Even though I believe it is premature to discuss structural issues when an overall strategic vision has not been agreed to yet, I'll add my 2 cents on the regional office idea:
Yup, what Dar and Cathy said. I would also add that knowledgeable bicycling advocates don't just grow on trees, there needs to be a process to cultivate that talent. I believe that process requires that local advocacy organizations be at the forefront in local issues so that local advocates have the chance to cultivate their advocacy chops. Putting local advocates up front in local issues also helps avoid the impression that the BFW is imposing an unwanted agenda on municipalities. Many elected officials won't event listen to the BFW - they will only listen to their constituents. The BFW's role at the local level should be facilitation - helping local advocacy groups hook up with local stakeholders and decision makers. This all suggests that a sentence or two about "local advocacy groups, facilitated by the BFW, will grow in number and political power" should be part of any tactical guidance that comes out of the BFW board's planning sessions. - Matt Logan Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cathy Van Maren Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 8:38 AM To: Dar Ward Cc: [email protected]; David Vogt; jack hirt Subject: Re: [Bikies] RE: BFW Jan08 strategic planning summary I would hope that BFW and other state biking advocacy organizations could identify already up and running regional or local groups (there is an active Bike=Ped committee in La Crosse, for example) and then do some focus sessions like the one done in Madison to id state AND LOCAL biking issues AND how BFW can support local advocacy. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
