Video from HARRA Meeting 5-14-10 with Brant Koch and Steve Karpas of the Houston Marathon.
This video is too long to upload directly on this blog. You can view on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=1397900281650&oid=54264843477
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Why I support term limits – an editorial
Two proposed amendments to the BCRR By-Laws have been suggested and approved by the board for a vote in this general election on May 26:
One proposes to formally amend the number of Member-at-Large positions on the Executive Committee from three (3) to four (4). This was proposed to both accommodate the amount of work the Board has on its agenda and to recognize that the Board has functioned with four de facto members for several years.
The other proposes to institute a term limit of not more than three (3) consecutive years for the office of club president. There is currently no limit on the terms of any board position in BCRR. This provision is similar to the 3 year term limit in effect for the HARRA President. Obviously there are advantages and disadvantages to term limits, but I personally feel the pros outweigh the cons for the following reasons:
1) Term Limits facilitate maintenance of an energetic and dynamic club over time.
2) Term Limits avoid potential stagnation of the board
3) Term Limits prevent “Incumbent Block”
4) Term Limits encourage participation and inclusion of more members in club affairs
Having limits on the presidential term ensures that there will be turnover within the board over time. Change is good- the introduction of new ideas and methods of doing things is, in my opinion, the best way to keep our club “fresh” and “on top”. I think we all recognize other running clubs with longstanding leadership that has changed little over time. While this can arguably be efficient, it also allows the members to become complacent. The argument is that if someone is willing to do the work, let them. However, in many instances the board becomes stagnant as well as efficient. There may be little change over “how we’ve always done things”- not the best strategy for maintaining a dynamic club responsive to the changing needs of its members and attractive to new recruits.
If one does want to be part of the process, running for office against a long-standing incumbent can be a daunting process (“Incumbent Block”). On the other hand, people are more willing to step up if they know the leadership will change. Thus term limits encourage (and in fact require) more of the membership to get involved with the actual “running” of the running club. This has to be good thing.
Perhaps the best argument against term limits is that if you have a good president who is willing and able to continue, why should you risk electing a new person who might not be as good (or much worse). This will almost certainly happen on occasion, but over time, it is in the best long-term interest of the club to have turnover of the board for the reasons stated above. Another oft stated argument is that one may need time to institute long term goals in the club. This is a valid argument, but three years should be sufficient time to institute any changes (such as new races, new programs, etc). Importantly, an individual is not prevented from holding office at a later date, as long as the terms are not contiguous.
I encourage you to read the existing BCRR By-Laws (http://www.bcrr.org/bcrr-bylaws.pdf) online. I welcome any opposing views (you can either send Neeraj Rohilla your essay and he will post on the blog separately, or you can directly respond to my post on the blog as a comment).
One proposes to formally amend the number of Member-at-Large positions on the Executive Committee from three (3) to four (4). This was proposed to both accommodate the amount of work the Board has on its agenda and to recognize that the Board has functioned with four de facto members for several years.
The other proposes to institute a term limit of not more than three (3) consecutive years for the office of club president. There is currently no limit on the terms of any board position in BCRR. This provision is similar to the 3 year term limit in effect for the HARRA President. Obviously there are advantages and disadvantages to term limits, but I personally feel the pros outweigh the cons for the following reasons:
1) Term Limits facilitate maintenance of an energetic and dynamic club over time.
2) Term Limits avoid potential stagnation of the board
3) Term Limits prevent “Incumbent Block”
4) Term Limits encourage participation and inclusion of more members in club affairs
Having limits on the presidential term ensures that there will be turnover within the board over time. Change is good- the introduction of new ideas and methods of doing things is, in my opinion, the best way to keep our club “fresh” and “on top”. I think we all recognize other running clubs with longstanding leadership that has changed little over time. While this can arguably be efficient, it also allows the members to become complacent. The argument is that if someone is willing to do the work, let them. However, in many instances the board becomes stagnant as well as efficient. There may be little change over “how we’ve always done things”- not the best strategy for maintaining a dynamic club responsive to the changing needs of its members and attractive to new recruits.
If one does want to be part of the process, running for office against a long-standing incumbent can be a daunting process (“Incumbent Block”). On the other hand, people are more willing to step up if they know the leadership will change. Thus term limits encourage (and in fact require) more of the membership to get involved with the actual “running” of the running club. This has to be good thing.
