ronald strasser
Thanks for the history and input Mike. Your knowledge of the mechanical
workings of OBRA deep and well earned. PIR is huge as you mentioned. ( I
remember racing OCA Tuesday races for $1).
However my general thought might or might not get any consideration, I just
felt it important to look to the future. If a source of funding larger
than anything OBRA has ever had would be needed...…………….then maybe that is
something the Board should at least visit and be open to ideas. We have
active sports business corporations here in the state (NIKE, Columbia,
Adidas and ?) who might be willing to at least seed a fund for the future
of this sport. Members making OBRA part of their estate planning might be
an option. Even monthly contributions for such a fund. I just do like the
thought of some "unforeseen" whatever putting what OBRA provides at risk.
Insurance does it's part, but proactive planning is also good. Keeping
annual membership on the low side is good for participation, but if some
choose to help more, that would help OBRA be better prepared. Just
treading water keeps us afloat and if that is what Is desired, that is OK
with me. I love the races I ride. OBRA is good to me...I just want it
thrive long after I am bone. The more solid the ground the organization
sits on, the better it gets through the big one. Tomorrow we wake up and
move on to whatever keeps us engaged. I will race and renew as long as I
can.
ron
On Sun, Nov 11, 2018 at 7:33 PM Mike Murray via OBRA
wrote:
> If Alpenrose Dairy was all about making money they would have sold the
> property years ago. Actually they have been subject to efforts to increase
> infilling by having their tax rate increased. After years of working with
> them I think I can safely say they are about way more than making money so
> I think that the velodrome and OBRA storage at the velodrome are safe for
> years to come. CX may be more of an issue as this use is very hard on the
> property and parking the larger number of participants is an issue. This is
> mostly about relationships with the property owners surrounding the Dairy
> which is yet another reason why it is critically important that everybody
> be on their best behavior at not only this venue but also any other venue
> that is supporting bike racing.
>
>
>
> I think a greater concern is maintaining access to PIR. Losing access to
> that race venue would likely have an even more detrimental effect than
> losing Alpenrose. There are many OBRA members, probably myself included,
> that would have quit bike racing years ago if it were not for the ease of
> weekly races at PIR. The threat at PIR is not so much being denied access
> directly but more the fact that the fee charged to use the track has gone
> up year after year. At one point the PIR races were easy money makers. Now
> it is a struggle to cover costs. A few weeks of low attendance and bad
> weather evaporates any profit.
>
>
>
> Regardless, Ron is correct that everything changes. Unfortunately I think
> he vastly overestimates OBRA’s financial resources and organizational
> capacities. OBRA revenue could absorb the cost of renting storage should
> the free storage that we have at Alpenrose go away. Actually we have done
> that in the past. What OBRA revenue would not support would be purchase of
> property for just storage much less a site for racing. In order to do this
> a source of funding much larger than anything OBRA has ever had would need
> to be found.
>
>
>
> Mike Murray
>
>
>
> *From:* OBRA [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] *On Behalf Of *ronald
> strasser via OBRA
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 10, 2018 21:22
> *To:* dan@bicyclerepairman.us
> *Cc:* OBRA list
> *Subject:* Re: [OBRA Chat] Long Term Planning for OBRA
>
>
>
> Dan,
>
> Re-read the post. I did not say I wanted the relationship to end. This
> is about looking to the future. It is not about the operational bank
> account OBRA uses to cover day to day expenses. It is about the Board /
> Membership deciding if they want to think ahead or just continue on hoping
> it never ends. It is maybe like planning for a college education with
> regard to paying for it....or getting a grant etc. Just think it should be
> thought about. I love Alpenrose. I am amazed at how wonderful the family
> has been to OBRA and other forms of activity. This is looking to the future
> by making some decisions now or at some point. If they decided to sell the
> Dairy and property in one, five or ten years... a developer would love to
> place housing or whatever there. I am not saying I have the / an answer to
> this possibility. Just think we should consider it. Things change.
>
> ron
>
>
>
> On Sat, Nov 10, 2018 at 8:57 PM wrote:
>
> A warehouse/storage facility kind of makes sense, but you didn't say why
> you want end the Alpenrose/Cadonau relationship.
>
> On 2018-11-10 15:56, ronald strasser via OBRA wrote:
> > Chuck, Candi, Board members and OBRA members,
> > I have been thinking for some time about how nothing remains the same.
> > Change is always just around a corner. I am putting out something I
> > think the Board and members should ponder regarding the future of our
> > organization. This is not a rule change, but a request that this
> > organization begin (if it is not already being considered) to plan for
> > the possibility that our long standing relationship with Alpenrose
> > comes to an end. I have heard nothing to make me think that is
> > coming, but as I said...everything changes.
> > If that were to take place OBRA would have to find another place for
> > equipment etc. that is located at the Dairy. It makes sense that
> > these materials are kept in the Portland metro area as that is where
> > most of the races take place. With this in mind it would seem like
> > the smart long term thing for OBRA to do is find property to purchase
> > for this possibility. Even some combination of storage and potential
> > site for some racing and or training facility might be considered.
> > Members have stepped up to maintain the velodrome and other OBRA
> > needs. To me, starting a fund and seeking financial and logistical
> > input / assistance from members, any industry, or local, state and
> > even national agencies is worth the effort. Land (maybe even with a
> > warehouse and or some acreage) will not decrease in price. I am not
> > educated in methods to entice buy-in for something like this, but it
> > seems like something that might be discussed. OBRA members support
> > healthy lifestyles as does the bike industry and recreation based
> > agencies. Thanks for listening. This is about the future...….the
> > huge number of kids riding bikes and us oldsters staying young. ron
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