Volunteers are the lifeblood of 

• our club, 
• most of the bike clubs in our area and around the country, 
• and even the mass rides that support the advocacy and education organizations who are our strategic partners.

To deliver the value we do, we need and are grateful for volunteers of all sorts.

First and foremost, the LEADERS who lead rides in this club make the club what it is known for - fun, friendly, and interesting rides. 

Our #1 objective is to have a robust portfolio of rides available throughout the year. This only happens with engaged, creative, and friendly leaders. Our current leadership program has delivered close to 10 new leaders, most of whom are actively leading. We are currently working on a re-vamp of our AWARDS program to recognize and motivate our leaders for each set of rides. Watch for more on this. Also, if you think you would like to be a leader, please reach out to our Leadership Coordinators: David Meltzer and Susan Rodetis for further details and to be added to the list. 

Second - the MEMBERS in this club are the reason this club exists. Without members to join a ride, leaders ride alone and that’s no fun. 

Our #2 objective is to grow our membership and deliver more value back in terms of rides and events like socials, classes, and other events that give back in ways that let us build on the “social cycling” we do in this club. If you have ideas for things the club could be doing to attract new members and do more for our existing members - please e-mail your ideas to membership@5bbc.org 

Finally - the BOARD and COUNCIL of this club manage it and "make things happen”.

Our #3 objective is to create greater depth at each position on the board (we have two people covering most roles, so no one person shoulders all the work) and to develop more of our LEADERS and MEMBERS as candidates to serve on the council and board in the future. To that end, if any of you reading this want to get more involved - please reach out - you are WELCOME! As long as you bring a positive, friendly, can do attitude - we need you! Please e-mail president@5bbc.org if you'd like to get involved.

One of the things we did in previous years, which we plan to continue going forward, is to move most of the work OUT of the board and council and into “ad hoc” committees that meet with a focus on getting things done. The leadership pilot program was developed this way. The holiday party was run this way. The mechanics classes and socials were run this way. If you have an idea, put a team together, bring it to the board for approval and any budget you may need, and then be empowered to go off and make it happen. We plan to continue and expand on this idea going forward.

Our Volunteer Coordinator helps with the organizing of club socials, classes, events, and promoting the club at our partner rides and events as well.  The Volunteer Coordinator’s job is to get to know who out there is willing to help with what and engage those folks to make that happen. We currently have two individuals helping the Volunteer Coordinator, but there's always room for more.  It's a great way to get to know people in the club and help give back.

We will have more to say about Volunteerism in a future article - watch this space as the council will be discussing a really creative way to recognize those members who step up and make more happen in the club and for the cycling community of which we are apart. New York's Friendliest bike club is full of volunteers!

Thanks for your support,

Allan