A Workshop by John Foss, USA President

Unicycle clubs are a great way to get unicycling out where people can see, touch, and try it. Most of the people who come to the National Unicycle Conventions either are, or have been involved with unicycle clubs.

Clubs provide a place for riders to share their knowledge, to teach each other, and to be inspired by watching each other's progress. They are a place where members of all ages can learn the value of teamwork, of perseverance, and patience. Where they can learn about performing or riding in parades. Also where they can learn more about the larger world of unicycling, including the USA and these conventions.

So, every time somebody starts a unicycle club in this country, why should they have to do it from scratch? Most of the time, that's what happens.

After more than 25 years in operation, the USA doesn't really have any readily available resources to help clubs start, operate, generate funds and membership, bring riders to conventions, recruit new members, and teach people how to ride, etc. We have been busy putting together conventions, rulebooks, newsletters, and running our own clubs. Sure there is a lot to do, and only limited volunteer time. But between us we do have the accumulated knowledge to do this. What we need is someone who can put it to work.

Somebody starting a new unicycle club needs things like this:

• Teaching/coaching methods, possibly printed handouts they can copy and share
• Evidence that unicycling is not only safe for kids, but safe for floors in gyms and other types of facility
• Information about fundraising, or how to support a club through shows and parades
• Ideas on how to find unicyclists, and potential unicyclists, in the local area
• Ideas for shows, activities, equipment
• Contact information for other unicycle clubs
• How about discounts on quantity unicycle and accessory purchases.

The USA has a book called Tidbits for Beginners. It's a step in the right direction, but Tidbits is aimed at individual riders. Unicycle clubs have different needs, such as those listed above. They deserve more attention because they are like the local arms of the USA. Many riders find out about is through unicycle club involvement.

What I am looking for is a new USA job position called Affiliate Coordinator. "Affiliate" because there may be different unicycle groups, not all wanting to call themselves clubs. "Coordinator" as the person who brings them all together, so they can share their accumulated knowledge and interests.

What would the Affiliate Coordinator do? Because this is a volunteer job, anyone who volunteers would have a great deal of leeway in defining the role. But generally I am looking for someone who can work with the clubs, and keep them in touch with each other.

These are some things an Affiliate Coordinator can do:

• Maintain a contact list of active unicycle clubs and groups
• Develop information sheets to help people start new clubs
• Collect information on organizing, promoting, and teaching
• Collect data on indoor and outdoor unicycling facilities. Power in numbers means that if you can show there are dozens of gyms being used for unicycling, why can't you get this one?
• Collect data on injuries in unicycle clubs. More specifically, lack of injuries. To get insurance (or to be brought under facilities' insurance), it helps to prove that unicycling is not shown to be dangerous
• Collect information on group performances and parade techniques
• Collect information on club equipment, such as ramps, giraffes, trailers, and whatever a club needs
• Encourage clubs to host conventions, either regional, national, or international
• Plus whatever the volunteer can think of.

The above is just a list of suggestions. An Affiliate Coordinator need only take on the tasks he or she feels comfortable doing. More volunteers can be recruited to help do these jobs as well. This could potentially be a big part of the USA in the future.

I envision the Affiliate Coordinator becoming a Director or officer position within the USA. This job is as important for unicycling as anything else the USA does. It is fundamental to our purposes. Let's see if we can start an Affiliate Coordinator's office this year!

Don't want the whole job? Volunteer for a part of it. If enough people take on different parts, the whole job will get done. Then it would just need an administrator to coordinate it all. Talk to your local people and see if anyone is interested. Have them contact me, or the USA post office box!

RESOURCES:
Unicycling Society of America: www.unicycling.org/usa
USA Rulebook: www.unicycling.org/usa/competition

John Foss, USA President, 4849 Hazelwood Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 487-8959 email: jfoss@unicycling.com Web: www.unicycling.com