After 20+ years, the server managing the WSBA & OBRA list servs has managed its last listing. Thus, we’re moving to the community communication tool from the old school list-serv to Google Groups.
​
We realize Google Groups are not perfect but the price is right as is the simplicity of managing the solution.
To read WSBA Groups: Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wsba.  You can also join the group and receive email, and you can set up delivery as: no email, abridged email, or digest.
 
To post:

1. Join the WSBA Google Group
2. Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wsba and click "NEW TOPIC"
3. Or reply to an existing topic

To join:

1. Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wsba
2. Click "Join group"
3. Sign in to or create a Google account

You can use a non-Gmail email for your Google account, but Google, in its monopolistic paternalism, doesn't make it easy. I'm sure many of us don't like that. I don't either. We're still using Google Groups because:

• Any forum or list will require an account. The old Mailman system did, too, and it was terrible.
• We looked at alternatives, and while some may be better for some people, this is the most sustainable option for all of us.

On the plus side, by migrating to Google Groups we now have the capability for categorizing messages by topics.
We’re starting out with these three:

• Announcements: similar to the existing list-serv. This is where race announcements, results, and WSBA relevant announcements will be placed.
• Buy/Sell: for individuals to post the equipment they have to sell or are looking to buy.
• Chat: general dialog section for discussions about competitive cycling or other cycling related topics.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. 

The WSBA 2018 annual meeting will be held on:
Saturday, December 15, 2018
4:00-5:30 pm
Cascade Bicycle Club offices
7787 62nd Avenue NE
Seattle WA 98115

2018 BARR Awards will also be handed out at this meeting. ​
​
The Board of Directors has endorsed a slate of candidates for the open board positions:
West Region Representative: Martha Lane Walsh
Northwest Region Representative (and MTB Director): Glen Conley

Regarding the Northwest Region position. We pursued a number of folks that live further north and we had no takers. Instead of leaving the position vacant we decided to fill it with Glen who will represent the “dirt” community as well. A position we value.
The bylaws say reasonable effort be made for a geographic representation and after 2+ weeks of attempts the reasonable standard was met.
Directors on the Board are elected for three-year terms by a vote of the membership (one vote per USAC club in Washington, North Idaho, and Oregon who are present at the meeting), conducted at the annual meeting.
The WSBA bylaws allow additional nominations from any two directors or ten individual members, "by written petition addressed to the Secretary of the corporation at least 10 days prior to the date of the annual meeting." If you have anyone else you would like to consider for a director position, please e-mail the secretary at wsbaresults at yahoo.com.
The Board of Directors elects officers of the WSBA Board. If you are interested in being, or know of someone who is interested in being, an officer, feel free to contact the WSBA secretary. Officer positions are President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and may be held by individuals who are not members of the Board of Directors.

2019 WSBA numbers will be distributed to teams and individuals in two waves.  Dues for WSBA membership remain $25.
 

• Renew your WSBA membership by December 15, 2018, to receive your number in the first shipment, which will go out starting January 15, 2019.

 

• Renew between December 16, 2018, and January 19, 2019, to receive your number in the second shipment, which will go out starting February 15.

 

• Please check that the mailing address in your USAC account is current to be sure your number will reach you.

 
If your USAC membership is set for auto renewal, a WSBA membership will be added to your purchase for 2019 if you bought your WSBA membership via USAC in 2019.
 
If you manually renew your USAC membership, renew your WSBA membership during the online USA Cycling renewal process by the dates listed above.
 
If you are new to the WSBA and/or USAC, you may join the WSBA when you sign up for a new USAC membership.
 
If you purchased your WSBA membership via PayPal or other methods in 2018, you may purchase your 2019 WSBA membership through USAC or via the link below.  Also use this link if you aren’t joining or renewing with USAC for 2019 or if your USAC account doesn’t show WSBA as your Local Association.
http://www.wsbaracing.org/ membership.html.
 
