Meeting Minutes

Marketing and Communications Committee

Anna Nelson, Committee Chair, reported on the input gathered from committee members assessing the current situation and the proposed recommendations. The focus:

1. Develop a new visual identify for the CentreBike brand.  Create a new logo, color scheme, tag line, etc., utilize branded emails with a new email client and limit the listserv for outbound communication only (no discussions), and plan a launch of the new CentreBike identity in Mar/Apr.
2. Improve member communications. Provide immediate confirmation (automated message) to new members with a friendly message sharing upcoming events, send annual membership renewal notices, and develop newsletter to share activities, achievements and upcoming events.
3. Promote CentreBike to the community. Plan special events; partner with businesses and organizations to promote cycling.
4. Update the website.

(A member noted that the new automated message should contain info on how to log in to website.)

Events Committee

Meagan Tuttle, Committee Chair, reported the first event was a success:  Maintenance & Mittens was held at FreezeThaw Cycles on Dec 6^th. Information was presented on how to care for your bike in the winter and what to wear to stay comfortable. The second event will be the CentreBike Holiday Party for members and non-members, which will follow tonight’s meeting and is being hosted by FreezeThaw Cycles.

Bike Safety

Good discussion around the recent controversy over bike safety with ideas on how CentreBike could lead a Bike Safety Initiative in the community: start a safety campaign within the biking groups (SCCC, NMBA, PSU Cycling); public promotion with a full page CDT ad or billboard showing photos of who bikers are – mothers, fathers, teachers, doctors, etc.  Attend township meetings and talk during “citizen input” sessions.

Clarifying Roles of CentreBike and Centre Region Bicycle Advisory Committee (CRBAC)

Brian Dempsey explained why CRBAC was created and its purpose as a separate entity from CentreBike.  Suggestion to provide CRBAC informational updates on CentreBike website.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 7:10 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary

 

• Jim Serene, President
• Meagan Tuttle, Vice President
• Paul Barsom, Treasurer
• Joan Potter, Secretary
• Jean Bemis
• Travis Prebble
• Sue Barsom
• Paul Rito
• Linda Crow
• Brian Dempsey
• Anna Nelson
• Lydia Vanderbergh
• Roy Greenfield
• Joyce Eveleth
• Brucie Serene
• Geoff Wilson
• Paul Rito
• Anna Morrison-Nelson
• Alan Stoekl
• Jean Bemis

Marketing and Communications

• Anna Nelson, Chairperson
• Paul Rito
• Meagan Tuttle
• Roy Greenfield
• Joyce Eveleth
• Jim Serene
• Joan Potter

The Knight Foundation’s “Knight Cities $5M Challenge” Grant Application

Meagan Tuttle outlined the requirements for the application, stating that there were numerous options we could consider. Melissa Bopp’s idea was mentioned: collaborate with the Borough and Chamber of Business & Industry (if interested) to develop training and educational materials to help companies incorporate biking initiatives into their businesses and help them become a “Bike Friendly Business” through the League of American Bicyclists. A suggestion was made to form a Grant Writing Committee. Paul Barsom moved to approve; Lynda Crow second; all in favor. Meagan Tuttle agreed to be the Chairperson.

Name Change

Jim Serene recommended that we change the name of the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition to CentreBike. He reviewed the comments that have been received, both positive and negative. Discussion followed. Paul Barsom suggested just “doing business as” (dba) CentreBike instead of officially changing the name. After discussion about the legal implications and suggestions of who to contact to get clarification, there was a motion to adopt the name CentreBike legally or dba, and use the tag line “Centre Region Bicycle Coalition” where appropriate. Anna Nelson moved to approve; Paul Barsom second. 15 in favor and 1 opposed. Motion passed.

Musser Gap Trail Dedication

Meagan Tuttle represented CRBC at the ceremony. The Musser Gap Trail is a shared use path that connects Route 45 with Whitehall Road.

 

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 7:00 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary

Minutes of the June 16, 2014 meeting were reviewed and approved.

