ATTENDEES (b=board member): Mike Dayton, John Lee Ellis (b), Pierce Gafgen, Don Hamilton, Ken Knutsen, James Kuehn, Cecil Reniche-Smith (b), Edward Robinson, Lois Springsteen (b), Mark Thomas (b), Eric Vigoren (b), and Jennifer Wise (b)

  1. Online Membership Administration. Don Hamilton provided an update regarding RUSA's soon-to-be-completed online membership registration and renewal system. The system had been subjected to repeated testing over previous weeks and was close to readiness for full deployment.
  2. American Explorer Award. Award Designer Pierce Gafgen and Medals & Awards Committee Member Ken Knutsen discussed ongoing efforts toward development of the American Explorer Award. Design options for the physical award were addressed. With a goal of allowing efficient award administration, one favored option was to provide eligible members with an award "package" that would be self-managed as each recipient achieved successive states and award levels. Award criteria also were discussed. Next steps included prototyping the physical award for Board consideration, including a design for individual state "plates" that would be affixed by riders as they achieved additional award levels.
  3. 2012 ACP Calendar Review and Approval. The Board approved the currently-proposed RUSA ACP Calendar of 2012 events. In doing so, the Board expressed appreciation to Mark Thomas for his extensive work in preparing the underlying calendar submission document that would be sent to the ACP. RUSA's schedule for 2012 Flèche dates, as well as dates for domestic RM 1200km events, also were set.
  4. 2011 Paris Brest Paris Yearbook. Lois Springsteen confirmed that volunteers had been identified for development and publication of a 2011 PBP commemorative yearbook. The volunteers appeared to be well-qualified for the project, which already was underway. The goal was an 80-100 page publication similar to RUSA's 2007 PBP yearbook.
  5. American Randonneur Newsletter Editor and Volunteer Search. Lois and Mike Dayton reported on volunteer interest in work on the RUSA newsletter. Volunteers had stepped forward with offers to assist with various duties, indicating that the substantial work involved in newsletter production might be effectively distributed across multiple volunteers. During and after the transition to the new American Randonneur administration, Mike graciously agreed to remain available to assist. Mike was asked to coordinate with newsletter committee candidates, and work was to continue on final selection of volunteers and committee assignments.