History, Policies and Mission Statement

Hello Everyone,

In view of the recent discussion regarding advertising and based on the relative young age of the group, I feel it is neccessary to clarify the history, policies and mission of PDX Adventure Racer and this site.

First some background. I founded the group and have worked very hard to expand it over the last year. With the help of Shane and Cory, we have developed a very far reaching and in-depth plan to mature and grow the sport of Adventure Racing in the Northwest. Shane has worked relentlessly on developing and perfecting this site and that labor continues. Cory has worked hard to help develop a cohesive plan to initiate and maintain quality relationships with local vendors, suppliers and other AR related sources. I have campaigned countless hours to secure members, concessions from local vendors and contacts within the greater AR community. We have all spent a great deal of time and money to plant the seeds you now see maturing. I cannot stress enough that what you see now, is just the tip of a rapidly growing iceberg.

Going forward, the very near future contains some pretty exciting membership benefits. These will include, formal discounts from vendors and suppliers, race entry fee discounts, professional level coaching, team gear available to members for training and racing, etc. You will also see clinics, seminars and socials aimed at providing information regarding important aspects of racing and training such as, nutrition, gear, team building, race logistics etc...

One of the most important aspects of all of this is that this club will remain free to you, the members! We will do fundraisers, we may have to charge a small fee for some seminars/training (to cover the cost of the professional coachs etc...)We will also accept donations at most events. This will be in the form of a container you can drop a dollar, or two, into should you feel so inclined. At no time will we charge for the vast majority of membership activities. We will also never turn anyone away from a club event, based on financial issues.

With this policy in mind and understanding that none of us are blessed with a bottomless budget, we do solicit appropiate contributions from the supply side of the industry. Businesses like Inspired Adventure, Next Adventure, Hammer Nutrition, MooseJaw, Foot Traffic, Bike &; Hike, Lava Gear etc etc.. are not going to offer any benefit to the membership, without some sort of access to advertise their goods and services. This site provides that access. We guard the identy and privacy of our members, as if it were our own. We will however encourage any supplier relevent to the AR community, who wants to post their appropiate advertisements on our site, to do so. In return we will gain all the benefits listed above.

This site is not a "list serve". It is a portal to the AR community at large and the PDX AR community specifically. It was designed to serve the greater plan outlined above. Members concerned about the level of advertsing they receive, should opt to not receive email, but simply visit the site on a regular basis to get whatever information is most important to them. We will have a very difficult time accomplishing our stated objectives, if potential affiliates feel they will be bashed for presenting their goods and services.

Concerning publicity, the press and PDX Adventure Racer. It is very important that any requests, for information on PDX Adventure Racer by members of the press, vendors, race promoters or other affiliated/non-affiliated entities be directed to myself, or Shane. This is based on a number of ongoing negotiations and our need to present a cohesive, consistant message to the public at large. We are happy to include everyone in any press opportunities, but we must insist that no one "speaks on behalf of the club" without our input beforehand.

The overall primary mission will always be to expand the Adventure Racing Community in the Portland, Southern Washington area. We will do everything in our power to accomplish this, the rest is up to you, the members. Without your participation this entire endeavor will be a exercise in futility. We will constantly solicit input from you on club related matters, future endeavors and all related topics.

I am available by email at paul@pdxadventureracer.com, or by phone at 408.420.4515 (Cell) Shane is available by email at webmaster@pdxadventureracer.com.

Please contact us directly with any questions related to these policies, the club, postings to the site, or anything else for that matter.

We will see you on the trails!

Paul Field
Founder, PDX Adventure Racer