Has an agenda for the 2015 Annual Meeting in Houston been set up?
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It was nice to read and comment on last year's agenda for Annual Meeting of the RRTC. The 2014 RRTC agenda was posted at the end of October last year. It's 3 weeks before the meeting!
All RRTC reports along with the Agenda will be posted on the USATF Web's sites Document Library under meeting information.
This year's meeting is in Houston and our meeting takes place the first Saturday in Dec. at 9:30am.
This year's meeting is in Houston and our meeting takes place the first Saturday in Dec. at 9:30am.
Following is the web link to the Meeting Document Page with 2015 Agenda, 2015 Officer Reports & 2014 Meeting Minutes:
http://www.usatf.org/Events---...ocument-Library.aspx
http://www.usatf.org/Events---...ocument-Library.aspx
I am NOT attending the Annual Meeting in Houston, but wanted to comment on the agenda below.
Agenda for RRTC 2015 Meeting in Houston at the Hyatt, TX (our meeting is Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2015 at 9:30am). Our meeting is open for all to attend. There is no registration necessary.
A. Introduce the Council.
B. Officer’s comments about highlights of their report.
C. All reports are posted online on the USATF site’s Document Library.
D. Mark Neal and Ron Scardara will comment on US Olympic Marathon Trials. - Like previously done for other important Championship measurements, a gathering of measurers to measure the course would give some the opportunity to meet, pick up ideas and learn.
E. Ted Corbitt/RRTC award winners: Tom & Mary Anne McBrayer, Wayne & Sally Nicoll,
Paul Hronjak and Pete Riegel . - It is very nice to see a RRTC Award in Ted Corbitt’s name. Each of the six recipients are well deserving of the award. Shame that Paul Hronjak isn’t with us to receive his award. It has been too long since the first RRTC Award was given to Glen Lafarlette in 2006. What is the policy for this award?
1. Should we add the Calibration Course Number to the map page? - Yes, having the calibration course Certification Number on the map is a good idea. When a course measurement is in question or needs to be verified, the calibration course is an important starting point in the process.
2. Single point description of Start, Finish or turns? - No, these course marks are too important not to detail on the course map. In addition to a description, also draw a simple detail of the start, finish and turn-around marks. It doesn’t hurt to add a detail of course restrictions as well.
3. Can one certify a course that goes out and back that has turns without restrictions at all turns? - Yes, keeping in mind that measuring a restricted course makes it tougher on the drawing of the course map to include all restrictions. More importantly, a restricted course route is difficult for most race directors to set up and do it correctly. Keep it simple, measure the whole road curb to curb.
4. Should a Surveyor be listed as a measurer (that is if they do a calibration courses)? - Yes, list the Surveyor’s name. After the surveyor’s name should be followed by their credentials/title.
5. Should the Date of the Race be on the Certificate? - Yes, the date of the race has always been important to establish the fact that the course was certified prior to the race date.
6. How about changing the Application for Certification so it’s in the same order of filling out the Certificate? - Yes, if it makes reviewing the application that much easier. There would naturally be a bit of time to phase in the new application forms.
7. Can we create an auto fill Certificate for certain entries? As an example when one enters the course length and elevations, then the drop and separation would fill automatically. - Yes, if the Measurement Certificate allows formulas, this would be a time saver.
8. Problems with USATF Championship races. Are there any changes? - Yes, the LDR Championships should be awarded to those events who comply with ALL Championships requirements like certifying and verifying the course measurement prior to the event. Race day requirement for someone to attest that the course was run as measured is equally important. RRTC should be included in the entire Championship process.
9. Mark Neal is developing an online presentation of Open Office. How will this be done?
Open Questions and comments from attendee’s
Agenda for RRTC 2015 Meeting in Houston at the Hyatt, TX (our meeting is Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2015 at 9:30am). Our meeting is open for all to attend. There is no registration necessary.
A. Introduce the Council.
B. Officer’s comments about highlights of their report.
C. All reports are posted online on the USATF site’s Document Library.
D. Mark Neal and Ron Scardara will comment on US Olympic Marathon Trials. - Like previously done for other important Championship measurements, a gathering of measurers to measure the course would give some the opportunity to meet, pick up ideas and learn.
E. Ted Corbitt/RRTC award winners: Tom & Mary Anne McBrayer, Wayne & Sally Nicoll,
Paul Hronjak and Pete Riegel . - It is very nice to see a RRTC Award in Ted Corbitt’s name. Each of the six recipients are well deserving of the award. Shame that Paul Hronjak isn’t with us to receive his award. It has been too long since the first RRTC Award was given to Glen Lafarlette in 2006. What is the policy for this award?
1. Should we add the Calibration Course Number to the map page? - Yes, having the calibration course Certification Number on the map is a good idea. When a course measurement is in question or needs to be verified, the calibration course is an important starting point in the process.
2. Single point description of Start, Finish or turns? - No, these course marks are too important not to detail on the course map. In addition to a description, also draw a simple detail of the start, finish and turn-around marks. It doesn’t hurt to add a detail of course restrictions as well.
3. Can one certify a course that goes out and back that has turns without restrictions at all turns? - Yes, keeping in mind that measuring a restricted course makes it tougher on the drawing of the course map to include all restrictions. More importantly, a restricted course route is difficult for most race directors to set up and do it correctly. Keep it simple, measure the whole road curb to curb.
4. Should a Surveyor be listed as a measurer (that is if they do a calibration courses)? - Yes, list the Surveyor’s name. After the surveyor’s name should be followed by their credentials/title.
5. Should the Date of the Race be on the Certificate? - Yes, the date of the race has always been important to establish the fact that the course was certified prior to the race date.
6. How about changing the Application for Certification so it’s in the same order of filling out the Certificate? - Yes, if it makes reviewing the application that much easier. There would naturally be a bit of time to phase in the new application forms.
7. Can we create an auto fill Certificate for certain entries? As an example when one enters the course length and elevations, then the drop and separation would fill automatically. - Yes, if the Measurement Certificate allows formulas, this would be a time saver.
8. Problems with USATF Championship races. Are there any changes? - Yes, the LDR Championships should be awarded to those events who comply with ALL Championships requirements like certifying and verifying the course measurement prior to the event. Race day requirement for someone to attest that the course was run as measured is equally important. RRTC should be included in the entire Championship process.
9. Mark Neal is developing an online presentation of Open Office. How will this be done?
Open Questions and comments from attendee’s
It's good someone comments on the agenda as last year we only person made comments. Maybe more will follow this year.
For the Ted Corbitt Award, this was explained in Jim Gilmer's report in the document Library. Here is the report:
Committee Report on the RRTC Ted Corbitt Award At the 2014 annual meeting, and grounded in discussions from prior years’ meetings, the Council resolved to institute an award under the auspices of USATF that would honor and commemorate Ted Corbitt by recognizing those individuals who have made significant contributions and/or rendered substantial service to the sport through activities associated with the procedure, practice and administration of course measurement in road running. With the initial presentation of the RRTC Ted Corbitt Award slated for the 2015 annual meeting, Council Chair Gene Newman appointed a committee to establish criteria and standards for the award and to forward the slate of nominees for the inaugural award. This committee was coordinated by At-Large Member Jim Gilmer and also included Validations Chair Mike Wickiser and Final Signatory Certifier Carol McLatchie, as well as Council Chair Gene Newman.
The committee met monthly from March through June and after much discussion of various methods and procedures for selecting and vetting nominees decided for purposes of the 2015 inauguration that the criterion for receiving the Ted Corbitt Award should focus on the “foundational contributions to the institution and development of the Council.” Adoption of additional standards and criteria governing the nomination and selection of candidates for this award in subsequent years was relegated to the Corbitt Award Committee agenda for 2016.
Using the “foundational contributions” criterion, the following individuals were unanimously selected and endorsed by the committee to receive the first annual RRTC Ted Corbitt Award: • Tom and Mary Anne McBrayer • Pete Riegel • Wayne and Sally Nicoll • Paul Hronjak
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Gilmer At-Large Member, RRTC
As for Mark's presentation, it is a work in progress.
