New Member’s – Responsibilities and Contributions
from the Lookout by Peter Grant – A Summary and Explanation for New Members
New Member’s – Responsibilities and Contributions
A dictionary’s definition of the word “Club” is an association of people with common interests ! With the start of the new year and the new website launched, with new rules voted on and accepted last year, more responsibility has been given to each and every club member to stay involved and connected and make sure their contact info is kept up to date.
Recently the Executive Committee proposed a tightening of the rules for New Member’s to complete their first year’s ‘requirements of admission’. As required by the Bylaws, this amendment has been put-up for vote at the January meeting for approval by the membership. Essentially this change will allow fast-tracking the revocation of membership if a new member fails to complete their first-year requirements by December 1st. Any new member in this situation will continue to have the opportunity to appeal and request an exception (extension or exemption).
Every new member has basic obligations that must be completed before they are provided with a Gate Key/Fob. If this is asking too much an applicant is welcome to withdraw.
- Attend a monthly meeting when invited, where they will be asked to stand for introduction. The applicant’s sponsor should attend as well.
- Attend an Orientation Session (approx. 1 hr) as scheduled.
- Contribute 2 works days (12 hours) working on a sanctioned project, activity or event. Alternately, members are needed to assist with a number of ongoing committees activities or administrative support.
- activities must be recorded both on the New Member Report Card and also logged online in the member’s Personal Profile
The basis of the new member requirements is to ensure they fully understand the history and mission of the VMC, member duties and responsibilities and contributions of support to the club as members have for over 100 years. Cycle Park is not run as if it were a commercial enterprise. Our gem requires each members’ continued contributions to maintain, protect and build, helping both on the property and within the clubs very structure as a Not-For-Profit member run group. If this were a commercial off-road riding area the costs for playing would likely be three, four or more times higher.
We have seen a few replies that don’t seem to accept the principle which says it is every member’s duty to support the VMC. In the case of new members, what is asked is that they pitch in to help maintain, protect and build upon the legacy that has been given to them and all members. If not for the efforts of our predecessors, the jewel we know today as VMC Cycle Park simply would not exist in any form. Cycle Park is truly unique in Canada. Imagine owning a 170+ acres of riding land within 20 – 25 minutes’ drive from the city core in Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto! To be clear – not all work contributed to the VMC need be holding an axe or shovel. There are basic administrative tasks which might require only an hour a week to complete and take some pressure off others.
Recently we heard from a newer member that didn’t know or understand the reasoning for closing a large section of Cycle Park to riding during the extended dry ‘fire ban’ season. Or why certain areas are ribboned off while being prepped for an event. To those I’d suggest that they need to think about the 100+ year legacy of the VMC, attend a monthly meeting, ask questions of other members and consider what is the core meaning of Club and what are our responsibilities to the club and the general community. Other examples might be: why is the hill-climb course off limits for any daily riding or why are some obscure trails ribboned and closed off?
We’ve also heard that some new admissions found it difficult to attend a 1-hour new member orientation session. Director Brent Donaldson hosted seven (7) Sessions in 2024 and is seemingly always willing and available to help Orient a new member, about responsibilities and do’s and don’ts. Other new admissions reported that they felt it was a burden to be ‘forced’ to contribute two work days (12 hours) when joining the club. Again, I’d suggest these are people who simply wish to ride off-road somewhere and clearly don’t understand the actual meaning of CLUB. Membership is a privilege not a right.
….. more to come about Sponsor’s Responsibilities on next Lookout