April Board Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Deb Cunningham, Felix Lopex, David Rothenberger, Stephanie Struble, Kevin Downing, Doug Smith, Bonnie Keefe, Holly Whelan, Leslie Mitchell, Karen Szymanski, Ric Robinette, Aurora Arlet

Absent: Bob Basse, Laurie Phenix, Eric Greene, Ray Sibley

Successes:

  • Club membership up to 531 people. Up from 506 a few months ago.
  • 6 new members at the New Member run – Felix’s idea is taking off!
  • Two people mentioned our “12 races for $30” value statement – nice work by Kevin
  • 140 runners in March 2009 vs 109 in Feb and 50 in March 2008. 
  • Happy news – Ava Rose Champeau born 3/24. 8 lbs, 9 oz.

Marketing and PR:

  • Media plan – focused message – eblast 1x/mo., contact old members, Brock to reach out to his data base; he offered his database to us. Brock to start taking memberships at store. Denver Post interested in doing an article as well. Runners Roost to allow email to their data base for event.
  • Responsibility for keeping stores stocked w/ Applications – Kevin to take RR sports and north stores, Holly to handle RR aurora, Doug to take Runner’s Wild, Runners Roost and BRC
  • Next ad in Colorado Runner will be in May/June (MTS?)+ article in June for 5oth anniversary and a more detailed article about the club and anniversary on website. 
  • MTS ad in Rocky Mtn Sports to boost participation? Need 20 people x $20 entry fee to pay for $400 ad. No…let’s have app.’s ready for 50th week to promote.
  • BRC partnership w/ Brock Quimby next steps – Diva Night 4/30 5pm- ? Deb will lead w/ other ladies from the club.
  • Runner’s Roost Lakewood – Sonja on event/run – No news.  Karen will follow up w/ Sonja.
  • Blanket orders from Apex Textilgraphics – put reminder in eblast – prepay $30
  • Facebook page – RMRR has one
  • Kerry Kuck Achilles Track Club run – they had 170 people
  • Potts Trotters – what’s up w/ them these days?  Market to their group for the 50th?-  Deb will contact Mike/Chris Vanoni

Logistics

  • Race committee recommendations & permit fees – Ric & Bonnie
    • New May 31 – 2 mile course approved.
    • 8 miler @ Carson.  Still issues about where to start/park.
    • deKoevend is fine.
  • Race results updated & final. Final Feb?  – Yes.  Final March? Not yet.  Kevin will post.
  • Race Directors – need 1st MTS + help for Mick Vollmer
  • Track practice – Starts on 4/1.
  • Volunteers
    • Vol of the month for April – will do separate email ballot.
    • Bolder Boulder finish line – eblast to go out to see who is interested…$15/person paid to RMRR.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Leslie.  We’re close to budget.  Project we’ll lose about $1000 this year because of our increased marketing for the 50th.  But, w/ membership up, we may be closer to breakeven.
  • AIR Foundation van – they no longer have it
  • Renting our clocks – Fed Cup on 5/16. No need as far as anyone knows.  We will supply some raffle prizes – membership, socks, drawstring bag.

Membership:

  • Calling new members & Calling renewals to make them feel welcome.  Bob is working with the new people,  Micol Rothman Haji with renewing members.
  • After TS brunch.  Yes, go with City Park Golf Club
  • Laurie sending USPS letters to those without an email address or bad email.
  • Name Each Event – on hold for now.  None of the names thrilled the board.
  • Process to use gift memberships – numbered certificates for regular mail & electronic format – offline follow-up to simplify the process.
  • Use of club member email addresses to solicit personal businesses is a no-no.
  • Mike Knipps membership – duplicate check – Deb to contact Mike to see if he wants us to keep check and extend his membership or destroy the check.

Related Images:

March President’s Letter

Happy March, Road Runners,

We set a modern day record for attendance at the March three mile race with 140 (count ’em) participants. The great weather and short distance was a irresitable combination.  Speaking of great weather, I’m getting in the mood for summer running.  After joining Felix Lopez and our new members on Highline this past weekend wearing only shorts and a t-shirt, I’m ready!

Track practice starts on April 1.  Scott Kukel and Mike Quispe have a set of workouts to prime you for your summer racing season.  One of the highlights of the track season will be our 50th anniversary work out on Wed, June 3.  Led by former RMRR member and local celebrity Maureen Roben, the workout will feature members of most of Denver’s running groups (Masters, Phidippides, Columbines).  I’m looking forward to that one.

We’ve also reserved the griddle for our pancake pacer 2 miler on Sunday, May 31.  Depending on how many of you make it out to Bible Park, we may need that second griddle!

Summer is my favorite time to run.  Although I run year-round, my best RMRR memories are from the summer – hanging out with all of you after the cookout in August, long runs on the Highline with some buddies,  track workouts as the sun sets over the mountains.  

This summer is a time to celebrate those memories and create new ones.  Throughout our club’s 50 years, we have seen so much – newbie runners completing their first 5k, celebrity athletes joining us for a race, members of foundations like Achilles Track and AIR coming out to run with us, school kids training for a marathon mile, and finally some of our older members hanging up their running shoes.  I’m proud of our history.  Throughout the years, we have provided a low cost events for everyone.  Our all ages/abilities message is more than a message.  It’s the way we run RMRR. 

I invite you to be a part of our celebration this year.  No matter how fast or slow your are, we’ve got something for you!

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Discounts for the Rocky Mountain 1/2 Marathon

Another benefit of club membership — race discounts! Our friends at the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon have sent along this message:

Rocky Mountain 1/2 Marathon
rmh_logoJune 14th, 2009 Larimer Square, Denver

The Mile High Experience! Sign up now for the fifth annual Rocky Mountain 1/2 Marathon presented by MapMyRun.com and hosted at Larimer Square, Denver Colorado. This spectacular event gives runners a breathtaking view of Mile High City. Get ready for a great course and a lot of fun as well as food, music, and entertainment for the entire family at the free Race Day Expo at Larimer Square!

Sign up at www.rockymountainhalf.com by April 17th, 2009 and receive your club discount of $10 off enrollment! Enter Promo Code: RMRR at registration to redeem discount.

Visit www.rockymountainhalf.com for more information.”


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