National Bike Challenge

The Centre Region Bicycle Coalition/State College Cycling Club team is currently 15^th in the National Bike Challenge out of more than 1,000 teams. The 91 Centre Region cyclists participating on the team have recorded over 114,000 miles since May. Brian Dempsey submitted an entry to the Centre Daily Times for this team to be recognized as “Athlete of the Week”.

Shared Use Path Winter Maintenance

Jim Serene noted that Ferguson Township announced its Public Works Department will provide winter maintenance for an additional 4.8 miles of paths, including Bristol, Blue Course, Science Park and Havershire, for a total of 7 shared use paths where snow will be cleared. Jim suggested a good project would be to pursue obtaining winter maintenance for the shared use path along South Atherton Street between Hills Plaza and Boalsburg, including the Scenery Drive path from South Atherton Street to Windmere Drive. These paths are located in College and Harris Townships and are frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists. Discussion followed on approaching College and Harris Townships with this recommendation.

Cycling Events

Meagan Tuttle distributed information about the “Fall Ride with the Mayor” on Saturday, October 4^th, sponsored by the Borough. This family-friendly ride will start at 9:00 from Sydney Friedman Park and follow bike paths through Orchard Park, along Blue Course Drive, through the University and returning to SF Park. Bike-mounted police officers will participate, and bike safety information will be available. Anna Nelson suggested having a short survey available at the information table asking for public suggestions for other biking events. Jim suggested that CRBC have a membership information table and offer refreshments at the Park. Jean Bemis motioned to approve a $300 budget for refreshments for this event ; Meagan Tuttle second; all in favor.

Election of Officers

A motion to approve the full slate of officer nominations was made by Lynda Crow; Jean Bemis second; motion passed unanimously.

Approve Signatories for Bank Account

Lynda Crow noted the Board must appoint new authorized signers for the bank account.  Jean Bemis made a motion to authorize Jim Serene, President, and Paul Barsom, Treasurer, as the new signatories for the financial accounts to replace current signers. Meagan Tuttle second; motion passed unanimously.

Executive Committee

A vote to elect a new 9-member Executive Committee will be held at the next regular membership meeting.  Nominations include the newly-elected officers and 5 additional members:

Name Change

Jim Serene recommended that we consider a new name to replace Centre Region Bicycle Coalition (CRBC). His reasoning is the local cycling community has changed since the creation of CRBC in 2000, and CRBC is no longer an umbrella organization for the Nittany Mountain Biking Association, Penn State Sustainability Institute, Penn State Cycling Club, and Penn State Eco Action, although the vision of a more cycle-friendly Centre County remains unchanged. Additionally, the name may easily be confused with the new Centre Region Bicycle Advisory Committee (CRBAC).  There are many who are comfortable with the CRBC name and don’t have second thoughts about the ‘coalition’ word, however in speaking with potential new members some are unsure they want to belong to a coalition, finding it intimidating.

Discussion followed and it was agreed that a shorter contemporary name would be more appealing. Many other bike groups around the country who once had longer names have updated to shorter names – BikePGH and Bike Austin are examples. But rather than use Bike State College, it was felt we should incorporate the wider region in the name.  Eric Durante suggested we simply use our website address for the name – CentreBike.org. Those present were very positive about this logical suggestion. An announcement will be shared with the listserv for comment, and the name change will be put to vote at the next meeting. It was noted that changing the name will not change the mission of the organization.

2014 Outstanding Cycling Advocate Award

A nomination for the OCA award was received from Paul Rito. He recommended the award be presented to Ferguson Township this year for their continuing commitment to an excellent cycling and shared use path network. They have done more integration of bike paths into their planning and implementations than any other governmental organization in the area.  Meagan Tuttle made a motion to give the 2014 Outstanding Cycling Advocate Award to Ferguson Township; Paul Barsom second; motion passed unanimously.

Drive Friendly slogan

Nan Moshella suggested a new slogan, “Drive Friendly”, be considered to replace or coincide with “Share the Road” signs. Meagan Tuttle said she would pass this along to CRBAC for consideration.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 6:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary