Your Club at Work
JUNE BOARD ELECTIONS: In June of each year, we elect one road captain and two members at large to serve on our executive board. That way, if there is a lot of personnel change at the December elections, the entire brain trust isn’t drained. Three board members with experience presumably remain to help steer the ship, or bike, as the case may be. Up for re-election in mid-2025 are Road Captain Rob Schroeder and two members at large. Rob has graciously agreed to run for his position again, and we are glad to have him remain. Member at Large Gary Lunsford is unable to serve on the board again. Member at Large Maria Sworske, as of this writing, has not committed to running again. Remember, this is a democratic organization, and incumbents may be challenged. We will conduct a secret ballot if that occurs. Member at large is considered an entry-level position, so give it ✎ some thought.
Duties of a Road Captain: Solicit, receive, and review club-sanctioned rides. Maintain and oversee the ride calendar. Oversee ride leaders and promote adherence to rules of the road and ensure ride leaders have materials needed such as ride sign-in sheets. Recruit and train ride leaders. Maintain a catalog/database of rides. The board may, by a majority vote, cancel any proposed ride.
Duties of a Member at Large: Serve as a conduit between the executive board and club members.
SEATTLE TO PORTLAND: Preparations for the STP, the club’s biggest money-maker, are going along smoothly. Registration is running about 20% ahead of last year and will likely top 5,000 riders. Dave McQuery, Denise Hare and Dionne Phillipp have been particularly busy this month with securing permits and arranging for trucks, buses, and taking care of other details. Kudos to them and to all members of the STP team who are gearing up for a great event. Richard Rosenberg
DONATIONS: I am always proud of our little club when a community member comes to us and asks for some financial help. They have a good cause, they have a good idea, but they have no money. Often times, we can help. These matters are discussed on a case-by-case basis by the entire executive board.
Recently, our fellow PBC member, Khaliyah Williams-Rodriguez, was talking with various members about another organization that she is not only involved with but in charge of, Black Girls Do Bike. This is a national non-profit and Khaliyah manages the local group. She puts on rides, and tries to help Black females find their way to the bicycle. She works it! But, as we know with our own club, how do you publicize your organization and help people find you? That is especially challenging with no money. The board agreed to: ✎
- Let Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB) share our “booth” at Sunday Parkways on June 29. Kathleen Hellem and Khaliyah and any other volunteers will direct Parkways attendees to the appropriate organization that can best help them have the cycling experience they seek.
- PBC is going to donate $500 to BGDB to empower Khaliyah to purchase things like a banner, flags, stickers, whatever items she thinks will help the community get to know about BGDB.
Thank you for your hard work throughout the years that has enabled us to have financial reserves allowing us to be responsive to the needs of others in our community. As we head toward the Pioneer Century® and Seattle to Portland Finish Line, which is where most of our money comes from, I want you to know you are appreciated as you give your time and energy to your bicycle club.
PBC SOCKS: Get your club socks online at the store, at meetings, or any club ride where you find ANN MORROW. Only $10! Cash is preferred, no plastic. A second version of the socks includes the words “Ride Leader” and will be gifted to our 2025 ride leaders at the annual club banquet next year. Lead a ride, get some cool socks!
THANK YOU: Earlier in the year checks were disbursed to those organizations with which the PBC board agreed to share our 2024 profits. One recipient was Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway. A nice Thank You card was received, with the signature of Jeanette Kloos, President, which said:
Thank you for your donation of $2,000 to the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Ann Morrow, President