Every once in awhile James “Skull Hawk” Barker asks me if it’s ok to query the Trail Hawks on our Yahoo e-mail group list about events not related to us.
I try to reassure him it’s ok—the list exists for the use of the members. He’s hesitant because he’s seen people get in trouble for doing that on other groups’ e-mail lists. I think it’s just politics. Sad that we have to have politics in running—something that’s all about friends and freedom, isn’t it?
So for the record, in writing, here are the politics of the Lawrence Trail Hawks.
1. The trails belong to all of us, and nobody owns the days of the week or the hours of the day. We have set times and days for our runs, but if Hawks want to run earlier or later, they can. If Hawks want to use our e-mail list to invite other Hawks, or non-Hawks to run with them, earlier or later, or some other day, they can.
2. Any other group or individual can—in fact is welcome—to run at the same time and place as we do. Run with us or apart from us. Whatever floats your boat. Personally, I believe trail and ultrarunning is about togetherness and inclusiveness.
3. You don’t have to join the Hawks to run with us (but there are perks).
4. If Hawks want to promote the races of other groups using our e-mail list, they can.
5. If Hawks want to form a separate group, and still belong to the Hawks, or not belong to the Hawks, they can. We’ll do what we can to support the new group and help it find success.
6. If you run with us or attend our events and want to invite our members to join your group and do your runs, and attend your events, you can.
7. We don’t own other people or restrict access to anyone in any way. Ever. Period.
8. Hawks don’t need my permission—or ANYONE‘S permission—to do any of the preceding.
You don’t have to agree with me on any of these points. You can be mad at me because I ran your race and invited another runner to come out for one of our runs. But if you try to impose your will on others like that, if you try to restrict and control what should be free and for everyone—you will find yourself increasingly isolated and desperately unhappy.
I’ve seen it happen, and it’s a prospect I do not relish.
About the only guideline we do push is our club motto: “Kindness to life and land.”
Just follow that standard and everything else will take care of itself.
Hey Story Hawk, Sweet! Thanks for taking the time to state all of this. I especially like the repetition of the fact that running groups are, by nature, non-exclusive. There's no reason why someone can't be an active part of 2, 5 or 2542.3 groups at once. :) Two questions that still linger: -What about access to physical group assets? Pop-ups, etc? -You do a great job in this "declaration of openness", especially about the email listserv - is there any restriction of the usage thereof you would put on it? Cheers & God Bless, Brad
Oh yeah, and Gary/Nick - does this thing auto-notify, facebook style, when someone replies? Or do I need to keep checking back?
I'm sad that this is even an issue..but I'm glad you brought it up. I am a member and purveyor of several running groups (you are well acquainted with both) that I straddle but am minimally active in both as I fear repercussions on either side for associating with the "other" group, guessing that the bad blood and defensive feelings from a formerly united group of people is too big an obstacle to avoid. Hence I stay in the shadows because I don't want to "rile" either side. This is heartbreaking to me because I enjoy the people from both camps, and I love running even though I am not one of the "fast" ones. ( I feel I need to be "fast" to be appreciated/respected, but this is my own issue, I hope). It would be a wonderful day if there was a meeting of the minds so the animosity could be laid to rest permanently. I miss the old days. My 2.5 cents Colleen "Irish Hawk"/TrailNerd Janner
Very nice Gary.
Gary Henry I think you are one of the most wonderful men I know! Thanks for putting all this out there it's about time someone did. You are a good man and I'm DAMN PROUD to know you!
I agree with Colleen, I am a member of several groups and sometimes feel a little isolated from one group or the other, from being active in both groups. Have kind of been laying low in both groups just because I enjoy the company of both groups, but don't want to rile the other side either. I run because I enjoy running and enjoy running with anyone no matter what group they hail from.
Brad, we don't do email notifications, but can :) hadn't thought of it till now :) it's now on my todo list.
Darin and Colleen, no one owns you. No one has a right to criticize you because of who you run with. I will not think the less of you for running with other groups. But I would be very sad to think you DIDN'T run with another group because you thought it would bother me.
Brad, if you want to borrow a pop-up tent for a race you're putting on, you got it. If you want to borrow it for an aid station you're staffing in a Trail Nerds race, you got it. If you want to borrow it for a family vacation, you don't got it. If you want cash to buy food for a race you're putting on, let's get with Sassy Hawk, our Treasurer, and Lil Big Hawk our VP and talk. You are a dues-paying member, so you have access to the resources, as long as it's for legitimate running purposes. You also have access to insurance for any event you want to put on, though we need a certain amount of notice to get it for you.
Well said G! Politics suck.. in government and in trail running. Shut the f**k up and RUN! Leave the snide comments and emails to the politicians and their sad trail-less lives!
I'm thinking about joining this running group, because my Sister Debbie Webster is in it, Coleen is in it, Deb Johnson, Jules, and Kristin are in it and last but certainly not least James "Skull Hawk/Counselor is in it. After reading this blog, I wonder what I'd be getting in to? Please assure me that there is not any "our group is better than your group, or trail runners are better than roadrunners kinda drama". Runners are all unique individuals who gather for comradarie to run. Some runners just prefer to run solo, listen to their Ipods and "zone in" on their run. "didn't wave or say "hi"...no biggy. Please tell me this was just a fill in article that doesn't REALLY exist...Politics and running? GTFOH!! Signed, Lloyd (Bald Eagle) Lantz U.S.M.C
Lloyd, I meant every word I wrote. If after reading my post, you still wonder what we're about, come run with us. That's really the only way to see. It's most definitely NOT a fill-in article, and it does exist.
I have a trail nerds and a trail hawks bumper sticker on my truck ;)
Glad to hear it Graham! :)
We have Hawk bumper stickers now?!?! Must have ASAP!
You want one! all you gotta do is ask! I know Gary's got a bunch of em.
I'll be doing the "Run around Clinton" with Norm & Darin weekend after next, so if one of them can be slipped an extra before then to pass on to me, that'd be great! Otherwise, dunno if I'd get a chance before the WyCo preview run to see a flock of Hawks; realizing that I'll have to miss all of the Frozen Ass b/c of Bandera :(. Also, maybe James as a conduit?