Monday, September 6, 2010

Got a rusty chain?

There has been a lot going on in ABC. Some of the changes, you may have noticed. Many of them, you may be unaware of. Probably the biggest news has been the creation of a new web site. The new web site has many features that our old site did not have. The most notable is, that members now have a login and password. These have been emailed to you. We can see that about one-in-three members have logged into the site. The use of a login, means that we are able to create members-only web content, and also handle ride registration. Additionally, members can be granted permission to add, edit, or delete web content. And all of this without having to learn any programming languages. Our goal is to get as many people as possible involved in the development and maintenance of the web site.

This means that chapter and ride leaders can make sure information on the web is accurate and timely. Speaking of timely, the new web site offers a calendar. Members can post rides and events on the calendar. Of course, that raises the question, "What constitutes a club ride?" From an insurance point of view, a club ride must be at least three (3) members. From the club's point of view, a club ride must have a ride leader. That raises another question, "Who can be a ride leader?" At present, the club has no clearly established criteria. But, I believe there are several things ride participants would hope for, and expect. Of course, with the new web site, some of these expectations are changing. In the club's future, I believe a ride leader must:

-Know how to add/update/delete events on the club's web site calendar.
-Sign-in riders at the start of the ride getting waiver signatures and emergency contact information.
-Be prepared to file an incident report in the event of an accident.
-Be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the rules of the road and basic riding techniques.

Of course, making sure that everyone has a good time, also depends on, providing route information, looking after each other, and many other things. And that brings us back to the original question, "What constitutes a club ride?" I think a club ride is an opportunity to enjoy cycling in a social environment. Any of us can choose to ride by ourselves any time. But, we all recognize that riding with a group has lots of appeal and benefits. As a club, we offer tangible benefits, such as insurance coverage, a newsletter, a web site, etc. But, we also offer intangible benfits, such as the opportunity to find riding companions who are well suited to our distance, pace, and style.

While the typical Saturday or Sunday club ride is a great thing, I also believe the ad hoc rides, which a few friends can put together with only a couple of day's notice, are part of being an active and social cyclist. In order to give members the maximum value for their membership, I would like to see these rides treated as club rides too. In my vision of the club's future, with a few phone calls, emails, text messages, or by using the forums on the club's website, a few members decide to take a ride. One of the members (having the qualifications above) takes the role of ride leader and puts the event on the club's calendar. The ride leader prints out a sign-in sheet and gets it filled in by the riders. Everybody goes on the ride and has a good time. In this scenario, the members have benefitted from the tangible club benefit of insurance, because the club has provided an environment, which promotes getting out on our bikes. Maybe this ad-hoc ride becomes a regular event, maybe not, but either way, it is a club ride.

Of course, as a club officer, I want to know how many people are showing up for rides. We all like feedback. Doesn't it give you a sense of accomplishment, when you add up your miles for the week? Wouldn't it give you a sense of pride in your club, to be able to brag about how many great club rides there were last year? How many lives have been enriched by the club? How can we gauge the health of the club if we can't measure it's temperature? Nobody want's to turn this simple question into a beauracratic record keeping nightmare. However, our new website provides us with the opportuinty to do this kind of thing with just a few mouse clicks. With today's technology, it's not a question of "if" we can do something. It is a question of whether we care enough to do it at all! If, as a club, we want to grow, thrive, ride, promote cycling, then we must come together and make things happen. Without followers, leadership is nothing! Club members have to make known their hopes and desires for the club. But, at the same time, saying, "The club ought to...." doesn't work, unless there are members who are willing to DO those things that the club should do. The club depends on volunteers. Be proud of your club and ask what you can do to make the club even better.

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