[BikeLongmont] July Meeting Minutes

[Nenad]

The big news this month is that we decided to take the next step and
register as a nonprofit organization. The group has been slowly growing
and getting more active, so this seems like a logical move.

At this point we have a bit over 60 unique active names on our mailing
list (active means getting the posts to the list). There is a core of
half a dozen people or so who attend our regular monthly meetings and/or
actually do something at least every so often.

All our projects so far have been funded by people doing each project (a
double whammy, as it were). For example, Buzz organized the T-Shirts and
the three bike shops in the town split the cost. Richard not only
designed the information cards, but also paid for them.

We think that the current structure of the group would be hard pressed
to support increased activity. Registering as a nonprofit (and perhaps
even progressing to the 501c3 status) would enable us to joint
organizations such has the Thunderhead Alliance and indulge in a bit of
fundraising.

Our first plan was to perhaps piggyback on Bicycle Colorado nonprofit
status, but this turns out not to be possible, we have to stand on our
own. We filled out the paperwork in the meeting last week and Lauren,
who is wise in the ways of nonprofits, will make the filing.

For this registration we do not need directors, bylaws etc., that comes
later if and when we decide to become a "real" 501c3 organization.

We do not intend to change how the organization works. The mailing list
and the website will continue as before. We most definitely do not
intend to charge dues for the mailing list subscriptions.

We are, though, asking the mailing list subscribers (that means you!) to
consider contributing $20 as seed money. Stop by the High Gear and put
your money in the "Buzz Box" for the group. This would be used to open a
bank account for the group. At this point we are not yet sure if the
simple registration with the state is enough for this to be
tax-deductible, but Lauren will find out. If the spirit moves you to
write us a check, make it out to Bicycle Longmont.

We are also starting to look at the list of projects we could do. We
have already talked about getting involved in organizing the next
bike-to-work day. Another idea is to organize a ride matching service,
where people could find riding partners via our website. Then there is
education.

We are looking at the things that are doable given our current size -
every project we have done so far (website, T-shirts, business cards,
election questionnaires) have required little or no money and no more
than moderate amounts of work. Any ideas that can leverage the website
are very cost effective, since it does not cost us anything to put up
extra pages.

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In other news, Craig has been accepted to the City Multi-Modal Steering
Committee. Since Teri Musser is also a member, we have very good bike
representation.

The bike maps are still being drafted. It seems that the transition from
the CAD to GIS is a little more painful then anticipated. Once this
transition is made, the maps can be updated much more easily, so we may
get a new edition every year.

We had a discussion on 3rd avenue west of Main (vicinity of Bowen). The
question is if the on-street parking, which almost nobody uses anyway,
can be converted to bike lanes.

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I will be away for two weeks prior to our next meeting, so if something
goes wrong with the mailing list or website, it may be August 9 or 10
before it gets fixed. We haven't had problems in a long while, but you
never know.

Regards, Nenad
...your friendly Bicycle Longmont coordinator...