Highlights of March 10, 2010 RUSA Board Meeting

ATTENDEES (b=board member): Mike Dayton (b), John Lee Ellis (b), James Kuehn Cecile Reniche-Smith (b), Edward Robinson (b), Lois Springsteen (b), Eric Vigoren (b), Jennifer Wise (b) .

  1. PBP 2011 Communications and Planning. RUSA President Lois Springsteen expressed appreciation, on RUSA's behalf, for Jennifer Wise's well-prepared report published in the most recent issue of the American Randonneur. Jennifer's report described her trip to attend the ACP's annual awards ceremony in Paris, where she represented RUSA during the proceedings. Lois also noted that RUSA's website had been updated to incorporate a page with FAQs pertaining to PBP 2011, together with an email address that members could use to submit PBP-related questions. The Board discussed a variety of PBP-related topics, including past qualifying issues, the enhanced interest in 1,000km events due to the PBP 2011 pre-registration scheme, and current French requirements for rider-worn reflective gear. That requirement was imposed by French law, and it was under consideration whether and how RUSA might offer its members a vest that met the necessary criteria.
  2. RUSA Apparel. The Board continued to consider options for offering rain jackets or similar rain apparel through the RUSA store. The goal was to obtain some form of functional, quality rain protection at attractive pricing for the membership. The Board also further discussed its search for a reflective vest that could be offered to members through the RUSA store, particularly in light of the recent update to French law governing rider-worn reflective gear. Jennifer Wise agreed to continue to investigate possibilities for vests that would meet the needs of randonneurs.
  3. Committee Reports. The Board received committee reports from the Newsletter Committee, Rules Committee, and Souvenir Committee. Eric Vigoren also reported to the Board as Treasurer, and John Lee Ellis provided an update in his role as RBA Liaison.
  4. RUSA Awards. The Board addressed certain issues that had been encountered regarding RUSA award application deadlines, award recognition, and souvenir purchases via RUSA's website. In particular, in some instances: members had submitted award applications but then failed to purchase their souvenir within RUSA's sales deadline; members failed to timely submit award applications; and some members were not recognized for certain awards because, despite becoming eligible, they did not submit award applications. The Board favored allowing each member to decide whether to apply for a given award, and thus to receive recognition. In addition, some updates were anticipated in RUSA website discussions of awards and application requirements.