Voting Members Present: Jerry McDaniel, Allen Blay, Jennifer Hay, Jeanne O’Kon, Peg Griffin, Tom Perkins, Mary Jean Yon, David Yon, Debbie Peters, Emily Webster, Mark Priddy, Herb Wills. Voting Members Absent: Hawthorne Hay, Tina Bahmer, Matt Vermeer. Non-Voting Members Present: Bill Lott, Edward Gains, Ernie Sims, Alice Sims, Mark Tombrink.

I. Opening and Introduction: Jerry McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The minutes from the July 9, 2025 meeting were approved as written.

II. Announcements from Officers: A club member requested that a lifetime GWTC membership be made available so that annual renewal is not necessary. Jennifer will work on a possible cost with Geoffrey. There is also an auto-renewal available when members renew annually.  Jerry also indicated that he gets frequent requests from organizations that want to partner with GWTC to put on a race. A recent request is to conduct a race on one of the airport runways in the spring. Also, Gary Droze has expressed interest in coaching running at Holy Comforter School.

III. Old Business/Race Closeouts:

a. Board Election Update: Mark Priddy provided an update about the upcoming Board election. He has a list of members who are interested in running for Directors and Officer positions. Some current Board members have not yet informed Mark as to whether or not they will run again. The ballot has to be finalized at the October meeting. Bios on the candidates would be helpful and should be sent to Mark.

b. GWTC Podcast: Allen Blay discussed the possible We Run This Town podcast. It would serve to educate, entertain, and encourage members and others. Up to 42% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly. Mickey Moore is willing to volunteer as the host and has proposed two initial episodes: Oh the Places You’ll Go, and Bring on the World. The startup fee is $1,500 with a production fee of $750 per episode for one year. The total launch budget is $10,000, using a professional audio company. Possible sponsorships could be incorporated to offset the costs. The database in RunSignUp Could be used to reach out to runners and triathletes. It can take up to 12 months to determine if a podcast is going to succeed. A motion was made to approve funds for a six-month production of the podcast. Motion was seconded and passed.

IV: New Business:
a. Icebox Tallahassee Cryotherapy: Edward Gains is the owner of IceBox Cryotherapy, located near Fresh Market and Total Wine. They focus on post-workout recovery. They offer whole body cryotherapy which is good for several things. They also offer compression for extremities and eight different facials. Individuals can come in and get any of their services or they can buy a membership. The cryotherapy treatment typically lasts three minutes, and it induces hypothermia with blood vessel constriction. It promotes pro-inflammatory properties. Whole body cryotherapy is better after a workout and repeated 2-3 times a week. He left his business card and a complimentary “freeze and squeeze” treatment, and information about the membership packages. He is offering GWTC a 10% discount on memberships.

b. Ernie Sims Track Invitational Sponsorship: Alice Sims described the “Big Hits Foundation.” Ernie is the chaplain at the Juvenile Detention Center and Alice works for the Dept. of Juvenile Justice. Alice ran track at FSU, Ernie played football at FSU, and their sons played football at FSU. They have worked with youth track and field in the community for decades. They focus on young people and positive impact through track and field. They provide camps, a track and field invitational, and youth scholarships. For 18 years. Alice has emphasized the importance of running for young people. They have trained and mentored young people from the Boys and Girls Club, TPRD, and other youth organizations. She asked GWTC to help expose more young people to track and field through the Ernie Sims Track Invitational in July. She requested that GWTC sponsor up to 100 children (entry fee $30 each) for the track meet to reach children who may not have the opportunity. This year, they involved children from Madison County and they want to continue this outreach. GWTC would have a membership table at the track meet and the GWTC logo on all promotional materials and the t-shirt. The club would be acknowledged on TV and social media. A club representative can come to the July 9 Gala to talk about the partnership. They typically have 150 or more children at their track meet. Alice provided Jerry with an outline of the request. Motion was made to approve $3,000 to support the Ernie Sims Invitational Track Meet registrations. Motion was seconded and passed.

