MUCR Planning Meeting Minutes

Background: With an eye to developing as much momentum for cyclocross development in Manitoba in the 2007-08 season, a number of projects aimed at current racers, casual cyclists, and especially kids are proposed. If all goes well with these "first steps", we'll have some new events; new training/learning opportunities; and a cohesive, growing cyclocross community. Down the road, larger projects might be up for consideration - like developing a cyclocross facility, making a bid for nationals, or...? If you're interested in what you see here (in these minutes and on this blog) give us a jangle.


MUCR Meeting Minutes
Saturday, February 03, 2007
7:30 a.m., Falafel Place
-42C


In attendance: Hal, Ian
Regrets: Tomek

1. Facilities
- Discussion of permanent cross course: decision was taken that it was too ambitious for ‘year 1’ – but good idea, to be revisited in future
- An alternative proposal for achieving a related goal (having good cross courses available to ride) was approved: maintaining a file of information on identified courses, including their topography, condition and date of last use. This would enable rotation of courses, fewer turf management issues.
- To be included on web site (discussed below) – information about cyclocross turf management practices, including before and after photos of courses (e.g. Belgian Club)
- Actions: Ian to set up template for tracking course information (present for discussion March 17)


2. Communications
­­­­­­ ­­­
- Key audiences: Kids of Mud, current MCA racers, cyclists who don’t race
- Venues: KoM events, bike shops, internet (MUCR site and MCA site, others)

Web Site
- Agreement that a MUCR web site should be started, with a target launch date of May 2007.
- Prior to web site launch, start a blog (can be tied into web site in the future)
- Should be linked from MCA, FGBC, any other interested clubs
- Tone should be “legitimate, clean, fun” (and kept separate from FUCR)
- Agreement to seek a partner to assist with hosting
- Actions: Hal to register blog domain (ASAP), speak to potential hosting partners – discuss cost (prior to March 17), and to develop a proposal for web site structure (also for March 17)

Posters
- Should be in place by May (prior to wind up of Kids of Mud)
- Should point reader to web site (i.e. need web address sorted out before printing)
- Actions: Tom to design poster (before April 15)

Stickers
- Proposed as a way to spread the word/web address
- Should have 1 and 2 colour options on coloured vinyl
- Actions: Tom to design sticker (before April 15), Ian to speak to printing partners (before April 15)

3. Barriers
- Yes, we should build some barriers for use during training rides
- They should be somewhat portable
- They must be height adjustable (to accommodate kids)
- Agreed to a separate, in-depth discussion of how to construct, when Tom is available
- MCA may be able to contribute funds to construction costs
- If they are to be lent to others, a borrowing policy should be in place (and perhaps a deposit?)
- Actions: All to attend a future meeting (March?) to discuss construction, Hal to propose a borrowing policy (prior to May 1), Ian to investigate MCA support (by March 17)

4. Training Rides
- Yes, we should have training rides (thus should be MCA affiliated, as per below), starting in the late spring/summer (once the ground is dry)
- Various scheduling options were discussed (including every non-race Wednesday and every alternate Thursday) – agreed that proposals should be developed and presented at next meeting, by which time MCA calendar should be posted.
- Rides could include:
o kids (mini-MUCRs), seek involvement of Tim Loewen, Bill Algeo or other KoM parents);
o women (she-MUCRs or MUCRettes?), seek involvement of Naomi, Deanna, Moni and other women;
o newbies (requiring MUCR-mentors who would work with first-timers at each ride to build basic skills).
- Actions: Ian to deal with affiliation (present affiliation plan at next meeting), all to propose ride schedules and ride features (time/place/plans) at next meeting

5. Kids of Mud Engagement
- arrange fun clinic/demo at final (or close to final) KoM event in June
- hand out stickers with web address at this event (and/or prior to)
- invite parents (with a letter) to get their kids involved in cyclocross in the fall, and to participate in MUCR rides through the summer
- Actions: Ian to write letter (April 15), all to participate in planning meeting re: clinic/demo (TBA – April?)

6. Fundraising
- minimal fundraising may be required to pay for web hosting, barriers, stickers, affiliation, etc.
- MCA may be able to assign us a Bingo
- (Not discussed at meeting – but for your consideration) Could link to a charity/cause – e.g. clean air.
- Could sell hats/winter hats/cowbells – best done in late summer/during cross season, but need to plan now
- Actions: Ian to discuss Bingo with MCA, Hal to get pricing on Champ-sys or other hats/winter hats, Ian to get pricing on cowbells (all for next meeting), all to consider possibility of linking to charity/non-profit


Meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.



Next meeting proposed for Saturday, March 17th, 7:30 a.m.

Additional meetings proposed:
Early March: barrier planning meeting (date TBD)
April 15: next planning meeting (date to be confirmed)