Easiest way to be in the know about SMB

If you like to know what is happening when it happens, we just added a feature to let you do this.  Look for the section to the right that reads, "NEW! Follow this blog by email."  Enter your email address, click the SUBMIT button, and you're golden.  Just follow the instructions and soon you'll be receiving posts as they are made via email.

Then just make sure you visit the blog from time to time to see if there is any new information outside of the blog posts.

Next phase of membership campaign starts Monday

We launched the first phase of our membership campaign a while back and got 22 founding members.  It was exciting to see it take off so fast just based on an email.  There was another stage we were supposed to do but it wasn't possible because of our trip to Alaska and some pressing PBSS/SMB matters.  So we've been at 22 for a while.  Btw, the money from those memberships was greatly

SMB is alive and thriving

So your blogger ran off to Alaska for a much needed vacation and, while gone, I guess there were some rumors.  I'll deal with them in a minute.  First, I want you to know that Carol and I had a great time.  We lived in that rooftop tent for almost two months and are still married.  People tell us that is a testament to the type of marriage we have.  Truth is ... it is really a good tent.  Anyway, we had a great time until the national parks closed forcing us to come home a week or so earlier than we had planned.

One of the things that made the trip so enjoyable was the fact that the board of directors kept SMB moving forward the whole time.  Bob Baggett stepped in and took over my role.  Others worked on the much needed membership element, the paperwork for the nonprofit, and so on.  I kept in touch with everyone by email and phone. It all went well but we kind of dropped the ball when it came to keeping people informed about what was happening. Hence the rumors ...

I think the best way to address rumors is not to do so directly.  Sometimes you have too, but I am hoping that isn't the case here.  So I'll just tell you about what has been happening and trust that you will be able to connect the dots if you should hear some of the rumors.

Everyone I think understands what SMB started off to be.  We hold an event that celebrates the spirit of the people who use the trails on the Butte, that raises a bunch of money, and the money is used to improve Pilot Butte.  Sounds simple and it would be simple if SMB was only that.  But, as many people know, SMB quickly took on a life of its own and the reason it did is traceable directly back to that incredible spirit we were celebrating.  I've been fortunate in that I've had experiences with something like this twice before in my life.  So I knew what needed to be done.  Others who have been involved in this type of experience will tell you the same thing.  You get yourself out of the way and then follow what is happening while protecting it from people and processes that might get in the way and stop the momentum.  We did that and what emerged was an amazing organization that will do more for Pilot Butte than anybody, including us, ever dreamed possible.

You will be learning more about this organization in the coming months.  Our next newsletter will be published next month and that will be a good start.  Members will get it first and then it will be available here.  If you want the whole scoop, please consider becoming a member.  Your dues help us cover the cost of SMB 2014.  You also get some cool buttons, access to more information than you might ever want about what is happening, and easy ways to have a voice in the process.

Rumors have their place but, trust me, there is a better way to make things happen.  We don't yet have everything up and running, but we definitely have enough in place to address all concerns.  Please call me directly on the SMB phone if you have any concerns (541-306-8411).  You can also email me at bendSMB@gmail.com

All the best,
Bill

Still busy getting ready for SMB 2014

This is what happens when your blogger runs off to Alaska--no new posts for over a month.  That doesn't mean that things are slow at PBSS and SMB.  The board has been busy moving us forward and we've all been keeping in touch via email and phone.  I have news to report but limited time.  I'll try to get everyone up-to-date soon.  Sorry about the delay but Carol has to see her bears.  If she doesn't see them in the Fall, she turns into one in the Winter.  The good news is she's seen plenty of bears (over 30 different grizzlies and nearly 100 sightings) and so we are all safe until at least 2015.

Summer membership campaign off to a good start

We launched our Summer membership campaign yesterday and we already have 16 members.  It is gratifying to know that people are still very much interested in SMB.  It was only about a week ago when we realized that expenses for SMB 2014 were starting to happen.  It kind of caught us by surprise.  Fortunately, the membership component was nearly ready and so we put it on the fast track hoping for the best.  Like so many things SMB, we are extremely pleased by how well this is taking off.  It is already helping with the early expenses for the 2014 event.

Membership is the cornerstone of how we will pay for SMB each year.  But it isn't the only way.  We've been very busy with several projects that will bring in additional revenue and you will learn more about them later.