CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in

[George Florentine]

Hi, team. I would like to have a board meeting next week and plan 2014. I think we have some tough decisions to work through as a group so I wanted to get you thinking about some issues. My general sense is that the team in its current structure isn’t working. Here are some of the signs I see that we’re struggling:

1

·         We’re having trouble getting alignment on some strategic issues such as the First Ascent ride, our relationship with Wheat Ridge and Ride the Rockies and how we allocate fund raising monies.

·         Trouble growing our membership

·          Many of the folks that are doing most of the work currently are getting worn down:

o   Steve would like to step down as treasurer

o   Susan isn’t getting any feedback on the newsletters and has stopped publishing them monthly

o   Rich isn’t getting the support he would like to support his efforts on the FA ride

o   Meg and Chris haven’t gotten much support on team training rides

o   We haven’t gotten any support from the team to help with corporate fund raising

o   We have very little commitment from the team for volunteer activities. Most of the work is being done by 8-12 people.

o   We’ve had trouble getting the level of support from LIVESTRONG we would like

o   We’ve got no holiday volunteer activities planned (no tree donation, no caroling)

 

I think the sum of all these trends is that we’re collectively not having much fun and I think this needs to be fun for it to be worthwhile. I’ve chatted with some of you 1x1 and through e-mail and I now would like to broaden the conversation to the entire board and see where we want this thing to go. I see a few possibilities. In no particular order:

1.       Stay the course. Continue with our current corporate structure, same mission of fund raising, volunteerism, supporting LIVESTRONG through participating in rides and promoting LIVESTRONG at Colorado events.

2.       Shut everything down. Discontinue the corporation, shut down the mailing list and web site, shut down the FB page, distribute the physical assets we have, empty the bank account and be done.

3.       Restructure our mission and the club to be much more loosely structured. Shut down the legal entity, distribute assets but keep up the mailing list and FB page. Use the mailing list and FB page to coordinate things like training rides, coordinating participation in LIVESTRONG events, etc.

4.       Some other structure?

 

I’m leaning toward #3 above but am certainly open to a conversation that looks at all the options.

 

There is some urgency to this decision – if we’re going to make a radical change it would be convenient to do it before January of 2014 to minimize our tax and reporting activities in ’14 if appropriate.

 

I’ll send out a meeting invite with a dial-in #. In person at Pinkard if you can make it, otherwise on the phone.

 

Looking forward to getting through these conversations and getting back to having fun riding bikes, running and being healthy!

 

thx,

 

g

 

George Florentine VP Engineering Office: 303.542.2173 | Mobile: 303.669.8628 | Fax: 303.542.0522 George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com  | http://www.flatironssolutions.com/ Tw: @FlatironsSols | Fb: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironsSolutions

 

 

[Richard Easton]

Board,

You know, life is a series of challenges, some are more difficult than others.  It's often more like the movie Saving Private Ryan than the TV series Home Improvement.  We are all avid cyclists and have experienced significant challenges on the road.  Often, during a ride involving a climb over a pass like Fremont or Independence our legs burn and we begin to suffer.  As we look up we see nothing but grade, steeper sections and there is no summit in sight.  Self doubt creeps in and we begin to consider the options and wonder if we have what it takes to complete the climb.  What has been your response to this situation?  I bet yours is similar to mine.  Today, we potentially face a similar challenge with our Cycling Team.  At this point I don't plan to abandon the effort.

I would like to suggest a slightly different approach and/or perspective on this problem or set of problems facing our Team as described by George.  I don't think our structure is at the root or core of our problem(s).  I think it is more about our overall commitment, participation and plan across the greater body or population of our Team.  I would rather have 10 to 15 people who support the Team and participate then a 40 person Team where over 25 members do nothing but pay dues and receive the Wheat Ridge Cyclery discount.

