PPTC 2016 Elections: The Candidates
We are proud to announce our candidates for the Board of Directors in this year's election cycle. The voting period ends Sunday, April 17th at 11:59 p.m. All members as of April 4th, 2016 will be receiving an email from noreply@opavote.org with a special link and instructions on how to vote.
Household memberships are given two votes; only the person who actually registered received an email. If you are the head of your Household membership and you'd like for another member of your Household to vote, please email elections@pptc.org with that person's name and email address.
If you did not receive an email, please first check your Spam folder. If there is still an issue, please email elections@pptc.org.
See the Bylaws of the Club for the responsibilities of each position.
Thank you to all of our candidates!
The Elections Committee
Candidates Running For Secretary
Aisha Qamar 
I moved to New York five years ago, and it didn't feel like home until I joined PPTC. Now, I can't imagine living anywhere else. This group has supported me in my running, as well as provided me with a group of tremendous friends and teachers.
I would like to contribute to PPTC as the Secretary. I have been an active member of the Social Committee, leading events such as the International Women's Day group run, Pi(e) Day run, and the Washington Heights 5k post-race cool down/brunch. I was Santa at last year's Turkey Trot and hope to reprise my role this year. I am confident that my skills, commitment, and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for the Secretary position and I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the club in a new capacity.
Sheldon Sucre 
My name is Sheldon Sucre. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, then moved to queens where I live for approximately 12 years and now I am back in Brooklyn; living in Sheepshead Bay. I would like to run for the position of Secretary. I have been a secretary of the Physical Education Major Club at Adelphi University. I am was also a Secretary for the Aquatics Section in New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYSAHPERD). I graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Adelphi University in Physical Education. I graduated with a Masters Degree from Adelphi University in Sports Management with a concentration in Sports Based Youth Development. Currently, I am attending Teachers College at Columbia University to obtain my second Masters Degree and also my Ed.D. (Doctorate of Education) in Curriculum and Teaching in Physical Education. I am currently employed by the State of New York as a Professor at Hostos Community College, CUNY (Bronx); I am also an Aquatics Director at the Brooklyn Sports Club (East New York), and during my free time I am an Assistant Swim Coach for Riverdale Country School (Riverdale). I believe that I meet the qualifications for the position of Secretary for Prospect Park Track Club (PPTC). I hope to be your next secretary.
Candidates Running for the Board of Directors
Missy Burgin 
It is with great excitement that I announce my candidacy for the 2016 PPTC Board of Directors election.
In 2013, I moved to Prospect Heights with a Booklynite network of zero. As I did my research in local running clubs, PPTC was the clear choice for me. Fast forward 2.5 years, and never have I given so much of my time and energy to a single organization, but the friendships, the team bond, the camaraderie, and the personal growth have been tenfold.
In my time with PPTC, I have already helped contribute in the following:
-2015 Cherry Tree – Volunteer Coordinator
-2015 Al Goldstein Speed Series – Junior Race Director 2015
-2015 Turkey Trot – Co-Race Director
-2016 Cherry Tree – Co-Race Director
-Team Captain, 2014-Present
-Coordinator, Inaugural Runcation – 2014 Finger Lakes
-Instrumental in creating the Marathon Training Group
-2014 & 2015 Awards Night Planning Crew
This club has so much to offer local runners. New runners, lifetime runners, young, old, and everywhere in between, pace is irrelevant. And I look forward to serving on the Board to improve member experience, continue to help create new offerings, and lead our Club to growth, prosperity, speed, and health.
I kindly ask for your vote as I look to work with other great leaders to serve this awesome common-bond community we call PPTC.
Sincerely,
Missy Burgin
Michael Koplin 
Please consider this my statement of intent to run for one of the open Board of Director positions. I've been impressed with the dedication of all the past and present officers of PPTC. I wish to join the Board of Directors and help guide and support the club into the future. After 21 years as an Operations Director, I'm aware of the responsibilities and nuances of management. PPTC members see a seamless administration of activities, from club races, social events, community activity, and social media. I'm ready to join the Board of Directors and become involved with administration of the club.
Thank you,
Michael Koplin
Colleen Lynch 
I am very excited to run for PPTC's Board of Directors. Over the past five years, I have seen immense growth and change for PPTC, as well as myself as a runner. From bonding during long runs, to pushing ourselves on the track, to cheering through injuries, to celebrating glorious pain at finish lines, being a member of this club has transformed me into a runner I never expected to become.
I've taken an active role on the Social Committee for the past three years and the Communications Committee for one. I seek to join the Board to further increase club involvement across all paces, ages & distances, and help shape the club to serve our members. Working to continually improving our races, training offerings, membership benefits and team spirit, we can ensure that every member can grow as a runner and find their place in our community.
I look forward to the opportunity to continue building our PPTC family together - and sharing a donut, of course!
Thanks,
Colleen Lynch
Keith Williams 
Dear PPTC teammates:
It has been a privilege to serve on the Board these past three years. Some of the initiatives I've helped bring to life include:
- the Grants Program, which has given PPTC a new way to invest in the greater Brooklyn running community
- an improved membership experience, including the revamped volunteer program, and technical enhancements to make processes smoother for everyone
- a more proactive communications structure, which has led to better customer service (and national television exposure!) for our races
There is still a lot of work to be done, on these projects and several others. I'm asking for your vote so that I may continue to help the club be all that it can be - not only for our members, but for Brooklyn running as a whole.
I thank you for your consideration.
Keith Williams