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Post by thehoov on Feb 8, 2011 21:20:11 GMT -5
The Evansville Mountain Bike Association (EMBA)* is a non-profit organization devoted to connecting Mountain Bikers in the Henderson (KY), Owensboro (KY), and Evansville (IN) area for rides, trail construction/maintenance, conservation work, and social activities. This is a new start for the old and fondly remembered Evansville Mountain Bike Association.
Mountain Bikers (all ages and skill levels) interested in talking bikes and gear or participating in day trips or night rides are welcome!
Organizational/Planning Meeting
6:30PM Thursday, February 24, 2011
Pizza Chef
4938 St. Rd 261
Newburgh, IN
* EMBA is working name - subject to change
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Post by daniel240 on Feb 9, 2011 8:40:28 GMT -5
I want to encourage everyone to be a part of this. Not only is this a great way to meet new people interested in mountain biking and get more group rides together, but I think this will be the best way to recruit new trail builders in the area. I have met so many other riders who say they would love to help build trails but don't know how to get started or who to contact. This will really help to bring all the mountain bikers from the area together. This group was big back in the day. I think there were well over 100 members back then and I think we would have no problem getting that many or more now.
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ricdix
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by ricdix on Feb 9, 2011 12:51:44 GMT -5
Please don't take this the wrong way.... Do we really need another new start up MTB Association? Wouldn't it make sense to join and become more active in the existing HMBA? (an officially recognized IMBA affiliated club) After all, all of the hard work is already done. For example; years of advocacy efforts, grant writing, insurance policies, gaining 501(c)3 status, established web site/forums etc... has been accomplished. Not to mention the hundreds of miles of high quality trails they've managed to put on the ground in the past few years. They've fought for and earned respect from numerous land managers. Wouldn't it make more sense to join them rather than reinvent the wheel? As for Owensboro, Henderson KY, area.... They fall under the newly created Bowling Green Chapter of Kymba. Kymba has new leadership and new energy with lots of exciting things in the works. That said, State Lines and County lines should never prevent or discourage a volunteer from helping when and where they can. There are many that fall in-between the nearest group of active trail enthusiast. I love the enthusiasm and desire. Just not sure a new "Association" is necessary. Perhaps getting the locals more involved in an existing associate could produce the same results with much less headaches? I share these comments with the upmost respect. It it not my attention to offend anyone. www.hmba.org/kymba.org/Thoughts? Richard |
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Post by thehoov on Feb 9, 2011 14:15:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. All good questions and no offense taken. We did a bit of homework before moving down this path. I contacted HMBA and discussed it briefly with Mr. Arlinghaus because I knew there was a Southeast "Chapter" of HMBA. He encouraged us to forge ahead as he felt there were issues to work out with "chapters" and the HMBA focus was going to be on State/National properties and he felt there is a need for local groups to work local areas.
In addition, I'm not sure we could engage the local riders with a join the HMBA message (which I think is a good idea to do anyway) and organize events/meetings through a group primarily based in the southcentral part of the state.
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Post by thehoov on Feb 9, 2011 14:23:16 GMT -5
I forgot to add a couple of other items: I don't envision EMBA being a competitor of, or functioning at the level of HMBA, e.g. grant writing, initiating trail building, statewide advocacy, etc.
I believe EMBA will function more as social networking club to generate interest in riding and SUPPORTING existing or new trail construction/advocacy efforts.
That's just my opinion as it's early in the game and I'm just one voice of (hopefully) many that will become involved.
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ricdix
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by ricdix on Feb 9, 2011 17:31:54 GMT -5
Sounds like you've done your due diligence. Well done.
If Paul's cool with it I have no concerns. Especially with your focus being more of a social club versus an advocacy group as mentioned in your follow up. Makes more sense now.
So would you just change the name of this group? Or would it be an entirely new group?
Thanks and good luck!
Richard
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Post by indytrailbuilder on Feb 10, 2011 10:40:21 GMT -5
When HMBA was forming, the early leaders wanted to work with State Parks and Forest. The message they got from the IDNR was that they wanted to deal with one state wide group rather than a bunch of local groups. So HMBA took on a State wide scope. This was primarily to put HMBA in a position to work with the DNR, not an attempt to be the "Boss" of all Indiana mountain bikers.
