@kaernigmail-com.  Good discussion Katie.  These are really good questions that we should be considering often.  That is one reason why we have a mission statement:

"The mission of the WVMTR is to encourage running and the healthy, positive qualities that running encompasses."

And objectives in our bylaws:

1. Objectives
   • The objective of the organization shall be the promotion of running and the education of the public to its benefits.
   • In the furtherance of objective “A” the organization may hold races, non-competitive runs, educational activities, clinics, and social events. The organization may print or publish articles or newsletters, maintain a website, present awards and do all other such things as may be conducive to the encouragement of running.
   • Other objectives are to engage in community activities and publicize the benefits of running as a means of physical fitness.

This is a simple mission statement and broad objectives.  We can utilize them to keep us grounded to our primary mission and occasionally branch out and adapt to be what our broader community requires.

This is a really good discussion Katie, and your thoughts have gotten my brain spinning too.  I don’t think anyone joined the club just to save $10 bucks on a race, so that idea probably isn’t worth pursuing.  But I do want to try and think of more ideas to get people engaged in the club, both members and potential future members.  And to the point of the mission statement, share the joy of running.  Thanks for sharing all the specifics Adam, that was a good refresher.

I would like to see more fun and community infused into our 2023 goals and objectives.   Club supported fun runs are one of the best conduits to efficiently achieving this.  I hope we can have more fun runs this year.  I think Charlotte's email newsletter idea will support this desired outcome very well.

@kaernigmail-com I think this is definitely a question we are always thinking about. I'll join you for those 20-30 miles to see if we can figure it out.