All things considered, I continue to be optimistic, excited and motivated to help move our Team forward and grow the support for Livestrong and the local cancer community.  Sure there have been some low points and frustrations.  However, I often think about those impacted by cancer and know their concerns, worries and fear about the future are far greater than my problems associated with our Cycing Team.  This view certainly helps me to keep going, make improvements and work hard to accomplish our goals.  I have loved being a part of a Team, proudly wearing our Kit and supporting the fight against cancer.  Plus, it has been great motivation for me to stay fit as we ride together, when possible.  It has been great fun as well and the gain far exceeds the pain!

We have come along way in four years and have accomplished a great deal in support of Livestrong and cancer survivors.  So we should have a good feeling about where we have been and our contributions.  This doesn't mean I or we are satisfied with where we are and can't continue to make improvements in all the things we do.  It is much like working to get stronger and faster on the bike - it takes some time.

Here are some important points to consider with some questions/suggestions/recommendations in Red:

Thanks, Rich

1.  Our Structure is Sound - We have a Team that is organized, has a set of by-laws (an operating agreement) and is set up as a fully functional nonprofit (501.c.3).  We have officers, a Board, a website, corporate relationships, partners/sponsors, a kit supplier (Primal) and dues paying members.  This provides the basic structure and foundation for what we want to do.  I BELIEVE CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF OUR STRUCTURE ARE ALREADY TOO LOOSE AND I AGREE IT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED.  IF IT BECOMES MORE LOOSE I THINK IT WILL DIE.

2.  Wheat Ridge Cyclery Sponsorship Is a Benefit - Not many Teams have the benefit of being sponsored by a good bike shop.  WRC has been a great sponsor and has contributed to our efforts from both a financial and product perspective.  They have also stayed with us through the Lance/Livestrong situation.  WHAT ELSE DO WE WANT WRC TO DO?  HOW DO WE WANT THEM TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM?  WE NEED TO MANAGE OUR INDIVIDUAL RIDER COMMITMENT OF 8 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME (PER CONTRACT) ANNUALLY.  THIS COMMITMENT CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT OUR FIRST ASCENT RIDE OR OTHER ACTIVITIES.

3.  Our Strategic - Annual/Long Term Plan Needs Improvement - We have had a potential plan in place and it has been discussed with the Board and presented to our membership on at least one occasion.  Our problem is that we have not established an agreed upon overall direction, set of goals and financial commitment to Livestrong. We seem to approach initiatives as more of a one off process that depends on our perceived degree of fit.  Obviously, if we don't know where we are going we are going to have trouble getting there.  WE NEED TO DEVELOP, AGREE TO AND EXECUTE A PLAN THAT DRIVES US TO GOAL ACCOMPLISHMENT.  OUR BOARD IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THIS AND WE IN TURN SHOULD DRIVE OUR MEMBERSHIP.  IT CAUSES ME AND US TO ASK THE QUESTION, IF A MEMBER IS NOT CONTRIBUTING IN SOME MANNER WHY SHOULD THEY CONTINUE TO BE ON THE TEAM?  PERHAPS WE SHOULD HAVE A RACING COMPONENT THAT ENCOURAGES YOUNGER RIDERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM. BRETT PICHE HAS A STRONG INTEREST IN THIS AREA. 

3. No Commitments Are Required from Our Members - In retrospect, I think we are very weak and loose in this area and I don't think expecting something from our members detracts from the "fun" element.  In fact, it could enhance it. The majority of our members have no stake or sense of ownership in our results or outcomes.  Nothing is expected of them other than to pay $35 in annual dues.  WE SHOULD REEVALUATE OUR POSITION HERE.  MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO DONATE 8 HOURS ANNUALLY TO WRC.  THIS HAS NEVER BEEN ADHERED TO.  WRC WOULD ALLOW US TO USE THOSE HOURS IN A NUMBER OF AREAS FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT.  WHY NOT EXPECT MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MINIMUM NUMBER OF RIDES OR LEAD A RIDE.  TO ME THIS IS A NO BRAINER.  RIDING IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FUN THINGS WE ARE ALL ABOUT.   FOR EXAMPLE, OTHER CYCLING TEAMS/CLUBS THAT RACE EXPECT MEMBERS TO RACE IN A MINIMUM NUMBER OF RACES ANNUALLY.  IN ADDITION, MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BUY TEAM KITS.  PERHAPS IF MEMBERS CAN'T VOLUNTEER WE CHARGE THEM AN EQUIVALENT FEE.  I KNOW THIS ALL SOUNDS A BIT HARSE BUT ALL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SOME LEVEL OF EXPECTATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FROM THEIR MEMBERS.

