2016 GGTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ELECTION CANDIDATE PLATFORMS
Please note: The Volunteer Director position has two nominees, so at minimum you will want to read their platforms, below. Elections will be held at the Member Meeting on October 13th, 6:30 pm at the Sports Basement Presidio. Your vote counts!

President - Chris Douglas
My name is Chris and I'm running for President. I've been in the club for 4ish years and specialize in sandbagging races and letting people know that I'm Puerto Rican.  

The most important to know about me is that I love GGTC! This club has been great to me and I want to do my best to help continue to steward it in the right direction. I know being Club President is not a walk in the park and I'm prepared to work hard to make sure the club keeps improving and building a better community.

This upcoming year is a big one for us. It will mark our 25 anniversary that I want to celebrate with all our members: current, future and past. I want the club to be even more welcoming to new members and share the community that we have built over the years. I want us all to train hard, set goals and crush them. I want us to have awesome aid stations and become notorious for our volunteerism and our cheering of our fellow members (and complete strangers) in our community. Finally, I want us to have some sick parties and training weekends, not the least of which will be a 25th Anniversary Party that will be...wait for it...legendary!

I don't plan on doing this alone. I'm stoked with everyone running for board positions and I'm sure everyone will work as hard as I will to make the club even better than it already is. 

I'll do my best to be accessible to every member and take all feedback to keep improving the club member experience. 2016 will be an incredible year for the club and I look forward to working really hard for you guys.

Vice President - Sam Gager
Over the two last years I have had the pleasure of serving as president of the Golden Gate Triathlon Club.For me it has been a fun two years and I think we have had a pretty decent run, accomplishing some great things together.  

In taking a step back and reviving a previously un-utilized board position, I hope to focus on only a few key passion projects that provide value for Golden Gate Triathlon Club members. These include: building and engaging in programs that foster friendly inter-club competition (e.g. Ironman TriClub Program, California Club Championship Series), continuing to improve our long-term relationship with Shift, and serving the Golden Gate Triathlon community to the best of my ability. 

Secretary - Allie Corriea
As club secretary I will...
  • Maintain organization of the board meetings prior to, during and after meetings by preparing the agenda, keeping minutes, and sending out meeting minutes in a timely manner. 
  • Manage the TAG program and act as liaison for board. Help with recruitment and publicity of the program. 
  • Work with board to incorporate TAG members in all club events.-Recruit members to volunteer at TAG events.
  • HAVE FUN!!
Treasurer - Alexis Barker
I'm running for GGTC Treasurer again because I love this club and want to help make sure we have another kick ass year!

Membership - Bryan Hood
After sharing a few suggestions with current board members, I was encouraged to run for the membership director position. Coincidentally, I've been looking for a volunteer opportunity.   I have several ideas that I believe will support the GGTC mission statement, and I'm excited to give back to the club.

I joined the club in March, but missed the big kick off meeting. I didn't know anyone in the club and didn't really know where to start. I had even avoided joining the club for several months because I was intimidated. My first day at track I wandered around the bleachers asking each group if they were the triathlon club. It took a while to build up the courage to try out the masters swim, and I had no idea whowas welcome on ambassador team workouts. Fortunately, everyone has been very friendly and supportive. Now, I am a TAG to Santa Cruz member.  Having recently joined the club, I have a fresh perspective on how to get new members started and how to keep them engaged.

Goals:
  • Meet the posted requirements of the membership director.
  • Try a few new programs to engage new members, and encourage participation from all members.
  • Begin addressing the concern of many long time members that the club behaves as a set of cliques instead of a cohesive community.
Ideas:
  • Include a comprehensive new member guide and FAQ on the website
  • Poll the member base for feedback
  • Inform the coaches and sport directors of new members
  • Have new members complete an easy task list to get their swim cap or GGTC swag
  • Create a buddy system to pair current members with new members
  • Encourage/incentivize posting workouts on club calendar
  • Special invitations for new members to happy hour; introduce them to one another
Sponsorhip - Carmen Goff
No Platform Available

