LWA Members,

WOW, I can't believe it's been three years since I've been elected.  I am proud to be the  President of USA Cycling 2019 Club of the Year Division III, LWA. 

Time flies, right? Since the day I accepted the challenge, life has changed. We've seen changes in rides and life due to COVID-19 and changes in our membership.  Yes, we've gained members, and lost members over the years. Our membership continues to be a major challenge, with 1,860 Meetup Members, yet actual LWA Club membership hoovers around 360.  This tells me we have potential to grow our membership. I've got ideas, but I have no time left as President. That's right, my time has come, three years and done. 

Along the way, I've worked with some terrific LWA Volunteers, our Past President & Treasurer, Dave Sheffield, Past VP of Touring, Jim Fullerton and current VP of Touring, Kathy Crampton; Past VP of Racing, Glenn Davis; Secretary, Christine Penn and past Secretary Kathy Crampton; Directors, Bert Mukkulainen, Rich Ferrera, Bruce Kantor, Dick McCreight and past director, Carl Zvanut; Membership, Richard Baldock and Rob Smith, Webmaster, Dave Drummer; and past Newsletter Editor Jean Black.  Hats off to all Ride Leaders for leading the rides over the past three years and to all of the Club Members, for just being you, showing up for rides, volunteering and joing in on the Grill N Chills.  Yes, life has changed!   

This brings me to "Presidental Election Time", not only for US President but for LWA Club Membership.  First, I'd like to announce the Nomination Committee: Jack Helffrich (jackhelffrich@hotmail.com), Mike Solliday(msolliday@gmail.com) and Kathie Zapotocki (retocki@ptd.net) and myself, Roberta Kates (heybert@ptd.net). 

The LWA By Laws:

Section 3. The Officers of the Club, who shall be elected annually for one-year terms, shall be the following: The President; the VP of Touring; the VP of Racing; the Secretary; the Treasurer.  The President shall be limited to three consecutive terms, but shall continue to serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors (as Past President) for one year following the end of his last year as the President. The Editor of the Club Newletter, the Website Manager and the Membership Administrator, designed by the President, shall be ex officio members of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. The Officers and Directors shall be elected at the last meeting of the year. A nomination committee may be established prior to the election to propose candidates and secure their consent to serve.  At the time of the election, the floor will be open for additional nominations.  If only one candidate is nominated for an office, the nominee maybe considered to be elected by acclamation.  If there is more than one cancdiate for an office, the election must be conducted by secret ballot. 

Nominations are now open for the following positions:  

• • 1 Year Term positions:  President, VP of Touring, VP of Racing, Secretary, Treasurer
  • 2 Year Term positions:  (2) Board of Directors 

If you are interested or you'd like to nominate a fellow member who is willing to run, please email a Nominating Committee member with the nominee's name and the position. At the October 28th meeting, the Nomination Committee will propose candidates and will follow up to secure their consent to serve. At time of the election, in December, the floor will be open for additional nominations by write-in vote. Please note: Due to COVID-19 our Holiday Party has been cancelled, therefore Elections will be held by Electronic vote this year (details will be announced shortly).

Life has certainly changed in the past three years. Thank you LWA, I am proud to be your LWA President.  

See you on the roads,  

Roberta Kates, LWA Presdent