MINUTES of CentreBike General Membership Meeting
September 12, 2016
Meeting held at the State College Borough Building
Present:
- Anna Nelson, President
- Paul Rito, Vice President
- Joan Potter, Secretary/Treasurer
- Jean Bemis
- Courtney Hayden
- Autumn Busbee
- James Read
- Mark Davison
- Brian Dempsey
- Cecily Zhu
- Melissa Bopp
- Brian Helf
- Tom Gesell
- Ed Jenkins
The meeting was called to order by Anna Nelson at 5:35 pm.
Treasurers Report
The cash balance on Aug 31, 2016 was $7,426.44. There were 7 new memberships in July/August. Expenses paid out included $321 for bike lights to use as prizes for the Slow Bike Races at LION Bash and future events, $37.10 for signs for donated bike racks, and $122 for annual post office box rental.
Bike Racks Update
Three bike racks have been purchased from Penn State Salvage for $10 each, and “Donated by CentreBike.org” signs riveted to them before distributing to Park Forest Elementary School, Grays Woods Elementary School and Millbrook Marsh. When additional racks are available, they will be distributed as per the growing list of interested organizations.
Lion Bash
There was a great turnout on Tuesday, Aug 30th for the 2nd annual LION Bash. CentreBike’s Slow Bike Races were a big hit and about 40 bike lights were given as prizes. Many people also stopped at the information table to chat and pick up ride maps.
Fall PSU Info Table
The information and bike registration table at the Allen Street Gates on Thursday, Sep 8th was well attended. Maps continue to be popular and discussion followed on getting the Centre Region map updated with bike shops and repair stations noted. Also discussed ways to improve our display of table information, with better signage and possibly a custom tent canopy.
Biking Classes
The Biking 101 Class has 10 registered and the Cycling Skills class has 3 at this point. CRPR will be a good partner going forward for biking classes and activities. For winter classes, Bike Maintenance and Riding in Cold Weather are possibilities. It was noted that the deadline is October for posting activities in the winter CRPR Active Guide. A “Kiddical Mass” community ride was suggested for spring/summer. Courtney also mentioned Schlow Library might be willing to promote May Bike Month with a display and space for a class.
Fall/Winter Events/Projects
A “BFB Happy Hour” sponsored by CentreBike is tentatively planned for Thursday, Oct 6th at Videon to celebrate current BFBs and encourage more local businesses to become bike-friendly and apply for BFB status. The next application period opens in October and closes in January with awards announced in March. Providing this informal opportunity to meet with current BFBs and learn of the various ways they went about becoming bike-friendly will hopefully be an effective way to create more interest and increase the number of BFBs in our community. The invitation list includes representatives of 45 organizations, and the proposed budget for beer & food is $300. Anna moved to support the event; Courtney seconded; motion passed. It was suggested that any business applying for BFB status could be put in the queue for a bike rack as an incentive.
A suggested project is advocating to get the gravel path on Orchard Road extended along Park Road (in front of the the Visitors Bureau). CentreBike could help facilitate with grant applications.
Anna announced she is leaving in January to return to Minneapolis. She encouraged everyone to start thinking about the December Board election and identify new candidates for President.
Melissa mentioned she’ll be on sabbatical in the spring, but her interns will be available to help with projects and write grants.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 6:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Potter, Secretary
