I do this every year, but if you are like me, you need this nudge: It’s only August but I encourage you to look around and start thinking about nominating people to receive awards at our upcoming Portland Bicycling Club Banquet in early February, 2027.
Summer’s warm weather and many activities give our club members an opportunity to shine. Who do you see volunteering at EVERY function? Who is riding stronger, farther? Who had an accident and is on the mend and back on the bike? Who is your favorite ride leader?
Look around for exceptional examples. There are many club members who are exemplary. Make some notes for yourself. And remember where you put the notes!
In November and December the Awards Committee (comprised of previous recipients of the Jim Mooney/Member of the Year Award) will be asking for nominations for awards to be presented at the banquet. At that time, the criteria for the many awards will also be provided. If you make notes now, your poor brain won’t have to reach back through an entire year to try to remember who did what. No! You, the clever cyclist that you are, shrewdly made some notes in August and now need only to refer to those notes and send in some nominations! How easy is that?
And if you can’t seem to make the round peg fit into the square hole, just create your own award for someone and have a little fun! Who dropped their wallet in the porta-potty? Who is the best “sweep” and always taking on that job? Who doesn’t have a life outside of riding their bike? These are awards that have been created in the past with a sense of humor and have recognized our friends in the club. What silly things are happening this year that you can help commemorate?
The awards banquet thrives on awards. Nominations generate the awards. Think about it a little now. It will result in well-deserved awards going to worthy recipients.
