American Volkssport Association National Executive Council XIX Meeting Hampton Inn, Tropicana Las Vegas, Nevada January 22, 2016 1. Call to order The meeting of the National Executive Council was called to order at 9:00 a.m., January 22, 2016 by President Dennis Michele at the Hampton Inn, Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2. Introductions a. National Executive Council Members present: Dennis Michele (President), Holly Pelking (Vice President), Sam Korff (Secretary), Lawrence Lehman (Treasurer), Henry Rosales (Executive Director), Tom Jackson (Atlantic RD), Linda Neu (Mid-America RD), Jerry Wilson (North Central RD), Betty Green (Northeast RD), Nancy Wittenberg (Northwest RD), Suzi Glass (Pacific RD), Frank Sayers (Rock Mountain RD), Glen Conyers (South Central RD), David Bonewitz (Southeast RD), Susan Medlin (Southwest RD).
b. Guests signed in: Mike Nagan, President, ESVA; Al Korejwo, President, Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers; Susan Korejwo, Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers; Doris Conyers, President, Dogwood Trailblazers; Martha Korff, President, Turnaround Trekkers; Bonnie Johnson, Chair of Special Program; Kathy Bundy, Pacific Rep to SPC; Mary Ptacek, Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers; Carl Cordes, Vice President, Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers; Brenda Harris, Treasurer, Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers; Donna Seline, TAW; Dennis Standridge, ESVA Eastern Area Coordinator; April Borbon 3. Approval of Agenda: Motion to amend the agenda to include an agenda item from Southeast Region made by David Bonewitz. The president explained that in order for the item to be included, it needed time to be considered by the clubs and regions. The motion died for lack of a second. Motion made by Holly Pelking: I move to accept the agenda as is. Motion seconded by Betty Green. Motion Passed. 4. President s Report (Attachment 1) 5. Vice President s Report (Attachment 2)
Included is a recommendation to expand the online start box to Washington, Oregon, and Texas. After discussion, the recommendation was changed to be Washington, Texas, Florida, and New York City. 6. Secretary s Report (Attachment 3) 7. Treasurer s Report (Attachment 4) Motion made by Lawrence Lehman: I move that we accept the budget amendment that is part of the report. Seconded by: Susan Medlin. 8. Executive Director s Report (Attachment 5) Included in report is a Recognition of Donations (Attachment 5A), Acceptance of New and Reactivated clubs, and Declaration of Deactivated Clubs (Attachment 5B). 9. Attorney s Report vis a vis IVV Americas (Attachment 6) 10. Reports of Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees a. IT Report (Attachment 7) b. Awards Committee (Attachment 8)
c. Bikes Committee (Attachment 9) d. Youth Committee (Attachment 10) Change prices for awards Prepare a Memorandum of Understanding Invite Debbie Kruep to the next meeting e. Training Committee (Attachment 11) Change Board of Directors to Executive Committee 11. Report of Special Programs Committee a. Special Programs Policy (Attachment 12) David Bonewitz made a motion: I move that we accept the proposed Special Programs Policy as amended. (attached) Seconded by: Nancy Wittenberg Motion passed b. Proposed Special Programs Bonnie Johnson made a motion: I move that we approve the Special Program for Underground Railroads (Attachment 13) Seconded by Glen Conyers.
