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.

Ryan,



good points, and to add to the newsletter section:



at one time it was MONTHLY, and after a decade + of hard work by all

volunteers,

it was decided by the Board that we were spending a LOT of time, energy

and MONEY (dues)

for something that was usually just discarded. Most of the copies went to

bike shops,

and I personally tracked how many were leftover at each local shop. Over

50% of them

were never snatched up, which meant 50% of our money was going to the

recycle bin.

We felt it was not very 'green' to be distributing this paper made product

monthly, using fossil fuels, so we switched to

quarterly. That proposed a different issue: how to produce a quarterly

issue that had

timely/relevant/fresh information. After a few years of that, we felt it

was best for all, and the environment,

to go with an electronic form, and to develop a bikeshop handout, much

like the BBTC in Seattle

utilizes.



Whatever happened to the bike shop handouts, I do not know. But I am sure

the current Board

members are cooking up something. I haven't been to a local bikeshop

recently, so I don't

know if they are out there or not. But I do feel we need something to put

in folks hands

to get the word out.



Keep up the good work!



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

After reading posts about why people are no longer members, I decided

to chime in.  For years, mountain biking was just something I did when

the wind was not blowing.  I remember riding Post Canyon on my Trek

930 Hardtail, dodging the ruts from the multiple riders.  A few years

ago, I did attend some PUMP functions, but it was hard for me to stay

involved because of my busy schedule and a different attitude back

then.  In my early 20's, I did not think too much about attending work

parties since I did not want to spend my precious two days off working.



Things changed as I got older.  I started riding in Bend, where the

trails are designed for intermediate mountain bikers like me.  Post

Canyon became fun because the trails were smooth, and there were small

stunts like Middle School that I enjoyed.  Both Bend and Post Canyon

had signs set by the trailhead saying "Trail maintained by

COTA/CAMBA"  It clicked in my head...what members put in is what they

get out of it.  This past year, I decided to try to attend work

parties as my schedule allows.



The first trail party I went to was in May at the Tillamook State

Forest.  Both Wayne N. and Ryan K. were welcoming despite the fact I

hahad zero yardwork/forestry experience.  The Forest Ranger kept us

fed with treats and water.  It became a positive learning experience,

and Ryan, Brent D. and I got to ride the Wilson River trail

afterwards.  Doing the trailbuilding gave me a greater appreciation to

mountain biking.



I went from being a "lurker" on the listserve to a member.  It took

some coaxing from other members, but after a few years, I found more

people to be welcoming and open.  PUMP does a great job of advertising

work parties, volunteer efforts, fundraisers, and upcoming rides.

PUMP also makes it fun to volunteer because of the social

opportunities afterwards.  I am/was active in a number of sports,

including rugby, whitewater kayaking, skiing, and windsurfing, and I

find PUMP (among other mountain bike groups) to be one of the most

user friendly and approachable.



It will always be an evolving process, but in the eight years I have

known of PUMP's existence, I have seen many positive changes with the

club.