Committee Positions

Looking to get involved with a club committee? Look no further! No matter your talents, interests, or available time, we have a job for you. Committee information and contact information is listed below:

Communications

Chair: Oksana Lightfield

Contact communications@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The Communications Committee keeps members up-to-date with what is happening in the club, promotes local races, and keeps FSRC visible in the community. If you’ve got a knack for writing, communications, marketing, social media, PR, or otherwise spreading the word, this is the committee for you.

Sub-Committees and Positions

  • Club Newsletter – Bi-monthly email newsletter of upcoming events and activities
  • Intervals Blog – Quarterly blog featuring articles of interest to members, including club activities and educational pieces by local professionals, intervalsblog@sandbox.steeplechasers.org
  • Premium Race Promotions – Promoting local races
  • Public Relations – Marketing FSRC to the community through articles in local publications and events, publicrelations@sandbox.steeplechasers.org
  • Social Media – FSRC is active on Facebook and Instagram to promote the club and also to provide a space for members to communicate with each other about all things running.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Maintain and use social media platforms to promote the club and recruit new members
  • Manage the email marketing system: coordinate with race directors, maintain distribution lists, draft content, and schedule message distribution
  • Write content for the Intervals Blog or Newsletter
  • Write articles on club activities for submission to area publications
  • Take pictures at Steeplechaser events and races

Community Outreach

Chair: Ainsley Cain

Contact community-liaison@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The Steeplechasers are committed to supporting the larger Frederick community via fitness, friendship, and athletic development of both members and the community at large. The Community Outreach Committee engages with the community, local businesses and local government.

  • Community engagement related to Frederick’s Runner-Friendly City designation, Runner-Friendly Business listing, Run-to-Work day, etc.
  • Government engagement through attendance of running-related committee meetings, e.g., the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Recruit businesses to participate in the Runner-Friendly Business listing
  • Attend government committee meetings
  • Watch for opportunities from Chamber of Commerce which would benefit or otherwise be of interest to the club

Competition

Co-Chairs: Shannon Matthews, Ruth Taylor

Contact competition@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The Competition Committee encourages fun (and friendly!) competition and participation within the Steeplechasers membership, with an emphasis on supporting local races.

Sub-Committees and Positions

  • Club Competition Series – Grand Prix, Equalizer, Trail, 5k
  • MD RRCA Club Series
  • Racing Team – Steeplechasers members compete on behalf of the Racing Team at races throughout the greater metropolitan Washington, DC area, racingteam@sandbox.steeplechasers.org
  • Summer Decathlon – A ten-week track series on summer evenings

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Direct one of the Decathlon events by purchasing relay prizes and being in charge of the evenings events
  • Organize a Decathlon event finishes by assigning timers and collecting finisher cards
  • Create a relay or track event that helps teach runners a particular aspect of running technique
  • Support chair in racing team activities and management
  • Assist in selection of series races each year
  • Assist in nomination and selection of annual award winners

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Chair: Farrah Douglas

Contact dei@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The DEI Committee will bring awareness to club leadership and members on topics pertaining to diversity (racial, social, sexual, and gender), achieving equity, and fostering inclusion for all members. This is done through

  • development of the club’s DEI strategy
  • planning and coordinating DEI training for club leadership and coaches
  • supporting club and recruitment messages so they are sensitive to DEI
  • serving as a liaison to minority groups
  • providing educational resources and a platform to engage in dialogue with our members to increase the understanding and need for DEI within the running community
  • improving inclusion, visibility, and access of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and other marginalized groups within the running community

Volunteer Opportunities

  • support the DEI committee towards ensuring inclusion for everyone regardless of background
  • members of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to participate to bring all perspectives to the committee

Finance

Chair: Crystal Tressler

Contact treasurer@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The Finance Committee keeps track of all things monetary on behalf of the club, ensuring that we can continue to offer affordable programs and benefits to members and support the Frederick running community. The Committee manages the club’s annual budget, oversees bookkeeping, handles tax and other Maryland state filing requirements, and manages insurance, dues and other RRCA requirements.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Support club bookkeeping operations
  • Assist with paperwork for Maryland taxes and other state filing requirements
  • Support race services financial management (scheduling, contracts, invoicing)

FSRC Memorial Scholarship

Chairs: Crista Horn

Contact memorialscholarship@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The FSRC Memorial Scholarship Committee was set up in memory of Steeplechasers who gave back to the community. Net proceeds from the annual Rick’s Run are used to fund the scholarship, awarded to Frederick-area high school seniors who have made a difference in the running community.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Support the scholarship committee in reviewing applications and recommending scholarship recipients

Membership

Chairs: Barb Meely

Contact membership@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

We’re a running club, and that means we wouldn’t be much of anything without our members! The Membership Committee attracts and welcomes new members to the club and supports existing members, as well as developing new benefits for club members. We work closely with other committees to identify the best ways to bring members to various club activities.

