NOMINATIONS OPEN! for SAMBA Board and Committee positions

SUSQUEHANNA AREA MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION

1) NAME AND TERRITORY

NAME: The name of the organization shall be the Susquehanna Area Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA), a CHAPTER of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).

TERRITORY: SAMBA shall operate within the general geographic territory of Central Pennsylvania and the surrounding area.

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE: Upon acceptance of its application, SAMBA shall operate as an IMBA chartered CHAPTER and enjoy the benefits of IMBA’s IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt status. SAMBA may decide to form a local corporation or operate as a unit of IMBA’s California Corporation.

2) MISSION AND PURPOSE

MISSION:

As a non-profit club the purpose of the Susquehanna Area Mountain Bike Association is to protect and encourage mountain bike trail access by creating positive working relationships with area land management agencies. We will provide information, education and support to Central Pennsylvania mountain bike riders. In our mission we will also promote wellness and healthy lifestyles, educate cyclists and non-cyclists about mountain biking and provide information on responsible trail stewardship.

PURPOSE:

Acting as a liaison between the trail users and land managers. Creating an open line of communication with area land managers.

Providing area cycling and trail info/condition via the SAMBA website, Facebook and email list.

Keep the single track (single).

Trail sustainability.

Bicycling for fun.

Trail user education.

Ensuring the future of mountain biking.

Promotion of responsible riding, maintenance and preservation of mountain biking trails.

Encourage youth involvement.
Establish community trail networks with appropriate mapping and

signage.

Gain support from other clubs, industry, shops, other trail users and land management groups.

Integrating bicycling with all other forms of transportation.

Aiding parks by organizing volunteer work group to perform trail maintenance, design, & construction with sustainable multi-use trails as a priority using the guidelines illustrated by the International Mountain Bike Association.

3) MEETINGS

REGULAR MEETINGS. The Board shall meet in regular session by whatever means agreed to by the Board and at least four times a year. Currently the Board meets on the evening of the last Thursday of each month. The Board shall direct that SAMBA hold an annual meeting for the supporting members, at which time the Board shall bring certain information and business to the attention of the members. The Board may also meet in regular session in conjunction with such annual meetings and programs.

EMERGENCY MEETINGS. Emergency meetings of the Board may be called by, or at the request of, the Chair or by request of 50% percent of the Board. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix the time and place for such meetings.

4) BOARD MEMBERS:
GENERAL DUTIES: SAMBA Board will develop and oversee the implementation of Chapter policies and program goals. Board responsibilities shall include:

1. Non-Officer Board Members shall serve on or chair at least one committee.
2. Formation and adoption of an annual advocacy platform
3. Approval of trails stewardship projects
4. Approval and over site of events
5. Approval of new supporting members
6. Recruitment and election of board members, committee chairs, and trail liaisons
7. Approval of the annual budget and financial reporting
8. Approval and modification of SAMBA Operating Guidelines
9. Contractual authority
10. Vacating Board Members may make good faith efforts for their replacement for consideration of the board
11. Establish and/or dissolve committees as needed from time to time, at the discretion of the Board as stated in Article

NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS: SAMBA board shall be made up of not less than 5 members and not more than 12. This shall include the executive officers and at least one board member.

TERMS OF OFFICE: Terms of office shall be 2 years, renewable for not more than 3 consecutive terms. Board member terms may be staggered so that one third to one half of Board member’s terms shall expire each year. Exceptions can be made by board approval

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP. All board members shall serve as voting members of at least one committee. They may serve as a chair or vice-chair of the committee they are assigned to or may be a sustaining member that can bring issues back to the board as needed. Board Members may serve on more than one committee as needed to bring leadership and stability to SAMBA’s Committee process.

5) OPEN BOARD POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHAIR  The Chair shall be a voting member in good standing and shall be responsible for determining who presides at all meetings of the board. The Chair shall be the primary contact on behalf of the board for Chapter contractual relationships. The Chair shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chair and other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time. Organize meeting agenda. Dealing with minor business between board meetings. Assist where possible to prepare contracts for Board approval.

