Dear NCCC Board and Members,
The kit committee, working with the local Eliel kit supplier, developed FIVE different versions of potential kits for the club with the assumption that the club membership would have the option to vote and choose the option that the membership felt best represented the club from a majority standpoint.
The recent voting that we were asked to participate, represented ONE of the FIVE versions that the kit committee developed. We were asked to vote on slight color variations on only ONE of the FIVE versions.
I am bringing this to the clubs attention so that the membership understands that the committee worked hard to give the club options for a new kit.
And really, Kevin Brickley did all the work and he deserves all the credit for choosing a quality clothing manufacture and working to develop five different designs.
Thanks, Sean, Kevin and all those on the kit committee. I don't understand the message here, if there was the thought that 5 different version would be sent out for voting why was only 1 version with slight color/text variation sent out for voting? .....I'm asking because I'm confused but the one sent out is simple and clean and I like both variation, to be clear.
Thanks,
Anthony
Anthony et all,
There were several designs submitted by Eliel. Several were slight variations of each other, several were wildly different from anything we've had in the past. There was a second design that was considered to be put to a vote, but the board felt it wouldn't fly with the club. The design put forth has a variation using fluorescent yellow, as that was a feature many club members asked to be put forth for consideration. The current design is labeled #5 simply because it was the fifth design out of many submissions.
I second the thanks to Kevin, Sean, Frank, Ursula and anybody else on the kit committee.
I also appreciate Sean's message, and I'm disappointed if the board apparently decided to weigh in on what design (with only a superficial variation) would be "well received" by members. If that is true, it does not reflect well on our board. It's a dis-incentive to the kit committee people to do the work to propose quality kit designs only to be bureaucratically overruled, and it's a disservice to members. Perhaps this is why NCCC kit designs have stagnated for so long.
End this board-level bureaucracy, people!
I would like to see a re-vote with all variations shown. If it's not too difficult, I would also love to see either photos or actual prototype kits.
Daniel,
Since you asked, here are the four other designs submitted by Eliel
The Board is elected by the members to manage the affairs of the club; it is the club’s decision making body. Finding people willing to serve and work has been and continues to be a problem. So I am delighted with the hard work Kevin and his colleagues have done to select a higher quality manufacturer and to have multiple designs prepared, which are intentionally substantially different from previous designs, while retaining the established colors of the club. Kevin, who is a Board member, asked for the Board’s comments and together with board members present, opinion coalesced on one design. A variation of this design with minor changes was suggested, principally to have a collar of a darker (blue) color, which also matches the banding on the sleeves. Like the demand largely coming from Roadies and longer riders for more robust kit the request for a darker collar, which shows the sweat less, was also heard from many members.
It is for sure, that however many versions were put to the members some would prefer variations on the proposals with the added risk that no kit would win a substantial majority. Kit for sizing purposes will be available to try on in the next two weeks. This kit cannot be in club design for which a minimum order is required; it is custom made not off the shelf.
All Board meetings are well publicized in advance, as is the agenda, and are open to all members. I would be delighted to see more members attend and contribute to the Board meetings and to the running of the club. Join us at the next one on June 17th.
Although yes, it is good for the club to have more members attend board meeting, and yes, we should not forget that board members are volunteers with responsibility for club affairs, and that yes, some of these responsibilities do not rise to the level where members should be involved -- I believe that you will find that when the board prevents members from selecting from among a nice variety of kit-style choices, for which kit-committee members worked hard to create, and for which members take great pride in, and will spend substantial money to then purchase, then ...how can I put this in a positive light? ...then you will generate appreciation and gratitude toward the NCCC board when you allow members to actually see and vote on an actual variety of kit styles. With that, NCCC members will surely note that the board is truly serving club members, who are the board's primary constituents.
Re-vote!
Those are some cool alternatives that might have been interesting to see what the entire club prefers. However, in the past, we had the good fortune back in ~2005 to have a commercial designer, Mike Santoro, in our club and he was given pretty much free rein in the design which established blue and yellow as NCCC's primary colors. The next major change was when Anthony Smith headed the kit committee and we worked with Zoca. There were a few different designs that the kit committee worked with, but it was just the committee that chose a final design without full membership input. Not everyone was completely happy and we reverted later to variants of older Santoro designs for the last few kits that Dale Delaney spearheaded.
Running the kit committee is a thankless job and you cannot satisfy everyone - sadly, Anthony no longer rides with us, partly because of his kit work experience imo. So, we just need to thank those that put in the time and effort for a new kit, which happens only as need arises and as past-President Carol Carr said, "whenever someone has the energy to lead the charge". If you have issues with either the kit or the process, the best thing to do is step forward next time and help guide the effort.
There sure were lots of interesting variants this time (I would buy any one of them if we could convince Eliel to tone down their company advertising on a couple options), which is a testament to the work done by the group headed by Kevin. Many thanks to all of them.
And thanks to the 93 members who did vote. A very clear favorite was established with more than two thirds preferring option B (the one with with Blue collar). Final result 64 to B, 29 for A.
Hi Everyone!
I feel like an outsider now, since I mostly MTB and Zwift while my wife Susie and I take care of her mom who is on Hospice in our home. But none the less, I love to wear NC3 Kits and have a collection since 1994. Talk about some crazy designs . . . It is an exhausting topic to which I say be thankful for what you have. I personally like the 2 choices that we were given and seeing the other designs just makes it harder to move forward. I'm always up for a debate, but I think we are past that and should move forward.
I do have a question, I just read the email about a fitting opportunity for this Sat the 13th at Ruler Brewery from 6 to 8pm. Is this the only fitting chance we have before we order? The email didn't really say that there is still other times to try out Eliel clothing. Thanks for claification . . .
Thanks,
wayno :)
We are working on arraignments for other opportunities to try on the samples. Also, for those members out there that do have any products from Eliel (I know there are a few), please voice your opinions on their products, especially if you have worn the kits from Voler and can comment on how they may compare in regards to sizing.
My experience with Eliel is the kits are very comfortable but I've had to size up on the jerseys compared to voler. Bibs have been same size as voler.
I will be ordering a Medium Rincon Jersey and Medium Laguna Seca Bib and a large vest