NEBC News

Attendance: BOD: Tami Buhr, Mark McMaster, Kitty Farago, Bob Evans, Julian Hjortshoj, and Robb Rennie. Members: Van Bares, James Burke, Erin Diehm, Anthony Graupera, Teresa Graupera, Annette Kennedy, Ed Kross, Coleman OConnor, and Lori Whynot.

2004/2005 Budget: Action - Passed by the board and membership. Major discussion points: (1) clothing expense for inventory will be higher due to new 3 yr cycle and increased membership, funds available; (2) coaching fees were increased due to increased membership, funds available; (3) RRP expected to increase next year due to increased membership, funds available; (4) support to club activities (NEBRA, Pan Mass, Library, and members training to become USCF officials) was approved for 2005.

Clothing and inventory: appropriate numbers of shorts and jerseys will be ordered over and above the initial order using a formula to be developed in concert with Anthony (Cycleloft), Dave LaFond, and Kitty. Enough items will be held in inventory so that new membership should be able to "don the colors" upon joining the club this racing season. A motion to charge an additional $5.00 per jersey and short for purchases made from inventory was defeated. The clubs underwriting some of the expense of the initial order which is expected to be quite large was accounted for in the 2005 budget. Items carried in inventory will be limited to shorts, jerseys and other items only to meet initial order minimums. This will limit the financial exposure of the club holding inventory that does not sell. Bottom line: members need to order what they want with the initial order.

RRP and VRP: RRP - 18 club members qualified and the club reimbursed the average cost of total entry fees for each member at approximately 65%, totaling approximately $5K. VRP - 38 club members qualified and the club awarded Cycleloft bucks averaging $10 per member for a total expense of $1K. New policies for 2005: It was a lot of work in Dec compiling the information. To avoid this situation, for 2005, members will be highly encouraged to complete their race and volunteer time on a web-enabled form on the NEBC website at the end of each month during the year. Monthly RRP and VRP club stars will be featured on the NEBC home page. Mentoring: The club would like to see additional club members take advantage of the incentives to mentor a member. See the NEBC webpage for additional mentoring program guidelines. The board believes that mentoring might be the vehicle to help develop the junior team. See Kids Crit for additional information.

Introduction to Racing Clinic: When: April 2, 9, 16, & 23. Where: Devens RTF. POC: Jim Burke. Sign Up: Web based in early February. Class size: Approximately 60. Needs: Jim will be advertising for instructors and domestiques. There will be a need for approximately 6 instructors and 6 domestiques for each 10 students. There will be two seminars at the library as well. Topics and speakers for the seminars are being solicited from the club members. Check the website for additional details on the cycling clinic.

Time Trial: NEBC's "hidden jewel" returns! The TT information on the website will be updated shortly. NEW FOR 2005: Passes. Send in the $50 for the season pass to Bob Evans and get a non-transferable laminated pass. This will make registering "express" on Wednesday for pass holders. Volunteers are needed for this season. Spouses welcome!

Kids Criterium: This was the longest discussed item for the board this evening. Good news: Van Bares and Annette Kennedy will remain POCs as the venue date has been changed to Saturday 25 June 2005 (deconflicted with the Senior Olympics). Discussion: Attendance at the kid's criterium has been dropping and they are getting younger -- 60% of the participants in 2004 were under the age of 8. The development of a junior team and the "growing our own" from the grades of 6th - 8th grade was discussed. Annette Kennedy is involved with a program called Cycle Kids. It is an educationally established program that is incorporated into school curriculums. Can be a seven week or one week format. This years Kids Criterium is going to be the "graduation" event for either a seven week or one week program. Most secondary schools let out the week of June 20th and the board believes a one week focused clinic that week in the afternoons with the criterium as the culminating event might be the best way to gain a larger audience, as in 6th - 8th graders. We encourage all club members with children or ah-hem grandchildren in the grades of 6th - 8th, to BE THERE for this event. Advertising and marketing, volunteers, and an overall plan were discussed. A plan will be presented at the next board meeting by Annette and Van.

Nicole Reinhart Foundation Grants: A grant proposal was submitted and we are waiting to hear back. If a grant is received, it would be used to help with the Kids Crit.

2005 Coaching Calendar: Once again, NEBC will offer its members a number of coaching opportunities. Jessica Truslow is the coaching coordinator this year. So far, we have the following scheduled or in the works:
1. Tues Jan 18th: Core Training at the Concord HS (details on NEBC website). 2. Thurs Feb 3rd, Burling Library 7PM - 8:45PM: Adam Meyerson will discuss training for the racing season. 3. New this year are two nutrition clinics given by NEBC member, Jenny Hegman. In February she will offer a weight loss seminar (details to follow on NEBC webpage). In March she will offer an optimal nutrition for training/racing seminar (details to follow on NEBC webpage).
4. Adam Meyerson and Cycle-Smart will again be giving Hill / Sprint Classes on Tues evenings in April (details to follow on NEBC webpage).
5. Wells Avenue racing clinic will be on Sunday's in March offered by NEBC and Cycle-Smart (details to follow on NEBC webpage);
6. Team coaching seminars with Adam for the different racing teams. These will be set up by the team captains. 7. In Sept, Cross Clinics will be offered.
Contact Jess if you have any comments or suggestions at: jessica_truslow@hotmail.com.

Comments, Suggestion, Inputs: All the board members and members in attendance are available via the club email website. If we have missed the point or need to know something, give us a holler and let us know so that we can make your club, your club. Thanks.