VICE-CHAIR  The Vice-Chair shall be a voting member in good standing and shall perform such duties as are assigned from time to time by the Board. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-chair shall have all of the powers and perform all of the duties of the Chair. Organize meeting agenda. Dealing with minor business between board meetings. Assist where possible to prepare contracts for Board approval.

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS  The Director of Events shall be a voting member in good standing and is a member or Chair of the committee responsible for but not limited to the following duties:

• Plan, organize and execute one (1) minimum annual general membership meeting
• Coordinate with other groups such as Friends of Weiser, Capital Area Greenbelt Association, Bike Harrisburg etc. on common activities.

• Plan, organize and execute events including rides and social events including Annual Summer BBQ and Winter Party/ Fundraiser
• Help plan and schedule rides as needed
• Organize Dirt Fest campsite weekend and coordinate road trips

• Other tasks upon request from the Board

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS  The Director of Public Relations shall be a voting member in good standing and a member or Chair of the committee responsible for but not limited to the following duties:

• Generate effective Chapter communications through approved media
• Provide appropriate guidance and recommendations of additional media methods
• Work with local businesses and non-profits to see how we can partner to support each other
• Create a communication network with other local clubs
• Create promotional material (fliers, hats, shirts etc.)
• Promote events
• Other tasks upon request from the Board

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS  The Director of Communications shall be a voting member in good standing and a member or Chair of the committee responsible for but not limited to the following duties:

• Generate affective Chapter communications through approved media
• Develop and distribute a regular e-newsletter 4 times a year (seasonally)
• Maintain SAMBA’s website and Facebook page
• Provide and post event articles and supply event pictures and video for use on the website, social media, and email newsletters.
• Other tasks upon request from the Board

6) OPEN COMMITTEE POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board shall establish certain committees comprised of SAMBA dues paying members. Committees cannot act on their own; they must present their plans to the Board for approval. Committee general guidelines:

Committees should meet a minimum of 2 times a year.
Committees are required to submit a detailed project request for Board approval before proceeding.
Committee members must be current SAMBA Members.
Committee members shall adhere to SAMBA’s Standard Operating Procedures and Bylaws.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE 

Mission Statement: The mission of the Public Relations committee is to expand awareness of the chapter via promotional material and public outreach by:

• Generate effective Chapter communications through approved media
• Provide appropriate guidance and recommendations of additional media methods
• Work with local businesses and non-profits to see how we can partner to support each other
• Create a communication network with other local clubs
• Create promotional material (fliers, hats, shirts etc.)
• Promote events
• Other tasks upon request from the Board

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Mission Statement: The mission of the Communications committee is to expand awareness of chapter activities through effective use of all approved media outlets by:

• Generate affective Chapter communications through approved media
• Develop and distribute a regular e-newsletter 4 times a year (seasonally)
• Maintain SAMBA’s website and Facebook page
• Provide and post event articles and supply event pictures and video for use on the website, social media, and email newsletters.
• Other tasks upon request from the Board

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

Mission Statement: The mission of the Events/ Activities committee is to plan and coordinate club activities by:

• Plan, organize and execute one (1) minimum annual general membership meeting
• Coordinate with other groups such as Friends of Weiser, Capital Area Greenbelt Association, Bike Harrisburg etc. on common activities.

• Plan, organize and execute events including rides and social events including Annual Summer BBQ and Winter Party/ Fundraiser
• Help plan and schedule rides as needed
• Organize Dirt Fest campsite weekend and coordinate road trips

• Other tasks upon request from the Board

Thank You for reading this far. Feel free to use this link to ask questions or nominate for these positions….or come out to Mt. Gretna on March 5 for our Winter Party & Fundraiser to meet SAMBA members and find out more. More details on our Facebook page.  Remember- nominations close March 15. Cheers!

https://sambabiker.com/contact/