August 3, 2020

Message to the Riding Community:

The Board of Directors of the newly-formed White Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) are excited with the positive response of the local, regional, and national mountain bike community from its July 20, 2020 press release regarding its move toward local independence and sustainability.

Despite the generous enthusiasm and support from a majority of the riding community, many valid questions and concerns were raised from community members regarding the change in direction - specifically the separation from New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) and membership status of current members. The purpose of this communication is to state WMBC’s reason for independence, and declare WMBC’s unwavering allegiance and dedication to the local riding community.

The announcement was based on a strategic planning process including the successful co-branding effort of “Ride NoCo” and the investment of over $225,000 in local trail development this summer with a variety of project partners. Reorganization became necessary to create a sustainable organization to support both trail development and maintenance, all to create a long-term benefit for the local riding community.

As a result of the new strategic direction of WMBC, the Board of Directors officially separated from long-time partner (NEMBA), which was a key partner in supporting the development of local trails over the past 20 years. This decision was not made lightly, or in haste. Months of due diligence went into this process and this was a bittersweet decision for many on the board (who have served the WM NEMBA Chapter faithfully for a combined forty plus years). There have been countless hours of volunteer work that went into making this community what it is. We honor that commitment and those volunteers, by ushering in a new era of local mountain biking advocacy.

We have been asked what brought us to this decision and that is fairly straightforward (1) Our riding community will have local control of funding and trails (2) Membership - right now we receive $10 of every $35 WM NEMBA membership. The rest is retained by NEMBA as an administration fee. We would like to be able to expand our membership base past the local community to all who enjoy riding our trails. (3) Grant Writing - being a North Conway, NH non-profit opens us up for grants from local foundations and the NH Charitable Foundation that we are otherwise not eligible for as a Massachusetts based 501(c)3. These benefits far outweigh the average $1250 in annual Chapter rebates (dues income) from NEMBA. As a leadership team, it is our fiscal responsibility to create an entity structure that will allow us to be a sustainable organization and the steps we have taken are for the benefit of the local mountain biking community.

As of this date, all WM NEMBA members are still members of NEMBA. We understand the value of our local members and will honor all WM NEMBA memberships with WMBC memberships for any and all who would like to continue to support the local community and continue to be a part of the past 30 years of progression. As a Board of Directors, we also recognize NEMBA’s many contributions to our mountain bike community, both past, present and future. It is for that reason, that we would like to encourage our WMBC membership to join NEMBA as well.

Members of our biking community have asked what will happen to the remaining WM NEMBA funds. NEMBA will be issuing a letter to all WM NEMBA chapter members to vote on what should happen to the chapter. The WM NEMBA members will also get to vote on the final dissolution of the Chapter or continuing the chapter under new leadership at the time as well. Regardless of the final vote the leadership team will be moving forward with WMBC.

We are a volunteer based organization. The WMBC Board of Directors are a group of folks who have dedicated their spare time to serve the local mountain bike community and have spent countless hours advocating for our shared passion. As a group, we are only as strong as our membership. Please, if you have a concern or would like to voice input please feel free to contact Dyane McIndoe, Board of Directors member and Group Secretary, and get involved. We are actively seeking motivated individuals who share our passion for the local mountain bike community.

Happy Trails,

White Mountain Bike Coalition

Chris McKay - President

Rob Adair - Vice President, WM NEMBA Past President

Phil Ostroski - Treasurer

Dyane McIndoe - Secretary

Michael LeBlanc - Vice President

Peter Ostroski - Vice President