February Top Talk

Once again we (the bike club, PWTC) has a busy agenda ahead.  We’re just wrapping up our annual banquet (the end of January) and we will participate in the 2 day Pedal Nations Bike Show in late March.  In May, June and July we will  take part in the monthly Sunday Parkways (we will probably forgo a couple of months this year, our volunteer base is pretty pooped out by August and September).  Of course, June 1 is our own big Pioneer Century.  It’s shaping up nicely: we are already loading up the volunteer slots, and you will see a few changes in this historic event. You volunteers will love your T-shirts!

In July we plan to help out Cascade Bicycle Club by running the Seattle to Portland (STP) finish line again.  August brings our annual club picnic.  We are an active and healthy club.  I think our level of activity has increased our presence in the community. More and more people seem to know about us.

Oh, and rides.  We will have lots and lots of rides.  I already hear people tossing around ideas for rides, wanting to try something new or share a fun route.  That’s what we love - our tried and true “comfort” rides and something different.  Mixing it up a little. Again, a good sign of health.

Financially we are in good shape.  Your board has resolved to hold sufficient funds to allow us to stay afloat if the worst ever happens.  A year’s funding in  reserve, just in case.  A few years ago our frugality, that is, not spending or giving away every cent we have, allowed us to consider options when we determined a new look was needed on our web site. With no money our options would have been severely limited.  You know what we have now and it benefits prospective members as well as current members. It gives a good first impression to cyclists looking for a club to join.

This year, as our long time Membership Secretary, Betty Suryan, concludes her long run, we need to spend money again to allow us to utilize the technology that will allow members to renew and new members to join easily on line.  Then there are membership cards, labels for newsletters, a directory...  it’s complicated.  And it will cost more money to have something developed to incorporate into our web site.  Again, we have options because we have funding to pay for expertise and transition into a different system.

Your board is a good group of people who, as I sit with them at meetings month after month, demonstrate their devotion to PWTC and to each of you individually.  They are smart and caring.  If things seem to move slowly at times it is usually because your board is being thoughtful and considerate, contemplating the results of any action and being concerned that no one be harmed or left out due to the proposed changes.  Your board does not allow collateral damage.

Thank you for allowing me another year as President and thank you all for sharing in the joy of cycling.