Future of the RMEC - PLEASE REPLY

For almost two years the Rocky Mount Endurance Club (RMEC) has operated as a no frills running club. The main focus had been half a full marathons, but we also expanded to do some triathlon events. During this time, we have always essentially maintained an "independent" status, with no dues, no tax ID, no bank account, and no liability insurance. To be honest it has never really held us back, and has worked well.

I would like to see the RMEC continue to grow, and to help serve the community by hosting "Fun Runs", creating local road races, and building our own Training Teams much like the Sports Backers did in Richmond (although on a much smaller scale). It would be great to build a training team for the First Carolina State Bank Half Marathon in 2008 for example.

To do this means the RMEC takes on more responsibility and more liability. Even if we don't try to do more things, the liability concern still exists. So here is a look at the those two topics:

Liability: Our group is all people who run, but for the most part we also do things together other than running. . . We are friends. The thought of someone ever getting hurt on a group run is terrible, but something I think about often. What would happen in this situation? Who would be at fault? It is very possible a finger or two might point back at the person who planned the run, mapped the route, and put out the fluids?

Responsibility: I really would like to see Rocky Mount get more road races. I would love to see the Chase get relaunched, and would also like to organize an event that runs through Fords Colony. In addition, Frank and I are working with Medoc State Park to create a trail endurance event. To do these things you need insurance, and you need a tax ID. With these two things in place we can start to work on local events.

So, where am I going with this ramble and what comes next. . . The Road Runner Club of America (RRCA) provides the ability for clubs to incorporate under their organization and obtain 501c(3) status. This means you are a tax exempt organization. There is more to it than that, but that is the basic information. With this in place we must create some basic Bylaws that address our Purpose, Affiliation, Membership, and Finances. As a RRCA member organization we have access to:

• Tax Exempt Status
• Liability Insurance
• Equipment Insurance
• Advice and more

If you go back to my big concerns (liability and responsibility) this solves both. First, we get insured, and secondly we get the ability to plan and execute events.

With the RRCA affiliation there would be dues. Insurance is not free after all. The dues are minimal however and would be determined by the group. My hope would be we could save a few bucks to help pay for cups and fluids for our group runs, but I do not want to create a large reserve fund. The Richmond Road Runners for example charges annually $5 for students, $15 for indivuals, and $20 for families.

I now strongly encourage feedback on this topic. Use the comment feature to post your feelings. Do it anonymously if you prefer, but give your feedback. . . Good or bad. There is a fair amount of work to set something like this up, but once done it really opens our group up to do more. Depending on the feedback received here, we will probably have a RMEC meeting and discuss things like dues, bylaws, and officers.

I look forward to all of your comments. Thanks!