The VMBA Board of Directors has one (1) open board seat to appoint to a three-year term beginning April 1, 2024, with the current Board Treasurer, Curtis Fox, seeking to remain on the Board for a second term. For the open seat and in accordance with VMBA Bylaws, the current Board of Directors has selected a candidate, Cheryl Browdoski, for the Membership to vote on prior to the VMBA Annual Meeting on March 28th.
In previous years, the Board has proposed a set of vetted candidates for the Membership to consider. However, given the single open position and Cheryl’s perfect fit with our organizational needs, the Board felt compelled to ask the Membership to vote to approve its recommendation that Cheryl fill the open seat.
Board Members are responsible for governing VMBA as an organization, ensuring its financial health, and overseeing the pursuing of our 5-year Strategic Plan.
With the exception of Chapter Representatives, VMBA Board members must be elected by you, the Membership. Below is more information about why the Board believes Cheryl would be an incredible asset to our organization and why Curtis deserves a second three-year term. If you are either a 2023/24 or 2024/25 VMBA member, please follow the link below to cast your ballot by 3pm, March 27th!
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BOARD RECOMMENDATION FOR OPEN SEAT:
Cheryl Brodowski (Burlington)
In early 2024, VMBA put out a call for a new member of our Board of Directors. Typically, the VMBA Board identifies a set of candidates in excess of the number of available seats that we put forth to the Membership to vote on. This year, we have one opening and some absolutely amazing applicants, though one candidate clearly stuck out to us as having the perspective, background, and specific non-profit fundraising skills we were seeking; Cheryl Brodowski.
Cheryl lives in Burlington, VT, with her husband and her two dogs, Mogul (named after Mogul Mouse at Smugglers’ Notch) and Izzy, and serves as the Director of Legacy Giving for The University of Vermont Foundation. Originally from Michigan, Cheryl has spent more than a decade living in New England and five years in the Green Mountains. Burlington gives her a taste of the freshwater, akin to those of her origin in the Great Lakes region, but can be in the mountains in less than an hour.
Cheryl and her husband moved to Vermont with the ample recreation opportunities out the front door at the top of their minds. Whether that be …” the joy of experiencing fresh powder, the challenge of a new steep trail, the awe of a Lake Champlain sunset, or the perspective found at the top of a mountain,” Cheryl loves being active. Better yet, Cheryl has found community in recreational activities like riding. Her love for recreation is, in part, why it is so important for her to help VMBA. She believes that it is vital to ensure everyone is welcome in mountain biking and that …’ our growth in the sport is sustainable and healthy for our public and private lands.”
Cheryl always loved riding bikes, and found mountain biking through road riding and running. She got her first hardtail after some coaxing from friends to just test the waters, and the rest is history. You’ll find her on trails all over the state, ranging from Hinesburg Town Forest to Ascutney Trails to Black Bear and Sidewinder at Kingdom Trails. On the trails, you’ll see her with some of her favorite trail snacks- energy bars, gummy bears, and some mango slices. Off the trails, Cheryl enjoys traveling, reading, and dreaming up home re-designs thanks to HGTV.
Cheryl is excited to bring VMBA’s strategic plan, released in 2023, to life, especially
“…the strategic goal of increasing youth, female, nonbinary, BIPOC, and adaptive representation in mountain bike ridership.” She also understands that “with greater interest and participation in mountain biking comes the need for greater trail responsibility, advocacy, education, and resources in order to ensure the sport is safe and enjoyable for riders, as well as sustainable for the land and its surrounding communities for decades to come.”
With over 16 years of non-profit fundraising experience, including work for the Kelly Brush Foundation, one of VMBA’s outstanding partners, we excited to see what Cheryl can bring to our community and hope VMBA members will vote to welcome Cheryl on board.
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RUNNING FOR REELECTION:
Curtis Fox (Waterbury)
Curtis is wrapping up his first term with the VMBA Board and first full year as VMBA’s Treasurer. By day, Curtis is Director of Partner Relations at Travel Edge. On the VMBA board, Curtis has applied his deep travel & tourism industry knowledge to guide the organization’s work to grow and improve riding experiences statewide.
In the past year as VMBA’s Treasurer, Curtis has helped the organization navigate the post-pande mic financial uncertainties and our response to this past summer’s flooding, retaining a strong financial position going into 2024. He has helped VMBA continue to direct nearly 90% of Membership revenue to our Chapters while seeing the central office staff grow to four full-time employees. Curtis has constantly advocated for smart investments that help develop both our Chapters and the VMBA office for the long term.
The VMBA Board and Staff wholeheartedly endorse Curtis to continue his successful track record as Treasurer and encourage the membership to re-elect him to a second term.
Please cast your vote by March 27th to indicate whether or not you support us bringing Cheryl on board and re-electing Curtis to help us continue our organizational growth and the pursuit of our mission to ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont and thoughtfully promote exceptional riding experiences for all through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship.