Sunday, January 29, 2012

Annual Meeting and Banquet 2012

The BBC marked the end of the 2011 biking season and the beginning of the 2012 season on Saturday, January 28, 2012, with its annual meeting and banquet. A group of about 60 members and guests gathered at Chapman's Banquet Center for food, fellowship, and (a little) business.

After some informal gathering, the evening began with the business part. President Keith Vogelsang reviewed highlights of the year past, with an emphasis on the success of RAIN, especially the club's emphasis on involving volunteers at all stages of planning and staging this big event.

Then several committee chairs made short presentations. Mark Villanova discussed plans for RAIN 2012: Jennifer Miers is handling registration; Jim Schroeder is doing the route and the start line; John Connell will be handling the finish line at Earlham College in Richmond; Sylvia Stoub is working to recruit additional volunteers needed to staff the event. Keith Vogelsang is also serving on the RAIN committee, as is webmaster Klaus Rothe.

Touring Director Mike Finger discussed plans for the coming year and announced an open meeting coming soon to establish the Saturday ride calendar for 2012. (Jim Schroeder, who is known for his frequent century-length additions to Saturday rides is also planning some "Un-Rides" with more of a focus on fellowship, fun, and food. Look for more details later.) Advocacy Chair Ron Brown mentioned some of the issues he dealt with over the last year. Membership Chair Tammy Berger said we now have about 230 members. Allan Edmonds, Blogmaster, mentioned that we have now completed our third year with the blog venue for sharing club information, with 50+ posts each year. Social Chair Sylvia Stoub talked about the new "second Monday" socials. The next one is Game Night, set for Monday, February 13. More information will be forthcoming by email and on the club web site.


Finally the nominating committee presented its slate of candidates for the elected officers of the club, including two carry-overs and two new people:

  • President Keith Vogelsang
  • Vice President John Bassett
  • Secretary Kathy Cummins
  • Treasurer Jerry Arveson
There were no further nominations from the floor, and after the formality of a voice vote, the candidates were declared elected by acclamation. According to the by-laws their terms begin immediately. They join the appointed chairs in forming the governing board of the club.

At that point attention turned to food. Club members enjoyed a nice buffet featuring a roast beef entré, pasta with two different sauces, twice-baked potatoes, green beans, carrots, rolls, and salad. For dessert there was cheesecake with raspberry sauce and carrot cake.

After dinner Jim Schroeder (with technical assistance from John Bassett and Glenn Berger) gave a video presentation related to his experiences at Cycle Oregon in the fall. This is a 7 day fully supported, camping and biking tour that quickly fills up to its limit of 2000 riders. Each year takes different routes through very scenic Oregon mountains, forests, and seashore.

The pleasant evening concluded with a door-prize drawing.