Earl Allen

How will you work to achieve the current vision and mission of the NSMBA?

As a Director at Large, i hope to work alongside the other Directors of Association to help plan and manage trail networks and the public perception of the NSMBA. Also, I would use my experience in trail construction to help educate current and potential members of effective and sustainable methods of trail construction.

List one threat and one opportunity you see for the NSMBA in the near future? What will you do to mitigate that threat and realize that opportunity on behalf of the organization?

A threat that i see for the NSMBA is the current and future public perception of the Association. Although the NSMBA is recognized as a mediator between mountain bikers and landowners, the association does not seem to be recognized as a resource for planning new trail networks rather an association to help deal with a liability issue.

The opportunity I see for the NSMBA is with change in that very same perception. Parks department budgets are seeing more and more cuts and money that once was allocated for trail maintenance and construction is being used in other areas of the municipality.

If the NSMBA was to work together closer with the Parks departments throughout the entire North Shore on not only mountain-bike but sustainable multi use trails, a better relationship with the municipalities could be formed and perception from the media and public can be changed from good to great, and hopefully land managers could eventually view the Association as an essential component to anything regarding the trails on the North Shore.

For the position you've applied for, please describe how you will develop and manage a team to accomplish the directives/goals of your department.

Illustrate why you are capable and qualified to lead our organization in the coming years.

I started working with the NSMBA 6+ years ago when i was 15 years old, initially coming out to organized trail days and working with Jeremy Power on weekends up on CBC. Eventually, Jeremy Power formed the company Rare Earth Recreational Developments and we started working on multiple projects funded through NSMBA grants (North Shore Mountain Bike Events Society, Provincial Gaming Commission). In 2004 and 2005 i worked as a volunteer with the North Shore Mountain Bike Festival and Conference, and was able to attend multiple seminars on the Environmental, Social and Economic impacts of Mountain Biking. I continued to work with Rare Earth, mainly on the reconstruction of the grouse grind until July of 2008. Shortly thereafter I received the Richard Juryn Memorial Youth Environmental Stewardship award.

In 2009 i was offered a job with the District of West Vancouver in the parks department, while working with the parks department i worked on a variety of projects and was involved with the planning of a trail network in the Rodgers Creek development in the British properties. A vague log of my trail-work during my time with the parks department can be found at http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=130994
I am still currently working for the District of West Vancouver for the engineering department as a carpenter.

Over my years working and volunteering as a trail-builder i have acquired a variety of skills that i believe would be an asset to the NSMBA.

Rhonna Gurevich

How will you work to achieve the current vision and mission of the NSMBA?

I will work with the other Directors and members to increase awareness of the NSMBA on the North Shore and other communities. Through events that engage the biking community, I hope to get more riders of all levels involved with the NSMBA.

List one threat and one opportunity you see for the NSMBA in the near future? What will you do to mitigate that threat and realize that opportunity on behalf of the organization?

I think one threat to the NSMBA is the lack of involvement from the mountain biking community. There is a disproportionate number of users of the North Shore trails compared to membership with the NSMBA. By organizing events the showcase the great number and diversity of trail on the Shore, we can recruit more riders to join the NSMBA therefore providing a larger voice for the trails.

One opportunity I see for the NSMBA is to continue working with various landowners to shape the future of trails on the Shore. Let’s build on the established relationships with local governments so together we can expand on the current trail network increasing the number and variety of trails on the Shore.

For the position you've applied for, please describe how you will develop and manage a team to accomplish the directives/goals of your department.

I would work with the other Directors to identify the core events we want to hold. By using the expertise of previous volunteers and Directors, I would identify areas in which past events were successful as well as areas that need improving. To engage volunteers, I like to clearly identify key volunteer positions, then recruit members to fill specific roles that match their skills and interests.

Illustrate why you are capable and qualified to lead our organization in the coming years.

I have been actively involved with the mountain biking community as a volunteer for the NSMBA, as well as Board Member and Ride Leader with the Muddbunnies riding club. In 2010 I worked closely with the NSMBA to organize volunteers for the successful comeback of Wade’s Excellent Adventure.

Professionally I’ve worked as a research scientist at a leading Vancouver biotechnology company and am now a self-employed technical / medical writer. My communication, organization, and time-management skills lend themselves well to this Board position. Moreover, as a resident and homeowner on the North Shore, I have a personal interest in upholding the vision of the NSMBA-  the trails are my backyard and the biggest reason we moved to the area!