c. Turkey Trot 2025 Budget Proposal: Mary Jean Yon presented the budget proposal. The 2025 proposal shows a possible net revenue of $55,239. This year, a long-sleeved t-shirt will be given to registrants. There will still be cash awards. CHP will be the presenting sponsor. Danny and Allison Manausa are continuing to shadow the race directors. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget. Motion passed.

d. 5 and 10 Mile Challenge Budget Proposal: Mark Tombrink presented the proposal,
anticipating at least 70 participants. A $500 sponsorship has already been given to support the race. Mark explained the additional expenses. The total revenue is expected to be $2,639.75 and the total expenses are anticipated to be $2,444.00. Motion was made and seconded to approve the budget proposal. Motion passed.

e. Tannenbaum Trail 6K budget proposal: Herb Wills presented a budget proposal
for the Dec. 20 race at Apalachee Regional Park. Motion was made and
seconded to approve the budget proposal. Motion passed.

V. Reports:

a. Treasurer’s Report: Peg Griffin reported that the current assets are $310,014.00. The operating account currently has $208,492.00, and net loss for the fiscal year as of July 31 is $6,184.00.

b. Triathlete Club: No report.

c. Director of Race Directors: Mary Jean will hold a meeting of the race directors in September or October. She has some additional reviewers for the Race Directors Handbook, which is currently being revised. She also indicated that she is not running for this office in the coming election.

d. Director of Communications: Jennifer reported that she needed approval for the purchase of the club magnets for $1.50 each with the “Run TLH” slogan. One option is to sell them at $5.00 each but give them to the club members. Bill Hollimon will be contacted to check on the trademark of that image. Jerry will also talk to Jon Brown because he wants to use that image. Last month, $5,000 was approved for marketing for such purchases. The website can be updated by an individual (Geoffrey’s son) Jennifer knows at a cost of $30 an hour. She recommended updating the online calendar and modernizing the site. She encouraged Board members to review the Atlanta Track Club page as an example. She has asked for information on subscriptions to SMS services so GWTC can send out texts to members. Membership numbers were not reported.

e. Director of Education and Socials: Tina Bahmer sent a report stating that the
club Holiday Party will be held on Dec. 6th.

f. RACER Committee: No report.

g. Chenoweth Fund: David Yon reported that a previous Chenoweth Committee award recommendation in the amount of $1,500 to Jake Atwood was inadvertently requested and approved for $1,000. David asked for a motion to approve an additional $500 to help defray costs of participating in the Nike Nationals. Motion was made and seconded to approve this expenditure. Motion passed.

h. Merchandise: No report.

i. Equipment: No equipment issues to report at this time.

j. Chip Timing: Bill Lott reported that in June, one non-Club race (Monticello Kiwanis Club 5K Watermelon Run) and two Club races (Potluck Bash 4-Mile Prediction Run; and Summer Trail Series Race #2 – Redbug Trail) were chip timed. During July, one non-Club race (Kiwanis Firecracker 5K) and one Club race (Summer Trail Series Race #3 – Cadillac Trail) were chip timed. For August, one non-Club race (Tallahassee Beer Festival Beer Mile) and three Club races (Breakfast on the Track 1 Mile; Miller Landing Madness 8K/5K/3K; and Summer Trail Series Race #4 – Maclay Gardens) ) will be chip timed. Scheduled to be chip timed in September are one non-Club race (Bluebird Run for Brookie B 5K) and three Club races (5K for Sickle Cell Anemia/Tim Simpkins 1 Mile; Women’s Distance Festival 5K; and Salute to Steve Prefontaine 5K/1M).

Chip timing revenue from non-Club races for the last fiscal year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) totaled $9,995.00. No chip timing revenue for the current fiscal year that began July 1, 2025, has been received to date.

k. Grand Prix: No report.

l. School Grants Coordinator: Amy O’Kelley reached out to a School Board
member who is spreading the information to the schools about the School Grant program. The money is usually used for after-school or summer running programs. Raising the amount to $500 may be considered at a future meeting.

m. Training Groups Coordinator: Emily Webster reported that there are new group leaders that will work with Elizabeth for the Beginning Running group. Ashton Smith stepped up for the Turkey Trot training group. Someone is needed to lead the Springtime training group.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.