Bonnie Johnson made a motion: I move that we approve the Special Program for Ice Cream Parlors. (Attachment 14) Seconded by Glen Conyers Motion Passed. Because the new policy has an evaluation sheet, the proposed Special Program Ants came in last in the evaluation, it was not approved. 12. Unfinished business Certificate of Service transition to Commendable Service Award. (Linda Neu) Motion made by Nancy Wittenberg: I move that we discontinue the Certificate of Service and transition to Commendable Service Award effective June 1, 2016. Seconded by: Lawrence Lehman 13. Strategic Planning Committee Report (Attachment 15) David Bonewitz made a Motion: I move that AVA s purpose be: Promote the public health, physical fitness, and well-being of
Americans and that this be the public phrasing and will not change the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation. Motion Seconded by: Nancy Wittenberg David Bonewitz made a motion: I move that AVA use the DBA or Tagline America s Walking Club. Motion Seconded by: Susan Medlin Suzi Glass made a motion: I move that the DBA be given to Henry to give to clubs for possible modification and receive results by May 1. Motion Seconded by: Holly Pelking David Bonewitz made a motion: I move that AVA modify its Vision Statement to be: Increasingly engage Americans in lifelong walking and other noncompetitive physical fitness activities and that this statement appear in all appropriate documentation. Motion Seconded by: Nancy Wittenberg David Bonewitz made a motion: I move that AVA s mission statement be modified in all places where the mission statement is used to be: Promote and organize noncompetitive fitness activities that
encourage lifelong fun, physical fitness, and friendship for all ages and abilities. Motion Seconded by: Lawrence Lehman David Bonewitz made a motion: I move that AVA adopt the following core values: Health and Safety AVA events provide a means to achieve individual health goals. Our events are self-paced, rated for difficulty, and in safe and scenic environments. Environmental Stewardship We take only memories and leave only footprints. AVA events increase awareness of the importance of preserving our environment for future generations. Adventure and Camaraderie We provide events in all types of terrain across the United States and around the world. Club group events provide local friendships. Regional and National Conventions provide opportunities to make new friends and reacquaint with old friends. Volunteering and Public Service From the Club level to the National Executive Council, AVA is a volunteer driven organization. AVA offers inexpensive, noncompetitive, open-to-the-public events as means for individual and family fitness. Transparency and Accountability From the Club level through the National Level, we are open to all. Our programs are based on the honor system and our organization complies with all legal requirements. In the spirit
of national service, we provide opportunities for community engagement. Non-competitive and Inclusion Everyone is welcome and performs and their own ability level. Participation creates a more interconnected community. Motion Seconded by: Holly Pelking Strategic Planning Committee Vision and Recommendations Actionable Items for Next NEC Meeting Committee Standards/Evaluation Information Tech Action Collect best practices from clubs Make Canadian IVV more visible on AVA website and update the page Youth Special Programs Create framework for youth participation DVV Youth Program Create plan for new national programs with more challenging events of distance and/or difficulty Nancy Wittenberg Ideas how to enhance education and promote international travel/ walking opportunities under IVV Bobbi Bilnoski All of Phase 1 Financial Sustainability items Board Fund Development Training treasure map exercise to identify NEC members sphere of influence Glen Conyers Bylaws Fees proposal Study how to ensure leadership continuity by having past President serve one additional term on NEC
Vice President How to establish an ongoing, robust, board orientation at Convention and continuing education Executive Committee Bylaws review to determine whether some bylaws are actually Policy Bylaws Training Information Tech Information Tech Review/refine criteria for and limit proxies Establish a training program to educate/train club officers Conduct a Marketing and Communications audit and create a plan Enhance Electronic Communications capability Complete transition from 3 to 1 database with searchable features For clubs and members Information Tech Information Tech Process forms and payments online Performance and outcome metrics, tracking and reporting abilities Motion made by Suzi Glass: I move that the structure portion of phase one under governance and leadership be moved to Phase 2 with the exception of bullet 2 and bullet 5. Motion seconded by: Susan Medlin Special Programs Nancy Wittenberg In addition to IVV programs, create non-ivv community events Grow membership in the 55+, retirees, and empty nesters Form corporate sponsorships and grants with the business and Institutions our members patronize: New Balance, Fit Bit, National Parks, Taco Cabana, SAS, Shiner Brewery Vice President Training Expand On Line Start Box Create and implement a formal club officer certification program Enhance new membership categories and benefits (tiered access/ Walker user ratings, AVA Special Discounts, Web event page/ Blog) Get listed on United Way, CFC, and Employee Giving Campaign Get a celebrity spokesperson
Special Programs Bylaws Strategic Planning/ Announce a contest for a national mascot Establish multi-state organizations Establish electronic online/absentee voting Bylaws Motion made by David Bonewitz: I move that the NEC approve the strategic vision and recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee as amended at the January 23, 2016 meeting. Seconded by: Susan Medlin Motion passed Next meeting to be in Fredericksburg, TX June 10, 2016 Audience Comments Executive Council Comments Adjourned 10:00 a.m. January 23, 2016