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Journey brings advocacy to next level
By Mary De Backer
Change often brings the opportunity, need and desire to review the
past and plan for the future. With the change in leadership several
years ago, the Board of Directors and staff took up the challenge
of assessing the direction of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
and embarked on a strategic planning process.
After an initial meeting with board and staff early in 2006, the
strategic planning team (dubbed the Keepers of the Plan) built upon
the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s past success and looked
for ways to grow its core strengths. This group identified short-,
mid- and long-term goals to make sure we continue to fulfill its
primary mission of creating communities where healthy transportation
options are safely accommodated on streets, roads and trails.
In addition to identifying long-term goals, we defined benchmarks
to assess if we’re riding in a straight line toward these
goals. For example, we are using the number of
Bike to Work Week Commuter Challenge participants as a measure
of success in raising awareness of bicycling as a viable commuting
option. In 2006, we had 130 registered teams of riders, so we set
a benchmark of 200 teams for 2007. We exceeded our 2007 goal, and
now we’re aiming for 250+ teams for the 2008 Commuter Challenge.
Throughout the strategic planning process, the Board of Directors
also looked to others for guidance and suggestions to ensure that
the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s projects, programs and
strategies were in line with making our communities better places
for bicycling and active transportation.
As a representative body of Chicagoland Bicycle Federation members,
the Board is responsible for taking members’ input and overseeing
the direction and management of the organization. The Board of Directors
believes in the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s strategic
plan as a positive guide for the future, and it strongly supports
the staff that is implementing the plan. We intend to make sure
that the region has a healthy population of bicyclists and pedestrians
enjoying safe roads and streets. We look forward to your help in
making this vision a reality.
Mary De Backer is the board president.
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