Bike club leaders meet in Boca

The Club Leadership Training in Boca Raton, FL this past weekend was a big success! Bike club leaders from across the country met in 80 degree weather – a nice change for many of us – to share best practices, hear words of wisdom from great speakers, and enjoy a scenic ride along the coast.

The conference enjoyed a wide range in club locales; attendees hailed from Arizona, Colorado, Texas, South Carolina, D.C., Minnesota, Florida and so on. Most agreed that the highlight of the conference was simply networking and discussing how various issues were handled by each club – whether it was budgeting, attaining 501c 3 status, organizing rides, membership, or local advocacy.

One of the most popular presentations was the ever-complex issue of club insurance, offered by the League through American Specialty Insurance. Marla Peters, Sr. Vice President at American Specialty, explained the various kinds of coverage offered, the costs and benefits, and where and how to purchase. For the 2010 League Insurance Program information, go here.

Other popular sessions, Leader Transitions and Organizing Rides & Volunteers, were led by Mary Derks, past president of the Twin Cities Bicycling Club. Derk’s wealth of knowledge was evident: she gave great tips for succession plans, how to manage and maintain committees of key volunteers, and the importance of long-range planning. Check the League’s Club Leadership page next week to view these presentations.

Finally, a special thanks to the Boca Raton Bicycle Club for hosting us for the weekend!

Stay tuned for news on the next Club Leadership Training at https://bikeleague.org/

~Lisa Reitz

League Membership and Events