You can define the future of the NSMBA this Thursday!

[NSMBA]

NSMBA All Members Meeting

[biggles604]

Bump. This is important stuff.

[cam@nsmb.com]

If refreshments means beer we might want to make that clear to improve the turn out.

I'll be there either way but beer would lubricate the process I'm sure.

[heckler]

you bet the new people that step up to the plate to run the show will have a say in where the beer goes...

Not saying that there will be any at the meeting...

[Knight-Rider]

You don't want me there.....the future could be a dangerous place

[heckler]

Originally Posted by Knight-Rider

You don't want me there.....the future could be a dangerous place

a world with sweet dirt topped bridges... I could live with that.

[redneck jeff]

Originally Posted by heckler

a world with sweet dirt topped bridges... I could live with that.

i think we all could

[Bryce]

anyone wanna go for a little rip around the Camp Brick trails and LC at like 5:30pm and then end at the meeting at 7?

[Fluid]

Bump

[Oldfart]

I will try and be there. I do have to walk the dog first so I may be late.

[rabidllama]

shit.. i'll be busy for this thing.

ah well, hopefully the rest of the community will make up for it. i mean, free refreshments, come on!

[MrBond]

A big thanks to everyone that came out to the meeting last night! I think the meeting went really well, with some excellent discussion and brainstorming. If you were at the meeting, please post any of the ideas from your table in this thread. I'm working on organizing all the ideas that came up at the meeting into a summary for all of you who couldn't make it. Aiming to have that done by Monday.

We still need motivated people to help us follow through on the recommendations. Three teams have been formed to work on the most pressing topics. Take a look at the three teams below, and send me a pm if you'd be interested in helping out.

1. Organizational Structure - Defining roles and Responsibilities
2. Elections - Defining procedures and terms
3. Membership - Developing a full service club

On a less enthusiastic note, over the past year I have noticed a growing disinterest, or lack of enthusiasm surrounding the work of the NSMBA. Maybe it's because a lot of people feel that the situation surrounding mountain biking on the North Shore is fairly bright. Most of the trails are in good or great condition, the threat of trail closures seems to have faded into the past, and conflict with other user groups has seemingly decreased.

However, this lack of community support threatens the very existence of the organization that was instrumental in getting us to where we are today. Because of the relationships and trust that the NSMBA has built with local landowners, dedicated builders now have the support they need in order to improve amazing lines like Boundary, Pipeline, or Natural High. We have a unified voice to present to council, and are able to work cooperatively with other user groups.

If you love riding the trails of the North Shore, then please stop to think about the people that make your awesome riding experience possible. We need your assistance and input!

[heckler]

Originally Posted by MrBond

If you love riding the trails of the North Shore, then please stop to think about the people that make your awesome riding experience possible. We need your assistance and input!

Great job last night MrBond!

And well said!

Do you want this organization to continue to grow?? Would you miss the Rippers? Would you miss the gear swap? What about trail days? What about well maintained trails to ride?

Come to the AGM on November 20, and volunteer to replace the people that will be "retiring" at the end of the year.

[the Master Plan Dan]

Great work Mathew!

It was good to see so much organization going into the meeting.

The flow chart thing was great. The only thing that I know still needs work and will be integral to the success of the NSMBA is communication. There was little to none when I was there.

Other than that there was a comment made along the lines of making the NSMBA more of riding club and less political.

I whole heartedly disagree with that comment and hope that is not the plan for the NSMBA. If you go to the mandate for the NSMBA:

# To keep trails challenging
# To be a voice for mountain biking on the North Shore
# To maintain the trails
# To keep the trails open
# To promote respect for the environment through cooperative trail maintenance & education
# To promote multiple use of trails & etiquette

Like it or not, it is a political entity. If you don't like the politics, then don't get involved on an upper level. If you want a riding club, call North Shore Ride.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with riding as a group, just that the NSMBA is not a riding group.

Dan

[biggles604]

I don't remember anyone saying that NSMBA should be a riding club. There was mention of making it more rider friendly to keep in touch with the riders (and keep interest up), but I don't think anyone there would want the organisation to be non-political. If NSMBA hosts more riding events (Bring back the Toonie races), then it will be more publicity, more publicity = more members and more power. If you make NSMBA purely political, then most riders will have very little interest in it.