow.

Ron called the meeting to order at 6PM.

Membership: The Board discussed prorating and confirmed that anyone who enrolls or renews after the LP Run will be considered current through June 30, 2011. “HARRA Buys You Lunch” will go into effect after the LP Run. Jay will update the website.

VVIP: Joe reported that Ron recognized that for 2008-2009, only about half of the top 20 of our top volunteers were recognized due to the current VVIP points distribution plan. Joe and Ron presented a proposal to change the VVIP points distribution in hopes of rewarding HARRA’s top volunteers going forward. Joe proposed the following:

1. Top 10 volunteers - $100 gift card
2. 2. Next 10 volunteers - $75 gift card
3. 3. Five $50 gift cards by lottery – 2 star and above to qualify
4. Eight $25 gift cards by lottery – 1 star and above to qualify
5. Fifteen $20 gift cards by lottery – notable and above to qualify

A total of 48 awards will be given for a total cost of $2,500, the same as 2008-2009, when 40 awards were given. Joe also proposed that the VVIP Coordinator be ineligible for an award. Joe recommended amending the points awarded to HARRA Board Members for service to 15 from 25 and to 30 from 50 for the President.

Roger seconded Joe’s motion / proposal, adding that the VVIP Coordinator be eligible for an award. The Board approved.

Tour de Bayou: Roger reported that attendance is strong – at the first 3 stages we have had 143, 164, and 165 participants respectively.

HARRA Membership Appreciation Picnic: Mark indicated that he is working with ALRC on food, and is lining up volunteers. The bouncy castle, band, and Peter Manry are already confirmed.

Banquet: Mark informed the Board that Leroy Burrell has agreed to be the speaker. Jen will order the food from Taco Cabana. Mark and Jay will work to put information on the picnic and banquet, including banquet sign up link, on the website.

HARRA Clothing: Ron presented a few samples whose designs did not match what Mark and LaErica had discussed. Ron will follow up with LaErica.

Brochure: Ron is in the process of making corrections to the proof April put together. Ron urged everyone to submit ideas for the e-mail blasts as well.

Member Discount Program: No update.

AED: Bob announced that Manny Valle will lead the AED team at the Bayou Bash. Bob reviewed his team list and noted that 9 people aren’t current HARRA members. This ties into a discussion Helen and Lisa led, concerning the fact that several of the PIM coaches are not HARRA members. The Board discussed whether we should require PIM coaches to be HARRA members. Roger moved that we require PIM coaches to be HARRA members. Jen seconded. The Board approved.

Bob also noted that 54 members of his team worked this year. His team roster is usually close to 75, with 10-15 inactive at any point in time. AED team participation is very strong – at about 80-90%.

Outer Loop Trail: Carol explained that the Memorial Park Conservancy is in the middle of a capital campaign to help raise funds, including funds for the outer loop trail. It is up to the City of Houston parks and Rec to determine the placement of the trail. One option is to run the trail along Crestwood, but the Crestwood Civic Association has been vocal in its opposition to the proposal because of parking and traffic concerns. Carol suggested that if you would like to see the trail run along Crestwood, then you should express your feelings to Joe Turner and Annise Parker. Bob added that one of the proposals is to run the trail through the woods on the East side of the park. This would be unsafe and would involve cutting down trees. Bob expressed that he is in favor of the Crestwood trail. Carol commented that the Conservancy’s stance is that the trail will end at Arnot and suggested that if HARRA would like to be a voice for the Houston running community then we should take a stand. Ron made a motion that we write a letter in favor of the Crestwood trail. Mark seconded. The Board agreed. Carol will help Ron draft the letter. Carol recommended sending as many e-mails as possible as well.

Open Discussion: It was mentioned that the entry fee for the Houston Half Marathon in October is high. The reason given is that it requires a lot of road blocks and police. Ron will invite the race committee to a future meeting to discuss.

Ron suggested having awards / voting for the best course, best post race party etc.

Tom mentioned that HMSA had received a solicitation for funds for a run in Iraq and was wondering if anyone else had and if the request is valid or not.

Bob noted a few potential anomalies in the race results from the Bellaire Trolley Run, having to do with chip time v. gun time and exact chip times. Our current policy, which is reflected in previous minutes, is that we accept gun times for overall winners and chip times for age group scoring. Do we want to keep this policy in place, and, if yes, do we want to add it to the race requirements? It was suggested that we invite the race directors to a future meeting to discuss.

There was no additional business to discuss. Ron adjourned the meeting at 8:03.