As President, This Is What I'd Do

 

All, I'm excited about the opportunity to run for president of VMB. To give everyone a sense of how I would lead, and hope to accomplish in 2017 I've posted some of the guiding principles I would follow, as well as 10 things I'd hope to accomplish next year. It's not a complete list, and I would welcome feedback from the board, our trail crews, and all members to further develop and refine the items, but it should provide a sense of what I'd like to see at the top of the 2017 agenda. 

As President, I would:

Profess sincere gratitude and awe to every single member of this club and everyone else who contributes to our community. Without this group of riders, these trails would not exist. I feel privileged to know and ride with such passionate mountain bikers and trail builders. The dedication, fun, and excitement you bring is why I love living here, why I support VMB, and why I want to give everything I can to help this organization thrive. 

Develop strong, productive partnerships with land managers

This is perhaps the most critical component of our future success. Respect for and cooperation with land managers is essential to continued access to trails and future development. Those relationships with DCNR, Lehigh County, Wildlands Conservancy are what opened the door to mountain biking at Trex, Nox, and Sals.  I’ve worked hard to build strong partnerships with land managers that have resulted in new trail work at Jordan, Jacobsburg, and a more productive atmosphere at Trexler. I am committed to maintaining those relationships and to developing new ones with anyone who can help us increase mountain bike opportunities in the region. 

Invest in our Trails

We already do an excellent job fundraising through events and the next step is to gain real competency applying for grants to fund our most ambitious projects. My goal will be to submit a minimum of three grants this year, and ask each trail committee to create a plan for a qualifying project. We will hire a successful recreational trail grant writer to guide this process and train up our own core staff on the nuances of successful grant writing.

 

Respect the environment through which we ride

I believe in the principles of conservation and land stewardship because they are at the core of what we do—preserve, promote, and protect our trails and the land on which we ride. And yes, properly planned and constructed gravity trails absolutely can exist within the ideals of conservation and stewardship.

 

Bring Next-Level Organization

VMB has grown tremendously, especially after joining IMBA, but there is still important operational work to do. We need to complete our comprehensive risk-management plan, which I’ve begun to work on with other officers. It will keep riders and volunteers safe, cover our butts in case of an accident, and is a crucial step in gaining permission to use additional tools and mechanized trail-building equipment. We need to communicate with our members better through social platforms and regular newsletters, and we need to continue developing effective, organized trail crews at each of our local systems. These will all be priorities for me. I’ll also work to create more opportunities to train members who are interested in trail work, and to develop our board’s skills in non-profit management and leadership. 

Be More Diverse

For this organization, and this sport to thrive, we need more women, kids, and riders with diverse backgrounds to feel welcome, empowered, and excited to ride with us. This is something I’ve been dedicated to as a board member for the Pennsylvania NICA league, and in my role at Bicycling. I will bring that mission of inclusivity to VMB to ensure that we truly represent and support all riders.

 

Have More Fun

We will work really damn hard to have more fun in 2017.  I'd like to increase the number of group-ride options, club-organized trips, and community-building events. VMB will do a better job supporting and rewarding our volunteers, and we will increase the number of fun events we hold as a way to attract new members and to celebrate all the good work we do.

  If elected, I would work with our board, trail crews, and all members to accomplish the following in 2017 (a partial list):

Increase development and support for trail groups at Trex, Jordan, Nox, Jacobsburg, Sals, and SME 

Complete a risk-management plan and implement organizational best practices

See Killdozer replacement trail through to a comprehensive construction plan

Identify areas for trail expansion, including a potential bike park/playground

Create a mapping/signage plan across the systems

Increase grant-writing proficiency (and submit grants for at least three projects in 2017)

Focus on board development, especially fundraising, membership, and non-profit management

Get more women involved—on the board, as officers, and on rides

Increase volunteer-training and certification opportunities through IMBA and other resources 

Develop a clear, coordinated communication strategy for our members and local riders 

 

Thank you all for your consideration and the work you do to make mountain biking better in the region. I hope everyone can come to the December meeting to celebrate the successes of VMB in 2016 and to vote in this very important election.

Lou