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Fellow Riders:

Three years ago we picked up the pieces of a mountain biking group that was on the verge of folding.  I’m happy to report that, since then, we have made much progress. Today we have 189 Facebook followers, 100+ on the google group, 100+ miles of amazing trails within the UV, a new website ready to launch, several core trail building groups and we are about to sign a critical license with Dartmouth to manage Boston Lot.  

Since we turned the corner, we’ve had so many small parts to get out of the way before we could start to do the most important part of a Club: drive memberships. We have never had a full-blown membership drive since I took over the role as president.  We now have all of the pieces in place and we are ready to really show the community and other local groups how dedicated and relevant we are.  

 I am often asked, “Why should I join?  What do I get?”  

 So here’s the bottom line: you become part of a larger voice that advances the mission of our club. 

Sure, we can talk about the amazing stack of coupons from VMBA (which is rather impressivez), or we can discuss the group insurance that extends to everyone working on the trail networks, maybe even the 10% discount at local bike shops will entice you....but for me, it's the voice. To go in front of community groups (that own almost ALL the land we ride on) and say we have 200 paying members is HUGE.  It’s a strong voice. They want to see commitment and for most groups that commitment is primarily in membership dues.  Let's take VAST for example: they have 3,100 FB likes and 35,000 paying members among 131 chapters statewide.  That is a force to be reckoned with.   

I have been saying that if we hit 100 paying members this year this would be amazing!  Jesse said if we hit less than 200 then we did not do our job.  Lofty goals for sure, but absolutely obtainable. Right now less than 10 people have paid dues, so hop on www.uvmba.com and click JOIN. In the next few days you will receive the first official UVMBA newsletter: please add this email to your list of contacts so it doesn’t go to spam: [log in to unmask] 

Membership is just $49 (barely the cost of one tire).  New this year, membership includes both the state organization, VMBA, plus your local chapter. These local funds are not going anywhere but back into your networks.  Also new this year are dedicated trail ambassadors, details will be posted to the website shortly (www.uvmba.com) ; the trail ambassadors know how to make proposals and get funding for bridge work, tools, etc.  If you can join a trail work day in addition to renewing your club membership, you will be making a very postitve contribution to the future of the club!  Please share this email with any friends or colleagues who may not be on the list. 

Club Expenses:

-The UVMBA website and domain names (which is now rebuilt! Thank you Michelle Massa and Jerry Halstead)

-Printing Membership Cards

-Signs

-Wood for bridges (I found an amazing mom and pop saw mill in WRJ/Hartford--- Cheap and keeping the money very local!)

-End of year bash

Joining the club and paying dues - this is the final step in really making this club a permanent and influential presence in the UV.  It’s up to you, but I really hope that you will help support all of our collective hard work on the trails so that they’ll continue to improve, expand and be here for the next generation of riders.