ATTENDEES (b=board member): Lois Springsteen (b), Mark Thomas(b), Jennifer Wise (b). Eric Vigoren (b), John Lee Ellis(b), Rob Hawks (b), Mike Dayton, Jim Kuehn,

    1. Brevet & Permanent groupings. Acting on a question posed by Casa Grande RBA Susan Plonsky, the board discussed the feasibility of identifying "brevet weeks" in the calendar. The proposal would allow grouping of brevets that occur in one region, on or around one date. Those kinds of events can be inferred from RUSA's calendar, according to Mr. Ellis, but they lack official designation in RUSA's online calendar. There was general agreement that groupings were a good idea. A motion was made to turn the issue over to Mr. Ellis and Mr. Kuehn for further development.
    2. Super Randonnée Award: Audax Club Parisien (ACP) recently approved a new program, called the Super Randonnée, and the board discussed its introduction in the U.S. The workings of the programs were detailed by Mr. Ellis in the newsletter. RUSA Permanents Coordinator Crista Borras would manage Super Randonnées for RUSA. Mr. Thomas said the upcoming newsletter article would generate interest in creating more routes. He suggested setting 2013 as a launch date, giving members more time to create qualifying routes. The board agreed to announce the program this year, then launch in 2013.
    3. Committee Reports: In committee reports, RUSA Souvenirs Committee Chair Jennifer Wise said new offering, such as the RUSA mudflaps, had moved quickly. She suggested offering other items once a week through RUSA's social media efforts. The board also discussed the 200 reflective vests that have been ordered from a European vendor. Mr. Thomas said he had one and it was his opinion that the vest was much better option than the style of vests used by many U.S. riders last year for PBP 2011. He and Ms. Springsteen said reflective vests were often being used in place of wind vests and suggested RUSA's store take that into consideration when re- ordering the wind vests currently being offered. In other discussions, Mr. Thomas said RUSA was still awaiting R-5000 medals from France.