 Board Candidate: Bill Ptacek
Email me at billpathome@comcast.net.
The Cascade Bicycle Club is about building community and is at the heart of why I am willing to serve on the Club’s Board. As the Director of the King County Library System for the past 22 years, I have seen dramatic changes in this region. Those changes have been mirrored by the Cascade Bicycle Club’s influence and growth in membership. It is a jewel and unique to this area. At this time it needs guidance and leadership to help it continue to grow.
City of Bellevue Transportation Department staff members “recruited” me to participate in the Cascade Board process. I think it is a good sign that the City has enough interest in biking and in the Club that they thought I might be able to help. As a current member of the Bellevue Arts Commission and a past participant in some of Bellevue’s planning efforts, I have been vocal about the need to accommodate bikes in the City’s plans and designs. Aside from that, as a bicyclist, I have grown up with the Cascade Bicycle Club. As a novice rider I participated in group rides and have participated in most of the organized events over the years. My wife, daughter and son-in-law are all members and we all ride at different levels.
With that background, my interest is making sure that the Cascade Bicycle Club can serve and represent all levels of interest in riding. At the same time I hope that Cascade can provide leadership to State and local governments so that this region can become even more bike friendly. I believe that my experience working with government agencies and serving on numerous Boards and Commissions can help the Cascade Bicycle Club bridge the gap between avid and committed bicyclists and those citizens in our area who see cyclists as a nuisance and an impediment to their driving.
The role of the Board is not to manage day to day operations. In the best organizations, the Board sets policy, provides strategic direction and inspires its members with strong and worthy vision and values. As this region “grows up,” the Cascade Bicycle Club is well positioned to make sure that bicycling is seen as a healthy, environmentally appropriate activity that can lead to a better and more sustainable community.
There are tremendous, unexplored possibilities in partnerships with other non-profit organizations in the area. As a Board Member, my focus would be to make sure all strategic plans are in place. I would also want to make sure that the advocacy work of the Club is balanced with effective management of events, volunteers and member support. Ultimately, I love to ride and this is a great place to be a bicyclist. I want to share that passion with others through the work of the Cascade Bicycle Club.
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