Prairie Cycle Club – Bicycle Club for Champaign County, Illinois

Three important items that can’t wait ‘til the next newsletter (and there could be changes if I hear from people between now and the holiday party): - for the "hard copy" version, click on the attachment :)
A. Bylaws Amendments (term limits, money spending policy, and abstaining from voting)
At the last board meeting, several issues were introduced and some changes were suggested for the bylaws and discussed. Changes in bylaws require approval from the membership; pros and cons will be briefly stated before a vote is taken at the annual meeting/ holiday party December 9 The meeting and voting will take place at 6:30 p.m. -- after drinks and before dinner. Please RSVP by December 4 to Babette Hiles -
The proposed amendments are:

I. Abstaining from Voting
A Director shall abstain from voting on any matter before the Board where an organization of which s/he is a Director of shall directly benefit.
II. Requests for financial support for projects
Non-budgeted expenditures over $100 are to be tabled and action taken at the next board meeting. (Thus, there will be two board meetings for discussion before decisions of this size are made.)

III. Term Limits.
A Director serving in a position on the board may serve a maximum of one uninterrupted term of two years, or two consecutive, uninterrupted terms in different positions. Partial terms served to replace former members shall not be computed in this limit.
B. New Board Position Openings
We’ve had some nominations and some additional openings since the last newsletter. Mike Bernon is now our acting Treasurer and is nominated for that position; Don Roberts is nominated for Secretary. Rich Furr will retain his advocacy involvement.
The President, Membership, Activities Co-ordinator and Publicity are open. Your newsletter editor (that’s me, Sue Jones  ) would accept nomination for that position, which would mean the Newsletter Editor position would be open.
Yes, we’ve got a shortage of volunteers. Could be that Prairie Cycle Club will be doing less … or could you fill in some of the gap? We’ll help with the transition, and perhaps you can’t commit to a full position, but we’ve got room on committees for specific projects; some great ideas have been presented, such as combining efforts with a local service organization to put on C-U Across the prairie and trying to get new or working bicycles into the hands of people who cannot afford them but would benefits. It’s been individuals and small groups who have made events like the Wind Assisted Rides and Time Trials happen – dream it and do it!
C. Ride Leader Needed
Need Level 2-3 ride leader for Saturdays or whatever day you can do it besides Mondays! We’ve got enough riders, so don’t be afraid to pick *your* favorite night. Perhaps you’d be willing to lead a ride once a month – or be a contact for other “sometimes” leaders. Talk to your friends who wish there were more options and let’s get creative about solutions.

Holiday Party, Cranksgiving, Wind Turbine Ride and Katy Trail pictures... it's all there :)

http://www.prairiecycleclub.org/system/files/pccnov2008b.pdf

http://chambanacranksgiving.blogspot.com/
On Sunday Novermber 16th there is going to be a scavenger hunt/alleycat fund raiser that will benefit the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. This event will both start and end at the Bike Co-Op and afterwards there will be a show at the IMC main space with live music(World's First Flying Machine will be playing). The entry fee will be used as you ride your bike to a number of grocery stores scattered throughout the Chamabana area and buy food items that will subsequently be donated to the food bank.
This will happen regardless of weather so come prepared. You will need Money, a bike, a lock, a bag (to carry food), and lastly helmets and lights are strongly encouraged. There will be prizes but they will not be strictly determined by the fastest person and there will be plenty of bonus prizes for those that go above and beyond the minimum food amount.

Think I'll go! You come too!

As you may have noticed, the days are getting shorter. The last Wednesday night ride for 2008 will be October 8. It was going to be the 15th, but we are really running out of light. Next year the last ride will be the first Wednesday of October. Ride your old school, strange or neglected bike for our last ride which will only be 15-20 miles.

Hope to see you there.

Here's the Oct Newsletter, PDF format.