General Meeting Minutes
Date: September 14, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mohnton Fire Company Social
Election – Steve Vida: For the upcoming annual election, four board of director positions are open for election, and the president’s position, elected/reelected annually, is open. An applicant for a position must be a member in good standing for 1 year (and a dues paying member for all of 2023.) Steve reminds anyone thinking about running that board meetings are held quarterly in the evening – and anyone who is elected should be available to attend the meetings, being mindful not to miss more than 2 meetings. Any experience level of club involvement is welcome to run for an open position. The president is an annually elected position, acting as the face of the club and often creating the initiative behind club projects.
- Matt Brophy will conduct elections as previously done for the past few years.
- Nominations accepted until October 19.
- Voting on line will take place from Nov 1 to Nov 9 at 5 p.m. (Nov 9 is the November membership meeting.)
- Results announced at the November 9th membership meeting.
Motion made to conduct the club elections according to the 4 points above, seconded, and voted as approved by the members present.
Michelle Henry announced that she is likely not to run for president for next year – although, not totally firm on this yet. She encourages anyone interested in running for president to do so. The positions of vice president, treasurer, and secretary are appointed. The secretary position will be open in 2024.
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – as of today, the account is 132% of target. Expenses are out there for all the various events, but also income is coming in. $1000 still to donate to Special Olympics.
Races:
- Blues Cruise 50K (Sunday, October 1, 2023) – Elaine – people running as trail markers to meet on Saturday, September 30, at 3 p.m., contact Mike Yoder for additional details. Trail maintenance needed for 17/18 September – Skinners loop mowed, because they will be running all of it this year. Jason Karpinski is measuring the course this weekend. A couple of aid stations still need support, especially at 1, 6, and 7. Sign up on UltraSignup as a volunteer, ensures being covered by insurance and that Elaine has your contact information, PLUS you will get a lovely volunteer shirt in your size, and delivered to you at your volunteer site. Elaine is requesting for people at the start/finish area to bring some yard games for entertainment – make sure your name is on these items.
- Oley Valley Country Classic (Saturday, November 4, 2023) —Lenny Burton – registration is going well. Looking for volunteers.
- Kris Kringle 5 Miler (Sunday, December 31) – Lisa Domeschek – registration is open through Ultra Signup. They are not ordering extra hoodies. This year, they are red with a new design.
- Shiver by the River 5K and 10K (first one, December 10, 2023) – Sue Jackson – not sending registration application mailings, but printed application forms are fine to mail in. The directors are sending out emails and Facebook posts. They are accepting day-of registration. Sue showed the group the towel swag for this year.
- Jr. High Cross Country Fall Invitational – Saturday, October 21, reach out to Tom Chobot if you want to volunteer.
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
- Wine and cheese social – this Saturday, Britny is hosting.
- Tiffany – skating event, October 21, 5 to 7 p.m., skating help and instruction will be provided by Tiffany’s family. Skate rental available at the event location, Skateaway, in Shillington. A Facebook event will be created. Snack bar will be open, no alcohol permitted or sold. Also, if people want to stay for the public opening, from 7 to 10 p.m., they can do so without paying additional entry fee. The cost is $5 for a guest, members no cost. Rental of skates in $3.
Scholarship Committee: Beth Kohl wants to step down as chair. She has a request about the amount of the award – states we should consider increasing it to $1000 per award. She is looking at reviewing the applicant questions, and reaching out to the area guidance counselors. A motion was made to increase the amount of each award to $1000, seconded, and passed by the membership.
Old business
- Pop-up tent has been purchased, and will be used soon.
- Website updates – Michelle spoke to Ed Recker, and he gave her a contact for web site development. She will be forming a committee of 3 to 4 people to move this forward.
New business
- Help needed with towing the trailer, additional people with trucks are needed – contact Mike Whalen with details of the requirements of towing.
- Guts and Glory health education event from 10 to 3 on September 23 at Penn State Berks. Michelle will be attending to represent the club.
- Holiday beer garden and market at Fawn Hill on 11/25, 11 to 6 p.m. The Pacers will represent.
- Shawn Luther suggested ‘trail race series’ – having people run the three trail races and give some sort of swag – Charlie Horse, Run for the Ages, and Blues Cruise. Prize/swag to be determined – most likely in the form of additional swag. Elaine suggested starting with Blues Cruise for advertising. The race directors will discuss the development of this idea and the swag further.