Happy New Year everyone!! I hope you had a wonderful, safe and healthy holiday with your loved ones, and if you have been good all year, then maybe you got that pair of shoes or race watch you’ve had your eyes on. It seems like only yesterday that we celebrated the new millennium and now it is 2003. Time does appear to fly. But as they say, runners don’t get older, they just move into a new age category (at least I think they say that). I would like to give an all-around “thank you” to everyone who participated in A Running Experience Club this past year. After all, you keep this club alive and available to both current and future runners and walkers looking for physical fitness, goal achievement, and camaraderie with like-minded individuals. It is your club, and I am still honored to be serving you as the club President. Keep up the good work and continue to have fun!
Most of you already know that we held an end- of-the-year Board meeting in December to discuss current club issues. Emmett sent an e-mail outlining the primary topics, but in case you missed it, I’ll use this forum to reiterate them. I’ll begin with everyone’s favorite: annual membership dues. This year A.R.E.C. membership will be $25 for individuals and $40 for a same household family. Due to a slumping economy in 2001, we attempted to pull in and keep more runners in 2002 by lowering dues to $15, and keeping club expenses to a minimum. We feel that the price is still extremely fair and a good value. If you are unclear about what value the club provides, then please see any board member to be given a breakdown.
Other areas of discussion were tied in with dues. The price to continue with Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has increased (as has advertisement in Competitor magazine), but is still worth it considering the insurance coverage and non-profit status it provides to the club.
We are revising the t-shirt design, printing up a bunch more, and including one with every membership. Wear them proudly!
We modified our running schedule for 2 weeks, in consideration of Christmas and New Year’s, but will be at Limerick’s every Wednesday, rain or shine!
The 2003 budget has been made and again it appears we will roughly “break even”. This is definitely not a money making venture, so I encourage everyone to renew today and bring a friend to the runs. It’s more fun with more people. Remember, at the very least, a donation to a non-profit organization is a tax write-off. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2003! I look forward to seeing all of your enthusiastic faces for another great running year. Happy trails!