Sailfish Striders: About the Club

History of the Club

In 1988, a handful of runners gathered in a meeting room at Martin Memorial Hospital (a fitting place considering how many of our members have had surgery there over the years!) and formed what became the Sailfish Striders Running Club. During the past two decades the purpose of the club was to promote running in the area, provide group training runs and increase the number of area races.  During the past decade, the Club grew in membership beyond expectations- to about 200 members - and its reputation as a host of quality races had grown as well. In fact, the Club's race-organization expertise was sought from Vero Beach to West Palm Beach! The Club's race success was a result of the hard work and dedication of small band of volunteers. Their knowledge as experienced runners and racers had been tested in the "line of fire" to produce a race organization system that was hard to beat for the size of races the club conducted.

The Club Today

Today the club's emphasis is on promoting an active lifestyle for Treasure Coast residents.  We have partnered with several organizations to provide training and races for beginning runners and walkers.  We no longer hire ourselves out as race hosts but rather we concentrate on promoting area races, and organizing several club races and the race series for club members.  We also offer club fun runs, training runs, and social events.  The club uses the proceeds from its club races to support local charities and offers scholarships to up to four graduating seniors in Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  The Club is open to runners and walkers of all abilities.  We encourage our members to get involved by running or volunteering at our races, hosting a fun run, sponsoring an event or serving on our Board.

Board of Directors
Laurie Peterson – President
Gene Zweben – Vice President
Lisa Fricke – Treasurer
Kathy Roberts – Secretary
Courtney Ryberg – Member-At-Large/Social Committee
Brenda Wilson – Member-At-Large/Social Committee
Mike Chimney – Member-At-Large/Webmaster
Steve Day – Member-At-Large/Race Committee
Helen Martin – Member-At-Large
Donovan Essen – Member-At-Large
Lisa Miller – Member-At-Large
Alan Cooper – Member-At-Large



Sailfish Striders Running Club Bylaws

ARTICLE I - NAME
    This organization shall be known as the Sailfish Striders Running Club.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
    The purpose of the club is to promote running activities for the people of the Treasure Coast.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
  1. Individuals who wish to participate in activities of this organization shall submit dues with an application for membership. The amount to be determined by the board of directors.
  2. Annual memberships are valid September 1 - August 31.
  3. Classes of members
    1. Individual Membership (single member)
    2. Family Membership (two or more members)
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
  1. Annual Meeting: Will be held once each calendar year. The date and location of the meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors and shall be announced at least one (1) month in advance.
  2. Board of Directors Meetings: Will be held monthly as required and more frequently if called by the President. The meetings shall be announced at least 1 week in advance. All meetings shall be open to all club members; and club members may speak but may not vote.
  3. Quorum: A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each member of the Board shall be entitled to vote and the act of the majority of those present at the meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board.
  4. Order at Meetings: Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings at all meetings when not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
  5. The order of business at all regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be as follows:
    1. Roll-call
    2. Action on minutes of last meeting
    3. Treasurers report
    4. Reports of any other officers or committees
    5. Old business
    6. New business
    7. Adjournment
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
  1. Board of Directors: The Sailfish Striders Running Club management shall be an elected Board of Directors consisting of a maximum of seven (7) members. The Board shall organize itself with the following office: President, Immediate Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Director, and at least one member at large.
  2. Duties of Officers:
    1. The President shall:
      1. Preside and maintain order at all meetings;
      2. Appoint a Nominating Committee;
      3. Appoint the following Chairpersons: Public Relations/WEB Committee, Race Committee, Social Committee, Equipment Committee, Merchandise Committee and any other committee the President deems necessary;
      4. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of Nominating Committee;
      5. President, or designee, shall represent club;
      6. Submit annual report to membership;
      7. Assume other responsibilities as deemed appropriate to the office.
    2. The Immediate Past President shall:
      1. Assist the President with transition into office;
      2. Provide support to the President when necessary.
    3. The Vice-President shall:
      1. Assume the powers of the President in his/her absence;
      2. To take on special assignments as requested by the President.
    4. The Secretary shall:
      1. Take attendance at Board meetings;
      2. Verify the quorum at Annual and Board meetings;
      3. Record all votes;
      4. Record and publish meeting minutes;
      5. Assume other responsibilities as deemed appropriate to the office.
    5. The Treasurer shall:
      1. Receive, bank and disperse all funds as the directors may determine;
      2. Prepare financial statements;
      3. Maintain accurate records of all club funds;
      4. Chair the Finance Committee to ensure the development and submission of budgets by all officers and committees before any distribution of funds are permitted;
      5. File tax returns.
  3. Term of Office:
    1. Term of office shall begin at the Annual Meeting, when elected;
    2. At the first election four (4) Directors shall serve for two (2) years, and the remaining Directors shall serve for one (1) year. The initial elected Board of Directors will determine The four (4) Directors serving two (2) years with the remaining three (3) Directors serving one (1) year. The length of the terms of all Directors elected thereafter shall be two (2) years.
    3. Offices vacated shall be filled by the Board of Directors until subsequent election.
  4. Election: Officers will be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting.
  5. Procedural Requirements:
    1. Bylaw Amendment:
      1. A bylaw amendment may be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of members present at the meeting;
      2. Only those members who have been members of this organization prior to the proposal of such amendments may vote upon such;
      3. Notification for voting or discussing a By-Law Amendment will be posted at least 7 days prior to the meeting;
      4. All members must be notified at least seven days prior to voting or discussing bylaw amendments.

ARTICLE VI - FINANCES

  • Changes to dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors present at the Sailfish Striders Running Club Annual Meeting.
  • This is a 501C (3) not-for-profit organization. All funds received by the club will be spent entirely for carrying out the stated purpose of the club.
  • No part of net earnings of the club shall inure to the benefit of its individuals.
  • Members using club funds shall give a full record of expenditures to the Treasurer.
  • The club is empowered to participate in fund raising activities.
  • Any checks disbursed by the club in an amount exceeding $1000.00 must be signed by two authorized Board members. Authorized Board members include the President,  Vice President, Immediate Past President and Treasurer.
ARTICLE VII - DISSOLUTION
    In the event of dissolution of the club, the funds in the treasury, after all creditors have been paid, shall go to a 501C (3) organization as determined by the Board of Directors.


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