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At the September [2007] TCBC Board meeting, it was reported that the club's operating expenses have grown to about twice what we collect in dues. This is due mostly to the quadrupling of many expenses (paper, stamps, printing, etc.) since the dues were established at their current rate. It was also reported that the Inland Empire Century had grown so much that income from the event would jeopardize the club's non-profit status.
The Treasurer has been tasked by the Board to accomplish two things:
• Prepare a mailout vote for the membership to request approval of a dues increase to $20.00 per year for individuals and $30.00 for families.
• Contact the Kiwanis chapters who helped with the 2007 IEC to see if they are interested in taking over the event. TCBC would be a supporter and some event proceeds would still go to causes TCBC supports, such as the Bicycle Alliance, Safe Kids, etc.
While both actions would seem to drastically alter this club as we've known it, it will give us the opportunity to get back to our roots, which is to be a touring club. Several Board members and others in attendance at the meeting agreed that the club should get back to operating Summer tours and a few weekend tours, as we did until a few years ago, when interest seemed to wane and volunteers to run the tours became scarce.
[Archived 10-30-07]
TCBC Members on Tour
Tri-City Bicycle Club members, Dave & Becky Bechtold, Ed & Kathleen Nordquist, and John Ittner toured northeast Washington on the Washington Bicycle Ride. The tour started in Mead at the Mt. Spokane High School.
The first day took us along the Pend Oreille River to Newport on the Idaho border. Then on to Pend Oreille County PUD's Box Canyon Dam and more of the PORV (that's Pend Oreille River Valley). After the dam, the first really steep hill wound past Metaline Falls and on to Sullivan Lake, ending in Colville at the City Park. An alleged layover day included many bicycling options, featuring a 75-mile supported ride along Roosevelt Lake and past Douglas Falls.
After Colville, the scenery became less forest and more rural on the way to Springdale. The Valley Store in Valley sold about a year's worth of ice cream to hot and hungry cyclists. The last night in Springdale was the talent show and finals of the Scavenger Hunt, which included recording such stunts as being handcuffed by a police officer.
Where did you go this Summer? Send us a write-up and we'll include it on the web site. (ed. note: see the Oct-Dec Spokesman for an article on the Kyriazis/Britton cross-country tour.)
[Summer 2007]
Dues and the IEC
At the September TCBC Board meeting, the Treasurer was tasked by the Board to accomplish two things:
Prepare a mailout vote for the membership to request approval of a dues increase to $20.00 per year for individuals and $30.00 for families. This vote was mailed out October 15 and votes must be in the mail by November 15.
Contact the Kiwanis chapters who helped with the 2007 Inland Empire Century to see if they are interested in taking over the event. Both the Columbia and Tri-City Industries Kiwanis clubs have expressed a desire to continue this event, with TCBC as a supporter. TCBC would continue to derive limited revenue from the IEC and a portion of the proceeds would fund the League of American Bicyclists, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Adventure Cycling Association, and SafeKids, as we have done in the past.
Archived Dec. 2007
Bike-Friendly Communities
John Ittner has taken on the task of getting support from Richland, Pasco, Kennewick and West Richland to apply for the League of American Bicyclists' "Bike-Friendly Community" status. With four levels, Bronze to Platinum, BFC status recognizes a community that has plans to improve bicycle access and routes, enforces related laws, educates cyclists and motorists, promotes bicycle commuting and other non-motorized transportation, and has an organization in place to sustain these activities.
A meeting has already been scheduled with Kennewick officials, and others have been contacted. The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments are two significant prime movers in this effort. Funds supplied by the Tri-City Bicycle Club paid for BFC information packets to be sent to the mayors of the four cities in 2006.
If you want to ensure that this project succeeds, voice your support and offer assistance by contacting the club at info@tricitybicycleclub.org.
Archived Dec. 2007
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John Ittner has met with The Benton Franklin Council of Governments and the City of Kennewick. Meetings are being planned for Richland and Pasco, but likely after a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting in February. The TAC meeting includes representatives of multiple jurisdictions, which is a more useful means to gather regional support.
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More recently, a meeting with Carol Moser, former Richland Councilwoman and current Washington Transportation Commission member, revealed that the TAC was not an advisable venue for starting this project. Carol is arranging for support from city council members and others in similar positions. Starting near the top of the political food chain is better for short-term success, according Ms. Moser.
If you want to ensure that this project succeeds, voice your support and offer assistance by contacting the club at info@tricitybicycleclub.org.
Archived Feb., 2008