Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Call for Directors

The British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC) is seeking enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about cycling to stand for nomination as candidates for our board of directors at the Annual General Meeting on December 4, 2010. We encourage people from all around the province to consider this opportunity to help improve cycling in the province and in your community.

About the BCCC
The British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC) is a registered Non-Profit Society whose members are individuals and cycling organization throughout the province.

Specifically, the BCCC:
• Advocates for improved cycling leadership, funding, policies, laws, design toolkits, cycling-friendly roads, programming, and education at the provincial level
• Nurtures and supports local cycling coalitions and chapters throughout British Columbia

The organization is currently volunteer run with the majority of work being performed by members of the board of directors. The current board recognizes that the growth and effectiveness of the organization is limited under this model. The intent is to transition to a model where day-to-day operations are managed by staff and volunteers while the board provides organizational and advocacy leadership and governance. This transition, however, will likely consume a significant amount of board time over the next two years.

A Great Opportunity
The change in political leadership in BC presents an ideal opportunity to increase support for cycling including:
• A dramatic increase in funding for cycling infrastructure, education and promotion
• Policies ensuring good cycling facilities on new and existing roads and bridges
• Updates to the Motor Vehicle Act to improve cycling safety and encourage more people to cycle

Experience and Skills
We are looking for individuals who are passionate about cycling with experience in one or more of the following areas.

Organizational Development
• Organization leadership
• Support for chapters and coalitions
• Assist in the creation of new chapters and cycling groups in communities around BC
• Reorganization and measures needed to support staff
• Support for advocacy efforts
• Volunteer coordination
Fund Raising
• Foundation and corporate grants, donations and memberships
• Individual memberships and donations
Membership Development
• The development of a membership strategy
• Corporate and individual membership recruitment
Internet
• Redesign of website based on a content management system
• On-line donations and membership payment
• Forums, wikis and other information sharing mechanisms
• Integration of social media
Communications and Media
• Development of a media strategy
• Media writing – Story telling
• Electronic newsletter
Advocacy
• Government relations
• Organizing and coordinating grassroots campaigns
Networking
• Contacts in governments and bicycle industry
• Ability to quickly make new contacts and connections

Time Requirements
Board business - Basic board business will require an average of one hour per week and consist mainly of responding to email messages on organizational business.
Additional Responsibilities - In addition, we encourage board members to undertake further organizational responsibilities as detailed above that may require up to an additional five hours per week.
Board Meetings – Four to six meetings per year on weekends. While in the past, these have been in-person meetings requiring travel, we are investigating various means of tele-conferencing to reduce travel requirements.

Contact
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact:
Richard Campbell
Chair
Board Recruitment Committee
604-733-1764
Email

4 comments:

  1. I would get involved but I have a real problem with bicyclists in this province. Too many fail to adhere to the rules and regulations of the MVA and I find it too hard to deal with those that these days think they are entitled to do what they want and how they want. Same goes for pedestrians and car people. The population seems to be racing towards a collision course with doom.

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  2. Hi Devo,

    You make a very good point. The coalition should focus some of its efforts on PR. I'm concerned with the amount of negative sentiment out there regarding the cycling community. Perhaps with a little effort that collision with doom can be avoided.

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  3. devo and jimisurf; in response to your comments, I would like to say that it is all the more reason to become involved and support cycling advocacy in any way you can. Education is a key component, and in my mind, likely the most important. This conflict between motorists and cyclists keeps rearing it's ugly head. Check out this Letter to the Editor from Sooke; http://bit.ly/h8DALh
    Other parts of the world readily accept cyclists on the roads as a part of daily life. It is normal. Why is it that in North America we have such a problem with cyclists? Could it be the love affair with our "entitlement" to command control of highways and roads from within a sophisticated, high powered and potentially lethal cocoon that separates us from the environment around us? Only 60-70 years ago, the operation of our present day vehicles would have been only for those properly trained in high speed travel such as race car drivers, pilots and astronauts. Now we let our 16 year old kids loose with a big letter "N" stuck on the back windshield. But God help us if we let those anarchist two wheeled "cyclopaths" loose on our roads. (After all you must be crazy to be riding a bike on roads) Particularly watch out for those kids on their mountain or BMX bikes cycling to school. Be safe; take the bus, or better yet, get Mommy to drive you to school!

    As to the Motor Vehicle Act and cyclists. It is not a black and white: "this is how you must do it all the time" approach when dealing with cyclists. Take note of the words "motor vehicle" and look at the reasons this act is in place.
    There are plenty of reasons of why we should encourage the use of cycling, and plenty of examples of how it can work. Now, let's move ahead, get out there, get involved and....yes! lets have fun doing it!
    Stephen Hindrichs
    Juan De Fuca Cycling Coalition

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  4. Hi Stephen,

    You are right about getting involved and I'm willing and able to do so. I will check into that through the website(s).

    Thanks,

    James

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