Meeting Minutes, Sun, October 6, 2013 (approved Nov 3, 2013)

Present were:  Gene Wee, Peggy Blumhagen, Heather Krase-Minnick, Dan Kuhlman, Benson Chesang, Don Cackler, Lori Cackler, Janet Huchingson, John Huchingson, Jason Holbert, Garrett Jones and Dee Boeck

Meeting was called to order by President Heather at 4:30 p.m. at Free State Brewery.

The September minutes were examined; Don moved to approve and Dan 2nd – approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s report showed a $10,465.29 balance.  Several checks had been written, including a $400 + check for the YRP t-shirts.  Several deposits of member dues, T-Day run entrants and T-Day run sponsors were noted.

Dan reported on the great success of the first Youth Running Project (YRP), which will be concluding next week.  There were 30 youth signed up and 20+ generally showing up for each of the 3 x/week sessions.   Dan presented a statistical breakdown of participants by age, sex, school, times participating, etc.  Special thinks was given to Leah, Grace, Lori and Dee for helping as volunteer assistant coaches. Dan suggested some possible changes for next year such as limiting participation to 6th graders, having a program at each of the four middle schools, perhaps a slightly higher fee (it was $20 this year), and arranging to have more and better competitions for the kids to participate in.  All these will be considered as the program is planned again for next year.  Dan also indicated he is planning to have a 1/wk session for those kids interested in specifically training for and running in the Thanksgiving Day 5K.  There would be no additional fee for those YRP youth who wished to participate and it was also agreed that these youth would be charged a discounted rate of $15 for the Thanksgiving Day 5K.  That motion was made by Dan, 2nd by Heather and unanimously approved.  Dan and Heather also announced that they have submitted a grant application for a Kids Run the Nation grant through RRCA.

Heather is heading up an effort to recruit runLawrence members to earn money for the club by volunteering at an aid station at the Kansas City marathon in two weeks.  Please check the Facebook page to sign up.  Heather also noted that Kennedy Elementary School is starting up a Marathon Club and is  looking for volunteers. 

Dee and Gene discussed the status of preparations for the Thanksgiving Day 5K.  Most all the sponsorships have been confirmed; the necessary city and law enforcement permits are in hand; mittens and beanies are at the printers; volunteers are being signed up (we always need more)!; Dee attended the PTO meeting regarding the youth fun run plans;  the school will provide artwork for the volunteer t-shirts and deliver neighborhood flyers; Elizabeth Stewart is working on securing a unique award for the fun runners; EMT service and porta potties have been reserved; grocery store and other food donations have been secured; the hand-crafted awards are in the finishing stage.  Entries are coming in at about the same rate as last year. This all points to a great event and we hope all club members will get involved either as a volunteer or participant.

There was discussion about continuing to hold club meetings at different locations, such as private rooms in various restaurants, as opposed to usually having them in the usual conference room at LMH.  Pros and cons were discussed and it was agreed that while we occasionally need a fairly strict business style meeting, it would be beneficial to often have club meetings in a more informal setting with food available.  It was also decided that an effort would be put forth to have more programs at some of our meetings on running related topics.

Heather announced that club shirts have been selected and ordered and should be printed and available soon.  Pictures and how to purchase information will be on the web site when they are available.

Garrett reported on the KU Running Club activities.  The club is going very well with over a dozen runners showing up on his daily 5 p.m. runs from the Rec Center.  Garrett indicated club members have fared well in some local competitions, including the Dr. Bob Run at Rim Rock where club members claimed first place in individual and team competitions.  They sent a small group to race in Emporia and several will be running in the NRCA Regional Championships which the club is hosting at the Haskell campus on November 2. He invited club members to come and volunteer or just spectate.  The club is also fund raising by cleaning up Allen Fieldhouse after the women’s basketball game onDecember 15.

Peggy noted that her group is busy planning for the Lyme Disease Run in the spring and are looking at April 26 at their date.

At 5:45 p.m. Don moved that the meeting adjourn and Jason 2nd. 

Our speaker for this month’s club meeting, Norma Weiser, from the Topeka Run Free organization, showed up just as most members were leaving.  She had the meeting time wrong.  Several club members stayed and listened to her presentation regarding her program which provides running opportunities for those incarcerated at the Women’s Correctional Facility in Topeka and her plans to extend the program to the Men’s Correctional Facility in Lansing.  Norma is trying to recruit volunteers to assist with the Lansing program.  This would involve traveling to Lansing and working with inmates who are selected to participate in the program.  It would require a Saturday training session.  Please contact Norma through the Run Free website if you are interested in more information about the program.

Submitted by,
Dee Boeck
Secretary