WSBA race numbers will be sent to each team for members whose USAC accounts indicate membership in that road team.  Team leaders will receive an email confirming the address on file for the team.  Please update team information within the USAC database no later than January 5, 2019, to insure proper delivery of team membership numbers.  Numbers for members without a team affiliation will be mailed to the member’s address in the USAC database.
 
Renewals after January 19
 
Memberships will be processed in the order received and race numbers will likely be received in early March.  For memberships purchased after February, allow at least 3 weeks to receive race numbers.  After June 1, new and renewing members should email joinwsba@gmail.com to indicate membership purchase or the membership may not be processed due to so few new members in this time frame.
 
Numbers returned due to incorrect addresses will be resent after all new memberships are processed. Any member whose numbers are returned for an incorrect address more than one time will be subject to a $5.00 handling fee.  Please verify your address on file with USAC is correct when you renew!
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​The 2018 WSBA Championship schedule is SET!
Thanks to support from our partners Absolute Mortgage and JLVelo, the category winners at every WSBA championship race this year will be awarded a champion’s jersey at the race finish.

• April 15 - Mountain Bike Championship 360 Park Westside
• April 29 - Senior & Master Time Trial Championship Tenino
• June 30 – Senior Criterium Championship Poulsbo
• July 28 – Senior & Master Road Race Championship Spokane/Spangle
• July 29 – Master Criterium Championship Post Falls, ID

All Washington, North Idaho and Oregon members are eligible to win WSBA championships, including gold medals and the championship jersey. All USAC/UCI and one day licensed riders are eligible to compete in WSBA championship events. However, racers from areas outside the USAC-defined geographic designation of the WSBA will not be awarded medals or championship jerseys.
As part of its partnership with the WSBA, Absolute Mortgage offers the following discount to all WSBA members.
$1000 closing cost credit with Craig Walker of Absolute Mortgage
click here: www.ApprovedbyCraig.com “APPLY NOW”
cwalker@absoluteloans.com 206.999.5600
#approvebycraig
#AbsoluteMortgageCraigWalker
#AbsoluteMortgageCraigWalkerGreenlake

With all the news addressing inappropriate behavior, the WSBA wants to take a moment to discuss safe sport. USAC & the WSBA are committed to a SafeSport environment. Safe sport is not ‘just focused on youth in sport’; it encompasses our entire sporting community regardless of age, gender identity and role within the sport. Both organizations have a zero tolerance policy toward any misconduct, including sexual misconduct. We also recognize that addressing the threat of abuse requires a team effort, and we urge everyone in our sport to be vigilant and to immediately report any instances of misconduct that come to their attention.
Thus, we want to make certain you have information about how to do so readily at hand. 

Report sexual misconduct to the Center for SafeSport: The Center handles ALL reports of sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Make a report to the Center if you have a reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct such as child sex abuse, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power, at 1-720-531-0340 or on their website https://SafeSport.org.  If USA Cycling receives a report of alleged abuse, it immediately refers the report to the Center for further action, as well as to any applicable civil authority. The contact email for USAC safesport reporting is: safesport@usacycling.org

If a crime has been committed, report it to local authorities: Contact local authorities if you have a reasonable suspicion that sexual abuse or neglect has occurred. All reports of child abuse or sexual assault of a minor must also be reported to local authorities. Reports of abuse not involving a minor may also be reported to local authorities.

Contact USAC for other kinds of misconduct: Other forms of misconduct including emotional or physical misconduct, bullying, hazing or harassment may be reported to USA Cycling for handling in accordance with USA Cycling’s grievance procedures. For a more complete understanding of USA Cycling’s policies and programs, including its grievance procedure, please refer to USA Cycling website: https://www.usacycling.org/resources/safesport/.

Contact the SafeSport crisis line for 24/7 crisis support: A 24/7 hotline has been established by the Center for crisis interventions, referrals and emotional support. This confidential and secure helpline 1-866-200-0796 is operated by RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Life-threatening emergencies should call 911.

USAC Safesport information can be found here.
The US Center for Safesport can be found here.