Evelyn White
Outstanding Volunteer
Published March 26, 2001 in The Post-Standard.By Dr Kamal Jabbour, Contributing Writer
The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) announced Evelyn White of the Syracuse Chargers Track Club the winner of the Rod Steele Memorial Award as the most outstanding RRCA club volunteer in 2000. White will receive her award at the upcoming RRCA National Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 2-6, 2001.
The RRCA is a national organization of over 675 running clubs located in 48 states and Guam, representing over 190,000 members. It is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting long distance running as a competitive sport and as healthful exercise. RRCA's mission is to represent and promote the common interest of its member clubs and individual runners through education, leadership, and various programs.
The Outstanding Club Volunteer Award was named in memory of Rod Steele, former president of the Washington DC Road Runners Club, who was killed in a plane crash. The nominations for the award sought individuals who devoted time, work and dedication to be the most outstanding volunteer in their club.
Thousands share my first experience with White. She was my first contact at the Charger many years back. She answered my first phone call, spelled my name correctly, mailed me my first race entry form, handed me my first race entry packet, and mailed me my first results.
Besides directing the Cazenovia 4th of July Foot Races from 1987 to 1999, she plays an important role in the administration of most of the Chargers 50 annual events. She attends to the details of insurance and sanction, assembles and collects various equipment and supplies, and assists with registration and results.
As the club's membership coordinator since 1983, White witnessed a four-fold growth in individual membership from about 500 members to well over 2000. She has been the editor of the Chargers newsletter since 1990, after serving as the associate editor for six years.
She has been a vocal member of the Board since 1983, initially when her husband Nate was the President of the Board. She continued to handle virtually all Chargers outside correspondence and Board communication, and has hosted over 200 monthly Board meetings at their Fayetteville home.
White has held the title of Vice President of Administration for the past seven years, but has played that role for twenty years. She has served as the Chargers secretary, assistant treasurer, administrative assistant, newsletter editor, and informational clearinghouse for most of the eighties and nineties. She has written the club's checks, paid the bills, maintained the checkbook ledger, and assisted the treasurer in producing financial reports.
For many years, the Whites have spent much time and money to represent Syracuse and the Chargers at regional, national and sometimes international races and meetings. She raced often in past years, winning an assortment of age group awards, and continues to run through her Fayetteville neighborhood.
Kamal Jabbour runs and writes on the hills of Pompey, New York. His RUNNING Column appears in The Post-Standard on Mondays. Dr.J. created TrackMeets.com, webcasting live Every Lap of Every Race. He receives email at jabbour@syr.edu.