CEO Blog: Calling all members to play a role in the USA Cycling elections

  
  


(June 15, 2016) -- I suspect you all are keenly aware that we are in the midst of a fascinating and high-stakes election for the next President of the United States. But you may not know that we are also in the midst of another very important election – the election of members to serve on USA Cycling’s Board of Directors and Sport Committees. USA Cycling, like all other national governing bodies, relies heavily on the guidance and expertise of members of its community via a formalized governance process. That governance process includes a Board of Directors, which helps govern USA Cycling and has substantial decision making authority, and seven Sport Committees, which serve as advisors to USA Cycling on key issues impacting our membership – and they also elect members to the Board. With four spots open for the Board of Directors and 34 spots for Sport Committees, now is a tremendous opportunity for you to get involved in the shaping the future of our sport.
 
Before I tell you more about these groups, the open roles, and the election process to fill them, let me tell you that historically we have not enjoyed high levels of participation in the election process. Only a small fraction of members vote, and few individuals nominate themselves or others for open roles. I want to change that, and USA Cycling is doing a number of things to improve our role in the election process. But we also need your help. In particular, I would like to ask that all who read this do three things: 1) Consider whether you would like to fill any of the open positions and, if so, get yourself nominated; 2) Consider whether anyone you know would be a good fit for the open positions and encourage them to run; 3) Follow the election process and place your vote for the candidates you prefer during the election window, which opens next month.
 
This is important. Those who serve on the Board or the Sport Committees get to play a direct role in the evolution of our sport. They have a deeper understanding of what is going on and why, and have direct access to USA Cycling staff and can influence decisions. For those of you who like to do more than just sit on the sidelines, please get involved and run for a position. Maybe you will win, maybe you won’t – but either way you will have done a great service to American cycling just by providing our members a choice.
 
So, let me tell you more about The Board of Directors and our seven Sport Committees:
The USA Cycling Board of Directors has 20 members, composed of:
  • One representative from each of the seven Sport Committees
  • Four athletes (one each from BMX, Mountain, Road and Track – representing the Olympic disciplines)
  • Four independent, at-large directors elected by the Board on recommendation of the nominating and governance committee
  • Four representatives from the USA Cycling Foundation
  • The USA Cycling CEO (me!), who also serves as president of the corporation
The role and legal obligation of the Board of Directors is to oversee the administration of USA Cycling and ensure that it fulfills its mission. While the Board does not execute day-to-day management of USA Cycling, it monitors, guides and enables good management. The key responsibilities of the Board include formulating key policies and strategic goals, authorizing major transactions or other corporate actions, stewarding the resources of the organization for the long term and mentoring senior management.

There are seven Sport Committees, including BMX, Collegiate, Cyclo-Cross, Mountain Bike, Professional, Road and Track. Each committee is comprised of seven to 11 members and serves in an advisory capacity to USA Cycling, helping the staff to develop competition rules and consider issues relevant to their respective discipline. Each sport committee will also nominate and elect a representative from its committee to the USA Cycling Board of Directors.

A full explanation of the election process and descriptions of open positions, along with who is eligible, can all be found on our website here. But here is a quick summary of the most important facts:

NOMINATIONS: Five signatures from current USA Cycling members are required to be nominated for a position, and they must be received by 4 p.m. MDT on JUNE 30. If you have any eligibility questions, please contact Shane Garman. Candidates are encouraged to email a 500-word or less statement supporting his or her candidacy that USA Cycling will post on the election website for members to read prior to voting.

VOTING WINDOW: Voting will begin through online membership accounts on July 15 and run through August 15.

OPEN POSITIONS: There are many open positions. See our website for details about who is eligible to run for and vote for these positions. Here is a summary list:
Board of Directors
BMX Athlete
Pro Athlete
MTB Athlete
Track Athlete

Sport Committees
BMX
Male Athlete
Female Athlete
Commissaire
At Large
 
 
 
 




Mountain Bike
Male Athlete
Female Athlete
Gravity Athlete
Coach
At Large
Commissaire
Gravity Race Director
 
 
 
 


Track
Male Athlete
Female Athlete
Team Director
Coach
LA Representative
Collegiate
Male Athlete
Female Athlete
Varsity Team Director
Commissaire
Pro
Male Athlete (2)
Female Athlete
UCI Race Director
UCI Team Director
 
Cyclo-cross
Male Athlete
Female Athlete
Masters Athlete
Race Director
Road
Male Athlete
Female Athlete
Masters Athlete
Race Director
LA Representative
 
 
 
Again, these roles are important to our organization and American cycling more broadly. Please do participate in the process, be it running for an open position or voting for those that do. Be part of the solution!
 
Ride often,
 
Derek


This Article Updated June 20, 2016 @ 10:26 PM For more information contact: