Events
Elections
Description
Please review each board position description and member bio before voting.
President
The President shall be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Club including presiding over meetings, representing the Club with the RRCA, and to appointing committees and chairpersons thereof with approval from the Board. This includes:
- Chairing the Board of Directors and the business portion of membership meetings.
- Delegating duties and responsibilities as necessary.
- Providing direction and vision in leading the Club forward in accordance with the bylaws.
- Appointing members to complete the terms of any positions on the board that become unfilled per resignations or other circumstances.
Vice President of Programs
The Vice President of Programs shall be responsible for overseeing the Clubs Programs. This includes:
- Nominating Program Directors and appointing Support Staff under the Officer's direction.
- Supervising Program Directors and Coordinators.
- Introducing Program Directors and Coordinators at membership meetings or at the Club Membership Party, when appropriate.
- Establish applicable budgets with the Treasurer or Finance Committee.
Vice President of Racing - Short Distance
The Vice President of Racing shall be responsible for overseeing and providing guidance and support to the Race Directors. This includes:
- Soliciting Strider Members to nominate eligible members for vacant Race Director positions to the Executive Board for approval.
- Supervising Race Directors, as well as Support Staff.
- Introducing Race Directors at the membership meeting, when appropriate.
- Negotiating letters of agreement for all Club contract races.
- Working with the Director of Insurance and Permits to obtain the necessary insurance certificates and permits for their events.
- Calling special meetings of the Race Committee, as necessary.
Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes at the Board meetings, plus any other special meetings that may be called by the President. This includes:
- Preparing and distributing minutes to all Board Members on a timely basis.
- Submitting minutes to the Website Editor on a timely basis for publication.
- Acting as custodian of the Club's official Bylaws, minutes, committee reports, which should be kept at the Club office.
- Preparing and sending any correspondence as designated by the Club President.
- Sending meeting notices along with the agenda to the Board.
Member at Large #1 & 2
Members at Large are responsible for providing input and insights at the member level of the Club for the Executive Board discussions. In addition to representing the Club as board members, members at large will:
- One Member at Large will lead the board elections committee with 2 non-board Club members. That person cannot be currently running for any board position.
- Primary organizers and hosts for the winter member party.
- Fill in the needs for fun run hosts.
- Participation in committees as needed.
- Create and implement initiatives that will improve member experience.
Race Contact Info
President Candidate - Jeff Weiss
Jeff Weiss - President
I have been a Strider for approximately 30 years. I first joined the Board in 2000 as the Newsletter Editor’s representative (because the Editor at that time didn’t like to go to meetings). At that time, I started doing the newsletter layout. A couple of years later I became the editor.
The newsletter at that time was printed on paper (!).
I did that until 2016 and discontinued the printed edition. I thought that would get me out of that job for good, but it found me again in 2023 and I have done the digital newsletter since then.
Also, in 2000 I became a race director of a minor little race called Al’s Run.
I started doing the Marathon Build-Up somewhere around 2008 and do it still.
I have been President since 2019 with a couple of small breaks.
I am strongly in favor of term limits!!!
Secretary Candidate
Member at Large - Jen Klimek
Hi, I’m Jen Klimek! I’ve had the pleasure of serving as your Member at Large since July, and I’m excited to continue supporting our running community. Running is a big part of my life, and I’ve completed over 80 half marathons and 20 full marathons. You’ll usually find me at many of our Strider events, cheering on fellow runners, connecting with members, and enjoying everything that makes our running community so special.
I’m passionate about giving back to the sport that has brought me so many great experiences, friendships, and opportunities. I love encouraging others to stay active, embrace a healthy lifestyle, and discover the joy and camaraderie that running can bring.
Outside of running, I work as a project manager for a large financial services company, where I enjoy keeping projects organized and moving forward. I’m excited to bring that same enthusiasm, organization, and commitment to my role as Member at Large. I look forward to connecting with more members, supporting our Strider community, and helping make our club a welcoming and positive place for runners of all levels!
Member at Large - Jeff Turner
I am running for the Member at Large position. I have been Member at Large #2 for the past 4 years. I have been a member of the Badgerland Striders for 35 years and have volunteered for races and other events every year since joining. Currently, I have been the race director for the Cudahy Classic the last two years. I lead the Stride to 5 K Program. I have also volunteered every weekend of the Marathon Buildup program for the past several years. I host a summer Fun Run, the Racing Sausage Fun Run.
I have over 50 years of running experience and enjoy sharing my experiences with other runners. Runners who enjoy the Run will go Farther than Runners who enjoy the Finish.
Member at Large - Mary Beth Wild (Boo)
I am honored to be nominated for the position of Member at Large. The Member at Large serves as the voice of our members—gathering feedback and acting as a key program supporter. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to mingle, keep my plate full with responsibility, and lend a hand wherever needed.
Over the past few years, I have actively participated in and organized Fun Runs, competed in the Club Championship Program, and helped coordinate our annual Club Membership Holiday Party. Two years ago, I successfully brought back the Stride to 5K program, and this year I took on the role of race director for both the Super Run and the Strider Road Trip.
Looking ahead, I am eager to relaunch the Striders Kids Running Program. As a professional educator, I feel uniquely qualified to get this initiative back up and running. I truly believe these programs offer our members vital opportunities to build lifelong friendships and social connections while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
These initiatives are essential to expanding and strengthening our running community. By continuously introducing fresh ideas and opportunities to our members, I am confident I can help make our club even stronger and keep it growing.
VP of Programs Candidate - Joni Hodor
I was elected to the BOD of the Badgerland Striders 2 years ago as Member At Large..
After one year I was appointed to fill the vacant position of VP Programs. The past year
has been busy facilitating fun runs and other duties of the position. I enjoy organizing
the fun runs snd have completed these initiatives:
1, Increase the number of fun runs
2. Changed route at Greenfield Park to avoid running on Greenfield Ave.
3.Changed start times of fun runs to avoid running in the dark.
4.Along with continuing the traditional fun runs I have encouraged non traditional fun
runs in different areas of Milwaukee.
I enjoy this BOD position and appreciate your vote. I have some non traditional ideas
for fun runs for the next two years that I am excited to implement.
Thank you for your support.
VP of Racing - Len Wachniak
I joined the Badgerland Striders in 1979 so I could get a racebook, which was quite popular back then. Since then, I have run and/or volunteered at many events, including all Lakefront Marathons.
While I have run almost every Strider race at least once, I really enjoy volunteering for the club. Being out on the course, or timing a race, it is always fun to watch runners achieve their goals. Included in this are 17 years as Race Director for South Shore Half Marathon, timing of more than 150 Strider races, along with course support for many events. For the last seven years, I have also been the main contact for filing race permits, so I get a good exposure for all races.
I am running for VP-Racing, short distance in order to bring this experience to make our races even better. One of my goals over the next two years is to continue bringing new talent to the club in form on volunteers, captains and race directors for our events so we can continue to be successful in the future.