4. The First Ascent Ride Has Great Potential - Our Ride has great potential given our route, our current partnerships with Ride The Rockies and WRC.  Livestrong, based on my recent discussions with Nick Denby, will assist with marketing to previous Colorado Livestrong supporters, social media and grass roots fund raising.  I am working on registration assistance from them.  I have also had discussions with Mountain Toad Brewing in Golden and they are willing have the Ride start and finish there in addition to developing a First Ascent Brew for us at no cost.  Eddie Bauer due to their "First Ascent" clothing line, will also become a sponsor.  So, the potential for growing the Ride to our goal of 400 riders this year looks promising.  WRC will fund working capital for us and assume a greater role in terms of Ride ownership.  This means we will have to adhere to our 8 hour volunteer commitment to them and they will receive a portion of the net profits for their charity.

 

5. Livestrong Will Gradually Step Up and Support Our Team - I have never been satisfied with the support we have received from Livestrong.  This has been very frustrating for a number of reasons but in the past we have not been viewed as significant enough to warrant much effort.  I get the feeling this is beginning to change somewhat.  Our continued support to them is beginning to get recognized.  MY RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH NICK DENBY INDICATES WE WILL GET SOME MARKETING SUPPORT FOR OUR RIDE THIS YEAR (SEE # 4 ABOVE).  PLUS I AM CONTINUING TO PUSH ON THE REGISTRATION FRONT.  SO WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS WITH SOMEWHAT OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE IN FRONT OF US. 

6. The Potential for Corporate Sponsorship Is Unrealized - This area continues to be an area where our potential is unrealized.  We don't really have much at this time to offer a corporate sponsor so we have to leverage our personal relationships in this area.  All we have to do is develop a contact plan and make the ask.  It continues to baffle me why we can't seem to execute in this area.  Sponsors like Eddie Bauer and relationships with Ride The Rockies enhance our position and increase our potential.  Everyone agrees this is a relatively easy way to support our Team financially but we don't execute.  THIS AREA CAN BE EASILY FIXED IF WE JUST MAKE THE COMMITMENT AND GET SOME TEAM SUPPORT.  PERHAPS THIS SHOULD ALSO BE A MEMBER REQUIREMENT.  ALL MEMBERS HAVE TO DO IS JUST PROVIDE ONE OR TWO CONTACTS WHERE WE CAN MAKE THE ASK.

7. Reevaluate Our Membership - We have grown our membership but not as expected.  Our Membership Chairman has been primarily an accounting role.  In my view this is mostly non value added.  The Membership Chairman should be pushing and promoting growth in our membership and creating new ideas to encourage joining our Team.  We have done little or nothing in this area.  As George mentioned the majority of our members are not contributing to the Team.  PERHAPS WE SHOULD ESTABLISH SOME EXPECTATIONS/REQUIREMENTS AND DETERMINE WHO STEPS UP AND SHOWS A CONCERN FOR OUR TEAM AND ITS OBJECTIVES.  IF REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET WE CONSIDER CANCELING THEIR MEMBERSHIP.  BEING A MEMBER OF THE TEAM SHOULD MEAN SOMETHING.

---

From: George.F...@flatironssolutions.com
To: board...@googlegroups.com
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2013 20:30:18 -0700
Subject: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Board of Directors - CCTBL" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Richard Easton]

Board,

I can't make Wednesday night but can on Thursday.  We have had tickets for Wed night for a while.

