Sherwood Merrywalkers
Meeting Minutes – 02/01/2010
Present: President Jane Leider, Diane Adams, Barbara Bowes, Helen Clark, Mary Ann Hawke, Del Judy, Debbie Kramer, Sandra McDonald, Vicki McCool, Mary Rose Modzelewski, Russ Randall, Sandy Reid, Anila Shah, Nar Shah, Lois Cameron Smith, Candice Upchurch, Mike Uyemura, and Lynette Waller.
Guest: Will, New Balance Stores Manager
Jane Leider called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
Mike Uyemura gave the Treasurer’s Report. The current balance in the account is $814.15.
Jane requested nominations for the position of Membership Chair. Lynette Waller was nominated and elected to the position.
Jane gave an overview of the planned Great Easter Egg Hunt to be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010. She explained that participants will have the opportunity to find eggs with prizes. Brochures to be distributed after March 1st were passed out to attendees.
Jane will email a proposed list of assigned duties. She requested that she be notified if a person cannot work the assigned time.
A September event at Parrett Mountain was discussed. Jane will verify the cost of holding a walk there and will report at the March meeting, at which time a decision will be made whether or not to hold the event.
Other events for the year were discussed. The group will participate in a pre-parade walk in the Rose Parade on June 12th. The sanctioned walk will be 10k and will begin at Good Samaritan Hospital. There will be a 6k option as well. The registration fee will be $16.
The group will also participate in the Robin Hood Festival on July 17th.
Jane recommended that folks investigate the Spring Fling Get-a-Way, which is scheduled for April 14th-16th. She will put the detailed information on the website.
There was a drawing for two $25 New Balance gift certificates. The winners were Vicki McCool and Mike Uyemura.
Will, the manager of the New Balance stores at Bridgeport Village and downtown Portland, presented an overview of the importance of wearing properly fitted shoes for walking, and his store’s customer service policies and goals. He stated that their goal is shoes that fit properly, and they will spend whatever time it takes.
Meeting Minutes
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He noted that the majority of walkers wear the wrong shoes for their feet. He explained that his staff are real advocates for foot health and are always interested in hearing a walker’s experiences before fitting them with shoes.
He said that it is best to walk in shoes designated for walking only. He explained that it is critical to match the contour of the feet and that he and his staff narrow down purchasing options for the customer. He discussed the importance of arch supports.
According to Will, he and his staff are Pro-Care Certified. This means that they have received training on the anatomy of the foot and foot care issues. He explained that the stores have a 30-day return policy, and are committed to finding the right shoes for the customer. He stated that the staff members are not paid on commission.
Will distributed coupons that provide $10 savings on purchases of $75 or more.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Submitted by Lynette Waller
