Dear Friends: The Batten Kill Valley Runners grew rapidly subsequent to its founding in 1997. The club clearly met a need, providing news, coordination, equipment, services, and an identity for runners in our area. In no time, we were bursting with races, group runs, a summer XC fun run series, website, and various special events. At the same time, however, there has been no net growth in volunteer support. The resulting stresses have begun to show in a number of areas: dropping of the popular Gran Prix scoring, BKVR logo clothing no longer being available, loss (and pending loss) of popular races. And as the stresses continue to mount on our small cadre of active club members, we will be faced with the need to make more cuts. At out last meeting, attended by just six people, we spent most of the evening discussing the fact that an organization can only provide the things its membership supports. That seems obvious, but we are at a juncture where we need to figure out just what those things are. Perhaps all the BKVR should offer is a couple of races, a monthly group run, and a stripped down website and newsletter.
Whatever becomes, however, ongoing administrative work (membership lists, mailings, finances, insurance...) needs to be taken care of. Currently, one person does virtually all of this work. This situation cannot continue. I have made the plea for member involvement in the past, but even though no one has stepped forward, the BKVR has continued to function. We are at the point now, however, that unless people do come to meetings and offer their ideas - and time - things will stop happening and the BKVR will become a mere shell of an organization. Maybe people only want a shell. And if so, I guess that is fine. If no one comes to our next meeting, we will begin to shut down operations. I sincerely hope, however, that we will see a lot of you at this meeting, all wanting, like me, to revitalize the Batten Kill Valley Runners. I would like to see: 20 people at weekly group runs, more BKVR logo clothes at races, a full race schedule with directors who support the operation of the club (not just their own events), a newsletter that is bursting with nes about our members, and a website that is the running an racing resource for this area. Come to the meeting. Offer your ideas. Offer your time. I promise we will do everything we can to make BKVR the club you want it to be. But you need to tell us, and show us, what you want. Thank you for listening. I hope to see you on December 4th! In the meantime, feel free to call or e-mail me with any thoughts or ideas. Sincerely,
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