2012-13 SRR Candidates for Appointed Positions

Candidate: Urvi Mujumdar
SRR member since:  June 2010
Statement: As a member of Somerville Road Runners and the New York Road Runners Club over the course of my running career, I have grown to appreciate the coordination that goes into each event and the contributions a volunteer can make.  I've volunteered at several events in Boston and NYC over the past 10 years and have also taken on fundraising opportunities for charity teams such as the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure.  Outside of running, I volunteer for an organization called Boston GLOW (Girls' Leadership, Organized Women) that creates scholarship opportunities for young women and I am a member of the Boston Volunteers meetup group.  I enjoy tying activities to worthy causes, and would love to help SRR fill its volunteer needs through running and non-running activities.

Candidate: Gwen Co-Wallis
SRR member since:  5 years
Statement: It's been a year that I've been on hiatus from Club leadership and I'm ready to get more directly involved again as Membership Director.  I have a few initiatives that I would like to propose for the Board in this role.  I think it would be good to bring back the quarterly newsletter to the membership to keep folks up to date on Club happenings, which I am happy to draft and disseminate.  It would provide an opportunity for folks to be engaged regardless of whether or not they subscribe to the Yahoo list or Facebook.  To welcome new members into the Club, I will offer to meet them at Bur-run, track or Casey's to familiarize them with the Club and get them acquainted with other members.   In addition, I will ensure that membership communications are distributed in a timely manner.  I am also happy to update the membership brochure, as needed.  Thank you for your consideration of my interest in this position.

Candidate: Yili Yao (seeking re-appointment)
SRR member since:  2003
Statement: I have been a SRR member since 2003.  In 2005 I took over the club Membership Director position and have been on it since then.  My primary responsibilities include the followings:

• Create and maintain annual online registration form for membership and track signup. Update forms throughout the year when needed to reflect the latest rates and signup categories.
• Update and maintain year-to-date membership database and track list by downloading from online registration form or (occasionally) manually entering from paper registration forms.
• Notify club board members with the latest membership list on a per monthly basis.
• Notify Coach Joe with the latest track signup list on a per weekly basis.
• Notify Kathy Hynes with the latest new member list for her to manufacture member cards for new members.
• Send welcome emails to new members.
• Assemble mails to send out member cards, Marathon Sports discount cards and shoe ID tags to new members.
• Answer any emails directed to membership@srr.org regarding membership and track signup, and any general club questions.
• Work with the club president to initiate membership drives when needed.

Candidate: John Gorvin (seeking re-appointment)
SRR member since:  1998
Statement: I wish to run again for the board in 2012, as I have wish to continue my service as public relations coordinator. I have been an effective liaison with the local community, serving on the committee to establish the SRR scholarship for graduating Somerville High students, and working with the local media to publicize the club's community service efforts and charitable contributions.  I have developed new goals for the upcoming year to broaden our efforts in community outreach, as we continue to work to promote a healthy lifestyle and fitness for children and adults in the greater Somerville area.  Specifically, I wish to seek a partnership with the DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation, a group I have done previous charitable work with, and wish to involve more club members, specifically our many members working in healthcare, in that effort.

Candidate: Bill Hees (seeking re-appointment)
SRR member since: 2010
Statement: Training with a group can be more fun and more motivating than training alone. We've got some great group long runs coming up, and we're always looking for more people to host or lead group long runs. Please go to srr.org/events/longruns to find out more. I'm a proud SRR member of two years and current Long Run Coordinator. I'd be happy to have the opportunity to serve another term.