General Meeting Minutes
Date: November 14, 2019
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Blind Hartman’s Tavern
Ballots were distributed for the election for the board of director positions (4 x 2-year positions) and president (1-year position). (Results in new business.)
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther—112% of target; prepaid for mailings, our equipment is moved out of the shed, and then Shaun has prepaid for the trailer spot.
Races:
- Charlie Horse Half Marathon and 5K—Shaun Luther—Registrations available on Ultra Signup for the race on May 23, 2020. Robeson Township received a grant to build a footbridge across the stream at the first water crossing, so that may be done by the race. There’s no plan at this time for a bridge at the second water crossing.
- Run for the Ages 10K—Donna Hey—June 28, no other update.
- Grings Mill 10K & 5K—Caroline Hill—Sunday, Aug 2. Will keep registration and start at the red bridge area. The directors are looking for new ideas for awards, something with a little pizzazz.
- Blues Cruise 50K—Dan Govern—registrations already coming in for the Oct 4, 2020, event.
- Oley Valley Country Classic—Len Burton—run on Nov 10, it was a good day, volunteers showed up, and they had a successful run. Special thanks to Charlie Crowell who did the shuttling of the large finish-line apparatus and gave his time as a street crossing guard duty.
- Kris Kringle 5-Miler—Polly Corvaia—Dec 29, start at 11:00 a.m., this year is clockwise, so runners will hit the hill in the beginning. 170 pre-registered so far, so on track for a good turnout. All registered runners have received an email confirmation that their registration was received. Kohl Pharmaceutical Research wants to sponsor, so will use that sponsorship for gift baskets. Money/gift cards for the top 2 males and top 2 females. Ted Andrus will donate Southwest tickets again this year. He has moved out of the area, so his continued support is appreciated. Steel gray is the hoodie color this year. Sponsor Fleet Feet and other vendors will be at the event. Polly is offering to have someone who is interested shadow her for possible transition to another race director.
- Shiver by the River 10Ks and 5Ks—Sue Jackson—about 170 pre-registered; on track so far for planning. The swag will be a soft cotton shirt, which has been popular this year. Always need volunteers, and, more so, runners. Same course as last year, with better paving this year. Dec 8 is the first race at 10 a.m. Need a volunteer road marshal for “Ken’s corner,” as Ken Seale has moved out of the area.
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
- Christmas Party, Dec 6, Grill Fire Company, $10 for members/$20 for non-members, 6 to 11 p.m., disc jockey again this year. Raffles, etc. This is Swampy’s 25th year of organizing the party.
- Reading Royals hockey game, will be scheduled for a Saturday night, probably in January.
- Wallyball, will be scheduled, probably in February.
- Caroline Hill is going to look into axe throwing or an escape room outing.
- Jane Setley will put a list on line for voting on activities.
Communications Committee:
- Facebook: If anyone has information for posting, please let Jane Setley know.
Community Service:
- Weekly runs: the weekly runs are scheduled on a fairly consistent rotating basis. If anyone has a new idea for a running route, please share it with Phil Lechner. Matt Brophy is planning to create a route in Reading.
- Trail Maintenance: Blue Marsh has received funds to repair, rework, and upgrade the trails over a 5-year period. On Nov 20 they are having a meeting at Bldg 24, which BAMBA is attending. Some Pacers will also attend. We still have a section of trail that we maintain, as well as funds available for projects at Blue Marsh.
Charity Committee:
- Scholarships: The application process is open. The deadline for submission is the end of February.
Membership committee: The annual renewal of membership is due, and emails will be sent on 11/15. Payments for membership are accepted at the Christmas party.
Old business:
- The trailer has decals now, and has been in use at the races.
- Girls on the Run 5K event is on Nov 24
New business:
- Dale Wiest spoke about a charitable activity he has become passionate about—he would like to use running strollers to push disabled individuals in races, so they can experience the races as well. He spoke to Ruthie Vanderbeck of IM Able, and that agency has two donated running strollers which can be loaned out. His idea is to research this further, as far as interest, legality, insurance, etc., with the goal to test this on two races in April and May. His email is wiesty58@gmail.com, and he would like to hear from anyone who would like to be part of this.
- Tom Chobot received an email from the Hamburg teachers group. They would like to have a bench on the Bartram Trail in memory of Mike Ranck, and are asking for donations. There is interest in the club to do this, so Tom will look further into the details of the contribution needs.
- Election results: Board members elected/re-elected: Ellie Alderfer, Beth Kohl, Karen Rule, and Mike Yoder were elected for 2-year terms. For President, Steve Maguire was re-elected to another 1-year term.
Pagoda Pacers News 