I have happily served on the RR board for the past six years; three years as vice president and three as president. I am not seeking reelection. My time on the board has been very satisfying and fun. It has been a pleasure to know so many of you and to see the results of your work in behalf of others. Whatever RR has going, is due to your interest and willingness to skillfully contribute. Whatever we are now as a group, is certainly due to the vision of many over the past twenty-three years. Thanks to members past and present, and to those who helped chart the course with Joe Fleig, Randy Skovrinski, Karen (Hunsaker) Metz, Walt Diewald, Joyce Rankin, and Tom Voeller.

My first contact with RR was at a Thursday night run in 1990. I was standing around scuffing the asphalt when Joyce Rankin (then the RR president) introduced herself and asked me if I wanted to join. I asked what the dues were, and Joyce answered, “Fifty dollars a year... but we’ll settle for eight.” I’ve certainly got my money’s worth.

Very best regards.
Neil
 

Election News

Happy New Year to you all.

The election special you all will receive during the week of January 7-13, is the first of two mailouts sent to all members this month. One of these mailouts has been sent to each RR member in your household. In March, you’ll receive the first newsletter of 2002.

Since you received the November newsletter, we’ve had our Jingle Bell Run. Thanks to the effort of many, we again put on a well-organized event benefiting the Arthritis Foundation programs and arthritis research. I’ve received sincere appreciation from the Arthritis Foundation for the work of Reston Runners in this yearly event. It’s always difficult to single out individual volunteer efforts, since all tasks are consequential. However, we should all thank Sheck Chin and his group for the data entry effort; Dave Bobzien and crew for the smooth finish line; Peter Lund and crew for course coning; Joe Stowers and Joe O’Gorman for organizing the 3K; all those who assisted packet pick-up and registration; the results calculation bunch; and Anna Bradford (assistant race director) for organizing the volunteer effort.

We’ve now enjoyed the season’s holidays, and more than 100 of us congregated at the Hunt Club for New Year’s Eve, giving ourselves the opportunity to appear in full party attire as we welcomed the new year. Here’s hoping that 2002 will be a time of increased peace and harmony within our own lives and around the world.

Now to the contents of the first mail out you received. In addition to a few announcements and a run schedule, you’ll find a Candidate Recommendation Form. Each member should use this form to recommend candidates for all club offices. An explanation of the election process appears on the form. Those on the current board, who are willing to continue serving if elected, appear on the Recommendation form, but you may make an additional candidate recommendation for any position.

Please fill out the form and mail it back to Reston Runners, Box 2924, Reston VA 20190 by Sunday, January 20.
 

Annual Meeting February 16 at the FFX Hunt Club

It’s time to thank the membership for participating and volunteering throughout the year. We’ll do this at the annual business meeting and party February 16 at the Hunt Club, on Lake Fairfax Drive, on your right just before the entrance to Lake Fairfax Park. Here’s a schedule.
6:00 - 7:30: Dinner
7:30 - 8:15: Business Meeting
8:15 - 11:30: Music & Dancing

The club provides beverages and the dinner entre. Please note the change here. Members (A - L) are asked to bring desserts. Members (M - Z) are asked to bring salads or veggie dishes.

The business meeting will include the following agenda items:
1. Voting and approval of constitutional amendment (see amendment article on this page)
2. Treasurer’s Report
3. Announcement of election results
4. Recognition of sponsors and advertisers
5. Recognition of volunteers.

The Hunt Club is a great place for a winter party. It’s out in the country, has a large fireplace, and offers a pleasant setting for our dinner, meeting, and dance.
On Sunday, February 17, plan on the “Morning After Run/Walk” from Lake Fairfax Park. There will be post-exercise coffee and goodies at the Hunt Club.
 

Notice of Amendment to RR Constitution
 

An amendment will be brought before those attending the annual meeting February 16, 2002.

The Reston Runners constitution contains a procedure for amendments. Section V.F.4. Amending the Club Constitution, states “Members may amend the club constitution by a two-thirds vote of those present at a general meeting. All members must be notified at least 14 days prior to voting that constitutional amendments will be discussed.”

The proposed amendment expands the Reston Runners board of directors from six to seven with the creation of one new board position for the director of walking programs. This will be the first amendment to the Reston Runners constitution adopted February 19, 2000 by the general membership.

The board of directors recommends approval of this amendment. Following approval, and in accordance with the RR constitution (Section V.E.2), the board of directors will appoint an interim director of walking programs who will serve until the next election.

Amendment 1 (Proposed)
The Constitution of the Reston Runners, adopted February 19, 2000, is amended to expand the board of directors from six to seven members.

The management of this association is vested in a Board of Directors consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, two members-at-large, and the director of walking programs.

Section V.A Description of Board of Directors, and Section V.D.1 Election of Board Members, are changed to include the director of walking programs.
 

Reston Runners Contribute to Post-Holiday Food Drive

by Pamela Zitron

The Reston Runners food drive has begun. Thanks for the items brought during the first week of January. We’ll continue to collect items throughout the month. You can pick up a collection bag at club runs and fill it at home, or you can bring items to the run and deposit them in the bags next to the water at the start points.

Food bank supplies in this area become dangerously low after the holiday season. We know we can help. We will be collecting food and other products that will be given to Reston Interfaith to help them replenish their shelves.
Reston Interfaith has worked for 30 years to provide services to thousands of low-income families facing daily financial challenges in Fairfax County and the surrounding areas.

Local food banks and relief organizations across the area report low inventories of essential food and personal items. Products needed include: fruit and vegetable can goods, rice, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, individually wrapped cereals, powdered milk, boxed juices, boxed mashed potatoes and toiletries for all age groups.

Thank you for your support.

Thanks for the Hospitality
 

                The generosity continues. We thank Marj Lane for her Saturday holiday breakfast open to all runners December 22.  We challenged the toaster oven, and ate everything in sight. Even had to put the coffee urn on for a second run.
                Thanks, Marj!  See you next year for another go-round.
 

Reston Runners Wishes Ken Knapp a Speedy Recovery
 

One week before Thanksgiving, long time Reston Runners treasurer, Ken Knapp, had heart surgery.

Ken is making a good recovery and is feeling much better. We send our best wishes to Ken who served us all for 14 years as treasurer. Ken also directed the Women’s Distance Festival for years.

We’re all looking forward to having you back with us, Ken. See you soon!

Changes to RR Application

Two small changes have been made to our application/membership renewal form. Notice that a statement has been added to inform you that $1.25 of your membership fee directly supports the publication of Footnotes, the RRCA publication you receive as part of your membership in Reston Runners.

Second, we now ask you to provide your birth date, not your age, on the form. This enables us to automatically calculate your age with our roster software, thus reducing the number of keystrokes necessary to update our records as you renew.

Renew Your Membership Now

Check the mailing label on your recent mailout. If you see “01" that means it’s time for you to renew your membership. To save us administrative time, please consider renewing for two years.

Renew online or by completing the membership/renewal form available online and mailing it to Reston Runners, Box 2924, Reston VA 20190.

We now have 825 active members from 630 households. Thank you for your support during 2001! We look forward to your prompt renewal for 2002 and beyond.