HTC Executive Board Meeting

21 September 2009

Board Members Present: David Purinton (President), Eric Charette (VP – Races and Equipment), Harold Tinsley (VP – Communications), Ashley Cain (VP – Programs), Kathy Youngren (Treasurer), Joey Butler (Secretary), Suzanne Taylor (Appointed Member – Co- Rocket City Marathon Director), Dink Taylor (Appointed Member – Co-Cotton Row Director), Craig Armstrong (Appointed Member – Past Board Member).

The Huntsville Track Club met on September 21, 2009 in The Lodge at Southwood Presbyterian Church. David opened the meeting at 7:00.

Suzanne informed the board that the City of Huntsville has considered removing their sponsorship of the marathon from the 2010 fiscal year budget.  This would impact the 2009 calendar year marathon.  Suzanne wanted to solicit ideas from the board on how best to broach this with the city.  It was discussed that the best course of action would be to politely remind the city of all the Huntsville Track Club does in giving back to the city, such as donations to the police memorial and a proposed donation to the Everybody Can Play Playground.  If the city were to remove their sponsorship it could mean that the donation to the playground would have to be redirected to help make up for the loss of sponsorship by the city.  It was suggested that Suzanne could also remind the city that the marathon and other club events generate a considerable tax income for the city and business for local merchants that could be lost if the marathon looses financial support.

Suzanne informed board that the HTC would be presenting the donation to the Police Officers’ Memorial on Wednesday September 23 at 4:15 pm and encouraged board members to attend the presentation.

The board was made aware that the course certification for the Fleet Feet Monte Sano 15K has expired. The race is on October 10^th, which leaves little time to get the course recertified. The board discussed running an older, loop course that is still certified, or just running the current course as-is whether it is certified or not. The biggest drawback to running a non-certified course would be that no state records could be set at this race. After discussion of options, David moved and Joey seconded a motion to run the course as-is, but to try and get the course recertified before the race if at all possible. The motion passed.

The next item on the agenda was the triathlon. David informed the board that 4 people were disqualified for wearing headphones at the triathlon. The board also had a discussion about whether to continue to include the triathlon in the HTC Grand Prix. Most categories failed to have all 10 places scored this year. After discussing the issue, the board decided to table the issue until a later date.

The next item on the agenda was the 2009 HTC Award recipients.  The Board discussed each award, and after determining the desired qualifications for each category, recipients were proposed and voted on.  The Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at the Monte Sano Lodge.

The board re-addressed having pace groups at the marathon and decided not to pursue them at this time.

The next item of business was the club logo. The board feels that it is time to “freshen up” the logo. The board voted to spend up to $200 to have a new HTC logo professionally designed.

The HTC annual business meeting is scheduled for January 12. Officers will be voted on at this meeting. David will be contacting potential officer nomination committee members soon and presented the following names as potential committee people: Gary Grace, Beth Benefield, Jim Oaks, Carl Smith, and Craig Armstrong. The board gave approval of this committee subject to the individuals accepting the positions.

Since there was no further business, David adjourned the meeting at 9:04.