The December meeting of the GERWC was held on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 6:00pm at the YMCA in downtown Evansville.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Tenbarge, Cedric Hustace, Jerry Seddon, Jerry Walker, Ray Pritchet, Bob Lauderdale, Bob Christmas, Bob Head, Robert Tenbarge, Don Nichols, Nick Tenbarge, Carol Anderson, Jim Effinger and Mike Higney.

GUESTS PRESENT: Sergeant Chris Pugh of the Evansville Police Department.

Chris Pugh was present to discuss with the Board the Fraternal Order of Police 5K scheduled for May 7, 2005.  The GERWC has been asked to time the race and will assist the FOP where possible.

RACE CALENDAR: Jerry Walker reported on his development of the Race Calendar for the up coming newsletter.  Jerry took over the calendar from Janet Beamer who resigned the position.  Jerry is developing an event calendar, which will include events in addition to races.  He wants to list the times and places that local area runners and walkers meet and train on a regular basis.  He will also include interesting races from other areas.  His first calendar will be published in the November/December Newsletter due out soon.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Cedric Hustace gave the Treasurer’s report.  The Step Up Club spent $3,840.00 on new logbooks to be used by the clubs in the next year.  The Board agreed to spend up to $300.00 on a GERWC membership drive.

RACE TIMING: Mike Higney reported on the recent Thanksgiving Day 5K and the Jingle Bell 5K.  He also introduced Nick Tenbarge who assisted him in those efforts and who will be taking over the computer part of race timing.  The next race we will likely time is the St Patrick’s Day 5K in March.

WEBSITE: Richard Tenbarge reported that well over 10,000 visits where made to the website in just a few days after our web address was published in the local paper.  The paper ran a story concerning the Health’s Department development of a booklet containing locations and maps of places to run and walk in Evansville.  Richard also reported that the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau wants to exchange links with us which will be a good thing for both as we often get hits from out of town runners and walkers wanting information on the Evansville area.

BANQUET: The GERWC Banquet will be held at the SWIRCA Building on February 5, 2005 beginning at 6:00pm with a happy hour and dinner at 7:00pm.  Awards will be presented after the dinner.  The cost of the dinner will be ten dollars for members and twelve dollars for non-members.  There will be a biography and picture of our guest speaker, John Nunn, 2004 Olympic Race Walker in the next newsletter with a story about the banquet.  There will also be a reservation blank and envelope in the newsletter for members to make their reservation.

WALKER’S REPORT: Bob Head gave the Walker’s Report.  He stated that the Walker’s Club had their elections recently and that Drew Swonder was elected President, Mike Haden Vice President, Linda Swonder Secretary and Bob Christmas Treasurer.  A group of walkers will be attending the Mason Dixon indoor track meet in Louisville this winter and encouraged runners to get a group together and do the same.  Cedric suggested that the GERWC invite runners and walkers to from a group to attend the St Louis Mini and Marathon on April 9, 2005. 

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: In Angela’s absence Richard gave a report on the membership drive.  Richard gave each Board member a sample membership letter, which will be sent to about six hundred runners and walkers.  A return envelope for their convenience will be included in the mailing. 

NEWSLETTER: Jerry Seddon gave the newsletter report.  He advised that this newsletter would be a big one due to the banquet, runner and walker of the year nominations, Y(not)2K and other matters.  An effort is being made to have the newsletter out before Christmas.

STEP UP PROGRAM: Carol Anderson reported on the Step Up Club.  A breakfast was held for club leaders on a recent Saturday Morning.  Pictures were taken and will appear on the website soon.  Several new clubs are being formed

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Joe Whelan could not make it to the meeting but had relayed information to Richard that he had sent scholarship information to fourteen area high schools.

Y(NOT)2K: Don Nichols reported on the Y(not)2K.  He reported that everything is going well and that he had obtained the First Night Buttons and that the city permit had been approved and obtained.  He asked that the Bullhorn and Finish Line Chute as well as the Clock be brought to the event.  Jim Effinger advised that he would be bringing all of the above. 

NEW BUSINESS: Under new business it was decided to have a meeting in January of all of the regular finish line volunteers to review the present operation and charges.  A date and place will be selected soon.

Submitted by

Richard Tenbarge