Sorry, Rich

---

From: George.F...@flatironssolutions.com
To: board...@googlegroups.com
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2013 20:30:18 -0700
Subject: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in

[Meg Halford]

I can't do Thursday....

---

From: riche...@msn.com
To: board...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 16:26:14 -0700

[George Florentine]

Yeah, Thursday doesn’t work for Susan or me either. What about Saturday morning or Monday evening for folks? I think it’s pretty important we try to get all of us in this meeting since we’ve got some pretty strategic decisions to make.

[George Florentine]

Rich, thx for sharing your perspective. For me, the issue isn’t the hard work – it’s the lack of growth of the team and the return on investment for the time spent doing things. So hopefully we can get together in person soon, talk through different options and find a go forward plan that works for everyone.

[Meg Halford]

I could probably make either Monday or Sat morning work. Sat. better over tomorrow night.

Thanks

---

From: George.F...@flatironssolutions.com
To: margie...@hotmail.com; board...@googlegroups.com
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 20:21:35 -0700

[Steve Burns]

I can do tomorrow.

Sent from Steve's iPhone

On Dec 8, 2013, at 8:30 PM, "Meg Halford" <margie...@hotmail.com<mailto:margie...@hotmail.com>> wrote:

I could probably make either Monday or Sat morning work. Sat. better over tomorrow night.

Thanks

________________________________

From: George.F...@flatironssolutions.com<mailto:George.F...@flatironssolutions.com>
To: margie...@hotmail.com<mailto:margie...@hotmail.com>; board...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board...@googlegroups.com>

Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 20:21:35 -0700
Subject: RE: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in


Yeah, Thursday doesn’t work for Susan or me either. What about Saturday morning or Monday evening for folks? I think it’s pretty important we try to get all of us in this meeting since we’ve got some pretty strategic decisions to make.





thx,



g

<image001.png><http://www.flatironssolutions.com/>

George Florentine

VP Engineering

Office: 303.542.2173 | Mobile: 303.669.8628 | Fax: 303.542.0522

George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com<mailto:George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com> | http://www.flatironssolutions.com/

Tw: @FlatironsSols<https://twitter.com/FlatironsSols> | Fb: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironsSolutions

From: board...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board...@googlegroups.com> [mailto:board...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Meg Halford
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2013 7:47 PM
To: board_cctbl
Subject: RE: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in



I can't do Thursday....

________________________________

From: riche...@msn.com<mailto:riche...@msn.com>
To: board...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: RE: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard construction and dial-in
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 16:26:14 -0700

Board,



I can't make Wednesday night but can on Thursday. We have had tickets for Wed night for a while.



Sorry, Rich

________________________________

<image002.png><http://www.flatironssolutions.com/>

George Florentine

VP Engineering

Office: 303.542.2173 | Mobile: 303.669.8628 | Fax: 303.542.0522

George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com<mailto:George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com> | http://www.flatironssolutions.com/

Tw: @FlatironsSols<https://twitter.com/FlatironsSols> | Fb: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironsSolutions

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Board of Directors - CCTBL" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com>.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Board of Directors - CCTBL" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com>.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Board of Directors - CCTBL" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com>.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Board of Directors - CCTBL" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com>.

[George Florentine]

Yeah, sorry for the confusion. I was suggesting either Saturday the 14 or Monday the 16th. Didn't want to try to corral everyone for tomorrow with < 24 hours notice.


thx,

g

George Florentine
VP Engineering
Office: 303.542.2173 | Mobile: 303.669.8628 | Fax: 303.542.0522

George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com | http://www.flatironssolutions.com/

Tw: @FlatironsSols | Fb: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironsSolutions

* We're having trouble getting alignment on some strategic issues such as the First Ascent ride, our relationship with Wheat Ridge and Ride the Rockies and how we allocate fund raising monies.

