One of the significant highlights of the meeting was the plansning for the Reindeer Run, which aims to integrate community service opportunities for local students. Wendy Go, serving as the National Junior Honor Society sponsor at a local school, emphasized the importance of engaging students in volunteer activities to meet their induction requirements. She described the logistics of the event, highlighting tasks such as setting up chairs and tables, assisting sponsors, and distributing medals, with students expected to arrive by 6:30 a.m. to prepare for the 8:00 a.m. race start. Wendy stressed the need for volunteers, noting, “There’s never too many volunteers,” while also considering the management of volunteer numbers to avoid overcrowding.

In addition to the Reindeer Run, Wendy mentioned a pre-event opportunity on December 9 at Headquarters Toyota, where students could assist in packing goodie bags for participants. She welcomed flexibility in volunteer schedules, stating, “If any of you can sign up for that, I would appreciate it.” The council also discussed maintaining the grass conditions for the event.

The council addressed the financial aspects of the Reindeer Run, noting sponsorship revenue of approximately $44,500, with total revenue nearing $50,000. The urgency of finalizing sponsorships was highlighted, given that shirts had already been printed and bags were scheduled to be stuffed. A notable contribution of $200 from Mike C’s family was recognized, with appreciation expressed for their support. Discussions also covered the sequence of events, including the national anthem and a check presentation.

The role of Santa Claus in the event was another focal point, with John Baron identified as the volunteer Santa. However, there was a need to purchase a new Santa suit due to prior use of the existing one, prompting the council to authorize a purchase of up to $150. The council also explored additional activities to enhance the event, such as laser tag, a petting zoo, cornhole, and a snow machine.

Another important topic was the PSN Runners Club’s request for reduced registration fees for their elementary school team. The council debated the standard fee of $35, which was considered high for many families, and proposed lowering it to $15 or $20. A motion was made to provide free registrations for eligible student runners using a discount code, which was clarified before being seconded and approved.

The council also dealt with Catherine’s recent resignation, discussing the proper documentation and communication of her departure. There was some confusion over whether her resignation had been officially acknowledged.

Finally, the council addressed logistics for the Reindeer Run, including street closures to ensure safety. Members agreed on the timing for barrier setups to accommodate early activities, with a proposed window of 5:00 to 5:30 a.m. The meeting concluded with a decision to defer certain agenda items, such as scholarship recipient presentations, to a future date for more discussions.