Changing of the Guard

Saturday night we had our annual banquet and business meeting.

For the first time we met at the Convention Center downtown. A big thanks to Tammy Berger for handling most of the arrangements after we had trouble getting a suitable date at Chapman's, where we have met the last few years. Overall the cost was about the same (more for the room, less for the food, extra for sound equipment), and the sound and projection set-up was a lot better. On the downside (in only a few people's views) we did not have a cash bar, which would have required paying extra for a bartender.  I didn't mind.

The evening started with some social time between 5 PM and 6 PM. Dinner was a buffet with vegetarian options available.

After dinner outgoing president Keith Vogelsang presided over our business meeting. There were reports from several committee chairs. In the absence of treasurer Jerry Arveson (off biking down south somewhere!), Keith presented Jerry's report on the club finances (very strong). Included was a summary of the recent BBC grants awarded. Incoming Ride Director John Bassett discussed the planned 2013 ride calendar and advocacy chair Ron Brown reviewed his activities of the year. Jen Miers reported on behalf of RAIN committee chair John McConnell. Things seem to be in very good shape. So far there have been about 160 early registrants and almost 2/3 of those have ordered jerseys. We're on target for approximately 1500 registrants. The outstanding design developed by Tammy Berger should sell very well. When jerseys sell well RAIN is very successful financially.

As Keith wrapped up his third and final year as president he reviewed the status of the club and some of the issues he felt should be priorities for the coming years.

Here are a few highlights of the last couple of years: Finances have been re-organized and we now pay sales tax on jersey and other merchandise sales. We have a bank CD and also earn significant rebates on a corporate credit card. RAIN has functioned as a much broader-based volunteer activity for the club. A process of evaluation of club structure was undertaken with an IU student group, 180 Degree Consulting, and a full revision of the club bylaws has been begun with a corresponding updating of club organization.

Looking toward the future Keith highlighted some issues that he feels need further attention: insurance issues related to deciding what rides are "official" club rides; marketing the club in the community; recruiting a broader base of membership including commuters; involving younger members (citing our "ageing membership" -- yikes!); reorganizing executive board procedures to make it more "accountable" and completing the process of reworking the bylaws; increasing the number and variety of applications to our successful grants program.

As his final official act he asked Kathy Cummins to present the report of the nominating committee:

• President: Jim Schroeder
• Vice president: Dan Fowler
• Treasurer: Jerry Arveson
• Secretary: Kathy Cummins

There being no further nominations from the floor, the nominating committee slate was elected by voice vote.

The final part of the evening was a video/slide show from John Bassett and Jim Schroeder about their biking trip to Arizona last year.

As we said our goodbyes Tammy announced that each table's centerpiece (a clever "floral" arrangement of Powerbars, Mojos, and Gu, etc.) belonged to the person at each table whose chair had a little ribbon twist-em tied to the crossbar between legs of their chair. Sweet!

My thanks to secretary Kathy Cummins for sharing her preliminary minutes with me to help me produce this more informal report. This summary represents the author's personal take on the evening, and should not be viewed as official minutes.