The ground work for the RTP grant was set in motion in 2002, when HMBA became a 501 (c) (3). This allowed us to apply for the RTP grant
There are good points to being 501 (C) (3): tax exempt, tax deduction for donations, eligible for grants. But being 501 (c) (3) has many draw backs. We must spend money following the 501 (c) (3) requirements, do 990 tax returns, get audited, etc..... We are also prohibited from engaging in politics. In many ways, being 501 (c) (3) makes it hard for us to be a "fun" organization. We deal with grants, legislative meetings, Trails Advisory board, liability, insurance, accounting, State meetings, advocacy battles, etc... Most of this work isn't necessarily fun.
The requirements of being 501 (c) (3) make it hard to start up a local mtb community. We can't spend money specifically for the benefit of members.
I think the best thing is for local riders to start a club. This would not be a 501 (c) (3) and as such could focus on being fun and growing membership.
Then ideally the local club and HMBA would work together. HMBA could partner with the club for trail building in the area of the club. When the club runs into something that requires 501 (c) (3) HMBA can help. Meanwhile when we want to do some thing that could be prohibited by being 501 (c) (3), the club could do it.
This also give local mountain biking both a State and Local representation. While State Parks like dealing with a state group. A local park may rather deal with a local group.
Long term, I would like to see a network of separate organization through out Indiana. Lots of clubs, some 501(c) (3)'s and maybe some day a 501 (c) (4) [political organization].
This subject will be discussed at the HMBA annual meeting on Feb 26th (Indianapolis State Fair Grounds).
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Post by timbarnes on Feb 10, 2011 11:11:41 GMT -5
I intend on attending the organizational meeting Thursday evening, 2/24, in Newburgh and the annual HMBA meeting. I'm willing to voice questions to HMBA from EMBA, if there are any. Personally, I am going to try to become more active in both organizations. Each provides opportunities and interests I find appealing. I'm hoping the EMBA meeting will address why the original club faded away so these reasons can be avoided this time.
There was some talk coming from the Breck's group about forming a tri-state mountain biking organization with the same target audience. A lot of people recognize the need to get all the local riders together to increase the fun factor. We are all loosely organized now. This should be a great opportunity to focus on events, both working and riding, we will all benefit from. Thanks, Steve, for taking this initiative to have the meeting. Let me know if I can help.
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Post by thehoov on Feb 10, 2011 20:13:35 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great input.
I would like to stress that although we're working with the Evansville Mountain Bike Association name, the organization is definitely intended to include the many riders from the Henderson and Owensboro, KY areas and Indiana areas outside of Evansville.
EMBA is a recognized name in the area with that nostalgia thing going for it. In addition, after drafting about 30 other ideas, Brian Lynn and I couldn't come up with a better name that was more inclusive of the surrounding area and didn't end up sounding very much like some existing organizations.
Thanks, Steve Hoover
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Post by freerideco on Feb 10, 2011 22:51:31 GMT -5
Good looking out guys. All great ideas and plans. Seems like the more local we get, the better. With HMBA by our sides we can't lose. I think every town should have it's own club. This will be more attractive to local schools.
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Post by thehoov on Feb 11, 2011 20:41:20 GMT -5
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Post by daniel240 on Mar 14, 2011 12:29:35 GMT -5
The next EMBA meeting is Thursday (3/31) 6:30PM at Pizza Cheff in Newburgh.
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Post by daniel240 on Mar 30, 2011 11:53:12 GMT -5
Just a reminder to everyone about the meeting tomorrow night (3/31) 6:30pm at Pizza Chef in Newburgh.
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Post by daniel240 on Apr 23, 2011 12:03:11 GMT -5
This months meeting is Wednesday April 27th 6:30PM @ Pizza Chef in Newburgh. Moved to Wednesday to avoid conflict with the Thursday night ride @ Scales Lake.
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Post by daniel240 on May 31, 2011 20:56:17 GMT -5
Don't forget about the monthly meeting tomorrow (6/1) night at 6:30pm.
(copied from the facebook page:
I'm finalizing membership forms and t-shirt order info tonight. Membership cost will be $15. This will cover USA Cycling membership ($150) and Insurance ($125). We feel this is an absolute necessity to provide some liability protection to club officers and members. We need 25 members to cover this item. T-shirts will be in the $12 range. Bring your checkbooks/cash to the meeting. Recruit your riding buddies to join the club)
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