Membership

Late last season we learned that the organization that operated as our fiscal agent was discontinuing this practice for all organizations due to the their desire to reduce liability. In addition to this, sponsorships have been difficult to secure due to the current economic climate. Having a fiscal agent and sponsorships had enabled us to purchase team jerseys to sell at cost and covered our operating costs (website fees, Pride entry etc.), and also enabled OUT Spokin' to function in a very loose manner.

With this funding and support no longer available, the group's steering committee met and researched alternative approaches that would enable the group to continue to exist and also to continue being a significant fundraising vehicle in our community, supporting numerous worthy causes and promoting positive GLBT visibility. The committee settled on the creation of a Colorado non-profit organization, with the possibility of a 501c3 (tax-deductible nonprofit status) to come later when we have funds to pay for this step.

We elected our board (required by non-profit statute) at a well-attended open meeting in February, and that dedicated group has worked to create a new organization from the ground up, including by-laws, structure, costs etc. We've looked at our budget as well as what similar organizations charge locally and nationally and have come up with a membership fee structure that we believe will enable everyone to participate easily while giving OUT Spokin' the financial foundation it needs to move forward.

Please consider purchasing a Basic Membership at the low rate of $25 to help the club cover such costs as team liability insurance, web hosting, e-mail communications, providing custom team jerseys at cost, and participation in Pridefest and other social events. OUT Spokin' membership will also provide you greater access to our website where you can communicate with other riders and share training routes. OUT Spokin' is also working with various vendors to provide team discounts to members. Membership purchases are for the season; therefore, memberships will expire on March 1st of the following year. To purchase a Basic Membership, make sure that you are logged into our site, and go to the online catalog or click on this link http://outspokin.org/content/basic-membership

If you'd like to provide some additional support, consider purchasing a Patron Membership for $50. Patron members will receive the same membership rewards of the Basic Membership as well as a pair of our own custom performance socks. The custom socks are only available to patron members. They are made of a moisture wicking hybrid Cool Max that provides superb comfort and the unparalleled performance demanded by athletes. The additional funds available from this membership will also help put us in a position to offer scholarships to riders who wish to ride in an OUT Spokin' charity event but who cannot afford the event registration.
* Patron membership purchases are for the season; therefore, memberships will expire on March 1st of the next season. To purchase a Patron Membership, make sure that you are logged into our site, and go to the online catalog or click on this link http://outspokin.org/content/patron-membership

*Any scholarship candidate will be asked to submit a scholarship request in writing at the beginning of the season. Scholarship applications will be reviewed and awarded by the Board of Directors. Each scholarship recipient will be required to participate in training rides; ride in the selected charity event and raise money for that charity recipient.