Author: Tim Mooney

The Pedalshift Project 309: Bike Touring Goals for 2023

A new year means new bike touring goals! On this episode I share my goals for 2023 including health and fitness, the kinds and number of tours and more.


The Pedalshift Project 309: Bike Touring Goals for 2023

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 309: Bike Touring Goals for 2023 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Bike Touring Goals for 2023

Health/Fitness
 
  • Drop the weight
  • Weigh in at least every other day all year (unless traveling) and set a back on the wagon number
  • Fitness center plan
  • Dry  January Feb
 
Touring
 
  • 5 multi day tours in 2023
  • At least one 7+ day tour
  • At least one fully new-to-me trail or route
  • Cross a new state by bike
 
Whacky things
 
  • A  heavily transit aided tour
  • A microcamper aided tour

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 309: Bike Touring Goals for 2023 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Best of Pedalshift 067: Stoves, intermittent fasting and keeping feet warm

A classic hodgepodge best of! Bike touring stove tests, an overview on intermittent fasting, counterintuitive advice on keeping your feet warm on tour and more!
Originally podcast January 19, 2017

Best of Pedalshift 067: Stoves, intermittent fasting and keeping feet warm

The post Best of Pedalshift 067: Stoves, intermittent fasting and keeping feet warm appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 308: 2022 Holiday Spectacular

This has been a fantastic year for bicycle travel, and so the holiday spectacular is here once again to wrap up the top episodes, take a look back on all of the tours and adventures and assess each and every goal I set for myself for 2022. Happy New Year!


The Pedalshift Project 308: 2022 Holiday Spectacular

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 308: 2022 Holiday Spectacular (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

2022 Holiday Spectacular

Top Episodes
 
292: Touring Bike Essentials
290: Beginner Mistakes
295: Making Your Tent Stealthier
294: Minimalist Packing for a Credit Card Tour
280: The Missing Link – Part 1
286: Bicycling New York City
288: A Late Start on the C&O
Best of Pedalshift 099: Bicycle Tour Food
297: Empire State Trail Preview
 
A look back on the tours
 
Florida
California
C&O
New York
 
A look back on my 2022 goals
 
At least one new-to-me route
 
Check – not fully new, but hit new sections of SoCal and NYS
 
Fitness: lose the 2021 weight and keep it off
 
Nope. Full fail.
 
Revisit a route (or portion of one) I’ve only done once
 
Check!
 
Think about a remote work-tour option (work-ride-work-ride… something else?)
 
Partial credit. I did think about this, but touring options were limited this year. 
 
Continue to improve my stealth camping skills
 
Partial credit. I put a lot of thought and improved my gear, but didn’t pull off the stealth camping I wanted to this year.
 
Repair or replace worn gear
 
Check! Replaced a number of worn and not repairable things like sleeping pad, duffel bag and more.
 
Organize bike touring equipment and improve storage
 
Check! Reorg of my cabin storage this week at the cabin and that will flow into the stuff I keep in DC. 
 
Episode 300/Millionth download celebration
 
Check! We did the live show and properly celebrated together for the millionth DL.

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 308: 2022 Holiday Spectacular appeared first on Pedalshift.

Top 10 Things Public Charities Can Do to Get Ready for 2023

On this episode, we’ll discuss how your organization can prepare to maximize your advocacy and impact in 2023. With several states gearing up for new legislative sessions and the 118th United States Congress about to head to work, the time is ripe for ensuring that your organization is ready to boldly advocate on behalf of the communities and causes you care about. That’s why today we present to you the Top 10 things your public charity can do now to get ready for 2023. 

 

Link –  

 

Our attorneys for this episode 

Tim Mooney 

Natalie Ossenfort 

Quyen Tu 

 

1. Calculate Your Lobbying Limit  

  • If your organization has made the 501(h) election, your total lobbying limit is based on your organization’s annual exempt purpose expenditures.  
  • You can use our lobbying calculator to estimate how much your organization can spend during your fiscal year on lobbying activities. 
  • By understanding how much you are allowed to spend on lobbying, you can more effectively prepare for upcoming legislative sessions. 

2. If you haven’t done so already, consider making the 501(h) election. 

  • Most public charities have the option to maximize their lobbying limits by making the 501(h) election. 
  • Organizations that do can easily calculate their lobbying limits and, in some instances, allocate up to 20% of their budgets to lobbying activities. 
  • If you don’t, however, your lobbying limits are based on the somewhat vague and confusing “insubstantial part test”, which limits lobbying to around 3-5% of an organization’s overall activities each year. 

3. Brush Up on State Lobbying Disclosure Laws in preparation for upcoming legislative sessions – We have a Lobbying Practical Guidance series that will help! 

  • Created in partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project, this series will help you and your nonprofit determine how state lobbying disclosure rules may impact your policy work 
  • We currently have guides published for 19 states, but several more are coming soon! 

4. Remember that lobbying at the Federal level (to Congress or Executive branch officials) may implicate the Lobbying Disclosure Act. 