Perhaps the best argument against term limits is that if you have a good president who is willing and able to continue, why should you risk electing a new person who might not be as good (or much worse). This will almost certainly happen on occasion, but over time, it is in the best long-term interest of the club to have turnover of the board for the reasons stated above. Another oft stated argument is that one may need time to institute long term goals in the club. This is a valid argument, but three years should be sufficient time to institute any changes (such as new races, new programs, etc). Importantly, an individual is not prevented from holding office at a later date, as long as the terms are not contiguous.
I encourage you to read the existing BCRR By-Laws (http://www.bcrr.org/bcrr-bylaws.pdf) online. I welcome any opposing views (you can either send Neeraj Rohilla your essay and he will post on the blog separately, or you can directly respond to my post on the blog as a comment).
Kathi Mahon (current BCRR President)
Monday, April 26, 2010
BCRR Double-Headers
Two BCRR Members excelled in "Double Headers" the weekend of April 10-11, 2010.
- Carlye Graydon set a new 5K PR (20:21) and was 1st AG in the Bellaire Trolley Run on Saturday and the next day took 1st Overall Master Female (2:33:19) in her 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon (Gateway Olympic Tri). Wow- talk about on fire!
- Bonnie Jo Barron took 4th place in her AG at the Trolley Run (21:53) and the next day was 2nd overall Master Female at Angie's Crazy Half-Marathon (1:41:00). Bonnie is shown with Bernard Castro (right) who also ran the Half-Marathon and was 6th AG. (1:37:12). Awesome!
- Carlye Graydon set a new 5K PR (20:21) and was 1st AG in the Bellaire Trolley Run on Saturday and the next day took 1st Overall Master Female (2:33:19) in her 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon (Gateway Olympic Tri). Wow- talk about on fire!- Bonnie Jo Barron took 4th place in her AG at the Trolley Run (21:53) and the next day was 2nd overall Master Female at Angie's Crazy Half-Marathon (1:41:00). Bonnie is shown with Bernard Castro (right) who also ran the Half-Marathon and was 6th AG. (1:37:12). Awesome!Miscellaneous BCRR Pursuits
BCRR Members have traveled near and far to take part in various endeavors the last week (April 19-25).
Susan Elias and several other BCRRers ran the Boston Marathon Monday April 19th
April Murphy and several others ran the Big Sur Marathon Sunday April 25th
Chris McGrew ran the Oklahoma City Marathon
Several BCRR members participated in the Lone Star Sprint, Olympic or Half-Ironman Triathlons this weekend in Galveston, including Carolyn Muirhead, who took 2nd AG in the Sprint on Saturday.
Many of us ran local 5 and 10Ks in town this weekend- Here is the start of the Green 6.2 10K. Can you find anyone you know?
Now for something different...Clayton Smith and BCRR friends went skydiving this weekend!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Volunteer for the Pink Door Legacy 5K
The inaugural Pink Door's Legacy 5K run/walk will be held at the Stafford Convention Center Saturday, March 20. Race Director Mike Mangan and BCRR are managing the race with the Pink Door Non-Profit Organization.
The Pink Door is a nation-wide charity that provides support for women cancer survivors to help them build successful careers after cancer.
We need volunteers to manage and staff the race course. This event doesn't conflict with any HARRA race, so you can help BCRR without compromising your race agenda. Please come out and help.
Keep in mind that your volunteer efforts will be rewarded with a fantastic Volunteer Party later in the season and a chance for gift certificate drawings. Thanks for your generous gift of time and experience.
To Volunteer contact Lara Allen (laraallen@sbcglobal.net)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Former BCRR Members Make Society Page
Mikki Hebl, David Harvey and George Strake at Gala. Wonder who they were wearing
We have friends in high places:
Former BCRR members David Harvey and Mikki Hebl (barely recognizable in non-running clothes) were prominently featured in an article on the "Society" page in the Houston Chronicle. They were honorees at the University of St. Thomas Mardi Gras Gala dubbed the "Court of Diamond Jubilee".
Friday, February 19, 2010
Come out and support the Race Against Violence
Race Director and BCRR Member Tom Stilwell is looking for runners AND volunteers for the 22nd Annual Houston Area Women's Center Race Against Violence 5K, March 6, 2010. The race this year will introduce a new route and a bigger festival for all to enjoy! The day’s events include:
• Competitive 5K run with prizes for individual runners
• Non-competitive 5K family walk that welcomes strollers
• Kids K non-competitive 1K for kids ages 10 & under
• A post-race festival at Sam Houston Park with children’s activities, great food and live music! FREE race day parking available at the Metropolitan Racquet Club garage (340 West Dallas). Full information can be found at the website.
Please support the fight against domestic violence!
Contact Tom if you can volunteer (rtstilwell@gmail.com).
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