* Trouble growing our membership

* Many of the folks that are doing most of the work currently are getting worn down:

o Steve would like to step down as treasurer

o Susan isn't getting any feedback on the newsletters and has stopped publishing them monthly

o Rich isn't getting the support he would like to support his efforts on the FA ride

o Meg and Chris haven't gotten much support on team training rides

o We haven't gotten any support from the team to help with corporate fund raising

o We have very little commitment from the team for volunteer activities. Most of the work is being done by 8-12 people.

o We've had trouble getting the level of support from LIVESTRONG we would like

o We've got no holiday volunteer activities planned (no tree donation, no caroling)



I think the sum of all these trends is that we're collectively not having much fun and I think this needs to be fun for it to be worthwhile. I've chatted with some of you 1x1 and through e-mail and I now would like to broaden the conversation to the entire board and see where we want this thing to go. I see a few possibilities. In no particular order:

1. Stay the course. Continue with our current corporate structure, same mission of fund raising, volunteerism, supporting LIVESTRONG through participating in rides and promoting LIVESTRONG at Colorado events.

2. Shut everything down. Discontinue the corporation, shut down the mailing list and web site, shut down the FB page, distribute the physical assets we have, empty the bank account and be done.

3. Restructure our mission and the club to be much more loosely structured. Shut down the legal entity, distribute assets but keep up the mailing list and FB page. Use the mailing list and FB page to coordinate things like training rides, coordinating participation in LIVESTRONG events, etc.

4. Some other structure?



I'm leaning toward #3 above but am certainly open to a conversation that looks at all the options.

There is some urgency to this decision - if we're going to make a radical change it would be convenient to do it before January of 2014 to minimize our tax and reporting activities in '14 if appropriate.

[Meg Halford]

I can't do the 16th have a work meeting....so Sat. a.m. but with a cut off time! :)

> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com.

[Richard Easton]

Monday the 16th would work for me. I am gone this coming weekend Friday thru Monday mid day.

Sent from my iPad

> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to board-cctbl...@googlegroups.com.

[George Florentine]

I think that Susan and I could also do a Saturday morning meeting. We have some family in town next weekend so I agree with you, Meg; let’s time box the meeting to a couple of hours or so.

 

 

thx,

 

g

 

[George Florentine]

Rich, could you call in for a couple of hours on Saturday? Hate to put a crimp in your weekend activities but I'm trying to find a time where we could all attend...

> George.F...@flatironssolutions.com<mailto:George.Florentine@flat

> ironssolutions.com>
> To: margie...@hotmail.com<mailto:margie...@hotmail.com>;
> board...@googlegroups.com<mailto:board...@googlegroups.com>
> Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 20:21:35 -0700
> Subject: RE: CCTBL board meeting - next Wed, 6-8 pm, Pinkard
> construction and dial-in
>
>
> Yeah, Thursday doesn't work for Susan or me either. What about Saturday morning or Monday evening for folks? I think it's pretty important we try to get all of us in this meeting since we've got some pretty strategic decisions to make.
>
>
>
>
>
> thx,
>
>
>
> g
>
>
>
> <image001.png><http://www.flatironssolutions.com/>
>
>
> George Florentine
>
> VP Engineering
>
> Office: 303.542.2173 | Mobile: 303.669.8628 | Fax: 303.542.0522

> George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com<mailto:George.Florentine@Flat

> George.F...@FlatironsSolutions.com<mailto:George.Florentine@Flat

[Steve Burns]

Monday is my birthday, so no can do. I'll be hanging with my ladies.

Sent from Steve's iPhone

[Chris Voeller]

I’m good with either of those dates.

Chris

[Tim Richter]

OK,

So I'm just going to add to the dis-function here, I have a 5K Saturday morning and can't make that. 

I'm Very Sorry! Please schedule without me since this looks like it might be good for most. George, I can email you my thought's on some of this before Saturday.

Tim R.

[George Florentine]

Tim, please do send me your thoughts. I’ll continue to see if I can find a date that works for most of us.

 

 

thx,

 

g