FIAC in 2011

WHAT IS FIAC?
The Federation of Independent Associations for Cycling (FIAC) is an
organization whose primary goal is to develop a strong network of
quality bicycle racing events. Its members are independent associations
that oversee racing in various regions and each association has a seat
on the Board of Directors. It is organized as a 501(c)(3) charitable
nonprofit corporation in the State of Colorado and is staffed by
volunteers -- no salaried employees so far.

Unlike USA Cycling (USAC), whose regional associations have little
freedom, those in FIAC get to choose their own racing rules and set
their own policies on licensing and schedule of fees, which they collect
themselves. Because of low cost insurance available to member
associations and lack of bureaucracy, FIAC associations have
substantially lower licensing and race permit fees than associations
affiliated with USAC.

FIAC was organized in March 1999 just after a group organized by a San
Francisco investment banker took control of USA Cycling by making
illegal amendments to its Bylaws, which gave commercial interests
majority control of its Board of Directors even though they constitute
less than 1% of participants in the sport. Inside information reveals
that those in control of USAC are still not satisfied with their power
and are now planning further amendments to their Bylaws so as to further
reduce representation on their Board by riders, coaches and officials.

Unfortunately this grossly undemocratic scheme was enabled by defects in
Federal Law, namely the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, so
it may take an act of Congress to deprive commercial interests of their
control of the "charitable nonprofit" USAC that oversees their business.
Meanwhile FIAC provides an alternative organization and set of venues
for grass roots bike racing. To learn more about FIAC go to http://fiac.us/.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BIDS
Race organizers who might like to put on one of the FIAC National
Championships this year are invited to look over the application form at
http://fiac.us/natzapp.htm and decide. FIAC provides Champions jerseys
for each event and medals to the first three places. Championships are
conducted under FIAC Racing Rules rather than those of an association --
see http://www.fiac.us/racing.htm.

NEW ASSOCIATIONS INVITED
Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, new associations joining
FIAC this year may do so at no cost whereas normal cost of an annual
membership is $600. Given that current FIAC members operate mainly in
the Midwest and West, we would particularly like to find more
associations in the South and East. Members must be nonprofit
corporations. If you are interested, please let me or a FIAC Director know.

-Les Earnest, executive director, FIAC

P.S. I will be out of the country for the next three weeks but plan to
check my email periodically.