Here are some bits of information that I thought I might pass on in light of
some of the questions being posted to the listserv. Hopefully these are
helpful/informative:

FUNDRAISERS - There are two big fundraisers that PUMP does every year that are
open to anyone and everyone in the whole wide world: 1. Swap Meet and 2. Tour de
Fat (PUMP helps run the registration for the fun ride and to operate New
Belgium's sales booth). PUMP is a registered non-profit organization, your
contributions are tax deductible. I'm sure PUMP would appreciate having other
fundraisers, and I'm also sure that PUMP would gladly accept offers to help
organize them :)

NEWSLETTER (past and present forms of information distribution) - PUMP used to
have a print newsletter. As with everything else in a volunteer organization,
it was run by volunteers - writers of articles, formatting, envelope stuffing,
address labeling placing, and delivery to area shops (I'm sure that there are
lots of other PUMP members past and present who remember helping out with these
tasks at the start of PUMP meetings). This work was hard on everyone involved
and it was decided that electronic communications would reach the masses easier
- enter the most previous website with forums and editable calendar. The newest
version of the website allows users to publish content - blogs, forum posts, add
images/videos, and add events to the calendar. That is not to say that a
printed newsletter and/or other information should not be added to the
website... but someone has to do it (see all of the other posts if there is
still a question in your mind
on who should volunteer for improving on areas that you see as needing
improving). PUMP created a folded brochure during 2008 to provide printed club
information to local bike shops in response to a desire to have this material.

MEETING BACKGROUND NOISE - Meetings have had an on-going problem with background
noise. Quite frankly, the accoustics in the SE Lucky Lab don't help - I
participate in another organization that holds meetings there and we experience
some of this same problem. Perhaps we could look into using a small PA system
to amplify the speakers (I bet there are some PUMP members out there that might
own a microphone and a speaker). But, the social chatting does impact
everyone's ability to hear. This has been stated numerous times by numerous
folks - and, I actually think it is starting to get better during some of the
most recent meetings. On the other hand, since it seems that most of the
membership is wanting to chat it up with new/old friends, maybe its not a bad
thing. I support the social hour and have asked the board to implement this
into the meeting schedule. The problem then comes back to Mark's point about
utilizing people's time effectively.
Perhaps we need a regimented social hour before hand with a strict end time -
that way folks that only want to come for the meeting can come at the
appropriate start time. Eric's suggestion is great, but if he never comes to
another meeting, how will he know that it has been effectively implemented?
Hope to see you at some event soon Eric - even more hopefully at a ride :)

TIMES TO SOCIALIZE - The other great times, outside of general monthly meetings,
to get together with PUMP members for social time is during any number of the
other PUMP events - rides, work parties, advocacy meetings, trail patrol
meetings, campouts, fundraisers, and other events that you help create :) Many
events are open to members and nonmembers alike. Membership is encouraged, and
in my mind benefits exceed that of the cost.

PUMP HAS BEEN THERE AND WILL BE THERE (for all trail users, including
non-members) - PUMP has a long history of doing great things for mountain biking
in the greater Portland area - PUMP is on par with IMBA as far as organization
age goes. These are facts, and are just simply not disputable, even if they are
not clearly defined on the website (again, we could probably stand to have
someone volunteer to contribute content to the PUMP website, maybe you know
someone :) - we do have someone graciously taking on the webmaster role... but
it is not the job of the webmaster to produce content). PUMP supports other
organizations, with emphasis on other mountain biking organizations. PUMP
facilitated IMBA Club Care and Trail Crew workshops this past fall (open to
anyone, there was even a motorized user there!), gives support to WTF at land
manager meetings and at trail build days, PUMP members participate (as
volunteers and contributors) in fundraising events
for BTA and BRMBA/WTF (I'm going, again, to the next shuttle day at Black
Rock!), PUMP donated to CAMBA's efforts this past year, PUMP's membership holds
memberships in other organizations, including biking and non-biking (did you
know that PUMP is a member club of the Northwest Ski Club Council (NWSCC;
http://nwskiers.org/club/index.htm) and that your PUMP membership entitles you
to this membership as well??).

PUMP PROVIDES SERVICE - PUMP has performed services to mountain bikers and other
trail users within the Portland area. Many of our actions may go unnoticed but
definitely not unappreciated by other trail users (Can tell you I have been
thanked by many trail users out enjoying the trail that we are working on - it
brings on a good feeling). Those include, during 2008 alone, some of the above
listed contributions, as well as ensuring that trails near Scappoose stay open
to mountain biking, the Smith Creek Trail revitalization, major trail work in
Forest Park, providing information on possible changes in access at Syncline,
participation in many advocacy and land manager meetings, and over $16,000 worth
of documented (there are countless hours of PUMP member's time that go
undocumented) volunteer labor efforts... not to mention the riding related
activities - two regular weekly rides, campout/rides, and many impromptu rides
initiated through the forums,
calendar, listserv, and between friends that met through PUMP.

WHAT WILL 2009 BRING - Hopefully from this and all of the other recent posts to
the listserv you can anticipate some of the fun and exciting things that PUMP
has in store for 2009 (I may have hinted at an exciting event that I am
currently planning for one of my favorite riding areas)! But it may be more
interesting to get on board for the unplanned excitement that is bound to occur.
Volunteer through PUMP to lead/sweep a ride, present at a meeting, post a news
article or other content to the website, participate at a work party, get
certified (as Wayne would say, "you know you're certifiable!") as a trail
patroler for the Tillamook State Forest (by the way the first meeting of the
year is next Wednesday January 14th, and several of us will be carpooling if you
want to join us), help out at the swap meet/Tour de Fat/other place that PUMP
may have an informational booth, attend an advocacy or land manager meeting,
start a sub-committee to focus on an
issue that you are passionate about, buy/sell something through the
listserv/website (maybe some handlebars, maybe a membership for a friend), and
etc.