Indecent Proposal
We are a growing country that takes many things for granted. We have a sense of entitlement in every aspect of our lives. From the twenty-four hour grocery store to the customer service call from the other side of the world (when it's midnight over there), we feel it's our right as customers to get great service. I even went to a bike shop last Sunday at 5:30 pm! Yes, it was open. How convenient, right?
Have you ever stopped to think about the effort that it takes to be able to get pizza delivered to your door on friday at midnight? Have you ever thought about the sacrifices that those employees endure in their personal lives just "to serve you better"? The sad reality is that we are taking them for granted.
What's my point? Well, the same thing is happening to our club. Our members are taking our volunteers for granted. We are there for you and have been there every weekend year after year. We're starting rides, planning events, and educating riders. We can only do those things because of our volunteers, who don't make a dime for their efforts. Please don't take them for granted.
The title of my article was taken from a 1993 movie which many of you probably remember. My favorite part of the movie is at the end when the young actors, Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson, come together on the pier and find their love at the place where it all began. She says,"have I ever told you that I love you? "
That's exactly what I want to say to our volunteers--have I ever told you that I love you? Please, let them know that we love them.
As for the rest of our members, we have an indecent proposal for you: volunteer for our club! We need board members, ride starters and stay together ride leaders. We continue to see a shrinking number of the same faces. Starting a ride doesn't take too much. Just show up a little bit early and distribute the maps. Also, one of the ways our club maintains numbers is by developing new riders through our "New rider education series". We need instructors for that too.
There is also a limitation in the number of stay together rides that the club can offer. And this is entirely due to not having enough members who are willing to serve as a ride leader. Many of our new members leave our club within the first year because their first or second experience with the club was being dropped and left to ride by themselves.
So, please don't take the San Antonio Wheelmen for granted. The club is a group effort and every member should find a way to contribute. Let's keep this great club rolling every weekend!
Thank you for being a member of our club. See you on the road!
Jose Rojas