Swim - Stephanie Carnes
It's true, I swim without a wetsuit.  My name is Stephanie Carnes and I am running for swim director because swimming has made a profoundly positive impact on my life. I joined Golden Gate Tri Club (GGTC) in 2013. I have been the 2015 GGTC swim director.  I am CPR/AED certified. Swimming has connected me to competition and, gave me access to coaches/athletes at all levels. Through GGTC, I have successfully conquered my fear of open water swim and discovered a passion for it. My vision for 2016 is to bridge training between pool and open water swimming. Specifically with pools I will:
  • Work with pools to develop triathlon specific training. 
  • Encourage club participation in local swim meets during triathlon off-season to continue speed work and promote team camaraderie.
  • Promote more frequent swim clinics geared towards speed and technique.
Specifically with open water I will:
  • Organize and lead AP swims 2 times a week.
  • Promote open water clinic support for swimmers of all abilities.  Coordinate Alcatraz and bay swims. 
  • Continue to promote open water competition.
Goals I have in mind:
  • Work with the Board to ensure custom GGTC swimsuits in addition to all the other cool gear we use. 
  • Expand pool accessibility.  
  • Talk with members about participation in fun destination swims.
  • Continue to foster relationships with vendors specific to cutting edge swim products.
Thank you for your consideration,
Stephanie Carnes

Bike - Evan Sharp
I'd like to start by acknowledging the fantastic job Mike D did in the 2015. I joined him on a bunch of rad rides all around the Bay Area and look forward to building on what he did for the Bike program. 

Here's some stuff I loved and want to more of in 2016:
  • Rides of all skill levels and a variety of distances.
  • Clinics on a range of subjects from basic bike maintenance to climbing/descending.
  • Continuing to ride with our other Bay Area clubs. The Mt. Diablo ride with OTC was great and I was really sorry to miss the Velo Vino ride. Let's keep these in the mix in 2016.
New ideas:
  • I'm a huge fan of Angel Island and think we could have a kickass training weekend there. There's a protected shore for the swim, and a fairly smooth perimeter road for the bike and run. Also BBQ. And coolers full of beer. And some of the best views in the Bay. And beer. Think about it. 
  • Having ridden Mt. Hamilton in the South Bay, I don't want to leave it off the list of rides we do in 2016. There's an all-day ride or a half day climb. 
  • And of course, I'm open to suggestions. 
You wouldn't know it by looking at my bike split for IM 70.3 Santa Cruz, but I love to ride, and I really look forward to seeing you all out there in 2016!

Thanks!- Evan

Run - Miguel Equina
GGTC is a triathlon-based club, but it's important to remember the journey that brought us to the triathlon sport. I envision the role of Run Coordinator to bridge the gap between the GGTC team and its local community by demonstrating to others that it only takes one sport, passion, or goal to motivate yourself to complete a triathlon.

How I would market this idea:
  • Hosting a track/run night with a local running store
  • Reteaching people the basics of running with information about: form, equipment, nutrient, etc.
  • Shoe/Clothing/Equipment demos
Gear - Phil Sanchez
No Platform Available

Design - Michelle Lipira
My name is Michelle Lipira and I'm running for Design Director. Golden Gate Triathlon Club has been a major part of my life for the past 4 years. I've been lucky enough to be on the board for 2 years and now get to run again!  To be able to share my design profession with my love for triathlon with this crew is theabsolute best.  After re-designing Golden Gate Triathlon Club's logo, kits, and identity to one cohesive design... we can now expend our design on a more professional level.  I have so many ideas for new gear, kits, signage, party decor, and social media.  But... I have one goal. Make you all look damn sexy in spandex!

Please vote for Michelle

Social - Mark Bollozos
Let's face it - you're here to have FUN!  Whether you're motivated for your first tri or first Ironman, first bay swim or fifth Alcatraz crossing, first road bike or first century, or first half or first ultra - you're here to have FUN! 

I was honored to be your 2014 GGTC Social Director and just like then, my theme for 2016 will be that of "Something Old, Something New, and Something Borrowed" - a continuity of the past but moving to the future. Thirsty Thursdays have been our mainstays...let's try Taco Tuesdays or Wine-Down Sundays. We're all competitive...why not a Happy Hour Bocce Ball Tourney at The Hidden Vine or a Bowl Fest at Lucky Strike. Or take your palette for a spin with a Food & Wine Pairing event. Want to go in waves? Then how about an Exclusive Ladies Night and Boys Night Out...party crashing encouraged of course! We're always working out outdoors so it's natural to have FUN outdoors...in rooftop bars (Mission Rock, Lolinda, Jones), in beer gardens (Beirgarten, Zeitgest, The Yard), and in our beautiful parks (First Annual GGTC OysterFest?). We change at least 3 times during transition, so themed parties should be a norm (White Night, Something Red & Something Less). These are just some FUN ideas and I'm just getting started!

