George et al,
Sorry for my delayed response. Here are my answers:
1. I've been volunteering with numerous non-profits over the past several years
and have participated on their boards, so somewhat understand how they
function. I have a background of policy analysis, HR, and grants
administration, so hope those will help BFW in some way.
2. I'm the communications director (volunteer) for a labor union of approx
4,000 members, so struggle w/the communications question all the time. I've
slightly improved our communications & have been a strong supporter of using
new technologies to better our outreach to the membership. In regards to BFW,
the only idea I've had thus far is to better utilize our current publication,
improve the flow of the BFW website, and to advocate for an annual membership
meeting that could be held in different locations around the state.
3. I'm a supporter of change but feel any change has to be done carefully and
with the full support of the membership. I think there are areas that BFW could
improve but I also feel there are many things the BFW is currently doing that
is done well. We'll have to balance the strategy to not lose sight of things
we're doing well but also come up with ways to better engage the membership and
strengthen our ability to better advocate for bicyclists statewide.
4. Possibly by use of a petition ballot, so if a member is not nominated, they
would be able to get a set # of signatures of active members and then be
permitted on the ballot. I'd also like to use an annual meeting to better
inform the membership of the candidates.
5. Yes and it's unclear if that need exists but I'll definitely look into any
and all ways to provide better services to the membership.
6. Through my experience of grants, I'm very familiar with the many terms and
conditions that can be attached to funding and how that may effect an
organization, so will be an advocate for carefully assessing what type(s) of
funding is accepted and under what terms. No personal connections to funding
sources.
7. I'm mostly an advocate for bicycling commuting but will advocate for other
modes of bicycling in the state as well. I don't have a personal website but
would be happy to answer any questions that folks might have. I truly am
optimistic for the future of BFW and hope that I'll be a strong addition to the
board, if elected.
Thank you & again, please let me know if any questions.
Aaron Crandall
608-294-9505
"George J. Perkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Candidates:
Please, if you would, answer a few questions. Consider that your answers will
be posted on various public forums and otherwise forwarded. Feel free to
respond with any other information you might wish to add.
Prelude: I am having trouble deciding who to vote for! This is quite a surprise
to me, since usually there is no controversy and very little interest in BFW
board positions. But this year we seem to have more candidates than open
positions, and a sometimes heated debate is going on as to qualifications,
future directions and so forth. It is frustrating that I don't have clear
statements from candidates to compare and contrast, or even an explanation from
the current board nominating committee why the endorsed five were selected.
So I have created my own list of questions.
1. What, if any, specific actions should the board take to improve the level of
office professionalism at BFW? Respond with your experiences regarding human
resources matters (payroll, benefits, severance, progressive disciplinary
process, etc.), legal matters (liability, 501(c)3, etc.) and operations
(budget, planning, etc.)
2. All of us desire better communication. What specific actions should the
board take to improve communication? What can be done to improve
board-membership, staff-membership, board-staff, staff-newsmedia and
board-newsmedia communication? A better e-mail list, quarterly newsletter,
meetings and web site are perhaps obvious areas where communications can be
improved - what specifically would you do to improve those communication
vehicles?
3. In 2007 the executive director was fired, there have been some staff
changes, and the board announced a new strategic plan forthcoming. Changes like
these present opportunities and risks. What opportunities do you see as a
result of these changes and what risks must be managed?
4. There is some controversy over this year's board election. What changes in
the election process, if any, do you want to implement in the future?
5. Can BFW afford to maintain two offices - Madison and Milwaukee - or should
it expand and open another field office elsewhere in the state?
6. What funding sources do you see as growth opportunities for BFW? Should
funds be accepted if they come "with strings attached?" Under what
circumstances? Do you have personal "connections" with projects, agencies, or
benefactors who would bring significant new funds to the organization?
7. Do you have a website or another way for BFW members to learn more about
you, your qualifications, interests and dedication to bicycling?
Thank you for your time and above all, thank you for your dedication to making
Wisconsin a better place to bicycle!
This e-mail is directed to the eight (endorsed and known write-in) candidates
for the 2008 board of directors of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. My
investigation shows that the candidates and their e-mail addresses are as
follows:
Pam Barrett, Madison
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ken Bates, Columbus
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Aaron Crandall, Madison
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Joel Savilonis, Dodgeville
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Eric Schramm, Madison
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Chick Veenstra, Racine
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
John Wagnitz, Madison
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tim Wong, Madison
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---------------------------------
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