Volunteer of the Month - July 2008

Doug Chucka

In BTCNJ's world of cycling, Doug Chucka is the D Rides Lieutenant. At the end of last year, your pushy new Rides Captain basically told Doug that the position was his. Well, maybe the subject of the D Rides Lieutenant was broached but she certainly didn't wait for an answer. Six months into his tenure as the D Rides Lieutenant, BTCNJ had a complete schedule of June D rides. Yep, in June, every Saturday and Sunday there was a D ride offered!

Doug would be the first to give credit where credit is due and thank all the June D Ride Leaders - Russ Bebb, Madeline Coronato, Claudia Dukeshire, Justin Fatuzzo, Anita Liggett, Gene Marsh, Monica Mathis, Jim Murray, and Patti Rindge. However, every month Doug makes the requests, makes sure the rides get entered, resolves date conflicts and like the other Ride Lieutenants and Coordinators takes a few nos along the way.

In addition to working to fill-up the D rides schedule, over the past year Doug has made a contribution to BTCNJ in many other ways. For last year's Rally alone, he painted arrows, put up signs, helped with parking, answered route questions at registration, manned the emergency telephone number, took signs down, and returned the rented signs.

As far as all club members that attend July's meeting are concerned, the most important contribution Doug will make (as he has done for the last 4 years) is to pick up the ice cream for our July Ice Cream Social. Those responsible for the July refreshments are grateful he endures the annual ice cream taste test with good humor. Doug is also one of the tutors for the fix a flat pre-meeting activity this summer.

So why did Doug do all this? Whether or not there might have been a little gentle prodding is irrelevant. Doug contributes to BTCNJ in his own quiet, behind-the-scenes manner. For his steady efforts, BTCNJ recognizes Doug Chucka as Volunteer of the Month for July. Congratulations!

~ Sue Flaxman