The Charles River Wheelers Board of Directors met on May 11th to address several key initiatives that will enhance member benefits and club operations.

Financial Health and New Endowment Fund

CRW remains financially strong with $135,000 in investments and $36,000 in operating funds. The Board approved establishing the Ralph Galen Endowment Fund with $60,000 in honor of our club's co-founder. This board-restricted fund will support long-term club initiatives, with spending requiring approval from three-quarters of the Board.

To better manage our growing assets, directors also approved creating an Investment Committee to oversee long-term financial planning and investment strategy.

Member Services Expanding

The new CRW name tags continue to be popular, with 45 already distributed and more requests coming in daily. Members report the tags are helping build connections and community at rides and events.

The Board is also finalizing a comprehensive Partnership Policy that will guide future collaborations with cycling organizations and sponsors, ensuring all partnerships align with CRW's mission and member interests.

Safety and Education Focus

The Ride and Safety Committee is exploring new ways to enhance member safety education. A proposal to provide discounted online cycling safety courses through Cycling Savvy is under review as part of the broader partnership policy framework.

Century Ride Improvements

Planning for the 2025 North to New Hampshire Century is progressing well, with route improvements including strategic use of bike paths for safer navigation. Looking ahead to 2026, organizers are designing a quarter-century option to welcome newer riders to this popular event.

The Board also approved increasing the post-ride celebration budget to $3,000, ensuring all century participants can enjoy enhanced refreshments and festivities after their achievement.

Looking Forward

These initiatives reflect the Board's commitment to enhancing the member experience while maintaining CRW's strong financial foundation. The new endowment fund, investment oversight, and expanded educational opportunities position the club for continued growth and member service excellence.

The next Board meeting will focus on finalizing partnership guidelines and addressing additional member service enhancements.