With regards to the perceived "elitism" of the club:
When I was more involved with the club's racing program and coaching, I also wrote regular items in the newsletter about racing and local training. I wrote them with the other racers as the intended audience and there were many inside jokes and stories about things that a racer would more likely appreciate. As a heavily involved participant, I wrote for my own enjoyment, which is what I think drives most volunteers. There were complaints at the time that the racing segment of the club was being elitist by not letting the others in on the jokes, while also giving them a glimpse of the (humourous) underside of racing and training. The OBC board at the time was very sensitive to these feelings, just as they are now, but it was a case of an enthusiast (me) getting carried away, for which there isn't really any fault. It's just a symptom of the diverse interests of people in the club which I hope doesn't diminish. Conversely I don't like to hear that any member feels that they're not being included. Rest assured that this is just a perception and not a reality. Any member or non-member that wants to learn more about activities can feel free to ask our very helpful knowledgeable members. It's the helpfulness that characterizes cycling in general and our club in particular that keeps me coming back with as much support as possible. Bob Simpson -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 3:58 PM To: obc Subject: Re: [obc] Recent non-member postings Dear Mr Slavitch: I am and have been involved with a number of volunteer organizations and they all have the same or simliar problems where a dedicated few do most of the work. I am not a member of the OBC, but I think if you have criticisms, you as a past board member should at least put your money where your mouth is and re-join and run for President. You can then set about fixing everything in your opinion thats "wrong" with the club. My wife and I when we talk about the club, tend to think it can be "Elitist" but thats an observation, not a criticism. It may be that way for good reason. I don't know, because I'm not a member. I do feel Avery Burdett is right though, if your not a member, you have your opinion but its the membership that dictates to the board of directors. If your critism is leveled at the OBC join up and run for President, but if you're only interested in making personal attacks on the President, others such as myself, will not be very sympathetic to your views. I'm sure all the members of the OBC are genuinely happy you have other interests to keep you busy. Randy Plunkett Recent Graduate- Computer Programmer Algonquin College < The club has had for about two decades about 200 active members. The club has depended < on about fifty of them to over time do most of the heavy lifting. I used to be one < of them, but guess what, I have other interests that keep me busy. < Look at the club membership. Look at the average age. It's getting older. < Not as is often assumed because "everyone is getting older" but because younger < cyclists see the club as not being for them. For being stodgy and uptight < and hidebound. The OBC is becoming a geriatric anachronism, and your posts < are a ludicrously henious example of the behavior that has caused this to < happen. < Where you see stability I see conservatism. Somebody's going to have to < replace all those volunteers over time, and being told to "please volunteer but < don't even consider changing a thing, but if you're not a member bugger off" ain't < gonna work. You piss them off. < Thanks Avery, I just saved myself fifty bucks. ------ Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ------ Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
