Non-Profit 501C Status for the Team

Sherman discussed the goal of obtaining 501C status (non-profit status) for the club. We could also then get a United Way number also for payroll donations. But he pointed out the this would require additional paperwork, rules, and requirements that we currently don’t do (i.e. taking and keep meeting minutes, having and following by-laws, etc.). Sherman said he would get with Joe to see about obtaining 501C status.

Maryland Masters Business Cards

Joe showed off and passed out some Maryland Masters business cards he made for himself. People had been asking for contact information about the club at meets. Joe felt the cards would give him an easy way to handout team contact and web site information to people who asked for it. Tom requested that Joe make up some cards for the MD Masters team officers.

2007 World Championships, Membership Fee Increase & Dues

Tom reminded us of the Masters Worlds Championships in Italy next year and requested that any of us planning to go should let him know by February 18^th. He also reminded us to pay our dues by December 31^st. Tom also reminded us that the USATF membership fee would increased after November 1^st and urged us to renew our memberships before then to avoid the coming increase.

USATF Membership Renewal

Joe mentioned the problem of not having our memberships linked to the Maryland Masters when we renew our USATF memberships. We need to all have our memberships linked to the Maryland Masters in order to get proper team point credit during national championship meets and races. You have to make sure when you renew that you designate your membership to Maryland Masters or else you will be designated as “unattached”. The best way to renew is on the USATF web site. If the site does not let you link you membership to Maryland Masters then you need to email the local USATF association to get it done. (Joe has already emailed out to everyone that contact and how to get that done).

Fundraising Ideas

Joe informed the group that he had made some contacts investigating a fundraising opportunities with the Washington Redskins. Joe had made contacts with Keisha Thorpe – a member of local women’s track team (US Elite International) about the Redskins fundraising they were currently doing. Joe described for the group what Keisha’s team was doing for the Redskins. Joe said she told him that $600 - $2000 could potentially be made per game. She gave Joe a name and number to contact. Mel described the Redskin fundraising that the Glen Arden track club was doing. It was decided that we would look into this as a possible fund raising effort for next year.

Tom mentioned a sponsorship for himself that he had been working on and that if possible he would try to get a portion of his sponsorship funds donated to the team. Tom also mention that he was looking into starting a Global Travel International franchise as a way to raise funds and that having team members use such a web based travel booking service might be a way to raise some funds for the team.

Eugene Vickers added that he is currently in Global Travel International and had been for some time. He explained what it was and the great potential for making money. He handed out some of his business cards. In the mean time, let’s help out our fellow team member Gene. From now on when you book your travel and vacations, log onto his web site at http://www.knawki.globaltravel.com/ and keep the money in the family.

Maryland Masters Officers:

            Joe Burno – President

            Tom Jones – Commissioner

            Sherman Wheatherspoon – Treasurer

            Oscar Peyton – Communications, Web Administrator

            Larry Colbert – Sergeant of Arms