IMBA: Possible new direction for the MMBA

[dirt]

There is a conversation that has been going in at the MMBA State Board level for a bit of time now, and I'm sure that there are members that have heard about this discussion. While, the discussion is still ongoing, and no decisions have been made, we've felt it was time to bring this discussion forward, and get the membership involved.

I want this discussion to be open, and a chance for the membership to ask questions, and get answers. Realize that we might not always have the answers right away, as we are also asking questions ourselves, and getting a clearer understanding of how this may work. Also, not everything will have a definite answer, as there are many aspect that have multiple possible outcomes/solutions, and we have to decide how those would work out.

Finally, this thread is for discussion, but is more of a channel for us to get this information to you, and to answer your questions. But, the real feedback from the membership should be directed toward your board members. That is your direct channel to the MMBA State Board. Talk to your chapter representative and/or at large board member. In the end, those will be the people that have to make this decision, and your opinions/views will be much clearer in a direct conversation that in the noise of a forum discussion.

For the past few years, IMBA has been starting to focus on their Chapter program. The concept behind is that rather then competing with local advocacy organizations, they are working with interested organizations to combine with IMBA, and allow the local organizations to focus on their local actives. While creating an unified voice for mountain bikers, it also allows the local organizations to get out of the mire of running a business, and all of the legal aspects that entails.

For a quick summary of the program, here's a couple of web pages that IMBA has on the program:
http://www.imba.com/chapter-program
http://www.imba.com/resources/organizin ... r-together

How would this possibly work in our situation?
- Members: Your membership would now make you both a member of your local chapter AND IMBA. One membership, local and national.
- Chapters: They would become chapters of IMBA rather then the MMBA. Chapters would work under the IMBA 501(c)3 non-profit, insurance and taxes would be handled at the IMBA level.
- Member dollars: You're membership dues would go to IMBA, and then a percentage of that membership dollar come back tow the chapter that you belong to. Very much like how it currently happens with the MMBA/chapter. The percentage of membership dollars coming back o the chapter would probably increase from the current 25% to 40%, meaning more membership money back to the chapters.
- MMBA: That's a good question. Chapters would no longer be directly associated with the MMBA, and the MMBA would no longer be the organization that the members belong too, or that the chapters work under. But, the MMBA could remain around as an association of the existing chapters, still providing the state wide focus and coordination in our efforts. It also opens the possibility of working with other MTB advocacy organizations in the state that aren't part of the current MMBA chapter system. In reality, this part of the chance is the one that has the least number of answers currently, but is also the part where we'd have the most freedom to do what may be best for MTB advocacy in state overall. The MMBA would have the freedom to become whatever would best serve the chapters and organizations throughout the state.

This is not decided, but is a discussion in progress. The hopes of IMBA and the state board is, that if we go in this direction, is that it would allow the volunteers of the organization to have a stronger voice and strong business behind our chapters. It would get the MMBA chapters out of the business of running a business (taxes, insurance, and membership fulfillment/renewals) and back to a concentration toward advocacy and building trails.

SORBA was the first organization to work with IMBA in the chapter program, and a lot of lessons were learned. The program has evolved since then, and IMBA is moving forward with new chapters joining together with them across the country. There are other organizations in the state that have already moved forward on this, or are in the process currently.

So, in a nut shell, that's what is currently being discussed and considered by the MMBA State Board. But, this isn't going to happen tomorrow, and there is a lot of conversation to happen. If you have questions about how this would work, or concerns about how it would affect the organizations that you've supported, be sure to bring them up. Be sure to also talk to your state board members, and have open discussions at your upcoming chapter meetings.

[utabintarbo]

Given that most of the issues we deal with are state-wide (if not even more local than that) rather than national, how will we ensure that we will not be lost in "bigger" national issue focus of a national organization?

[dirt]

Given that most of the issues we deal with are state-wide (if not even more local than that) rather than national, how will we ensure that we will not be lost in "bigger" national issue focus of a national organization?

Local issues would be handled at the local chapter level, as they always have been.

Larger/Statewide issues? That would still be the role of the MMBA. There is no plans to get eliminate the MMBA as an organization, but to decide exactly what model it will continue in. It's elimination isn't something that's on the table for us, but rather determining in what form it will continue to serve it's role.

[utabintarbo]

Larger/Statewide issues? That would still be the role of the MMBA. There is no plans to get eliminate the MMBA as an organization, but to decide exactly what model it will continue in. It's elimination isn't something that's on the table for us, but rather determining in what form it will continue to serve it's role.

Allow me to play a cynical Devil's Advocate here a bit (so terribly out of character for me, I know ;)....

If the MMBA will still exist, what is the margin in becoming subjects of the IMBA? What is gained, and by whom?

Without further information, this seems like a solution in search of a problem.

[Loren]

Larger/Statewide issues? That would still be the role of the MMBA. There is no plans to get eliminate the MMBA as an organization, ...

Except that this leaves it without any source of funding, direct membership, or accountability unless I misunderstood the model.

I'm still thinking about this, but in the mean time I've got a question... Were MORC or SORBA organized as chapters which individually became IMBA chapters and also lost their regional perspective, or did these statewide (or regional) organizations join AS chapters?

[inasnit]

Larger/Statewide issues? That would still be the role of the MMBA. There is no plans to get eliminate the MMBA as an organization, but to decide exactly what model it will continue in. It's elimination isn't something that's on the table for us, but rather determining in what form it will continue to serve it's role.

Allow me to play a cynical Devil's Advocate here a bit (so terribly out of character for me, I know ....

If the MMBA will still exist, what is the margin in becoming subjects of the IMBA? What is gained, and by whom?

Without further information, this seems like a solution in search of a problem.

Not quite a solution in search of a problem. We have a problem of no executive director - and we are looking at solutions. This is one option that's being pursued.

The MMBA State Board has been bogged down with administrative tasks over the past few years: emergency insurance issues, newsletter/publication creation and distribution, merchandise/store management, job descriptions, waiver creation and retention policies ... and so on ...

As board members, we're hardly qualified for the work we've been doing over the past few years and this is one solution to that problem. We would essentially be lifting that administrative burden from our shoulders as volunteers and put it on the shoulders of the professionals who have it down to a science. This would leave the "state" with more mental and physical bandwidth to dedicate to things like: trail school, cps, land manager relations, state-wide events/festivals, etc ..

This would also put the focus of our energy into the trails .. into finding new places to build trails .. into increasing mileage at existing trails .. into programs, events, traildays, and things that directly relate to the hobby that we all enjoy. Rather than the deep dark hole that is paperwork and policy.

[dirt]

Larger/Statewide issues? That would still be the role of the MMBA. There is no plans to get eliminate the MMBA as an organization, ...

Except that this leaves it without any source of funding, direct membership, or accountability unless I misunderstood the model.

I'm still thinking about this, but in the mean time I've got a question... Were MORC or SORBA organized as chapters which individually became IMBA chapters and also lost their regional perspective, or did these statewide (or regional) organizations join AS chapters?

How the MMBA would fund itself is part of the ongoing discussion, but so is the role of the MMBA beyond this. The role would have be determined, and then, funding it's role.

If the MMBA became nothing more then an association of the key players in cycling advocacy in the state, working together, would funding be a major issue? The first step is to figure out what the MMBAs functions would be, and then funding follows.

As for SORBA/MORC. SORBA was very much like the MMBA, in that it was a group of chapters under it's umbrella. It's now considered to be a group of separate IMBA chapters under the IMBA umbrella, with SORBA being a regional organization. Very much like how MMBA could end up evolving under this model. MORC was more of a single chapter organization, so the whole organization became an IMBA chapter.

[scat silvurz]

Perhaps a simple chart would help to outline briefly the implications and parameters of such a partnership with IMBA. I'm assuming the state board has digested many of the pro's and con's of this IMBA partnership, and I'd be interested in finding out what that information looks like.

[nate.phelps]

ok, not the greatest of charts, but an outline.

Some thoughts to ponder.

Using simple math and the western chapters stats, membership money will cover our insurance policy plus leave a few hundred afterward.
Money taken in by the chapter through events, grants, and donations stays with the chapter it is not split.

There is a scale of economy with IMBA. And numbers. Access to the trailbuild and advocacy funds. Help finding grant opportunities for trail projects.
Taking on membership services and fulfillment. Taxes.

The MMBA as an alliance or coalition of clubs reduces cost of operation and allows the MMBA to focus on trails. The website is self supporting.
The cost of doing business is basic advocacy insurance, the lobbyist, some admin, and an annual meeting.


chapter

Local advocacy

Trailbuilding

Trail maintenance

Events

Event and trailbuilding insurance

IMBA

Programs

Taxes

Membership fulfillment

Merchandise fulfillment

Newsletter

Board and officer insurance

MMBA

State level advocacy

Lobbyist

Advocacy director

Advocacy team

Website

Annual meeting

Advocacy insurance

[WishIcouldcatchmybreath]

What is the IMBA Chapter Program?

