Randonneurs USA Board of Director Minutes

November 8, 2023

1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 8:06 p.m. Eastern time, over Zoom.  The following members were present.  
   1. Bill Bryant
   2. Dawn Piech 
   3. Charlie Martin
   4. Dan Driscoll
   5. Rob Hawks
   6. Vinny Muoneke
   7. Gardner Duvall
       
2. The Treasurer submitted a written report, which was accepted.  Gardner Duvall reported on the inaugural meeting of the Financial Audit Committee.  The written report of the FAC was accepted.  It was agreed to amend the Bylaws to require that at least one member of the FAC be a member of the Board.  Gardner will submit that amendment to the Board.
    
3. Minutes: The minutes for the October 2023 meeting were approved.  
    
4. The Board had previously approved by email the 2024 calendar submitted for the IL:Chicago region.  That email vote was affirmed.
    
5. The written report of the Brevet Coordinator was accepted.  An application from Matthew Bird for MO:St. Louis was accepted, emphasizing that he is to work closely with his mentors.  This appointment restarts the dormant St. Louis region.  The RBA of NY:Long Island announced that he is stepping down, and a draft application from a potential RBA was returned with questions to answer.  There was a discussion concerning a potential new region in New York, with proximity to Boston, Western Mass/Westfield, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Central New York, Saratoga, and Long Island.
    
6. There was a discussion about the UAF audax program, and potential changes to the Audax Events Committee.
    
7. There was a discussion about an RBA's 2024 plans for their region.  Charlie Martin is to draft an agreement with that RBA for the Board’s consideration.  There was discussion about potential insurance implications for RBAs implementing such a plan.
    
8. A motion to amend the RBA Procedures Manual was passed to make the following changes:
   
   To add to the introduction: Each RBA is appointed by the RUSA Board in designated regions of the United States to represent RUSA and conduct RUSA events.  The appointment is for an indefinite term, and remains in effect until the RBA ceases to serve, or upon a majority vote of the Board.  RBAs are subject to supervision by RUSA in the performance of their duties, and are expected to readily communicate and collaborate with RUSA officials.  RBAs will not be removed without notice and an opportunity to be heard.
   
   and, to add to the first paragraph of Regional Brevet Administrators > RBA Communication:  RUSA maintains a RBA email list-serve, and all RBAs are required to maintain membership on that list-serve.
    
9. The Website Committee submitted a written report. 
    
10. Dawn Piech reported that The October issue of Between Controls had a 79% open rate and continues to exceed the industry standards as shared by Constant Contact.  We achieved our 2nd highest Total Click Rate (TCR) since starting Between Controls in July 2021 with 1239, this also was our highest TCR in 2023.  Our highest TCR was the August 2022 issue with the awards survey link at 1245.
     
11. Dawn reported that she had sent the nominations form for the American Randonneur Award.
     
12. Dawn reported that Greg Merritt will attend  the December meeting, to share a proposal regarding RUSA’s collection and use of member sex/gender data.
     
13. Volunteer recognition was discussed.  No approach had the support of a majority of the Board, and it was agreed to continue the discussion.
     
14. The next regular meeting was set for December 12, 2023, by Zoom.
     
15. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 Eastern time, without objection.