Sub-Committees and Positions

  • Membership Benefits – Ensuring that members receive access to club benefits such as free training, race discounts, education nights, and members-only Facebook group
  • Membership Registration – Registration for the club is handled via RunSignUp
  • Social – Social activities include an annual banquet, summer picnic, (almost-)monthly happy hours, finish-line tents at big local races, such as the Frederick Half, and other fun social events throughout the year
  • Volunteer Appreciation Program – Recognizing the efforts of key volunteers each year

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Help set up/man/break down club tent at local races such as the Frederick Half
  • Suggest new social activity ideas for members
  • Host a winter breakfast run
  • Help organize volunteer efforts and gifts for the annual banquet
  • Help to maintain and enhance use of social media to promote the club and recruit new members
  • Man expo table at Frederick Running Festival
  • Assist with new programs and activities for the benefit of our club members

Race Support

Chair: Mark Lawrence

Contact raceservices@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The Race Support Committee provides timing, course marking, and promotion services to race directors in the local Frederick community.  Our services are a low-cost alternative for small (less than 500 finishers) races. Our experienced volunteers provide services for 30 to 40 local races annually, aiding community organizations in their efforts to raise money for charitable causes.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Provide finish line and course-marking support for client races; time commitments are normally one to two hours per event

Races

Chair: Harriet Langlois

Contact individual race directors

The Races Committee is all about the club races, which includes three free low-key races for members (the Independence 5000, Lewis Run 10 Miler, and Pie Run), as well as our higher-profile signature club races, promoted to the regional running community and set up to benefit local projects and the club’s own community projects.

Sub-Committees – Low-Key Races

Volunteer Opportunities – Low-Key Races

  • To volunteer with any of the club’s low-key races by joining the planning committee or helping out on race day, contact the race director (listed above).

Sub-Committees – Signature Races

Volunteer Opportunities – Signature Races

Store

Chair: Carolyn DiMaria

Contact store@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

Merch! We have merch! The Store Committee handles all official Steeplechasers merchandise, including singlets, seat covers, and other cool runner accessories.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Process sales
  • Maintain inventory and online sales portal
  • Choose and order new inventory items

Technology

Chair: Lou King

Contact technology@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

The Technology Committee designed (and maintains) this beautiful website, and simplifies volunteer activities through the power of automation.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Support web site design and automation activities using web design languages (e.g., html, php, javascript)
  • Update web content – does not require as much technical ability as web design
  • Assist with results processing for club series standings

Training

Chair: Ainsley Cain

Contact training@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

Sub-Committees and Positions

  • Education Nights Several times a year, local professionals give presentations or workshops on topics of interest to our membership.
  • Panthers Running Club – FSRC conducts an after-school running program at Lincoln Elementary School for 2nd through 5th graders. Josh Henson lincoln-panthers@sandbox.steeplechasers.org
  • Spires Youth Running Club – The Spires is our training program designed specifically to meet the developmental needs of youth runners ages 7 to 14. The team competes in local youth cross country races in the fall, and track races in the spring. Trevor James spiresrunning@sandbox.steeplechasers.org
  • Trail and Ultra Running – Whether you prefer 5k’s or 100-milers, this program meets the needs of runners who prefer dirt beneath their feet.
  • Training Programs – Organized, coached training programs for all levels – Co-Ed 5k, Half Marathon, Marathon, Women’s 5k

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Coach or pace for a training program
  • Organize educational events with local professionals
  • Organize group runs including planning routes and aid
  • Assist with training plan development
  • If you are a local professional in a running related field, give a presentation at an education night or training program group run
  • Assist with planning of training runs including determining route and aid drop off
  • Assist with maintenance of the Facebook page
  • Lead/pace training groups

Volunteer

Chair: Crystal Tressler

Contact volunteer@sandbox.steeplechasers.org

  • Assist with finding volunteers for the club
  • Maintain the club’s talent database 
  • Track volunteer contribution throughout the year
  • Select/design and procure gifts for the club’s volunteers
  • Assist with volunteer recognition at the annual member meeting