The chapter program is IMBA’s newest initiative to create a unified voice for mountain bikers. Rather than compete for members with local clubs, the chapter program will link member databases, thereby increasing both organizations’ bases. To fund the program, membership dues will be split 60/40. In return, IMBA will reduce administrative burdens, and provide chapters with the tools for success. These include:

* Create business efficiencies: insurance, co-branded product.
* Joint membership: membership merge between IMBA and clubs, co branding on merchandise, fulfillment and customer service.
* Chapters will have access to IMBA’s data management via CiviCRM. This will allow contact management, mass emails, event registration, reports, etc.
* Organizational support: sample bylaws, policy manual – how to manage volunteers, tax filing assistance, accounting assistance, preference in grant making and support, IMBA staff support.

What services are provided to Chapters?

For our Chapters, IMBA staff will turn the cranks of the membership services machine by running print and online campaigns for new membership acquisition and current membership renewals, sending membership and donation fulfillment packages including thank you letter, benefit offers, membership card and premium product, providing email, phone and mail customer service support to members, and offering graphic design services to ensure a professional IMBA/Chapter co-branding of all communications and services.

On the software side, the Chapter Program offers clubs an online, database driven Constituency Relationship Manager (CRM). The CRM provides a comprehensive set of software tools for running a nonprofit club. From the web-based CRM interface, a club administrator may manage the contact information of individuals, families and organizations, organize those contacts with groups and tags, track memberships and contributions, run online email campaigns, and export contact and transaction information for offline communications and financial reporting.

* Membership services provided by IMBA
o New member acquisition
o Current member renewals
o Membership thank you letter, membership card, benefit offers and premium fulfillment
o Graphic design and integration services
o Full customer service

* Constituency Relationship Manager platform for clubs
o Manage individual, family, and organizational contacts
o Track interactions and their relationships
o Groups and tags
o Track memberships and donations
o Manage communications and email campaigns

* Online Tools for joint IMBA/Chapter members
o Online donation forms
o Online membership signup/renewal forms
o Member account “self-service” center
o Club account “self-service” center

This is interesting....I can see the allure of aligning with IMBA. Heck, adding the voice of all MMBA members OFFICIALLY to IMBA ranks is probably a really good thing. However, I would be very concerned about losing the voice and history of the MMBA in this transition. We just had our 20th anniversary; we're one of the first and one of the most significant mountain biking advocacy groups in the country.

If anything, I would suggest a better variant would be to have the parent MMBA organization become a "chapter" of IMBA, and keep the current MMBA chapter "sub-structure" in place. Having individual MMBA chapters become chapters of IMBA would cut the parent MMBA out of loop, and essentially break its back. I just don't see how the MMBA could continue without having chapters behind it, and at the same time have a board that comes together periodically to discuss issues of statewide importance. Without having a statewide board, we would lose our statewide voice and focus, and any influence that we currently have in Lansing. How would the DNRE director or our legislators or governor react if they were approached by an national IMBA rep, rather than say the president of the MMBA or our advocacy director? If the idea is to keep the board in place (but perhaps to eliminate the need for an ED), then I am not sure how this would be reconciled with removing the chapters from underneath it.

Not quite a solution in search of a problem. We have a problem of no executive director - and we are looking at solutions. This is one option that's being pursued.

The MMBA State Board has been bogged down with administrative tasks over the past few years: emergency insurance issues, newsletter/publication creation and distribution, merchandise/store management, job descriptions, waiver creation and retention policies ... and so on ...

As board members, we're hardly qualified for the work we've been doing over the past few years and this is one solution to that problem. We would essentially be lifting that administrative burden from our shoulders as volunteers and put it on the shoulders of the professionals who have it down to a science. This would leave the "state" with more mental and physical bandwidth to dedicate to things like: trail school, cps, land manager relations, state-wide events/festivals, etc ..

This would also put the focus of our energy into the trails .. into finding new places to build trails .. into increasing mileage at existing trails .. into programs, events, traildays, and things that directly relate to the hobby that we all enjoy. Rather than the deep dark hole that is paperwork and policy.

It would seem to me that IMBA could assist with the insurance situation, and the other administrative tasks like membership, but we would still need to file a tax return (even IMBA's description above states "tax filing assistance, accounting assistance...". We would also still need to have MMBA merchandise, and an MMBA newsletter publication - although I would be interested in hearing things from the national (international) perspective, frankly I still want to know what is going on locally in our great state. And I'm still going to want MMBA-branded gear and jerseys (even if they happen to have an IMBA logo in the corner somewhere).

I just am not sure that the current proposal (MMBA chapters becoming chapters of IMBA directly) would be good for the MMBA.....

