Some of our goals include:

• Having fun, of course;
• Organizing group rides and clinics;
• Working with the BLM, USFS, and private property owners to develop, maintain and retain bicycle access to trails;
• Working with the town and county to create and maintain bike paths and bike lanes on roadways;
• Facilitating safety, training, and public awareness for a growing cycling community;
• Supporting regional charity rides by riding and volunteering;
• Sponsoring race teams and events.

"Nonprofit Charitable Corporations" cannot pay dividends or profits to members or individuals. We are an entity that has been granted exemption from the federal income tax by the United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue. We are also exempt from paying state gross receipts tax on our income, except merchandise. However, in order to remain compliant, we must adhere to strict rules and regulations. One of our strictest rules is that no more than 35% of our income can come from sources outside our membership. We are also guided by what identifies a fundraiser - they must be incidental, trivial or nonrecurring, open to the public and only two fundraising events in a calendar year are tax exempt. Before a new event, new fundraiser, new income source is introduced to our Club, we must look at compliancy issues first. Also, to avoid completing more IRS forms, we must keep our income below $25,000.

The Taos Cycle Club is incorporated with a set of ByLaws and governed by five officers on the Board. We set policy, we set the agenda for the membership, we conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of our nonprofit charitable corporation. We act as the steward of the assets and manage the day-to-day activities. We have the power to make all the decisions as long as we stay within our mission goals as established. However, if there is some historical step or a change in the vision of the Club, it would be recommended that the Board invite committees and event leaders to a public forum for a chance to voice their ideas and concerns. Therefore, our social and recreational Club can come together in unification.

The resource that provides support is www.boardsource.org. At some point everyone ought to take the Self Assessment of the Board "Demo". It helps nonprofit governing boards determine how well they are carrying out their responsibilities and identifies areas that need improvement. You complete the confidential online questionnaires to evaluate the board's performance as well as your own contributions.

Do...

• Be careful when choosing committee members. Just because they are not voting members of the board is no reason to make committee appointments casually. Committee members act as representatives of the organization and should be committed to its mission.
• Distribute committee assignments evenly across the board so that every board member has a chance to be involved in committee work.
• Get approval from the full board before making important decisions.
• Write committee reports that provide enough information for the board without including insignificant details.
• Provide more information to the board when requested, after a report has been submitted.

• Create committees that are too large to be effective.
• Have a rule - or give the impression - that committee membership for non-board members will automatically lead to board membership.
• Treat non-board members on committees as outsiders.
• Hold committee meetings right before the board meeting. Committees and task forces need time to prepare and submit their reports to the full board, and board members need time to read through the material. Otherwise, the board may just rehash what went on in the committee meetings.

First and foremost all officers must ride their bikes often!! Secondly, all officers conduct, manage, and control the affairs and business of the Corporation. All officers should make every effort to attend board meetings and membership meetings. New business and new financial matters must be approved by a majority of at least three officers. Optional affairs would be to volunteer at events, get on a committee, contribute news stories to the Bike Rag newsletter, if possible and of interest.

President:  Establishes times and places for meetings, presides at all meetings, invites guest speakers, fills in if and when an officer fails to do their specific duties, sets all decision-making occurrences in motion. Audits financial records, recommended three times per year. Oversees website and its content. Answers inquiries from visitors and members info@taoscycleclub.com,. Gives authorization to group ride leaders for website and ListServ. Is aware of who the Moderators and Subscribers are. Sends thank you cards when appropriate. President stores all the years' records and files.

Vice-President:  In the absence or disability of the President, the VP shall perform all the duties of the President. Makes amendments to the By-Laws if and when necessary. Handles insurance issues if and when necessary.

Secretary:  Takes minutes at board meetings and general membership meetings, types them up within seven days, emails to board members for approval. They get filed in "Minutes of Meetings" binder. Only the General Membership Minutes get posted to the website. Coordinates with President to get announcements in Taos News, KTAO, KRZA, KKIT for general membership meetings or events.

Treasurer:  Gets the mail. Immediately enters all new email addresses into the ListServ data base. Keeps current the membership lists, preferably in Excel. Picks up jersey and dues money from the bike shops. Keeps and maintains books and records using QuickBooks Memorized Reports. Makes bank deposits (in person to get deposit slip validated), writes checks, and reconciles the checkbook monthly. Responsible for state gross receipts tax payments (twice a year). Files a one-page report with the State Public Regulation Commission. Files the State Charitable Organization Annual Report. It would be helpful if Treasurer volunteered at the TA-TP road race as monies are collected and checks are written.

Information Officer:  Oversees website and its content. Updates the names and emails of the Moderators permitted to send to the ListServ. Keeps the website updated. Posts Business Membership logos/advertisements.