Vol. 43, No. 10
Annual Membership Meeting Most of my time on the bike is spent Monday through Friday heading to or from Phinney Ridge to Downtown Seattle for work. There’s nothing I love more though than exploring new areas on my bike with friends. My favorite rides are through Woodway to Edmonds, NE Perkins Way to Kenmore, Vashon, Bainbridge and Whidbey Islands and the North Cascades Highway. My interest in becoming a member of Cascade’s Board of Directors is to use my skills, background and passion for biking to help the organization meet its mission and goals. My experience in non-profit management, strategic planning and budgeting has given me a great foundation to be able to contribute to the Board of Directors and I’m hopeful that through Cascade’s rides, classes, youth and commute programs, and policy work we will continue to see more and more people using their bicycles for everyday transportation. While there are so many wonderful benefits of cycling, including, health, cost savings, environmental benefits, etc, my main love for biking comes from the reality that it is a fun and excellent way to get around! Sharing the joy of bicycle riding with a wonderful community of riders is what I’m truly inspired by.
Don Volta*
I’m an avid cyclist and ride leader. My greatest passion is leading and participating in Cascade Daily Rides with my wife, Jane, along with riding the Cascade events. We are also deeply engaged in Cascade’s work in supporting and expanding cycling programs for kids. I have served as a board member since 2010, as Secretary, VP and now Treasurer. I want to continue to serve on the board to help Cascade achieve the following vision: Significantly expand the free Daily Rides program, including increasing participation, diversity, geographical coverage, offerings for new riders and rider satisfaction Offer more event riding opportunities for members and newer riders, with a focus on enjoyment and safety • Significantly increase membership by enhancing member loyalty, reducing turnover and increasing Cascade’s visibility • Build the financial means and political power to influence cycling’s infrastructure and safety needs, including the development of greenways and safer cycling routes • Provide the online tools and presence to support our members’ needs and our growth objectives • Enhance the volunteers’ experience and involvement in all aspects of the club • Use partnerships to help advocate for and support the cycling cause • Invest in programs that get more kids on bikes, riding safely for fun, fitness and transportation Having been deeply involved with Cascade for many years and actively participated in all of its activities, I have the experience to help the organization achieve these goals. I also have the critical commitment required, as demonstrated by my ten years as a ride leader and Rides Committee member and leader, including several years spent expanding and managing the Cascade Training Series. As a board member, I have served on the finance, technology, governance, and executive committees, and have devoted myself tirelessly to the success of the club. Jane and I have recently started a fund raising campaign to expand the Basics of Bicycling program in our school district and are committed to continuing this work to reach all schools.
There are many external objectives that we must continue to work toward. Among those that I put as a priority are the Eastside Rail Corridor (42 mile bikeway from Renton to Snohomish), completion (finally) of the BurkeGilman Trail missing link, funding for the Montlake walking/cycling connections to new SR520, and support for and expansion of the greenways and safe cycling routes. Cascade is perfectly positioned to increase its influence in the cycling cause and to meet the needs of an expanding membership. With a sound balance sheet, investments in future programs and growth, a plan and vision for a new club facility, and new executive director leadership, there are no limits to our potential. Please give me the opportunity to help lead the club to this future.
C
ascade Bicycle Club is at an exciting time in its 44-year history, with more members than ever before, a new executive director and visions for a new community space. Please join us at the Annual Membership Meeting to get to know your club, other members, its staff and its leaders. This is also your last chance to vote for the next board of directors. This year’s meeting is extra special. We’re delighted to invite you to meet our new executive director, Elizabeth Kiker! We will also be joined by ZGF Architects, board members and staff who have been leading our way toward a new home base for Cascade — a “Cascade Cycling Center.”
Daniel Weise*
I’ve been on the Cascade board for nearly three years, the last two as the chair of the board. Why do I want to be reelected to the board? Because I want to continue creating more and safer riding opportunities for everyone who cycles or would like to cycle: commuters, recreational cyclists, those running errands, and anyone else wanting to use two wheels. The community needs safer and more bike routes, well maintained roads and trails, more alert, aware drivers, and more bicycles on the road. The club has proven its mettle in all these areas, and has the size and power to continue getting results as it strives to do more and more. During my time on the board, the club has increased riding opportunities. As just a sampling of its increased growth and reach, the club has dramatically grown its daily rides program, created two new event rides, helped local cities to pass safe streets laws and regulations, grown the Commute Challenge run in May, developed the BizCycle program to certify businesses that support bicycle commuting by employees, and created the Advocacy Leadership Institute to train new bicycle advocates. The club is facing a huge transition with the passing of the baton from Chuck Ayers to Elizabeth Kiker. I’m very excited about the selection of Elizabeth Kiker as the club’s new Executive Director, and was on the search committee that hired her. Elizabeth will bring new ideas, methods, and insights to the club. My reelection will help bring stability to the board and club, serving a stable bridge between the old and the new. I remain committed to advocacy that has the goal of changing the laws and culture to work for us, and not just for cars. For example, bicycle trails, completing the “Missing Link,” road diets, traffic signals that detect bikes, harsher penalties for Driving While Distracted, and the “Idaho rolling stop” all improve safety, and all require government action in the form of laws and budgets. The Cascade Bicycle Club must continue its leadership in advocacy, as well as its collaboration with other advocacy groups such as the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. One of my pet projects at Cascade has been the complete renewal of its website and data technologies. By December you should be experiencing a modern website instead of the ancient system we have now. I serve on the boards of both non-profit (I’m currently a board member at Climate Solutions and the Washington Environmental Council) and for-profit organizations. I understand governance, strategy, tactics, and group dynamics. Follow and question me at www.WeiseForCBC.com.
“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”
Tuesday Oct. 8, 6 - 8 p.m. REI - Seattle
Come see sketches for Cascade’s future home! (images courtesy of ZGF Architects.)
M.J. Kelly, Editor Diane English, Editorial Assistant; Susan Hiles, Photography; October contributors: Kevin Carrabine, Ryann Child, Brock Howell, Peter Hallson, Elizabeth Kiker, Evan Manvel, Sue Matthews, Robin Randels, Anne-Marije Rook, Julie Salathé, Anna Telensky, Daniel Weise
The contents of this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of the Club or any of its members. The views expressed are those of the individual contributors. Submissions guidelines: Article ideas should be discussed with the Editor in advance as the publication calendar is planned two months prior to publication. Final materials are due the first Tuesday of the month, though earlier is appreciated. Articles submitted after that will be considered on a space-available basis. Queries can be emailed to. m.j.kelly@cascadebicycleclub.org. If you send text attachments, please format files as native MS Word files or .RTF. For line art please use an .eps format and for photos please use .jpg or .tiff format. The Courier is printed at 300 dpi, so a small 72 dpi photo will not reproduce. If you attach your name and phone number, I will do my best (conditions permitting) to discuss any major changes with you. All submissions are subject to editing for comprehension, grammar or space requirements. Please be concise!
Inserts: We have room for 6 single sheet qualifying inserts in each issue. Please contact Leah Pistorius, (913) 579-7629 leah. pistorius@cascadebicycleclub.org, for a copy of our insert policy and request form. The request and fee are due by the first of the month prior to the desired month. Advertising: Advertising: Display ads can be placed in the Courier. To check availability and reserve space, contact Leah Pistorius, (913) 579-7629 leah.pistorius@cascadebicycleclub.org Reprints: Articles may be reprinted or abstracted in publications of nonprofit groups provided that the author and Club are credited. Please send us a copy of the reprinted material. Membership Information: Club records and finances are available to members upon request from the club office at 206522-3222.
3