Happy New Year and welcome everyone to 2008! The Board of Directors at A Running Experience Club wishes you health and happiness this new year and certainly hopes the club can play a significant contributing role in achieving that.
Overall, it was another wonderful year for the club and seemed to pass by too quickly. Paid membership was up again to about 185, which is allowing us to again keep annual dues at a paltry $25 (and $40 per household). This year, that tax deductible donation will get you a club gym bag with ID tag, the always fun to read monthly newsletter, coverage at club events, the pasta party in October, organized and coached half and full marathon training, organized trail runs, occasional goodies from Clif Bar and the opportunity to socialize every week with some of your favorite people. There really isn’t a better deal around!! If you would like to give someone the gift of club membership, we have lovely cards and envelopes that can take care of that for you. And our new Wednesday night home (by name only), K.C. Branaghan’s is due to open in mid- January, so be prepared to hang out and have some fun!
Unfortunately though, we couldn’t get through 2007 without heartache in our club’s family. We lost our friend and Vice President Win Freeman just a few short months ago to esophageal cancer. He continues to be missed and will forever be remembered by those who knew him.
I hope every member took the opportunity to vote this past month, because we have elected a new Primary Board of Directors to lead us through the next 2 years.
And here they are:
President – Todd Rose
Vice President – Dave Kuntz
Secretary – Emmett Rahl
Treasurers – Tamara Premsrirath and Nicole Ahern
I am personally very excited for the future of the club, and look forward to working with this group of wonderful people. Please congratulate and welcome the new Board when you see them next. I also want to sincerely thank those willing to be on this latest ballot, and everyone who helped out A.R.E.C. in any way these past 2 years. I hope we can call on you to assist in other ways in the future, perhaps serving a Secondary Board position. This club depends on every person to survive and succeed, so please continue to come out and bring your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends to the next run.
And as always, please be safe out there and use all of your senses when running. It’s still dark out fairly early, so wear reflective gear, flashing lights, and identification (see www.roadid.com). Be aware of your surroundings, hidden intersections and don’t wear headphones on the roads! Run facing traffic, and if there is any doubt, assume a car does not see you and let them go first. Carry a cell phone and/or pepper spray. Hopefully these tips will help you make it through 2008 in one piece. Let’s make this the best year yet!! See you all soon.