Dar:
There is no doubt - on a big picture basis - of what the Bike Fed stands
for. You captured the essence quite well with this "elevator statement"
you wrote last year:
"The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is a statewide membership-based
nonprofit bicycle education and advocacy organization. We strive to
Make Wisconsin a Better Place to Bicycle by empowering citizens to build
communities where bicyclists are safe to ride the roads and trails. The
Bike Fed and our members educate decision makers, motorists, and other
bicyclists to the transportation and safety issues and environmental,
health, and economic benefits of bicycling. We promote bicycling as an
integral part of a balanced transportation system, a healthy and fun
lifestyle, and a prosperous economy."
This approach hasn't changed in the dozen years I've worked with this
organization and, though communications have been lacking in the past
year, there's no evidence that this has significantly changed or that it
will change anytime soon.
The question was whether the Bike Fed should publicly support other,
non-bicycle movements and the answer is, in nearly every case, no. That
doesn't prevent BFW from cooperating with other groups. For example, we
certainly want cyclists to participate in the land use planning
process. Though I strongly support the principles of Smart Growth, it
does not belong in a list of basic beliefs about our cause.
The "elevator statement" has been around in pretty much that form for
years - and I recall was reviewed, discussed and even ratified by the
board. How come it never made it to the About Us page? You mentioned
that,'"the words SmartGrowth have been on the BFW website and in the
membership brochure for at least 6-8 years. " So I went back and
reviewed my materials. It has not been in any of the strategic plans,
board presentations (except as in the old membership brochure and on the
web site - the more recent membership brochure uses the "elevator
statement" above), board discussions or materials provided to the
directors. It was never listed as a project or initiative in any of
the operating plans.
While I have no reason to believe that anyone was trying to mislead the
board with this statement, there was also no specific approval of it,
either. Eliminating this reference doesn't mean the Bike Fed or the
Board rejects Smart Growth or other causes. It means the organization
can focus more on bicycles.
Richard
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