For the Ted Corbitt Award, this was explained in Jim Gilmer's report in the document Library. Here is the report:
Committee Report on the RRTC Ted Corbitt Award At the 2014 annual meeting, and grounded in discussions from prior years’ meetings, the Council resolved to institute an award under the auspices of USATF that would honor and commemorate Ted Corbitt by recognizing those individuals who have made significant contributions and/or rendered substantial service to the sport through activities associated with the procedure, practice and administration of course measurement in road running. With the initial presentation of the RRTC Ted Corbitt Award slated for the 2015 annual meeting, Council Chair Gene Newman appointed a committee to establish criteria and standards for the award and to forward the slate of nominees for the inaugural award. This committee was coordinated by At-Large Member Jim Gilmer and also included Validations Chair Mike Wickiser and Final Signatory Certifier Carol McLatchie, as well as Council Chair Gene Newman.
The committee met monthly from March through June and after much discussion of various methods and procedures for selecting and vetting nominees decided for purposes of the 2015 inauguration that the criterion for receiving the Ted Corbitt Award should focus on the “foundational contributions to the institution and development of the Council.” Adoption of additional standards and criteria governing the nomination and selection of candidates for this award in subsequent years was relegated to the Corbitt Award Committee agenda for 2016.
Using the “foundational contributions” criterion, the following individuals were unanimously selected and endorsed by the committee to receive the first annual RRTC Ted Corbitt Award: • Tom and Mary Anne McBrayer • Pete Riegel • Wayne and Sally Nicoll • Paul Hronjak
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Gilmer At-Large Member, RRTC
As for Mark's presentation, it is a work in progress.
As another who can't make it this year, I'd like to send in my 2 cents now:
- Awards are well-deserved, congratulations!
- Single-point description (not totally clear): I think whenever possible those key points should be tied in to at least two permanent landmarks, and in most cases a map should include a detail drawing to fully clarify.
- I'd rather see the cal course number on the cert not necessarily on the map. Lots of courses I measure are using at least 2 cal courses. And occasionally a non-certifiable cal course must be used.
- out-back courses: yes such a course should be certifiable.
- agree with revising app to match cert, or revising cert, whichever . . .
- Awards are well-deserved, congratulations!
- Single-point description (not totally clear): I think whenever possible those key points should be tied in to at least two permanent landmarks, and in most cases a map should include a detail drawing to fully clarify.
- I'd rather see the cal course number on the cert not necessarily on the map. Lots of courses I measure are using at least 2 cal courses. And occasionally a non-certifiable cal course must be used.
- out-back courses: yes such a course should be certifiable.
- agree with revising app to match cert, or revising cert, whichever . . .
1. Should we add the Calibration Course Number to the map page? Yes
2. Single point description of Start, Finish or turn around - If at all possible you should have more than a single point description. I have measured courses on the towpath and you are lucky if you can get a single point description.
3. Can one certify a course that goes out and back that has turns without restrictions at all turns? Yes
4. Should a Surveyor be listed as a measurer (that is if they do a calibration course)? Yes
5. Should the Date of the Race be on the Certificate? Yes
6. How about changing the Application for Certification so it's in the same order of filling out the certificate? Yes it is always easier to go down a page instead of jumping around looking for something.
7.Can we create an auto fill Certificate for certain entries. As an example when one enters the course length and elevation, then the drop and separation would fill automatically? Yes
2. Single point description of Start, Finish or turn around - If at all possible you should have more than a single point description. I have measured courses on the towpath and you are lucky if you can get a single point description.
3. Can one certify a course that goes out and back that has turns without restrictions at all turns? Yes
4. Should a Surveyor be listed as a measurer (that is if they do a calibration course)? Yes
5. Should the Date of the Race be on the Certificate? Yes
6. How about changing the Application for Certification so it's in the same order of filling out the certificate? Yes it is always easier to go down a page instead of jumping around looking for something.
7.Can we create an auto fill Certificate for certain entries. As an example when one enters the course length and elevation, then the drop and separation would fill automatically? Yes
On the "single point" description for Start/Finish, perhaps Lat/Long could also be considered as a descriptive point. From personal experience I've been on some (state park/beach) roadways with very few permanent landmarks available.