I almost skipped this message from Active Trans . . . big change

Most of you probably know this by now.

http://www.activetrans.org/blog/mkohara/best-wishes-west-coast

I guess that national bike summit was worth the trip :-)

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Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on March 17, 2010 at 4:14pm
Holy shit.
Permalink Reply by Erin on March 17, 2010 at 4:21pm
Was this a voluntary move? Just wondering if this is potentially part of any fallout the organization is feeling after it's decision to expand the scope of its mission....
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 18, 2010 at 1:52am
From what I've heard so far, the folks in Portland have been looking for a while. It sounds like a great opportunity for Rob and for BTA. I wish him success and hope that ATA will find a strong, effective leader to take his place.

BTW, about the end of B of A sponsorship of Bike the Drive - they agreed to a 3-year sponsorship of the event. 2009 was the 3rd year of that agreement. Technically they didn't "withdraw" support. They simply did not choose to enter into a new sponsorship agreement. Howard's theory about B of A's reasons for not returning as a sponsor may be correct, but I don't have any specific knowledge on that.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 18, 2010 at 2:39am
H3N3 said:
Was this a voluntary move? Just wondering if this is potentially part of any fallout the organization is feeling after it's decision to expand the scope of its mission....
Oh Jesus-- I was half afraid to post this because I knew this sort of comment would come right along.
I have quite a bit of insider knowledge and I know of no dissatisfaction with Rob or any push for him to move along for any reason. My feeling is that this was completely voluntary. There are a zillion other areas he could work in in Chicago, making much more money than at Active Trans. or this new position, if he wanted to (do you know where he came from before Active Trans?).

I also am absolutely convinced that any "fallout" there may be has nothing to do with the name change/mission expansion, and everything to do with the economy, specifically the fact that organizations across the board that rely on donations and public funding get hit hard in economic down times, and the fact that an important sponsor, Bank of America, withdrew support due to not wanting the perception that it's being "frivolous" with its money considering all the "bailouts" and snafus over bonuses and such (fortunately another sponsor has stepped up to the plate.)

Voluntary or not, this is the best news I've heard in quite a while! Thanks for posting it. I have the impression that the whole mission expansion fiasco was Sadowsky's idea and pet project. If my impression is true, then I say good riddance!

I hope this means that the organization which used to actually have the word Bicycle in it's name can take the time to reconsider its monumental mistakes and fix them. This historical moment - with bicycling enjoying a huge surge in numbers - is being squandered by our advocacy group's loss of focus and identity.

I'll be renewing my membership immediately.
Permalink Reply by Brendan on March 18, 2010 at 3:53am
Tony Adams said:
Voluntary or not, this is the best news I've heard in quite a while! Thanks for posting it. I have the impression that the whole mission expansion fiasco was Sadowsky's idea and pet project. If my impression is true, then I say good riddance!
I don't understand how this was a fiasco. Have you never had to take a busted bike on the CTA? Have you never had to WALK across a busy street? Progressive urban planning and advocacy for responsible use of our streets is a boon to the entire city, not a "pet project." Safe streets can only help cyclists. Conspiracy theories about Rob's move are just that. You're making something out of nothing.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 18, 2010 at 4:09am
Brendan said:
Tony Adams said:
Voluntary or not, this is the best news I've heard in quite a while! Thanks for posting it. I have the impression that the whole mission expansion fiasco was Sadowsky's idea and pet project. If my impression is true, then I say good riddance!
I don't understand how this was a fiasco. Have you never had to take a busted bike on the CTA? Have you never had to WALK across a busy street? Progressive urban planning and advocacy for responsible use of our streets is a boon to the entire city, not a "pet project." Safe streets can only help cyclists. Conspiracy theories about Rob's move are just that. You're making something out of nothing.

I'm not talking about any kind of conspiracy. I'm not disagreeing that transit and walking advocacy work is also helpful to bicycles. But bikes on CTA are a bike issue as much as a transit issue though isn't it?

I'm just saying that we need to focus on bicycling issues and that at the very least, our advocacy group should have a bicycle in it's name and logo. It was a fiasco in that the mission and identity change were done without consulting the members who support the group (other than by of of some vague feel-good surveys).
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on March 18, 2010 at 4:59am
Hey Erin,

We're very excited for Rob and don't consider "fallout" as a reason he's choosing to leave (it has been almost a year and a half since our mission expansion). Organizationally we're feeling strong and are excited for the opportunity to bring in a new leader.

The average nonprofit executive director tenure is five years. Rob's six years with us plus three more as board member provided great leadership that our board has been extremely happy with (reference our board president's blog in Howard's original post).

Thanks,
Ethan, with Active Trans

Erin said:
Was this a voluntary move? Just wondering if this is potentially part of any fallout the organization is feeling after it's decision to expand the scope of its mission....
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 18, 2010 at 5:21am
I agree with Brendan on this. I think that the mission expansion was natural growth from CBF's original mission. In the long term, the broader mission of seeking healthier transportation and safer streets for all non-motorized users will benefit the city and region.

I supported the mission expansion when it was announced, and I continue to support it. Thank you, Rob, for all your work with the organization.

Brendan said:
I don't understand how this was a fiasco. Have you never had to take a busted bike on the CTA? Have you never had to WALK across a busy street? Progressive urban planning and advocacy for responsible use of our streets is a boon to the entire city, not a "pet project." Safe streets can only help cyclists....
Permalink Reply by Erin on March 18, 2010 at 1:55pm
Interesting; thanks for the additional info. BTA sounds like the old CBF.

H3N3 said:

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