[nate.phelps]

The MMBA doesn't go away. There would still be a state board and an advocacy director as well as an advocacy team.
And yes a chapter treasurer would still have to fill an end of year statement and submit it to either the MMBA or IMBA, same as happens now.
The newsletter from IMBA would be regional with some national coverage. And they will handle merchandise.
This isn't a case of IMBA moving in and taking over. This is shared services. Advocacy is and will still be the focus of the chapter and the MMBA.

[Di_bear]

...We would also still need to have MMBA merchandise, and an MMBA newsletter publication.

These are two of our problems. They are big jobs and it's hard to find volunteers for them. Currently, there is no one officially heading up the BRB, and I'm taking care of the monthly email newsletter. I have no idea what is happening with merchandise, but it's something the board has discussed for quite some while. I don't know exactly what is going on with it right now, but I think that we just don't have the dedicated, experienced people in place to handle it who don't also have other large responsibilities, such as work and family.

The reason why we are considering IMBA is because we just don't have the time or resources to do all of this work or contract it out.

I currently have an inquiry into IMBA, especially regarding the role of the "MMBA" and funding should we move forward with this.

[Mr. Bojangles]

I have a question for the excutive director position. Is this a salaried job or volunteer?

I agree with catching of breath's take on the discussion.

[dirt]

If anything, I would suggest a better variant would be to have the parent MMBA organization become a "chapter" of IMBA, and keep the current MMBA chapter "sub-structure" in place. Having individual MMBA chapters become chapters of IMBA would cut the parent MMBA out of loop, and essentially break its back. I just don't see how the MMBA could continue without having chapters behind it, and at the same time have a board that comes together periodically to discuss issues of statewide importance. Without having a statewide board, we would lose our statewide voice and focus, and any influence that we currently have in Lansing. How would the DNRE director or our legislators or governor react if they were approached by an national IMBA rep, rather than say the president of the MMBA or our advocacy director? If the idea is to keep the board in place (but perhaps to eliminate the need for an ED), then I am not sure how this would be reconciled with removing the chapters from underneath it.

First, having the MMBA join as a single organization isn't on the table. This what originally happened with SORBA, and it's agreed by people on both sides (IMBA and SORBA) that the model didn't work well. SORBA is currently moving away from that model, and toward having the chapters directly connect to IMBA, yet SORBA as an organization isn't going away. They are moving toward what we would be doing. The decision to not follow this model was made fairly quickly after the SORBA merger, and is a good part of the reason that the program was paused for a year or so, as they reevaluated how to move forward. In brief, the tax and legal issues of having multiple boards, and legal entities, complected the who model, and is costing thousands of dollars a year extra to maintain. Plus, it failed to eliminate that legal/tax/insurance issues that is the main drain on smaller organizations like SORBA and MMBA.

Is there a risk of the MMBA dying, because it's removed from the leadership role of the chapters? Yes. But, to be honest, that same risk exists right now. It would mean that people would have to step up to the plate from the chapters and membership to head run the state organization. It would mean that the chapters would have to work together to maintain that state wide voice. But, you know, that's really no different from right now. Maybe the chapters would be under the IMBA umbrella, but it would be the same people leading the chapters, the same people stepping up to the state leadership positions. If those people are going to fail under the IMBA umbrella, they are doing to fail now. The legal and tax identifies may change, but really, the people stay the same. The same people who have been keeping the wheels on the wagon for 20 years will still have the same vested interest in keeping the MMBA going forward from here.

Honestly, I think we're at bigger risk staying as we are. The burden of running the organization has multiplied in the past few years. The complexity of the running of the BUSINESS that the MMBA is has overshadowed state wide advocacy focus. The board has become much less a group of visionaries, and more a business management group. And the burnout rate is growing, and people willing to step up to handle these items is next to non-existent.

The people looking into this (The state board of directors) are mainly focused on finding a way to NOT have to continue to run this business, and focus on being a state board of advocacy volunteers focusing on advocacy. I'm also hoping that be reducing the work load of BUSINESS tasks on these volunteers, and getting back to advocacy, will help sustain the MMBA in the future.

In summary, I understand these fears. And they are no uncommon. From my discussions with MORC, IMBA, SORBA and others, these fears were common amongst their membership also. But, looking back, they dismisses these fears, because their experience has found that this move has revived their efforts. They are now focused on what they love, building trails. In fact, some of the states under SORBA have formed state wide organizations, associations of the existing IMBA chapters in the states, to focus on state wide issues, and it's allowing them into areas they've not had access to before. Because, now they have a state wide voice rather then just a bunch of chapters. This model has allow the MORE focus on state wide issues.

Currently, your board is focused on state wide issues, but they are business issues mainly, and not advocacy issues. That's what we want to change.

[Loren]

There's a nascent thread in the mtbr advocacy forum: IMBA's New Chapter Program