Let's Get Social

Debbie P

Greetings!

As we welcome spring (did we have a winter?), I’m excited for this opportunity to introduce myself to the club as the 2012 Member-at-Large. My name is Debbie, and as a fairly new Flyer I’ve been learning the ropes these first couple months, getting to know the people that helped make so many Flyer social activities successful & a lot of fun.

I’m following the lead of our 2011 MAL Julie W, and have invited folks who have been involved in social events during the last few years to participate on a committee to do planning for this year. I am very grateful to Lara K, Lloyd H, Alan G, Ray S, Shira Z, Stephanie P, Charlotte N, Kenny D for their time, ideas, and willingness to step up and organize—I’m sure I will be saying “thank you” over and over again this year.

We’ve picked up pints a few times already this winter to celebrate Mardi Gras, open speedwork sessions, and the 92(!) Flyers who ran the New York City Half Marathon. I have a sneaking suspicion that in a few weeks we’ll want to toast the Flyers who are running Boston on April 16th – keep an eye on the NYF Events and Facebook pages for a location (please join our group there if you are a FB user!). We’d love to try to schedule monthly happy hours, doing our best to vary the days of the week and locations.

Whether you have recently joined the Flyers or were a founding member, please circle/bookmark/iCal Wednesday, May 2nd and hold the date for our New Flyer Social. We’ll head to the Mad Hatter Saloon (3rd Ave and E. 26th Street) to play some games and learn more about our teammates. The info is now up on the events page, and new Flyers, keep an eye on your email for a special invite.

Looking down the calendar a bit, TGIFFs in different areas of the city are in the works, as well as other warmer-weather events. We’re seeking a new venue to celebrate after the Brooklyn Half – with 15,000 runners Coney Island is likely to be a bit crowded this year! We’ll post the gathering place as soon as possible (as well as info on the Flyers bus to the Brooklyn half generously organized again by Richard B), but please plan to join us for some frolicking on the sand, screaming on the Cyclone and chowing down on Nathan’s and beer on the boardwalk.

Aside from running and social gatherings, we’d be thrilled to see the Flyers continue to expand our tradition of giving back through volunteer activities. I often get emails from people and organizations looking to promote projects such as running-related charity events, trail-preservation petitions, etc. We’re exploring the possibility of having a spot on the Flyers website to post such activities, as well as on Facebook.

Phew—we’re getting the Flyers calendar up and running for an exciting 2012! If you have ideas and energy, whether about new locales to celebrate (bonus points if they serve sweet potato fries :-), ideas for volunteer projects or other activities, please feel free to contact me at mal@nyflyers.org. We would love to see new faces at events and new hands to help organize.

Happy running!

Cheers,
Debbie P
Flyers Member at Large