Safety Corner Directory contains many of the Safety articles published in WheelPeople pre-2024.

Managing meeting invitations properly ensures all intended participants are informed and can participate in club activities. This guide outlines best practices for creating and managing meeting invitations for Charles River Wheelers committees and working groups.

Current Challenges

The club has encountered issues with meeting invitations when:

• Group email addresses (like ioc@crw.org) are used for meeting invitations
• Committee membership changes, but invitation lists aren't updated
• New members miss meetings and former members receive unnecessary invitations

Best Practices for Meeting Invitations

1. Direct Individual Invitations

• Send Google Calendar invitations directly to individual email addresses rather than group addresses
• Include each participant's personal CRW email (firstname.lastname@crw.org)
• This ensures each person receives a proper calendar invitation with RSVP functionality

2. Use CC for Group Notification

• CC the relevant group email address (e.g., ioc@crw.org) on the invitation
• This provides a record of the meeting in the group's communication history
• Maintains an archive of meetings for historical reference

3. Meeting Update Protocol

• When committee or working group membership changes, promptly update recurring meeting invitations
• Add new members individually to the invitation list
• Remove former members from the invitation list
• Conduct quarterly reviews of all recurring meeting invitations to verify correct participants

4. Calendar Naming Conventions

Use standardized naming for meetings:

• Committee meetings: "[Committee Name] Meeting - [Frequency if recurring]"
• Working groups: "[Working Group Name] - [Meeting Purpose]"
• Special meetings: "[Topic] - [Type of Meeting]"

Examples:

• "Board Meeting - Monthly"
• "Rides Committee - Quarterly Planning"
• "Technology Working Group - Website Update"

Here is a link to the slides for this event which was conducted online on February 18, 2025.

Indoor Trainer Tech Workshop slides

Join the CRW Riding Contests

The Charles River Wheelers (CRW) hold exciting riding contests throughout the year to motivate riders of all levels. Whether you’re taking on the cold months of winter or looking to rack up mileage in warmer seasons, these contests are a great way to push your limits, stay active, and connect with fellow cycling enthusiasts.

Winter Riding Contest

Our Winter Riding Contest is designed to keep you riding through challenging weather. You can log:

• Distance
• Elevation
• Time

Winners are recognized in each category, and there are often raffles that give everyone a chance at prizes—regardless of how far or how often you ride. This contest usually runs during the colder months and is a perfect way to stay motivated when outdoor conditions are less than ideal.

Other Upcoming Contests

CRW may announce additional challenges at various times of the year. Keep an eye on club communications and our website for the latest news on any special events or unique riding contests. Whether it's an altitude-based challenge or a mileage goal, you’ll be able to log all these activities right here in your CRW member profile.

Contest Basics

• Open to CRW Members Only: If you’re not a member, join now to participate.
• Multiple Categories: You may compete in more than one category, but can only claim one prize overall.
• Indoor & Outdoor Rides: All rides count toward your totals, whether you’re braving the elements or spinning indoors.
• Manual Entry: Submit your ride data (time, distance, elevation) via the CRW website.
• Leaderboard: Keep track of your progress and see how you compare with other members.

How to Log Your Rides

All ride data is self-reported on our website. To add your rides:

1. Log in to the CRW website.
2. Click your name at the top of the screen to open your profile.
3. Select Edit Profile, then scroll down to the Activity Tracker.

4. Enter your mileage, elevation, or time in the corresponding fields.
5. Scroll down and click Save.

Note: Your totals may not update immediately. It can take a day or two for changes to appear on the leaderboard.

Viewing the Leaderboard

Want to see how you measure up? Follow these steps:

1. Go to the CRW home page.
2. Select Members > Leaderboards (or another active contest).

You might see two leaderboards:

• Contest Leaderboard: Focused on the current contest timeframe.
• General Leaderboard: Year-round stats for all riders.

Ready to Ride?

Join us and track your progress in our Winter Riding Contest, and stay tuned for announcements on other upcoming challenges. We look forward to seeing you on the roads, trails, and trainer—wherever you choose to ride.

Good luck, and keep riding!

Having trouble logging in? Here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing your CRW profile.

Basic Login Steps

1. Go to crw.org.
2. Click “Login” at the top right.
3. Enter your email address and password.
4. Click the “Login” button.

Once logged in, click on your name or “Profile” to view and update your information, manage your membership, or review your upcoming events.

Common Login Issues & Solutions

Password Issues

• Password Requirements: Ensure your password is at least 12 characters long.
• Forgot Password? Click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it.
• Check for Extra Spaces: Ensure there are no spaces before or after your email address.
• Turn Off Caps Lock: Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure caps lock is off.

Browser Issues

1. Basic Troubleshooting:

   • Log out completely.
   • Close all browser windows.
   • Reopen the browser and try logging in again.

2. Advanced Troubleshooting:

   • Clear Cache and Cookies: This can resolve stored data conflicts that interfere with login.
   • Try a Different Browser: If you’re having trouble, switch to Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
   • Disable VPN: VPNs can sometimes block access; try turning it off temporarily.
   • Enter Email and Password Manually: Avoid using autofill for your email and password.

Multiple Accounts

• Use Your Original Email: Log in with the email address you used when joining CRW.
• Check for Confirmation Emails: Look for any old CRW membership emails to confirm your registered email.
• Suspect Duplicate Accounts? Contact us if you believe you have multiple accounts.

Accessing Your Profile on the Wild Apricot Mobile App

You can also access your profile via the Wild Apricot Member App, available for Apple and Android devices.

