Tuesday, May 13, 2014

CRR Elections: Thank you

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who showed up to vote tonight in CRR’s annual elections… and I do mean everyone, regardless of how you voted.  I believe we had an historic evening, and that in the long run the Club will be stronger for it.  I am also grateful that ideas were voiced, and heard;  and that, for the most part, integrity and respect were the order of the evening.
I particularly want to thank Jim Winthrop, who set a very fair environment so that the club’s first contested election in at least 25 years (for any position) could provide a valid result reflecting the will of the membership.  I am also grateful to Ben Dyer, whose eloquent words were really inspiring and pointed towards the heart of our shared mission:  To find commonality, to seek shared purpose, and to embrace the miracle of forgiveness if or when that is required.
Have a good night, all.

-Daniel A. Shaye

Excerpt of my notes and vision, as stated tonight prior to the vote.

CRR:  VISION 2014-2015

First, happy birthday to CRR.  We were born May 18, 1981.  We have a choice now:  To grow old and stagnate, or to reinvigorate.  That is the choice before us tonight.

The fact of an election is already a win for our club.  The democratic process is GOOD.  In that regard, the club has already won tonight, and the “Who” of the presidency isn’t so relevant.

Do NOT vote for me!  Do NOT vote for or against Rick!  Listen to our respective visions and vote your conscience based on our IDEAS, our visions for our club.

PLATFORM:

Overriding goal:  As all healthy organizations do, strengthen for the long run.  Set the stage for President Dawson… or Chantry… or Mitchell… or Otstot… or whoever.  Broaden the club’s depth.

1st Board meeting: Set our top priorities for the year, based on our mission and vision;  and then by the end of one year, measure our success towards those goals and objectives.  Accountability and performance will be essential.

1 year self-imposed term limit.  Avoid over-reliance on any one person, or even small group of people.

Honor the value and contributions of those who have gone before, including Vernon Geary, Andy Polansky, Rick Platt, and others.  Respect the past, move towards the future.

Race accuracy:  Establish procedures, responsibilities to maximize safety, enjoyment, and accuracy on race day. End diffusion of responsibility.  Fewer races (we have too many @ 23) ;  focus on quality, not quantity

More social outlets (fun runs)(inclusiveness) and social outreach (caring committee)

Membership drive, reaching out not only to the competitor, but to the youth, the non-competitor, the fun-runner, the walker.  I fully support how Brenda Mitchell has singlehandedly taken our membership list strongly forward.  Secret goal:  1000 dues-paying members.

Streamlined communication, and embrace technology.  Kudos to Stan Rockwell.  Take advantage of his huge skill and dedication, minimize work duplication and maximize value for members.

Better outreach to youth (we’re greying).  SMART goals;  measure our members’ ages, set targets

Improved/extended Masters competitions, and more focused and coordinated training efforts.  Possibly a dedicated coach (Platt, Wilson, others), and club-sponsored, structured guidance for new & experienced runners

Continue the positive trend towards transparency in finance, and implementation of meaningful conflict of interest statements, each in accord with RRCA Guidelines

A more empowered, diverse Board.  A highly active and empowered board, with active committees and membership, spreading out the heavy lifting so that together we achieve more than we could ever, individually.  Take advantage of what Ed Moran called our “vast reserve of human capital.”

Better building and capitalizing on the CRR brand, yielding:  Increased scholarship opportunities for members and their children, better parties, better schwag, possible club-sponsored travel and formal coaching/training opportunities, possibilities for growth in new directions, and overall more fun.

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