Student leadership and UND Cycling

[Sal Atticum]

I just took the "online survey about your leadership experience at the University of North Dakota" that was sent around to various UND students in student organizations.  It was a lot of questions about what type of clubs I've been in, how good a student I've been, etc., but then it got down to details: in the student organization I've spent the most time organizing, how much has it helped me in various aspects of my life?

There were a lot of questions, but the gist is that UND Cycling Club (when I was more involved) was the first group I found who were really serious about what they were doing and wanted to share that intense involvement with other people.  It took me two years before I found the club, but in the years that followed, it was a central part of my life until I decided to step away to pursue academics and my personal life more.

UND Cycling Club taught me about (in no particular order)
- how to deal with people I don't agree with
- how to budget money and time
- how to learn to trust that my teammates aren't going to kill me
- bicycles
- group communication and how freaking important that is
- how to think critically and solve problems
- how to understand other "cultures" (everyone learns how to race differently)
- how to understand other "cultures" (everyone gets something unique out of riding)
- how to have a discussion that isn't an argument
- how to boost morale
- all that important stuff they grouped together: setting goals, running a meeting, influencing others, planning and event, advertising an event, presenting and writing
- flying (who knew pilots would be so into cycling?)
- how to be confident in myself and others
- so much more

I've moved on from the club, unfortunately, but that doesn't mean I don't miss the people who were a part of it when I was involved.  UND Cycling has probably had the biggest impact of any group of people since I moved to Grand Forks, and for that I am thankful.

Beek

[Alaska Unicyclist]

Beek.. Good post dude,

Meeting you guys has changed the course of my life. 95% of the reason I moved to Oregon was for cycling! I must say, it has not been disappointing in the least.

It all started with you guys.. Carl on his unicycle dragging me to a UNDCC meeting. It was good to have a group of guys to train and learn from, and learn with in a lot of cases. I hope we can all get back and ride together sometime, because you guys rock.

-Logan

[Sal Atticum]

You look like you're doing pretty badassly!  DC dropped the "P" word when he was here, are you still thinking about/working on that?