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See the full list of Cascade Bicycle Club Board of Directors
Cast Your Annual Membership Vote
VOTING DEADLINE: OCTOBER 21
Ballots may be mailed to P.O. Box 15165, Seattle, WA 98115 or dropped off at the office at 7400 Sand Point Way, Bldg. 138, Seattle, WA. If you need a ballot and cannot download the PDF version below, please call the office (206.522.3222) and one will be mailed to you. Candidate information can be found below. You may also cast your vote at our annual membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 21.
Forty years of bicycle leadership:
Cascade Bicycle Club board elections
by Chuck Ayers, Executive Director
Forty years ago the Apollo 13 crew members radioed home from somewhere near the moon saying “Houston, we have a problem.” Forty years ago the Beatles broke up; Earth Day was launched; and Eddy Merckx won his second Tour de France.
While not garnering the same publicity, forty years ago, in 1970, sixty-some-odd cyclists gathered on Mercer Island and formed the Cascade Bicycle Club. Their goal? To promote the fun of cycling and protect the rights of cyclists.
In the ensuing years, some of us have witnessed “The Miracle on Ice,” the Iranian hostage crisis, Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, robots landing on Mars, the Simpsons’ premier, the Y2K bug, Greg LeMond winning his third Tour de France and Lance Armstrong winning his seventh.
If you were aware of Cascade during those same forty years, you would have witnessed an organization growing from several hundred members to more than 13,000; from zero staff to more than twenty; and from a fledging organization to one that helps tens of thousands of cyclists get on their bikes every year, that has turned into one of the best – and most powerful – membership organizations in the Northwest, and one that continues to be true to its roots by promoting the fun of cycling and advocating for cyclists’ rights.
Cascade’s story is a story of inspiration and a testament to what is possible when even a small critical mass of believers get together to make something happen. And for forty years Cascade’s boards of directors have been making things happen. If you are a cyclist, they have been writing a story where your dreams do come true.
The Next Forty
Just as we have experienced dramatic changes in the last forty years, so too will we experience them in the next forty. We can see some of these changes manifesting themselves today – congestion, air pollution, urban sprawl, a growing epidemic of obesity and related health effects, global climate disruption and the loss of sense of place and community.
The impact of these changes is generating widespread conversations about how we will live; how we will design our cities and communities; and how we will move people and goods. While bicycling may not be a panacea to all this, we know that cycling can play an important and fundamental role.
To make this happen, it will take leaders. People who have the vision and drive to build a community that bicycles. A community where bicycling is widely recognized as an important contribution to living a healthy, connected and fun life. A community that is inclusive – where people of all ages and backgrounds bicycle to work, to get around, for fun, and for health. A community where residents reach for their bikes as often as they reach for their car keys.
I am delighted that two such leaders are running for Cascade’s board of directors. Chris Weiss is running for his second full board term. Chris currently serves as the board president and has championed board and staff building during his tenure. As an attorney, he has also assisted the Club in various legal matters. Don Volta has been volunteering with Cascade for years, serving as a ride leader and on the daily rides committee, which he has chaired. He has been instrumental in developing and organizing our 16-week Cascade Training Series and championing our rides program as a major tactic to get more people riding more often. If elected, Chris and Don will each serve a three-year term. I encourage you to read their biographies below and to cast your enclosed board ballot either by mailing it back to us by Oct. 21, or dropping it off at the annual membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:30 to 7:30 at the downtown Seattle REI.
 Ballot
Nominees for the 2011 Board of Directors:
Chris Weiss
Don Volta
Chris Weiss
Attorney, Stoel Rives LLP
I have been a bike commuter in Seattle for twenty-five years. Biking to work led me to join the Cascade Bicycle Club, where I learned to ride pacelines and stretch my rides into centuries. Over the many commutes along the Burke-Gilman Trail, I have grown committed to expanding and protecting our bicycle trail system and to encouraging employers, developers and government to expand bike commuting options. As a retired road and mountain bike racer, I value the recreational imperative of safe streets and the organizations that support all levels of cycling, from safety rodeos at local schools, group rides, racing and endurance events, and ensuring that off road trails are preserved and accessible to multiple users.
The Cascade Bicycle Club is an important community group to assist everyone find their legs, places to ride, and advocate for cyclist’s interests. Cascade has an increasingly important, and sought-after say in the formulation of transportation and recreational policies of our Region. We are promoting fun today and shaping a cycling legacy for those who will share the road and the trail over the many miles ahead.
I was elected to the Cascade board of directors in 2007. I am running for a second three-year term. This year, I serve as the president of the board. I have worked with the executive director and staff on the club’s strategic plan and on policy matters affecting the club’s advocacy, commuting, and education programs. On the board, we have addressed the growth of club membership by ~40 percent since 2007, oversight of club finances and development, and the expansion of club services. Beyond my role as a director, I periodically provide pro bono legal services for the club, as well as arranging for my work colleagues to provide volunteer legal assistance.
I would appreciate your vote.
Don Volta
I am an avid road bike rider and cycle year round for fitness and fun. I started riding with Cascade in 2001, shortly after moving to Kirkland. The variety, challenge and social aspects of the daily rides were addicting, and my wife and I became involved in the rides program. After becoming a ride leader and finding satisfaction in helping other riders, I joined the daily rides committee and found a way to give back even more to the club. I have served in several positions, including rides committee chair. For the last three years, I have managed the Cascade Training Series in addition to leading many other rides.
In 2002, I completed my first STP. Since then I have done three more STPs (two in one day), seven RSVPs, seven RAWs and many of the one-day Cascade events. I also ride other events and tours in Europe, the United States and locally, including four RAMRODs. I continue to participating in the Cascade events because of the challenge and enjoyment of cycling with others.
In January 2010, I was unanimously voted onto the Cascade board by the sitting board members to serve the membership approved one-year “trial” period. Because of my experience, my main focus on the board is on rides and events. My objective is to ensure that Cascade continues to grow as the preeminent promoter of cycling events and daily rides in the greater Seattle area. We need to increase our ride and event offerings and focus on participant satisfaction and safety. Being able to cycle with others on almost any day of the year is why our riding members join and stay with Cascade. Rides and events provide the membership base, funding, and other resources needed to sustain and grow our advocacy, education and transportation initiatives essential to building a better community through cycling.
I would appreciate your vote to elect me to serve my first full three-year term on the board of directors for the Cascade Bicycle Club.
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