MD "Safe Routes to School" Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Education Program
Ginny & Carl completed cerftification as teachers for the Maryland Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Education Program. Through a grant from the Maryland State Highway Administration; trailers are equipment with bicycles, helmets and teaching aids to assist with Pedestrian & Bicycle training typically found at Bike Rodeos. However, CSO will now be able to schedule delivery of this trailer and equipment for programs in the future.
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News
On March 6, 2010 we had our first formal meeting to transition Chesapeake Spokes Women to a new bicycle club. Fourteen (14) people were able to attend this first meeting. Jason & Lisa Croasdale hosted the meeting. Here is a report from Jason about the meeting.
We had 14 in attendance and met until about 2:45 (we chatted a while as people filtered in). Everyone was motivated to see CSW continue and we decided to continue the group under the name "ChesapeakeSpokes.org". Carl has reserved the website address.
We discussed the elements of a mission statement for the group. The group rides should be fun, keep a consistent pace, be non-competitive, and we discussed transparency in group leadership (no closed meetings). Obviously, a precise Mission Statement needs to be worked out soon.
It was determined that a more formal structure should exist for the group, with non-profit incorporation, bylaws, ride coordinators, a board of directors, and that we should continue the website, insurance (perhaps with Board of Directors liability coverage). As of this message we're still using the talklist name.
Some have volunteered for the B.O.D. (Jason, Margi, Keith, Susan, Sandy K. (treasurer), and Carl (consultant)). We still are open to volunteers, as there's much to be done and a Board of Directors' meeting needs to be scheduled very soon. Jose volunteered to help Coordinate weekend rides.
We discussed continuing rides on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and having two different rides on Saturdays (a longer, higher paced ride, and a standard ride) and one on Sunday (Standard). We discussed meeting at the new parking lot for the HCC sports fields that's across from Bitner's and adjacent to WAWA, and that we could meet at 9:00 A.M. on the weekends and that the Cue sheets will be varied. Don Hash said he'd look into getting permission from HCC to use that lot, and we were wondering what it's official name might be. We agreed that Harford Velo has been using the "T" lot on Thomas Run Road and we shouldn't ride from there.
Feel free to add what I've missed, and please volunteer to help where you can.
It was a pleasure to meet all of you, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the road this year with you.
Jason Croasdale
Carl Wakefield added the following commets.
Wow!!! This Saturday was like watching your child take its first steps towards independence. When Missie told me she wanted to start a women�s cycling group for the past few years, I had no idea it would draw so much interest. I think she knew there was a void out there for cyclists. She always said �Riding should be fun!�. However, if a group of cyclist form a club, Missie felt that the club members should respect and support all levels of riders. That is a tall order but it should not stop us from trying! Furthermore, any club should be transparent and information should freely flow. This is what she envisioned when she started CSW. Missie and I feel it is time to step back and let Harford County cyclists take an active part in forming a greater club. There are many of you out there who are just as committed, dedicated and done so much. Now, it is your opportunity to become part of something special.
Where does that leave Missie? As she stated, she wants to spend some more time just riding her bike with you and growing her business. Along with others, Missie is dedicated in working with the Greg Krause Memorial Helmet Fund and Harford County Government with bicycle advocacy issues. Just recently, Missie was appointed to the State of Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee which advises State government agencies on issues directly related to bicycling and pedestrian activity including funding, public awareness, safety and education. I see some great things coming to Harford County cycling and I hope this new club will inspire and recognize others who contribute to cycling.
Thanks to Lisa and Jason for getting things going and inviting us into their home. Also, for those who were able to make this Saturday�s meeting, it is appreciated. I know there are others who want to join the Board of Directors and volunteer. Please let Jason know and please attend future meetings.
I have some additional notes. I will try to consolidate all of the our notes and place them on the new web shortly.
- Jose and Terri will also lead about 2 rides/month from North Harford County. Last year, they did a great job and everyone is looking forward to more rides in the northern part of the county.
- Susan has volunteered to lead some rides from Havre de Grace.
- Additionally, Susan will host an informal social from her home in April. We plan to do this every month and will need others to host these gatherings. More details to follow.
- Margie has volunteered to be the club�s Ride leader Coordinator.
- We will post a survey on the web to get everyone�s feedback for ride days/times/locations.
- Mike will assist the club in getting the articles of incorporation filed.
As a sponsor, Missie (Bike Fit Solutions) will fund the first year�s club insurance, web site hosting/expenses, CSWtalk, and the newsletter.
Once we get things more organized, we will discuss a membership fee structure.
We discussed club jerseys and decided that will be something that a volunteer committee can coordinate at a later time.
The group agreed that the web, newsletter and CSWtalk should not promote any bicycle shop�s events/sales/etc. If they want to be a sponsor, we will have a Link to their site. This is something that we will discuss further at future meetings to work out the details.
I have agreed to help out until more people can become active and will step down to allow others to participate. Missie and I will always be members and volunteer. Presently, I have agreed to maintain the web site, CSWtalk and the newsletter. We want others to participate and do these things to provide a �more rounded� club. However, they are critical and do require someone that truly can devote the time. Presently, the newsletter is through Constant Contact and is quite easy to use. If someone is comfortable with the computer, I can easily show you how to do this. It actually only takes a few hours to put a good newsletter together. Most of the job is just gathering information. It would be nice to see this function taken over by someone that will grow the newsletter.
If you can help, please contact Jason.
For those who have attended, please forward any further notes/comments via CSWtalk.
Since everyone wants to maintain an open environment, please use CSWtalk for general communications/discussions. If you have a specific issue, question, etc. please direct them to Jason at jlcbikes@comcast.net so that we can keep the club focused.
Regards
Carl
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