Wildflower Training Weekend (WFTW) - part training, part racing, all the time partying is of course our big marquee event.  But 2016 will mark GGTC's 25th Year Anniversary and I hope to plan out a blowout party.  I can't wait to make it a very memorable experience for YOU!  Because, let's face it - you WANT to have FUN!

Volunteer - Camille Gulick

Hey GGTC! Thanks for the nomination. 

Since joining this amazing club in early 2014 I have absolutely fallen in love with the sport of triathlon and the support GGTC provides to the local triathlon community.  I have decided to run for Volunteer Director because when I'm not racing my favorite thing to do is volunteer and cheer for my fellow teammates!  You may have seen me volunteering with GGTC this past year at races like Escape, Vineman, HITS Napa Valley, and more.  

As a TAG participant and captain for the past four seasons, I have gotten to know the program very well and see how GGTC helps our beneficiary, San Francisco Senior Centers.  As your 2016 Volunteer Director I would continue our support of this organization and plan additional events for club members to get involved with SFSC, previous beneficiaries, and more local organizations.

When it comes to races, I will continue our volunteer support at USAP and Vineman races and would like to expand our participation and cheering sections at events like the Kaiser Half Marathon and more local events.  I would love to provide support to our club members at as many events as possible and continue to spread the GGTC spirit to the Bay Area athlete community.  Additionally, as Volunteer Director, I will personally provide donuts (and possibly beer) to everyone who shows up to cheer or volunteer with the club at major events. 

Thanks for your consideration! Camille

Volunteer  - John Springer
Since joining GGTC two years ago, I went from being a non-triathlete to a very active and identifiable club member. None of that would have been possible without the support of club members, and the community. To say 'thanks' for what it meant to me I strive to give back to the sport of triathlon, and anyone that's inspired by someone simply supporting them. 

If it weren't for the volunteerism of the GGTC Board and members, crazy cheer groups at races, and random fans this sport would probably suck. Despite being an "individual sport" we train, compete, and finish because we have the support of others to do it. 

My mission as Volunteer Director is to keep GGTC engaged in giving back to the sport and community by being the best damn ones doing it. I'm proud of our club's constant positive feedback from all the eventssupported, whether it resonated with me or not. In the end it DID MATTER to someone, and kept him or her moving forward in his or her world. 

Being Social Director this past year allowed me to participate in 'our community' on multiple levels. You've probably seen me at your Thirsty Thursday, race, or info meetings engaging with anyone that has questions, looking for a training buddy, or help at a race. I've personally supported Napa HITS, Santa Cruz events, Nike Women's Half, Wildflower Training Weekends, and am a Board Member. I intend on being more active on this front next season by enhancing GGTCs support of its beneficiaries and partners, and I look forward to YOU doing the same.

So vote for me for Volunteer Director, so we can all keep giving back. Also, I'll grow the beard back, and push Mark B on swag for our events! (Shameless bribe, but whatever).  #springerforvolunteer

Communications - Brenda Bettencourt
I served, for the first time, on the board as the GGTC Communications Director in 2015. It took me awhile to learn the various communication platforms and the rhythm of the club. I'd like to serve in the position again in 2016 to improve upon the work I did in 2015. 

Thanks,
Brenda

Webmaster - Rob Balucas
Hey GGTC Team, It's an honor to be nominated Webmaster for the club. In brief, I believe I'm fairly qualified to do the role. I run my own boutique creative webdesign agency, babaLucas Creative entering its 5th year of business.  I have a number of health and wellness sites in my portfolio including fittedbypedro.com, trimorefitness.com (coming soon), and more you can see at BabaLucas.com.  I look forward to serving in this club. It's made a huge impact in my life this year; it's like I've found my tribe.  I'd love to contribute towards fostering that feeling for other 'seekers.'