1. Download the Wild Apricot Member App:

   • Wild Apricot for Members on iOS (Apple App Store)
   • Wild Apricot for Members on Android (Google Play Store)

2. Log In to the App:

   • Open the app, search for “Charles River Wheelers”, and select it as your organization.
   • Enter the same login credentials you use on the website.

3. Access Your Profile:

   • Tap on “My Profile” within the app to view and update your information, check membership details, and manage event registrations.

Still Having Issues?

If you’re still experiencing problems, please contact Technical Support through our CRW Contact Form. 

We hope this guide helps you access your CRW profile with ease!

1. Open Your Google Calendar:

   Begin by opening your Google Calendar in a web browser.

2. Find the "Other Calendars" Section:

   On the left side of the screen, locate the "Other calendars" section.

3. Add a New Calendar:

   Click the plus sign (+) next to "Other calendars."

4. Select "From URL":

   In the menu that appears, select the "From URL" option.

5. Enter the Calendar URL:

   Input the following URL into the provided field: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/calendar%40crw.org/public/basic.ics

6. Add the Calendar:

   Click "Add calendar." Google will automatically sync the CRW event calendar to your personal Google Calendar and display the events.

Important Notes:

• Update Frequency: Please note that changes made to the shared calendar may not be instantly visible. Google Calendar updates can take up to 12 hours to reflect new or updated events.

By syncing the CRW event calendar with your personal calendar, you’ll have easy access to all club activities right at your fingertips. This feature will help you stay informed and make the most of your membership with the Charles River Wheelers. Happy cycling!

For further assistance or if you encounter any issues, please contact our support team at support@crw.org.

Introduction: This guide covers managing manual groups in Wild Apricot, their synchronization with Google Groups, and outlines how to add or delete groups. Users must consult with tech support before creating or deleting groups to ensure compliance with organizational standards.

Required Permissions

Administrator or membership manager rights are needed to manage groups and perform synchronization tasks.

Managing Manual Groups in Wild Apricot

Accessing Groups

1. Login to Wild Apricot with the necessary permissions.
2. Go to 'Members' then 'Groups'.

Adding Members to a Group

1. Select the desired group.
2. Click 'Add members'.
3. Choose and confirm members to add.

Removing Members from a Group

1. Select the appropriate group.
2. Identify and remove the member.

Google Groups Synchronization

Schedule: Synchronization takes place every Saturday at 6 AM, updating Google Groups to reflect changes in Wild Apricot.

Naming: Google Groups are named [group name]@crw.org, with spaces replaced by hyphens.

Example: "Bike Enthusiasts" becomes "bike-enthusiasts@crw.org".

Creating or Deleting Groups in Wild Apricot

Note: Prior to creating or deleting groups, consult with techsupport@crw.org to ensure alignment with organizational standards and naming conventions.

Creating a New Group

1. Navigate to the 'Groups' section.
2. Click 'Add group' and fill in the required details.
3. Save the new group.

Deleting a Group

1. Select the group to be deleted.
2. Click on the deletion option and confirm.

For Assistance

For help with creating or deleting groups, or any other inquiries, contact techsupport@crw.org.

Special Awards

Special Awards are presented at the discretion of the Board of Directors (Board) and the President to individuals who have done an outstanding job for CRW. Click here to see all prior award winners

Ralph Galen Service Award

In 2013 Ralph Galen, one of the original founders of CRW, passed away and named CRW as a beneficiary in his will. Ralph was a driving force in the Boston bicycling community as well as CRW. To perpetuate Ralph's name the Board of Directors initiated the Ralph Galen Service Award to be presented from time to time as appropriate to an individual who has worked tirelessly for CRW over many years.

Good Shepherd Award

The Good Shepherd Award for helping others grow in their skills and have safe enjoyable rides is presented at the discretion of the Board and the President.

Al Lester Award (formerly Percy Anderson Award)

The Al Lester Award is awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to cycling in general. The recipient need not be a CRW member. This award is presented at the discretion of the Board and is not presented every year. In 1995 the Board renamed what had been The Percy Anderson Award as The Al Lester Award.

LAB (LAW) / CRW Volunteer of the Year Award

The candidate who receives the most votes for Volunteer Award below, may receive this award. Each year the Board determines whether this award is presented.

Volunteer Award

Generally up to four candidates receive this award, which have been plaques or mugs with the individual's name and contribution inscribed. Additional candidates may be determined at the discretion of the Board Attendees (club members), at the October Board meeting nominate those volunteers they feel should receive Volunteer Awards. Following the nomination, all attendees vote by ballot to determine which candidates will receive this award.

Certificates

Since 1994, those candidates who are nominated to receive Volunteer Awards, but not selected, receive Certificates of Appreciation.

Month	Governance Activities
January	New board term begins President proposes budget, operational plan, appointments (Executive VP, VP of Rides, Secretary, VP of Finance), and committee structure to board
February	Board approves president's proposals by second board meeting.
March
April
May
June	Annual membership meeting.
July
August	Board establishes election nomination procedures and communicates to members by September 1st.
September	Members submit board candidacy by September 20th.
October	Board election held from first Saturday through following Thursday. Secretary verifies and publishes results by second Sunday.
November	Board elects president at November meeting in odd-numbered years.
December	Current board terms expire on December 31st

Key activities:

• Budget, operational plan approved early in year
• Board elections in October
• President elected in November of odd years
• Membership meeting in June
• 4 board meetings (minimum) held throughout year per bylaws