We get so much more than we pay for

Photo courtesy of Tino Tran.

Volunteers created Cascade Bicycle Club, nurtured and tended it for decades, and continue to be a vital part of our success today.

As we celebrate our volunteers at the annual volunteer party next week, I want to call out a few volunteers in particular that have made my first year with the club fun and welcoming.

The team that created Phase I of the Cascade Bicycling Center— particularly Bob Vincent, Mike Martinez, Tim Williams, Ron Sher, Shannon Loew and Seamus Kelly—astound me with their competency, their love of bicycling and Cascade and their incredible humor. I was honored to be a small part of this team of superstar volunteers.

Scott Boggs and John Weller who share a dry wit, a love of long rides and a numbers-based approach to improving Cascade. Both are widely adored and appreciated.

Peter Hallson is on the education committee, serves on the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation board, is on the rides committee and is an all-around hero. A couple of times this year, he came to the office to give me a pep talk while gently reminding me of some management principles he learned in his career. His quietly spoken questions usually shine a light on something that needs attention, and his heart is always filled with kindness.

Jan Johnson has been volunteering at the Club almost since its inception, and I love to see her face around the office. I know she’ll tell me a story, speak frankly to me and then ask me a tough question—three things I enjoy. I so appreciate her dedication to Cascade.

Gerry Schmidt rides to Cascade so diligently, and works so hard, that I almost fell over when I recently saw him in jeans. He is single-handedly responsible for keeping our membership database current and our spirits up in the Club.

The Major Taylor volunteers who are committed to the work and the spirit of Major Taylor. From the Spinathon to Red Bell, STP to bike maintenance evenings, this group is always a joy to work with. I can’t wait to ride STP with them in 2015.

The main group of volunteers that I work with, day in and day out, is the Cascade Board of Directors. These people, paid as handsomely as you imagine (zero), have welcomed me, encouraged me, trained me and humored me. They have shown me around the region, made countless introductions, gently taught me Seattle’s ways, and kept the best interests of the Club and the Education Foundation in the front and center of what we do. As we say goodbye to two incredible board members, and as the executive committee changes its makeup, I want to quickly say thank you to each board member.

Charles Ruthford creates gracious space and led from behind;
Ron Sher transformed vision to reality and is universally kind.
Catherine Hennings is passionate about good data and Westlake;
Don Volta inspires your best work now and will brook no mistake.
Ed Yoshida always had time to listen and weigh in;
Jessica Szelig speaks her articulate mind with a grin.
Maggie Anderson reminds us to listen to youth;
Rayburn Lewis offers advice and plainspoken truth.
Jim Stanton cares about safety and our regional plan;
George Durham is gentle, fun and served as ombudsman.
Merlin Rainwater offers passion for bikes and a listening ear;
Bill Ptacek moved to Calgary and our loss was quite clear.
Daniel Weise is strategic, smart and thoroughly funny;
This astounding board has been, always, right on the money.

Thank you to all the volunteers—mentioned here and not—who have helped us create and strengthen Cascade. Here’s to an incredible 2015.