Club Miles as of 3-12-2006

 Let John know if these numbers are inaccurate.

 John Carlin is the new Miles Coordinator.

Please send him your ride miles effective Dec. 11, 2005 through Holiday Party 2006.

Contact info: johnecarlin@comcast.net,
425-778-4529  
 

The signed ride sheets still go to Kristin for club record-keeping.

 What’s New with the Club Name

Dear B.I.K.E.S. Club Members,

I am so proud of the way the discussion and vote on our club name have gone. First, we’ve had a good, open exchange of ideas for many months. People have advocated their positions, and we have listened to each other. Then, 35 members participated in the election on March 11– many who were at McClinchy Mile volunteering, some after riding the event and at least two very dedicated, long time members who drove to Arlington just to make sure their views in support of our original name were heard.

I think they were. Because although 30 of 35 votes supported a name change, newer members who voted for those changes were sensitive to our club’s history while seeking modifications. We like “’BIKES” after all – our website, our logo, our tradition in the community. Most importantly to some members, it’s not entirely clear to me that we will be leaving Bikers Ideal Kinematic Exploration Society Club completely behind.

The name with the most votes (11) was B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County. Depending how you count the ballots (yes, we need a recount), the next most popular name was Snohomish County Bikes. Considering that for most of our history “of Everett” or “Everett B.I.K.E.S.” has been tacked on to our club name in some way, I am glad that we are choosing to officially give our club a broader sense of  “place.”

Of course, we don’t have a new name yet, because although we got the requisite 15% membership vote (based on 169+ members), and even a 2/3 vote for a “new” name, no one name got 2/3 of the votes. We had lots of choices, after all.

The next step is to recount the ballots at our next meeting, to try to figure out just which two names got the most votes. The next election could be between B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County and Bikes Club of Snohomish County – I’m not kidding!

We may try to vote at the club picnic June 17, but more likely the next time we get enough of us together will be at our holiday party in December.

Until then, let’s enjoy being who we are - B.I.K.E.S. Club – a great group of people who like each other’s company, whether we’re riding, stuffing newsletters, supporting other riders or helping the community with bike safety and advocacy.

For the record, this is the count I got:

1. Snohomish County Bikes Club - 7 (+ one write in for Snohomish County BIKES Club)

2. Bikes Club of Snohomish County – 8

3. B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County - 11

4. B.I.K.E.S. Club (no change) - 5

One write in for Snohomish County Bicycle Club

Elaine Scott counted the votes a little differently than I did. If you want to help get the final tally, see you on April 13.