Meeting Minutes

Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
117 North Division Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan
734/487-9058
www.wbwc.org

                              WBWC Retreat Summary

                               January 8th, 2007

   PUBLIC POLICY GOALS

     1. Establish a Governmental Relations Committee

     2. Public watchdog for City & County Non-Motorized Plan implementation

     3. Educate membership & community on effective non-motorized advocacy

     4. Attend & educate members/community about the importance of being
        present & vocal at public hearings & meetings.

          a. Use website calendar to list all relevant governmental meetings.

          b. Develop talking Points for public hearings & meetings

     5. Educate local policy makers about non-motorized issues

          a. Have individual meetings with every City Council Member for A2 &
             Ypsi & Washtenaw Board of Commissioners by December 2007

              * Prepare packets for policy leaders

                   * Benefits of Sidewalks

                   * 4-3 lane conversion

                   * Bike lanes that remove parking

                   * Bike lanes on heavy traffic areas

   EDUCATION & PUBLIC OUTREACH GOALS

    1. Actively participate in Community Events

         a. Curb Your Car Month May 2007

             i. Public Presentation of NoMo Implementation

             ii. Film screening

         b. Get Active Ypsi, May 2007

         c. Bike Fest, June 15th, 2007

         d. Share The Road Campaign

             i. Bike Light Giveaway w/ police collaboration

             ii. Developing dialogue with bus drivers

             iii. Letter of support

    2. Engage membership & community members in Safe Routes to School
       projects

    3. Increase outreach activities in Ypsilanti

    4. Cultivate relationships with potential coalition members

         a. Meet or present to the following groups/organizations:

             i. Global Warming Group

             ii. Urban Planning (UM & EMU)

             iii. School of Public Health (UM)

   MEMBERSHIP GOALS 

   18 paid dues (1/7/2007)

   Approx. 30 paid members in 2006

    1. Increase membership in 2007

   Target:

    a. 50 individual memberships

    b. 2 new group members (potential):

     * AABTS

     * Velo Club

     * Washtenaw Wanderers

     * Pick up the Pace Saline (pups)

     * Healthy Communities

     * Washtenaw County Parks

    2. Develop Retail Memberships. Free memberships in exchange for:

         a. Membership sticker in store front

         b. 10% discount for members at store

         c. Prominent display of membership brochures

    3. Develop "affiliate" memberships. Free memberships for organizations
       unable to join but interested in affirming support for WBWC goals.

    4. Cultivate joint memberships. Joint memberships would provide a
       discounted rate to individuals interested in joining more than one
       organization. Potential joint memberships: AABTS, MMBA, Sierra Club.

         a. Work with AABTS to count mileage for commute

    5. Increase member involvement

         a. Define clear work for volunteers

         b. Set goals for volunteers

   MARKETING GOALS

    1. Increase awareness of WBWC

         a. Compare hits to website~ Dec/Jan 2006 to Dec/Jan 2007

    2. Improve public face of WBWC

         a. Redesign membership brochure.

         b. Improve look of tabletop display for public events

         c. Explore possibility of new e-newsletter design. Content is
            strong, but overall presentation could be improved.

    3. Enhance website content

         a. Potential website additions:

           * Personal stories, "I am alternative energy" profiles

           * Data collection~ Ken's form

           * Downloads:

           * "Bike Bucks"

           * Interactive Bike/Walk Map

           * List of projects for volunteers

           * Acknowledge large donors on website

   ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS

    1. File for 501(c)3 Status by December 2007

    2. Set up WBWC with a proper accounting framework

   How should WBWC Funds be spent in 2007?

     * Postcards

     * Stickers

     * Reflective thingy

     * Better brochures

     * Bike shop packets

     * Vinyl stickers $158

     * Business Cards

     * Brochure rack

     * 501c3 classes $60

     * Bike lights

     * New videos

     * Newsletter design

   Miscellaneous Suggestions:

     * In the end of year Newsletter:

          * Report what we said we're going to do & what we actually did

          * Report how organizational funds were spent

     * Work with CTN to play Perils for Pedestrians or other video

     * Promote number of LCI instructors that are WBWC Members

     * Potential volunteers: Re:Group, Professional Volunteer Corps, Marne
       Smiley (MI Sports & Fitness)

     * Develop Bike Friendly Business Awards