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Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting & Retreat: December 2, 2007

Present: Katie Angle, Lisa Austin,  Mike Beadles, Charles Breer, Mary Derks, Garry Glubka, Pete Hawkins, Kelly Hazel
Absent: Paul Huntington
Also present: Doug Nelson, Tony Stifter

MINUTES from Oct 29, 2007 were approved with correction.

REPORTS

• TREASURER: Tony Stifter gave his final report until next spring. Mary Derks will write checks  with Terry Quam and Charles Breer offering help in his place as needed. Doug Nelson will check the PO box for him.
• NEWSLETTER: Doug Nelson reported on articles so far for the Jan/Feb issue- Bike U, Leader Training, Greenway Bridge, Swap Meet, Randonneur. Deadline is Dec 12. Steve Scott has been busy with Atlas deadlines recently.
• RECOGNITION CORNER: Thomas Varecka, Doc Tony’s orthopedist and sometime TCBC member for his elbow surgery, and Richard Franco, 07 Mileage Statistician for All Rides Reported
  

BUSINESS

• RESIGNATION: Mary Derks announced the resignation of board member Paul Huntington effective immediately. She will contact a possible replacement to fill the remaining year of his term.
• ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM: Kelly Hazel explained the new announcement system using club members emails on the message board and home page. She and Mary Derks will submit an article for the next newsletter. Mary will draft the first announcement  with info about the member recognition banquet, member renewal tips, and other timely items.
• BROCHURES: Lisa Austin will get an updated version of TCBC’s  brochure printed by January 20 for inclusion in the Ironman registration materials. The Atlas is at the printer.
• PHONE EXPENSE: The board confirmed the previous guidance of Pete Hawkins to not pay for Kristine Poelzer’s phone expenses for advertising.

2008 PRIORITIES

SWOT ANALYSIS: To determine priorities for next year President Mary Derks introduced this technique to gather the board and staff’s perceptions of TCBC in four categories: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). Individually, each participant listed and posted ideas. The group then read and discussed the recurring ideas to provide a direction for the future.

STRENGTHS                                      WEAKNESSES
Value                                          Systems
Volunteers                                     Reliance on Volunteers/numbers
Leader Training/Safety                         Age Range
Growth & health                                Clique perception
Financial Health                               Leadership
Recognition of Members                         Hostile takeover
Variety of  Rides
Reputation/core values
Newsletter & web-site

OPPORTUNITIES                                  THREATS
Product Promotion                              Laws/Politics
Advocacy                                       Legal Action
Safe Healthy Lifestyle                         Competition
Partnerships-groups, events                    Safety
Sponsorships                                   Cost of Entry
Internet
Big Rides
Grow Membership
Safety

SUMMARY

• State of MN needs a statewide organization for communities to communicate with each other for events, laws, funding. TCBC could be a partner.
• Most responses were about volunteers, leadership and systems. Establish consistency with paid positions. Add payment to systems and leadership positions.
• Ideas for rides - Ride more as a group, stopping to regroup after a stoplight or hill.  Establish a Ride Buddy system for riders looking for people who ride at a similar pace. Buddies could be recognized at the awards banquet.
• Scheduled rides were often not available in the midrange(B or 45 miles) this season. Someone needs to check this.
• Need centralized club data (Finances, Ads, Volunteers, Mileage, Member Activity) hosted at a secure site
• Protect our strengths. Use the Atlas.
• Continue Product promotion; is free advertising. Need a color for our logo. New jersey will sell Spr 09. An additional silkscreen wicking shirt may be an option for riding.
• Offer more Bike 101 classes and Road 1 classes for Ride leaders to continue improving biking skills and practice of road laws. Need Lab liaison position filled to help with this.
• Get more involved with L.A.B. to acquire more trails, bike lanes, safe roadways, etc.
• Need a single person of contact to develop sponsorships and partnerships.

HIGH PRIORITY  
Atlas/product promotion 
Advocacy/Laws/Policies
101/LAB
Volunteers

ON GOING
Perception/clique
Safety
Barriers (age, cost)
Newsletter

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie Angle, Secretary

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