  • The triggers for lobbyist registration under the LDA are relatively high, so many groups won’t need to register and report as lobbyists. 

5. Create a Policy Agenda (see ROTG #13 – aka the previous episode) 

6. Assess whether you need a 501(c)(4). 

  • Running up against your public charity’s lobbying limits? Wanting to take a stand on candidates running for public office?  
  • If so, it might be time to consider forming an affiliated 501(c)(4) (aka social welfare organization).  
  • Our publication entitled “The Connection” will help get you started. 

7. Convene or join a coalition to amplify your impact. 

  • Coalitions can take several forms (i.e. informal partnerships, fiscal sponsorship arrangements, independent 501(c)(3)s or 501(c)(4)s). 
  • Just remember that the rules that apply to your organization’s tax-exempt status follow you in to coalition work. So, for example, if you happen to work for a 501(c)(3), you’ll need to make sure that any coalition work you engage in is conducted in a nonpartisan manner (not designed to support or oppose candidates for public office). 
  • Use our coalition checklist to get started today. 

8. Audit your recordkeeping system 

  • Proper recordkeeping is essential to meeting your advocacy goals. It can help your organization  
  • comply with filing obligations (e.g. IRS 990 / state lobbying reporting requirements),  
  • Informing strategic planning / stay focused on your mission, and  
  • obtain funding (by building trust with your funders and boosting your ability to provide detailed budgets and grant reports) 
  • For sample timesheets and other recordkeeping tips, check out BA’s Keeping Track guide. 

9. Connect with your funders, supporters, and champions 

10. Make plans to celebrate the victories, large and small, along the way! All no’s eventually lead to a yes said Tim. 

 

Resources 

The Pedalshift Project 307: Empire State Trail – Day 7 + Takeaways

Looming storms, transportation question marks, and some subtle messages from a ligament in my knee all pointed to one thing… this phase of the tour was coming to a conclusion. But one more bit of adventure awaited to share with you. Plus, takeaways!


The Pedalshift Project 307: Empire State Trail - Day 7 + Takeaways

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 307: Empire State Trail – Day 7 + Takeaways (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Empire State Trail – Day 7

Statistics
 
Miles biked 8
Airports traversed 2 (including returning the car)
Minutes of ride recorded 0
Flats 0
 
Takeaways
 
1 – The Empire State Trail is truly one of the great routes in the US.
 
2 – Thank you local bike shops for swooping in to save the day
 
3 – Thank you trail towns that provide such great amenities
 
4 – Airports… I continue to love riding to or from them directly!
 
5 – I hate calling tours early, but I’m so glad I get to ride what I can
 
6 – When you deviate from routes, make sure to pay attention to what side of rivers you ride and where you’re going to (relying on bridges)
 
7 – Keep your electronics dry even if they can get a little wet
 
8 – Find your edge

 

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 307: Empire State Trail – Day 7 + Takeaways appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 305: Empire State Trail – Day 6 – Part 2

Continuing the journey to Troy, NY and the completion of the Erie Canal portion of the Empire State Trail… the hills of the capital region of NY kick in, but the finish line beckons with a roof and a dry overnight.
 


Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 306: Empire State Trail – Day 6 – Part 2 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Empire State Trail – Day 6

Audio update for day 6… my phone was still recovering from its dousing on days 4 and 5, so audio quality takes a hit late in the day 6 shows. Howly winds in some segments but totally listenable if not up to snuff by my usual standards!

Statistics

Miles biked 66.9 miles
Steepest climb 9.6%
Steepest descent -16.5%
Unnecessary flashy lights pointed at my eyes 5
Canal trails completed 1
Flats zero

 

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 305: Empire State Trail – Day 6 – Part 2 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Policy Agendas for Nonprofits

On this episode we revisit the ways nonprofits can create a policy agenda to advance their missions. Now that the election is over, we have to begin looking forward to what’s ahead and what we want our local, state, and federal policymakers to consider in the coming year. Originally podcast December 16, 2020.

Our attorneys this episode

  • Jen Powis
  • Shyaam Subramanian
  • Natalie Ossenfort

Resources

The Pedalshift Project 305: Empire State Trail – Day 6 – Part 1

Day 6 finally brought some dry sunny weather, and some new-to-me portions of the trail. In part one, we say farewell to Fort Plain’s peacock and try to avoid getting lost in Canajoharie on the way to Troy.


The Pedalshift Project 305: Empire State Trail - Day 6 - Part 1

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 304: Empire State Trail – Day 6 – Part 1 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Quick sidebar before we get started on Day 6… for those of you who listened to last week’s best of regarding the Eastern Express, Frank’s website is indeed retired so his old cue sheets are only out there if you downloaded them back in the day. His route is a combination of current ACA routes and FOTS Preston Paige Piper checked in with the ACA for the details:

In order to ride Frank Moritz’ original entire Eastern Express Route, you’ll have to use a combination of our TransAmerica Trail, Eastern Express Connector, and Chicago to New York City routes. The combo of these 3 routes follow Frank’s original route with a few deviations that we decided to make when we took over the route.

The deviations are likely for the better… as Frank mentioned in our chat the route was a beta and he got a bunch of local help tweaking it, and now ACA has it in their system and updates as conditions warrant.

Empire State Trail – Day 6

Audio update for day 6… my phone was still recovering from its dousing on days 4 and 5, so audio quality takes a hit late in this show (part 1) and early in next week’s part 2. Howly winds in some segments but totally listenable if not up to snuff by my usual standards!

Statistics
Coming next episode

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 305: Empire State Trail – Day 6 – Part 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Best of Pedalshift 079: The Origins of the Eastern Express Connector

Adventure Cycling Association’s Eastern Express Connector was developed by the legendary Frank Moritz as an alternative eastern spur for the Trans Am route, starting in DC. It includes the C&O, the GAP and Katy trails, bypassing some of the more challenging (in a not so good way) portions of the original Trans Am. In this best of, we chat with Frank right around the launch and get an idea on what it takes to make a new bike touring route!
Originally podcast May 11, 2017.

Best of Pedalshift 079: The Origins of the Eastern Express Connector

The post Best of Pedalshift 079: The Origins of the Eastern Express Connector appeared first on Pedalshift.

Giving Thanks for Ballot Measure Wins

Tis the season for giving thanks, and we here at the Rules of the Game podcast are immensely grateful for the amazing work done by nonprofits across the country to advocate on behalf of ballot measures during the midterm elections. On this episode, we’ll highlight several noteworthy wins. From protecting reproductive rights to expanding education access for Dreamers, it was truly a remarkable year for rallying public support and seizing policy wins at the ballot box.

Our attorneys for this episode

Leslie Barnes

Natalie Ossenfort

Tim Mooney

 

Shownotes

 

Ballot Measures: A Quick Review of the Rules

 

  • Yes, 501(c)(3) public charities CAN support / oppose ballot measures (including ballot initiatives, bond proposals, constitutional amendments, etc.)
    • Public charities can lobby (within their lobbying limits)
    • Advocacy for or against a measure = lobbying
      • The public is a legislator in the ballot measure context
      • Under the insubstantial part test, ballot measure advocacy = lobbying.
      • Using the 501(h) election, ballot measure advocacy = DIRECT lobbying.
    • Public charities should refrain from supporting / opposing candidates that may appear on the same ballot (remain nonpartisan)
  • Different rules for private foundations, which should NOT engage in ballot measure advocacy due to prohibitive excise tax, but can take advantage of lobbying exceptions and use general support grants and specific project grant safe-harbors to support the work of their grantees
  • 501(c)(4)s can engage in nonpartisan as well as partisan ballot measure work, but partisan work should remain a secondary activity of the organization
  • Regardless of what type of tax-exempt org you may work for, also keep in mind state / local law, which may require reporting of ballot measure activities and expenditures

 

Big Wins!

 

  • Arizona Proposition 308
    • Championed by Mi Familia Vota, Unidos US, Arizona Community Foundation, and more!
    • Grants undocumented Arizona high school graduates the ability to obtain in-state college tuition prices and gets rid of Prop 300, which passed with 71% of vote in 2006 and banned state benefits for undocumented persons

 

  • Measure 26-228 in Portland, Oregon
    • Championed by Coalition of Communities of Color (Unite Oregon, Latino Network, Muslim Educational Trust, Imagine Black, NAYA Family Center, Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center, LWV Portland, etc.
    • Expands City Council – Creates four City Council districts with three councilors each and ends City Councilmembers managing day-to-day city services and operations.

 

 

  • Michigan Proposal 3 (aka Reproductive Freedom for All Proposal)
    • Establishes new independent right to reproductive freedom in state constitution and invalidates conflicting state laws
    • Allows state to regulate abortion after fetal viability, but not if abortion is necessary for patient’s physical or mental health
    • Supported by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, ACLU of Michigan, Michigan Voices, and others
    • Similar wins in California and Vermont. VT’s Proposal 5 won with 72% of the vote! Abortion rights now enshrined in VT constitution. It was supported by groups like ACLU of VT, LWV VT, Alliance for a Better VT and more.

 

 

  • Michigan Proposal 2 (Expanding Voting Access)
    • Championed by ACLU of Michigan, NAACP Michigan State Conference, and League of Women Voters of Michigan
    • Changes voting policies in Michigan, including requiring nine days of early voting, authorizing absentee ballot drop boxes, and allowing voters without photo ID to sign an affidavit verifying their identity.

 

  • DC Initiative 82
    • Championed by DC Committee to Build a Better Restaurant Industry, National Center for Lesbian Rights, DC for Democracy, National Employment Law Project
    • Once again the voters are eliminating the sub-minimum tipped wage, and all servers and bartenders that were under this system will be moved into full minimum wage over the course of the next few years.

 

Resources