Make enemies quick!
January 18, 2016 § 10 Comments
The SCNCA board of trustees election is underway, and you can’t vote. Isn’t democracy great?
What you can do, however, is lobby. The way you lobby is this:
- Find out who on your USAC-registered club is the SCNCA “team representative.”
- Pester that fucker to vote.
- Pester that fucker to vote for the people you want to see on the board.
At some time in the future the SCNCA may allow direct elections, where the actual racers get a direct voice in the organization they fund. This will be about the time that you can buy unicorn farts out of vending machines. Until then, let’s lobby.
This election is an important one because the entire 9-person board is up for election. The candidates have all self-nominated and posted their statements here. Your team rep must vote by January 27, so please begin pestering him or her now. Below are my recommendations.
- Chris Black. He has raced, coached, promoted, and officiated. He’s a thorn in the ass of USAC but has the tools and the vision to improve SCNCA. Plus, ex-cop.
- David Huntsman. He has raced, is an expert in non-profit governance, is a lawyer, believes in transparency, and has played a huge role in getting the current board to resign, hire a lawyer, and hold new elections. He’s also a board member of OC Bike Coalition and has a kid who races.
- Omar Lozano. Omar has promoted some great races, has actual skin in the game, and is a crucial bridge between the mostly white SCNCA/USAC status quo and the massive potential pool of US/Mexico Hispanic bike racers. His Adrenaline GP events are super. Without the needs of promoters taken into account, there are no races.
- Armin Rahm. SCNCA and USAC critic. German bad-ass. Intelligent and has been around the SoCal racing scene forever. Incredibly accomplished athlete. Strong voice for riders and an articulate voice for what it is that riders want and need.
- Matt Wikstrom. Great bike racer. Smart dude. Makes his living in the arena of professional sports management and athlete agency. In other words, a highly accomplished amateur bike racer who works with the finances and mechanics of professional sports for a living. Could we use that at SCNCA? Uh, yes.
- Justin Williams. Young. Great bike racer. Respected voice for athletes and a fantastic bridge for the woefully underserved African-American community, which has huge numbers of recreational cyclists in LA who need to view bike racing as something that is available, welcoming, and a great opportunity for them.
- Dorothy Wong. Racer and promoter. She’s the single force behind the entire ‘cross calendar in SoCal. Incredibly accomplished, puts on an entire season’s worth of races, friendly, deadline-oriented, pro in every respect.
- Sean Wilson. Life-long racer, huge promoter of junior racers and junior racing. Junior team director and advocate who has pulled together numerous statewide events to try and build consensus for solutions that will increase junior racing and therefore secure the future of the sport.
- Jan Luke. Jan is committed to implementing the reforms that were begun when SCNCA hired an attorney, held an election to successfully revise its bylaws, and put the current election process in place. She’s running for a 1-year term and would be a good choice to see the reforms through.
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Cycling in the South Bay 
I can certainly vouch for Dot Wong – one-woman hurricane. Puts the races out there, works reg, announces most of the races, somehow is able to RACE (sometimes 2 in a day!) I’m told Jesus is everywhere but come SoCalCross season Dot is everywhere. A true force multiplier
Yep. And you know she’ll treat her SCNCA responsibilities exactly the same way.
Holy crap! Any of these people would move SCNCA in a completely different and better direction! I do think the Jan Luke one year link would be an excellent idea to smooth out the transition. Transitions are always hard. Thanks for raising the flag to the community!
Be sure that SBW votes. Thank you, Tara!
A note about Dorothy Wong who was/is??? promoting events outside USAC, someone needs to check that she can still promote events without USAC.
I recall reading an exclusivity clause related to local associations a long time ago when I was trying to sort out the way USAC is organized. Even then, I could have read it wrong.
I’m not saying “Don’t vote for Dorothy.” I’d rather she be able to do promote both without a bunch of inside baseball. That’s all.
I’d vote for a banned pirate if it would change the way SCNCA does its job.
So you’re going to endorse me for the Iowa Bicycle Racing Association board in a couple of weeks too correct???
That depends on the status of your monthly $2.99 subscription.
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